The American Presidents

Gr 3—8—Beginning with a short introduction to the history of civil rights in the United States, viewers are given an overview of the presidents from Zachary Taylor (1848—1850) to William McKinley (1897—1901). The decision here was made to focus on the thread of civil rights. The rights denied African Americans, Native Americans, immigrants, and women are all highlighted as well as the slow battle to gain those rights. Viewers learn about Dred Scott, Jim Crow, the Civil War, and the Fugitive Slave Act. Many significant aspects of American history are bypassed by using this focus, but this is understandable due to time constraints. Each president in this time period is briefly introduced, some of his accomplishments are highlighted, and significant quotes are presented. Historical photographs and artwork, as well as Monty Python-esque animation, provide visual interest. Short interviews with experts add additional insights. The information is interesting, and individual segments can be accessed. Additional features on the DVD include computer-accessible files providing an educator's guide and web link, as well as an interactive whiteboard application that contains a game to test student understanding. Both video and audio quality is excellent. Teachers will find this a valuable resource for classroom use. For more in-depth coverage of individual presidents, check out Mike Venezia's Getting to Know the U.S. Presidents series of books and DVDs (gettingtoknow.com).—Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary School, Federal Way, WA