Social Studies

Social Studies (X) - Elementary (X) - Middle (X)

A Medieval Cathedral

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Copies: 1

presents the ingenious, devoted, and indefatigable builders who perfected the medieval cathedral as a stone prayer to God and a place of community pride. Though again treading on the heels of David Macaulay, MacDonald and James hold their own, pointing out the religious significance of a bishop's seat, describing pilgrims' routes to other cathedrals, depicting the daily life of both workers and the religious community, and showing the variety of arts and crafts necessary to construction.

A Medieval Cathedral

A Medieval Castle

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Step inside a medieval castle and discover for yourself what it was like to live and work inside its massive walls. Superb illustrations and thoroughly researched information provide a vivid and intimate look at every aspect of castle life. You will see the craftsmen and builders at work, witness a great dinner in the main hall, learn about the life of the lord and lady, learn how a page became a knight, and more.

A Medieval Castle

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

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The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was adopted by the UN General Assembly on 10 December 1948, was the result of the experience of the Second World War. With the end of that war, and the creation of the United Nations, the international community vowed never again to allow atrocities like those of that conflict happen again. World leaders decided to complement the UN Charter with a road map to guarantee the rights of every individual everywhere.

Website for the National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House

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The Susan B. Anthony Museum and House web site has a learning section with a biography, a photo gallery, teacher resources, a timeline of her life, and other interesting information. This is a great local resource that can help support the Grade 4 Module about Susan B. Anthony and Women's Suffrage.

Lyddie

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"The first step to freedom is schooling," a runaway slave tells Lyddie Worthen. It's the mid-1800s and the working conditions in the Storemont cotton factory are horrific. Lyddie is willing to endure those conditions to earn enough money to bring her family back together. When another worker, Diana teaches Lyddie to read, it opens up a new world of possibilities for her. After Diana dies of cotton lung, Lyddie must decide if she's willing to risk her job to fight for the rights of other workers or stay in the factory as a "wage slave." Based on the book by Katherine Paterson.

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Grade Level: 
Elementary
Middle
Length: 
01:30
Lyddie

John Henry

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Copies: 1

Nothing can stop John Henry — no boulder, no mountain, and definitely no steam drill. Newbery Honor winner Julius Lester writes with such power that this African-American folk hero becomes as awesome as a natural phenomenon. Jerry Pinkney received a Caldecott Honor for his exuberant, glowing watercolor paintings of the hero. The book, celebrating its tenth year in print, was also a Boston Globe — Horn Book Award winner, a Parents Magazine Best Book, and an ALA Notable Book, among other honors.

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Lexile: 
AD720L

Japan: Samurai, Geisha & Technology (1994)

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This DVD includes stunning videos of Japan, a unique, intriguing country, which has incredible cities, castles, landscapes and hot springs. You'll see how Japan has developed the world's best automobiles and consumer electronics.

Grade Level: 
Elementary
Middle
High
Length: 
01:00
Japan: Samurai, Geisha & Technology

Wild China (2008)

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China is one of the oldest civilizations on Earth, and for the first time in almost a century, it is opening up to the world. This landmark series gains unprecedented access to the most enigmatic of countries and reveals a land of astonishing natural complexity, breathtaking landscapes, rare and surprising wildlife, and colorful people.

Grade Level: 
Elementary
Middle
High
Length: 
05:00
Wild China

America's Great Indian Nations

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This documentary profiles six of the major Native American tribes that were defeated and subdued as part of the settling of the United States.

New Arts for Old: Medieval Music 1100-1480

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Copies: 1

Explore the early domination of Gregorian chant, the flowering of love poetry in France, and much more. The liberal use of musical examples helps to convey the extrovert boldness and excitement of Medieval music. Hosted by Dr. Christopher Page, the founder and director of Gothic Voices, the first professional vocal ensemble to specialize in Medieval secular music.

Music Credits

Musick's Feaste: Music of the Renaissance 1480-1600

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Copies: 1

Follow the musical renaissance in Europe and England, tracing the spread of the Flemish School through France to Italy. Hosted by Anthony Rooley, Director of the Consort of Musicke and founder of the Early Music Centre in London.

PART ONE:

Women's Rights

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Rochester Voices is a project of the Local History & Genealogy Division of the Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County. It is operated and administered by the Rochester Public Library.

This Theme focuses on women's rights, and the suffragettes in Rochester.

Drawing from Memory

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Copies: 7

Caldecott Medalist Allen Say presents a stunning graphic novel chronicling his journey as an artist during WWII, when he apprenticed under Noro Shinpei, Japan’s premier cartoonist

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Lexile: 
HL560L
Drawing from Memory

The Girl from the Tar Paper School

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Copies: 7

Before the Little Rock Nine, before Rosa Parks, before Martin Luther King Jr. and his March on Washington, there was Barbara Rose Johns, a teenager who used nonviolent civil disobedience to draw attention to her cause. In 1951, witnessing the unfair conditions in her racially segregated high school, Barbara Johns led a walkout—the first public protest of its kind demanding racial equality in the U.S.—jumpstarting the American civil rights movement.

Lexile: 
1100L
The Girl from the Tar Paper School

The Skull in the Rock

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Copies: 7

In 2008, Professor Lee Berger--with the help of his curious 9-year-old son--discovered two remarkably well preserved, two-million-year-old fossils of an adult female and young male, known as Australopithecus sediba; a previously unknown species of ape-like creatures that may have been a direct ancestor of modern humans. This discovery of has been hailed as one of the most important archaeological discoveries in history. The fossils reveal what may be one of humankind's oldest ancestors.

Lexile: 
1140L
The Skull in the Rock

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