How to Use These Toolkits
THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION Resource Center is a collection of curated toolkits offering free resources and interactive materials designed to help audiences better understand, reflect on, and engage with the core themes and content of the documentary film from Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt.
We hope that these toolkits will facilitate conversations and create engagement opportunities around the entire THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION film with ready-to-use assets to enhance the viewing experience.
What You Will Discover
Each toolkit includes free, accessible, and downloadable resources and best practices for the creation of engagement activities that connect, invigorate and inspire individuals and communities across the United States. Resources include:
- Film summary
- Filmmaker bios
- Access to selected excerpts from the film
- Recommended reading lists
- Trivia, quizzes, and games
- Image galleries and playlists
- Printable promotion pieces
- Discussion questions and conversation prompts
- Historical quotes and documents
DOCUMENTARY OVERVIEW
The Documentary Overview Toolkit is a collection of resources and interactives designed to help audiences better understand, reflect on, and engage with the core themes of THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
This Toolkit is designed for general use in educational, organizational, community, and individual settings where the goal is not just to view excerpts from the documentary, but to deepen understanding of American history and spark meaningful discussion.
FAITH & FREEDOM IN AMERICA
Faith & Freedom in America encourages users to consider how diverse beliefs shaped early American ideals and how interfaith dialogue can strengthen civic understanding and unity today.
LIBRARY PROGRAMMING
The Library Programming Toolkit supports libraries and librarians in presenting, discussing, and contextualizing THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION with materials to facilitate engaging programs for audiences of all ages.
MILITARY HISTORY
The Military History Toolkit inspires individuals and communities to explore our military heritage to foster deeper understanding of service, sacrifice, and the enduring legacy of the U.S. military.
OUR AMERICAN STORY
Our American Story resources connect personal and collective histories through reflection, storytelling, and dialogue to expand our understanding of what it means to be American—past and present.
REVOLUTION REFRAMED: CAMPUS ENGAGEMENT
Revolution Reframed is designed to engage post-secondary students and educators in exploring the lasting impact of the American Revolution and its relevance today. The toolkit provides strategies, historical context, and film-based materials to support deeper learning and meaningful campus dialogue, especially in connection with the upcoming Semiquincentennial.
REVOLUTIONARY YOUTH
Revolutionary Youth introduces people ages 8–18 to key events, ideas, and figures of the American Revolution through age-appropriate content, hands-on activities, discussion prompts, and creativity.
THE SPIRIT OF SERVICE
The Spirit of Service explores service as a core American value, from the nation’s founding through to the present day – examining volunteerism, civic participation, public leadership, and more.
VOICES & VISIONS OF 1776
Voices & Visions of 1776 utilizes the arts as a lens to explore historical events of the American Revolution and foster critical thinking about how history is recorded, interpreted, and remembered.