Kahoot!: Pelé
Explore the incredible life and global influence of Pelé, from his rise as a young football star in Brazil to his unforgettable World Cup victories and worldwide fame. Students will discover how Pelé’s extraordinary skill, creativity, and sportsmanship helped transform football into the world’s most popular sport.
This Kahoot examines key moments in Pelé’s career, including his record-breaking achievements, his role in Brazil’s World Cup success, and his impact on the international growth of the game. Students will build listening skills, vocabulary, and historical awareness while exploring how Pelé influenced culture, identity, and the global popularity of football across generations.
Watch the related BBC videos, Pelé's Pledge to His Father and How Pelé Brought Soccer to the U.S., then invite your Grade 3–8 students to test their knowledge and explore the legacy of one of the greatest athletes in sports history.
In How Pelé Brought Soccer to the U.S., sports journalist Clare Balding discusses Pelé's contributions to the popularity of soccer. Pelé’s last World Cup match in 1970 helped him emerge as a hero, and in 1971 he brought the game to the United States. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Icons: The Greatest Person of the 20th Century, a documentary series celebrating the achievements of the most influential figures of the era.
In Pele's Pledge to His Father, sports journalist Clare Balding describes how Pelé pledged to his father that he would help Brazil win the World Cup. She describes his childhood and rise to fame. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Icons: The Greatest Person of the 20th Century, a documentary series celebrating the achievements of the most influential figures of the era.
Meet the Icons of the 20th Century. From brilliant scientists and inspiring activists to legendary athletes and artists, these remarkable individuals changed the world in powerful ways. In this video playlist of clips from BBC's Icons: The Greatest Person of the 20th Century, meet Muhammad Ali, Helen Keller, Albert Einstein, Martin Luther King Jr., Pablo Picasso, Jane Goodall, Pelé, Billie Holiday and others — each a trailblazer who shaped history through courage, creativity, and conviction. A perfect playlist to inspire young minds to think big and act boldly!
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.
More Like This
Trace the remarkable journey of Martin Luther King Jr. from his childhood in the segregated South to his rise as one of the most influential leaders in the American Civil Rights Movement. Through peaceful protest, powerful speeches, and unwavering determination, Dr. King inspired millions to challenge injustice and fight for equality.
This Kahoot explores key moments in his life and legacy — including the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the March on Washington, and the lasting impact of his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. Students will discover how nonviolence, courage, and moral leadership helped reshape history and continue to inspire movements for justice around the world today.
Watch the related BBC videos (below), then invite your students to test their knowledge and deepen their understanding of this iconic leader and the movement he helped lead.
Follow the extraordinary life of Nelson Mandela, from his early fight against apartheid to his role in leading South Africa into a new era of democracy and reconciliation. Students will explore how Mandela stood up against injustice, endured years of imprisonment, and helped unite a divided nation through courage, perseverance, and forgiveness.
This Kahoot examines key moments in Mandela’s journey, including the struggle against apartheid, his 27 years in prison, his release in 1990, and his election as South Africa’s first Black president. Students will discover how his leadership, resilience, and commitment to equality continue to influence Black history and inspire people around the world today.
Watch the related BBC videos, The Remarkable Life of Nelson Mandela and Nelson Mandela Walks Free, then invite your Grade 3–8 students to test their knowledge and deepen their understanding of this iconic global leader.
Muhammad Ali, from his rise as a boxing champion to his inspiring comeback and lasting global influence. Students will follow Ali’s journey through triumph, controversy, and perseverance as he fought to regain the heavyweight title and became one of the most recognized athletes in history.
This Kahoot examines key moments in Ali’s story, including the court case that temporarily cost him his boxing license and championship, his dramatic return to the ring, and the determination that defined his later years after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Students will build listening skills, vocabulary, and historical awareness while exploring how Ali’s courage, confidence, and resilience inspired millions around the world.
Watch the related BBC videos, Cassius Clay Becomes Muhammad Ali and Muhammad Ali's Comeback, then invite your Grade 3–8 students to test their knowledge and discover why Muhammad Ali remains a global symbol of strength, perseverance, and conviction.
Explore the life and influence of Stokely Carmichael, a powerful voice in the shift from the Civil Rights Movement to the rise of the Black Power Movement. Students will learn how Carmichael challenged ideas about race, identity, equality, and political activism during a time of major change in the United States.
This Kahoot examines Carmichael’s role in student activism, voting rights campaigns, and the growing call for Black pride, self-determination, and social change during the 1960s and beyond. Students will build listening skills, expand vocabulary, and deepen their historical understanding while exploring how protest movements evolve and how leaders can influence public debate and culture.
Ideal for lessons on history, civil rights, culture, and social movements, this Kahoot encourages Grade 6–12 students to think critically about resistance, identity, and the continuing impact of activism today.
Trace the remarkable journey of Martin Luther King Jr. from his childhood in the segregated South to his rise as one of the most influential leaders in the American Civil Rights Movement. Through peaceful protest, powerful speeches, and unwavering determination, Dr. King inspired millions to challenge injustice and fight for equality.
This Kahoot explores key moments in his life and legacy — including the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the March on Washington, and the lasting impact of his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. Students will discover how nonviolence, courage, and moral leadership helped reshape history and continue to inspire movements for justice around the world today.
Watch the related BBC videos (below), then invite your students to test their knowledge and deepen their understanding of this iconic leader and the movement he helped lead.
Follow the extraordinary life of Nelson Mandela, from his early fight against apartheid to his role in leading South Africa into a new era of democracy and reconciliation. Students will explore how Mandela stood up against injustice, endured years of imprisonment, and helped unite a divided nation through courage, perseverance, and forgiveness.
This Kahoot examines key moments in Mandela’s journey, including the struggle against apartheid, his 27 years in prison, his release in 1990, and his election as South Africa’s first Black president. Students will discover how his leadership, resilience, and commitment to equality continue to influence Black history and inspire people around the world today.
Watch the related BBC videos, The Remarkable Life of Nelson Mandela and Nelson Mandela Walks Free, then invite your Grade 3–8 students to test their knowledge and deepen their understanding of this iconic global leader.
Muhammad Ali, from his rise as a boxing champion to his inspiring comeback and lasting global influence. Students will follow Ali’s journey through triumph, controversy, and perseverance as he fought to regain the heavyweight title and became one of the most recognized athletes in history.
This Kahoot examines key moments in Ali’s story, including the court case that temporarily cost him his boxing license and championship, his dramatic return to the ring, and the determination that defined his later years after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Students will build listening skills, vocabulary, and historical awareness while exploring how Ali’s courage, confidence, and resilience inspired millions around the world.
Watch the related BBC videos, Cassius Clay Becomes Muhammad Ali and Muhammad Ali's Comeback, then invite your Grade 3–8 students to test their knowledge and discover why Muhammad Ali remains a global symbol of strength, perseverance, and conviction.
Explore the life and influence of Stokely Carmichael, a powerful voice in the shift from the Civil Rights Movement to the rise of the Black Power Movement. Students will learn how Carmichael challenged ideas about race, identity, equality, and political activism during a time of major change in the United States.
This Kahoot examines Carmichael’s role in student activism, voting rights campaigns, and the growing call for Black pride, self-determination, and social change during the 1960s and beyond. Students will build listening skills, expand vocabulary, and deepen their historical understanding while exploring how protest movements evolve and how leaders can influence public debate and culture.
Ideal for lessons on history, civil rights, culture, and social movements, this Kahoot encourages Grade 6–12 students to think critically about resistance, identity, and the continuing impact of activism today.