Grade levels: Upper Elementary (4-6)

Revisit America’s history of immigration via the correspondence between young Mai in China, and her Grandfather who lives halfway around the world. Follow the trail of letters as grandfather allays Mai’s fear of the unknown. He answers her many questions about America?s history of immigration. The stories of hardships endured by the immigrants are tempered with the rewards of living free and the impact they made on the greatest cultural ‘melting pot’ in the world. DVD features include on-screen teacher’s guide and vocabulary plus chapter selections.

Experience the rich history of the Native Americans through the eyes of young Suzy Redhawk as she recounts the stories told to her by her wise grandmother. From the rocky northwest coastline through the desert mesas, across the Great Plains to the eastern woodlands, Suzy visits each magnificent tribal culture as they commune with nature and provide valuable lessons in life. DVD features include on-screen teacher’s guide and vocabulary plus chapter selections.

Witness the conflict between North and South and the South’s eventual secession that led to a rush to arms, pitting countryman against countryman. This program utilizes exciting re-enactments, artifacts, and interviews to explore key battles of the Civil War, life on the Northern and Southern home fronts, and the role of African Americans in the war. Concludes with the Emancipation Proclamation, the Battle of Gettysburg, and the fall of the Confederacy. DVD features include on-screen teacher’s guide and vocabulary plus chapter selections.

This compelling program reveals how the interests of the industrial North and the agricultural South (the Cotton Belt) came to clash over critical issues such as plantation slavery, and how these issues eventually led to the secession of the southern states. It journeys along the Underground Railroad, highlighting the resistance of slavery, and introduces viewers to an American hero, Abraham Lincoln, and his momentous political and social vision. DVD features include on-screen teacher’s guide and vocabulary plus chapter selections.

Witness Lewis and Clark’s exploration of the West, complete with diary excerpts, encounters with Native Americans, the beautiful and threatening landscape, and a summary of their objectives and accomplishments. DVD features include on-screen teacher’s guide and vocabulary plus chapter selections.

Discover why thousands of Americans left their homes in the East to endure months of hardship to settle in the West. Describes life on a wagon train. Learn about the special challenges of the trip, as well as the day-to-day routine, via re-enactments of the entire trip between Missouri and the West Coast. DVD features include on-screen teacher’s guide and vocabulary plus chapter selections.

Venture into the unknown with young Diego as he follows the footsteps of his ancestors as they explore the New World of the Western Hemisphere. The voyages across the fearsome seas and the arduous treks across the rugged landscapes open a new world to Diego as it is related to him in a letter from another explorer, his NASA astronaut father. DVD features include on-screen teacher’s guide and vocabulary plus chapter selections.

While George Washington was leading the Continental Army against the British, Thomas Jefferson was writing a document that would be used to declare America’s separation from England-the Declaration of Independence. Students identify some of the people who fought for the rights of Americans. Once free, the planning of a new government began with the writing of our Constitution. Realize that our country’s government is based on a constitution and learn the changes made to our constitution. Appreciate the significance of the Constitution. Learn the formation of the three branches of the national government. DVD features include on-screen teacher’s guide and vocabulary plus chapter selections.

Students witness the expansion of America from the early colonies through the acceptance of Hawaii as our fiftieth state. Includes a look at the formation of the first 13 colonies, the French and Indian War, The Revolutionary War, The Louisiana Purchase, Florida and the Seminole Indians, The Westward Movement, The Mexican-American War, The California Gold Rush, Manifest Destiny, Oregon Territory, Alaska Purchase, and Hawaii. DVD features include on-screen teacher’s guide and vocabulary plus chapter selections.