I think that primary sources could be really neat to tie into social studies lessons. For instance, you could use a journal entry recounting an event from someone as a primary source, and then learn about that event and have students write what it would be like if they lived through that event. To tie in culturally relevant pedagogy, I think it would be creative to use a journal entry from someone in history discussing a tradition or important part of their culture, and then students in the class can write their own journal entries about their own culture and an important tradition or aspect of it.
I was interested in the effects of advertising on children and happened upon this documentary. "Consuming Kids throws desperately needed light on the practices of relentless multi-billion dollar marketing machine that now sells kids and their parents everything from junk food and violent video games to bogus educational products and the family car."
Although the site is heavily related to diet based information, it's really a concise video about food and eating. I remember watching it a long time ago, and it fit with the rest of the information and research on food and diet i was doing, and I just happened to bump into it again although I forgot all about this site. =)
PBS has a video 'We Shall Remain' that also has activities and discussion questions for students. There is also another video 'After the Mayflower' that has correlating activities for students.
I loved watching the videos! I really enjoyed the scenes when they were on the river and on those skinny canoes!! It amazes me they made it out alive on those things!!
A thick fog surrounds California's borders, communication beyond state lines is cut off, and the Mexicans disappear: workers, spouses, and business owners are missing. Cars are abandoned in the street, food is left cooking on the stove. We meet the wife of a musician who's gone, a state Senator whose maid doesn't show up for work, and a farm owner whose produce is ripe and unpicked. A scientist asks any Mexicans who haven't disappeared to volunteer for genetic experiments: a female newscaster and the daughter of the musician may be the only missing links around. Why them? And where have all the Mexicans gone? Even the border guards grieve. The state and its economy grind to a halt.