Education

When: Wednesday, August 19, 7-9pm ET

Description:

Join PBS LearningMedia for an in-depth look at how to teach the Revolutionary Era this school year, using content from The American Revolution, a film by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt. Consider perspectives of one of the filmmakers, a historian, and fellow classroom educators as you prepare to teach the American Revolution after the Semiquincentennial anniversary.

Participants will hear from filmmaker David Schmidt, the National Constitution Center’s Chief Scholar and adviser on The American Revolution Classroom Collection, Thomas Donnelly, and PBS LearningMedia Teacher Ambassadors Leah Amos and Mary Kate Lonergan to learn more about tangible strategies for using these media-rich resources in the classroom with students. Panelists will also address the lasting legacy of our founding principles and ways that teachers can encourage civic engagement among students.

You will leave with new resources and tools for teaching the Revolutionary era through documentary film, focused on connecting the past to the present and strengthening students’ civics skills, while also hearing insider perspectives that are sure to engage and excite learners of all ages.

Organized by PBSLearningMedia Events

New York at 250: A Resource Guide for Public Libraries and Partners’ provides a practical framework, offering information and support materials for libraries and cultural institutions interested in developing public programs for the 250th commemoration.

Organized into three sections, the guide provides best practices, showcases examples of programs aligned to each of the six interpretive themes, and offers ways to stay connected. Turnkey event ideas are categorized by time commitment, making it easy for organizations of all sizes to find options that fit their capacity.

The guide is available as a downloadable PDF on the NYS Library’s website ➡️: Download the guide. Click on the image of the guide to get to the download option.

Democracy depends on informed citizens who have the knowledge and skills to engage in their government. Empower your student citizens with this collection that teaches civic knowledge and understanding through applied examples from U.S. history and skills such as analyzing civic engagement and engaging in civil discourse. Focusing on multiple perspectives and diverse stories, these resources enable all students to see themselves as civic actors and prepare them to engage in civic political life. Explore by topic, skills and grade levels 3-12.

This collection is available through PBS LearningMedia

Expand students’ understanding of U.S. History with engaging resources that bring the major people, events, and trends in history alive, while integrating often untold stories into the curriculum. Curated clips of trusted PBS programs and a diverse array of other media and interactive resources develop students’ historical thinking skills while broadening their appreciation of history’s multiple perspectives and complexity. Explore by historic era, skills and grade levels 3-12.

This collection is available through PBS LearningMedia

Explore local and regional perspectives on the American Revolution and its legacies — from the Mid-Atlantics’s role to New England and all regions of the country local historians and residents providing their perspectives on how the ideals of the American Revolution live on today. This curated collection of resources includes video clips, interactives, and other resources created by PBS member stations, showcasing moments, themes, and ideals of the Revolutionary era from across the United States. This collection is inspired by and connected to the core themes of The American Revolution Classroom Collection, based on the film directed by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt.

More resources will be added through the summer of 2026, as new content is created to commemorate America at 250. This collection is available through PBS LearningMedia

History of the United States and New York is a collection of resources designed to complement the New York State Social Studies Framework for Grades 4, 7, and 8.  These media-rich resources and accompanying support materials are aligned with the key ideas for each grade level as outlined in the Framework. Each topic contains video-based resources you can use to bring history to life for your students. This collection is available through PBS LearningMedia

Consider The Source from the NYS Archives provides opportunities and resources to teach with historic documents. Special collections by topic and era provide activities and primary documents to use with every grade level of students. A special collections with activities is available for the 250th. Additionally other special collections with related content are available.