US and World History through movies

[moonlight]

My kid is going to have a pretty STEM heavy high school course load.

 

This year he is doing Big History Project and I've added some books for him to read along with it. I wouldn't mind some documentaries to pair with the course. I've already got Guns, Germs and Steel on the list. 

 

But, I'm already thinking of US History. He's had very little US History over the years and I'd like him to have a solid understanding of it. Is that possible through just movies/documentaries? Does anyone know if there is a list of documentaries out there that I could use as a "spine" and go from there? 

 

Thanks!

[jjeepa]

I don't know of a list of documentaries, but what about the US History course from the Great Courses?  I believe there are several threads on this forum with more information about it.  There may even be a list of documentaries and other resources used to supplement it in those threads.  Worth a try  :001_smile:   

[helena]

How about Ken Burns documentaries? My history lover watched and loved many of them. There's quite a few there to build a spine.

 

Great Courses History of the United States 2nd Edition can be used as a spine. There's over 80 lectures and it'd be easy to figure out where you want to jump in.

Hth

[Luckymama]

We watched a lot (a lot!) of the PBS "American Experience" series and various Ken Burns series during our study of US History.

 

I used the K12 book " American Odyssey" as a spine.

[Junie]

Guest Hollow has a large list of movies and novels that are organized on a timeline.

[Kassia]

I haven't used this, but thought it looked good.  

 

http://www.teachwithmovies.org/us-history-culture-subject-list.htm  U.S. History

 

http://www.teachwithmovies.org/world-history-other-cultures-subject-list.htm  World History

Edited August 29, 2016 by Erica H

[kalphs]

Here is the resource I have utilized, Learning with the Movies.
http://www.rainbowresource.com/product/sku/001913
 

Edited August 29, 2016 by kalphs

[goldberry]

We watched a lot (a lot!) of the PBS "American Experience" series 

 

 

Yes, American Experience is great!  My STEM kid won't sit through Ken Burns, they are too long for her to keep interest mostly.

[SparklyUnicorn]

My son watched this series.  I admit I did not so I can't comment on it personally.  He liked it so much though that he took it on vacation and watched it again. 

 

https://www.amazon.com/America-Story-3-Disc-Collection-DVD/dp/B003C27X44/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1472504814&sr=8-1&keywords=US+history+DVD