Education Kit

Education News: Several films from the TAMI video library are featured as Texas Connections in the Institute of Texan Culture's educational resources for their newest exhibit, RACE: Are We So Different?. View details on the exhibit and suggested films at their website.

TAMI Teacher Resources

The TAMI online library is a constantly growing collection of Texas-related video dating from 1900 to the present. The collection includes hundreds of videos that give unique insight into Texas history and culture.  All videos are available to use in the classroom for free. A valuable tool for education, the TAMI online library appeals to visual learners and brings history and culture to life. 

The TAMI online library can be used in a variety of ways.  Use the links below to explore potential uses of the online library in your classroom:

TAMI Guide to Using Archival Film in the Classroom
There are many articles and Web sites that address using film and video in the classroom, but most are primarily concerned with feature films.   This guide offers suggestions for incorporating the unique archival films available through the library into lesson plans. 

Films from the TAMI Online Library listed by Topic
The TAMI online library includes numerous videos addressing the history, people, culture, and geography of the state as well as insights into World and U.S. History.  This page provides a starting point for exploring the films on the Web site for classroom use.

Lesson Plans
Focused on particular films in the online library, lesson plans guide educators in how to use these films to teach several Texas history topics including the Galveston Hurricane of 1900 and the civilian internment of Japanese and German Americans in Texas.  Coordinated with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) standards, lessons plans include suggested resources and activities.

Activities
These shorter activities can be used to explore the TAMI online library as a class, practice archival research, explore video as a source of historical information, and involve your classroom in contributing to TAMI’s mission to discover, preserve, provide access to, and serve the community interest in Texas moving image history. Activities include suggested grade levels and coordinate with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) standards.

Documenting Texas History Filmmaking Project
The TAMI online library contains numerous films made by amateur filmmakers.  These films give unique insights into the history and culture of the state.   If your classroom has access to video equipment, you can contribute to the library by creating a film that highlights the culture or history of your community. This interdisciplinary unit addresses Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) objectives from both Social Studies and Media Production.  COMING SOON.

Have you used the TAMI online library in your classroom? If so, please let us know. We would love to hear your ideas for activities and lesson plans that use Texas-related films and videos.   Send us an email at education@texasarchive.org. Send an email with “List” in the subject line to the same address to join TAMI’s education mailing list and receive updates of new film postings, activities, and lesson plans.

A Project of the Texas Moving Image Archive Program