Resources for Teachers
The American Reference Center (ARC) holds a number of items aimed at teachers and students available for loan to New Zealand schools. The ARC also provides some research and reference services to enhance the teaching of U.S. History in New Zealand primary and secondary schools. Click on the type of resource you are interested in below for more information, or contact us if you have a more specific question about our resources and services.
We hold a small collection of DVDs and Videos on topics of U.S. history and U.S. Government for loan to New Zealand teachers to enhance lessons on these topics. Please note that most items are in U.S. formats and may require either a zone-free DVD player or NTSC video player for play-back. We may be able to convert some videos to DVDs upon request. Here’s a short list of some of the titles available (see links for more information on each title and links to teacher’s guides where available):
Please contact the ARC to request a DVD/Video or to obtain a full list of items available.
Poster shows combine images and text to depict specific aspects of U.S. history and society, and also some more global issues and ideas. Poster shows can be used for more long-term classroom or library displays to supplement a lesson plan or event. Here is a selected list of our more popular poster shows. Please contact us for a full list of poster shows available.
American Indians
Martin Luther King / Civil rights movement
September 11th
Traditional Art
Copyrights & Patents
Thomas Jefferson
Environmental Action in America / Earth Day
Seeds of Change (agriculture)
Nation of Immigrants
UN Anniversary
African American music and artists (also African American Writers)
WW II
Images of Liberty (Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island history)
American writers
The ARC can put together information packs tailored to a specific lesson plan. We can pull information, articles, reports, etc. from our print and electronic collections to provide you with background or supplemental information related to topics of your choosing relating to U.S. government, history, or society. Please contact us to discuss. We also have InfoUSA CD-ROM discs available for distribution to interested teachers; the CD-ROM is similar to the online version of InfoUSA, though no internet connection is needed.
A Friend in Need
The U.S. Embassy, in cooperation with the NZ Historic Places Trust and Old St. Paul’s church has created an exhibit and teacher’s guide that tell the story of the U.S. Marines stationed in the Wellington region during WWII. The exhibit officially closed in June 2009 though it will be relocated to the Army Museum in Waiuoru in late 2009.
Useful Links and Online Resources
Most U.S. Government departments and agencies have web pages for students and teachers to help teach and learn about the department, what they do, and how they fit into the larger government structure. Here are a number of additional websites that have useful information on some more general topics. Please contact us if you would like further assistance identifying teacher/student pages for a specific department or topic.
U.S. Government:
U.S. History:
U.S. Society:
Please see also our list of FAQ.
Please contact the ARC with any further questions or assistance with gathering resources for teaching about the U.S.. Check back to this page periodically for updates, new resources, and ideas from the ARC and the U.S. Embassy.
Educational Resources
for Teachers
for Students
In Focus
for Researchers
