Wednesday, June 12, 1 PM
For next week’s Watch & Wonder Highlight, we’re featuring the first two-hour episode of the film Jackie Robinson. After watching, dive deeper with resources about the American icon’s athletic achievements and political activism as a tireless advocate for civil rights on PBS LearningMedia.
Jackie Robinson, a two-part, four-hour film directed by Ken Burns, Sarah Burns and David McMahon tells the story of an American icon whose life-long battle for first class citizenship for all African Americans transcends even his remarkable athletic achievements. In the first episode, learn how Jack Roosevelt Robinson rose from humble origins to cross baseball’s color line and become one of the most beloved men in America. A fierce integrationist, Robinson used his immense fame to speak out against the discrimination he saw on and off the field, angering fans, the press, and even teammates who had once celebrated him for turning the other cheek.
PBS LearningMedia
Ken Burns in the Classroom | Jackie Robinson collection
Grades 6-12
This collection of rich, multimedia resources explores Jackie Robinson, a Ken Burns film, that tells the story of an American icon whose life-long battle for first class citizenship for all African Americans transcended even his remarkable athletic achievements. Jack Roosevelt Robinson rose from humble origins to cross baseball’s color line in the 1940s. A fierce integrationist, he used his immense fame to speak out against discrimination on and off the field. After baseball, he was a widely-read newspaper columnist, divisive political activist, and tireless advocate for civil rights.
In school or at home, take advantage of the Watch & Wonder broadcast schedule. Running each weekday from 1-3 PM, Watch & Wonder is great for classroom viewing, distance instruction, and families looking to spend some extra, quality time together. Featured programs are ideal for kids in grades 6-12, encouraging creativity with the arts, kick starting innovation through STEM, and expanding their horizons with stories from across the globe!
Each week, we’ll highlight a show from our Watch & Wonder block, and share a PBS LearningMedia resource — suitable for middle and high school students. Follow along on the Watch & Wonder Schedule page, or subscribe to our newsletter!