The Colonization of the United States

Using video segments from the PBS series Finding Your Roots, this lesson explores Spanish colonialism in the Southwest; the lesson also expands the discussion to include other countries that colonized in North America.

The Columbian Exchange

In this lesson designed to enhance literacy skills, students explore the movement of plants, animals, and diseases that characterized the Columbian Exchange and learn how it changed the world.

Deciphering the Maya Code

This video segment adapted from NOVA examines the ancient Maya writing system and looks at what they recorded in their writings.

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The Effects of the Columbian Exchange

This resource featuring video segments adapted from Chronoscope: Exploring 1492: “Columbian Exchange” describes the movement of plants, animals, and disease that characterized the Columbian Exchange and explains how this changed the world.

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The Last Conquistador

In this video segment from Finding Your Roots, the Spanish colonization of New Mexico is explored, and the story of the “Last Conquistador” is told.

Living With the Land

This video segment adapted from American Experience tells the story of how some Native American tribes once migrated the length of the North American continent to find the resources they needed.

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The Myth of Pocahontas

This video segment adapted from NOVA introduces the popular story of how Native American princess Pocahontas rescued colonist John Smith.

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Pocahontas Revealed

In this video adapted from NOVA, examine a historical version of the story of Pocahontas and John Smith.

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The Quest for Religious Freedom

In this lesson, video segments from the PBS series Finding Your Roots are used to explore how religion has played a part in attracting immigrants to the U.S. and the role it plays in the lives of modern American families.

The Story of Pocahontas

In this lesson designed to enhance literacy skills, students explore what may have happened when Pocahontas and John Smith met by comparing popular and historical versions of the famous story.