Instructional Video8:53
PBS

Consumerism and Social Critique in Romero's Dawn of the Dead

9th - Higher Ed
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...
Instructional Video10:31
PBS

The Cultural Significance of the Romero Zombie

9th - Higher Ed
Slavery's influence on the creation of the zombie can be traced back to its roots in Haitian folklore, where zombification was linked to slavery and control. Romero's reimagining of the zombie, however, took on new political and cultural...
Instructional Video2:36
PBS

Trolls in the 20th Century

9th - Higher Ed
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...
Instructional Video2:37
PBS

The Return of Trolls in Folklore and Literature

9th - Higher Ed
As science and formal education spread, belief in trolls began to fade until a resurgence of folklore interest in the 19th century. Danish author Hans Christian Andersen included trolls in his fairy tales, and Norwegian illustrators like...
Instructional Video6:17
PBS

The Significance of Trolls in Medieval and Scandanavian History

9th - Higher Ed
Since the publication of troll sagas in the Middle Ages, these mythical creatures have continued to captivate popular imagination, particularly in Scandinavian countries. Medieval Norwegian law even recognized the existence of trolls,...
Instructional Video4:33
PBS

Trolls: From Folklore to Social Media

9th - Higher Ed
Modern trolls, lurking on social media, harass and antagonize others while concealing their identities are much like their ancient counterparts who hid in dark, isolated spaces. Rooted in Scandinavian folklore, trolls originally...
Instructional Video1:58
PBS

Bioengineered Terrors: Killer Plants in Modern Fiction

9th - Higher Ed
In the 1970s and 80s, advances in bioengineering fueled narratives about dangerous plants, reflecting anxieties about genetic experimentation. Stories like Super Mario’s piranha plants and Godzilla, popularized the theme of killer flora....
Instructional Video2:50
PBS

Monstrous Flora: From Science to Fiction in the 20th Century

9th - Higher Ed
At the turn of the 20th century, plants in both science and horror fiction were increasingly viewed with curiosity and fear. The 1920s and 30s saw a surge in monstrous plant narratives, with fears of nuclear mutation, extraterrestrial...
Instructional Video3:54
PBS

Exotic Dangers: The Rise of Killer Plant Myths in the 19th Century

9th - Higher Ed
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,...
Instructional Video3:43
PBS

The Origins and Evolution of Deadly Plant Myths

9th - Higher Ed
For millennia, humans have used plants for healing and protection, but myths have also depicted plants as conscious killers. Stories of poisonous plants, such as the deadly Javanese upas tree, have been sensationalized throughout...
Instructional Video5:30
PBS

Why Are Alien Stories So Popular?

9th - Higher Ed
The 1990s saw a boom in alien abductions in popular culture, fueled by shows like The X-Files and Hollywood blockbusters such as Independence Day. UFO enthusiasts, ranging from skeptics to believers, grew in number, driven by both...
Instructional Video7:25
PBS

The Rise of UFO Encounters and Pop Culture Influence

9th - Higher Ed
There was a surge in UFO sightings from the 1940s through the 1980s, with the "flying saucer era" beginning in 1946. Significant events like the Roswell incident in 1947 and the first widely publicized alien abduction case of Barney and...
Instructional Video3:33
PBS

The Evolution of Extraterrestrial Encounters

9th - Higher Ed
There are many common depictions of extraterrestrials, but the "gray aliens," which are known for their humanoid forms, large black eyes, and gray skin are among the most common. This video traces the origins of extraterrestrial...
Instructional Video1:59
The Kiboomers

What's the Weather Like Today | Weather Song for Kids | The Kiboomers

Pre-K - K
What's the Weather Like Today? Weather song for kids. Learn snowy, sunny, windy and rainy vocabulary. What's the weather, What's the weather, What's the weather like today? All together, All together, What's the weather like today? Look...
Instructional Video6:04
Curated Video

The Helicopter

Pre-K - 3rd
Simka, Toola and Verda are gathered around a pack-o-mat in Professor Eugenius’ laboratory ready to take part in something “important” when they are suddenly disturbed by a loud noise. It’s Fire and Nolik flying around the lab in a...
Instructional Video4:55
Oxford Comma

The Brilliance Behind the Names in Romeo and Juliet

9th - 12th
In one of the most iconic scenes in all of theatre, Juliet leans upon the railing of her balcony and asks:

“What's in a name? that which we call a
rose
By any other name would smell
as sweet…”
Of course, Juliet is...
Instructional Video8:05
Oxford Comma

Conclusion Paragraphs. HOW TO; EXAMPLES

9th - 12th
Make your essay stand out from the crowd! Because it’s the most under-taught part of the writing process, the conclusion paragraph presents you with the best chance to quickly improve your writing.
Instructional Video4:52
Mythology & Fiction Explained

Sedna: The Sea Goddess and Spirit of the Underworld

12th - Higher Ed
Sedna is a central deity in Inuit mythology, known as the goddess of the sea and ruler of the underworld. Her origin stories vary but often involve a betrayal by her father, leading to her transformation into a powerful spirit who...
Instructional Video6:34
Mythology & Fiction Explained

Guardians and Legends of the Arctic: Polar Bears, Qallupilluit, and the Mahaha

12th - Higher Ed
Polar bears are apex predators in the Arctic and have been revered by the Inuit who relied on them for sustenance and clothing. Through rituals and offerings to Nanuk, the "Great Polar Bear," Inuit hunters sought favor for successful...
Instructional Video3:11
Mythology & Fiction Explained

Spirits of the Arctic: Exploring Inuit Beliefs and Mythology

12th - Higher Ed
The Arctic is far more than an icy tundra; it's home to the Inuit, a people with a rich cultural heritage. In this video, we're going to explore some of the deities, spirits, and legends of Inuit mythology. These stories reflect a...
Instructional Video1:58
Mythology & Fiction Explained

Torngarsuk: Guardian of the Underworld in Inuit Mythology

12th - Higher Ed
Torngarsuk is a powerful Inuit deity associated with death, the sea, and the underworld, often depicted as a one-armed man or a bear. While sometimes seen as a mischievous figure in outside interpretations, for the Inuit, he serves as...
Instructional Video7:18
PBS

How the Mummy Became Modern Horror Icon

9th - Higher Ed
The rise of the film industry solidified the Egyptian mummy as a foreign antagonist, beginning with its first screen appearance in 1899. Universal Pictures' 1932 film The Mummy further popularized the mummy as a horror icon, inspired...
Instructional Video7:08
PBS

The Origins of Mummy Mythology

9th - Higher Ed
Mummies, particularly Egyptian mummies, became iconic in popular culture due to their association with ancient rituals and the afterlife. The process of mummification was initially a sacred practice tied to Egyptian religious beliefs,...
Instructional Video9:16
PBS

How American Culture Changed the Zombie

9th - Higher Ed
After the Haitian Revolution, Vodou evolved in the United States, blending West African, indigenous, and European traditions, which French slave owners brought over. By the 20th century, Vodou and zombies became intertwined with...