Welcome to Zavodovski — a volcanic island that lives in the icy waters north of Antarctica. First watch Volcanic Islands Create a Penguin Sanctuary, a short clip from the award-winning BBC series Planet Earth. Sir David Attenborough introduces you to the world’s largest chinstrap penguin colony, which thrives despite (and in some cases, because of) its treacherous seas and active volcano.
Once your students have watched the video, invite them to check for understanding with this quick, 8-question quiz!
In Volcanic Islands Create a Penguin Sanctuary, narrator Sir David Attenborough tells the fascinating survival story of chinstrap penguins living on Zavodovski Island. This island, located in the Southern Ocean, is home to the world’s largest chinstrap penguin colony, despite its treacherous seas and an active volcano. The penguins have adapted to extreme conditions, using the island’s isolation and volcanic landscape as a refuge from predators. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Planet Earth II, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.
In Sponges on the Reef Are a Home Worth Defending, narrator Sir David Attenborough explains how shrimp inhabit sponges and how they help the sponge and the sponge helps them. Learn about a shrimp colony. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Blue Planet, a definitive documentary series diving into the mysterious depths of the sea to discover the natural history of the world’s oceans and the rarely seen marine life that reside there.
In The Cordyceps Fungi, Creates Real Life Zombies, narrator Sir David Attenborough examines the thousands of different types of Cordyceps fungi. Learn how colonies must remove ants infected with Cordyceps because eventually, fruit from the fungus erupts from the ant's head, and deadly spores burst from the tip. This video is excerpted from BBC's Planet Earth, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.
In A Crowded Colony of King Penguins, explore the remarkable life of the king penguins on South Georgia Island. Amid half a million birds, chicks must stay put to be found by their returning parents who rely on unique calls to reunite. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Seven Worlds, One Planet, a series featuring remarkable animal behavior from all seven continents.
In Penguin Parents' Epic Journey to Feed Their Chicks, narrator Sir David Attenborough describes how penguins in Antarctica travel very far to hunt for krill, but the real challenge is getting the food back to their babies on the steep, muddy rim of Deception Island. After battling powerful currents and a slippery climb, the penguins use their excellent hearing to find their chicks in a colony of over 150,000. Once they deliver the krill, the other parent heads out to sea to repeat the journey. This video is excerpted from BBC's Life, a show that explores the remarkable strategies animals and plants use to ensure their survival.
Experience powerful stories of Native American life — ancient, historical, and modern — in this inspiring playlist from the BBC. Featuring authentic video clips from BBC News reports and acclaimed BBC documentaries, students will experience a vivid, first-hand look at the voices, traditions, and challenges of Indigenous peoples across North America.
They’ll explore the Iroquois Constitution, a foundational document that influenced democracy itself; discover the remarkable cliffside cities at Mesa Verde; and learn how Native communities are leading buffalo restoration efforts that bring both ecological and cultural renewal. Students will also see the beauty of traditional arts like hoop dance and gain perspective on the political and community issues shaping Native life today.
These stories offer an unforgettable window into Indigenous identity, resilience, and connection to the land — helping students better understand both the past and the living cultures that continue to shape our world.
In The Iroquois Legacy, explore the complex relationship between Native Americans and European settlers. Long before the U.S. Constitution, the Iroquois created their own constitution and political system, influencing Founding Fathers like Benjamin Franklin and John Adams. Despite this influence, the Iroquois faced difficult relationships with European settlers, including conflicts over land and the eventual destruction of their alliance during the American Revolution. Many Iroquois were forced to flee to Canada, where their descendants still live today.
In Gandhi’s Campaign and the Fall of an Empire, host Andrew Marr details how Gandhi sent a letter to the Viceroy demanding freedom from British rule. When the letter was ignored, Gandhi began his campaign for Indian freedom. Inspired by the Boston Tea Party, and using the media to garner support, Gandhi engaged in protests that led to India’s independence. This video is excerpted from BBC’s A History of the World, a story of human history that uses reenactments, modern footage, and storytelling to explain history’s greatest achievements.
In Disagreements on the Declaration of Independence, historian Lucy Worsley researches the ambiguity of the first drafts of the agreement. It had to satisfy people from 13 states, with opposing views on divisive subjects such as slavery and religion. 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.
Journey through India’s rich landscapes, vibrant cultures, and fascinating history in this captivating video collection. From the majestic Taj Mahal and bustling city streets of Jodhpur to the wild teak forests and flavorful samosa snacks, these videos bring India to life. Explore stories of legendary leaders like Ashoka and Gandhi, encounter curious langur monkeys, and dive into conversations around equality and tradition. Perfect for sparking global curiosity and cultural appreciation in your classroom!
In Learn How Seabird Colonies Nest Together, narrator Sir David Attenborough describes the nesting colonies of seabirds like those on Funk Island. Learn why and how seabirds come together to nest. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Blue Planet, a definitive documentary series diving into the mysterious depths of the sea to discover the natural history of the world’s oceans and the rarely seen marine life that reside there.
Welcome to Zavodovski — a volcanic island that lives in the icy waters north of Antarctica. First watch Volcanic Islands Create a Penguin Sanctuary, a short clip from the award-winning BBC series Planet Earth. Sir David Attenborough introduces you to the world’s largest chinstrap penguin colony, which thrives despite (and in some cases, because of) its treacherous seas and active volcano.
Once your students have watched the video, invite them to check for understanding with this quick, 8-question quiz!
In Volcanic Islands Create a Penguin Sanctuary, narrator Sir David Attenborough tells the fascinating survival story of chinstrap penguins living on Zavodovski Island. This island, located in the Southern Ocean, is home to the world’s largest chinstrap penguin colony, despite its treacherous seas and an active volcano. The penguins have adapted to extreme conditions, using the island’s isolation and volcanic landscape as a refuge from predators. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Planet Earth II, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.
In Sponges on the Reef Are a Home Worth Defending, narrator Sir David Attenborough explains how shrimp inhabit sponges and how they help the sponge and the sponge helps them. Learn about a shrimp colony. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Blue Planet, a definitive documentary series diving into the mysterious depths of the sea to discover the natural history of the world’s oceans and the rarely seen marine life that reside there.
In The Cordyceps Fungi, Creates Real Life Zombies, narrator Sir David Attenborough examines the thousands of different types of Cordyceps fungi. Learn how colonies must remove ants infected with Cordyceps because eventually, fruit from the fungus erupts from the ant's head, and deadly spores burst from the tip. This video is excerpted from BBC's Planet Earth, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.
In A Crowded Colony of King Penguins, explore the remarkable life of the king penguins on South Georgia Island. Amid half a million birds, chicks must stay put to be found by their returning parents who rely on unique calls to reunite. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Seven Worlds, One Planet, a series featuring remarkable animal behavior from all seven continents.
In Penguin Parents' Epic Journey to Feed Their Chicks, narrator Sir David Attenborough describes how penguins in Antarctica travel very far to hunt for krill, but the real challenge is getting the food back to their babies on the steep, muddy rim of Deception Island. After battling powerful currents and a slippery climb, the penguins use their excellent hearing to find their chicks in a colony of over 150,000. Once they deliver the krill, the other parent heads out to sea to repeat the journey. This video is excerpted from BBC's Life, a show that explores the remarkable strategies animals and plants use to ensure their survival.
Experience powerful stories of Native American life — ancient, historical, and modern — in this inspiring playlist from the BBC. Featuring authentic video clips from BBC News reports and acclaimed BBC documentaries, students will experience a vivid, first-hand look at the voices, traditions, and challenges of Indigenous peoples across North America.
They’ll explore the Iroquois Constitution, a foundational document that influenced democracy itself; discover the remarkable cliffside cities at Mesa Verde; and learn how Native communities are leading buffalo restoration efforts that bring both ecological and cultural renewal. Students will also see the beauty of traditional arts like hoop dance and gain perspective on the political and community issues shaping Native life today.
These stories offer an unforgettable window into Indigenous identity, resilience, and connection to the land — helping students better understand both the past and the living cultures that continue to shape our world.
In The Iroquois Legacy, explore the complex relationship between Native Americans and European settlers. Long before the U.S. Constitution, the Iroquois created their own constitution and political system, influencing Founding Fathers like Benjamin Franklin and John Adams. Despite this influence, the Iroquois faced difficult relationships with European settlers, including conflicts over land and the eventual destruction of their alliance during the American Revolution. Many Iroquois were forced to flee to Canada, where their descendants still live today.
In Gandhi’s Campaign and the Fall of an Empire, host Andrew Marr details how Gandhi sent a letter to the Viceroy demanding freedom from British rule. When the letter was ignored, Gandhi began his campaign for Indian freedom. Inspired by the Boston Tea Party, and using the media to garner support, Gandhi engaged in protests that led to India’s independence. This video is excerpted from BBC’s A History of the World, a story of human history that uses reenactments, modern footage, and storytelling to explain history’s greatest achievements.
In Disagreements on the Declaration of Independence, historian Lucy Worsley researches the ambiguity of the first drafts of the agreement. It had to satisfy people from 13 states, with opposing views on divisive subjects such as slavery and religion. 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.
Journey through India’s rich landscapes, vibrant cultures, and fascinating history in this captivating video collection. From the majestic Taj Mahal and bustling city streets of Jodhpur to the wild teak forests and flavorful samosa snacks, these videos bring India to life. Explore stories of legendary leaders like Ashoka and Gandhi, encounter curious langur monkeys, and dive into conversations around equality and tradition. Perfect for sparking global curiosity and cultural appreciation in your classroom!
In Learn How Seabird Colonies Nest Together, narrator Sir David Attenborough describes the nesting colonies of seabirds like those on Funk Island. Learn why and how seabirds come together to nest. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Blue Planet, a definitive documentary series diving into the mysterious depths of the sea to discover the natural history of the world’s oceans and the rarely seen marine life that reside there.