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Saturday, July 16, 2011

Media Menu for July 16, 2011

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, July 16, 2011,
2-3 p.m. Eastern Time, 5-6- p.m. Pacific Time
HBO
U.S. History and Government
Middle and High School

Citizen USA

This is a documentary about new citizens produced, filmed and directed by Alexandra Pelosi, who is former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's daughter. This patriotic, upbeat and pro-immigrant piece argues that immigrants who become citizens are like blood transfusions for a country, giving it fresh energy and helping keep alive some of the ideals that long-time-citizens take for granted. Many of Pelosi's subjects talk about freedom. A gay man from the Middle East talks about how he can now walk down the street without fearing for his physical safety. A straight man from Afghanistan can hardly contain his joy that he could kiss a woman on the street, in public, without facing censure or arrest. A man from Canada immigrated here largely because he can now legally collect guns. Perhaps because so much of the immigration discussion in recent years has focused on Hispanics, Pelosi seems almost deliberately to focus on Asians, Europeans and Middle Easterners. The film deals very little with the immigration debate, though it has some scenes of immigration protests in Arizona. Rather, it focuses on why someone would leave his or her native country to pledge allegiance to another. Her conclusion is that the personal affection and motivation must be strong. Two of her celebrity citizens, former secretaries of state Henry Kissinger and Madeleine Albright, are here because their families were driven out of Europe by the World War II Nazi war machine.
Log on http://www.hbo.com/documentaries/citizen-usa-a-50-state-road-trip/synopsis.html#/documentaries/citizen-usa-a-50-state-road-trip/synopsis.html

Sunday, July 17, 2011,
8-9 p.m. E/P
History Channel
Economics and Technology
Elementary, Middle and High School

Candy

Americans consume about 7 billion tons of candy it every year to the tune of 25 billion dollars in sales. Helping to understand what ingredients make up chocolate and other confections, short but interesting segments are shown in this documentary on the history, harvesting methods, and preparation of cocoa beans and sugar cane. Automation plays a significant role in manufacturing processes, explored here are elements such as robotics and computerization and how they help to produce enormous amounts of candy at their factory each day. On the other side of the spectrum, some candy making is still considered to be an art form and Schimpff's Confectionary store in Indiana is a good example of this. Beginning with a stop at the Hershey Chocolate plant in Pennsylvania, here is a fascinating look and history of one of the most prolific and renowned candy makers in the world today. Also using a more manual approach to making candy, the See's company shows some methods they use in their preparation, cooking, and inspecting of their products.
Then : jelly beans, a short history of their beginnings and the production processes. The Jelly Belly Company itself makes over fifty different types of beans and they are unique in that some of their more bizarre flavors include dirt, earwax, sardine, soap, earthworm and rotten egg. Closing out this program, final segments look at licorice, gourmet candy, and even real insects that are cooked into items such as lollipops and assorted hard candies and how this is accomplished.

Monday, July 18, 2011,
8- 9 p.m. E/P
Science Channel
Science
Middle and High School
Time: Daytime

This is a documentary about time. It's the most inescapable force we feel. But do we experience time from within our minds and bodies or from the outside? TV-G

Tuesday, July 19, 2011,
8-10:15 p.m. ET, 5-7:15 p.m. PT
TCM-Turner Classic Movie Channel
English and World History
Middle and High School

Caesar And Cleopatra

In this philosophical coming-of-age movie, aging Julius Caesar takes possession of the Egyptian capital city of Alexandria, and tries to resolve a feud between young Princess Cleopatra and her younger brother Ptolemy. During the resulting sometimes-murderous court-intrigues, Caesar develops a special relationship with Cleopatra, and teaches her how to use her royal power. This Oscar-nominated movie is based on George Bernard Shaw’s stage play and omits out some historical details ( see commentary posted on link below). TV-G
Log on http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038390/

Tuesday, July 19, 2011,
8-9 p.m. E/P
PBS
U.S. History and Science
Middle and High School

HISTORY DETECTIVES

This multi-story documentary asks questions about three historical objects: Could this propeller be from a World War II drone, the prototype for the assault drones the U.S. uses today in Afghanistan and Iraq? An inscribed, wooden club appears to be a gift to Teddy Roosevelt. Who gave him this club, and why? If Clara Barton wrote this letter, why was she concerned about the life of the soldier she mentions? TV-PG
Log http://www.pbs.org/opb/historydetectives

Wednesday, July 20, 2011,
9-10 p.m. E/P
PBS
World History and Geography
Middle and High School

NOVA: The Great Inca Rebellion

In this documentary experts seek to determine if ancient Inca remains are those of victims of a battle that pitted club-wielding Inca warriors against Spanish cavalry. Forensic evidence may be a decisive clue that helps explain a long-standing mystery about the Spanish conquest of Peru. How, in 1532, did a tiny band of Spanish soldiers crush the mighty Inca Empire, then the most powerful civilization in the Americas? Were the conquistadors' obvious advantages - steel arms, gunpowder and horses - the key to their success, as is generally supposed? Or were disease and civil war more significant factors that were downplayed by the invaders? By uncovering new evidence from a Lima cemetery, the program reveals the untold final chapter of the conquest: not the Spanish walkover familiar from well-known accounts, but rather a protracted and complex war of astonishing brutality that almost led to the Spanish losing their precarious foothold in the Andes. TVPG
Log http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/inca/

Thursday, July 21, 2011,
7-8 p.m. E/P
Planet Green Channel
Science
Elementary, Middle and High School

Planet Earth: Fresh Water

As shown in this documentary water has shaped planet Earth - it has carved out the world's most impressive gorges and makes all life possible. Incredibly only three percent of all water on our planet is fresh - it is as precious as it is vital -and it is full of life. TV-G
Log on http://dsc.discovery.com/videos/planet-earth-freshwater

Thursday, July 21, 2011,
8-10 p.m. E/P
National Geographic Channel
World History and technology
Elementary, Middle and High School

The Egyptian Job

It was one of the greatest heists of ancient history: A group of thieves back then broke into the treasure-rich tomb of King Amenemhat III who was buried in one of the most complex pyramid vaults ever designed and made away with a fortune. Pulling a job of this scale would have taken the expertise and manpower seen in Hollywood blockbusters, so how did these looters get past the security defenses of a pyramid known as the Fort Knox of ancient Egypt?
Log on http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/episode/the-egyptian-job-5116/Overview

Friday, July 22, 2011,
8-11 p.m. ET, 5-8 p.m. PT
AMC Channel
U.S. History and Athletics
Elementary, Middle and High School

A League Of Their Own

This a movie, based on fact, about the WWII-era phenomenon of women’s professional baseball. As America's stock of athletic young men is depleted during the war, an all-female baseball league springs up in the Midwest, funded by publicity-hungry candy maker. In the story, competitive sisters spar with each other, a baseball talent scout and a grumpy has-been coach – all on their way to national fame. Madonna, Geena Davis and Rosie O'Donnell co-star. Penny Marshall directs. TV-PG
Log on http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104694/

Saturday, July 23, 2011,
6-7 p.m. E/P
Science Channel
Science and Geography
Elementary, Middle and High School

Geologic Journey: The Rockies

In this documentary viewers will see how the Rocky Mountains were formed and how people fought to carve out a living in the mountain townships and the vast prairies beyond. TV-G
Log on http://www.cbc.ca/geologic/eg_rockies.html

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Media Menu for July 9, 2011

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, July 9, 2011,
3:45-5:30 p.m. ET, 1:45-3:15 p.m. PT
TCM – Turner Classic Movie Channel
English
Elementary, Middle and High School

Tom Sawyer

In this Oscar nominated movie musical based on Mark Twain's classic novel "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" , Tom and his pal Huckleberry Finn have great adventures on the Mississippi River, pretending to be pirates, attending their own funeral, and witnessing a murder.

For information on this movie log on http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070814/synopsis
For information on the novel log on http://etext.virginia.edu/railton/tomsawye/tomhompg.html

Sunday, July 10, 2011,
8-9 p.m. E/P
CNN
Science and Economics
Elementary, Middle and High School

Beyond Atlantis: The Next Frontier

CNN correspondent John Zarrella delivers a l report on the end of the Space Shuttle program and the future for NASA, as the glorious and sometimes tragic era comes to end. Zarrella talks with NASA Administrator Charles Bolden about the Space Shuttle program and NASA’s future, and takes viewers for a tour inside the Space Shuttle Discovery, exclusively, with former Commander Robert Cabana. The report examines the commercialization of space, through the eyes of visionaries like Richard Branson of Virgin Galactic, and Elon Musk of SpaceX, as they strive to make space travel more affordable, and dare to do what only governments could afford to do previously. Zarrella travels to Promontory, Utah, to visit the site where the space shuttle boosters were built, talks to people who have spent most of their adult life working on the Shuttle program, and he takes viewers on the train ride carrying the last set of boosters to Kennedy Space Center for the final Space Shuttle mission.
Log on http://cnnpressroom.blogs.cnn.com/2011/06/30/beyond-atlantis-the-next-frontier-airs-sunday-at-8-p-m/?iref=allsearch

Monday, July 11, 2011,
8-9 p.m. E/P
CNBC Channel
U.S. History Economics
Elementary, Middle and High School

Ford: Rebuilding an American Icon

This documentary goes behind the scenes at the Ford Motor Company to tell the inside story of its comeback just a few short years after nearly collapsing. Viewers will meet CEO, Alan Mulally, who bet nearly everything the company had in his quest to steer it back from the brink. Ford rescued itself without a government bailout, unlike rivals General Motors and Chrysler. Today, Ford appears to be a company with a bright future, but one shadowed by a mountain of debt. CNBC reporter Phil LeBeau was granted access to the company’s inner workings, introducing viewers to a pair of engineers charged with breathing new life into a legendary but tarnished Ford nameplate, the Explorer. The program also profiles the Ford family, who unlike many other famous American business clans, have never given up their hold on the family firm.
Viewers will also visit front lines of the brutally competitive automotive industry, the rapidly expanding car markets 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.
Log on http://www.cnbc.com/id/39759908

Tuesday, July 12, 2011,
10-11 p.m. E/P
History Channel
U.S. History and Geography
Elementary, Middle and High School

How The States Got Their Names: Mouthing Off

We all live in the same country, so why do we sound do different? It’s a matter of where you are on the map. Why didn’t the southern accent exist until after the Civil War? How did California athletes end up coining so many new words? Why do we have so many different words for the same things -- like pop versus soda? Will one particularly strong accent cause New York to break up and create a 51st state? Find out by watching – and listening to - this documentary.
Log on http://www.history.com/shows/how-the-states-got-their-shapes

Wednesday, July 13, 2011,
5:15–8:00 p.m. ET, 2:15–5 p.m. PT
TCM – Turner Classic Movie Channel
English and Arts
Middle and High School

Richard III

In 1955, Laurence Olivier brought to the screen what most critics consider his greatest Shakespearean role, the hunchbacked nobleman who murders his way to the throne, and won his fifth Oscar® nomination. The film is considered by many to be the best of his three Shakespeare films. TV-PG

For information on the film log on http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/88184/Richard-III
For information on the play log on http://absoluteshakespeare.com/plays/richard_III/richard_III.htm

Thursday, July 14, 2011,
9-10 p.m. E/P
National Geographic Channel
Economics and Technology
Elementary, Middle and High School

Ultimate Factories: Coca Cola

Coca-Cola reaches more countries than there are in the United Nations, and it takes a power factory to provide a beverage with a famously secret formula consumed in over 99 percent of the populated world. As shown in this documentary, machines in a bottling plant pump out almost 800 bottles per minute, utilizing specialized air-veyor belts to maximize efficiency.
Log on http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/ultimate-factories/5151/Overview

Friday, July 15, 2011,
9:30- p.m. - midnight E/P
PBS
Arts and Geography
Middle and High School

GREAT PERFORMANCES: Rigoletto from Mantua

This is a telecast of Giuseppe Verdi’s Rigoletto – transmitted in high definition from the Renaissance splendor of Mantua, Italy, set in the actual places and hours of the day specified in the libretto. Andrea Andermann, producer of the acclaimed on-location productions of Tosca From Rome and La Traviata From Paris, created this visually and musically spectacular production starring tenor Placido Domingo.
Log on http://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/episodes/rigoletto-from-mantua/about-the-operatic-film/1148/

Saturday, July 16, 2011,
2-3 p.m. Eastern Time, 5-6- p.m. Pacific Time
HBO
U.S. History and Government
Middle and High School

Citizen USA

This is a documentary about new citizens produced, filmed and directed by Alexandra Pelosi, who is former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's daughter. This patriotic, upbeat and pro-immigrant piece argues that immigrants who become citizens are like blood transfusions for a country, giving it fresh energy and helping keep alive some of the ideals that long-time-citizens take for granted. Many of Pelosi's subjects talk about freedom. A gay man from the Middle East talks about how he can now walk down the street without fearing for his physical safety. A straight man from Afghanistan can hardly contain his joy that he could kiss a woman on the street, in public, without facing censure or arrest. A man from Canada immigrated here largely because he can now legally collect guns. Perhaps because so much of the immigration discussion in recent years has focused on Hispanics, Pelosi seems almost deliberately to focus on Asians, Europeans and Middle Easterners. The film deals very little with the immigration debate, though it has some scenes of immigration protests in Arizona. Rather, it focuses on why someone would leave his or her native country to pledge allegiance to another. Her conclusion is that the personal affection and motivation must be strong. Two of her celebrity citizens, former secretaries of state Henry Kissinger and Madeleine Albright, are here because their families were driven out of Europe by the World War II Nazi war machine.
Log on http://www.hbo.com/documentaries/citizen-usa-a-50-state-road-trip/synopsis.html#/documentaries/citizen-usa-a-50-state-road-trip/synopsis.html

Friday, July 1, 2011

Media Menu for July 2, 2011

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, July 2, 2011,
8-9 p.m. E/P
National Geographic Channel
U.S. History
Middle and High School

Ben Franklin’s Pirate Fleet

A lost piece of American history may have been uncovered deep in the sea a shipwreck thought to have belonged to a fleet of American privateers. In the late 18th century, the Irish Sea was a cauldron of kidnapping, thievery and unrepentant skullduggery. Governments, including the nascent U.S., hired sea raiders, or privateers, to pillage and steal from merchant vessels. This documentary asks whether it is possible that this ship was on a mission from Benjamin Franklin.
Log on http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/expedition-week/5380/Overview

Sunday, July 3, 2011,
8-9 p.m. E/P
National Geographic Channel
Science and Technology
Middle and High School

Secret World Of Fireworks

How do fireworks burst into spectacular colors and patterns in perfect unison? This documentary visits "America's First Family of Fireworks," to learn how the century-old pyrotechnics company handcrafts thousands of fireworks in a dazzling array of colors, shapes and sizes. We go inside their laboratory to discover the closely held scientific secrets, recipes and techniques they use to transform the most basic of materials - paper, string and gunpowder -- into their awe-inspiring million-dollar displays.
Log on http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/naked-science/4283/Overview

Monday, July 4, 2011,
8:00-9:30 p.m. E/P , repeating 9:30-11 p.m. E/P
PBS
U.S. History and Arts
Elementary, Middle and High School

A CAPITOL FOURTH 2011

Celebrating America’s biggest birthday party, this broadcast features musical performances by some of the country’s best known and award-winning musicians in performance with the National Symphony Orchestra live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. The program also captures the most spectacular fireworks display anywhere in the nation, capped off with a rousing rendition of Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture.” Hosted by Jimmy Smith with live performances from Steve Martin, Josh Groban, Jordin Sparks and more. TV-G
Log on http://www.pbs.org/capitolfourth/

Tuesday, July 5, 2011,
8-9 p.m. E/P
PBS
U.S. History
Middle and High School

History Detectives

In this edition of PBS’ weekly historical newsmagazine, detective Wes Cowan asks, “Did rebels use this spear, or pike, in abolitionist John Brown’s raid on the federal armory in Harpers Ferry?” The word “Siberia” etched into this bullet makes Eduardo Pagán wonder why U.S. troops were in Siberia during World War I. And Elyse Luray sizes up a Ronald McDonald costume. Was it part of the first national Ronald McDonald ad campaign? TV-PG
Log on http://www.pbs.org/opb/historydetectives/

Tuesday, July 5, 2011,
10-11 p.m. E/P
History Channel
U.S. History and Geography
Middle and High School

How The States Got Their Shapes: Culture Clash

The map of the United States is a jigsaw puzzle of crooked lines, right angles and odd shapes. Some pieces are outsized; others are minuscule. The reason for our jagged geography? American history. In this report, journalist Brian Unger criss-crosses the nation in search of the stories behind our boundaries. Will rivalries within our states break them into pieces? Cultures compete against each other all over the map. In extreme cases, they can divide states in two. How did World War II preserve the shape of California? Will part of Maine break off and become Northern Massachusetts? And as new cultures move into Florida, will the state’s cowboy tradition get pushed off the map? Why does Montana look like it took a bite out of Idaho? Why is Georgia plotting to re-draw its border with Tennessee? Why does Florida have a panhandle? Why isn’t Chicago in Wisconsin?
Log on http://www.history.com/shows/how-the-states-got-their-shapes

Wednesday, July 6, 2011,
9-11 p.m. E/P
History Channel
U.S. History
Middle and High School

The Lost Kennedy Home Movies

Gathered from archives and attics and now seen for the first time, these extremely-rare home movies shown in this documentary tell the story of the children of Joseph and Rose Kennedy, as they grew up in the 1930s and 40s through November 1963, and include scenes of the last weekend Jack and Jackie Kennedy spent with Caroline and John, Jr., just two weeks before Dallas. Also featured are home movies filmed by Robert and Ethel Kennedy in the early 1950s. These home movies allow viewers to experience the forces and personalities that shaped their lives as never before. Interviews with family members of Kennedy friends provide fresh anecdotes and colorful stories, and distinguished historians contribute new insights.
Log on http://www.historychannel.com.au/tv-shows/show-details.aspx?id=898

Wednesday, July 6, 2011,
9-10 p.m. E/P
PBS
Science
Middle and High School

NOVA: Ape Genius

The great apes - which include chimps, orangutans, gorillas and bonobos - seem to have rich emotional lives similar to our own. But just how smart are these animals? As shown in this documentary, a new generation of investigators is revealing the secret mental lives of great apes; our evolutionary next-of-kin are turning out to be far smarter than most experts ever imagined. But just as clever experiments are exposing the extraordinary abilities of great apes, new research is redefining the mental talents of our own species. Scientists are at last zeroing in on what separates us from our closest living relatives. TV-PG
Log on http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/apegenius/

Thursday, July 7, 2011,
8-10 p.m. E/P
National Geographic Channel
Science
Elementary, Middle and High School

The Great Dinosaur Escape

It was one of the greatest mass migrations in the history of the Earth. Millions of years ago, dinosaurs spent their summers at the North Pole and then migrated 1,000 miles across hostile terrain to escape the winter. This documentary brings their epic odyssey to life using the latest scientific research and a computer-generated format. The dramatic story is told through the eyes of a young and vulnerable Edmontosaurus named Scar. Viewers can experience the challenges Scar faced — including blizzards, landslides, droughts, volcanic floods and, of course, deadly predators.
Log on http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/episode/the-great-dinosaur-escape-4607/Overview

Friday, July 8, 2011,
6-7 p.m. E/P
National Geographic Channel
Science
Elementary, Middle and High School

When We Left Earth: The NASA Missions -Landing the Eagle

In this documentary NASA’s Apollo program achieves the ultimate prize of the Space Race, landing men on the moon. But a fire broke out in the pressurized capsule of Apollo 1, resulting in the deaths of three beloved astronauts. However, NASA rebounded, launching men into deep space and landing Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on the moon.
Log on http://store.discovery.com/detail.php?p=84943&v=discovery

Saturday, July 9, 2011,
3:45-5:30 p.m. ET, 1:45-3:15 p.m. PT
TCM – Turner Classic Movie Channel
English
Elementary, Middle and High School

Tom Sawyer

In this Oscar nominated movie musical based on Mark Twain's classic novel "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" , Tom and his pal Huckleberry Finn have great adventures on the Mississippi River, pretending to be pirates, attending their own funeral, and witnessing a murder.
For information on this movie log on http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070814/synopsis
For information on the novel log on http://etext.virginia.edu/railton/tomsawye/tomhompg.html

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Media Menu for June 25, 2011

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, June 25, 2011,
8-9 p.m. ET, 5-6 p. PT
CNN
World History and Technology
Middle and High School

” The iRevolution: Online Warriors of the Arab Spring”

These days the Middle East revolution is being televised, blogged, shared, liked, linked, and emailed. In this documentary, re-broadcast from last week, CNN goes to Tunisia, Bahrain and Egypt to follow historic and technological developments.
Log on http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/06/14/unrest-middle-east-and-north-africa-country-by-country-2/?hpt=hp_t2

Saturday, June 25, 2011,
9-11 p.m. E/P
National Geographic Channel
World History and Technology
Middle and High School

”Rebuilding Titanic”

Titanic: one of the greatest maritime legends in history. When she set sail in April 1912, she was the largest, heaviest, most expensive, and most luxurious manmade moving object on the planet. This documentary tells the story of how the Titanic was built -- and who built it. Shown are modern-day metalworkers and engineers who set out to re-create iconic sections of Titanic using century-old methods to rebuild parts of the ship by hand and under the extreme conditions in which they had been originally been made. The re-creations pay tribute to the dedicated laborers who toiled under unbearable work conditions, some of whom perished in their quest to create the biggest, most luxurious ship the world had ever seen. First, the team has just eight days to assemble 17 tons of steel into a re-creation of Titanic's bow. Then, they re-engineer the cutting-edge technology used to indulge Titanic's first class passengers with a luxurious travel experience. The team builds an original electric oven that will be used to re-create a first class dining experience for descendants of the ship's crew and passengers. Their goal is to create an evening as enchanting as one the wealthiest of passengers would have enjoyed on Titanic.
Log on http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/episode/rebuilding-titanic-6451/Overview

Sunday, June 26, 2011,
8-9 p.m. E/P
PBS
Science
Middle and High School

” NATURE:The Beauty of Ugly”

In the animal world, as in our own, looks aren’t everything. In fact, some of the most aesthetically challenged creatures — from warthogs and proboscis monkeys to bull elephant seals — are also the most fascinating. A stunning variety of these ghastly yet glorious forms are explored in this broadcast. On the program’s website ( below) is an in-depth look at some of these intriguing creatures. You’ll learn about the remarkable sensory abilities of the weird little star-nosed mole and the unusual social system of naked mole-rats and their imperious mole-rat queen, discover the threats faced by the Cape Griffon vulture, and get a fish-eye’s view of the needle-toothed viperfish and other deep-sea creatures, as photographed by a unique undersea camera called the Eye-in-the-Sea, designed by ocean researcher Dr. Edith Widder.
Log on http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/the-beauty-of-ugly/introduction/425/

Monday, June 27, 2011,
7-8 p.m. E/P
History Channel
Science
Middle and High School

” Modern Marvels: Corrosion & Decomposition”

According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, the aging U.S. infrastructure is in danger of collapse. Learn about a company in Missouri that uses a trench-less technology to rebuild corroded sewer pipes from the inside out while engineers at General Motors Proving Grounds lead the battle against corrosive road de-icing salts. See how a bioreactor in Florida turns mountains of garbage methane gas. Finally, discover how the tiny termite is teaching us how to turn agricultural waste into ethanol at a fraction of the current cost.
Log on http://www.asce.org/LandingPage.aspx?id=65

Tuesday, June 28, 2011,
8-9 p.m. E/P
PBS
U.S. and World History
Middle and High School

” History Detectives”

In this episodes of PBS’ historical-mystery series Wes Cowan decodes the message and strategy behind a U.S. World War II propaganda leaflet. Researching a family heirloom, a watercolor, leads Gwen Wright to Tiffany stained glass and opportunity for early 20th-century women. And a touching eulogy unites a nephew and a son of two American soldiers who fought in the Spanish Civil War.
Log on http://www.pbs.org/opb/historydetectives/

Wednesday, June 29, 2011,
8-9 p.m. E/P
History Channel
U.S. History and Geography
Elementary, Middle and High School

”How The States Got Their Shapes: Church And States”

Ever since the Pilgrims boarded the Mayflower, this documentary shows what we believe and how we believe has shaped the American map. Could Utah have been bigger than Texas? How did religion shatter New England into such odd little shapes? And did the Civil War actually begin... in Kansas? TV-PG
Log on http://www.history.com/shows/how-the-states-got-their-shapes

Wednesday, June 29, 2011,
9-10 p.m. E/P
PBS
Science
Middle and High School

“NOVA: What Are Dreams?”

What are dreams and why do we have them? Are they a window into a hidden realm within us? Science is only just beginning to understand. NOVA joins the leading dream researchers and witnesses the extraordinary experiments they use to investigate the world of sleep. From human narcoleptics to sleepwalking cats, from recurrent nightmares to those who can't dream, each sequence contains a vital clue to the question these scientists are pursuing: Why do we dream? TV-PG
Log on http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/body/what-are-dreams.html

Thursday, June 30, 2011,
7-8 p.m. E/P
National Geographic Channel
Science and Technology
Middle and High School

“Secret World Of Fireworks”

How do fireworks burst into spectacular colors and patterns in perfect unison? This documentary visits "America's First Family of Fireworks," to learn how the century-old pyrotechnics company handcrafts thousands of fireworks in a dazzling array of colors, shapes and sizes. We go inside their laboratory to discover the closely held scientific secrets, recipes and techniques they use to transform the most basic of materials - paper, string and gunpowder -- into their awe-inspiring million-dollar displays.
Log on http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/naked-science/4283/Overview

Thursday, June 30, 2011,
8-9 p.m. E/P
Science Channel
Science
Middle and High School

“The Planets: Destiny”

In three billion years, the sun will expand into a red giant. Mercury will be consumed, probably Venus, possibly the Earth. As shown in this documentary, scientists have already started looking for another solar system to find an Earth-like planet to move to. TV-G
Log on http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0846561/

Friday, July 1, 2011,
7-10 p.m. E/P
Animal Planet Channel
Science and Geography
Middle and High School

“Whale Wars: Battle Cry ”

This is the initial episode of a documentary miniseries about environmental activists. The Sea Shepards depart on their 2010/2011 anti-whaling campaign with a new, fast interceptor vessel. Early on, they find two harpoon ships before the whaling fleet has killed a single whale. Could they be set up for their most successful campaign ever? The broadcast is immediately followed by three additional episodes: “No
Escape”, “Ghosts In The Machine” and “The Devil’s Icebox”. TV-14
Log on http://animal.discovery.com/tv/whale-wars/

Saturday, July 2, 2011,
8-9 p.m. E/P
National Geographic Channel
U.S. History
Middle and High School

“Ben Franklin’s Pirate Fleet”

A lost piece of American history may have been uncovered deep in the sea a shipwreck thought to have belonged to a fleet of American privateers. In the late 18th century, the Irish Sea was a cauldron of kidnapping, thievery and unrepentant skullduggery. Governments, including the nascent U.S., hired sea raiders, or privateers, to pillage and steal from merchant vessels. This documentary asks whether it is possible that this ship was on a mission from Benjamin Franklin.
Log on http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/expedition-week/5380/Overview

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Media Menu for June 18, 2011

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, June 18, 2011,
8:30- 11 p.m. ET, 5:30 - 8 p.m. PT
Ovation Channel
Arts and World History
Middle and High School

” Billy Elliot”
This Oscar-nominated movie tells a coming-of-age story of a young boy who through his unexpected love of dance, embarks on a journey of self-discovery in England’s blue-collar world of picket lines, cultural stereotypes, and a family in crisis. After ditching his boxing gloves for ballet slippers, Billy's father and brother are infuriated to discover this secret. Distraught by his family's lack of understanding, Billy expresses his feelings through dance in the hopes that they soon will have a change of heart. In 2005, the film was adapted for the stage as Billy Elliot the Musical. Rated PG-13 Also available on DVD
Log on http://www.imdb.com/find?s=tt&q=billy+elliot

Sunday, June 19, 2011,
7-8- p.m. E/P
Planet Green Channel
World History
Elementary, Middle and High School

” Journey Through the Valley of the Kings ”

This documentary takes viewers through the 3,500-year history of Egypt's ancient resting place of the most powerful rulers the world has ever known. Computer graphics and 3-D reconstructions reveal a subterranean labyrinth of tombs housing untold wealth. TV-G
Log on http://www.culturefocus.com/egypt_valley-of-kings.htm

Sunday, June 19, 2011,
8-9 p.m. ET, 5-6 p. PT
CNN
World History and Technology
Middle and High School

” The iRevolution: Online Warriors of the Arab Spring”

These days the Middle East revolution is televised, blogged, shared, liked, linked, and emailed. In this documentary CNN goes to Tunisia, Bahrain and Egypt to follow historic and technological developments.
Log on http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/06/14/unrest-middle-east-and-north-africa-country-by-country-2/?hpt=hp_t2

Monday June 20, 2011,
10-11p.m. E/P
PBS
U.S. History
Middle and High School

”AMERICAN EXPERIENCE: Abraham and Mary Lincoln: A House Divided”

Elected President only to see the nation fracture in two, Lincoln led a confused and frightened people through the most terrible war in their history. At the same time, his own household mirrored the fissures that split the nation: the great emancipator was married to the daughter of a slave owner from Kentucky. Mary Todd Lincoln was an aristocratic southerner who met Lincoln when he was still a backwoods politician lacking in experience and sophistication. Although she remained fiercely loyal to her husband and the Union cause, two of her brothers fought for the South. Their marriage was long and turbulent, and knew many trials, including the loss of two children. This broadcast is the initial episode of a documentary miniseries which weaves together the lives of the two Lincolns, telling the story of the Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln’s childhoods and their courtship TV-PG. Further episodes will air 10-11 p.m. on the next five Mondays.
Log on http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/lincolns/

Tuesday, June 21, 2011,
8-9 p.m. E/P
PBS
U.S. History
Middle and High School

”History Detectives”

In this season premiere of History Detectives , mysterious airplane engine parts lead Eduardo Pagán to a forbidden Hawaiian island where he finds a heroic story often overshadowed by the raid on Pearl Harbor. Then Elyse Luray tries to match metal shavings to the right cannon. What role did these shavings play in the early hours of the civil war? An early 20th century saddle puts Wes Cowan on the trail of Yakima Cunutt. How did this rodeo champion change Hollywood movie-making? TV-PG
Log on http://www.pbs.org/opb/historydetectives/

Tuesday, June 21, 2011,
8-9 p.m. E/P
Animal Planet
U.S. History
Elementary, Middle and High School

”Planet Earth: Caves”

This is a documentary about an underground world which is as mysterious as the Deep Sea in the oceans. Whether eroded by water, shaped by volcanoes or dug by animals themselves-this is a world of perpetual darkness. TV-G

Wednesday, June 22, 2011,
6-7 p.m. E/P
History Channel
Science and Technology
Elementary, Middle and High School

”Modern Marvels: Engines”

This documentary examines everything from the steam engines of the Industrial Revolution to the many motors in the modern home. They are the machines that drive the world, literally. From cars to can-openers, engines are everywhere. The program tours the world of power, throwing open hoods, peering into the cowlings of jets, and ignoring signs of "no user serviceable parts inside" to expose the secrets of a host of different motors. From the steam engines of the Industrial Revolution to the rockets that propelled man into space, the program concentrates on the power plants that have had a profound effect on the way we live, but that doesn't mean it overlooks the little ones--in fact, the coming micro-technology motors promise to add a jolt of power to a whole new range of devices.

Thursday, June 23, 2011,
9-11 p.m. E/P
PBS
Arts and World History
Elementary, Middle and High School

” KEEPING SCORE :Mahler: Origins/ MAHLER: SYMPHONY NO. 1 IN CONCERT”

Michael Tilson Thomas journeys to rural Bohemia to rediscover the inspirations of Gustav Mahler’s music, and traces Mahler’s life through the premiere of his first symphony in 1888. Following this one-hour documentary is a telecast of Michael Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony performing Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 1, Titan. TV-G
Log on http://www.keepingscore.org/interactive/gustav-mahler

Friday, June 24, 2011,
9-10 p.m. ET, 6-7 p.m. PT
CNBC
Economics
Middle and High School

”60 Minutes on CNBC: The Collapse”

CNBC presents the latest on these classic “60 Minutes” stories with updates and never before seen footage of these award winning business news stories. Reports include: Making a fortune off the subprime mortgage business' collapse; homeowners who walk away from their house; the shortcomings of relying on a 401K for retirement.

Saturday, June 25, 2011,
9-11 p.m. E/P
National Geographic Channel
World History and Technology
Middle and High School

”Rebuilding Titanic”

Titanic: one of the greatest maritime legends in history. When she set sail in April 1912, she was the largest, heaviest, most expensive, and most luxurious manmade moving object on the planet. This documentary tells the story of how the Titanic was built -- and who built it. Shown are modern-day metalworkers and engineers who set out to re-create iconic sections of Titanic using century-old methods to rebuild parts of the ship by hand and under the extreme conditions in which they had been originally been made. The re-creations pay tribute to the dedicated laborers who toiled under unbearable work conditions, some of whom perished in their quest to create the biggest, most luxurious ship the world had ever seen. First, the team has just eight days to assemble 17 tons of steel into a re-creation of Titanic's bow. Then, they re-engineer the cutting-edge technology used to indulge Titanic's first class passengers with a luxurious travel experience. The team builds an original electric oven that will be used to re-create a first class dining experience for descendants of the ship's crew and passengers. Their goal is to create an evening as enchanting as one the wealthiest of passengers would have enjoyed on Titanic.
Log on http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/episode/rebuilding-titanic-6451/Overview

Friday, June 10, 2011

Media Menu for June 11, 2011

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, June 11, 2011
7-8- p.m. E/P
History Channel
Chemistry and Technology
Middle and High School

”Modern Marvels: Hot & Spicy”

This documentary takes viewers to the home of Tabasco sauce–McIlhenny Company of Louisiana, and to McCormick in Baltimore, Maryland–the leading spice manufacturer in the world.Then, head down south to see who likes it hot at the Southern Mississippi Chili Cook Off. At the Chile Pepper Institute, taste the rare “Bhut Jolokia,” the hottest Chile pepper in the world, and learn about the chemical substance capsaicin, which gives the “Bhut” and other popular peppers their tongue-burning heat.At Sol Toro restaurant in Connecticut, owned by basketball great Michael Jordan, customers need to sign a waiver to dine on their sizzling dishes.Go to the manufacturers of horseradish, wasabi and mustard to find out how their roots and seeds deliver their own distinctive blazing burn. Using the same heat many savor, we”ll demonstrate the powerful punch of pepper spray as a weapon.

Sunday, June 12, 2011,
10-11 p.m. E/P
CNBC
Economics
High School

”Crime Inc.: Stolen Goods”

By the end of this broadcast over 250 homes, offices, and stores will be burglarized in the U.S., and over half a million dollars in goods will be stolen from them. Criminal networks of thieves are breaking into everything and cashing in on a fortune. No one is safe, just ask NBA basketball players Eddy Curry and Antoine Walker who learned firsthand the brutality of thieves when they were bound, gagged, and robbed of hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of goods in 2007. As shown in this documentary, these modern day pirates steal from stores, semis, warehouses, even our very own homes. The over $70 billion industry of stolen goods is a complex web of stealing, buying, and selling—placing the items on the Internet, in flea markets, and even back on the shelves of legitimate stores. The program investigates what law enforcement, corporations and victims are doing to protect their assets.
Log on http://www.cnbc.com/id/42763354/

Monday, June 13 - Thursday, June 16, 2011 at 6:30-7 p.m. 3:30 -4 p.m. PT,
National Geographic Channel
Geography
Elementary, Middle and High School

”2011 Geo Bee - National Geographic Bee”

National Geographic Channel will air a four-part series covering the final round of this year’s Geographic Bee, from Monday, June 13 – Thursday, June 16, 2011, at 6:30 p.m. ET, 3:30 p.m. PT. Each episode will highlight the tensions and drama of the geography competition — now in its 23rd year and moderated by “Jeopardy!” host Alex Trebek — as 54 students (ages 10 – 14) vie for the national title and three scholarships worth a total of $50. In this initial episode, the ten finalists take the stage where Alex Trebek kicks off the competition through the first few rounds of the finals. Get to know the finalists and some of the competitors who were eliminated.
Log on http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/geo-bee/all/Overview

Tuesday, June 14, 2011,
4-6 p.m. E/P
History Channel
U.S. History and Geography
Middle and High School

”Who Really Discovered America?”

Did a number of explorers discover the New World long before Christopher Columbus staked his claim in 1492? No less than a dozen cultures have tales of these adventurers woven into their histories, but they are noticeably absent in American history books. This documentary explores the possibility that the Chinese, Japanese, Polynesians, Norse, Welsh, Irish, Ancient Hebrews and the Solutreans all made it to the Americas earlier than Columbus. Rebuild the ships, trace the routes, test the artifacts and analyze blood evidence to finally learn the answer to one of the greatest mysteries of all time--who really discovered America?

Tuesday, June 14, 2011,
9-10 p.m. E/P
PBS
U.S. History and Economics
High School

”FRONTLINE: The Warning”

In the devastating aftermath of the economic meltdown, this documentary sifts the ashes for clues about why it happened and examines critical moments when it might have gone much differently. Looking back into the 1990s, the program discovers early warnings of the crash, reveals an intense battle among high-ranking members of the Clinton administration, and uncovers a concerted effort not to regulate the emerging, highly complex, and lucrative derivatives markets, which would become the ticking time-bomb within the American economy.
Log on http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/warning/

Wednesday, June 15, 2011,
8-9 p.m. E/P
PBS
World History and Arts
High School

”SECRETS OF THE DEAD: Michelangelo Revealed”

Throughout his masterful career, Michelangelo glorified the church, etching Catholic ideals into the sculptures and artwork that defined religion for the masses. Now, 500 years after his death, art historian Antonio Forcellino has found evidence of Michelangelo's involvement with a clandestine fellowship trying to reform the Catholic Church from within. The group's radical ideas were considered heretical and punishable by death. Michelangelo's involvement put him at dangerous odds with powerful officials who held his livelihood -and life - in their hands. This documentary paints a new picture of brave religious expression, personal vendettas, careful cover-ups and a most gifted artist desperately trying to reconcile his loyalty to the church with his own personal belief about the road to salvation. TV-PG
Log on http://www.pbs.org/wnet/secrets/episodes/michelangelo-revealed/watch-the-full-episode/226

Thursday, June 16, 2011,
10-11 p.m. E/P
National Geographic Channel
Science and Geography
Middle and High School

”Earth Under Water”

Envision Miami, New Orleans and New York City completely under water … it's a very real possibility if sea levels continue to rise. In this documentary you’ll see these events unfold as leading experts forecast how mankind will be impacted if global warming continues. They'll break down the science behind these predictions and explore ways humanity could adapt, including engineering vast dams near San Francisco, or building floating cities outside of New York.
Log on http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/episode/earth-under-water-4697/Overview

Friday, June 17, 2011,
4-5 p.m. E/P
History Channel
U.S. History and Economics
Elementary, Middle and High School

”Secrets Of The Dollar Bill”

There is more to the design of the dollar bill than just a matter of counterfeit and forgery prevention. In this documentary experts discuss the history, meaning, and rich symbolism of all the markings of the millions in circulation. Go inside the Treasury's Department of Printing and Engraving. Hear experts analyze the symbols on the dollar. See how and why the dollar has changed over generations. The dollar bill is more than a piece of currency. It holds a historical record of the patriotic ideals that America's early leaders held dear. Also, the face of the bill holds more dubious symbols and examples of numerology.
Log on http://www.moneyfactory.gov/uscurrency/currencyhistory.html

Saturday, June 18, 2011,
8:30- 11 p.m. ET, 5:30 - 8 p.m. PT
Ovation Channel
Arts and World History
Middle and High School

”Billy Elliot”

This Oscar-nominated movie tells a coming-of-age story of a young boy who through his unexpected love of dance, embarks on a journey of self-discovery in England’s blue-collar world of picket lines, cultural stereotypes, and a family in crisis. After ditching his boxing gloves for ballet slippers, Billy's father and brother are infuriated to discover this secret. Distraught by his family's lack of understanding, Billy expresses his feelings through dance in the hopes that they soon will have a change of heart. In 2005, the film was adapted for the stage as Billy Elliot the Musical. Rated PG-13
Log on http://www.imdb.com/find?s=tt&q=billy+elliot

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Media Menu for June 4, 2011

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, June 4, 2011
9-10 p.m. E/P
National Geographic Channel
Science and U.S. History
Middle and High School

” Witness: Tornado Swarm 2011”

April 2011 was the most violent month of tornados on record, and the deadliest in modern times. The 'super outbreak' of April 26-27 alone involved more than a hundred separate twisters, killing over 300 people and cutting a swath of destruction across the south. Using dozens of amateur and professional sources, this documentary tells the story of this once-in-a-century event, as captured by those who lived through it.
Log on http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/witness/7051/Overview

Sunday, June 5, 2011,
7-8 p.m. E/P
Discovery Channel
World History and Science
Middle and High School

”Why Ancient Egypt Fell”

This documentary examines the possible causes behind Egypt's downfall. Select images from NASA, along with global climate models and mapping reveal how changes half a world away triggered a chain of events that destroyed ancient Egypt.
Log on http://discoveryenterprise.blogspot.com/2009/09/why-ancient-egypt-fell.html

Sunday, June 5, 2011,
8-10 p.m. ET, 5-7 p.m. PT
CNBC Channel
U.S. and World History and Economics
Middle and High School

” The China Question”

This is a repeat of a recently aired documentary which asks the question, “What does China’s rise mean for America?” Through the stories of ordinary people and analysis from the world’s leading experts, this documentary explores the challenge America faces as China becomes the world’s second superpower. To understand the economic, political and moral implications of China’s rise, filmmaker Brook Silva-Braga spent over a year traveling both China and America. On a thoughtful, personal journey we meet Chinese and Americans dealing with extraordinary change, and reflect on the twists of fate and history that brought us here.
Log on http://www.cnbc.com/id/15837856/site/14081545/

Monday, June 6, 2011,
7-8 p.m. E/P
Science Channel
Science
Middle and High School

” The Planets: Different Worlds ”

Where did the planets come from and how were they formed? This documentary examines clues to the birth and evolution of the planets lie scattered throughout the solar system. Distance, time, and technology handicap the search for answers, but scientists are making progress. TV-G

Tuesday, June 7, 2011,
8-10:15p.m. ET, 5-7:15 p.m. PT
TCM – Turner Classic Movie Channel
English Literature and Arts
Elementary, Middle and High School

”Great Expectations”

This is director David Lean’s Oscar winning version of Charles Dickens' classic tale of Pip, a poor orphan who befriends an escaped convict and who grows up in the company of a bitter old woman, Miss Havisham, and her haughty young ward, Estella. Pip learns the rewards of both vindictiveness and gratitude as a result of these events. TV-G
Log on http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/76862/Great-Expectations/user-reviews.html

Wednesday, June 8, 2011,
7-8- p.m. E/P
History Channel
Science and Technology
Middle and High School

” Modern Marvels: Built to Last”

This documentary is timely because of recent weather news. It is about ingenious and ultra-sturdy shelters, machines, containers, and materials help to ensure the continuation of society.

Thursday, June 9, 2011,
9-10 p.m. E/P
National Geographic Channel
Science and Technology
Middle and High School

”Known Universe: Construction Zone”

Engineering in space represents the future of human civilization, but also poses some of our greatest technical difficulties. This documentary travels to NASA's tool lab and see the equipment we need to build in this challenging environment, from high tech wrenches and hammers to the ultimate robotic handyman, Robonaut. Find out how the lack of gravity in space can affect how we use normal tools to build. We'll also investigate building a skyscraper on the moon and discover if humans would really be safe. Finally we'll explore the giant spinning space stations that are miles long and house entire cities. Join us as we build our future in space. TV-PG
Log on http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/known-universe/5354/Overview

Friday, June 10, 2011,
8-9- p.m. E/P
Animal Planet Channel
Science and Geography
Middle and High School

”Whale Wars: Battle Cry”

This the initial episode of a documentary miniseries which covers the Sea Shepherds, a pro-environmental organization, (details below) on their 2010/2011 anti-whaling campaign with a new, fast interceptor vessel. Early on, they find two harpoon ships before the whaling fleet has killed a single whale. Could they be set up for their most successful campaign ever? TV-14
Log on http://animal.discovery.com/tv/whale-wars/episode/
http://animal.discovery.com/tv/whale-wars/sea-shepherd/

Saturday, June 11, 2011,
7-8- p.m. E/P
History Channel
Chemistry and Technology
Middle and High School

” Modern Marvels: Hot & Spicy”

This documentary takes viewers to the home of Tabasco sauce–McIlhenny Company of Louisiana, and to McCormick in Baltimore, Maryland–the leading spice manufacturer in the world.Then, head down south to see who likes it hot at the Southern Mississippi Chili Cook Off. At the Chile Pepper Institute, taste the rare “Bhut Jolokia,” the hottest Chile pepper in the world, and learn about the chemical substance capsaicin, which gives the “Bhut” and other popular peppers their tongue-burning heat.At Sol Toro restaurant in Connecticut, owned by basketball great Michael Jordan, customers need to sign a waiver to dine on their sizzling dishes.Go to the manufacturers of horseradish, wasabi and mustard to find out how their roots and seeds deliver their own distinctive blazing burn. Using the same heat many savor, we”ll demonstrate the powerful punch of pepper spray as a weapon.