Curated Video
Understanding the genre of 'Mulan'
Pupil outcome: I can explain what a legend is. Key learning points: - ‘Mulan’ is a legend which belongs to the genre of folklore. - Folklore is a genre in which oral stories are passed down over time and they originate from a range of...
Curated Video
Understanding the genre of 'Anansi and the Antelope Baby'
Pupil outcome: I can explain what a folktale is. Key learning points: - 'Anansi and the Antelope Baby' is an African folktale. - Folktales belong to the genre of folklore in which oral stories are shared, adapted and passed down over...
PBS
The Evolution of Werewolves in Film
The dawn of the film industry influenced the depiction of werewolves in popular culture. Beginning with early 20th-century movies that incorporated werewolf lore often included a demonization of non-white populations. Later, the werewolf...
Curated Video
Learning a story to retell it
Pupil outcome: I can sequence and retell the fairy tale 'Goldilocks and the Three Bears'. Key learning points: - Fairy tales are fiction stories about magical and imaginary beings and lands. - Fairy tales belong to the genre of folklore...
PBS
How to Survive a Zombie Apocalypse (with Dr. Z)
In this special episode, Dr. Zarka shows you what’s inside her “go bag,” a kit of survival supplies she keeps on hand at all times. In this episode you’ll find out how the horror genre can inspire real-world preparedness and take a look...
PBS
Don’t Let Them In! The Urban Legends of Black-Eyed Children
An urban legend that exploits our fears of an obstructed gaze and the deeply unsettling idea that the youngest of our species are out to destroy us, the lore of Black-Eyed Children, or Black-Eyed Kids, is a modern construction. But the...
PBS
How Advances in Science Changed the Zombie Narrative
Films like 28 Weeks Later (2007), [REC] (2007), Quarantine (2008), and Deadgirl (2008) depict the zombie plague as a result of scientific misjudgment, reflecting society's growing anxieties around technology and experimentation. At the...
PBS
Trolls in the 20th Century
At the turn of the 20th century, trolls transitioned from fairy tales into novels, most notably in science fiction and fantasy. J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings series brought trolls into the mainstream, where they...
PBS
Consumerism and Social Critique in Romero's Dawn of the Dead
In 1978, George Romero released Dawn of the Dead, moving the zombie apocalypse to a shopping mall, symbolizing the growing influence of American consumerism and suburban life. This film continued his critique of society, with zombies...
PBS
Are Werewolves Transitioning From Monster to Metaphor?
As we continue to evolve in our understanding of nature and humanity, modern werewolf stories are exploring more sensitive and introspective themes, shifting away from the violent, tortured archetype of the past. The future of werewolf...
PBS
Renaissance of the Werewolf in 1990s and Early 2000s Pop Culture
The 1990s saw a resurgence in werewolf popularity, particularly in video games, movies, and television. Games like Altered Beast and films such as Ginger Snaps revived and modernized werewolf lore, connecting transformations to themes...
PBS
Werewolves of War: From Nazi Propaganda to Post-War Pop Culture
After World War I, some German soldiers who refused to disband formed a group called "Werewolf," which later became an elite recruiting source for the Nazi regime during World War II. Werewolves were integrated into Nazi propaganda,...
PBS
How Industrialization and Urbanization Changed Werewolf Legends
In the 19th century, the werewolf shifted from a feared monster to a symbol of literary fantasy, fueled by industrialization, urbanization, and the rise of science. Stories about werewolves became popular in Gothic literature, penny...
Curated Video
Why this instrument explains Black American folk music
Jake Blount, a banjo scholar, explains. Subscribe and turn on notifications 🔔 so you don't miss any videos: http://goo.gl/0bsAjO Jake Blount has built a career out of understanding the banjo’s connection to Black American folk music. In...
Schooling Online
Shakespeare Today: A Midsummer Night's Dream - Context
Watch this video to learn about Shakespeare’s fascinating world, and its influence on the play A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Watch the Elizabethan era come to life and come to a deeper understanding of Elizabethan comedy, views on gender,...
PBS
Pontianak: The Vengeful, Violent Vampiric Ghost of Southeast Asia
The pontianak, or kuntilanak, has long been a staple of Malay horror. In addition to serving as an allegory for the tension between traditional and modern cultural and spiritual practices, these monsters gave name to a real city. In this...
PBS
Exotic Dangers: The Rise of Killer Plant Myths in the 19th Century
In the 19th century, advancements in trade and greenhouse technology enabled the global transport of plants, sparking fascination with exotic and sometimes dangerous flora. This led to a rise in fictional tales of carnivorous plants,...