African American History on the Web

Posted by Speakeasy News > Friday 15 January 2021 > Webpicks

This selection of sites and videos is useful for classes on African American history and culture, particularly the civil-rights movement and the Harlem Renaissance America’s Library is a minisite from the Library of Congress written for native-speaking children. It’s very simple and clear. It has sections about WEB Dubois (see our article on the Color … Continue reading “African American History on the Web”

He is Back*!

Posted by Speakeasy News > Thursday 14 January 2021 > Webpicks

On Sunday January 10th, Terminator actor and former governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger posted a powerful video on Twitter. He denounced the violent mob that overtook the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday 6th. Recounting his childhood in Austria after World War II, he linked the Capitol attack to Nazi Germany. My message to my fellow Americans … Continue reading “He is Back*!”

Young Scientist Named Time’s “Kid of the Year”

Posted by Speakeasy News > Thursday 03 December 2020 > Webpicks

Gitanjali Rao from Colorado, won America’s Top Young Scientist 2017, for her innovative gadget to test for contaminants like lead in drinking water. She’s continuing her research to try to bring her test to market, while also working on cyberbullying and opoid addiction. She has also mentored 30,000 students, encouraging them to use science and … Continue reading “Young Scientist Named Time’s “Kid of the Year””

U.S. Youth Vote Videos

Posted by Speakeasy News > Friday 09 October 2020 > Webpicks

One of the  big battles in the U.S. elections is getting people to vote. Which starts with getting them registered. These videos are a great teaching resource. In 2016, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, only about 70 per cent of citizens were registered to vote. Of those, however, about 86 per cent actually voted … Continue reading “U.S. Youth Vote Videos”

Guy Fawkes Webpicks: Protest and Plot

Posted by Speakeasy News > Thursday 08 October 2020 > Webpicks

Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot are commemorated on 5 November every year in the UK on Bonfire Night. Pupils from A2 can discover the background to this annual event.  Lycée pupils can investigate how a failed terrorist from the seventeenth century has become the face of the Anonymous protest movement. The British Parliament site … Continue reading “Guy Fawkes Webpicks: Protest and Plot”

Teaching about U.S. Women’s Fight for the Vote

Posted by Speakeasy News > Wednesday 29 July 2020 > Webpicks

In commemoration of the hundredth anniversary of women obtaining the right to vote in the U.S.A. in 1920, these videos and mini-site provide thought-provoking teaching tools. The Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality Monument is based in the house in Washington, DC, which has housed the National Women’s Party  since 1929. It is now run but the National … Continue reading “Teaching about U.S. Women’s Fight for the Vote”

Teaching About Windrush

Posted by Speakeasy News > Friday 19 June 2020 > Shine Bright Lycée Webpicks

The 70th anniversary of the arrival of the Empire Windrush in the UK, and the current scandal about the treatment of the children of the Windrush Generation, give an opportunity to look at the experiences of Commonwealth immigrants to the U.K.  This is a nice simple explanation of the Windrush generation from the BBC children’s … Continue reading “Teaching About Windrush”

Ding Dong!

Posted by Speakeasy News > Wednesday 03 June 2020 > Webpicks

Have you ever wondered why the sound of bells in English is rendered by “ding dong”? “Zig zag” or “Kit Kat” or “ping pong” are more examples of the same linguistic phenomenon, called “ablaut reduplication”. This short video explains the phenomenon, which isn’t only prevalent in English, it is also present in French, German and … Continue reading “Ding Dong!”