Elementary

This exciting program uncovers the seeds of the American Revolution and explains that the causes were rooted in England's imperial policies. It introduces the resistance leaders, Patriots and Loyalists, and the events leading to the Boston Massacre. See how the Coercive Acts, passed in response to the Boston Tea Party, helped unite the colonies.

All aboard! Next stop...New York! On this trip, we will explore New York's landforms, taking a trip under Niagara Falls and up into the Catskill Mountains. We will explore the history, industry, natural resources and culture of the state, especially the contributions of immigrants and native peoples.

Examines the history of Canada including the Inuit and First Nations people, Viking settlements, French and British exploration, the Hudson Bay Company, and the structure and function of Canada's government today.

Discusses how Canada's geography shaped its history and culture. Looks at land formations, rivers, climate, wilderness areas, and natural resources. Examines cities lie Vancouver and Ottowa, and small farming and fishing communities.

Viewers will learn about traditional Canadian symbols, contributions of Canadians, food, holidays, crafts, folktales, and Canada Day.

Examines the ancient civilizations of the Olmec, Aztec, and Maya; Spanish conquest of the Aztec; the impact of Catholic missionaries; the wars for independence. Looks at Mexican leaders such as Benito Juarez, Father Hidalgo, and General Santa Anna.

Looks at how the geography of Mexico has shaped its history, society, and culture. Examines a variety of regions including the Sonoran Desert and the rainforests of Chipas. Discusses major industries like silver mining and tourism.

Viewers will learn about the rich cultural heritage of Mexico. Looks at the influences of indigenous people and Spanish rule in clothing, folktales, foods and holidays. Includes a sample day in the life of a fisherman's son and a young girl in Mexico City. Also looks at Tejano bands, artwork of Diego Rivera, and Talavera pottery.

Students will learn about resources they can use to improve their writing. They will discover that they can look at the work of other writers, use books like a dictionary or thesaurus, use writing techniques like rhyme, alliteration, and onomatopoeia, organize ideas and facts with outlines or story maps. Proofreading tools are also discussed.

Professor Plot, the zany publisher of Wordswork, has given his editors a unique challenge: Showcase four different types of writing, each with its own purpose and audience, in the upcoming issue of the magazine.

Expository writing emerges as the theme for this issue of Wordswork, and the editors are on a quest to fill the magazine with writing that informs or provides facts. The team quickly realizes that expository writing can be anything from a school science project to a letter to the president!

Viewers learn the importance of prewriting (thinking and planning), how to transform ideas into a written draft, different types of sentences (lead, topic, etc.) editing, proofreading, and publishing.