AMERICA ROCKS is an educational cartoon series are various parts of our country’s history and government. It is geared to children to help them understand about our country. During the 1970s these educational segments were often shown on Saturday mornings as a public service announcement between cartoon shows. Each section contains information and facts about our country. Prior to viewing these videos, test your knowledge of American government and history. Answer as many questions as you can BEFORE we watch the videos. We will go over the answers after watching each segment.
If you are looking for more resources check out our US History Lesson Page.
Here is a link to the video.
Here are some viewing questions for the students:
1. What ship did the settlers in Plymouth travel in:
2. What year did the Pilgrims land in Plymouth:
3. Explain what you know about the Boston Tea Party:
4. What was a main reason for the America’s fight for independence from England?
School House Rocks: No More Kings
Rockin’ and a-rollin’, splishin’ and a-splashin’, over the horizon, what can it be?
The pilgrims sailed the sea to find a place to call their own. In their ship, Mayflower, they hoped to find a better home. They finally knocked on Plymouth Rock. And someone said, \”We’re there.\” It may not look like home but at this point I don’t care.
Oh they were missing Mother England, they swore their loyalty until the very end. Anything you say, King, it’s OK, King, you know it’s kinda scary on your own. Gonna build a new land the way we planned. Could you help us run it ’till it’s grown?
They planted corn, you know they built their houses one by one, and bit by bit they worked until the colonies were done. They looked around, yeah up and down, and someone said, \”Hurray!\” If the king could see us now he would be proud of us today.
They knew they run their own land, but George the Third still vowed he’d rule them ’till the end. Anything I say, do it my way now. Anything I say, do it my way. Don’t you get to feelin’ independent ’cause I’m gonna force you to obey.
Hey taxed their property, he didn’t give them any choice, and back in England, he didn’t give them any voice. (That’s called taxation without representation, and it’s not fair!) But when the colonies complained the king said: \”I don’t care!\”
He even has the nerve to tax our cup of tea. To put it kindly, King, we really don’t agree.
Gonna show you how we feel. We’re gonna dump this tea, and make this harbor into the biggest cup of tea in history!
They wanted no more Mother England. They knew the time had come for them to take command. It’s very clear you’re being unfair, King, no matter what you say, we won’t obey. Gonna hold a revolution now, King, and we’re gonna run it all our way with no more kings….
We’re gonna elect a president! (No more kings!)
He’s gonna do what the people want! (No more kings!)
We’re gonna run things our way! (No more kings!)
Nobody’s gonna tell us what to do!
Rockin’ and a-rollin’, splishin’ and a-splashin’, over the horizon, what can it be? Looks like it’s going to be a free country
