Difficulty: Beginner
United Kingdom
Though most might be unaware, the US state of California was named after a place that doesn't exist outside of literature, similar to Narnia. "California" comes from a novel written in the Spanish Golden Age.
Difficulty: Beginner
USA
January 6 commemorates the day that three dudes gave a bunch of gifts to baby Jesus. But... who were they and why did they have hipster beards?
Difficulty: Beginner
USA
The First Lady welcomes the first act in an evening of poetry, music and spoken word at the White House. Pianist ELEW and bassist/singer Esperanza Spalding kick off the evening with an instrumental jazz fusion performance. Enjoy!
Difficulty: Beginner
USA
Writer Ayelet Waldman and her Pulitzer Prize-winning husband Michael Chabon share their White House Talk at the White House Evening of Poetry, Music, and the Spoken Word.
Difficulty: Beginner
Australia
Theater director Simon Stone deconstructs some of the common visual and audio tricks of modern theater, utilizing a cast of first-time volunteer actors recruited in the days prior to TEDxSydney 2011 and rehearsed just once.
Difficulty: Beginner
USA
Annette shows us Salt Lake City's very modern and light-filled public library and takes us up to the roof for a surprise.
Difficulty: Beginner
Ireland
A live performance, by The Navvies, of a traditional Irish song about North men and South men being on the same road, and carrying the same burdens.
Difficulty: Newbie
USA
Let's find out more about an American activity aimed at school kids: the spelling bee. What is it and how does it work?
Difficulty: Newbie
USA
Sigrid talks about "The Elementary Spelling Book" by Noah Webster, which was the basis for the American English dictionary and a big part of the development of spelling bees in the United States.
Difficulty: Newbie
USA
Sigrid explains how a spelling bee normally proceeds. There are fixed rules and there are options.
Difficulty: Beginner
United Kingdom
Ever wondered why most Americans don't like tea? Have they ever even tasted a cup of tea properly prepared? Simon Jones is convinced that they haven't and gives a nice detailed description, taken from "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy," of how to make a proper cup of tea. Enjoy!
Difficulty: Beginner
USA
Sigrid explains what a limerick is, and how to write one. If you are so inclined, you can submit your limericks in the "comments" section of the video tab.
Difficulty: Beginner
USA
Sigrid has more fun with limericks, attempting to sing one, and dedicating another limerick to her boss. She offers a final limerick from Edward Lear, the king of limericks. See Part 1 for instructions on how limericks work and how to write one.
Difficulty: Beginner
USA
Nursery rhymes are for children. The rhyme about Humpty Dumpty, however, is so famous that it's been used in literary and cinematic contexts as well.
Difficulty: Beginner
USA
One way to prepare for Halloween is to make a jack o' lantern. In this segment, Sigrid explains what a jack o' lantern is, and how kids and adults celebrate Halloween.
Difficulty: Beginner
USA
The pumpkin is ready to carve out. Sigrid explains that pumpkins are indeed an edible type of squash and not just for making into jack o' lanterns. In fact, one pumpkin can become both a pumpkin pie and a jack o' lantern.
Difficulty: Beginner
USA
Sigrid finishes carving her pumpkin and places the candle inside so we can see the final effect of the jack o' lantern. Happy Halloween!
Difficulty: Beginner
USA
Richard Williams, better known by his stage name Prince Ea, is an American spoken word artist, poet, rapper, and filmmaker. He formed the "Make 'SMART' Cool" movement in 2009, which is dedicated to promoting the ideals of education, intelligence, unity, and creativity through hip hop.
Difficulty: Beginner
USA
Doreen Cruz from Little Shop of Crafts in New York explains to us how her workplace functions as a creative outlet for both children and adults.
Difficulty: Beginner
United Kingdom
London's West End is the focal point for this video, and the narrator has some good tips on buying discounted movie and theater tickets.
Difficulty: Beginner
United Kingdom
This song by singer-songwriter Katie Melua was recorded live in Berlin for the In Winter (Special Edition), and features the Gori Women's Choir.
Difficulty: Beginner
United Kingdom
Our British tour guide Lauren is taking us to Trafalgar Square today — come and join her to learn more about this tourist attraction in central London!
Difficulty: Beginner
USA
Sigrid talks about some of the important aspects of the Christmas season: light, scents, food, and good company.
Difficulty: Beginner
USA
Sigrid explains the religious significance of Easter and the various days of Lent. Why do people observe Good Friday, or celebrate Mardi Gras? Find out in this video.
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