High

ELA (X) - High (X)

Writing Persuasive Essays (2006)

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In this program, a young writer must compose a convincing letter to the school news paper to win his classmates' votes for student council, while another writer is challenged to research and write a supporting argument in favor of an issue that she feels strongly against.

Grade Level: 
Elementary
Middle
High
Length: 
00:23
Writing Persuasive Essays

Paul Bunyan (2006)

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Meet Paul Bunyan, a lumberjack taller than the highest Minnesota pines, who is strong enough to fell ten trees with a single swing of his axe and has the ingenuity to conquer a swarm of beesquitoes.

Grade Level: 
Middle
High
Length: 
00:23
Paul Bunyan

John Henry (2006)

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Meet John Henry. Born with a hammer in his hand, he is the greatest steel-drivin' man that ever lived. He's as strong as an ox, as fast as the wind and possesses impeccable aim.

Grade Level: 
Middle
High
Length: 
00:23
John Henry

The Great Gatsby

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Jay Gatsby is a man possessed-driven by greed, ambition and, most of all, an unwavering desire for a woman he met before the Great War, when he was poor and she was unobtainable...

Director: 
Grade Level: 
Middle
High
Length: 
01:40
The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby

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The 20's never roarded louder than in this sumptuously romantic retelling of F. Scott Fitzgerald's Jazz Age classic. Robert Redford stars as Jay Gatsby, who had once loved beautiful, spoiled Daisy Buchanan (Mia Farrow), then lost her to a rich boy. But now Gatsby is mysteriously wealthy... and ready to risk everything to woo Daisy back.

Director: 
Grade Level: 
Middle
High
Length: 
02:23
The Great Gatsby

The Crucible

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The setting is 17th century Salem, Massachusetts. A group of teenage girls meets in the woods at midnight for a secret love-conjuring ceremony. But instead of love, Abigail Williams (Winona Ryder) wishes for the death of her former lover's (Daniel Day-Lewis) wife. When the ceremony is witnessed by the town minister, the girls are accused of witchcraft. Soon the entire village is consumed by hysteria, and innocent victims are put on trial, leading to a devastating climax!

Director: 
Grade Level: 
High
Length: 
02:03
The Crucible

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

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Starring Tony Award winner Brent Carver and Rachelle Lefevre, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow faithfully recounts the classic Washington Irving tale, successfully capturing the mystery and romance that have eluded other screen efforts. Connecticut Yankee Ichabod Crane (Carver) arrives in the rural Dutch community of Sleepy Hollow and assumes his post as the new schoolteacher. Though the outsider is widely regarded with suspicion, the daughter of the area's wealthiest farmer, Katrina Van Tassel (Lefevre), is charmed by his manners and education.

Director: 
Grade Level: 
Middle
High
Length: 
01:31
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

The Birds

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The fair distribution of water has long been a worldwide problem, and it is one that the United States may increasingly experience in the future. The Great Lakes contain 20% of the world’s fresh surface water, but that water is currently available to only a small portion of the U.S population. Should water-scarce regions of the country have access to this water, and, if so, should they have to pay for it? What effect would the piping of Great Lakes water to other areas have on the lakes and Midwestern environments?

Director: 
Grade Level: 
High
Length: 
02:00
The Birds

Rory's Story Cubes Actions

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An expansion to the creativity game Rory's Story Cubes. This set includes 9 new dice with 54 action images or "picto-verbs."

Grade Level: 
Elementary
Middle
High
Content Area: 
Special Education
ELA
Play Time: 
20 min.
Rory's Story Cubes Actions

Rory's Story Cubes Voyages

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Roll the cubes, begin with "Far, far away...", start with the first symbol to grab your attention, and tell a story that links together all nine face-up images. There is no wrong answer, as the goal is to let the images spark your imagination.

Grade Level: 
Elementary
Middle
High
Content Area: 
Special Education
ELA
Play Time: 
20 min.
Rory's Story Cubes Voyages

The Tempest (1980)

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This playful romance weaves fantasy and realism into a plot that still relates to today's audiences. This timeless, comedy play is set on an enchanted island where an exiled Duke and two young lovers encounter the occult, finding good and evil within themselves.

Grade Level: 
High
Length: 
02:30
The Tempest

The Taming of the Shrew (1980)

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This comic confrontation between the sexes is one of the most frequently-staged Shakespeare plays. Its sparkling wit and rich characterizations are matched with an outstanding portrayal of Petruchio that has won unanimous critical acclaim, praised as "an object lesson in serving Shakespeare to a present-day audience."

Grade Level: 
High
Length: 
02:07
The Taming of the Shrew

A Midsummer Night's Dream (1981)

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Three plots intertwine: the entangled love affairs of Demetrius, Helena, Lysander and Hermia; the comic performance of a "play within a play" by the tradesmen of Athens; and the antics in fairyland of King Oberon and Queen Titania.

Grade Level: 
Middle
High
Length: 
01:52
A Midsummer Night's Dream

As You Like It (1978)

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Shakespeare at his funniest, posing serious questions in the most lighthearted tone. Is there a "natural difference" between a Duke's daughter and a commoner? Are men really stronger than women or is it just their roles in society? Some of these characters briefly discard the roles they've played in life, while others adopt new ones. In the end, they all learn something about themsleves.

Grade Level: 
High
Length: 
02:30
As You Like It

The Merchant of Venice (1980)

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The Merchant of Venice is one of Shakespeare's most well-known comedies. Blending tragedy and comedy, Merchant of Venice presents contrasts and ambiguities, the complexities of which lie in the character Shylock, the play's captivating villain. Is he a villain, a buffoon or a tragic hero?

Grade Level: 
High
Length: 
02:37
The Merchant of Venice

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