In JoJo and Gran Gran Celebrate Creole Day, JoJo and her grandmother attend a Creole Day celebration. Jojo learns songs in the Creole language. Real kids learn a dance and get dressed to perform! This video is excerpted from BBC’s JoJo & Gran Gran, a children's animated television series following JoJo, an inquisitive and cheerful 4-and-a-half-year-old girl and her loving Gran Gran, who always has something new to teach her.
When Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, the war to preserve the Union also became a war against slavery. How much Lincoln meant it that way is still debated, and this playlist takes up that question directly. It also covers the new technology that changed how armies fought, the medical crisis in which disease killed twice as many soldiers as combat, the turning-point battles of 1863, and Sherman’s campaign through Georgia. The second half follows the country through Reconstruction: lenient early policies gave way to Radical Reconstruction and constitutional amendments that abolished slavery and guaranteed citizenship and voting rights. It then traces how those gains were rolled back as white Southern Democrats regained power and federal troops withdrew in 1877.
Each video comes with discussion questions, vocabulary, a writing prompt, and classroom activities — all printable from the video page. Questions include why the Emancipation Proclamation didn’t free all enslaved people, why historians call the Civil War the first modern war, and whether Lincoln believed in racial equality.
Teachers and Parents: The playlist picks up where The Road to War leaves off, so together the two playlists cover the full unit for ages 11–18. Videos 1 and 2 work as a pair: a straightforward account of the Emancipation Proclamation followed by historian Lucy Worsley’s case that Lincoln’s main goal was saving the Union. That sets up a strong source-comparison or debate lesson. Lincoln’s Legacy extends the discussion through Frederick Douglass’s reassessment of Lincoln. It contains discriminatory language, so preview it before assigning. The last three videos form a short Reconstruction sequence: The Three Phases of Reconstruction gives the overview, and the next two focus on Black Americans' political gains and the deal that ended federal enforcement, a natural lead-in to Jim Crow and the Civil Rights Movement. Use the "Share With Students" feature to assign videos directly or "Add to Playlist" to build your own sequence.
In the mid-19th Century, Siam, now known as Thailand, faced growing pressure from Western powers to open its economy to international trade. When King Mongkut took the throne in 1851, he drew on his years as a Buddhist monk and his studies of Western languages and science to guide the kingdom through a period of change. He established diplomatic relationships with foreign nations, including Great Britain through the 1855 Bowring Treaty, while working to protect Siam’s independence and manage the influence of foreign commerce.
Mongkut also promoted education, introduced new approaches to royal government, and encouraged the study of science. British governess Anna Leonowens arrived in 1862 to teach members of the royal household, and her experiences later inspired the highly fictionalized musical and film The King and I. Mongkut died of malaria in 1868 after traveling to observe a solar eclipse he had predicted. His son, King Chulalongkorn, continued modernizing the country and abolished slavery. Mongkut’s legacy remains closely associated with scientific learning, diplomacy, and Siam’s efforts to preserve its independence during an era of Western imperial expansion.
In Democracy and Conflict in Ancient Greece, archaeologist and historian Richard Miles explains the duality of ancient Greece. Advances in philosophy, democracy, and the arts coexisted with political discord, social unrest, and violent power struggles. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Ancient Worlds, an epic series with archaeologist and historian Richard Miles as he explores the roots of civilization from Mesopotamia to the fall of the Roman Empire.
What country is home to ancient pyramids, colorful monarch butterflies, towering volcanoes, and one of the world’s most famous celebrations? Meet Mexico, a country where ancient civilizations, diverse landscapes, and vibrant traditions come together.
From the Aztec and Maya to pumas and whale sharks, Mexico has a remarkable story to tell. Explore the civilizations that shaped the country, discover how Mexico gained independence from Spain, and learn about its food, festivals, languages, government, and cities. You’ll also discover how deserts, mountains, jungles, and coastlines provide habitats for an amazing variety of plants and animals.
Teachers and parents, you can use this fact file to:
- Introduce a geography or social studies unit
- Support nonfiction reading practice
- Compare countries and cultures
- Complete map and research activities
- Prepare students for projects or presentations (use our country report template!)
- Pair with videos, articles, or other informational texts (see Related Resources below)
What country is home to the Inca Empire, the Andes Mountains, and more than 3,000 varieties of potatoes? Meet Peru, a country where ancient civilizations and incredible natural landscapes come together.
From Machu Picchu and the ancient city of Cusco to alpacas and the towering Puya Raimondi plant, Peru is full of remarkable discoveries. Explore the civilizations that flourished here, learn how Spanish colonization changed the country, and discover Peru’s languages, traditions, foods, and government. You’ll also travel from the Pacific coast to the high Andes and deep into the Amazon to see how geography shapes life in Peru.
Teachers and parents, you can use this fact file to:
- Introduce a geography or social studies unit
- Support nonfiction reading practice
- Compare countries and cultures
- Complete map and research activities
- Prepare students for projects or presentations (use our country report template!)
- Pair with videos, articles, or other informational texts (see Related Resources below)
What country is made up of thousands of islands and sits along the Pacific Ring of Fire? Meet Indonesia, an island nation filled with volcanoes, rainforests, coral reefs, and some of the most unusual animals on Earth.
From Komodo dragons and orangutans to vibrant coral reefs and towering volcanoes, Indonesia’s islands are packed with natural wonders. Discover how the country’s geography has shaped the way people live, explore its history and government, and learn about its many languages, traditions, foods, and celebrations. You’ll also meet some of Indonesia’s incredible wildlife.
Teachers and parents, you can use this fact file to:
- Introduce a geography or social studies unit
- Support nonfiction reading practice
- Compare countries and cultures
- Complete map and research activities
- Prepare students for projects or presentations (use our country report template!)
- Pair with videos, articles, or other informational texts (see Related Resources below)
How did a small country on a mountainous peninsula become a global leader in technology, entertainment, and culture? Meet South Korea, a country where ancient traditions and modern innovation are woven together.
From the mountains and islands to the busy streets of Seoul, South Korea has much to explore. Learn how Korea’s history shaped the country it is today, discover the traditions and foods that bring people together, and explore South Korea’s government, economy, language, and culture. You’ll also meet native animals —including a flying squirrel — and discover how wildlife survives in a country where people and cities are never far away.
Teachers and parents, you can use this fact file to:
- Introduce a geography or social studies unit
- Support nonfiction reading practice
- Compare countries and cultures
- Complete map and research activities
- Prepare students for projects or presentations (use our country report template!)
- Pair with videos, articles, or other informational texts (see Related Resources below)
What country is home to more than a billion people, hundreds of languages, the Himalayan Mountains, and some of the world’s most iconic animals? Meet India, a country with an extraordinary mix of landscapes, cultures, religions, and traditions.
From Bengal tigers and colorful peafowl to the Taj Mahal and the mighty Himalayas, India is full of fascinating stories and discoveries. Explore the civilizations and empires that shaped its history, learn about Hinduism and other religions that began there, and discover the foods, festivals, languages, and traditions that make India unique. You’ll also explore the country’s incredible wildlife.
Teachers and parents, you can use this fact file to:
- Introduce a geography or social studies unit
- Support nonfiction reading practice
- Compare countries and cultures
- Complete map and research activities
- Prepare students for projects or presentations (use our country report template!)
- Pair with videos, articles, or other informational texts (see Related Resources below)
What island country is home to ancient temples, bustling cities, active volcanoes, and some of the world’s most unusual wildlife? Meet Japan, a country where centuries-old traditions and cutting-edge technology come together.
From Mount Fuji and the cherry blossoms to Japanese macaques and loggerhead turtles, Japan has an incredible variety of landscapes and living things. Discover how Japan’s islands and mountains have shaped its people and culture, explore key moments in its history, and learn about its government, language, food, and traditions. Along the way, you’ll uncover some surprising facts about this fascinating country.
Teachers and parents, you can use this fact file to:
- Introduce a geography or social studies unit
- Support nonfiction reading practice
- Compare countries and cultures
- Complete map and research activities
- Prepare students for projects or presentations (use our country report template!)
- Pair with videos, articles, or other informational texts (see Related Resources below)
What country has the world’s largest population, some of the oldest traditions on Earth, and landscapes ranging from towering mountains to vast deserts? Meet China, a country where ancient history and modern life exist side by side.
From the Forbidden City to giant pandas to the peaks of the Himalayas, China is filled with remarkable places, people, and wildlife. Explore how geography has shaped life across the country, discover important moments in China’s long history, and learn about its languages, government, food, traditions, and growing cities. You’ll also meet some of China’s unique animals!
Teachers and parents, you can use this fact file to:
- Introduce a geography or social studies unit
- Support nonfiction reading practice
- Compare countries and cultures
- Complete map and research activities
- Prepare students for projects or presentations (use our country report template!)
- Pair with videos, articles, or other informational texts (see Related Resources below)
The article "How We Deciphered Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphs" from BBC's Science Focus explains how archaeologists deciphered ancient Egyptian writing using the Rosetta Stone. It describes the efforts of scholars like Thomas Young and Jean-François Champollion, who unlocked the phonetic and symbolic meanings of hieroglyphs, enabling the translation of ancient texts and revealing insights into Egyptian history and culture.
In JoJo and Gran Gran Celebrate Creole Day, JoJo and her grandmother attend a Creole Day celebration. Jojo learns songs in the Creole language. Real kids learn a dance and get dressed to perform! This video is excerpted from BBC’s JoJo & Gran Gran, a children's animated television series following JoJo, an inquisitive and cheerful 4-and-a-half-year-old girl and her loving Gran Gran, who always has something new to teach her.
When Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, the war to preserve the Union also became a war against slavery. How much Lincoln meant it that way is still debated, and this playlist takes up that question directly. It also covers the new technology that changed how armies fought, the medical crisis in which disease killed twice as many soldiers as combat, the turning-point battles of 1863, and Sherman’s campaign through Georgia. The second half follows the country through Reconstruction: lenient early policies gave way to Radical Reconstruction and constitutional amendments that abolished slavery and guaranteed citizenship and voting rights. It then traces how those gains were rolled back as white Southern Democrats regained power and federal troops withdrew in 1877.
Each video comes with discussion questions, vocabulary, a writing prompt, and classroom activities — all printable from the video page. Questions include why the Emancipation Proclamation didn’t free all enslaved people, why historians call the Civil War the first modern war, and whether Lincoln believed in racial equality.
Teachers and Parents: The playlist picks up where The Road to War leaves off, so together the two playlists cover the full unit for ages 11–18. Videos 1 and 2 work as a pair: a straightforward account of the Emancipation Proclamation followed by historian Lucy Worsley’s case that Lincoln’s main goal was saving the Union. That sets up a strong source-comparison or debate lesson. Lincoln’s Legacy extends the discussion through Frederick Douglass’s reassessment of Lincoln. It contains discriminatory language, so preview it before assigning. The last three videos form a short Reconstruction sequence: The Three Phases of Reconstruction gives the overview, and the next two focus on Black Americans' political gains and the deal that ended federal enforcement, a natural lead-in to Jim Crow and the Civil Rights Movement. Use the "Share With Students" feature to assign videos directly or "Add to Playlist" to build your own sequence.
In the mid-19th Century, Siam, now known as Thailand, faced growing pressure from Western powers to open its economy to international trade. When King Mongkut took the throne in 1851, he drew on his years as a Buddhist monk and his studies of Western languages and science to guide the kingdom through a period of change. He established diplomatic relationships with foreign nations, including Great Britain through the 1855 Bowring Treaty, while working to protect Siam’s independence and manage the influence of foreign commerce.
Mongkut also promoted education, introduced new approaches to royal government, and encouraged the study of science. British governess Anna Leonowens arrived in 1862 to teach members of the royal household, and her experiences later inspired the highly fictionalized musical and film The King and I. Mongkut died of malaria in 1868 after traveling to observe a solar eclipse he had predicted. His son, King Chulalongkorn, continued modernizing the country and abolished slavery. Mongkut’s legacy remains closely associated with scientific learning, diplomacy, and Siam’s efforts to preserve its independence during an era of Western imperial expansion.
In Democracy and Conflict in Ancient Greece, archaeologist and historian Richard Miles explains the duality of ancient Greece. Advances in philosophy, democracy, and the arts coexisted with political discord, social unrest, and violent power struggles. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Ancient Worlds, an epic series with archaeologist and historian Richard Miles as he explores the roots of civilization from Mesopotamia to the fall of the Roman Empire.
What country is home to ancient pyramids, colorful monarch butterflies, towering volcanoes, and one of the world’s most famous celebrations? Meet Mexico, a country where ancient civilizations, diverse landscapes, and vibrant traditions come together.
From the Aztec and Maya to pumas and whale sharks, Mexico has a remarkable story to tell. Explore the civilizations that shaped the country, discover how Mexico gained independence from Spain, and learn about its food, festivals, languages, government, and cities. You’ll also discover how deserts, mountains, jungles, and coastlines provide habitats for an amazing variety of plants and animals.
Teachers and parents, you can use this fact file to:
- Introduce a geography or social studies unit
- Support nonfiction reading practice
- Compare countries and cultures
- Complete map and research activities
- Prepare students for projects or presentations (use our country report template!)
- Pair with videos, articles, or other informational texts (see Related Resources below)
What country is home to the Inca Empire, the Andes Mountains, and more than 3,000 varieties of potatoes? Meet Peru, a country where ancient civilizations and incredible natural landscapes come together.
From Machu Picchu and the ancient city of Cusco to alpacas and the towering Puya Raimondi plant, Peru is full of remarkable discoveries. Explore the civilizations that flourished here, learn how Spanish colonization changed the country, and discover Peru’s languages, traditions, foods, and government. You’ll also travel from the Pacific coast to the high Andes and deep into the Amazon to see how geography shapes life in Peru.
Teachers and parents, you can use this fact file to:
- Introduce a geography or social studies unit
- Support nonfiction reading practice
- Compare countries and cultures
- Complete map and research activities
- Prepare students for projects or presentations (use our country report template!)
- Pair with videos, articles, or other informational texts (see Related Resources below)
What country is made up of thousands of islands and sits along the Pacific Ring of Fire? Meet Indonesia, an island nation filled with volcanoes, rainforests, coral reefs, and some of the most unusual animals on Earth.
From Komodo dragons and orangutans to vibrant coral reefs and towering volcanoes, Indonesia’s islands are packed with natural wonders. Discover how the country’s geography has shaped the way people live, explore its history and government, and learn about its many languages, traditions, foods, and celebrations. You’ll also meet some of Indonesia’s incredible wildlife.
Teachers and parents, you can use this fact file to:
- Introduce a geography or social studies unit
- Support nonfiction reading practice
- Compare countries and cultures
- Complete map and research activities
- Prepare students for projects or presentations (use our country report template!)
- Pair with videos, articles, or other informational texts (see Related Resources below)
How did a small country on a mountainous peninsula become a global leader in technology, entertainment, and culture? Meet South Korea, a country where ancient traditions and modern innovation are woven together.
From the mountains and islands to the busy streets of Seoul, South Korea has much to explore. Learn how Korea’s history shaped the country it is today, discover the traditions and foods that bring people together, and explore South Korea’s government, economy, language, and culture. You’ll also meet native animals —including a flying squirrel — and discover how wildlife survives in a country where people and cities are never far away.
Teachers and parents, you can use this fact file to:
- Introduce a geography or social studies unit
- Support nonfiction reading practice
- Compare countries and cultures
- Complete map and research activities
- Prepare students for projects or presentations (use our country report template!)
- Pair with videos, articles, or other informational texts (see Related Resources below)
What country is home to more than a billion people, hundreds of languages, the Himalayan Mountains, and some of the world’s most iconic animals? Meet India, a country with an extraordinary mix of landscapes, cultures, religions, and traditions.
From Bengal tigers and colorful peafowl to the Taj Mahal and the mighty Himalayas, India is full of fascinating stories and discoveries. Explore the civilizations and empires that shaped its history, learn about Hinduism and other religions that began there, and discover the foods, festivals, languages, and traditions that make India unique. You’ll also explore the country’s incredible wildlife.
Teachers and parents, you can use this fact file to:
- Introduce a geography or social studies unit
- Support nonfiction reading practice
- Compare countries and cultures
- Complete map and research activities
- Prepare students for projects or presentations (use our country report template!)
- Pair with videos, articles, or other informational texts (see Related Resources below)
What island country is home to ancient temples, bustling cities, active volcanoes, and some of the world’s most unusual wildlife? Meet Japan, a country where centuries-old traditions and cutting-edge technology come together.
From Mount Fuji and the cherry blossoms to Japanese macaques and loggerhead turtles, Japan has an incredible variety of landscapes and living things. Discover how Japan’s islands and mountains have shaped its people and culture, explore key moments in its history, and learn about its government, language, food, and traditions. Along the way, you’ll uncover some surprising facts about this fascinating country.
Teachers and parents, you can use this fact file to:
- Introduce a geography or social studies unit
- Support nonfiction reading practice
- Compare countries and cultures
- Complete map and research activities
- Prepare students for projects or presentations (use our country report template!)
- Pair with videos, articles, or other informational texts (see Related Resources below)
What country has the world’s largest population, some of the oldest traditions on Earth, and landscapes ranging from towering mountains to vast deserts? Meet China, a country where ancient history and modern life exist side by side.
From the Forbidden City to giant pandas to the peaks of the Himalayas, China is filled with remarkable places, people, and wildlife. Explore how geography has shaped life across the country, discover important moments in China’s long history, and learn about its languages, government, food, traditions, and growing cities. You’ll also meet some of China’s unique animals!
Teachers and parents, you can use this fact file to:
- Introduce a geography or social studies unit
- Support nonfiction reading practice
- Compare countries and cultures
- Complete map and research activities
- Prepare students for projects or presentations (use our country report template!)
- Pair with videos, articles, or other informational texts (see Related Resources below)
The article "How We Deciphered Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphs" from BBC's Science Focus explains how archaeologists deciphered ancient Egyptian writing using the Rosetta Stone. It describes the efforts of scholars like Thomas Young and Jean-François Champollion, who unlocked the phonetic and symbolic meanings of hieroglyphs, enabling the translation of ancient texts and revealing insights into Egyptian history and culture.