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lapazfarm
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| Posted: Oct 27 2006 at 10:24pm | IP Logged
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We are done with our nautical unit and moving on to the next thing. Ds wants it to be US History. I cannot afford a bunch of books right now (I have a few to get us started) but I do have a Netflix subscription, and we get so much out of watching historical movies like our current obsession Horatio Hornblower. So...
Has anyone put together a US History spine using DVD's?
Got any suggestions?
I'd like at least one good DVD for each major period. Perhaps more. Shooting for a good dozen or so. We are open to dramatizations, documentaries, historical fiction, etc. This will mainly be for my ds age 11, who can handle PG 13 OK.
I will start off by saying we have already seen "The Patriot" with Mel Gibson and will likely use that for part of the Revolutionary War period.
I will also likely use parts of "Gettysburg" for the Civil war, but would like something on the underground Railroad and other aspects of the era as well.
Ladies, what ideas have ya got?
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Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
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Natalia
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Theresa,
We just covered the Revolutionary War and we watched Liberty!, a PBS documentary. It was good. We also watched The Crossing,about the crossing of the Delaware. It was good but there were a lot of swear words and at least one off colored joke. We also watched 1776, more for fun than from historical value. I found this website that might be helpful:
historical movies
I didn't use them but A&E have that biography series that should have biographies of a lot of the American heroes.
HTH some,
Natalia
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Kelly
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| Posted: Oct 28 2006 at 11:08pm | IP Logged
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Theresa,
Here are some ideas (I'll try to do this chronologically):
COLUMBUS - "1492-The Conquest of Paradise"
JAMESTOWN - "The New World"
PLYMOUTH - "Squanto-A Warrior's Tale" (not overly historically accurate, but the kids loved it)
PURITANS - "The Scarlet Letter" (there are several versions ranging from 1926 to 1995)
SALEM (if you're up to this...) The Crucible (I have NOT seen this, so can't vouch for it, it may even be rated R, just a warning...)
COLONIAL - "Felicity Movie"; "A Day in the Life" series about life in Williamsburg; "Daniel Boone, Trail Blazer" also the old Daniel Boone tv series is fun
FRENCH & INDIAN WAR - "When the Forests Ran Red" documentary; "Guns along the Mohawk"; "The Last of the Mohicans" LOVE the Daniel Day Lewis version; "Northwest Passage"; "The Broken Chain" end of the Iroquois Confederacy, really good;
GOLDEN AGE OF PIRACY- "Captain Kidd", "Captain Blood", "Blackbeard's Ghost" (Totally silly Disney movie, but my kids loved it and it inspired our trip to Blackbeard's lair in the Outer Banks!)
AMERICAN REVOLUTION - "Randolphs of Virginia; "1776", "The Crossing", "Liberty" Documentary;
"Lafayette"; "John Paul Jones"; "Benedict Arnold: A Question of Honor"; "Alexander Hamilton"; "Johnny Tremain"; "Swamp Fox" series, my kids loved it; "The Patriot"; "Liberty Kids" (thumbs up!)
WAR OF 1812/ANDREW JACKSON YEARS - "The Buccaneer" about Andy Jackson & Lafitte, Battle of New Orleans; "Tecumsuh" (really good);"The President's Lady" about Andrew Jackson's wife; "Distant Drums" Seminole Indian war; "Seminole"
ANTEBELLUM ERA - "Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier"; "Alamo: 13 Days to Glory"; "The Last Command" (about Jim Bowie); "Texas" based on the Michener book...likewise "Hawaii" if you want to get into Hawaii's earlier history, also the miniseries, "Centennial" about the Western Settlement,over many years...; "One Man's Hero" about Irish Americans who join the Mexicans
...& WESTWARD EXPANSION - see above! also "Westward the Women" about Women going on the Oregon Trail; "How the West was Won"; "Jeremiah Johnson" about a mountain man, a few graphic scenes; "Little House" series; "Sarah, Plain and Tall" with Glenn Close, I think; "Western Union" about setting up the telegraph; "Kit Carson" ;
WAR BETWEEN THE STATES - "Roots" tv mini series; "Amistad" about slave ship rebellion and repercussions in the American courtroom!; "A Woman Called Moses" about Harriet Tubman; "Glory" about black army unit who fought for the north; "Gone with the Wind" (of course!); "Santa Fe Trail"; "Of Gods and Generals"; "The Hunley" about Charleston submarine; "Journey to Shiloh", "Gore Vidal's Lincoln"; "The Day Lincoln was Shot", "Hellgate" about Dr. Mudd and Lincoln assasination; "The Horse Soldiers" John Wayne movie about Vicksburg; "The Gangs of new York" about ethic troubles in NY and the riots there in 1863; "Booker" about Booker T. Washington; "Gettysburg"; "Kansas Raiders" about Quantrill's raiders & their involvement with Jesse James
How far along in American History did you want to go?  We're big fans of using historical movies for history!
Kelly in FL
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Kelly
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| Posted: Oct 29 2006 at 12:13am | IP Logged
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Ooops...I remembered (well, sort of...) four more movies that are great. The problem is I can't remember their exact names, but maybe someone out there recognized the description. They would all be useful to a History Thru DVD curriculum 
about the life of Fr. Eusebio Kino- is it "Desert Priest" or "Cowboy Priest" or something like that. About his missionary life in the SW. I recently saw this film listed in the Ignaitius film catalog, but can't find my copy to check name  Not a blockbuster, but definitely interesting era.
about life of St. Elizabeth Seton -also recently spotted in the Ignatius catalog.
now this is a tricky one. It's a movie aout Henriette Delille, the beautiful "octaroon" of New Orleans who turned her back on the glitter and glitz of New Orleans and started an order. She called herself "Servant to the Slaves" and dedicated herself to helping their plight. Somebody, a while back, raved about this movie and I've been looking high and low for it. Maybe this rings a bell with someone???
Movie about Bl. Fr. Damien de Veusters, the missionary priest to the lepers of Molokai, Hawaii. That tall, good looking actor who was in 1776 was in the version I saw-it was great.
about Lewis & Clark expedition. I believe National Geographic made this documentary about the expedition (they were actually selling it on the back of granola cereal at one time-we had seen it already at an IMAX theatre so didn't snag a copy, and I wish I had. It was very good.) Anyway, it was quite informative and my kids liked it enough to drive to Tampa with me to see it! There may be some other, new version about the Lewis and Clark mascot, Seaman the Newfoundland dog that travelled with them, but I can't vouch for that. Might be worth checking.
Sorry I don't have titles, but I thought these movies were "worthy" enough to see if anyone has any info!
Kelly in FL
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Natalia
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Kelly wrote:
about the life of Fr. Eusebio Kino- is it "Desert Priest" or "Cowboy Priest" or something like that. About his missionary life in the SW. I recently saw this film listed in the Ignaitius film catalog, but can't find my copy to check name Not a blockbuster, but definitely interesting era./QUOTE]
I think you are talking about Padre on Horseback
Kelly wrote:
| about life of St. Elizabeth Seton -also recently spotted in the Ignatius catalog. |
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It is something like A Time for Miracles?
Kelly wrote:
| now this is a tricky one. It's a movie aout Henriette Delille, the beautiful "octaroon" of New Orleans who turned her back on the glitter and glitz of New Orleans and started an order. She called herself "Servant to the Slaves" and dedicated herself to helping their plight. Somebody, a while back, raved about this movie and I've been looking high and low for it. Maybe this rings a bell with someone??? |
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I don't know about this one.
Kelly wrote:
| Movie about Bl. Fr. Damien de Veusters, the missionary priest to the lepers of Molokai, Hawaii. That tall, good looking actor who was in 1776 was in the version I saw-it was great. |
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I think this one is called Molokai. Even though I think there are more of one version of Fr. Damien.
[QUOTE=Kelly]about Lewis & Clark expedition. I believe National Geographic made this documentary about the expedition (they were actually selling it on the back of granola cereal at one time-we had seen it already at an IMAX theatre so didn't snag a copy, and I wish I had. It was very good.) Anyway, it was quite informative and my kids liked it enough to drive to Tampa with me to see it! There may be some other, new version about the Lewis and Clark mascot, Seaman the Newfoundland dog that travelled with them, but I can't vouch for that. Might be worth checking. |
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It is The Great Journey West and there is also a PBS version called the Journey of the Corps of Discovery.
Natalia
PS Sorry this post is all messed up. I haven't the time to fix it. Hope it helps as it is.
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Cindy
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The Ken Burns DVD Series titled The Civil War is excellent. Following it up with Gone With the Wind.
I wrote some about it on my journey blog.
We are also listening to The Killer Angels (about Gettysburg) on CD
I would be careful of The Patriot. It is very violent and my history loving dh says it is skewed in its portrayal of the British.
Have fun!
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It Is About The Journey
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: Oct 29 2006 at 10:11am | IP Logged
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Thanks so much for these awesome suggestions! You ladies are an incredible resource! Kelly-wow! You really outdid yourself. Than you so much for taking the time to type out that fantastic list!
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Theresa
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Kelly
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| Posted: Oct 31 2006 at 11:26pm | IP Logged
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Thanks, Natalia, three out of four ain't bad! Big help.
Happy Movie Viewing, Theresa...break out the popcorn 
Kelly in FL
PS Your pm mailbox is full!
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marihalojen
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Hey Theresa! Just getting a chance to answer your query. With our last study of USA History we used the Presidents as a unifying theme through history. We watched The History Channel's The Presidents and used the Presidents: Fandex Family Field Guides as well. Marianna traced around their head onto the top of the Story Paper and colored or shaded them in, then wrote a paragraph about each after watching the snippet from the DVDs and reading the Fandex. It was an excellent overview of US History!
She just reminded me, there is also a game, though we never ended up playing it so I can't tell you about how the game plays, but the playing cards are super cool. Each president has a few pertinent facts listed behind their portrait.
Any study that involves popcorn is a good study in my opinion!
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The Mari Hal-O-Jen
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lapazfarm
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Great ideas, Jennifer! I just ordered the fandex guide and I love the story paper! And I put the Presidents on my Netflix queue!
Thanks!
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Theresa
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Chari
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Theresa,
We use videos/DVD's all of the time in our study of history.....netflix has been great for that.
So far everything we have seen by American Experience (PBS, I THINK) has been simply wonderfully made. All of the kids from 9 yrs to the mom have enjoyed them. The one about Theodore Roosevelt was a blast.......and the One Woman, One Vote about the history of suffrage was excellent and non-biased.......surprisingly so since Susan Sarandan was the narrator 
We are watching Woodrow Wilson now......only a few minutes of a bleep......
...and the laying of the Trans-atlantic Cable is next, too!
BTW.........just a head's up..........we LOVE 1776 here...........but we rarely watch it as it is full of swearing.....including taking the Lord's name in vain and then some togetherness by Jefferson and his wife is highlighted.........not as discreet as I like.....though I could be prudish ....I would watch it first before letting the kids see.....it is one very funny story! The voting on the declaration is so humorous...priceless!........My kids wish there was a version without the swearing  ......we love Abigail and John's chemistry.
Gotta get to bed.......
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Dh Marty 27yrs...3 lovely maidens: Anne 24, Sarah 20 & Maddelyn 17 and 3 chivalrous sons: Matthew 22, Garrett 16 & Malachy 11
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TracyQ
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Theresa,
This is a chronological listing of movies for history, but it's world, and American all mixed together. It may help though???
Chronological list of movies
For an $11.99 per year subscription, this is a site that has some lesson plans for the use with movies for teachers. It's called "Teach With Movies". I'm not sure if it'd be something you'd want, but just thought I'd mention it just in case:
Teach With Movies
There is also a home school book written called, *Learning With the Movies*. I own it, and like it. It's very helpful. You can see it here. I wonder if your library would consider buying it if you asked???
Learning with the Movies
I hope this helps some anyway.
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Tracy Q.
wife of Marty for 20 years, mom of 3 wonderful children (1 homeschool graduate, 1 12th grader, and a 9th grader),
 homeschooling in 15th year in Buffalo, NY
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Natalia
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TracyQ wrote:
For an $11.99 per year subscription, this is a site that has some lesson plans for the use with movies for teachers. It's called "Teach With Movies". I'm not sure if it'd be something you'd want, but just thought I'd mention it just in case:
Teach With Movies |
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Tracy, this looks interesting. Have you used it?
Natalia
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TracyQ
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No, I haven't yet, Natalia, but am considering it. I just happened upon it one day, so thought I'd mention it here in case it could help someone.
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Blessings and Peace,
Tracy Q.
wife of Marty for 20 years, mom of 3 wonderful children (1 homeschool graduate, 1 12th grader, and a 9th grader),
homeschooling in 15th year in Buffalo, NY
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vmalott
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Just a note of thanks to Kelly for the wonderful list of movies. We just signed up for Netflix this weekend after cancelling Pay-per-View and I'm expecting a few movies any day now to jump-start interest in studying the Jamestown settlement and then the Pilgrims.
Thanks also for the link to the chronological list of movies, Tracy. I was browsing the Teach With movies website the other day after watching 'Braveheart', thinking I'd easily find some movies related to medieval British Isles and/or the Vikings. I like the chronological listing so much more!
It's a rainy day and the local school kids are home from school for Election Day (trying to pass a levy for the school district), so I hope the Netflix movies come today and we can settle in to watch them.
Valerie
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vmalott
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We just watched "The New World" yesterday. It is a rather slow moving movie with very little dialogue for the first 45 minutes or so. Much of it revolves around the relationship between John Smith and Pocahontas, rather than focusing on how difficult life was at the Jamestown settlement. The movie makers hint at it, but for only about 5 minutes at most. So, if you have wiggly kids who hate to sit through "boring" movies, you might skip this one. My two oldest indulged me and sat through the 2 hrs and 15 min. At times even I wanted to get up and do something else.
The positive for viewing the movie is that it has and will spark discussion about certain things. One thing I realize my kids are somewhat ignorant of is the status of the Catholic faith in those times. There is one scene where Pocahontas is baptized and my daughter remarked, "Oh, she's becoming a Catholic." I wasn't entirely sure that was correct, so I will need to address that. We'll be covering Jamestown for the next couple of weeks and then venture north (virtually, that is) to the Plymouth settlement in MA to discuss the Pilgrims in time for Thanksgiving. Somewhere in there, we will need to touch on the Reformation that took place in Europe before the 1600s.
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Kelly
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Valerie,
I took all the gang to see "The New World" and though it WAS slow in parts (really slow, as in, go get popcorn and read your emails slow...) we still benefitted from seeing it so much (complaints from the younger peanut gallery aside ) Unlike so many of these type of movies, it was shot entirely on location along the James River in Virginia, they worked closely with the archaeologists at Jamestown and really strove to be historically accurate in their dipiction of colonial and indian life alike. Too bad all that interior dialogue slowed it down, but I got positive goosebumps when they showed Pocahontas meeting James I-dressed exactly as she's portrayed in her famous portrait in the National Gallery. Not to mention that Captain James Smith was, well, incredibly handsome
Anyway, all was not lost in that 2 hours and 15 minutes I told my caterwauling children it was as close to timetravel as they may ever get!
Kelly in FL
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Grace&Chaos
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Theresa, I wanted to bump this thread. We are currently studying early American history with my dds 10 and almost 7. At the suggestion of an earlier thread we have been watching the Liberty Kids series (a couple of episodes on Friday afternoons). My 10 year old (while enjoying the series) loves films (like her daddy). I'm just wondering how did some of these titles work for you. Kelly's list looks great but I couldn't tell age appropriateness off some titles. What do you think would be your top 6 for "founding/exploration" through maybe "civial war" or "reconstruction" that the girls (at least my dd 10) would enjoy? She is trying to finish reading Johnny Tremain so we can watch the film . I want to use the films as an extra for Friday evenings or weekends when activities are low . I should mention that she loves adventure and action. She just finished reading Swamp Fox and loved it. (Her sister is more of a "Felicity" girl).
I'd love to hear from anyone else, this group always has great ideas  .
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Jenny
Mom to dds(00,03) and dss(05,06,08,09)
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4Real Forums : Across Time and Place
Topic: American History through DVD
