Instructional Video5:08
Wonderscape

The Rise of Greenwood and Black Wall Street

K - 5th
Learn about the growth of Greenwood, a thriving Black community in Tulsa, Oklahoma, led by pioneers like J.B. Stradford and O.W. Gurley. Discover how Black Wall Street became a symbol of economic success and independence, drawing...
Instructional Video4:46
Wonderscape

The Rise and Fall of Freedmen's Towns and the Red Summer

K - 5th
Discover the history of all-Black towns established after the Civil War, offering hope and refuge for newly freed Black Americans. Explore how events like D.W. Griffith's "The Birth of a Nation" and the Red Summer of 1919 led to a...
Instructional Video4:01
Wonderscape

Filibuster Cons: Challenges and Criticisms

K - 5th
This video examines the criticisms of filibustering in the U.S. Senate. It discusses how filibusters can lead to legislative gridlock, waste time and resources, and delay important reforms, especially in civil rights. Learn about key...
Instructional Video3:46
Wonderscape

The Legacy of the Reconstruction Era and Its Lasting Impact

K - 5th
This video explores the Reconstruction Era, focusing on the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments and the political strides made by Black Americans. Learn about the challenges and achievements of the time, including the rise of Black political...
Instructional Video2:15
Wonderscape

Radical Republicans and the Freedmen's Bureau: Reconstruction Efforts

K - 5th
This video examines the role of Radical Republicans during Reconstruction, highlighting their push for civil rights and the abolition of enslavement. Learn about their conflict with Presidents Lincoln and Johnson, the passage of the...
Instructional Video0:56
Wonderscape

Understanding Black Codes and Their Impact on Freedmen

K - 5th
This video explores the origins and effects of Black Codes, a series of laws aimed at restricting the rights and freedoms of Black freedmen and women in the southern states. Learn how these laws maintained oppressive structures and...
Instructional Video3:00
Wonderscape

Andrew Johnson and the Rise of Black Codes

K - 5th
This video examines President Andrew Johnson's controversial role during the Reconstruction Era. After Lincoln's death, Johnson's policies, including overturning the "40 acres" order and vetoing civil rights legislation, shaped the...
Instructional Video5:22
Wonderscape

Hiram Revels: The First Black U.S. Senator

K - 5th
This video explores the life and achievements of Hiram Revels, the first Black person to serve in the U.S. Congress. Learn about his journey from a free-born pastor to a Civil War chaplain and political leader in Mississippi, and his...
Instructional Video6:03
Wonderscape

Phyllis Wheatley: The First Published Black American Poet

K - 5th
This video tells the story of Phyllis Wheatley, a young girl from Gambia who became the first Black American to publish a book of poetry. Learn about her journey from enslavement to literary fame, her notable works, and her impact on...
Instructional Video8:48
Wonderscape

From Jim Crow to Civil Rights: Black Resilience in the Face of Segregation

K - 5th
Explore the harsh realities of life under Jim Crow laws, from segregated public spaces to the struggles of Black soldiers returning home from war. Learn about the courage of figures like Jackie Robinson and Isaac Woodard, Jr., whose...
Instructional Video5:04
Wonderscape

The Devastating Impact of Jim Crow: From Freedmen’s Towns to Black Wall Street

K - 5th
Discover the tragic events that unfolded during the Jim Crow era, from the destruction of thriving Black communities like East St. Louis and Tulsa's Black Wall Street to the widespread violence of the Red Summer. This video highlights...
Instructional Video6:05
Wonderscape

The Struggle for Equality During Reconstruction

K - 5th
Explore the contrasting philosophies of Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois during the Reconstruction Era and their approaches to challenging Jim Crow laws. Learn about the landmark Plessy v. Ferguson case and how the NAACP emerged...
Instructional Video4:36
Wonderscape

The Origins and Impact of Jim Crow Laws

K - 5th
Learn about the origins of Jim Crow laws and how they enforced racial segregation in the United States. This video traces the history from the minstrel character "Jim Crow" to the establishment of laws that restricted the freedoms of...
Instructional Video4:43
Wonderscape

The Origins and Evolution of Black Music in America

K - 5th
Explore the deep roots and evolution of Black music in America, starting with the spirituals of enslaved Africans and moving through gospel traditions. Learn how music has served as a source of resilience, hope, and expression through...
Instructional Video7:10
Wonderscape

Wrong Side of History: Black Heritage and Representation

K - 5th
Explore the evolution of Black history in America, from the struggle for recognition to the impact of Black History Month. Learn about media's role in shaping perceptions and the ongoing debates on how best to honor Black heritage. Black...
Instructional Video5:21
Wonderscape

The Story of Negro History Week: A Legacy of Recognition

K - 5th
Learn about the origins of Negro History Week, founded by Carter G. Woodson in 1926 to honor the rich history of Black people. Discover how this week grew into the celebration we know today as Black History Month, inspiring pride and...
Instructional Video4:59
Wonderscape

Carter G. Woodson: The Father of Black History

K - 5th
Learn about Carter G. Woodson, the visionary educator who created Negro History Week, the precursor to Black History Month. Discover how he dedicated his life to uncovering and celebrating the rich history of Black people in America....
Instructional Video3:47
Wonderscape

A Tree Without Roots Is Dead: The Story of Black History Month

K - 5th
Discover the origins of Black History Month and its importance in celebrating the contributions of Black people throughout American history. Learn about the legacy of Carter G. Woodson and explore the rich heritage that spans from 1619...
Instructional Video4:18
Wonderscape

Myths in Science and History: Newton, Franklin, and Enslavement

K - 5th
Discover the truths behind famous myths like Isaac Newton’s apple story and Benjamin Franklin’s kite experiment. Learn how these stories were exaggerated over time and find out how enslavement existed in all American colonies, not just...
Instructional Video4:38
Wonderscape

The Case for Reparations: Addressing Historical Injustices for Black Americans

K - 5th
Explore the long-standing debate on reparations for the descendants of enslaved Black people in the United States. Learn about historical examples, such as payments to Japanese Americans and Holocaust survivors, and modern efforts like...
Instructional Video4:34
Wonderscape

Breaking the Cycle of Housing Inequality for Black Families

K - 5th
Learn how historical and systemic practices, like redlining and housing covenants, have contributed to ongoing housing disparities for Black families in the United States. Discover potential solutions, such as stricter enforcement of the...
Instructional Video4:16
Wonderscape

Addressing Education Disparities and the School-to-Prison Pipeline for Black Men

K - 5th
Learn about the educational challenges faced by Black men, including lower graduation rates and the impact of the school-to-prison pipeline. Discover how reforms, such as diversifying curricula, hiring more Black teachers, and creating...
Instructional Video5:04
Wonderscape

Bruce's Beach: A Historic Black Resort Reclaimed

K - 5th
Discover the history of Bruce's Beach, a Black-owned resort in Manhattan Beach, California, founded by Charles and Willa Bruce in 1912. Learn how the city used eminent domain to take the property in 1924, and how, nearly a century later,...
Instructional Video5:27
Wonderscape

Historic Black Beaches: Safe Havens Amid Segregation

K - 5th
Discover the history of Black-owned beaches like Highland Beach, Atlantic Beach, and American Beach, which offered safe spaces for Black families during segregation. Learn how these resorts thrived as popular destinations for Black...