Social Studies
February 5, 2014 - February 11, 2014

Find the latest educational resources from Iowa Public Television.

A Raisin in the Sun Revisited: Introduction

Grades: 6-12

This clip from A Raisin in the Sun Revisited, introduces three potent plays, A Raisin in the Sun, Clybourne Park, and Beneatha's Place, showing how these three plays all advance the discussion of race in America and alluding to how issues surrounding race in America both have and have not changed since A Raisin in the Sun debuted on Broadway in 1959. Clybourne Park and Beneatha's Place were performed in repertory as The Raisin Cycle at Baltimore's Center Stage in the spring of 2013.

Deconstructing the Documentary

Grades: 9-12

This lesson will ask students to analyze the film, to differentiate between narrative (fiction) and documentary storytelling, and to consider the ways in which all films are constructed by filmmaking decisions. They will ultimately consider the ways in which the final product (this documentary film) might or might not reflect the complete "reality" of the topic it presents.

Percy Julian: Forgotten Genius

Grades: 3-12

In 1950, Percy Julian was one of the few African Americans with a Ph.D. He was Chicago's man of the year and a groundbreaking scientist. But it wasn't an easy road. Denied teaching positions and the target of death threats, Julian struggled to get ahead in a racially hostile world. Learn more about Percy Julian's contributions to science and civil rights. These resources, adapted from NOVA: "Forgotten Genius," explore how Julian revolutionized chemistry with the first synthesis of a chemical compound, as well as the challenges he overcame as an African American facing legalized segregation. Also check out the teacher's guide for this NOVA program.

African American History
Grade Range: 4-13+

Understanding the history of African Americans is crucial to understanding the history of America. The experiences of African Americans have shaped many aspects of the United States. These lesson plans are based on History Detectives episodes that examine artifacts from three distinct eras in American history: the Civil War, World War I, and the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s.

American Stories: Teens and Immigration
Grade Range: 5-8

In this blended lesson supporting literacy skills, students watch documentary video about four teens who immigrated to the United States. Students develop their literacy skills as they explore a social studies focus on the factors that drive immigration and the challenges immigrants face in the United States, particularly in learning English. During this process, they read informational text, learn and practice vocabulary words, and explore content through videos and interactive activities.

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