September Learning Calendar with DVD Resources
by Diane Flynn Keith
Author of Carschooling
There are historic and important events to commemorate nearly every day of the
year. This Learning Calendar will help you note events and people that impact our
lives with recommendations for DVDs, CDs, books, and websites to further learning
and boost your student's knowledge of the world. All of the DVD, CD, and book
recommendations are available through our affiliation with Amazon.com -- just
click on the links to make a purchase that allows us to continue to provide this
resource for free.
Homefires' September Learning Calendar
- German troops invaded Poland starting World War II in 1939.
Watch free educational videos
and play online games and quizzes themed around WW II .
Further the Learning with These Resources:
- In 1901, US President Theodore Roosevelt sums up his view of
American foreign policy by saying America should, "speak softly and carry a big stick."
Learn more about Theodore Roosevelt. Watch,
American Experience: The Story of Theodore Roosevelt
Discover family letters and diaries, authentic film footage and interviews with family members and
others in this profile of an ambitious man: fearless in combat, loving and generous with family,
and unafraid to take on powerful financial interests.
Further the Learning with These Resources:
- England signed the Treaty of Paris, marking the end of the American
Revolution, in 1783. Watch the highly acclaimed,
"History Classics: The Revolution,"
and see how a new nation, The United States of America, was formed amid intoxicating and innovative ideas about human
and civil rights, diverse economic systems, and self-government.
Further the Learning with These Resources:
- Rocky Mountain National Park was dedicated on this day in 1915.
Discover the wonder and majestic beauty of the Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
located in Larimer County, Colorado.
Further the Learning with These Resources:
- Jesse James, notorious outlaw of the American West, born 1847.
The Biography Channel offers the DVD,
"The James Gang: Outlaw Brothers,"
that recaps the lives of Frank and Jesse James, rebel soldiers, whose criminal
exploits earned them a place in American folklore as the most notorious band of
outlaws in the Old West.
Further the Learning with These Resources:
- President McKinley, 25th President of the U.S., shot by assassin, 1901.
"The Presidents Collection,"
is a PBS box set of DVDs depicting the lives and times of 41 U.S. Presidents including William
McKinley.
Further the Learning with These Resources:
- Grandma Moses, celebrated American Folk artist who didn't begin to paint
until she was 70 years old, born 1860. For a delightful tour of America's
best paintings try PBS's "Sister Wendy The Complete Collection."
Sister Wendy Beckett, a cloistered nun and Oxford-educated art scholar, takes an art appreciation
tour across America, visiting six major museums while providing entertaining insights.
Further the Learning with These Resources:
- U.S. President Gerald Ford pardons his predecessor Richard Nixon
for any crimes committed during Nixon's presidency.
"The Presidents Collection,"
is a PBS box set of DVDs depicting the lives and times of 41 U.S. Presidents including
Gerald Ford.
Further the Learning with These Resources:
- California became the 31st state of the Union in 1850, a direct
result of Gold Rush. Rent the DVD series
"Gold! The History of Man's Greatest Obsession."
Discover how "gold fever" accompanied miners on their journey to the heyday
of the California Gold Rush. The journals and letters of the 19th century prospectors
reveal what it was like panning for gold in the wilderness.
Further the Learning with These Resources:
- Elias Howe patented the sewing machine, 1846. Learn to sew using
the DVD, "You Can Make It: Learn to Sew."
Further the Learning with These Resources:
- O. Henry, American short story writer, born 1913.
"O. Henry's Full House"
is a 1950's film comprised of O.Henry's short stories. You may be able to track it
down on VHS at your local library.
Further the Learning with These Resources:
- Jesse Owens, 1936 African-American Olympic Champion, was born in 1913.
"The Jesse Owens Story,"
is a moving account of the life of the black athlete who made history at the 1936 Olympics in
Nazi-dominated Berlin where he won an unprecedented four gold medals.
Further the Learning with These Resources:
- Walter Reed, the physician responsible for determining the cause of Yellow
Fever (a virus carried by a mosquito) born 1851. In A&E's
"American Castles: Bayou Estates,"
you can learn about the surprising role that yellow fever played in plantation history
as you explore the architecture of the Deep South.
Further the Learning with These Resources:
- Ivan Pavlov, Russian biologist and physicist whose work with dogs in
"conditioned response" won him the Nobel prize in 1904, was born in 1849.
"NOVA: Mystery of the Senses,"
explores the senses. Hearing visits the quietest place on earth, the music-rich Maori and a deaf woman
regaining her hearing. Smell samples a huge spectrum of smells, from the world's largest perfumery to
sweaty t-shirts. Taste savors the miracle of great cooking and eating. Touch discovers that touching
is a potent tonic. Then explore the Mystery of the Senses Classroom Activity.
Further the Learning with These Resources:
- James Fenimore Cooper, author of The Last of the Mohicans, born 1789.
Kids of all ages will enjoy this DVD animated film,
"The Last of the Mohicans,"
based on the novel by James Fenimore Cooper that tells the tale of the "Indian
War" between the French and the English before the American Revolution. The
famous Indian scout, Hawkeye - a brave and wise man who recognizes the foolishness
of war - rescues the daughters of the commander of Fort William Henry. The story
points out that differences in cultures often lead to distrust and hatred, but if
all men are ever to live in peace together, they must learn to treat everyone with
respect, regardless of those differences.
Further the Learning with These Resources:
- Mayflower sailed from Plymouth, England, 1620. Don't miss viewing
"The Mayflower Pilgrims,"
a highly rated educational DVD that follows the voyage, settlement, and daily life of
the settlers who came from England to America aboard the Mayflower. This enjoyable film
is well-researched, informative and entertaining for viewers of all ages.
Further the Learning with These Resources:
- Constitution of the U.S. signed at Constitutional Convention, 1787.
The musical DVD, "1776"
is a delightful and fact-laden history of the events surrounding the writing and signing
of the U.S. Constitution that is not to be missed! The whole family will enjoy it!
Further the Learning with These Resources:
- Newspaper heiress, Patty Hearst, is arrested after a year on the FBI
"Most Wanted" list in 1975. "Guerrilla: The Taking of Patty Hearst"
is an acclaimed film documentary that recounts how the domestic terrorist group, the
Symbionese Liberation Army, kidnapped newspaper heiress Patty Hearst and demanded a
massive food program for the poor in exchange for her release. (High school and up.)
Further the Learning with These Resources:
- U.S. President James Garfield assassinated 1881.
"The Presidents Collection,"
is a PBS box set of DVDs depicting the lives and times of 41 U.S. Presidents including
James Garfield.
Further the Learning with These Resources:
- Jacob Grimm, German collector of folktales and legends dies in 1863.
Along with his brother Wilhelm, the two compiled some of the world's best-loved fairy tales. Teens can watch the
DVD "The Brothers Grimm." Younger children
can read or listen to some of the Grimm's fairy tales and then watch animated versions on DVD such as
"The Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm (Hansel and Gretel/Brother and Sister),"
or watch "The Brothers Grimm: The Frog King/The Meaning of Fear."
Further the Learning with These Resources:
- H.G. Wells, science fiction author of "The Time Machine," born 1866.
After reading the book, rent the DVD, "The Time Machine!"
This engrossing and faithful adaptation follows the Time Traveler as he passes
through World Wars I, II, and III and finally stops in the year 802,701. There
he finds an apathetic, placid people called the Eloi. To his horror, he learns
that the Eloi's apathy is generated by a maniacal, cannibalistic underworld, and
that the only way to help them is to incite a revolution.
Further the Learning with These Resources:
- Emancipation Proclamation, freeing all Confederate slaves, issued by
President Lincoln in 1862. Get the highly acclaimed DVD,
"The Emancipation Proclamation: Would You Do What Lincoln Did?."
Famous newsman, Walter Cronkite, hosted this reenactment of historical events
that changed the nation.
Further the Learning with These Resources:
- John Paul Jones defeated the British in a naval battle during American
Revolution in 1779. Watch the DVD from A&E titled,
"John Paul Jones: Captain of the High Seas,"
which provides interesting and entertaining perspectives on the swashbuckling Father of The U.S. Navy.
Further the Learning with These Resources:
- Jim Henson, creator of The Muppets, was born in 1936.
If you have an entertainment system in your car, watch the first season of
The Muppet Show starring Jim Henson
today. Or make your own "paper bag puppets" and have a carschooling puppet show! Just pass out
brown lunch bags to your carscholars. Use a marker to draw a face on the bag and have an instant
puppet! Or make fancier versions by following these directions.
Further the Learning with These Resources:
- Vasco Nunez de Balboa credited with discovering the Pacific Ocean in 1513.
Watch the PBS DVD, "Conquistadors,"
that follows the path of 4 Spanish explorers. Learn how Pizzaro joined Balboa
on an expedition where they saw the Pacific Ocean for the first time.
Further the Learning with These Resources:
- The birthday of John Chapman, a.k.a. Johnny Appleseed in 1774.
Explore U.S. history as you learn about Johnny Appleseed and his contribution to
the American frontier with the DVD,
"Disney's American Legends."
Featuring the stories of Johnny Appleseed, John Henry, and Paul Bunyan, these classic cartoons carry important messages
for preschoolers, grade schoolers, and the entire family. Narrated by James Earl Jones.
Further the Learning with These Resources:
- Samuel Adams, American patriot and signer of the Declaration of Independence,
born 1722. Watch the History Channel's DVD,
"Founding Fathers."
The story begins with Samuel Adams and John Hancock in Boston. Both men were involved
in the Revolutionary War and the writing of the Constitution.
Further the Learning with These Resources:
- The Republic of China celebrates the birth of the philosopher, Confucius
on this day. Explore China by renting the DVD
"Journey Along the Silk Road."
For thousands of years, the fabled Silk Road, as traveled by Marco Polo,
was the link between the people of Europe and the vast riches of mysterious China.
This exciting
program follows the historic Silk Road across the
mountains, oases, and deserts of western China and Central Asia. Starting from the modern Chinese capital of
Beijing, travel to the ancient Chinese capital of Xian, Dunhang the edge of the Gobi Desert, the hot Turpan
Oasis, across the fearsome Taklamakan Desert to Hotan, where silk is still processed in the centuries old
traditional manner. Supplements the study of Ancient History for middle school and up.
Further the Learning with These Resources:
- Enrico Fermi, Nobel prize-winning physicist who headed up the Manhattan Project
and development of the atomic bomb, born 1901. Watch the History Channel's
"Modern Marvels - The Manhattan Project,"
for a fascinating account by scientists and engineers about their trials, triumphs,
and doubts while building the ultimate weapon of war in the interest of peace.
Further the Learning with These Resources:
- U.S. marshals escorted student, James Meredith, to formerly all-white classes
at the University of Mississippi in 1962. Director Peter Gilbert explores the shocking history
and legacy of the legal decision that tore our nation apart and still divides us today in,
"With All Deliberate Speed."
Jeffrey Wright narrates this acclaimed documentary featuring stunning archive footage and revealing new
interviews with the heroic men and women who fought the battle for racial equality in America.
Further the Learning with These Resources:
Do you have young children?
Check out the Preschool Learning Calendar!
Going on a Road Trip?
Carschool on your next trip! If you like this calendar, you'll love the Carschooling Calendar for learning history on
the go! You can get it delivered to your email inbox every month by subscribing to the Carschooling
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