sadiegirl Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 We are studying the Civil War and I remember someone mentioning Ken Burn's Civil War documentaries. Do your kids like them? My boys are ages 12 and 13 and I find that they really remember material from educational videos we watch(Drive thru History, etc.) So, are these dry or they geared towards kids? There are several and I have to request them from our library loan system so I just want to make sure before I request them and work them into our schedule. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacqui in mo Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 My kids (10 & 13) have liked them to a certain extent. It's a bit long for my squirmy 10yos, but we just watch in small chunks. My dd seems to like them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelli in TN Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 My kids are not fond of them. Their idea of a fine historical documentary is an episode of the Time Warp Trio. I make them watch them anyway and they do learn a lot. Since I enjoy historical documentaries and Ken Burns is my favorite, they just have to deal. And for all their moaning and groaning, they do tend to retain a great deal from them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alphabetika Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 We just watched the Ken Burns Civil War series with my dd, 14, and it's excellent, as are the few K. B. documentaries I've seen. Whether your boys would like it probably depends on their interest in the subject in the first place, and their attention span for learning about the war battle by battle. KB made an excellent choice when he hired Shelby Foote, the Southern historian, to appear in many interviews - we just loved his quirky commentary. KB has a unique and stylish way of weaving in visuals, music, and source quotes/documents that I find very appealing. They are not geared towards kids specifically, but the already-interested kid could certainly enjoy and learn from them. At the very least, the visuals will help "put a face" on what they're learning about the Civil War. And there's an incredible film clip towards the end of elderly Civil War vets from opposing sides meeting for a reunion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vansolkema1996 Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 My DD 12 enjoyed them. She is in to the Civil War ERA ( the is how she chose to decorate her room). My mother lives in Virgina and they have taken her to alot of battle fields and historical places. ( What would we do without Grand Parents.) On the PBS web site their is also a study guide that goes with it but that was to much. She just watched to videos for enjoyment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny in Atl Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 Mine love them.. but they really like history. They might move a little slow for some kids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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