Best Educational Movies for Thanksgiving Lessons

Best Educational Movies for Thanksgiving Lessons Thanksgiving, as a holiday has some urban legends clinging to it. Historical inaccuracies distort our perceptions of Thanksgiving, the pilgrims (more accurately Puritans), native Americans and 17th century life in New England. I'm not going to make an attempt to lay these inaccuracies to rest, because I'll be the first to admit, I wasn't there and I don't know (even though I may look old enough to have sailed on the Mayflower and some days I feel old enough). Here are movies that explore the history and culture of the original colonial settlements. These films give a more rounded sociological picture of Thanksgiving, native relations and the early American lifestyle. Read more...

Books and Movies for Veteran's Day

Books and Movies for Veteran's Day Veteran's Day remembers and celebrates the lives and efforts of soldiers, sailors and airmen the world over and especially those who gave the last full measure. It has been said of World War One that it very nearly obliterated an entire generation. In the wake of this most dreadful time followed prohibition, speakeasies, organized crime, the Jazz Age, the Stock Market crash, the migration of masses from the farm to the city and ultimately the Depression and World War Two. The disillusionment felt after World War One was expressed in literature, music, art, education, theater, finance and politics; Progressives rocked and shocked the world. Here are films about veterans, WWI, revolutionaries and nihilists. They will help students get a clearer picture of this most disconcerting time in history. Read more...

Best Non- Scary Halloween Movies for Children - Associated Content from Yahoo! - associatedcontent.com

Best Non- Scary Halloween Movies for Children I am self-confessed coward about scary movies. I don't watch them. I was pretty careful about what I let my children watch, knowing that they were easily frightened. Looking for some non-scary Halloween movies? Here are some you're sure to enjoy. These films are funny, silly and utterly charming. Read on...

Free Ramadan Activities and Islamic Faith Instruction for Children

Free Ramadan Activities and Islamic Faith Instruction for Children Ramadan and Eid-al-Fitr are essentially summer holidays that occur before most students are back in school. If you would like to explore Islam, Ramadan and Eid in school or homeschool, here are free resources. If you are Muslim, these will help you to grow in your faith. In the Muslim tradition and calendar, Ramadan is a holy season dedicated to spiritual activities, fasting and prayer. Ramadan typically coincides with the western month of August. The month of Ramadan ends with Eid-ul-Fitr (often shortened to Eid or "lesser Eid"). This is a three-day period following the sawm (fast). For 2011, Ramadan begins on Aug. 1 and ends with Eid around Aug. 30 (or when the crescent moon appears). Here are free printable lessons on Islam and particularly Ramadan, for Muslim children and children of other faiths. Read on...

The Story of Charles II and the Royal Oak

Royal Oak, the Tree That Saved a Monarch's Head Henry IV, as penned by the Bard, observed that "uneasy lies the head that wears the crown." Cicero portrays his "Sword of Damocles", ever-poised to sever the heads of monarchs. Britain's history is rife with such royal chops. It's to this habit and some quick thinking by Charles II that Royal Oak, Michigan, owes its name. This isn't a movie list, but it does contain some interesting history. Here are suggested movies about Charles II. From the BBC, The Last King-- Charles II The Power and Passion. Here it is on Youtube. Read more...

Best Suspense Movies and Films with Surprise Endings and Plot Twists

Best Suspense Movies and Films with Surprise Endings and Plot Twists I love surprise endings.There's nothing like a good plot twist to tickle my puzzle lover's brain. Unfortunately, many movies that promise a twist are predictable and trite. Here is my quintessential list of best suspense and plot twist movies ever made. I would rate this list as middle school and up. Read more

Best War History Movies for Memorial Day

Best War History Movies for Memorial Day Memorial Day, the last Monday in May was designated to remember our beloved dead and especially to honor those killed in war or in the line of duty. Not sure how to commemorate Memorial Day? Why not watch one of these movies? Educate yourself about the wars, battles and police action that the United States has been a part of in its history. This list of films includes one movie based around each war in American history. Read more

Showtime "The Borgias" Redefines Debauchery

Showtime "The Borgias" Redefines Debauchery : "The Borgias were a15th/16th century Spanish family that took power in Italy. Rodrigo, Cesare and Lucrezia Borgia had a hand in Europe's Renaissance; they also dispensed poison, simony (the selling of Church indulgences), political intrigue, and murder (to name a few of their cardinal sins). 'The Borgias' is a new showtime mini-series that promises to redefine debauchery."

Starz Channel "Camelot": Historical Drama Sizzle or Fizzle?

I'm a historati; as such, I fancy myself capable of predicting which historical dramas will sizzle and which will fizzle. Much fanfare is being given, Starz channel "Camelot" mini-series. Will it be a  jewel in the crown or a royal flop? Let's pick over the carcass and cast our lots. Read on...

Free Printable Disney "Pirates of the Caribbean" Coloring Pages

Free Printable Disney Pirates of the Caribbean Coloring Pages

Johnny Depp created a legend with his quirky, steampunk Captain Jack Sparrow and "Pirates of the Caribbean". Four films later, "The Curse of the Black Pearl", "Dead Man's Chest", "At World's End" and for 2011, "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" (with Sir Ian McShane as Blackbeard) P.O.T.C. is still going strong. Here are free printable Pirates of the Caribbean coloring pages. Read more...

Free Printable Indiana Jones Coloring Pages

Free Printable Indiana Jones Coloring Pages
Did you know that the first Indiana Jones film, Raiders of the Lost Ark is over 30 years old! When Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull came out, Harrison Ford reprised his Indiana Jones character pretty well for a guy who's 66. Karen Allen was back as Marion Ravencroft. And Shia Lebeouf was pretty good as Mutt. Here are free printable Indiana Jones coloring pages.

Free Printable Scooby Doo Coloring Pages

Free Printable Scooby Doo Coloring Pages
Rooby-Dooby-Doo! Hey Mystery, Inc. lovers, whose your favorite sleuth? Fred, Velma, Daphne, Shaggy or the pooch himself, Scooby Doo? Whether you like the old Hanna-Barbera cartoons (old as in like when I was a kid) the newer Cartoon Network Scooby Doo or the movies, here are free printable Scooby Doo coloring pages.

Free Printable "The Adventures of Tintin" Coloring Pages

Free Printable Tintin Coloring Pages
Tintin is a plucky young boy reporter, who along with his furry dog pal, Milou has wondrous adventures. Tintin was created by Belgian George Remi (better known in Europe as "Herge"). European children have followed the adventures of Tintin for over 80 years. In 2011, filmmaker Steven Spielberg brings Tintin to American audiences in the hit movie, "The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn", starring Simon Pegg ("Paul"), Daniel Craig and Jamie Bell (from "Billy Elliot"). Go to see Tintin. I promise you'll love it! While you wait, enjoy these cool coloring pages.

Free Printable Classic Disney Movie Activities

Free Printable Classic Disney Movie Activities
Free printable activities, crafts and coloring pages from vintage Disney movies: The Aristocats, Herbie the Lovebug, Mary Poppins, Robin Hood and more.

Films to Teach Children about Earthquakes and Tsunamis

The Japanese earthquake and tsunami caused death, evacuation, fires, nuclear reactor issues and widespread devastation. Here are free resources to explore earthquakes and tsunamis with children to help them process the event. Read more

"Food, Inc." Documentary Lesson Plans and Activties

"Food, Inc." is a 2008 documentary that explores America's corporate-controlled food industry. "Food, Inc." looks at genetically modified foods, corporate farms, health conditions and other dangerous industry practices. Educators, "Food, Inc." provides resources for health, economics and science classes. "Food, Inc." has practical applications for government, civics, marketing, business and sociology classes also. Click here

What Are Your 2010 Film Nominations for the 83rd Oscars?

Nominations are in for the 83rd Oscar Awards. In the lead for Best Picture is "The King's Speech" (Colin Firth). Other picks include "True Grit", "The Social Network", "Inception", "The Black Swan", "The Fighter", "127 Hours", "Winter's Bone", "The Kids are Alright" and "Toy Story 3". Read more

Best Movies for Asian American History and Chinese New Year

One of the best ways to learn about a culture and people is to read books and watch movies based in that country. Chinese New Year begins early in February. Here are best movies and films based in China to explore Chinese New Year. Click here

20 Black History Month Book to Film Movies

During Black History month we need not only to explore the tragedies of Black American struggles, but celebrate the contributions to our society. Here are a list of literature based movies to explore. I've listed the movie, the companion book, biography or historical source. Here are 20 book to film selections for Black history. Read more...

"Best of 2010" Movies and Film Viewing Party

For New Year's Day this year, our family is putting on a progressive supper and movie party. A progressive dinner is a multi-course meal in which each course is served at a different home. Our event includes "best of 2010" movie viewings, dinner and children's activities. Here is our "best of 2010 movie party guide". Read on..