12 of 38 results for "early breakthroughs"
Collection
Alphablocks Letter Play: Fun Early Reading Activities for PreK–2

Meet the Alphablocks — 26 living letters who discover that when they hold hands to make a word, something magical happens. Celebrated for its innovative approach to teaching reading, Alphablocks makes learning joyful, active, and engaging for early learners. This free collection of Alphablocks worksheets brings that magic to life at home or in the classroom, with Alphablocks letter cards kids can use to build words, alphabet finger puppets, and playful worksheets that teach letter sounds.

Watch full episodes of the award-winning show for kids ages 3–6 on the official Alphablocks YouTube channel!

News Clip
Are Screens Rewiring Childhood?

Kids today can swipe before they can tie their shoes — but some teachers say all that screen time may be changing the way young children learn, talk, and handle emotions. One preschool is pushing back by focusing on hands-on play, conversation, creativity, and movement instead of tablets and videos. Teachers say they’re seeing more kids struggle to explain what they want, calm themselves down, or interact socially after spending hours watching screens instead of experiencing the real world firsthand. Experts recommend no screens at all for children under 2, and no more than 30 minutes a day for ages 2–5.

Student Article
Out of the Cold: The Slow Beginnings of Climate Change Science

The article "Out of the Cold: The Slow Beginnings of Climate Change Science" from BBC's HistoryExtra delves into the early scientific explorations of climate change, tracing its beginnings to the 19th Century. Early pioneers, including Eunice Newton Foote, John Tyndall, and Svante Arrhenius, each contributed to the understanding of how human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, could alter Earth's temperature. However, these early insights were often overlooked or misunderstood, and it wasn’t until the mid-20th Century that the idea of human-induced climate change began to gain traction.

Video
Some People's Sense of Smell Can Detect Disease

In Some People's Sense of Smell Can Detect Disease, learn how Joy, a woman with a unique sense of smell, is helping doctors understand the early detection of disease. By detecting a specific smell that is associated with Parkinson’s, Joy is contributing to groundbreaking research that could help improve diagnosis and treatment. Learn how the sense of smell can play a crucial role in detecting diseases before other symptoms appear. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The World’s Most Extraordinary People, a documentary series revealing how rare medical conditions inspire groundbreaking scientific discoveries.

Video
The Caucasus Mountains

In The Caucasus Mountains, host Joanna Lumley travels through the mountains which form a natural border between Georgia and Russia to explore routes taken by early traders. She learns how isolated mountain regions developed their own cultures and how people living there often face hardships that lead them to migrate into towns and cities. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Joanna Lumley’s Silk Road Adventure, a documentary series uncovering the rich history and cultural treasures of the Silk Road.

Kahoot
Kahoot!: Nelson Mandela

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.

Kahoot
Kahoot!: Martin Luther King Jr.

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.

Quiz
The Great Groundhog Day Challenge

Think You Know Groundhog Day? Prove It!

Groundhog Day is a time to watch a furry little weather forecaster pop out of its burrow and predict whether winter will stick around — or if spring will arrive early. But how much do you really know about this quirky tradition, celebrated every year on Feb. 2?

From Punxsutawney Phil’s famous shadow sightings to surprising facts about groundhogs and their burrows, this quiz is packed with fun and a few tricky twists. It takes true shadow-sleuth skills to uncover all the surprises of Groundhog Day.

Blog Post
Nursery Rhymes, Beatrix Potter, & Read-Aloud: Top 10 BBC School Radio Picks for PreK–2
From music to storytelling, discover the BBC’s best classroom-ready "radio stations" for your littlest learners.
Student Article
Who Really Owns Greenland? A Land of Ice, Vikings, and Global Power Plays

The article "Who Really Owns Greenland? A Land of Ice, Vikings, and Global Power Plays" from BBC's HistoryExtra explores Greenland’s long and complex history of ownership. It traces the island’s journey from early Inuit inhabitants to Viking explorers, Danish missionaries, and Cold War military bases — highlighting how Greenland has become a key player in global politics.

Student Article
Leonardo da Vinci: Artist, Inventor, and Renaissance Genius

The article "Leonardo da Vinci: Artist, Inventor, and Renaissance Genius" from BBC's HistoryExtra explores Leonardo da Vinci’s life as an artist, engineer, and visionary thinker. It outlines his rise from an apprentice in Florence to becoming a celebrated figure in the court of the French king. It also reveals how his inventions — such as early flying machines and war weapons — were centuries ahead of their time.

Student Article
Tenzing Norgay: The Sherpa Mountaineer Who First Conquered Everest

The article "Tenzing Norgay: The Sherpa Mountaineer Who First Conquered Everest" from BBC's HistoryExtra tells the inspiring story of how a humble yak herder’s son from Nepal became one of the first men to conquer Mount Everest. It follows his early life, climbing career, legendary expedition with Edmund Hillary, and the recognition — and lack of it — that followed.