Every four years on January 20, a ceremony called an inauguration marks the start of the United States president’s new term. The Constitution requires that [More]

Every four years on January 20, a ceremony called an inauguration marks the start of the United States president’s new term. The Constitution requires that the president take the oath of office at noon on this day, but there are many other events and traditions that celebrate the occasion. This episode of Social Studies Shorts explores what happens on this exciting day and looks at interesting moments from past inaugurations.

American literary voices including Colson Whitehead, Madeleine Albright, Melinda Gates and John Grisham provide insights into their creative processes and environment.

American literary voices including Colson Whitehead, Madeleine Albright, Melinda Gates and John Grisham provide insights into their creative processes and environment.

Simultaneously a biography of both historical and contemporary characters and a uniquely American idea, this 12-hour, six-part documentary, directed by Ken Burns and co-produced with [More]

Simultaneously a biography of both historical and contemporary characters and a uniquely American idea, this 12-hour, six-part documentary, directed by Ken Burns and co-produced with writer Dayton Duncan, traces the evolution of national parks beginning in the mid-1800s and follows it over the next 150 years. It's narrated by actor Peter Coyote and features first-person historical accounts, read by actors including Tom Hanks, Andy Garcia, Eli Wallach, Sam Waterston, John Lithgow and Adam Arkin, of people who helped create the parks and save them from destruction.

Hear first hand accounts from Alabama heroes who served in the Bay of Pigs.

Hear first hand accounts from Alabama heroes who served in the Bay of Pigs.

Students will watch three episodes of the UNLADYLIKE2020 series of 26 short films and explore the similarities in issues affecting these women while also identifying [More]

Students will watch three episodes of the UNLADYLIKE2020 series of 26 short films and explore the similarities in issues affecting these women while also identifying the qualities that made them unique. The lessons are about finding common threads between the women, and also between the past and the present. This student-centered lesson follows the '5E' instructional model. Students will explore the lives of these incredible figures through a gallery walk, discuss their findings, research events of the present, and create their own gallery walk to present their research. Objectives: Students will aim to... • engage in past and present Indigenous people and identify incidents related to culture, land, citizenship, and health; • explore, analyze, and create with the topics presented in UNLADYLIKE2020; • explore the topics presented in the UNLADYLIKE2020 episodes, analyze them, and work together to create from them; • identify the specific examples of each figure’s experiences with culture, citizenship, land rights, and health, and discuss the figures’ achievements; • elaborate on issues related to culture, citizenship, land, and health by connecting past events and present events related to these topics; • evaluate the knowledge gained from the activities surrounding Indigenous people and culture and determine steps in moving forward with this knowledge. About the Authors: Sarah Dahl: Watching students learn, and contributing to their knowledge base, brings Sarah Dahl more joy and accomplishment than any other career could. Whether her students are 15 or 55 she is motivated by every opportunity to help her students become themselves. Having taught English Language Arts for the last 13 years, Sarah finds herself constantly challenged by her ever changing student body. Each year presents something new and exciting to design, execute, and revise, and not all careers have such opportunities. In the last two years, Sarah has taken on the challenges of integrating more technology into her classroom, and in the last few months she has had the opportunity to work closely with colleagues to empower them to do the same. Sarah finds the rewarding part of teaching is to work closely with colleagues in the integration of 21st century skills. Sarah has worked closely with her PBS Teacher Ambassador and leads a professional development group that helps teachers find ways to use technology in their lessons. BJ Garcia: BJ is a seventh and eighth grade math teacher at Crownover Middle School in Texas. BJ received a Bachelor of Science in Architecture degree from Texas Tech University, but a few years after graduating college decided to change career paths. He has been teaching math and coaching football in Denton ISD for the last 13 years. BJ believes becoming an educator is truly the best job, because he is able to coach students in the sports that he loves, and shape minds in the classroom. BJ enjoys finding meaningful ways for students to make connections between math and the real world. He has a passion to create STEM based lessons that challenge students' creative side. The goal for his classroom is to make learning irresistible to his students. In 2015, BJ was named Teacher Of The Year. His desire to grow professionally has led him to teach a variety of Summer STEM camps, participate in collaborations with the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow program and write several grants to enhance student learning in my classroom.

Learners will learn more about the Shoshone hand drum using this activity. Using a step by step approach, educators will guide learners through an inquiry-based [More]

Learners will learn more about the Shoshone hand drum using this activity. Using a step by step approach, educators will guide learners through an inquiry-based process that highlights Indigenous culture and makes connections to community, design, music and more.