GRades 3-5
Ken Burns in the Classroom
Teach THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION at 250 Years
THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION is a six-part, 12-hour documentary series that examines how 13 British colonies on the Atlantic Coast united in rebellion, won their independence, and established a republic that still endures — weaving together accounts of dozens of figures who waged and witnessed war.
THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION extends into classrooms through a new collection with more than 35, free, curriculum-aligned classroom resources for grades 3-12 designed to deepen students’ understanding of the American Revolution and its legacies using the power of visual media.
Explore these classroom resources below, as well as professional learning events, THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION Youth Media Challenge, and other related classroom resources and content to support teaching America's 250th in your classroom.
Explore Classroom Resources from THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION Collection
GRades 9-12
The Poetry and Legacy of Phillis Wheatley
THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION Youth Media Challenge
Explore foundational American principles, such as liberty, self-governance, and democracy, through media-making with your middle or high school students this school year. PBS LearningMedia’s THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION Youth Media Challenge, hosted by PBS member station KQED, draws on themes covered in THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION and invites students to make media, such as audio, video, or graphics-based projects, to share their knowledge, ideas, and understanding of important Revolutionary ideals and historic events.
Professional Learning Opportunities
Teach the Declaration's Global Impact Using Media and Artifacts
Wednesday, March 25, 7pm ET
PBS LearningMedia™
THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION: Connecting Students to Our Shared History
Educator Summit: Engaging Learners through Civics, Inquiry, and Media Literacy
August 5-6, 2026 in Madison, WI
Explore Related Classroom Content
grades 6-12
What is Liberty | Civics Collection
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grades 9-12
Mercy Otis Warren | Shot Heard 'Round the World
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Corporate funding for THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION was provided by Bank of America. Major funding was provided by The Better Angels Society and its members Jeannie and Jonathan Lavine with the Crimson Lion Foundation; and the Blavatnik Family Foundation. Major funding was also provided by David M. Rubenstein; The Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Family Foundation; Lilly Endowment Inc.; and the following Better Angels Society members: Eric and Wendy Schmidt; Stephen A. Schwarzman; and Kenneth C. Griffin with Griffin Catalyst. Additional support for THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION was provided by: The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations; The Pew Charitable Trusts; Gilbert S. Omenn and Martha A. Darling; Park Foundation; and the following Better Angels Society members: Gilchrist and Amy Berg; Perry and Donna Golkin; The Michelson Foundation; Jacqueline B. Mars; Kissick Family Foundation; Diane and Hal Brierley; John H. N. Fisher and Jennifer Caldwell; John and Catherine Debs; The Fullerton Family Charitable Fund; Philip I. Kent; Gail Elden; Deborah and Jon Dawson; David and Susan Kreisman; The McCloskey Family Charitable Trust; Becky and Jim Morgan; Carol and Ned Spieker; Mark A. Tracy; and Paul and Shelley Whyte. THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION was made possible, in part, with support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.