Jimi Hendrix's 'The Wind Cries Mary' is an ideal song, not just to illustrate personification, but also to demonstrate how poetic devices enhance the meaning of the poem. As soon as the students recognize that the speaker is mourning the...

By listening to and analyzing the lyrics of selected examples of popular music from the 1960s era, students will develop a greater understanding of the historical and political forces as well as the emotional climate of the decade. This...

The rise of American cities between 1865 and 1900 was spawned by the industrial revolution. Technological advancements in industry and transportation fathered the enormous growth of large cities across the United States. This led to the...

Students are aware of most their personal rights and freedoms. However, many have not critically evaluated the significance of the Bill of Rights and are unaware that the Bill of Rights only applied to the federal government from 1791...

The songs and movies of modern times have had a major influence on fashion. Coincidentally, many of these important fashion-influencing films of recent times had one thing in common: John Travolta. From the white leisure suits ofSaturday...

By examining the lives and lyrics of popular, positive black female rappers such as Queen Latifah and Lauryn Hill, students can trace a direct line back to the inspirational writer and poet, Maya Angelou. Rap lyrics will help explicate...

Using music, videos, and interviews are effective ways to study the Vietnam War era. The music from the late 1960s and early 1970s offers wonderful insights into how many Americans felt about the times. Through the use of personal...

A brief history of Olympian Babe Didrickson's progression from sport to sport, excelling at every one including golf.

This short biography tracks the life of Eileen Collins, first woman to pilot a space shuttle and command a space shuttle mission.

This Barnard-educated writer, anthropologist, and folklorist grew up in Eatonville, Florida; the first all-Black city in America. Read a short summary of her life and accomplishments.

Read about the life and accomplishments of abolitionists Angelina Grimke and Sarah Grimke, important political figures in the anti-slavery movement.

Read a biography of African-American writer Maya Angelou, a woman whose career has inspired and affected millions of people.

Maya Lin became famous at the age of 21 as the architect and creator of the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial. Here you can read about her numerous architectural projects and her promotion of human rights.

Louisa Alcott (1832-1888 CE) is said to be a prolific author of books for American girls and is best remembered for Little Women. This site provides a short biography of her.

Read this brief portrait of progressive social reformer Jane Addams. Addams was an advocate of such causes as women's suffrage, child labor reform, and settlement houses.

Read this portrait of Ida Tarbell, a Progressive Era journalist known for her innovative methods of investigative journalism.

Brief biography of this famous women's rights leader.

This biography of First Lady Abigail Adams outlines her important roles, both politically and personally, during her husband's administration. Includes a description of her famous "Remember the Ladies" letter, espousing her strong belief...

Read about the accomplishments of Alice Paul, a radical leader in the women's movement for suffrage who preferred to directly picket Congress. She was the organizer of the National Woman's Party, and spent time in jail for her activism.

This instructional activity will help learners to better understand and appreciate the epic poem Beowulf by comparing it to a modern rap song. All learners, and at-risk students in particular, learn better when they are able to find...

This online biography of Helen Keller (1880-1968 CE) gives the highlights and accomplishments of her life.

A brief biography of the famous African leader, Nelson Mandela. Learn about his early life, his education, and his fight to end apartheid in his country for good.

A concise biography of Adolph Gysbert Malan (1910-1963), a famous South African fighter pilot. Read about his flight career and his achievements during World War II.

A brief biography of John Maxwell Coetzee, a professor and famous author from Africa. Read about his accomplishments which led him to be the first to win two Booker Awards.