Subjects: Communities and Families

See the story of the Mayflower’s passage and the Pilgrims’ first year in the New World. Learn about the Wompanoag Indian tribe and a game they may have played during the first harvest celebration-Thanksgiving. Learn many different ways that Americans celebrate this important day.

Two students from different ethnic backgrounds are brought together as they learn about the life of America’s foremost civil rights leader. This program will grab your students’ attention as they learn about Dr. King’s contributions to the people of the United States and those living throughout the world. They will learn about King’s childhood experiences with prejudice, his ability to speak in front of others, his commitment to nonviolence, and finally why it is so important to follow his message of hope and peace.

Analyze the steps involved in growing corn as we follow corn from a seed to the table-plowing, planting, and picking-using modern farm machinery and techniques. See harvested corn being transported by trucks, trains, ships, and barges to food processors, made into cornflakes and other products, then sold to the consumer. DVD features include on-screen teacher’s guide and vocabulary plus chapter selections.

This engaging program will grab and hold your students attention as they are introduced to the key concepts surrounding our community’s economy. They will learn the difference between goods and services in both the public and private sector. Lots of real life visuals show people at work – production workers and service workers – and helps students understand the role taxes play in our lives. Personal responsibility, work ethic, and the difference between wants and needs are shown in terms students will understand. (1) Introduction (2) Jobs in the Community (3) Providing Goods and Services (4) Types of Services: Public and Private (5) Public Services (6) Taxes (7) The Difference between Wants and Needs (8) Review (99) End

Something as simple as food has a rich cultural history. From this springboard students take a look at the heritage of many people groups in the United States. Drawing from historical and community resources students will discover how people all over the world have left their mark on the land they settled. While the differences are compared and contrasted children will be caught up in the rhythm of Cinco De Mayo, the celebration of Chinese New Year, the family focus of Kwanzaa and recognize the ways they are all part of the same community.

Page is reluctant to run for class president until a great leader from the past shows her what leadership is all about. Students will be inspired by the everyday heroism that built our country. They will also be introduced to the well, and little known leaders that shaped our nation’s growth. As students meet these great leaders they will be able to identify the responsibilities of authority figures in their home, school, and community from the local to the national level.

With the discovery of an ancient diary, two children learn what drove Columbus to explore the unknown, who helped him in his journey, and what he found once he arrived in the New World. Guided by Columbus himself, the children see how the explorer went from working in his father’s weaving shop to accidentally discovering the Americas. Through this tour of Columbus’ life students will learn the importance of his journeys and why we honor him in October.

With the help of a colonial Presidential crier children come to understand why we celebrate Presidents’ Day and what makes it so special. They learn about George Washington and the important role he played in the formation of our country. Next, they learn about the life of Abraham Lincoln and his resolve to keep our country unified, making him one of our great civic leaders. Lastly, students are reminded to honor all of the presidents on this holiday.