When Gladiator teaches Roman history, student boredom is slayed.

Poptential is a modern curriculum that pairs pop culture media with engaging digital storytelling for effective, dynamic learning.

72% of teachers using Poptential say
students are more engaged

Set to school
calendars

Compatible with
classroom apps

Free for all
educators

Proven to work
gangbusters

Four subjects now released.

American History (Vol. 1 and 2)
World History (Vol. 1 and 2)
US Government
Economics

Don’t see your subject? Don’t worry! More are being developed as we speak. Simply sign up for our subject launch notifications and we’ll be in touch when the work is done.

Popping with pop culture.

We’re not usually name-droppers, but with curriculum like this, it’s practically a must. Here are some of the famous movies, sitcoms and other popular shows we’ve used to increase student engagement and comprehension:

The Patriot, Hamilton, 12 Years a Slave, Spongebob, Jimmy Fallon, The Lone Ranger, Tombstone, V is for Vendetta, Seabiscuit, The Great Gatsby, Cinderella Man, I Love Lucy, Argo, Family Guy, Parks ’n Rec, Seineld, and many more.

Click here to view full curriculum.

Curriculum with benefits.

90% of teachers using Poptential say it increases their effectiveness in the classroom.

When asked what they like most, we’re told: ease of use, lack of bias in content, videos that stimulate class discussion, and an overall support of critical thinking skill development.

The impact on students isn’t too shabby, either. Teachers using Poptential have noted increased engagement in reading, increased reading stamina, improvements in writing quality and improvements in reading comprehension.

American History Vol 1 & 2

Land ho! From the first landing of Columbus, to the tempestuous Constitutional Congress of 1787, then through Reconstruction after the Civil War, Volume 1 brings to life key points in America’s discovery and the birth of a nation founded on exceptional and experimental ideas. Our action-packed Volume 2 guides eager students through the Industrial Revolution, two World Wars, a Great Depression, crazy political ebbs and flows, and the creation of SpongeBob Square Pants (which was edged out of this book to make room for the presidency of Richard Nixon).

World History Vol 1 & 2

Consider this the Cliff’s Notes version of everything that has happened to human-kind. Starting 5,000 years ago even before the first loin cloth was invented. Volume 1 is a whirlwind look at the civilizations and religions that humans have created since then. Volume 2 picks up after The Black Plague, where the world kept spinning and humans kept finding new ways to invent, intellectualize, conquer, expand, and revolutionize. Thrill your students with tales of empires, dynasties, revolutions and into more recent global affairs—world wars, cold wars, proxy wars, fashion wars. All told in a way that makes even the reluctant student exclaim, “Whoa.”

Economics

A cave man trades an animal pelt for a basket of berries—and bam! One millennia later, world economies ebb and flow in real time based on intricate market forces. And this Economics eBook gives your students the short, nderstandable, common sense version of complex economic concepts like supply and demand, tariffs and free trade, the “invisible hand,” and much more. Highlighted by a brilliantly simple explanation, from the inimitable economist Uncle Milton Friedman, showing how market pricing of a single pencil works.

Government

Thomas Jefferson once said, “The government you elect is the government you deserve.” This is a very troubling thought. How did we arrive at the government we have now? How was it originally built and how has it evolved? Or devolved? Follow this eBook to all things US government—the Constitution, Federalism, checks and balances, powers of the three branches, civil rights, and everything else the government now has a hand in. Then ask yourself (and your students): Do we really deserve this?

Organized with engagement in mind.

All curriculum is divided into volumes, modules and lessons to aid in comprehension and create natural breaks for check-ins.

Amplified with Bell Ringers.

A little tidbit and some intriguing questions make for a spike in curiosity and engagement. Bell Ringers like this example are placed throughout the curriculum to create dynamic leaning. See more Bell Ringers.

Why do you think African-Americans were originally not allowed to serve in the army?

Thinking about the excerpt in the clip, how important do you think it was for African-Americans, that they could fight – and die – to eliminate slavery? What difference did it make?

The military has been the institution often called upon to lead the way in integrating outsiders into the country – whether it be former slaves or immigrants. Why do you think this is? Do you think it is the best institution for this task?

On May 28, 1863, the 54th Massachusetts Infantry departed for combat. The 54th was the first African-American regiment created after Abraham Lincoln authorized the recruitment of free blacks and former slaves into the military.

The Civil War was originally based upon the goal to reunite the severed states; to not allow the United States to tear itself apart. Ending slavery was not a stated objective. As the war progressed, and with the Emancipation Proclamation declaring slaves free in the Confederacy, ending slavery became the heart of the Civil War. The men of the 54th regiment, a volunteer regiment, not only fought to end slavery but stood up for other injustices as well. White soldiers were getting paid $3 more a week. The entire regiment refused to accept their wages until wages of white and black soldiers were equal. This only happened once the war was almost over.

The regiment performed heroically, in the frontal assault of Fort Wagner in 1863, took 40 percent of casualties, an event immortalized in the film, Glory.

Pop your student potential with pop culture curriculum.

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