Education

Democracy depends on informed citizens who have the knowledge and skills to engage in their government. Empower your student citizens with this collection that teaches civic knowledge and understanding through applied examples from U.S. history and skills such as analyzing civic engagement and engaging in civil discourse. Focusing on multiple perspectives and diverse stories, these resources enable all students to see themselves as civic actors and prepare them to engage in civic political life. Explore by topic, skills and grade levels 3-12.

This collection is available through PBS LearningMedia

Expand students’ understanding of U.S. History with engaging resources that bring the major people, events, and trends in history alive, while integrating often untold stories into the curriculum. Curated clips of trusted PBS programs and a diverse array of other media and interactive resources develop students’ historical thinking skills while broadening their appreciation of history’s multiple perspectives and complexity. Explore by historic era, skills and grade levels 3-12.

This collection is available through PBS LearningMedia

Explore local and regional perspectives on the American Revolution and its legacies — from the Mid-Atlantics’s role to New England and all regions of the country local historians and residents providing their perspectives on how the ideals of the American Revolution live on today. This curated collection of resources includes video clips, interactives, and other resources created by PBS member stations, showcasing moments, themes, and ideals of the Revolutionary era from across the United States. This collection is inspired by and connected to the core themes of The American Revolution Classroom Collection, based on the film directed by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt.

More resources will be added through the summer of 2026, as new content is created to commemorate America at 250. This collection is available through PBS LearningMedia

History of the United States and New York is a collection of resources designed to complement the New York State Social Studies Framework for Grades 4, 7, and 8.  These media-rich resources and accompanying support materials are aligned with the key ideas for each grade level as outlined in the Framework. Each topic contains video-based resources you can use to bring history to life for your students. This collection is available through PBS LearningMedia

Consider The Source from the NYS Archives provides opportunities and resources to teach with historic documents. Special collections by topic and era provide activities and primary documents to use with every grade level of students. A special collections with activities is available for the 250th. Additionally other special collections with related content are available.

New York State is celebrating student creativity for America’s 250th by creating a digital quilt.

Open to all K–12 students in New York State from June to December 2026

Schools, libraries, museums, and after-school programs across the state are invited to participate and submit student work starting in June.

Coming in June:

 WNET, New York City’s public media station, will launch Tapestry of New York—a new online platform showcasing the creative work of New York students in honor of America’s 250th anniversary. The platform will be available statewide to all students K-12.

The platform will feature artwork and media created by elementary, middle, and high school students across the state, reflecting their unique views on the American Revolution and the “unfinished revolutions” that followed. Student submissions might include collages, drawings, paintings, photography, graphics, videos, and other artworks. All submissions will include written statements by students about their work.

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Theme: What does “We the People” mean to you?

The theme of the project is: We the People. The preamble of the U.S. Constitution begins with the famous words, “We the People of the United States…” However, ideas about what it means to be an American have changed over the past 250 years, as New Yorkers have advocated for a more expansive definition that includes people of more diverse backgrounds. Students are invited to create artwork or media that explores one of more of the following questions from their own perspective:

• Who is still left out from “We the People”?
• Who is included in your idea of “We the People”? 
• What makes you feel like you belong to your community or country? 
• Which historical and/or contemporary figures have fought for a more inclusive idea of “We the People”?

The Tapestry of New York visual storytelling platform will feature:

• A teacher toolkit to support historical reflection, inquiry, and enrichment
• A multidisciplinary approach integrating art, media, social studies, and ELA
• Searchable student submissions, filterable by school, keyword, genre, and more
  

Ken Burns’s two-part, four-hour documentary, “Benjamin Franklin,” explores the revolutionary life of one of the18th century’s most consequential and compelling personalities, whose work and words unlocked the mystery of electricity and helped create the United States.

PBS LearningMedia’s Benjamin Franklin Media Gallery  harnesses the power of visual storytelling to bring the film’s insights, perspectives, and understandings to teachers and students in grades 3-12. Part of the Ken Burns in the Classroom hub, this robust collection offers more than 35 free, media-rich, and curriculum-aligned resources, designed by teachers and subject matter experts. (Grades 3-12)

Teaching Tips and student handouts are available for each media offering.

Explore the Media Gallery Here

Explore additional clips and videos from the Benjamin Franklin series on the PBS Player