TED-Ed
TED-Ed: Rumi: One of the world's most famous writers | Stephanie Honchell Smith
According to legend, the renowned scholar Jalaluddin Muhammad Rumi was giving a lecture when a disheveled man approached and asked him the meaning of his academic books. Rumi didn’t know it yet, but this question and this man would...
SciShow
Why Do We Rhyme?
Rhymes might seem frivolous, but there's scientific evidence for why we like them so much.
TED Talks
TED: How to design a school for the future | Punya Mishra
In all the conversations about improving education for children, the voices of students, teachers and community members are often left out. Educational designer Punya Mishra offers a method to shift that paradigm, taking us through new...
TED-Ed
TED-Ed: Why should you read Sylvia Plath? - Iseult Gillespie
Explore the haunting and intimate works of poet Sylvia Plath, who digs into issues of mental health, trauma and sexuality in works like “The Bell Jar.” -- Under her shrewd eye and pen, Sylvia Plath turned everyday objects into haunting...
TED Talks
Stephen Burt: Why people need poetry
"We're all going to die -- and poems can help us live with that." In a charming and funny talk, literary critic Stephen Burt takes us on a lyrical journey with some of his favorite poets, all the way down to a line break and back up to...
Crash Course
Straight Outta Stratford-Upon-Avon - Shakespeare's Early Days: Crash Course Theater #14
This is the story of how a young Englishman named William Shakespeare stormed London's theater scene in the late 16th century, and wrote a bunch of plays and poems that have had pretty good staying power. We'll learn about Shakespeare's...
TED Talks
TED: Everyday moments, caught in time | Billy Collins
Combining dry wit with artistic depth, Billy Collins shares a project in which several of his poems were turned into delightful animated films in a collaboration with Sundance Channel. Five of them are included in this wonderfully...
TED-Ed
TED-Ed: For Estefani, Third Grade, Who Made Me A Card | Aracelis Girmay
This animation is part of the TED-Ed series, "There's a Poem for That," which features animated interpretations of poems both old and new that give language to some of life's biggest feelings. [Poem by Aracelis Girmay, directed by Jordan...
TED Talks
Natalie Merchant: Singing old poems to life
Natalie Merchant sings from her poetry-inspired album "Leave Your Sleep," which pairs lyrics from poets -- from Gerard Manley Hopkins to a near-forgotten 10-year-old girl in Brooklyn -- with simple melodies and her unmistakable voice....
Crash Course
The Poetry of Sylvia Plath: Crash Course Literature 216
In which John Green teaches you about the poetry of Sylvia Plath. When a lot of people think about Sylvia Plath, they think about her struggles with mental illness and her eventual suicide. Her actual work can get lost in the shuffle a...
Crash Course
Before I Got My Eye Put Out - The Poetry of Emily Dickinson: Crash Course English Lit
In which John Green concludes the Crash Course Literature mini-series with an examination of the poetry of Emily Dickinson. Sure, John explores the creepy biographical details of Dickinson's life, but he also gets into why her poems have...
TED-Ed
TED-Ed: Brendan Constantine: "The Opposites Game"
This animation is part of the TED-Ed series, "There's a Poem for That," which features animated interpretations of poems both old and new that give language to some of life's biggest feelings. [Poem by Brendan Constantine, directed by...
TED Talks
TED: Give yourself permission to be creative | Ethan Hawke
Reflecting on moments that shaped his life, actor Ethan Hawke examines how courageous expression promotes healing and connection with one another -- and invites you to discover your own unabashed creativity. "There is no path till you...
TED-Ed
TED-ED: What makes a poem a poem? - Melissa Kovacs
What exactly makes a poem - a poem? Poets themselves have struggled with this question, often using metaphors to approximate a definition. Is a poem a little machine? A firework? An echo? A dream? Melissa Kovacs shares three recognizable...
TED-Ed
TED-Ed: Romance and revolution: the poetry of Pablo Neruda - Ilan Stavans
Get to know Pablo Neruda, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century and winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature. -- A romantic and a revolutionary, Pablo Neruda was one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, but...
TED-Ed
TED-ED: Everything you need to know to read Homer's "Odyssey" - Jill Dash
An encounter with a man-eating giant. A sorceress who turns men into pigs. A long-lost king taking back his throne. On their own, any of these make great stories. But each is just one episode in the "Odyssey," a 12,000-line poem spanning...
TED Talks
TED: Can a computer write poetry? | Oscar Schwartz
If you read a poem and feel moved by it, but then find out it was actually written by a computer, would you feel differently about the experience? Would you think that the computer had expressed itself and been creative, or would you...
Curated Video
Who Wrote the Bible? Episode 3: The Writings
Who Wrote the Bible? Episode 3: The Writings
Brainwaves Video Anthology
Amanda Jones - Teachers Make a Difference - Dr. Shirley McDonald
Amanda Jones love of reading began with her mother, a former kindergarten teacher who encouraged books at home, and was nurtured by supportive teachers throughout your school years. In high school, she met Dr. Shirley McDonald, the first...
Bedtime History
History of Maya Angelou for Kids | Bedtime History
Learn about the famous author and poet who helped the Civil Rights Movement and changed the world with her inspiring words and life story.
Bedtime History
Edgar Allan Poe for Kids | Bedtime History
Learn about the difficult but impactful life of the world-renowned writer of mystery and detective stories, Edgar Allan Poe.
Bedtime History
Brief History of Petrarch
Simple history about Francesco Petrarcha, who became known as the Father of the Renaissance. Great for kids or those who want a brief overview of the Italian writer and philosopher.
Bedtime History
The Iliad Story for Kids | Bedtime History
Unravel the timeless tale of gods, heroes, and the legendary Trojan War that has fascinated audiences for millennia. Discover the origins of Homer's masterpiece, its cultural significance in the ancient world, and its enduring impact on...
Wonderscape
Phyllis Wheatley: The First Published Black American Poet
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...