Life in A Sod House
(NOTE: Narration starts after approximately 30 seconds of music.)
In 1862, Congress passed the Homestead Act, allowing men or women who were 21 years old or older to 'stake a claim' to 160 acres of land. Homesteaders agreed to build a home within six months and then live there for the next five years. People who dreamed of owning a farm of their own came from all around the country to build a better future for their families. (06:31) &
California Gold Rush
Done with actors, this video shows the attraction and importance of the Gold Rush. The treatment of minorities is also described in the rush for greed. The importance to California statehood also is shown.
California Gold Rush
The discovery of gold during the 1840s attracts thousands of people attracts hoping to strike it rich in California and resulting in that state being admitted into the union. Mainly talk with little effort to show maps or images.
The Growth of Cities and Social Issues
This video is accompanied by text. "In the decades following the Civil War, many Americans migrated from farms and small country towns to the growing cities. Immigrants from several countries, including Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Poland traveled to America in search of better working and living conditions for themselves and their families. Between 1870 and 1900, the population of U.S. cities tripled. By 1890, New York became the second largest city in the world with 3.5 million residents, whil
Reform Movements 1800s
This seven minute video discusses the reform movement in regard to mental illness and prisons of the 1800s. The work of Dorothy Dix is explained and its importance. The modern public education movement under Horace Mann is explained, too. The 18th amendment's passage and the causes are also examined and its failure. A good overview of the progressive movement and those responsible for its improvements.
Reform Movement in America
This five minute video is about the reform movement in the 19th
century. The music is off-putting and not necessary to the learning in this video. The video deals with the major movements and people briefly.
1956 Eisenhower Campaign Television Ad
1956 - the first TV Ads
Radio Speech: Dwight D. Eisenhower - Republican Convention Address
Dwight D. Eisenhower - Republican Convention Address
NEA's Read Across America
Read Across American kick-off video for the March 2, 2011 event. This is a promotional to minute video, but it does give a background to why the Day is celebrated and its importance. May be slow loading.
IPICK - Selecting Books that are "Just Right!"
When we are selecting books to read in our 2nd grade classroom, we remember the acronym, I PICK. Listen are we explain what each letter means. (1:57)
The Power of Words
When you know words really well, they give you the power to change the world around you. The narrator outlines the different ways that words can help empower your life with a background of the ocean.
How a Computer CD Rom Works
This is a very brief (00:26) video that has information about how a Computer CD-ROM works.
Three Top Essay Writing Tips
A good video that goes over the main starting points to review before writing an essay. It goes slowly, but a handout to refer to would be good for most students to refer as they start to write.
Prepositions
This video provides a lesson on prepositions. Some examples include: at, in, onto, towards, under, over of, off, between, among, amongst, amidst, lie, lying, beside, besides. Examples are written on a computer screen along with pictures while a narrator is heard speaking. (17:40)
What is Love?
How do you define 'love'? Chelsea does a good job of explaining it in this very short video and Grover agrees.
The Sound Carnival: OU Blend
In this Electric Company video, students will learn about the "ou" sound through song. This is a great resource to introduce and/or review phonological awareness in the elementary classroom. (0:50)
Speed Phonics - Letters and Sounds - Phase 2
Students try to name the letter sounds in 40 seconds? The letters are shown at 40 second intervals.
Learning the Alphabet
This educational video provides a great way to learn the alphabet. It
includes the sounds that each letter makes, and has pictures of
different items to go along with each letter. It’s a great and fun way
for children to learn the alphabet.
Pronouncing the Alphabet
This educational video attampts to teach proper pronounciation of the
english alphabet. It is suitable for children just starting to learn the
english language. The correct sound of each letter in the alphabet is
emphasized.
Magical Nature Alphabet
Video goes through the A-B-C's. Each letter is pronounced and an example is given that starts with each letter. Images are on the screen for each letter as well as a close-up of a mouth pronouncing each sound. (09:01)













