Featured History/Global Studies Resources
Videos
In The Legend of Paul Revere, historian Lucy Worsley investigates the story of Paul Revere and his actions in the first battle of the War of Independence in 1775. According to the poem “Paul Revere's Ride” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Revere was a lone rider who warned soldiers in Concord that the British were on the march. In Revere's own account, he was arrested by the British, and never made it to Concord. This video is excerpted from BBC's American History's Biggest Fibs with Lucy Worsley, in which Worsley reveals the myths and manipulations behind American history.
In How the American Civil War Really Started, historian Lucy Worsley investigates what America was like before the Civil War. It began as a clash between the 19 Northern states, which had abolished slavery, and 11 Southern states, where the economy was built on slave labor. New states were emerging in the West and both Northern and Southern states feared for their own economies. This video is excerpted from BBC's American History's Biggest Fibs with Lucy Worsley, in which Worsley reveals the myths and manipulations behind American history.
In McCarthy's Communist Accusations, historian Lucy Worsley investigates Joseph McCarthy's impact on government workers. Many people were accused of being communists and interrogated. McCarthy also persecuted people he believed to be homosexual. Many people's lives were ruined by his policies. This video is excerpted from BBC's American History's Biggest Fibs with Lucy Worsley, in which Worsley reveals the myths and manipulations behind American history.
In Titan II and Mutually Assured Destruction, historian Lucy Worsley explores a bunker holding Titan II, an intercontinental ballistic missile. It was developed to defend or retaliate against Russian missiles. The U.S. had over 50 of these missiles. It was predicted that Russia had many more than this. A year later it was discovered that the Russians had only four. This video is excerpted from BBC's American History's Biggest Fibs with Lucy Worsley, in which Worsley reveals the myths and manipulations behind American history.
In The Legend of Paul Revere, historian Lucy Worsley investigates the story of Paul Revere and his actions in the first battle of the War of Independence in 1775. According to the poem “Paul Revere's Ride” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Revere was a lone rider who warned soldiers in Concord that the British were on the march. In Revere's own account, he was arrested by the British, and never made it to Concord. This video is excerpted from BBC's American History's Biggest Fibs with Lucy Worsley, in which Worsley reveals the myths and manipulations behind American history.
In How the American Civil War Really Started, historian Lucy Worsley investigates what America was like before the Civil War. It began as a clash between the 19 Northern states, which had abolished slavery, and 11 Southern states, where the economy was built on slave labor. New states were emerging in the West and both Northern and Southern states feared for their own economies. This video is excerpted from BBC's American History's Biggest Fibs with Lucy Worsley, in which Worsley reveals the myths and manipulations behind American history.
In McCarthy's Communist Accusations, historian Lucy Worsley investigates Joseph McCarthy's impact on government workers. Many people were accused of being communists and interrogated. McCarthy also persecuted people he believed to be homosexual. Many people's lives were ruined by his policies. This video is excerpted from BBC's American History's Biggest Fibs with Lucy Worsley, in which Worsley reveals the myths and manipulations behind American history.
In Titan II and Mutually Assured Destruction, historian Lucy Worsley explores a bunker holding Titan II, an intercontinental ballistic missile. It was developed to defend or retaliate against Russian missiles. The U.S. had over 50 of these missiles. It was predicted that Russia had many more than this. A year later it was discovered that the Russians had only four. This video is excerpted from BBC's American History's Biggest Fibs with Lucy Worsley, in which Worsley reveals the myths and manipulations behind American history.
Printables
To help your students dive deeper into the article content, we created this bundle of article response worksheets. We designed these worksheets to be used with any magazine article and to keep students focused as they read and enhance comprehension and retention. (Please note that some worksheet types are better fits for certain content and grade levels). Assign students the same one, mix them up, or let them choose!
To help your students dive deeper into the video content, we created this bundle of video response worksheets. We designed these worksheets to be used with any video and to keep students focused as they watch and enhance comprehension and retention. (Please note that some worksheet types are better fits for certain content and grade levels). Assign students the same one, mix them up, or let them choose!
Turn your classroom into a global exploration hub! This country report template invites students in Grades 3–8 to become curious investigators — uncovering what makes each country unique and sharing their discoveries in creative ways.
Designed with flexibility in mind, the resource includes two approachable formats:
- Snapshot Style: A lively, visual option that’s perfect for quick learning or younger students. Learners can sketch, label, and highlight key features — like flags, landmarks, foods, and traditions — while building confidence with short responses.
- Explorer Style: A more in-depth format for students ready to dig deeper. It guides learners through topics such as geography, wildlife, culture, and history, helping them organize ideas and develop clear, informative writing.
Best of all, this template pairs seamlessly with BBC videos — bringing countries to life through real-world sights, sounds, and stories. Students can watch, wonder, and then weave what they’ve learned into their own reports.
Quick Teacher Tips: Use country studies as a springboard into wider learning across subjects:
- Geography: Map skills, climate zones, landforms, and ecosystems
- Language Arts: Informational writing, summarizing, note-taking, and presenting
- History: Key events, timelines, and how the past shapes the present
- Math: Population comparisons, distances, currency conversions
- Arts & Culture: Traditional patterns, music, celebrations, and food
- Current Events: Tie in informational reading and media literacy by exploring what’s happening in that country today in an age-appropriate way.
This mini biography template is a flexible, engaging tool designed to help students in Grades 3–8 explore the lives of important historical figures. With sections like Best Known For, Important Life Events, Challenges and Obstacles, Memorable Quote, and Legacy and Achievements, students are guided to think beyond basic facts and develop a deeper understanding of a person’s impact.
This template can be used with any historical figure and pairs especially well with video-based research. Encourage students to explore our BBC video library to gather key details, hear stories in context, and build stronger connections to the people they’re studying.
Here are a few ways you can use this template in your classroom:
- Celebrate special months: Have students research and complete biographies for influential figures during observances like Women’s History Month or Black History Month.
- Scientist spotlights: Use the template to profile important scientists, inventors, or innovators throughout history.
- “Living museum” projects: Have students complete the template, then present their figure in a short first-person speech or display as part of a classroom museum exhibit.
To help your students dive deeper into the article content, we created this bundle of article response worksheets. We designed these worksheets to be used with any magazine article and to keep students focused as they read and enhance comprehension and retention. (Please note that some worksheet types are better fits for certain content and grade levels). Assign students the same one, mix them up, or let them choose!
To help your students dive deeper into the video content, we created this bundle of video response worksheets. We designed these worksheets to be used with any video and to keep students focused as they watch and enhance comprehension and retention. (Please note that some worksheet types are better fits for certain content and grade levels). Assign students the same one, mix them up, or let them choose!
Turn your classroom into a global exploration hub! This country report template invites students in Grades 3–8 to become curious investigators — uncovering what makes each country unique and sharing their discoveries in creative ways.
Designed with flexibility in mind, the resource includes two approachable formats:
- Snapshot Style: A lively, visual option that’s perfect for quick learning or younger students. Learners can sketch, label, and highlight key features — like flags, landmarks, foods, and traditions — while building confidence with short responses.
- Explorer Style: A more in-depth format for students ready to dig deeper. It guides learners through topics such as geography, wildlife, culture, and history, helping them organize ideas and develop clear, informative writing.
Best of all, this template pairs seamlessly with BBC videos — bringing countries to life through real-world sights, sounds, and stories. Students can watch, wonder, and then weave what they’ve learned into their own reports.
Quick Teacher Tips: Use country studies as a springboard into wider learning across subjects:
- Geography: Map skills, climate zones, landforms, and ecosystems
- Language Arts: Informational writing, summarizing, note-taking, and presenting
- History: Key events, timelines, and how the past shapes the present
- Math: Population comparisons, distances, currency conversions
- Arts & Culture: Traditional patterns, music, celebrations, and food
- Current Events: Tie in informational reading and media literacy by exploring what’s happening in that country today in an age-appropriate way.
This mini biography template is a flexible, engaging tool designed to help students in Grades 3–8 explore the lives of important historical figures. With sections like Best Known For, Important Life Events, Challenges and Obstacles, Memorable Quote, and Legacy and Achievements, students are guided to think beyond basic facts and develop a deeper understanding of a person’s impact.
This template can be used with any historical figure and pairs especially well with video-based research. Encourage students to explore our BBC video library to gather key details, hear stories in context, and build stronger connections to the people they’re studying.
Here are a few ways you can use this template in your classroom:
- Celebrate special months: Have students research and complete biographies for influential figures during observances like Women’s History Month or Black History Month.
- Scientist spotlights: Use the template to profile important scientists, inventors, or innovators throughout history.
- “Living museum” projects: Have students complete the template, then present their figure in a short first-person speech or display as part of a classroom museum exhibit.
Leveled Student Articles
The article "7 Surprising Facts We Now Know About Neanderthals" from BBC's HistoryExtra is a fascinating look at the evolution and legacy of Neanderthals. Archaeologist Rebecca Wragg Sykes explains how these ancient humans were intelligent, adaptable, and left a genetic mark on billions of people today. The piece debunks old myths and highlights seven groundbreaking facts about Neanderthal life and culture.
The article "What Was It Like to Be a Kid in the Middle Ages?" from BBC's HistoryExtra explores what life was like for children during the Middle Ages. The article highlights how children's lives were shaped by age, gender, class, and religion. It also reveals surprising facts about literacy, mortality rates, and how children played, worked, and were disciplined.
The article "The Race for a Cure: How Vaccines Were Developed for 4 Deadly Diseases" by BBC's HistoryExtra explores the history of vaccines, starting with Edward Jenner's fight against smallpox in 1798. The article highlights the challenges and triumphs in developing vaccines against smallpox, rabies, tuberculosis, and polio.
The article "Who Really Built the White House? The Hidden Story Behind America’s Presidential Home" from BBC's HistoryExtra explores the creation of the White House, from George Washington’s vision to James Hoban’s design. It highlights how enslaved people and immigrant craftsmen built the home, revealing the untold history behind one of America’s most iconic buildings.
The article "7 Surprising Facts We Now Know About Neanderthals" from BBC's HistoryExtra is a fascinating look at the evolution and legacy of Neanderthals. Archaeologist Rebecca Wragg Sykes explains how these ancient humans were intelligent, adaptable, and left a genetic mark on billions of people today. The piece debunks old myths and highlights seven groundbreaking facts about Neanderthal life and culture.
The article "What Was It Like to Be a Kid in the Middle Ages?" from BBC's HistoryExtra explores what life was like for children during the Middle Ages. The article highlights how children's lives were shaped by age, gender, class, and religion. It also reveals surprising facts about literacy, mortality rates, and how children played, worked, and were disciplined.
The article "The Race for a Cure: How Vaccines Were Developed for 4 Deadly Diseases" by BBC's HistoryExtra explores the history of vaccines, starting with Edward Jenner's fight against smallpox in 1798. The article highlights the challenges and triumphs in developing vaccines against smallpox, rabies, tuberculosis, and polio.
The article "Who Really Built the White House? The Hidden Story Behind America’s Presidential Home" from BBC's HistoryExtra explores the creation of the White House, from George Washington’s vision to James Hoban’s design. It highlights how enslaved people and immigrant craftsmen built the home, revealing the untold history behind one of America’s most iconic buildings.