Customer Reviews

Schoolhouse Rock! - America Rock [VHS]

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This is a video my wife and I used to watch as children of the 70's. I learned the Preamble of the Constitution from watching this on ABC Saturday mornings (We the people...). What a thrill to be able to watch it again. I did not realize how educational it was until I was an adult. The folk/rock songs are quite different from today's popular music but the message is timeless.

If you were a kid in the 70's, and were glued to your tv every Saturday morning, then you saw the School House Rock segments. These little 3 minute jewels were and still are GREAT. How else would you have learned your multiplication tables, or learned the Preamble. You owe it to yourself, to take a trip down memory lane, to a time when things were simple and fun. If you have kids, buy these tapes. They will love them, and you will love them also. Ohh the memories....

I highly recommend all of the Schoolhouse Rock videos. Like many of the other reviewers, I learned my multiplication and got excited about history from these songs years ago during Saturday morning cartoons. Not to mention the fact that my 11th grade History teacher let the whole class off the hook for a homework assignment when we were able to sing the Preamble of the Constitution.

My two year old little girl loves to sing along and although she doesn't realize it yet, she's learning. Maybe someday when she's in High School she'll thank me for getting her Schoolhouse Rock.

Okay, so it's not Andrew Lloyd Webber. And some of the material presented is not what you'd call politically correct nowadays, if you worry about such things. But the tunes are catchy, the animation is amusing if not inspiring, and there are some valuable historical and political facts scattered throughout the video that more than make up for any shortcomings. I'm another one of those folks who couldn't remember the Preamble without SHR's help (along with the order of the planets, the year the Nineteenth Amendment was adopted, and some other useful factoids) and I am pleased to say that my 3-year-old daughter loves the series as much as I do. Highly recommended as a fun and easy way to get kids interested in history.

Well, i am here to say this is a fabulous tool! I watched all of these as a child and have shared them with my children. For those of you with the less than 5 star reviews let me say...This is not meant to be an exhaustive history lesson! It is a great way to introduce children to the history of our country. Something that, in my experience, schools made very boring. My children love history. If you find it not as accurate then be the one to take the next step and research it with your kids. I would agree it is geared toward younger kids but not that older kids would find it "stupid" at all! These reviews were pretty harsh. Also, the pilgrims DID plant food. Yes, the indians taught them everything and saved them but i wouldn't call that an inaccuracy. The movie just didn't get that deep into it. Come on now it is only a half hour! I highly recommend this to children of all ages. It opens the door to questions and conversations about our country that may not be raised otherwise. The music is very catchy and stays with you. It is plain and simple fun while being educational at the same time. Don't let the negative reviews sway you. This is a great video series and I highly recommend it!!

Michael Sackman
10/29/02
Period 4

It was one night in Concord when an unknown soldier fired the "shot heard round the world" starting the Revolutionary War. This incident is one of the most important in American History. Schoolhouse Rock's comic version of this historic event is very awesome, and I highly recommend it for the following reasons. Firstly, the song has a very catchy tune and lyrics, which will keep a lot of kids humming historical events all day long. Also, the comic mentions all of the most important battles, such as Bunker Hill and the Hessian surprise attack. In addition, it mentions turning points like Bunker Hill, first shot at North Bridge (however doesn't include Saratoga, Trenton, and Princeton). The historical accuracy of the comic is very important in making sure viewers retain the correct information. As well, if someone has never learned anything about the topic of the Revolution they can still get a basic understanding of what is going on. Finally, the pictures, like that of George Washington, make the comic irresistible to all younger viewers. Schoolhouse Rock's The Shot Heard Round the World was an outstanding comic, for all viewers.

These started running in between shows on ABC Saturday morning during the Bicentennial celebrations (1975-1976). And man, what memories! These were and still are great. They kept running for several years and I think ABC finally pulled the plug on them in the early 80's, long after I had outgrown Saturday morning cartoons. They are highly recommended for kids today as a fun way of learning. Both these and the Grammar Rock shows were very effective teaching tools, probably more so than school itself was. I think Science Rock and Multiplication Rock came later after I gave up on Saturday morning TV. If you are a kid, have kids, or watched these on ABC in the mid 70's, this is a must have! Also dig that 70's cultural influence on some of these segments, like "Great American Melting Pot" that is a musical dead ringer for Joni Mitchell, and all the Women's Lib imagery in "Suffering Until Suffrage". They just don't make 'em like this anymore folks.

It was one of the most significant events in American History when the Americans revolutionized against the British. The schoolhouse Rock version of this event, entitled "No More Kings", is very entertaining and educational for children between the ages of seven through ten, It was appropriate and fun for the following reasons. Firstly, creators simplified the events, therefore making it easier for children to comprehend. Secondly, it is illustrated with humorous cartoons, so that it is fun to watch and listen to. In addition, it is simply educational and will give kids a jump start on American History. Lastly, since the song is shown on television, the events in history, such as the Boston Tea Party, are drawn out. Visuals always help young children remember things. As parents and teachers can tell, "No More Kings" is a great way to get children and students to learn our country's history while having fun.

As a child growing up I used to watch the School House Rock clips during Saturday morning cartoons. In all honestly I hadn't thought of them for quite a few years. Now that I am in college I was reminded of my childhood years from my honors history professor. Studying American Civilization, he brought up the America Rocks video. As a result, the whole class got together that night and watched the video that one of my classmates had! It was fun as we all sang along! I forgot how much I learned from theses videos. When I become a parent I will definately get this video for my children and spend time singing along and learning all over again with them.

I personally think these videos are awsome, everyone of them. For me, learning by song has always helped me rembmer things. This video in particular helped me remember the preamble when it was time for my 8th grade constitution test. I didn't even have to study that part, I remembered it from being a kid and watching it on Saturday Mornings. Now as a mother I plan to buy each of the video's to help my children learn the different things they may need to know for school.