In this lesson plan, students study images of women in movies and television, contrasting the ideal of physical beauty with the risks an actress takes to be funny.

In this lesson, students will explore the accomplishments of this decorated athlete, sought after actor, renowned singer, and political activist.

Students will use the Miller-Kazan story as an introduction to the McCarthy era, one of the darkest times in America's cultural history.

In this lesson, students will watch the Lon Chaney episode of American Masters, read chapters from three original books on which Chaney's films were based, and use a reading strategy called Reader's Theater to adapt each chapter into a script.

Much has changed since Walter Cronkite signed off in 1981. In order to examine how news reporting has evolved in the 21st century, students will explore the state and purpose of media today, research the history of the media and learn how to write using the journalistic style.

Using Eastwood as an example of an American film icon, students will learn about and understand the concept of icons by watching the AMERICAN MASTERS episode "Clint Eastwood: Out of the Shadows" and by applying Guided Reading strategies to the essays and interviews featured on the AMERICAN MASTERS Web site.

In this lesson plan, students compare and contrast the Hollywood film industry of the 30s and 40s with Hollywood today. They conduct research, present it in a creative posterboard project, and follow up with a discussion of the findings.

This lesson will expose students to one of the greatest American film writer/directors who shaped the landscape of American film today. Through the classic Noir film Double Indemnity, students will explore the historical and social impact of the 1930’s and 1940’s.

In this lesson plan, students will participate in activities that focus on the role of race in the entertainment world and make connections to Horne's life story.