Birth of a Colony explores the history of North Carolina from the time of European exploration through the Tuscarora War. Presented in five acts, the video combines primary sources and expert commentary to bring this period of our history to life. The accompanying teacher guides provide lesson activity ideas, vocabulary, and additional reading resources to compliment each act's theme. The 5 act themes are: First on the Land, The Road to Zacatecas, The Roanoke Voyages, A New Voyage to North Carolina, and , The Tuscarora War.

In this short video, students explore the career of an Oral Historian. This N.C. Career Exploration video is part of a series that introduces students to unique professions within the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. This series will help students consider what they like to do, where their interests and skills connect, and ultimately what career path they may want to take.

In this short video, students explore the career of a State Park Ranger. This N.C. Career Exploration video is part of a series that introduces students to unique professions within the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. This series will help students consider what they like to do, where their interests and skills connect, and ultimately what career path they may want to take.

In this short video, students explore the career of a Reference Archivist. This N.C. Career Exploration video is part of a series that introduces students to unique professions within the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. This series will help students consider what they like to do, where their interests and skills connect, and ultimately what career path they may want to take.

In this short video, students explore the career of a State Historian. This N.C. Career Exploration video is part of a series that introduces students to unique professions within the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. This series will help students consider what they like to do, where their interests and skills connect, and ultimately what career path they may want to take.

The NC Kids' Exploration Journals are a fun educational tool to help youth explore their communities and natural surroundings! Each journal contains: 18 multidisciplinary activities with guided prompts, 6 lined journal pages for recording observations and reflections, and 4 blank pages for individual creativity.

The digital versions of the journal are designed to be printed out for students either as individual activities or in its entirety so that they can explore their school yard, local park, or own backyard. Though designed for 1st - 5th-graders, older audiences may enjoy them too! They are also available in both English and Spanish languages.

While supplies last, hard copies of the journals are currently available for free to teachers by contacting karen.ipock@ncdcr.gov.

Help students explore an important moment of environmental activism in North Carolina with Save Our Sand Dunes by Hannah Bunn West and with Ann-Cabell Baum. This complementary learning guide to the book is designed to help educators guide young readers in discovering how Carolista Baum rallied a community and advocated for local and state leaders to preserve Jockey's Ridge.

Help students discover the Civil Rights Movement with We Who Believe in Freedom: The Life and Times of Ella Baker by Dr. Lea E. Williams. This complementary teacher's guide to the book delves into the transformative era through the lens of Ella Baker's remarkable journey, igniting discussions on activism, equality, and justice. Designed to engage Middle & High School students, the plan incorporates dynamic standards-aligned activities fostering critical thinking and historical understanding.