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Thursday, December 23, 2010

Media Menu, December 25, 2010

Here are home viewing suggestions for the week, selected from online advanced TV program listings
and aligned with the state and national K-12 academic standards available online. Please consult local listings also, since actual broadcast times may vary. The Websites cited in the “Log on“ box below the tv listing provide further details about the show’s topic and may contain links to video clips from the show or a complete streaming video version of the show.

Saturday, December 25, 2010,
5-8 p.m. ET, 3-5 p.m. PT

“The King Of Kings “

This movie is a retelling of Christ's life and the effects of his teachings on those around him. Cast: Jeffrey Hunter, Siobhan McKenna, Robert Ryan. Dir: Nicholas Ray TV-PG

Log on http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title.jsp?stid=253

TCM- Turner Classic Movie Channel
World History
Middle and High School
Saturday, December 25, 2010,
4-9 p.m. E/P

“DOGS 101: SEASON 3 Marathon

What would the holidays be like if we couldn’t share it with man’s best friend?! The most comprehensive
and most endearing dog encyclopedia on television is back for a marathon stack this Christmas day. With
more than 150 dog breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club, these programs spotlight the adorable,
the feisty and the unexpected. A wide-ranging rundown of everyone's favorite dog breeds-from the
Dalmatian to Xoloitzcuintli. This is holiday fun for everyone as select episodes survey a variety of breeds
for their behavioral quirks, genetic history, most famous examples and wildest trivia. Learn which dogs
are best for urban living and which ones are the most family friendly. Using a mix of animal experts, pop-
culture footage and stylized dog photography, DOGS 101 is an unprecedented look at man's best friend and
a gives us many reasons to be merry! TV-PG

Log on http://animal.discovery.com/videos/dogs-101-season-3

Animal Planet Channel
Science
Middle and High School
Sunday, December 26, 2010,
7-8- p.m. E/P

“60 Minutes

This edition of CBS’ regular newmagazine contains 3 natural science reports. “The Great Migration”
visits Kenya, the site of the great wildebeest migration, and looks at the threats to this natural spectacle
comprised of over a million animals. “The Secret Language of Elephants” reports on researchers who are
listening to elephant sounds and observing their behavior are compiling an elephant dictionary. Reporter
Bob Simon goes to Central Africa to listen to the language of the forest elephants first hand. “B-Rex” has
reporter Lesley Stahl meeting the inspiration for the lead character in the classic film Jurassic Park and
reporting on how famed dinosaur hunter Jack Horner is shaking up the paleontology world.

Log on http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/60minutes/main3415.shtml

CBS
Science
Elementary, Middle and High School
Monday, December 27, 2010,
9-11 p.m. E/P

“American Masters: Glenn Gould

There have been other documentaries about Glenn Gould, a profoundly enigmatic musical poet, but they
were typically sidetracked by his eccentricities, focusing on the pills and gloves and scarves — missing the
man, the magic and the message behind his music. This film pierces through the myths and misconceptions
about this humming and hunched figure, whose fingers glided across the piano as no one’s before or since.
It unravels the layers of an iconic, but intensely private, musician who had a revolutionary understanding
of the Baroque masters — and a sentimental love for Barbara Streisand and Petula Clark. Gould followed
his sensational 1955 New York City concert debut at the age of 22 by taking his talent to the Soviet
Union and became an equally prodigious star there. But, after a decade-long thriving international career,
he defied the critics and shocked and disappointed his fans by leaving the concert circuit completely.
In 1964, he chose to focus exclusively on the recording arts, believing that this medium could create a
transcendental relationship between artist and audience, overcoming the limitations of time and space. He
used music to reach across language, culture and ideology, rediscovering Bach for a new generation and
always, intentionally or not, perpetuating the cloud of mystery that surrounded him. This film considers
the western cult of celebrity that surrounded this reclusive artist — the myth is humanized and viewers are
given the opportunity to grasp the passion and inspiration that gave rise to his genius and incomparable
power of expression. Told with the benefit of his remarkable recordings and through interviews with those
who knew him best — his lover, his manager, his personal assistant, his collaborators — Gould is revealed
and newly revered. TV-PG

Log on http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters

Tuesday, December 28, 2010,
8-9 p.m. E/P
“NOVA: Secrets Beneath the Ice”

Can Antarctica’s climate past offer clues to what may happen to our warming planet? Can Antarctica’s
climate past offer clues to what may happen to our warming planet? To gather crucial evidence, this
documentary follows an ambitious Antarctic investigation — a state-of-the-art drilling probe known as
ANDRILL. Drilling deep beneath the Antarctic ice, down through the sea and three-fourths of a mile into
the seafloor, ANDRILL recovers rock cores that reveal intimate details of climate and fauna from a time in
the distant past when the Earth was just a few degrees warmer than it is today. As researchers grapple with
the harshest conditions on the planet, they discover astonishing new clues — not only about Antarctica’s
past, but also Earth’s future. TV-G

Log on http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/earth/secrets-beneath-ice.html

PBS
Science
Elementary, Middle and High School
Wednesday, December 29, 2010,
8-9 p.m. E/P

“TAVIS SMILEY REPORTS : Dudamel: Conducting a Life”

This documentary gives viewers an extraordinary look into the life and artistry of the LA Phil’s charismatic
conductor. At 29, Dudamel is not only the youngest conductor of any major orchestra in the world, but is
also being hailed by critics as the most exciting. Dudamel is instrumental in inspiring the launch of the LA
Phil’s Youth Orchestra Los Angeles initiative, which provides Los Angeles school children with music
education. A student of an internationally acclaimed music program in his native Venezuela, Dudamel is
committed to expanding music education in America. Tavis profiles some of the remarkable kids whose
lives are being transformed by Dudamel’s commitment to free music education for all.

Log on http://www.pbs.org/wnet/tavissmiley/reports/s1e4/


History Channel
Science
Middle and High School

Thursday, December 30, 2010,
7-8 p.m. E/P

“The Universe: Mars: The Red Planet

Mars is the planet in our solar system most similar to Earth despite otherworldly features such as the
largest volcano in the Solar System. Rumors of life on Mars may be substantiated as NASA orbiters and
rovers discover new evidence of frozen water just beneath the rusty soil. Did alien life exist there? As
Earth reels with the effects of global warming, Mars becomes the most likely candidate for eventual human
habitation. In this documentary computer graphics are used to show what life would be like on Mars, and
to imagine what kind of life forms might evolve in alien atmospheres. TV-PG

Log on http://www.history.com/shows/the-universe


PBS
Arts
Elementary, Middle and High School

Friday, December 31, 2010,
8:30-10:30 p.m. E/P (check local listings)

“ LIVE FROM LINCOLN CENTER : New York Philharmonic New Year’s Eve With Lang Lang”

This concert broadcast features NY Philharmonic Music Director Alan Gilbert conducting Tchaikovsky’s
Piano Concerto No. 1 with soloist Lang Lang and the magical second act of The Nutcracker, airing from
Avery Fisher Hall. TV-G

Log on http://www.pbs.org/livefromlincolncenter/

Discovery Channel
Science and Technology
Middle and High School
Saturday, January 1, 2011,
9 a.m. New Year’s Day until 3 a.m.
January 2 E/P

“New Year’s Day Marathon: MythBusters”

This is an all-day marathon broadcast of the Emmy--nominated series that uses science to prove or
disprove myths and urban legends. The programs star special effects experts Adam Savage and Jamie
Hyneman, who use their expertise to test the validity of various rumors and theories. They were recently
visited on-set by President Barak Obama who praised their work of promoting the study of science.
(See link below to see a video of the President’s visit. ) Hyneman and Savage often use their extensive
engineering and construction expertise to construct complex devices with which to perform experiments.
The tests are usually a two-step process. First, an attempt is made to recreate the myth to determine if
the circumstances, as described, achieve the alleged outcome. If that fails, they attempt to expand the
parameters as much as necessary – often to absurd lengths – until the desired results are duplicated. There
are some myths and urban legends the MythBusters refuse to test. Paranormal concepts, such as aliens or
ghosts, are not addressed because they cannot be tested by scientific methods. TV-PG

For summaries of episode contents log on http://mythbustersresults.com. For video showing President
Barak Obama’s visit with MythBusters hosts log on http://voices.washingtonpost.com/tvblog/2010/12/
president-obama-visits-discove.html

Friday, December 17, 2010

Media Menu, December 18, 2010

Here are home viewing suggestions for the week, selected from online advanced TV program listings and aligned with the state and national K-12 academic standards available online. Please consult local listings also, since actual broadcast times may vary. The Websites cited in the “Log on“ box below the tv listing provide further details about the show’s topic and may contain links to video clips from the show or a complete streaming video version of the show.

Saturday, December 18, 2010,
8-9 p.m. E/P
History Channel
U.S. History and Government
Middle and High School

“The Naturalized“

Weaving together the lives of different people from different countries who all share a quest for citizenship by choice, not birthright, this documentary travels from a citizenship class in San Jose to a naturalization ceremony in Iraq. Along the way, there's unprecedented access to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service, revealing the complex process up-close, including a marriage interview and the one-on-one Citizenship Exam. How many amendments are in the Constitution? To become an American, not knowing is not an option. Contemporary stories of struggle and success are combined with insightful interviews from notable naturalized citizens like Fareed Zakaria, Alan Cumming, David Rakoff and Isabel Allende. “Of the greatest values that America has,” says Vartan Gregorian, president of the Carnegie Corporation, “the concept citizenship is the most important.”A deported Nigerian leaves behind his family in Minnesota while a Moroccan cook wins the green card lottery. An Uzbeki concert pianist settles in Kansas, as a Nicaraguan refugee votes for the first time. From the gritty streets of Queens to the lakes of Minnesota to the suburban sprawl of California, every year nearly one million immigrants choose to become American in hopes of realizing the American dream.TV-PG
Log on http://www.history.com/shows/classroom/interactives/citizenship-quiz

Sunday, December 19, 2010,
8-9 p.m. E/P
PBS
Science and Geography
Elementary, Middle and High School

“NATURE: Christmas in Yellowstone”

As snow falls and Christmas lights glow in Jackson Hole, a holiday season of a different sort settles in just beyond the town, in the great winter world of Yellowstone. Breathtaking landscapes frame intimate scenes of wolves and coyotes, elk and bison, bears and otters as they make their way through their most challenging season of the year. This documentary journeys in the footsteps of the men who first explored the park, and travels with their modern-day counterpart on his own journey of discovery. From the unique crystals of individual snowflakes to the grand sweep of Yellowstone's Hayden Valley, this is a Christmas like no other. TV-G
Log on http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/christmas-in-yellowstone/introduction/4292/

Monday, December 20, 2010,
9-11 p.m. E/P.
PBS
U.S. History
Elementary, Middle and High School

“The Calling”

This is the initial two-hour episode of a four-hour documentary miniseries which provides a behind-the-scenes look at young Americans — Christian, Jewish, Catholic, and Muslim — preparing to become the nation’s next generation of religious leaders. It follows their transformation from idealistic students into ordained religious professionals. The program explores the forces that are drawing a new generation of young people to serve their communities and their faith. TV-PG ( The concluding two hours of the miniseries air in this time-slot Tuesday December 21.)
Log on http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/calling

Tuesday, December 21, 2010,
8-10 p.m. E/P
National Geographic Channel
World History
Elementary, Middle and High School

“Living in the Time of Jesus: Making a Living / Living in the Time of Jesus: Making a Living “

Here are two documentaries about everyday life 2,000 years ago. Program One -Jesus is said to have overturned the tables of moneychangers in the Temple. But who were these people, and whose money were they changing? Using famous biblical stories as our guidebook, this documentary opens a window into how people made ends meet 2,000 years ago. With the help of archaeologists, biblical experts and mules, we'll get our hands dirty doing the jobs of ancient carpenters, shepherds and camel-riding merchants. See how the land was tilled, the taxes were collected and the Holy Temple was operated. Program Two - When you got sick in the first century, what did you do about it? It was the time of Jesus and his promise of healing miracles, but what did brain surgery look like? And, were there really any medical benefits to floating in the Dead Sea? NGC experts investigate the many sides of ancient health care to discover what people in Jesus’ time knew - and didn’t know - about medicine. Later, we’ll try it for ourselves - watch as our team has their "bad blood" extracted by sucking leaches and gets covered in mud to treat a muscular condition.
Log on http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/mysteries-of-the-bible/4228/Overview and http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/mysteries-of-the-bible/4229/Overview

Tuesday, December 21, 2010,
9-10 p.m. ET, 6-7 p.m. PT
CNBC Channel
U.S. History and Economics
Elementary, Middle and High School

“Price of Admission: America's College Debt Crisis “

As millions of American families struggle to cope with college costs that are rising at twice the rate of inflation, this documentary investigates a system that encourages widespread borrowing—often with little regard to a student's ability to pay—leaving the average college graduate with tens of thousands of dollars in student loan debt. Unlike most forms of borrowing, student loans carry almost no consumer protections. The debt cannot be refinanced, nor can it be wiped out in bankruptcy. It can even outlive the student, leaving parents and surviving family members on the hook. With rising student loan debt comes rising defaults, but critics say colleges and universities—both non-profit and for-profit—as well as student loan companies are hiding the true default rates in order to keep the flow of government loan money going. How long can the system be sustained? Are student loans the next subprime mortgages? And if the bubble bursts, who will pay the price? The documentary includes interviews with borrowers, lenders, and school administrators to measure the real price of admission to the nation's higher education system.
Log on http://ori.cnbc.com/id/39911910

Wednesday, December 22, 2010,
9-11 p.m. E/P
PBS
World History
Elementary, Middle and High School

“The Buddha “

Two and a half millennia ago, a new religion was born in northern India, generated from the ideas of a single man, the Buddha, a mysterious Indian sage who famously gained enlightenment while he sat under a large, shapely fig tree. The Buddha never claimed to be God or his emissary on earth. He said only that he was a human being who, in a world of unavoidable pain and suffering, had found a kind of serenity that others could find, too. This documentary by award-winning filmmaker David Grubin tells the story of his life, a journey especially relevant in our own bewildering times of violent change and spiritual confusion. The program features the work of some of the world’s greatest artists and sculptors, who across two millennia, have depicted the Buddha’s life in art rich in beauty and complexity. Hear insights into the ancient narrative by contemporary Buddhists, including Pulitzer Prize winning poet W.S. Merwin and His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Richard Gere narrates.
Log on http://www.pbs.org/thebuddha

Thursday, December 23, 2010,
10-11 p.m. E/P
National Geographic Channel
Science
Elementary, Middle and High School

“Naked Science: Lightning Chasers"

Have you ever seen lightning strike from the ground to the sky or float in midair? Spectacular and exotic forms of this natural phenomenon are slowed down on film to reveal minute detail. Luminous spheres that linger in airplanes are recreated. We will show you how rockets launched into storm clouds coax lightning down to earth. This documentary illuminates secrets of nature's most striking power.
Log on http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/naked-science/3625/Overview

Friday, December 24, 2010,
8-9 p.m. E/P
National Geographic Channel
World History and Economics
Middle and High School

“Explorer: Secret History of Gold“

Gold's appeal and value span time and cultures, but there is a little-known secret to the story of gold. Most of the gold mined throughout history remains in circulation today -- even the gold closest to your heart may have dark origins. From the Amazon jungle to the markets of Dubai, This documentary examines the underbelly of the modern gold trade with a treasure hunter and an illegal miner to expose its volatile history.
Log on http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/explorer/3822/Overview

Saturday, December 25, 2010,
5-8 p.m. ET, 3-5 p.m. PT
TCM- Turner Classic Movie Channel
World History
Middle and High School

“The King Of Kings“

This movie is a retelling of Christ's life and the effects of his teachings on those around him. Cast: Jeffrey Hunter, Siobhan McKenna, Robert Ryan. Dir: Nicholas Ray TV-PG
Log on http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title.jsp?stid=253

Saturday, December 25, 2010,
4-9 p.m. E/P
Animal Planet Channel
Science
Middle and High School

“DOGS 101: SEASON 3 Marathon“

What would the holidays be like if we couldn’t share it with man’s best friend?! The most comprehensive and most endearing dog encyclopedia on television is back for a marathon stack this Christmas day. With more than 150 dog breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club, these programs spotlight the adorable, the feisty and the unexpected. A wide-ranging rundown of everyone's favorite dog breeds-from the Dalmatian to Xoloitzcuintli. This is holiday fun for everyone as select episodes survey a variety of breeds for their behavioral quirks, genetic history, most famous examples and wildest trivia. Learn which dogs are best for urban living and which ones are the most family friendly. Using a mix of animal experts, pop-culture footage and stylized dog photography, DOGS 101 is an unprecedented look at man's best friend and a gives us many reasons to be merry! TV-PG
Log on http://animal.discovery.com/videos/dogs-101-season-3

Friday, December 10, 2010

Media Menu, December 11, 2010

Here are home viewing suggestions for the week, selected from online advanced TV program listings and aligned with the state and national K-12 academic standards available online. Please consult local listings also, since actual broadcast times may vary. The Websites cited in the “Log on“ box below the tv listing provide further details about the show’s topic and may contain links to video clips from the show or a complete streaming video version of the show.

Saturday, December 11, 2010,
8-9 p.m. E/P
Science Channel
Science
High School

“Speed Science”

Mastering speed means understanding the science behind it. This documentary follows Fall-Line Motorsports' three Grand-Am race cars as they use physics, engineering, chemistry and a perfect partnership of man and machine to probe the limits of speed.
Log on http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/motion.htm

Sunday, December 12, 2010,
7-8 p.m. E/P
CBS
U.S. and World History
Middle and High School

“60 Minutes”

The first report in this newsmagazine is: “The Next Speaker” - Rep. John Boehner will become the speaker of the House next month, but few know this Ohio republican beyond his life in Washington. Lesley Stahl profiles the man whose new role will place him at the top of the Republican Party and third in line for the presidency. The second story is “Brazil” - As the U.S. and most of the world’s countries limp along after the crippling recession, Brazil is off and running with jobs, industry, and resources. The economic juggernaut is poised to become the fifth largest economy in the world. Steve Kroft reports.
Log on http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/1998/07/08/60minutes/main13502.shtml?tag=hdr;cnav

Monday, December 13, 2010,
5-6 p.m. E/P
Animal Planet Channel
U.S. History and Geography
Middle and High School

“Last American Cowboy : Renewal"

In this documentary the epic tradition of the American West comes alive when the cowboys drive their cattle to the open range. Horses, dogs, trucks, lassos and helicopters all come into play as the cowboys ride, rope and rustle their way to nature's bounty. TV-14
Log on http://animal.discovery.com/tv/last-american-cowboy

Tuesday, December 14, 2010,
8-9 p.m. E/P
PBS
Science and Math
Middle and High School

“NOVA: Hunting The Hidden Dimension"

A revolutionary new branch of math called fractals has changed the way we see the world and opened up a vast new territory to scientific analysis and understanding. What do movie special effects, the stock market, heart attacks and the rings of Saturn have in common? This documentary explains that and tells the story of a group of pioneering mathematicians who developed fractals from a curiosity that few took seriously to an approach that is touching nearly every branch of understanding — including what happened after the Big Bang and the ultimate fate of our universe. TV-PG
Log on http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/physics/hunting-hidden-dimension.html

Wednesday, December 15, 2010,
9-10 p.m. E/P
CNBC Channel
U.S. History and Economics
Middle and High School

“CNBC’S Behind The Counter: The Untold Story Of Franchising"

This documentary takes an inside look at franchising and reveals the surprising realities –good and bad-- of joining a chain. We’ll peel back the curtain on Five Guys’ amazing success and see how it’s filtered down the supply chain to the one businessman, Rick Miles, who supplies all the potatoes that go into its famous fries. We will meet pet lovers who want a piece of the $35 billion pet care business and hope that Heidi Ganahl, founder of the Camp Bow Wow doggie day care model, will show them the way. We will explore why Proctor & Gamble is dipping its giant toes into franchising waters and hoping that a new chain of TIDE-branded dry cleaners will increase its $79 billion annual revenues. And we’ll look at how franchisees build up some muscle of their own, whether it’s through franchisee organizations or strong immigrant alliances. In the Midwest region 90% of the Dunkin’ Donuts owners are of Southeast Asian descent. In the MidAtlantic it is similarly high. We'll take a look at how Dunkin' Donuts helped this immigrant group follow its American Dream. In the franchise business, there’s no doubt that dreams can also become nightmares. We’ll talk to Don Sniegowski of Blue MauMau, the foremost franchise journalist in the country, who says that many franchise buyers don't realize that when they buy into the business they can lose more than their initial investment. Finally, we will talk to the FTC to find out why they aren't doing more to protect the unfortunate people who get taken for a ride into franchise hell.
Log on http://www.cnbc.com/id/15837856

Wednesday, December 15, 2010,
9-11 p.m. E/P
PBS
World History and Arts
Middle and High School

“Paris: the Luminous Years“

In the early decades of the 20th century, a storm of modernism swept through the art worlds of the West, uprooting centuries of tradition in the visual arts, music, literature, dance, theater and beyond. The epicenter of this storm was Paris, France. This documentary tells the story of Paris from an unprecedented point of view, not as the familiar, glamorous backdrop for the revolutions that exploded there, but as active protagonist, catalyst and midwife to modernity. The film spotlights now-famous key figures in the art world’s first international avant-garde, including Pablo Picasso, Marc Chagall, Igor Stravinsky, Ernest Hemingway, Serge Diaghilev, Jean Cocteau, Gertrude Stein, Aaron Copland, Josephine Baker, Marcel Duchamp, Langston Hughes, Sylvia Beach, Janet Flanner and many more, as they recount their individual stories of why they came to Paris, whom they met, what they made there, and how being in Paris transformed them and their work. Directed by Perry Miller Adato.TV-PG
Log on http://www.shemadeit.org/meet/biography.aspx?m=160

Thursday, December 16, 2010,
5:45-6:30 p.m. E/P
Sundance Channel
U.S. History
Middle and High School

“The Return Of The War Room“

Revealing and irreverent, Chris Hegedus and D A Pennebaker's 1993 Oscar®-nominated documentary THE WAR ROOM exposed the inner workings of presidential campaign politics like no film before. Sixteen years later, Hegedus and Pennebaker reconnect with many of the leading players in the earlier film - including James Carville, George Stephanopolous, Paul Begala and Dee Dee Myers - for a thought-provoking look at how the political and media landscapes have changed since the Clinton election. A Sundance Channel original documentary production. TV-PG
Log on http://www.arp.tv/production.html?production=warroomreturn

Thursday, December 16, 2010,
10-11 p.m. E/P
National Geographic Channel
Science and Geography
Elementary, Middle and High School

“Naked Science: Great Lakes"

They are the world's largest freshwater lake system and one of science's greatest geological mysteries. Were the Great Lakes formed by the grinding powers of a giant glacier or a result of a comet exploding onto the Earth? This documentary follows a team of experts as they explore the theories behind the formation of lakes Erie, Huron, Michigan, Ontario and Superior. Scientists piece together mysterious geological clues and baffling evidence as they reveal new insight into the Great Lakes' watery history. Then, viewers take an inside look into the future of their changing landscape. From the imminent erosion of Niagara Falls one of the world's most iconic natural wonders to new evidence of an ancient underwater forest, the future of the lakes could reshape North America as we know it.
Log on http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/naked-science/3837/Overview

Friday, December 17, 2010,
9-10 p.m. E/P
History Channel
U.S. History and Economics
Middle and High School

“Modern Marvels: Made in the USA"

Since the dawn of the Industrial Revolution, the United States has stamped, carved, cut, built and assembled its way into becoming the super power of product production. However, in the last 20 years, the "Made in America" tag began to fade, as the manufacturing landscape of industry went overseas. So what is still Made in the USA? This documentary visits the world's biggest and oldest flag manufacturer, which has made some of the most famous flags in history. Go inside the factories that produce the last athletic shoe made in the US. See the strangest form of alternate transportation known to man--completely assembled in 30 minutes. Check out a hot toy company that believes it's imperative to keep their work here at home. Top it all off with some great food--some American success stories that may seem foreign at first glance. It's not just a label. It's a proud and important tradition. TV-PG
Log on http://www.history.com/shows/modern-marvels

Saturday, December 18, 2010,
8-10 p.m. E/P
History Channel
U.S. History and Government
Middle and High School

“The Naturalized“

Weaving together the lives of different people from different countries who all share a quest for citizenship by choice, not birthright, this documentary travels from a citizenship class in San Jose to a naturalization ceremony in Iraq. Along the way, there's unprecedented access to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service, revealing the complex process up-close, including a marriage interview and the one-on-one Citizenship Exam. How many amendments are in the Constitution? To become an American, not knowing is not an option. Contemporary stories of struggle and success are combined with insightful interviews from notable naturalized citizens like Fareed Zakaria, Alan Cumming, David Rakoff and Isabel Allende. “Of the greatest values that America has,” says Vartan Gregorian, president of the Carnegie Corporation, “the concept citizenship is the most important.”A deported Nigerian leaves behind his family in Minnesota while a Moroccan cook wins the green card lottery. An Uzbeki concert pianist settles in Kansas, as a Nicaraguan refugee votes for the first time. From the gritty streets of Queens to the lakes of Minnesota to the suburban sprawl of California, every year nearly one million immigrants choose to become American in hopes of realizing the American dream.TV-PG
Log on http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1481577/

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Media Menu, December 4, 2010

Here are home viewing suggestions for the week, selected from online advanced TV program listings and aligned with the state and national K-12 academic standards available online. Please consult local listings also, since actual broadcast times may vary. The Websites cited in the “Log on“ box below the tv listing provide further details about the show’s topic and may contain links to video clips from the show or a complete streaming video version of the show.

Saturday, December 4, 2010,
6-8 p.m. E/P
Discovery Channel
U.S. History
High School

“The Kennedy Detail”

It was their duty to prevent one of the greatest tragedies in U.S. history and they failed, a fact that has haunted them ever since. For years, the men of President John F. Kennedy's Secret Service detail have kept silent about that terrible day in Dallas, but now they've gathered together back at the scene of the assassination and are speaking out about their experiences there for the first time. Revealing, gut-wrenching and heartbreaking, this documentary is their story told through their eyes for the very first time. TV-PG
Log on http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/the-kennedy-detail

Sunday, December 5, 2010,
7-8 p.m. E/P
CBS
U.S. History and Economics
High School

“60 Minutes”

The reports in this newsmagazine include: “The Chairman” - The Chairman of the Federal Reserve Ben Bernanke gives a rare interview to Scott Pelley in which he discusses pressing economic issues, including the unemployment rate, the deficit and the Fed’s controversial $600 billion U.S. Treasury Bill purchase. And “Facebook”- Mark Zuckerberg, the 26-yr.-old founder and CEO of mega-social media site Facebook, talks to Lesley Stahl about his life and his business, now worth an estimated $35 billion.
Log on http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/60minutes/main3415.shtml?tag=hdr;snav

Sunday, December 5, 2010,
9-9:30 p.m. E/P
Nickelodeon Channel
Science
Elementary, Middle and High School

“Nick News with Linda Ellerbee: Good Dog - Kids And Their Service Dogs”

Under ordinary circumstances, dogs can make us feel happy, less stressed, even healthier. But these dogs also help kids feel less alone, more confident, more independent. They can act as a kid’s eyes, legs or hands; they can turn on the lights, open the door, warn someone about food they’re allergic to — or even calm them down when they are anxious. They’re called service dogs. This discussion program profiles kids who have these unique dogs in their lives. “Today, the number and kinds of dogs that can be trained and are being used in such a great variety of ways to help people, many of them children, is truly astounding,” said Ellerbee. “These are dogs raised to perform remarkable tasks. And often they’re raised by a kid, too.
Log on http://news.nick.com/11/2010/19/good-dog

Monday, December 6, 2010,
8-10 p.m. ET, 5-7 p.m. PT
Ovation Channel
Arts
Elementary, Middle and High School

“Royal Opera House: The Nutcracker”

In this production of the beloved Christmas classic, members of the Royal Opera Ballet inhabit their roles with a fluid elegance that brings this lush production to life. Miyako Yoshida is a standout, playing the Sugarplum Fairy with finesse. Sets and costumes are sweeping in scope. Viewers will enjoy the spectacle as they watch Clara find her Prince in this dazzling imagination-land of sights and sounds.
Log on http://ovationtv.com/programs/211-bolshoi-ballet-the-nutcracker for information about another “Nutcracker” airing December 9.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010,
8-9 p.m. E/P (check local listings)
PBS
Science
Middle and High School

“NOVA: Absolute Zero - The Race for Absolute Zero”

This is the initial episode of a 2-part documentary miniseries which re-creates groundbreaking discoveries across four centuries that expanded our knowledge of low temperatures and led ultimately to today's cutting edge "cold technologies." The experimenters range from a 17th-century court magician who rigged a primitive form of air conditioning in Westminster Abbey to the original Captain Birdseye, who invented frozen food. The program also tells the story of the decades-long scientific race between two leading chemists to liquefy helium and nitrogen, which opened the door to the modern era of refrigeration and modern air conditioning. The story climaxes in a recent Nobel-winning breakthrough, the production of a new form of matter that Albert Einstein predicted would exist within a few billionths of a degree above absolute zero. Part Two airs in this timeslot December 14. Check local listings. TV-PG
Log on http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/zero

Tuesday, December 7, 2010,
10 p.m. – midnight E/P
PBS
Science and Geography
Elementary, Middle and High School

“Dirt! The Movie”

Industrial farming, mining and urban development have endangered soil and resulted in cataclysmic droughts, starvation, floods and climate change. How can humans reconnect to dirt — the living skin of the Earth? Floods, drought, climate change, and even war are all directly related to the fate of humble dirt. Made from the same elements as stars, plants, and human beings, dirt is very much alive. One teaspoon of dirt contains a billion organisms working in balance to sustain a series of complex, thriving communities that are invisibly a part of our daily lives. Narrated by Jamie Lee Curtis and inspired by William Bryant Logan’s acclaimed book Dirt: The Ecstatic Skin of the Earth, this documentary introduces viewers to dirt’s fascinating history. Four billion years of evolution have created the dirt that recycles our water, gives us food, and provides us with shelter. But humanity has endangered this vital living resource with destructive methods of agriculture, mining practices, and urban development, with catastrophic results: mass starvation, drought, and global warming. The filmmakers travel around the world to capture the stories of global visionaries who are discovering new ways to repair humanity’s relationship with soil, checking in with Dr. Vandana Shiva to discuss her fight to prevent world hunger by preserving biodiversity in India, and documenting the tree planting work of renowned photographer Sebastião Salgado and his wife Lélia in Brazil. From farmers rediscovering sustainable agriculture and scientists discovering connections with soil to inmates learning job skills in a prison horticulture program and children eating from edible schoolyards, the movie brings to life the environmental, economic, social, and political importance of soil and suggests ways we can create new possibilities for all life on Earth.
Log on http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/dirt-the-movie

Wednesday, December 8, 2010. 6-8 p.m. ET, 3-5 p.m. PT
Ovation Channel
English
Elementary, Middle and High School

“The Little Prince ”

Based on the beloved classic children's book by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, this movie stars Richard Kiley as a pilot who's forced down in the Sahara Desert and listens to a little boy's (Steven Warner) magical stories about distant planets and strange people and animals. Before long, the pilot realizes that his life will be forever altered by his encounter with the mesmerizing little prince.
Log on http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/littleprince/

Thursday, December 9, 2010,
10-11 p.m. E/P
History Channel
U.S. History and Science
Elementary, Middle and High School

“Brad Meltzer’s Decoded: Secret Presidential Codes”

This documentary investigates the secret presidential codes of Thomas Jefferson and how they may be partially responsible for the death of one of the world’s greatest explorers, Meriwether Lewis, of Lewis and Clark fame. Host Brad Meltzer discovers that although the Lewis family has been working for 15 years to exhume his body, the National Parks is preventing the exhumation. The program attempts to answer why the federal government would want to keep the body buried against the family’s wishes and what really happened to the man who more than 200 years after his death remains our most iconic explorer. TV-G
Log on http://www.history.com/shows/brad-meltzers-decoded

Friday, December 10, 2010 ,
8-9:30 p.m. ET, 5-6:30 p.m. PT
TCM-Turner Classic Movie Channel
English
Elementary, Middle and High School

“A Christmas Carol”

In this movie adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic novel, an elderly miser learns the error of his ways on Christmas Eve. TV-G
Log on http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title.jsp?stid=70898

Saturday, December 11, 2010,
8-9 p.m. E/P
Science Channel
Science
High School

“Speed Science”

Mastering speed means understanding the science behind it. This documentary follows Fall-Line Motorsports' three Grand-Am race cars as they use physics, engineering, chemistry and a perfect partnership of man and machine to probe the limits of speed.
Log on http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/motion.htm

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Media Menu, November 27, 2010

Here are home viewing suggestions for the week, selected from online advanced TV program listings and aligned with the state and national K-12 academic standards available online. Please consult local listings also, since actual broadcast times may vary. The Websites cited in the “Log on“ box below the tv listing provide further details about the show’s topic and may contain links to video clips from the show or a complete streaming video version of the show.

Saturday, November 27, 2010,
7-9 p.m. E/P (airing Sunday 9:30-11:30 p.m. E/P on some stations)
PBS
Arts
Middle and High School

'Cirque du Soleil -- Flowers in the Desert'’

Since 1993, Cirque du Soleil has produced seven original, permanent shows in Las Vegas, creating a garden of delights that has transformed the very nature of entertainment in this desert oasis. Cirque du Soleil - Flowers in the Desert, an extraordinary entertainment experience, capturing the magic of Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas. This documentary will present performances recorded in High Definition at six of the seven Cirque shows in Las Vegas. TV-PG
Log on http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1728972/

Sunday, November 28, 2010,
7-8 p.m. E/P
CBS
World and U.S. History
Middle and High School

“60 minutes”

This newsmagazine contains reports about police and about the U.S. Supreme Court. “Good Cop-Bad Cops” is about the Afghan National Police force which is more important to the security of the country than the army, but despite improvements, there are still drug abuse and corruption problems within its ranks. In “John Paul Stevens” Scott Pelley interviews Justice John Paul Stevens upon his retirement from the U.S. Supreme Court after 35 years.
Log on http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/60minutes/main3415.shtml

Monday, November 29, 2010,
8:25-10 p.m. E/P
Sundance Channel
Geography and Arts
Middle and High School

“Sounds Like Teen Spirit’

In previous centuries, European nations settled their differences on bloody fields of battle: now there is the Eurovision pop song contest. A subset of this annual event is the lesser-known Junior Eurovision competition for kids aged 10 to 15. Jamie Jay Johnson's fun and touching documentary follows a handful of hopeful contestants from different European countries practicing their own songs - mostly cheesy Euro-pop ditties that are difficult to remove the brain - working on their costumes and routines, and talking about their national backgrounds and motivations. TV-14

Log on http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1039638/

Tuesday, November 30, 2010,
8-9 p.m. E/P
History Channel
World and U.S. History
Middle and High School

“The Real Story Of Christmas”

As this documentary shows, many of our seemingly innocent customs evolved from strange, surprising or even disturbing beginnings. With its roots in the Pagan celebration of the winter solstice, early Christmas was both a day of prayer and festival of drunken revelry. Rowdy medieval carolers begged for food and drink, threatening to throw rocks through the windows of those who refuse. Christmas was actually banned for years in America during the 16th and 17th centuries. And the Santa of old world legend was accompanied not by elves but by a devil named Krampus who beat and kidnapped naughty children.
Log on http://www.history.com/topics/christmas

Wednesday, December 1, 2010
9-11 p.m. E/P
History Channel
U.S. History
Middle and High School

“The President’s Book Of Secrets”

Moments after the President of the United States is sworn into office he gains access to “The Nuclear Football,” a briefcase that contains the most volatile top-secret information in the world – America’s nuclear launch codes. The Football is a high profile national secret, but it’s only one of many pieces in the classified arsenal at the President’s disposal once he assumes the role of Commander in Chief. This documentary takes viewers on a journey inside White House history to unveil information about secrets known only to the President, from top-secret intelligence and classified events to covert codes and future technologies. Presidential secrets investigated include: What secrets does an outgoing President share with the President-elect during their first private meeting? When does the incoming President gain access to vital national secrets and receive the codes to the nuclear arsenal? Is there a “Keeper of the Secrets” who tells the President everything? What information is so highly classified that even the President’s security clearance is not enough to gain access? The program features exclusive interviews with Washington insiders, including former CIA Director Michael Hayden, former Director of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff, former Vice President Dan Quayle, former White House Press Secretary Dana Perino and Presidential daughter Susan Ford who reveal what it is like to live and work in the White House. Additionally, Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, journalists Dan Rather and Jonathan Alter and other experts share what they know about the secret world of the Presidency.
Log on http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1769369/

Thursday, December 2, 2010,
8-10:30 p.m. ET 5-7:30 p.m. PT
Turner Classic Movie Channel
English and Arts
Middle and High School

“A Midsummer Night's Dream ”

This is a classic film version of Shakespeare's comic play about two pairs of lovers and an amateur actor who get mixed up with fairies TV-PG
Log on http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title.jsp?stid=1806 for information about the film and
http://shakespeare.mit.edu/midsummer/full.html ffor the complete text of the play.

Friday, December 3, 2010,
6-7 p.m. E/P
Planet Green Channel
Geography and Science
Middle and High School

“Lobster Wars :The Battle Begins”

A hundred miles off the coast of southern New England lies Georges Bank, one of the richest fishing grounds in the world. Generations of Yankee fishermen have ventured into these waters to wrest a living from the sea. Things are no different today. Many still sail from the same historic fishing ports, and hunt the bank for the North Atlantic's most prized treasure: the American lobster. Depleted resources nearer the coast are forcing these men to hunt hundreds of miles out in the open sea. Every winter as the temperature plummets and the seas turn stormy, lobsters migrate into the deep water in search of food and shelter. And that's where the crews of Lobster Wars seek them out, just when ocean conditions are at their worst. This broadcast is the initial episode of a “Lobster Wars” documentary miniseries and will be followed by five more episodes airing Fridays in this timeslot. TV-PG
Log on http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/lobster-wars/lobster-wars.html

Saturday, December 4, 2010,
6-8 p.m. E/P
Discovery Channel
U.S. History
High School

“The Kennedy Detail”

It was their duty to prevent one of the greatest tragedies in U.S. history and they failed, a fact that has haunted them ever since. For years, the men of President John F. Kennedy's Secret Service detail have kept silent about that terrible day in Dallas, but now they've gathered together back at the scene of the assassination and are speaking out about their experiences there for the first time. Revealing, gut-wrenching and heartbreaking, this documentary is their story told through their eyes for the very first time. TV-PG
Log on http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/the-kennedy-detail


Friday, November 19, 2010

Media Menu, November 20, 2010

Here are home viewing suggestions for the week, selected from online advanced TV program listings and aligned with the state and national K-12 academic standards available online. Please consult local listings also, since actual broadcast times may vary. The Websites cited in the “Log on“ box below the tv listing provide further details about the show’s topic and may contain links to video clips from the show or a complete streaming video version of the show.

Saturday, November 20, 2010,
8-10 p.m. E/P
Planet Green Channel
Health and Science
Middle and High School

"Supersize Me”

While examining the influence of the fast food industry, documentarian Morgan Spurlock personally explores the consequences on his health of a diet of solely McDonald's food for one month. TV-14

For news about the recent study "Evaluating Fast Food Nutrition and Marketing to Youth" log on http://adage.com/article?article_id=146960 For information about this documentary log on http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0390521

Sunday, November 21, 2010,
8 p.m. – midnight E/P
National Geographic Channel
Science
Elementary, Middle and High School

"Great Migrations: The Complete Miniseries”

This broadcast reprises the four episodes of the recently premiered nature documentary miniseries “Great Migrations”. In the first hour, witness the migration of Christmas Island's red crabs; the wildebeest's arduous 300-mile trek; the monarch butterfly's flight across North America; and the sperm whale's life-long travels. In the second hour witness the awe-inspiring stories of species' need to reproduce, the obstacles they overcome and the distances they travel to ensure future generations. In the third hour journey alongside zebras in Botswana; witness the heartbreaking struggle of the Pacific walrus; watch a herd of proghorn antelope follow its ancient migration path; and follow in the wake of the mysterious whale shark. In the final hour witness Mali elephants as they undertake the longest elephant migration on earth, see the great white sharks that cover thousands of miles of ocean each year, and follow Palau's golden jellyfish on a race to follow the sun.

Log on http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/great-migrations/?source=fohomefeat1

Monday, November 22, 2010,
9-10 p.m. E/P
History Channel
U.S. History
Middle and High School

"The Real Story Of Thanksgiving”

The story of Thanksgiving, with its costumed Pilgrims, turkeys and pumpkin pie, zigzags through American history with some surprising twists. At the iconic Thanksgiving feast of 1621-- no pumpkin pie or cranberry sauce was served, and that event was wiped from the history books for 200 years. In the 19th Century, some southern states thought Thanksgiving was an abolitionist plot and refused to celebrate it. Thanksgiving didn't become an annual national holiday until World War II. What started as a somber Puritan day of prayer is now about football and food. This documentary explains how we got there. TV-PG

Log on http://www.history.com/topics/thanksgiving

Tuesday, November 23, 2010,
8-9 p.m. E/P
PBS
World History and Geography
Elementary, Middle and High School

" NOVA: Quest for Solomon’s Mines”

NOVA and National Geographic embark on two investigations that illuminate the legend of Solomon and reveal the source of the great wealth that powered the first mighty biblical kingdoms. Countless treasure seekers have set off in search of King Solomon’s mines, trekking through burning deserts and scaling the forbidding mountains of Africa and the Levant, inspired by the Bible’s account of splendid temples and palaces adorned in glittering gold and copper. Yet, to date, the evidence that has claimed to support the existence of Solomon and other early kings in the Bible has been highly controversial. In fact, so little physical evidence of the kings who ruled Israel and Edom has been found that many contend that they are no more real than King Arthur. The expeditions covered in this documentary expose important new clues buried in the pockmarked desert of Jordan, including ancient remnants of an industrial-scale copper mine and a 3,000-year-old message with the words “slave,” “king” and “judge.” TV-G

Log on http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/ancient/quest-solomons-mines.html

Wednesday, November 24, 2010,
3-6 p.m. E/P
History Channel
U.S. History
Middle and High School

" Desperate Crossing: The Untold Story of The Mayflower ”

The three parts of this documentary - a 3-hour combination of scholastic and dramatic effort – present the history of the Pilgrims and their journey to and colonization of the New World. A marriage of feature-film quality historical reenactments with the latest scholarship and analysis of original source material , it shows the reality of their experience. Most of the people whom we now know as "the Pilgrims" made their way from England to the city of Leiden, Holland, a place of religious tolerance. They found religious freedom, but faced extreme financial hardship. A bold decision is made to move to America. In the late summer of 1620 The Mayflower sets sails carrying 102 English settlers and 30 sailors. Over the next four months, about half of the settlers and sailors die of scurvy and weather-related illness. After the survivors had settled on shore on shore English speaking Indian, Samoset, visits them and his visit leads to the signing of a peace treaty. By the Fall of 1621, the English decide to celebrate their harvest with a feast which is attended by at least 90 Wampanoags. That peace will last 40 years. TV-PG
Log on http://shop.history.com/detail.php?ecid=PRF-2101452&p=69858&pa=PRF-2101452

Thursday, November 25, 2010,
8-9 p.m. E/P
CNN
World History and Geography
Middle and High School

"CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute,"

This program, spotlighting everyday people who are changing the world, is the result of considering more than 10,000 nominations received from more than 100 countries. The top 10 CNN Heroes are selected by a blue-ribbon panel of judges, including Muhammad Ali, Richard Branson, cellist Yo Yo Ma, Olympic speed skater Apolo Anton Ohno, rapper Chris "Ludacris" Bridges and actor Rainn Wilson. Judges also include Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, singer Ricky Martin, actresses Holly Robinson Peete and Patricia Heaton, supermodel Alek Wek, actor and author Hill Harper, and entrepreneur Ela Bhatt. The CNN Hero of the Year will be revealed at the tribute show. Each of the top 10 CNN Heroes receives $25,000, and the CNN Hero of the Year receives an additional $100,000. The 2009 CNN Hero of the Year was Efren Peñaflorida, who started a "pushcart classroom" in the Philippines to bring education to poor children as an alternative to gang membership. CNN Heroes has illustrated the best of humanity through the telling of stories of selfless acts of kindness, courage and perseverance.

For profiles of the honorees log on http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/cnn.heroes/archive10/index.html

Friday, November 26, 2010,
9:30-10:30 p.m. E/P (check local listings)
PBS
U.S. History and Arts
Middle and High School

“ The President's Photographer: Fifty Years Inside the Oval Office"

This documentary offers a current and historical behind-the-scenes look at the everyday grit of the American presidency and a chance to see what it’s like to cover the most powerful man in the world, for history. Currently, Pete Souza is never far behind President Obama. In fact, sometimes he’s ahead of him. As the president’s chief White House photographer, Souza is the president’s shadow. National Geographic and PBS follow Souza inside the Obama White House — aboard Air Force One, backstage at the State of the Union and into the heart of the West Wing. TV-PG

Log on http://www.photographyblog.com/news/the_presidents_photographer

Saturday, November 27, 2010,
7-9 p.m. E/P (check local listings)
PBS
Arts
Middle and High School

'Cirque du Soleil -- Flowers in the Desert'’

Since 1993, Cirque du Soleil has produced seven original, permanent shows in Las Vegas, creating a garden of delights that has transformed the very nature of entertainment in this desert oasis. Cirque du Soleil - Flowers in the Desert, an extraordinary entertainment experience, capturing the magic of Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas. This documentary will present performances recorded in High Definition at six of the seven Cirque shows in Las Vegas. TV-PG

Log on http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1728972/



Friday, November 12, 2010

Media Menu, November 13, 2010

Here are home viewing suggestions for the week, selected from online advanced TV program listings and aligned with the state and national K-12 academic standards available online. Please consult local listings also, since actual broadcast times may vary. The Websites cited in the “Log on“ box below the tv listing provide further details about the show’s topic and may contain links to video clips from the show or a complete streaming video version of the show.

Saturday, November 13, 2010,
8-10 p.m. E/P
History Channel
Science and U.S. History
Middle and High School

"Black Blizzard”

This documentary takes a front row seat on a period of U.S. environmental history from 1930-1940 when America's heartland was ravaged by a weather phenomenon that became known as a "black blizzard." Watch as scientists and special effects experts recreate the black blizzards in amazing detail and reveal that this was a man-made disaster. Discover how these phenomena form, what they're made of, and how they affect people's health and the environment. Learn how a black blizzard emerged so ferociously that it seemed like a moving mountain range creating enough static electricity to power New York City. Hear the story of the people who refused to leave their land and learn the history of the Great Plains and how it came to be settled. TV-PG

Log on http://www.drought.unl.edu/whatis/dustbowl.htm

Sunday, November 14, 2010,
8-10 p.m. E/P
National Geographic Channel
Science and Geography
Middle and High School

"Great Migrations: Feast Or Famine/Race To Survive”

This is a broadcast of two new episodes of a documentary miniseries about animal migrations. The first hour, entitled “Feast Or Famine”, follows Mali elephants as they undertake the longest elephant migration on earth – a vast, 300-mile circle around the heart of landlocked Mali in West Africa. Traversing the southern edge of the Sahara Desert, the only way they can survive is to keep moving across the scorched earth – from water to water, food to food – both in desperately short supply. Great white sharks cover thousands of miles of open ocean each year from Hawaii to northern Mexico to reach an abundant feast 150 miles off the coast of Guadalupe, Mexico, where the waters are teeming with marine life: mola mola, dolphins, rare beaked whales, fur seals and elephant seals. Witness close up the rarely filmed attack on a seal by a great white, shown in incredible detail from above and below the water’s surface. In the Mississippi River Valley, we find a great winged highway humming with traffic as bald eagles, peregrine falcons, ducks, songbirds, geese and pelicans search for food in this avian crossroads between the Gulf of Mexico and Canada or even the Arctic. And witness the incredible, beautiful sight of golden jellyfish of Palau on a race to follow the sun in their daily migration. The second hour, entitled ” Race To Survive”, show every spring in Botswana, hundreds of zebras leave the largest inland delta in the world to make a desperate 150-mile slog into hell – a desert of salt and sand – so their bodies can take in much-needed minerals. Off the coast of Alaska, we see the heartbreaking struggle of Pacific walrus who have become victims of earth’s changing climate. Traveling hundreds of miles along ice floes to reach their summer foraging ground, they find fewer and smaller floating ice chunks, unable to hold the walrus population that struggles to occupy these insufficient life rafts. In the untamed early days of the American West, the pronghorn antelope were plentiful and moved freely, proud and unconstrained. We watch one small herd of 200 that follows its ancient migration, traveling north in early spring from southern Wyoming, moving to lower elevations to follow the retreating snow line – a tough journey made even more difficult by human encroachment. Forty feet long and weighing up to 20 tons, the mysterious whale shark is the largest fish in the world. We join them as they have migrated to feast on the eggs of spawning fish. And in Borneo, a single, fragrant fig tree provides the impetus for a chaotic chorus of orangutans, red leaf monkeys, macaques and grey gibbons who travel from throughout the jungle to feast before the figs rot and drop to the forest floor.
Log on http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/great-migrations-episode-guide

Monday, November 15, 2010,
6-7 p.m. E/P
History Channel
Economics and U.S. History
Middle and High School

"Fort Knox: Secrets Revealed ”

The rise in gold proves is in the news currently, and this documentary and the link below explain part of its role in our economic life. The U.S. Bullion Depository, better known as Fort Knox, is home of the United States Army and one of the world's most top secret fortresses. Hidden deep inside the vault is an estimated $73 billion dollars in gold. Almost all information about it is classified. Through interviews with eyewitnesses, rare photos and rarely seen films, we will construct a picture of what the building might look like. Hear testimony of those journalists and congressmen who were among the select few invited inside in 1974. Discover the history and secrets behind the Army's tank warfare and the classified military technologies it will use to fight the wars of the future. TV-PG

Log on http://www.usmint.gov/about_the_mint/fun_facts/index.cfm?action=fun_facts13

Tuesday, November 16, 2010,
8-9 p.m. E/P
PBS
Word History and Science
Elementary, Middle and High School

" NOVA: Secrets of Stonehenge”

Granted exclusive access to the dig site at Bluestonehenge, England a prehistoric stone circle monument recently discovered about a mile from Stonehenge, this documentary’s cameras follow a new generation of researchers finding important clues to the enduring mystery of Stonehenge. Dated to the late Stone Age, Stonehenge may be the best-known and most mysterious relic of prehistory. Every year, a million visitors are drawn to England to gaze upon the famous circle of stones, but the monument’s meaning has continued to elude us. Now investigations inside and around Stonehenge have kicked off a dramatic new era of discovery and debate over who built Stonehenge and for what purpose. How did prehistoric people quarry, transport, sculpt and erect these giant stones?

Log on http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/ancient/secrets-stonehenge.html

Wednesday, November 17, 2010,
9-10 p.m. E/P
Science Channel
World History and Science
Elementary, Middle and High School

"Saturn: Lord of the Rings“

This is an astronomy documentary. July 1st, 2004, the Cassini-Huygens spacecraft arrived at Saturn to start its four year journey around the planet. It traveled closer to Saturn than any previous mission, passing between its rings, bringing us the most spectacular pictures to date. TV-G

Log on http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/science/index.cfm?SciencePageID=47

Thursday, November 18, 2010,
10-11 p.m. E/P
PBS
World History and Government
Middle and High School

"Athens: The Dawn Of Democracy “

In this initial hour of a two-part documentary, historian Bettany Hughes explores the contradictions of the "Golden Age" of ancient Athens, where democracy emerged nearly 2,500 years ago. Far from an environment of peace and tranquility, democratic Athens was a bloody, tumultuous place of both brilliant ideas and a repressive regime. While the period saw the rise of philosophy, the flourishing of the arts and the creation of a great political ideal, Athens also became a warlike state that carved out an empire to enrich itself, an empire that couldn't tolerate criticism. At the same time Athenians reached new intellectual heights, they practiced "black magic" and created a society where one in three Athenians was a slave. Women were denied the vote and rhetoricians practiced modern "spin control" as an integral part of democracy. No two years went by that Athenians didn't vote to go to war. Eventually the empire withered, to be crushed finally by Alexander the Great. It would be another 2,000 years before society was once again able to tolerate the idea of democracy — rule by the people. The second part of the miniseries airs in this timeslot on November 25.

Log on http://www.pbs.org/previews/athens

Friday, November 19, 2010,
7:30-8:30 p.m. E/P
Science Channel
Science and Technology
Elementary, Middle and High School

"How It’s Made”

This is a broadcast of two episodes of a documentary series about manufacturing techniques and jobs. Covered in the programs are: surfboards, stickers, sandwich cookies, concrete roofing tiles, motorcycle engines, glass, enamel sculptures, hand-made paper and vaulting poles. TV-G
Log on http://science.discovery.com/tv/how-its-made

Saturday, November 20, 2010,
8-10 p.m. E/P
Planet Green Channel
Health and Science
Middle and High School

"Supersize Me”

While examining the influence of the fast food industry, documentarian Morgan Spurlock personally explores the consequences on his health of a diet of solely McDonald's food for one month. TV-14

For news about the recent study "Evaluating Fast Food Nutrition and Marketing to Youth" log on http://adage.com/article?article_id=146960 For information about this documentary log on http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0390521

Friday, November 5, 2010

Media Menu, November 6, 2010

Here are home viewing suggestions for the week, selected from online advanced TV program listings and aligned with the state and national K-12 academic standards available online. Please consult local listings also, since actual broadcast times may vary. The Websites cited in the “Log on“ box below the tv listing provide further details about the show’s topic and may contain links to video clips from the show or a complete streaming video version of the show.

Saturday, November 6, 2010,
8-11 p.m. ET, 5-8 p.m. PT
TCM – Turner Classic Movie Channel
Literature and World History
Middle and High School

"Mutiny On The Bounty”

This is a movie version of the classic tale of the villainous British Navy Captain Bligh who drives his crew to revolt during a South Seas expedition. The movie is loosely based on a trilogy of novels – which are based on historical events - “Mutiny on the Bounty" , “Men Against the Sea” , and "Pitcairn's Island” by Charles Nordhoff and James Norman Hall - available in one volume as “The Bounty Trilogy” . The novels show the tragic collision of two implacable personalities--William Bligh and Fletcher Christian. Both men were unquestionably capable, courageous, and born leaders. Mr. Bligh ruled by intimidation; Mr. Christian by persuasion. Arguably, it's a parable of two ages, two incompatible social attitudes--the stifling aristocracy of the 18th century, and the burgeoning democracy of the 19th--smashing head-on aboard a cramped vessel in the middle of the Pacific. Cast: Marlon Brando, Trevor Howard, and Richard Harris. TV-PG

Log on http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title.jsp?stid=12737 and http://www.infoplease.com/spot/pitcairn.html

Sunday, November 7, 2010,
7-9 p.m. E/P
National Geographic Channel
Science
Middle and High School

"Great Migrations: Born To Move/Need To Breed”

Every day, millions of creatures are born into a life on the march, on the wing, on the run. They are migrants. Born to move. From the tiniest butterflies to the largest wildebeest, life itself hinges on these travelers ability to get up and go. The episodes in this documentary miniseries span the globe, revealing the most remarkable animal movements. In the initial hour, entitled “”Born To Move”, witness the migration of Christmas Island's red crabs; the wildebeest's arduous 300-mile trek; the monarch butterfly's flight across North America; and the sperm whale's life-long travels. The second episode, entitled “Need To Breed, deals with species' need to reproduce, the obstacles they overcome and the distances they travel to ensure future generations.

Log on http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/great-migrations-episode-guide

Monday, November 8, 2010,
8-9 p.m. E/P
NBC
U.S. History and Government
Middle and High School

"Matt Lauer Reports: George W. Bush book”

Former President George W. Bush discusses “Decision Points”, his upcoming book and the defining decisions he has made in his personal and political lives.

Log on http://today.msnbc.msn.com/cleanprint/CleanPrintProxy.aspx?1288899597970 and

Monday, November 8, 2010,
8-9 p.m. E/P
Science Channel
Science and Economics
Middle and High School

"Moon For Sale”

As the world's space powers gear up for what's been dubbed the 'second moon race', there's another, parallel, race to cash in on its resources and potential. This documentary looks at Russian, Chinese and American plans to return to the moon by 2020. TV-PG

Tuesday, November 9, 2010,
8-9 p.m. E/P
PBS
Science
Elementary, Middle and High School

"NOVA: Dogs Decoded”

This documentary investigates new discoveries in genetics that are illuminating the origin of dogs — with revealing implications for the evolution of human culture as well. Dogs have been domesticated for longer than any other animal on the planet, and humans have developed a unique relationship with these furry friends. We treat our pets like a part of the family, and we feel that they can understand us in a way other animals cannot. Now, new research is revealing what dog lovers have suspected all along: Dogs have an uncanny ability to read and respond to human emotions. What is surprising, however, is new research showing that humans, in turn, respond to dogs with the same hormone responsible for bonding mothers to their babies. How did this incredible relationship between humans and dogs come to be? And how can dogs, so closely related to fearsome wild wolves, behave so differently? It’s all in the genes. Dogs Decoded investigates new discoveries in genetics that are illuminating the origin of dogs—with revealing implications for the evolution of human culture as well. This program also travels to Siberia, where the mystery of dogs’ domestication is being repeated—in foxes. A 50-year-old breeding program is creating an entirely new kind of creature, a tame fox with some surprising similarities to man’s best friend. "Dogs Decoded" reveals the science behind the remarkable bond between humans and their dogs and spurs new questions about what this could mean for our relationships with other animal species.

Log on http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/nature/dogs-decoded.html

Wednesday, November 10, 2010,
9-10 p.m. E/P
CNBC Channel
Technology and Economics
Middle and High School

" Ford: Rebuilding An American Icon”

This documentary takes viewers on a story of one of the most remarkable and harrowing comebacks in business history. With the automaker’s full cooperation, correspondent Phil LeBeau spent months behind the scenes at Ford to tell the story of its surprising turnaround just a few short years after nearly collapsing. The documentary profiles Ford’s tireless and steel-nerved CEO, Alan Mulally, who took the reins in 2006 when Ford was in a nosedive, having lost $17 billion in that year alone. In a gamble to raise the money Ford would need to finance its turnaround, Mulally mortgaged nearly every asset the company owned—even the signature blue Ford logo. Yet unlike its rivals, General Motors and Chrysler, who staggered into Washington for taxpayer-funded lifelines, Ford saved itself without a dime of government bailout money. CNBC takes viewers inside the Thunderbird Room—the top-secret command center where Ford leadership orchestrated the comeback and from which they still manage the company today. The program takes advantage of the remarkable access to the company’s inner-workings, introducing viewers to an unlikely pair of engineers charged with breathing new life into a legendary but tarnished Ford nameplate, the Explorer. Once the top-selling SUV in America, the Explorer is now a distant third to the Honda Pilot and Kia Sorento, having weathered a devastating scandal involving defective tires, and then being pummeled by skyrocketing fuel prices that eroded the public’s appetite for SUV’s. The program travels with Ford as it unveils the new and improved Explorer—one of its largest and most critical product launches in the company’s history. CNBC also looks at Ford’s efforts to bring cutting edge technologies into the driver’s seat. Ford’s new features allow drivers to use voice commands and steering wheel controls to operate a variety of communication and entertainment devices such as phones, iPods, and navigation systems. Ford says these programs are designed to keep a driver’s eyes on the road and hands on the wheel, but some critics—including U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood —believe they are hazardous distractions. In his interview with LeBeau, Secretary LaHood goes so far as to advocate an outright ban of cell phones from cars. Cameras also travel to one of the frontlines of the brutally competitive global automotive industry, the rapidly expanding car market of South Asia. Ford’s toehold in India, where it is investing heavily, is small but tenacious, and the blue Ford oval is becoming increasingly commonplace on the crowded and exotic streets of the world’s fastest growing auto market. The program also profiles the Ford family, which unlike many other famous American business dynasties, has never given up its hold on its company, despite an unfortunate and well-established knack for turning boom into bust.

Log on http://warbirdsofww2.tripod.com/intro.htm

Wednesday, November 10, 2010,
9-11 p.m. E/P
History Channel
U.S. and World History
Middle and High School

"WWII In HD: The Air War”

This documentary presents the untold story of the American 8th Air Force’s bloody battle to defeat the German Luftwaffe in the months leading up to D-Day. Told through first person accounts of three American airmen and Stars & Stripes reporter Andy Rooney, The film showcases aerial combat – original, color footage, never before seen by most Americans – of the B-17s “Flying Fortresses”, P-47 “Thunderbolts” and P-51 “Mustangs” on missions such as Regensburg, Schweinfurt and Berlin. Never-before-seen 8mm footage of the airmen on the bases, the devastation in Germany, and the Luftwaffe perspective is also highlighted. Flying 25,000 feet above the earth in oxygen-devoid air, and temperatures as low as 50 below zero, the 8th Air Force fought a war unlike anything ever before experienced. By the end, they would suffer more than 26,000 combat deaths – more than the US Marines lost in all of World War II. This two-hour special is narrated by Emmy® nominated actor, Rob Lowe. Characters are voiced by: Casey Affleck (as B-17 bombardier Joe Armanini); Sean Astin (as P-47 fighter pilot Steve Pisanos); Chris O’Donnell (as B-17 pilot John Gibbons); Elijah Wood (as Stars & Stripes reporter Andy Rooney)

Log on http://warbirdsofww2.tripod.com/intro.htm

Thursday, November 11, 2010,
10-11:30 p.m. E/P (check local listings)
PBS
U.S. and World History
Middle and High School

"Medal Of Honor”

Airing on the occasion of the observance of Veteran’s Day, this documentary tells the story of the Medal of Honor - the highest U.S. award for valor in combat - told through personal accounts of bravery and daring. The medal, dating from Civil War through the war in Iraq today, is presented to individuals for service "above and beyond the call of duty." Most have been awarded posthumously, yet in this film 13 living recipients tell their inconceivable stories. This documentary about finding courage and succeeding against overwhelming odds transports audiences to the battlegrounds of Little Round Top, World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam and Iraq.

Log on http://www.pbs.org/medalofhonor

Friday, November 12, 2010,
9-10 p.m. E/P
History Channel
Technology and Economics
Elementary, Middle and High School

"Modern Marvels: Coin Operated II”

Tens of millions of them all over the world... Soda and snack machines, parking meters and payphones, video games and vending machines... They're everywhere we look. And they all use coins--but for how long? This documentary examines the historic one-armed bandits and the 21st century, cutting edge, computerized slot machines that occupy Vegas casinos and get an exclusive look at their inner workings in a never-before-seen factory in Reno, Nevada. Search out some of the wackiest, strangest vending machines on the planet that sell everything from bottles of wine to dog washes. Get a close-up look at the famous binoculars located at popular tourist sites around the world, as well as a unique company that collects and cleans the coins thrown into fountains for good luck. But it all starts and ends in the historic halls of the U.S. Mint, where coins are made and destroyed. Will coins one day become obsolete? In an age of debit cards, text messages, and wireless transfers, it may seem like cold hard cash is going out of style, but there's one place where small change is still big business ... where the potential power of the coin is revered.

Saturday, November 13, 2010,
8-10 p.m. E/P
History Channel
Science and U.S. History
Middle and High School

"Black Blizzard”

This documentary takes a front row seat on a period of U.S. environmental history from 1930-1940 when America's heartland was ravaged by a weather phenomenon that became known as a "black blizzard." Watch as scientists and special effects experts recreate the black blizzards in amazing detail and reveal that this was a man-made disaster. Discover how these phenomena form, what they're made of, and how they affect people's health and the environment. Learn how a black blizzard emerged so ferociously that it seemed like a moving mountain range creating enough static electricity to power New York City. Hear the story of the people who refused to leave their land and learn the history of the Great Plains and how it came to be settled. TV-PG

Log on http://www.drought.unl.edu/whatis/dustbowl.htm





Sunday, October 31, 2010

Media Menu, October 30, 2010

Here are home viewing suggestions for the week, selected from online advanced TV program listings and aligned with the state and national K-12 academic standards available online. Please consult local listings also, since actual broadcast times may vary. The Websites cited in the “Log on“ box below the tv listing provide further details about the show’s topic and may contain links to video clips from the show or a complete streaming video version of the show.

Saturday, October 30, 2010,
noon – 3 p.m. ET, 9 a.m.– noon PT
Comedy Channel and C-SPAN
U.S. History and Government
Middle and High School

" The Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear ”

This is a broadcast of demonstrations planned for October 30, 2010, on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., to be led by Jon Stewart and an in-character Stephen Colbert. Billed as "a rally for the people who've been too busy to go to rallies", the stated purpose is to provide a venue for attendees to be heard above what Stewart describes as the more vocal and extreme 15–20 percent of Americans who "control the conversation" of United States politics such as the Tea Party movement and the anti-war movement that opposed the presidential administration of George W. Bush. Several news reports have expressed the opinion that the rallies are a satirical response to Glenn Beck’s Restoring Honor rally and the "Reclaim the Dream" counter-rally.

Log on http://www.rallytorestoresanity.com and http://www.keepfearalive.com

Saturday, October 30, 2010,
8-10 p.m. E/P
History Channel
World and U.S. History
Middle and High School

"Afraid of the Dark”

Go back to a time before the invention of artificial light and experience a world petrified in the pitch of darkness...when fear ruled the night. Throughout the ages, real and imagined terror existed in the absence of light, and nighttime was anything but relaxing. Our predecessors cowered in caves to keep from being eaten alive. During the Middle Ages, brutal bandits went on the prowl and roadside ditches became death traps. Also in years past, the devil, werewolves and vampires were staunchly believed to stalk the night. With no artificial light, the black night sky of Galileo's gaze could illuminate every star without a telescope. This documentary explores all the reasons why the dark was so feared throughout the eras. It takes you around the globe to places where real night still exits, and examines our modern-day fear factor when the lights go out during blackouts. TV-PG

Log on http://library.thinkquest.org/C006027/html-ver/mis-al.html

Sunday, October 31, 2010 ,
7-8 p.m. E/P
CBS
Economics and Government
Middle and High School

"60 Minutes”

The first story in this newsmagazine is a report from Newton, Iowa, where the closing of an appliance factory is causing a negative effect on the community’s economy. Then, David Stockman, Ronald Reagan’s budget director who once preached tax cuts, is interviewed advocating the idea of putting a one-time surtax on the rich. Reporter Lesley Stahl reports and finds just such a proposal on the ballot in the state of Washington. Then, horseracing – If Zenyatta , a six year-old mare, wins the Breeder’s Cup Classic next week to cap an undefeated career of 20 straight victories, some say she might just be the greatest thoroughbred race horse in history.

Log on http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/60minutes/main3415.shtml
tag=hdr;snav



Sunday, October 31, 2010 ,
8-9 p.m. ET, 5-6 p.m. PT
CNN
Economics and U.S. History
Middle and High School

" Almighty Debt: A Black in America Special”

From job fairs to seminars on credit counseling, many churches and religious institutions are not only caring for their congregation's spiritual life, but also taking an active role in its financial life, too. In this documentary reporter Soledad O'Brien explores how one church is helping its 7,000 parishioners survive the worst financial crisis for African-Americans since the Great Depression.

Log on http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/10/19/inam.conversation.faith.economy and http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/in.america/black.in.america/

Monday, November 1, 2010,
8-10 p.m. E/P
National Geographic Channel
Science and U.S. History
Middle and High School

" 9/11: Science and Conspiracy ”

According to a 2006 poll, 33 percent of Americans believe the U.S. government either carried out the attacks of 9/11 or made no effort to stop them. In this documentary viewers will hear from supporters of the "9/11 Truth Movement," who believe that our government's official account of the attacks is inconsistent with reality. Now, The National Geographic Channel has conducted a forensic investigation to test some of the most common conspiracy theories. Using high-tech forensic experiments, CGI re-creations, eyewitness footage and in-depth analysis by experts and "truthers," this program examines the alleged conspiracies and available evidence, taking a “ fly-on-the-wall” position as the theorists observe the scientific results and react to the conclusions.

Log on

Tuesday, November 2, 2010,
7-8 p.m. ET, 4-5 p.m. PT
CNBC Channel
Economics and U.S. History
Middle and High School

" Decision 2010: Your Money, Your Vote"

In addition to the election coverage available on the major networks and cable channels there will be this specially focused live coverage combining economic as well as political ramifications airing on CNBC.

Log on http://www.cnbc.com/id/15837856

Tuesday, November 2, 2010,
9-10 .pm. E/P
PBS
U.S. History and Government
Middle and High School

" FRONTLINE: Obama’s Deal” "

This documentary is an in-depth examination of the Obama administration's efforts to secure passage of health-care reform legislation, detailing the political battles it's faced and the compromises it's made. Barack Obama promised change. Then, he took on one of Washington’s toughest issues: health care. During his first year in office, he found himself making one deal after another with Capitol Hill’s powerful insiders — lobbyists and influential members of Congress. He angered his political base, watched his popularity sink and nearly failed to pass the bill. The program follows the story of the president’s historic victory and offers the first in-depth look at how the Obama administration operates. It provides a sobering view inside Obama’s deals and reveals the realities of American politics, the power of special interest groups and the role of money in policy making.

Log on

Wednesday, November 3, 2010 ,
8-9 p.m. E/P
PBS
World History
Middle and High School

" SECRETS OF THE DEAD: The Silver Pharaoh "

The royal tomb of Pharaoh Psusennes I is one of the most spectacular of all the ancient Egyptian treasures — even more remarkable than that of Tutankhamen. So why hasn’t the world heard about it? What mysteries does it contain? And what does it reveal about ancient Egypt? The tomb was discovered filled with lavish jewels and treasure almost by accident in 1939 by the French archaeologist Pierre Montet while he was excavating in northern Egypt. The royal burial chamber came as a complete surprise – no Egyptologist had anticipated a tomb of such grandeur in this area. Unfortunately, the tomb was found on the eve of World War II in Europe and attracted little attention. One of the most startling discoveries inside the tomb was the sarcophagus in which the body was held: It was made of silver with exquisite detail and craftsmanship. No other silver sarcophagus has ever been found and it is now recognized by many Egyptologists as one of the most exquisite artifacts of ancient Egypt ever to be found. The elaborate tribute within the tomb suggested it was the burial site of someone very important but as archaeologists, using the hieroglyphs inside the tomb, pieced together the identity of the pharaoh, they were left to wonder who Psuesennes I was and why he received such grand treatment. This documentary investigation reveals political intrigue, a lost city and a leader who united a country in turmoil and became the Silver Pharaoh.

Log on http://www.pbs.org/wnet/secrets/featured/the-silver-pharaoh-about-this-episode/669/

Thursday, November 4, 2010,
6-7 p.m. EP, 3-4 p.m. PT
CNBC Channel
U.S. History
Middle and High School

"Biography in CNBC: The Rockefellers”

John D. Rockefeller came from humble beginnings, but that changed in the 1880s when he took a risk in the oil business and became the founder of Standard Oil Corporation. That risk lead to the multi-billion-dollar fortune that allowed generations of Rockefellers to make a huge difference in America as philanthropists, realtors and politicians. This documentary shows how he built his empire and details the risk involved.

Log on http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=1385561561&play=1

Thursday, November 4, 2010,
10-11 p.m. E/P
PBS
U.S. History
Middle and High School

"Way Of The Warrior”

As part of PBS’ Native American Heritage Month programming, this documentary examines the visceral nature of war and the bravery of Native-American veterans who served in the United States military during the wars of the 20th century, and explores the paradox of these veterans who chose to fight for a country that considered them outside the American mainstream. Their stories are told against the backdrop of positive and negative themes familiar to Native Americans - the warrior ethic, prejudice, forced assimilation, poverty, cultural pride, redemptive acts and healing - through the prism of what it means to be "ogichidaa," or one who protects and follows the ways of the warrior. TV-PG.

Log on http://www.pbs.org/wayofthewarrior/

Friday, November 5, 2010,
9:30 – 11:30 p. m. E/P
PBS
Arts
Middle and High School

"CIRCUS: First of May/ One Ring Family”

In this documentary miniseries viewers hit the road for a trip with the legendary Big Apple Circus. From the big top to the “back lot” — where the real heart of the circus beats — the episodes explore a distinctive world with its own rules. In “First of May” go behind the scenes and meet the fascinating, wildly diverse Big Apple Circus family — the clowns and the wire-walkers, the front office staff and the rough-and-tumble ring crew — as they gear up for their annual 350-performance tour. In “One Ring Family” feel the tension mount as rivalries and romances blossom and the circus’ first dress rehearsal approaches. The show is nowhere near ready — and the fate of more than a few performers hangs in the balance. TV-PG

Log on http://www.pbs.org/opb/circus

Saturday, November 6, 2010,
8-11 p.m. ET, 5-8 p.m. PT
TCM – Turner Classic Movie Channel
Literature and World History
Middle and High School

"Mutiny On The Bounty”

This is a movie version of the classic tale of the villainous British Navy Captain Bligh who drives his crew to revolt during a South Seas expedition. The movie is loosely based on a trilogy of novels – which are based on historical events - “Mutiny on the Bounty" , “Men Against the Sea” , and "Pitcairn's Island” by Charles Nordhoff and James Norman Hall - available in one volume as “The Bounty Trilogy” . The novels show the tragic collision of two implacable personalities--William Bligh and Fletcher Christian. Both men were unquestionably capable, courageous, and born leaders. Mr. Bligh ruled by intimidation; Mr. Christian by persuasion. Arguably, it's a parable of two ages, two incompatible social attitudes--the stifling aristocracy of the 18th century, and the burgeoning democracy of the 19th--smashing head-on aboard a cramped vessel in the middle of the Pacific. Cast: Marlon Brando, Trevor Howard, and Richard Harris. TV-PG

Log on http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title.jsp?stid=12737 and http://www.infoplease.com/spot/pitcairn.html