Media Menu, May 8, 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, May 8, 2010, 7-8 p.m. ET, 4-5 P.M. PT			CNBC Channel	Economics	Elementary, Middle and High School
”Biography on CNBC: Home Depot - Do It Yourself Success”
When Home Depot’s founders were fired from Handy Dan in the late 1970’s, they put on their tool belts and went to work on a new concept. After the Home Depot’s disappointing opening day when “nobody came,” the do-it-yourself center went on to become the fastest growing retailer in U.S. history. This documentary explains how.
Details at http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=1274069992&play=1

Saturday, May 8, 2010, 8-9 p.m. E/P	Science Channel	Science	Elementary, Middle and High School
”The Amazing Octopus”
This documentary tells the life story of a single female octopus, from birth to old age, and of her encounters with squid, paddle crabs, sea eggs, anemones, and the dreaded cod TV-G

Sunday, May 9, 2010, 7-8 p.m. E/P	CBS	U.S History and Economics	Middle and High School
”60 Minutes”
Here are the reports in this newsmagazine: HOMEGROWN TERROR -- Steve Kroft reports on American citizens – like the recent would-be Times Square bomber – who have traveled abroad for terrorist training in order to attack America or its allies. THE SECRETARY OF STATE -- Scott Pelley follows Hillary Rodham Clinton as she performs her duties as secretary of state and questions her on the latest developments in foreign policy and the recent terror scare in New York’s Times Square. WALKING AWAY --- It’s estimated that one million Americans walked away from homes “underwater” or worth less than their mortgages even though they could afford the payments. Morley Safer reports on this trend, called strategic default, that threatens the economic recovery.
Log on http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/60minutes/main3415.shtml

Sunday, May 9, 2010, 9-11, p.m. E/P	History Channel	U.S. History	Middle and High School
“AMERICA THE STORY OF US: Cities/ Boom
The new documentary series, AMERICA THE STORY OF US, continues its telling of how America was invented, looking at the moments where Americans harnessed technology to advance human progress— from the rigors of linking the continent by transcontinental railroad, the internet of its day, to triumphing over vertical space through construction of steel structured buildings to putting a man on the moon. First in tonight’s dual episode broadcast it “Cities” Between 1880 and 1930, nearly 24 million new immigrants arrive in America. Many go to work building a new frontier: the modern city, and one of America’s greatest inventions. The high cost of land in cities like New York and Chicago means the only way to build is up. A new kind of building, the skyscraper, is made possible by steel. Produced on a massive scale by Scottish immigrant Andrew Carnegie, steel production underpins the infrastructure of the modern city. This new urban frontier draws rural migrants and newly arrived immigrant workers. For many, the Statue of Liberty is their first sight of the New World and Ellis Island is the gateway to the American Dream. The lawless city offers opportunities for many, astronomical wealth for a few. Police chief Thomas Byrnes uses his violent new innovation, “the third degree,” to keep a lid on crime. The millions flocking to urban areas often experience terrible conditions in disease-ridden tenements. Jacob Riis, photographer and reformer, brings their plight to the world with his groundbreaking photographs in the book “How the Other Half Lives.” Workers in new high rise factories become urban martyrs in New York City’s Triangle Shirtwaist factory fire, as the city struggles to make these new buildings safe. Powered by steel and electricity, the city begins to be tamed and defined by mass transportation, stunning skylines, electric light...and the innovative, industrious American spirit. The second episode is “Boom” In 1910 California, a column of oil nearly 200 feet high explodes out of a derrick and sets off a chain of events that will turn America into a superpower. Oil production doubles overnight and prices plummet from $2 to 3 cents a barrel. Quick to capitalize on this abundant cheap fuel is Henry Ford, a maverick entrepreneur who vows to bring the motor car to the masses. In 1900 there are 8,000 cars in the country. By 1930 there are over 20 million. As the population becomes more mobile, the entire shape of America changes. Cities grow as centers of industry, creating new opportunities, and new challenges. In one of the greatest engineering projects of the century, thousands of workers divert enough water hundreds of miles across a desert to quench sprawling Los Angeles’ thirst. Mass production and job opportunities prompted by the First World War draw African Americans to northern cities like Chicago, but racial conflict follows. Many Americans see the burgeoning cities as havens of vice, and chief among them is drink. A popular campaign to ban alcohol succeeds, yet when it comes, Prohibition triggers a wave of organized crime. One man set to benefit is Al Capone. He makes the equivalent of $1,500 a minute from bootleg alcohol. For a time he seems untouchable. But even he is not above the law.
Details at http://www.history.com/classroom

Monday, May 10, 2010, 9-11 p.m. E/P	PBS	U.S. History and Economics	Middle and High School
” AMERICAN EXPERIENCE: Into The Deep: America, Whaling & The World”
This documentary charts the rapid rise and precipitous decline of the American whaling industry, which powered the start of the industrial revolution and laid the groundwork for a truly global economy in the 18th and 19th centuries. American whale oil lit the world — powering the start of the industrial revolution and laying the groundwork for a truly global economy. From its stunning rise as an economic force in the 18th century to its precipitous decline in the decades following the Civil War, the whaling industry mapped millions of miles of uncharted ocean, opened new seaways and markets, employed the world’s most multi-cultural workforce and shrunk the globe by bringing once remote reaches of the Earth into contact as never before — all the while capturing the American imagination. As Americans now see fortunes rise and fall on the global energy and consumer markets, the rapid commoditization of whales and the sharp decline of the whaling industry serve as a stark reminder of the volatility of the global marketplace. TV-PG
Details at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/introduction/whaling-intro

Tuesday, May 11, 2010, 8:30-9:30 p.m. E/P	Sundance Channel	World History and Geography	Middle and High School
“Cities On Speed: Bogota”
This documentary examines challenges facing the world's growing megacities, which are expected to double their populations by 2040. This episode visits Bogotá Columbia and considers the unorthodox methods of two charismatic mayors - Antanas Mockus and Enrique Peñalosa - who, in less than a decade, turned a corrupt city with the world's highest murder rate into a peaceful model metropolis. TV-PG

Tuesday, May 11, 2010, 10:30-11:30 p.m. E/P	PBS	Science and Health	Middle and High School
“INDEPENDENT LENS: Horse Boy”
This documentary explores one family’s unforgettable journey as they travel halfway across the world in search of a miracle to heal their autistic son. The film blends footage from the family’s adventure through the Mongolian countryside with scenes from their life at home in Texas. Bolstered by testimony from autism experts, including Dr. Temple Grandin, this compelling film exquisitely captures an astonishing physical and spiritual journey. TV-PG
Details at http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/horse-boy

Wednesday, May 12, 2010, 9-10:30 p.m. E/P	PBS	Arts	Middle and High School
“AMERICAN MASTERS: The Doors - When You’re Strange”
The creative chemistry of four — drummer John Densmore, guitarist Robby Krieger, keyboardist Ray Manzarek and singer Jim Morrison — made the Doors one of America’s most iconic and influential, theatrical and mysterious, thrilling and sometimes frightening rock bands. This, the first feature documentary to tell their story, uses only original footage — much of it previously unseen — shot between the group’s formation in 1965 and Morrison’s death in 1971. Johnny Depp narrates. TV-PG
Details at http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/episodes/when-youre-strange-a-film-about-the-doors/about-the-film/1543

Thursday, May 13, 2010, 9-10 p.m. E/P	History Channel	Science and Technology	Middle and High School
“MODERN MARVELS: Breaking Point”
This documentary examines technological points of failure in ultra slow motion. Watch drivers crash cars and trucks at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety to find their breaking points, and to find the breaking points of the crash dummies inside. At Underwriter's Laboratories, fire rounds at bullet proof glass until it breaks, and see how long it will take experts to breach a safe using more and more powerful tools. Watch as lithium-ion batteries catch fire and blow up at Sandia National Laboratories - they're essential to the electric cars of the future. And at Arizona State University, find the breaking points of steel, concrete - even Kevlar jet engine containment systems. See how a bike helmet guards against the skull reaching its breaking point, then fire high-speed projectiles at Oakley's sport glasses and military grade goggles to see if they shatter or survive. And at Black Diamond, scale a rock face with a professional climber to find the breaking point of the carabineers and chalks upon which his very life depends.

Friday, May 14, 2010, 8-9 p.m. E/P	Planet Green	Science and Health	Middle and High School
“30 Days: Muslims In America”
In this documentary, David Stacy, a 33-year-old Christian man from West Virginia, agrees to make a drastic life change for 30 days when he moves to the largely Muslim community of Dearborn, Michigan. David struggles with his feelings and previous prejudices against a religion that does not believe in Christ and in the minds of many Americans is associated with the September 11 terror attacks, as he befriends his new host family and adopts their customs. What is it like to be a Muslim in America today? Will David’s experience break all his prejudices or just break him? Documentarian Morgan Spurlock directs.
Details at http://planetgreen.discovery.com/tv/30-days/american-muslims.html
Friday, May 14, 2010, 10-11 p.m. E/P CNBC Channel U.S. History and Economics Middle and High School "Detroit: City of Heartbreak and Hope" It was once the heartbeat of the American economy, but today, Detroit could be seen as the ultimate reflection of America's pain. The population - once two million - is now less than half of that; the schools are among the worst in the nation, crime and corruption run rampant, and people are struggling to survive in a shattered economy. In this documentary NBC reporter Chris Hansen who grew up in the Detroit suburbs and worked as a reporter in the city for a decade, returns to take a very personal look at what's being done to save the city and revive its economy, and the people who are leading the way.. Info at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36665950/ns/dateline_nbc-the_hansen_files_with_chris_hansen

Saturday, May 15, 2010, 5-7 p.m. E/P	History Channel	U.S. History and Geography	Middle and High School
" How the States Got Their Shapes "
This is repeat broadcast of a documentary which examines how every state is a puzzle piece ultimately revealing the unique geography, political and social history of America. We are so familiar with the map of United States, but do we know why our states look the way they do? Every shape on the map tells a great story about our past. Why is California bent? To cling on to gold. Why does Oklahoma have a panhandle? Because of shifting borders for slavery. Why does Missouri have a boot? Because of a massive earthquake. TV-PG
Interactive info at http://www.history.com/topics/states/interactives/place-the-state-game

Saturday, May 15, 2010, 10 p.m.-midnight E/P	History Channel	World History and Geography	Middle and High School
" The Dark Ages "
This is a documentary about what happened after the fall of the Rome. Its Empire, rotten to the core by the fifth century A.D, lay open to barbarian warriors. Europe was beset by famine, plague, persecutions, and a state of war that was so persistent it was only rarely interrupted by peace. These centuries are remembered today as the Dark Ages. Beneath this cloak of darkness were people like Charlemagne, St. Benedict and the Empress Theodora who helped to bridge the gap of civilization between Rome and the Renaissance. Ultimately, these points of light would illuminate the darkness, and Western Europe would rise from the Dark Ages to a level of cultural and political power unseen for a thousand years. TV-PG