Third Parties
While the American system of politics has generally been defined as a two-party system, occasionally a third party emerges, influencing elections and siphoning important votes from the major parties. Third parties often begin as single-issue parties that oppose or promote a certain social, economic, or political topic. For example, the Republican Party formed in the 1850’s as a third party in opposition to slavery. Similarly, in 2000, Ralph Nader formed the Green Party that focused on environm
A History of Political Parties in the U.S.
Great teachers from outstanding universities give instruction on federalism in this video from Thinkwell's online American Government series. In this video we discuss: A History of Political Parties in the U.S. The video uses lecture format, pictures, and a whiteboard to aid in the explanations. Run time 11:12.
Route of a Bill Through Congress
A bill is a piece of legislation that has been proposed but has not been passed. Bills come from many sources, such as politicians, private citizens, special interest groups, and the president. However, only members of Congress have the right to introduce a bill for consideration. While Congress is in session for a two-year term, its members introduce between 10,000 and 11,000 bills. However, Congress passes only around five or six percent of the bills that are introduced.
(Video is narrated wit
March on Washington
While campaigning for the White House in 1960, John F. Kennedy made the pledge that civil rights would take center stage during his presidency. Kennedy guaranteed that discriminatory practices in housing would be done away with at the start of his term "with a stroke of a pen." Once in office, the results of his pledge were much less dramatic. In fact, the process took nearly two years to complete; all the while civil rights groups were sending pens to the White House to protest Kennedy's inacti
Affirmative Action and Forced Busing
As blacks benefited from new voting rights and school desegregation, the workplace remained a hostile environment for some. Many businesses openly flaunted hiring policies that excluded blacks or confined them to menial jobs. (Video is narrated with slides and speeches.)
Farming becomes a Business
This video is accompanied by text. "Agriculture in the Mississippi Valley region underwent major changes after the Civil War. Farmers began thinking of farming as a business with a cash crop of wheat, corn, or cotton instead of a self-sufficient way of life. A farm began to be viewed as an outdoor factory and growing crops as production. Farmers made use of credit and considered such factors as transportation and marketing, just like other businesses. Farming also became increasingly mechanized,
Declaration of Independence
On June 7, 1776, Virginia delegate Richard Henry Lee introduced to the Continental Congress a resolution: "That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States." He further called "for forming foreign Alliances and preparing a plan of confederation." Lee's resolution announced America's break from England, but members of Congress believed a more formal explanation was needed to unify the colonies, secure foreign assistance, and justify their actions to the world.
Common French Phrases : Learn How to Address People in French
Stéphanie Hourie Morrow is a nativive French Speaker. Instructor slowly says the words: madame, monsieur, etc. while the words appear on the screen.
Conversation To Introduce Someone in French
This is a simple animation of two heads talking in French. This video would be better served if the words in English or French appeared on the screen, however, a teacher of the French language could pause the video for clarification and comprension.
Biome in a Bag
The distribution of plants and animals around the world corresponds closely to global patterns of temperature and rainfall. This is why two forests half a world away from each other will often have very similar organisms living in them. In this ZOOMSci video segment, a cast member of ZOOM creates a self-contained biome and explores evaporation, condensation and precipitation. The video also addressed what a plant needs in order to grow. Closed captioning included. Run time 03:24.
Subject-Verb and Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
This video provides a number of rules and examples for making subjects, verbs, pronouns, and antecedents agree. There is no audio, just the slides with the text on them to be read. The information provided is very good and there is time given to read and discuss each slide before the next one appears. There are some multiple choice review questions at the end, but the correct answers are not given.
Talking About the Weather in French
Learn common French phrases for weather. Stephanie Hourie Morrow is a native French speaker and has been giving language lessons for 10 years. Each sentence is pronounced in English and French while the French phrase appears on the screen. For beginning to intermediate learners. Good sound quality.
Travel Conversation in French
Basic travel conversation that is suitable for all beginning learners.
Common French Phrases for Sightseeing
Learn common French phrases for sightseeing from expert Stéphanie Hourie Morrow, who is a native French speaker and has been giving language lessons for 10 years. Instructor says each phrase twice while the phrase appears on the screen.
Common French Phrases : Common French Phrases for Driving
Learn common French phrases for driving from expert Stéphanie Hourie Morrow, who is a native French speaker and has been giving language lessons for 10 years. Instructor says each phrase twice while the phrase appears on the screen. This video is at the intermediate level.
Coordinating Conjunctions
In this animated video to decipher Dark Marker's message, the Pentastic Four travel to 1776 in search of clues. Dotty introduces F.A.N.B.O.Y.S., an acronym used to remember each of the coordinating conjunctions.
Subordinating Conjunctions
This video has no sound and is just a list of subordinating conjunctions. They are used to introduce dependent clauses. (0:27)
How Adverbs Are Used
In the video Yossarian the Grammarian demonstrates (using a whiteboard) how adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. Suitable for elementary and older learners.
Conjunctive Adverbs
Conjunctive Adverbs is used to indicate the relationship between independent clauses. They include words such as accordingly, also, however, therefore, moreover. The narrator gives several example sentences using conjunctive adverbs on a white board. The narrator shows how to punctuate the sentence.
Using Conjunctive Adverb : Therefore
An English teacher explains how to use the conjunctive adverb "therefore" in a few sentences. The teacher shows examples sentences using therefore on a whiteboard.
