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Gertrude Ederle - Unladylike 2020
Grades
6 to 12
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Make waves with the story of a record-breaking champion, Gertrude Ederle. Introduce your students to the groundbreaking athlete who became the first woman to swim across the English...more
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Make waves with the story of a record-breaking champion, Gertrude Ederle. Introduce your students to the groundbreaking athlete who became the first woman to swim across the English Channel, and did it faster than any man before her. This resource includes a 12-minute video, a detailed biography, and a timeline, making it ideal for lessons on perseverance, gender equality, and sports history. Educators will also find lesson plans, discussion questions, vocabulary support, and materials for diverse learners to enrich classroom learning.
tag(s): sports (84), women (177), womenchangemaker (67)
In the Classroom
Students can learn about Gertrude Ederle's world records by using Kiddle reviewed here. Students can use Google My Maps reviewed here to recreate Gertude Ederle's swim through the English Channel. Have students use Seesaw reviewed here to track Gertrude Ederle notable accomplishments.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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American Experience: War - PBS LearningMedia
Grades
6 to 12
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View this comprehensive resource for grades 6-8 and 9-12 that includes videos, images, primary documents, interactives, audio clips, and media galleries. Featured videos cover a range...more
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View this comprehensive resource for grades 6-8 and 9-12 that includes videos, images, primary documents, interactives, audio clips, and media galleries. Featured videos cover a range of topics such as War Letters - Photo Gallery: WWII Cartoons, Yellow Journalism | Citizen Hearst, Technology and WWI: The Transformation of Codebreaking During the Great War, How Radar Changed the Course of World War II, and several other topics. The media gallery highlights personal stories like Alice Paul and Women's Suffrage and Thang Do and Andrew Ly (escape from Vietnam) and several others. Educators will find lesson materials aligned to New York State Standards, along with sharing options for Google Classroom and social platforms. Some content includes sensitivity notices for mature themes.
tag(s): 1960s (54), cold war (36), propaganda (9), vietnam (39), world war 1 (83), world war 2 (168)
In the Classroom
Students can use Google Drawing reviewed here to create a pros and cons chart after viewing the media gallery on U.S. Support for the Shah of Iran: Pros and Cons | Taken Hostage. After engaging in the lesson on Technology and WWI: The Transformation of Codebreaking During the Great War, students can input the technology transformation in MyLens reviewed here. Students can interview veterans and create a podcast using Anchor reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Bring Dia de los Muertos Activities to Your Classroom - Newsela
Grades
3 to 8
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Newsela's Bring Dia de los Muertos Activities to Your Classroom includes activity ideas and links to resources in social studies, ELA, and science. Some of the topics include...more
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Newsela's Bring Dia de los Muertos Activities to Your Classroom includes activity ideas and links to resources in social studies, ELA, and science. Some of the topics include exploring the history of Dia de los Muertos, discovering how this day has become popular in the USA, the science behind the traditions, and a list of holidays for use with students for comparing and contrasting. A few of the links will direct you to Newsela stories or articles, all of which are included with a free Newsela account. Be sure not to miss the bottom of the page that includes several similar articles.
tag(s): fall festival (14), halloween (46), holidays (228), mexico (52)
In the Classroom
Students can use 2 and 3 Circle Interactive Venn Diagrams by Class Tools, reviewed here to compare and contrast Dia de los Muertos with one of the holidays featured on the site. Students can create a timeline for the history of the holiday using Timeline JS, reviewed here. Finally, students can use FlexClip, reviewed here to create videos explaining traditions and/or customs of people who celebrate Dia de los Muertos.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Dia De Los Muertos Printables - IXL Learning
Grades
K to 12
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Choose from over 150 free downloadable activities for Dia de los Muertos suitable for all ages and subjects. Use the filters to narrow down your selections by grade level, subject,...more
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Choose from over 150 free downloadable activities for Dia de los Muertos suitable for all ages and subjects. Use the filters to narrow down your selections by grade level, subject, support content (such as ELL and special education), and format. Activities include writing templates, printable books, note-taking organizers, and much more. Access all materials by creating and logging into a free account.
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tag(s): fall festival (14), halloween (46), holidays (228), mexico (52), worksheets (72)
In the Classroom
Bookmark and save this site to access a wealth of resources for teaching about Dia de los Muertos. Extend learning by asking students to compare and contrast holiday traditions between Halloween and Dia de los Muertos by creating Venn Diagrams using the Venn Diagram Creator by Canva, reviewed here. Many of the free materials are available in Spanish; use these items to teach basic Spanish words and phrases. Use Blooket, reviewed here to create games that reinforce understanding of this Mexican holiday. Search the Booklet library to find many pre-made games about the Day of the Dead that are ready to use for different grade levels.
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Day of the Dead Resources - National Museum of the American Latino
Grades
3 to 12
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This site offers an extensive collection of learning materials and virtual exhibitions that teach and tell the story of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Visit the link ...more
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This site offers an extensive collection of learning materials and virtual exhibitions that teach and tell the story of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Visit the link to the Learning Kit to access Smithsonian collections, videos, music, and hands-on activities. The virtual exhibitions tell the stories of honoring ancestors, the meaning of the altar as part of Dia de los Muertos celebrations, and the tale of La Catrina: Lady of the Dead. Other offerings on the site include options to register for free virtual events that share information about Mexican music.
tag(s): fall festival (14), halloween (46), holidays (228), mexico (52)
In the Classroom
Enhance student learning by creating trading cards using Big Huge Labs, reviewed here. Have students create cards for different components of Dia de los Muertos, such as the ofrenda, sugar skulls, and the meaning of using marigolds to guide the deceased back to the world of the living. Extend learning by asking students to write a script that tells about this Mexican holiday, then record a podcast using Adobe Podcast, reviewed here to share with their family and friends.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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FREE Day of the Dead/Dia de los Muertos Activity Pack for All Ages - Twinkl
Grades
K to 8
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This download from Twinkl shares a collection of free resources for celebrating Day of the Dead with activities suitable for students up to eighth grade. Younger students can complete...more
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This download from Twinkl shares a collection of free resources for celebrating Day of the Dead with activities suitable for students up to eighth grade. Younger students can complete crafts, color sugar skulls, and access the art pack that includes an observation activity comparing Halloween to the Day of the Dead. Resources for older students include PowerPoint and Google Slides presentations, a one-page project, and an Ofrenda Worksheet. Sign up for a free account to access and download all of the activities.
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tag(s): fall festival (14), halloween (46), holidays (228), mexico (52), preK (288), worksheets (72)
In the Classroom
Add this packet to your current resources for teaching about Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos). Be sure to visit other links on Twinkl to find a Day of the Dead emergent reader ebook, along with other teaching resources. Extend learning by asking students to create their own stories about Day of the Dead using Story Maker by ABCya, reviewed here or Storyboard That, reviewed here.
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Louise Arner Boyd - Unladylike 2020
Grades
6 to 12
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Learn the remarkable story of Louise Arner Boyd, the first woman to lead Arctic expeditions. The site features a short video, a detailed biography, and a historical timeline. Educators...more
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Learn the remarkable story of Louise Arner Boyd, the first woman to lead Arctic expeditions. The site features a short video, a detailed biography, and a historical timeline. Educators can access the content in a lesson plan format, along with supporting materials such as discussion questions, vocabulary lists, and resources for diverse learners, making it an accessible and engaging resource for classroom use.
tag(s): women (177), womenchangemaker (67)
In the Classroom
Students can use Google My Maps reviewed here to virtually visit the area/region Louise Arner Boyd explored. Have students research other Arctic lead expeditions using Kiddle reviewed here. Finally, students can use Seesaw reviewed here to write information regarding the findings from the different Arctic expeditions that Louise Arner Boyd led.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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American Experience: Women - PBS LearningMedia
Grades
6 to 12
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Discover a rich variety of videos, interactive content, media galleries, and historical documents that highlight influential women and pivotal moments in history. Featured videos include...more
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Discover a rich variety of videos, interactive content, media galleries, and historical documents that highlight influential women and pivotal moments in history. Featured videos include women and topics such as Hillary Clinton, Eleanor Roosevelt, the Seneca Falls Convention, and the ongoing fight for voting rights. Media galleries showcase stories like Sandra Day O'Connor's path to the Supreme Court and early female pioneers in solar energy, such as "The Sun Queen." The collection also includes primary documents and biographies, including those on Pauline Newman, Annie Oakley, and Annie Turner Wittenmyer. All resources come with teacher and student support materials and are easily shareable via Google Classroom, Pinterest, Facebook, Remind, or email.
tag(s): women (177), womenchangemaker (67), womens suffrage (63)
In the Classroom
Students can complete the lesson available from PBS. Students can use Kiddle reviewed here to learn more about the time period. Students can use Book Creator reviewed here to make a book featuring famous women.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Zitkala-Sa/Gertrude Simmons Bonnin - Unladylike 2020
Grades
6 to 12
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Introduce your students to the inspiring life of Zitkala-Sa (Gertrude Simmons Bonnin), a Yankton Dakota writer, musician, and political activist. This resource delves into her journey...more
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Introduce your students to the inspiring life of Zitkala-Sa (Gertrude Simmons Bonnin), a Yankton Dakota writer, musician, and political activist. This resource delves into her journey from attending a Quaker missionary-run boarding school at age eight to becoming a powerful advocate for Native American rights. Zitkala-Sa co-composed and wrote the libretto for The Sun Dance Opera, the first American Indian opera, and co-founded the National Council of American Indians to lobby for increased political power for American Indians.
tag(s): native americans (116), politics (120), women (177), womenchangemaker (67)
In the Classroom
Have students read one of Zitkala-Sa/Gertrude Simmons Bonnin's books. Students can listen to her music and use Answer Garden, reviewed here to write down words that they feel as they are listening to her music, then view their word cloud. Finally, students can create a book using Book Creator, reviewed here to create a book of Indigenous rights activists.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Washington Crossing the Delaware Painting: Mount Vernon - PBS LearningMedia
Grades
4 to 10
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The PBS LearningMedia resource "Washington Crossing the Delaware" offers a short, accessible video that introduces students to Emanuel Leutze's famous 1851 painting and explores its...more
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The PBS LearningMedia resource "Washington Crossing the Delaware" offers a short, accessible video that introduces students to Emanuel Leutze's famous 1851 painting and explores its historical and symbolic significance. The video highlights how the artwork was intended to inspire unity and patriotism, especially during times of national division. The resource is designed for classroom use and includes discussion questions and background information to support historical thinking and visual analysis skills. It's an excellent tool for helping students understand how art can reflect and influence public perceptions of historical events.
tag(s): art history (109), presidents (146), washington (32)
In the Classroom
Show the painting without context and have students write short reactions or questions on sticky notes. Then, play the video and discuss how their initial impressions compare to what they learned. While watching the video, students can take notes on symbols in the painting (ex., the flag, Washington's posture, ice chunks) and then research what each might represent. Students find or create a modern artwork that conveys a message about unity, leadership, or patriotism, then compare it to Leutze's painting.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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American Experience - American Presidents - PBS Learning: American Presidents
Grades
6 to 12
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View a collection of videos, documents, and a media gallery. Videos and Media Galleries include topics such as: The 25th Amendment: Reagan - Primary Resources: Reagan's Farewell Speech,...more
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View a collection of videos, documents, and a media gallery. Videos and Media Galleries include topics such as: The 25th Amendment: Reagan - Primary Resources: Reagan's Farewell Speech, The Presidents - Primary Sources: Eisenhower's State of the Union Address -1954, Mending a Constitutional Flaw, The Watergate Scandal and the 25th Amendment, President Truman Champions Civil Rights, How 9/11 Changed the Course of the George W. Bush Presidency, 1964: "The Importance of the Civil Rights Act", 1964: "The South Changes Political Parties", Passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and many more. Documents have primary sources on the State of the Union, Inaugural speeches, and farewell speeches. Supporting materials for teachers and students are available. Everything can be shared to Google Classroom or a Social Share (Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, email, or Remind). All lessons are aligned with standards; you can log in (free) to view individual state standards.
tag(s): 1980s (21), presidents (146)
In the Classroom
Students can complete the lesson that is available for each topic. Students can use the Time Graphic Timeline Tool, reviewed here to create a timeline of the president's term in office. Students can use Figma, reviewed here to compare and contrast different presidents.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Nosotros: The Rise of Latino Influence in the US - MoCoCouncilMD
Grades
5 to 12
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This video commemorates Hispanic Heritage Month by honoring local Hispanic and Latino residents who have made significant contributions to their community. The video features the Arbaiza...more
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This video commemorates Hispanic Heritage Month by honoring local Hispanic and Latino residents who have made significant contributions to their community. The video features the Arbaiza family, owners of La Casita Pupuseria; Pedro Matamoros of Frank's Burger Place; Tom Perez from the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs; Lt. Kathy Estrada of the Montgomery County Police Department; and Carlos Repreza of the Street Outreach Network. This video serves as an excellent tool to highlight the diverse roles and positive impacts of Hispanic and Latino individuals in various sectors, including business, public service, and community outreach. It can be used to foster discussions on civic engagement, cultural identity, and the importance of community contributions. If your district blocks YouTube, then the video may not be viewable.
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tag(s): communities (37), cross cultural understanding (177), hispanic (46)
In the Classroom
Students can research a Hispanic or Latino community leader in their own state or region and complete a slideshow using Genially, reviewed here or Google Slides, reviewed here. Or have them reflect on how they might one day contribute to their community like the people in the video, and use these resources to create a presentation about it. As a class or in small groups, brainstorm questions and interview a Hispanic/Latino community member (virtually or in person).Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Washington Crossing the Delaware - WGBH
Grades
4 to 10
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Discover an engaging exploration of Emanuel Leutze's iconic 1851 painting. Students can explore various aspects of the artwork through labeled sections and informative layers, gaining...more
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Discover an engaging exploration of Emanuel Leutze's iconic 1851 painting. Students can explore various aspects of the artwork through labeled sections and informative layers, gaining insight into the historical context and the diverse individuals represented. This resource serves as a valuable educational tool, encouraging students to analyze art to gain a deeper understanding of historical events and figures.
tag(s): art history (109), presidents (146), washington (32)
In the Classroom
Have students select a figure from the painting (using the labeled sections on the site) and write a journal entry or short narrative from that person's point of view. Using the interactive commentary on historical accuracy, students can make a T-chart using Online Productivity Suite, reviewed here comparing facts vs. artistic choices in the painting. Students recreate the scene with a modern twist--imagining a different setting, era, or group of people crossing for a cause. They can draw, write, or perform their reinterpretation.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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American Experience: School Integration - PBS LearningMedia
Grades
9 to 12
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The American Experience: School Integration collection provides educators with a curated selection of documentaries and educational resources that explore the complex and often challenging...more
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The American Experience: School Integration collection provides educators with a curated selection of documentaries and educational resources that explore the complex and often challenging history of school desegregation in the United States. Topics include the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision, the experiences of the Little Rock Nine, and the broader national struggle for educational equity during the civil rights era. Some of the materials contain sensitive content, including depictions of racism and social unrest, and should be reviewed for age-appropriateness before classroom use. These powerful stories and primary sources support critical discussions about justice, equity, and historical change.
tag(s): 1950s (32), civil rights (219), racism (82), segregation (20)
In the Classroom
Show students historical photos from the integration era (such as the Little Rock Nine or protest scenes). Students can analyze what they observe, infer emotions, and compare them to a modern-day school setting. In small groups, have students research key events in school desegregation and create a collaborative timeline (digital, using Timelinely reviewed here, or physical) with brief descriptions and images. Have students research a current issue related to educational equity (ex., school funding, access to AP courses, or discipline disparities) and compare it to challenges faced during desegregation. Inspired by the real stories in the collection, students can create a short video using Powtoon reviewed here or digital story using Genially reviewed here that highlights a person or event from the school integration movement, using historical facts and personal reflection.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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American Experience: The Natural Environment - PBS LearningMedia
Grades
6 to 12
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The "American Experience: The Natural Environment" collection provides educators with a curated selection of documentaries and resources that examine pivotal environmental events and...more
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The "American Experience: The Natural Environment" collection provides educators with a curated selection of documentaries and resources that examine pivotal environmental events and movements in American history. Topics covered include the fight over water rights in California's Owens Valley, the environmental advocacy of biologist Rachel Carson and her seminal work Silent Spring, and the impact of industrialization on natural landscapes. These materials provide valuable insights to enhance classroom discussions on environmental history and policy.
tag(s): california (18), earth day (60), environment (249), roosevelt (18), water (102)
In the Classroom
After viewing a clip about Rachel Carson, students can create an informational poster using Canva Infographic Creator, reviewed here or digital slides using Google Slides, reviewed here highlighting her contributions, the environmental movement she inspired, and modern parallels. Students are assigned roles (ex., conservationist, industrialist, community member) to debate an environmental policy decision from one of the featured stories. Inspired by historical environmental activism, students can create a podcast, using Buzzsprout, reviewed here or Spotify for Podcasters, reviewed here addressing a current environmental issue in their community or globally.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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American Experience: Government - PBS LearningMedia
Grades
6 to 12
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The American Experience: U.S. Government collection offers educators a diverse range of video clips, documentaries, and lesson resources that explore the foundations, functions, and...more
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The American Experience: U.S. Government collection offers educators a diverse range of video clips, documentaries, and lesson resources that explore the foundations, functions, and evolution of the American government. Designed for middle and high school students, the collection features engaging content on topics such as the Constitution, the presidency, the judicial system, civil rights, and landmark legislation. These materials help bring history and civics to life through real-world examples and historical narratives, supporting teachers in fostering civic understanding and critical thinking in the classroom.
tag(s): atomic bomb (9), bill of rights (36), branches of government (66), coal (7), cold war (36), courts (25), presidents (146), stock market (13), vietnam (39), world war 1 (83), world war 2 (168)
In the Classroom
In small groups, have students role-play founding delegates and "reimagine" part of the Constitution for today's world, using background knowledge from the videos. After exploring a short video clip on a U.S. government topic (ex., branches of government or the Bill of Rights), students can summarize what they learned in a one-minute oral presentation or written response. Students can choose a civic issue (voting rights, checks and balances, due process) and create a short video using Adobe Express Video Maker, reviewed here or moovly, reviewed here explaining its importance, using inspiration and facts from the collection.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Ken Burns Classroom: The Civil War - PBS LearningMedia
Grades
9 to 12
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The Ken Burns Classroom: The Civil War collection provides educators with a comprehensive suite of resources centered on Ken Burns's acclaimed nine-part documentary series about the...more
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The Ken Burns Classroom: The Civil War collection provides educators with a comprehensive suite of resources centered on Ken Burns's acclaimed nine-part documentary series about the American Civil War. This collection includes full-length episodes, curated video clips, primary source documents, and lesson plans designed to deepen students' understanding of the war's multifaceted impact on American society. Topics covered encompass key battles, influential figures, and the social and political ramifications of the conflict. These materials are tailored to support middle and high school curricula, providing valuable tools to engage students in critically analyzing this pivotal period in U.S. history.
tag(s): civil war (141)
In the Classroom
Use short video clips and primary sources from the collection to create a gallery walk. Students can rotate through stations featuring different individuals' perspectives (soldiers, enslaved people, nurses, etc.). Have students analyze a short segment from the documentary and identify how Ken Burns uses narration, archival images, music, and quotes. Divide students into groups to represent different historical figures or regions. Debate topics could include states' rights vs. federal authority or the causes of the war. Students can choose a real or fictional character who lived during the Civil War and write journal entries reacting to the events depicted in the documentary. Consider creating the journals digitally using Book Creator, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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American Experience: Politics - PBS LearningMedia
Grades
6 to 12
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Discover a curated selection of documentaries and resources that delve into significant political events, movements, and figures in American history. Topics covered include the emergence...more
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Discover a curated selection of documentaries and resources that delve into significant political events, movements, and figures in American history. Topics covered include the emergence of political parties in the early republic, the strategies of the women's suffrage movement, the enactment of the 25th Amendment, and the findings of the Kerner Commission on 1960s civil unrest. These materials provide valuable insights to enhance lessons and engage students in understanding the complexities of the U.S. political landscape.
tag(s): cold war (36), kennedy (22), mccarthyism (2), politics (120), presidents (146), roosevelt (18), space (231), womens suffrage (63)
In the Classroom
After watching a short clip on a historical political event (ex., the women's suffrage movement or the emergence of political parties), have students choose 3-5 objects, quotes, or images they'd place in a time capsule to represent that moment. Have students analyze how a documentary clip presents a political issue, such as civil unrest or voting rights, focusing on tone, imagery, and historical context. They answer guided questions or write a reflection. After exploring historical movements such as women's suffrage or civil rights, students can create a plan for a modern social or political movement, including its goals, slogans, and strategies. Students research early U.S. political parties featured in the collection and compare their platforms with today's major parties. They present findings through infographics using Timeline Infographic Templates, reviewed here or Canva Infographic Maker, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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American Experience: Civil Rights - PBS LearningMedia
Grades
9 to 12
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The American Experience: Civil Rights collection presents a comprehensive set of documentaries and resources that examine pivotal events, key leaders, and significant turning points...more
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The American Experience: Civil Rights collection presents a comprehensive set of documentaries and resources that examine pivotal events, key leaders, and significant turning points in the American civil rights movement. This middle and high school classrooms collection provides historical footage, primary sources, and expert interviews to deepen students' understanding of the fight for racial justice in the United States. Some materials contain sensitive content--including images and language reflecting the realities of discrimination and violence--making it essential for teachers to preview resources and provide appropriate context and support during classroom use.
tag(s): civil rights (219), racism (82)
In the Classroom
Select 6-8 key videos or images from the collection and post them around the room with short discussion prompts. Students rotate in small groups, viewing each and responding on sticky notes or in journals. Students choose a civil rights leader featured in the collection (ex., Rosa Parks, John Lewis, or Fannie Lou Hamer) and create a character map using Canva Infographic Creator, reviewed here or MindMup reviewed here that includes the person's motivations, actions, challenges, and legacy. Students watch a short documentary segment and analyze how film techniques (music, narration, visuals) shape viewer understanding. They answer guided questions about the historical content and storytelling strategies. Students write a letter from the perspective of someone living during the civil rights era -- such as an activist, student, or community member -- reacting to a key event, such as the March on Washington.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Gilded Age - PBS LearningMedia
Grades
9 to 12
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Step back into one of the most transformative and turbulent periods in American history with PBS LearningMedia's American Experience: The Gilded Age collection. This curated set of...more
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Step back into one of the most transformative and turbulent periods in American history with PBS LearningMedia's American Experience: The Gilded Age collection. This curated set of free, classroom-ready resources offers teachers a dynamic way to explore the rapid industrial growth, political upheaval, and social inequality that defined the late 19th century. Featuring documentary clips, primary source sets, and lesson-ready materials, the collection brings to life key figures like Andrew Carnegie, J.P. Morgan, and Mary Elizabeth Lease, while examining the era's lasting impact on labor, wealth, and democracy.
tag(s): industrialization (11)
In the Classroom
Students can complete the lesson available from PBS. Students can use Sutori reviewed here to create a timeline of the period. Students can use Figma reviewed here to compare and contrast the Gilded Age to another period in United States history.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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