MAY 2008

Here are some highlights from Idaho Public Television's programming this month. Be sure to check out the Classroom Calendar at http://www.idahoptv.org/learn/toolbox.cfm for additional programs suitable for use in the classroom, professional development courses, telecourses and more. (Time zones are MT/PT where two times are shown)

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FOR ELEMENTARY -
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Math & Science:

D4K DIALOGUE FOR KIDS: ROCKS AND MINERALS. Airs Tuesday, May 20 at 2:00/1:00 pm. Geologists know that Idaho is a treasure-trove for rock and mineral lovers. How did many different kinds of rocks and mineral form here? This month on D4K, host Joan Cartan-Hansen and her guest scientists, Scott Hughes, head of the Department of Geosciences at Idaho State University and Virginia Gillerman, a Geologist with Idaho Geological Survey, will answer your questions about rocks and minerals. The D4K Web site offers facts, links, reading lists, a glossary, pod casts of programs and special D4K web exclusive programming. http://www.idahoptv.org/dialogue4kids/ (60 min)

NASA SCIENCE FILES. Airs Thursdays at 1:00/12:00 am. This program emphasizes the integration of mathematics, science, and technology for young viewers. May episodes include: The Case of the Ocean Odyssey (5/8), The Case of Zany Animal Antics (5/15), The Case of the Technical Knockout (5/22). http://scifiles.larc.nasa.gov/treehouse.html (60 min)

History:

AMERICAN EXPERIENCE. PRESIDENTS: THE SECRET HISTORY. The WayBack websites feature a format designed especially for kids, and accompany many of the American Experience programs airing each month, including this month's programs on presidents (see below). http://pbskids.org/wayback/index.html. Other topics in the WayBack series for kids include Gold Rush!, Technology 1900, and Stand Up For Your Rights. http://pbskids.org/wayback/

Music, Art & Literature:

BETWEEN THE LIONS. Airs weekdays at 2:00/1:00 pm. The series combines innovative puppetry, animation, live action, and music to help young children learn to read. Check the website for the Literacy Tip of the Day, curriculum materials and many other resources. http://pbskids.org/lions/ Also airs Mondays at 1:00/12:00 am (30 min)

READING RAINBOW. Airs weekdays at 2:30/1:30 pm. May episodes include: Berloiz The Bear (5/1, music), Amazing Grace (5/4), The Furry News: How to Make A Newspaper (5/6), Mrs. Katz and Tush (5/7), Silent Lotus (5/9, deafness), Follow The Drinking Gourd (5/12, slavery), And Still The Turtle Watched (5/15, our natural world), June 29, 1999 (5/16, fact v. fiction), The Biggest Test in the Universe (5/26, test taking) http://pbskids.org/readingrainbow (30 min)

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FOR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL -
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Math & Science:

WIRED SCIENCE. Airs Sundays at 5:00/4:00 am. PBS' newest weekly series is a one-hour science program that translates Wired magazine's award-winning journalism into a fast-paced television show. The comprehensive web site has web-exclusive extras, blogging, teacher resources and much more. http://www.pbs.org/kcet/wiredscience/ (60 min)

SCIENCE INVESTIGATORS. Airs Thursday, May 15 at 2:00/1:00 am. Four youthful hosts, armed with the latest gadgets and technology, tackle scientific mysteries. Throwing energy and technological know-how at the topics, they seek answers for: Can you build an elevator into space? Does anyone own the Internet? Do robots have feelings? Why does a rice plant have more genes than humans? http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/si/ (60 min)

SAVAGE PLANET. Airs Tuesdays, May 6 to 27 at 8:00/7:00 pm. Eyewitness accounts, scientific investigations, and footage from around the world put viewers in the eye of the storm and on the trail of avalanches, meteors, lightning, and much more. Using the lesson plans, students will gain an understanding of a variety of natural events that occur on the planet Earth. http://www.pbs.org/wnet/savageplanet/ (4 x 60 min)

Social Studies, History and Economics:

DESTINATION AMERICA. Airs Saturdays, May 10 to May 31 at 5:00/4:00 am. This program looks at the sweep of immigration across more than 350 years of American history, including Mexican immigration, the unprecedented array of scientists, artists and intellectuals who fled fascism in the 1930s, those who came to escape religious persecution, and the women who left behind a life where they were second-class citizens. Visit the website for more information, a teacher's guide, and other resources. http://www.pbs.org/destinationamerica. (4 x 60 min)

JEWISH AMERICANS. Airs Saturdays, May 10 to 24 at 3:00/2:00 am. This program is about the struggle of a tiny minority who make their way into the American mainstream while, at the same time, maintaining a sense of their own identity as Jews. The lesson plans explore immigration, identity, contribution, assimilation, discrimination, change, and confrontation. http://www.pbs.org/jewishamericans/index.html (3 x 2 hrs)

JAPAN: MEMOIRS OF A SECRET EMPIRE. Airs Sunday, May 11 at 2:00/1:00 am. For nearly 250 years, Japan was a land closed to the Western world, ruled by the shogun under his absolute power and control. This program brings to life the unknown story of a mysterious empire, its relationship with the West, and the forging of a nation that would emerge as one of the most important countries in the world. Study guides are available at http://www.pbs.org/empires/japan/ (3 hrs)

WOMEN OF TIBET: A QUIET REVOLUTION. Airs Saturday, May 3 at 2:00/1:00 am. In 1959, an estimated 15,000 unarmed Tibetan women took to the streets of Lhasa to oppose the violent Chinese occupation of their country. Surviving exiled elders and their daughters tell of decades in prison and perilous escape across the Himalayas. http://www.womenoftibet.org (60 min)

GROWING THE GREEN ECONOMY. Airs Sunday, May 4 at 2:00/1:00 am. Innovators and business leaders are showing how companies, investors, pension fund managers and entrepreneurs worldwide are quietly growing a new economy in our midst. Find more at http://www.pbs.org/pov/pov2006/maquilapolis/special_growing.html (60 min)

BIZ KID$. Airs Tuesdays, May 6 to June 3 at 3:00/2:00 am. This new program shows kids how to make and manage money. Don't miss the easy-to-download Biz Kid$ learning materials, developed by Junior Achievement, to help young people get the most out of the show. http://www.bizkids.com/ (2 x 30 min)

AMERICAN EXPERIENCE. Presidents featured this month include: GEORGE H.W. BUSH (May 5 & 6 at 9:00 pm), FDR (May 12 & 19) and TRUMAN (May 25 & 26). Explore timely questions and watch full programs at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/presidents/ Repeats Wednesdays 5/7 to 5/28 and Thursday 5/29 at 1:00/12:00 am.

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FOR PARENTS AND EDUCATORS -
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DISSED-RESPECT: THE IMPACT OF BULLYING. Airs Thursday, May 8 at 2:00/1:00 am. This program encourages dialogue about the need to reduce the high-risk behavior of bullying. It reveals the relationship between bullying and dysfunctional aspects of diversity. (30 min)

SURVIVING ABUNDANCE: OVERWEIGHT KIDS IN CRISIS. Airs Thursday, May 8 at 2:30/1:30 am. This half hour documentary examines the epidemic of childhood obesity and paints a grim picture for the future of overweight children unless we begin to make systemic changes that support more healthy choices. (30 min)

FRONTLINE: GROWING UP ONLINE. Airs Tuesday, May 20 at 9:00 pm. This episode explores the complicated new lines being drawn between the real and virtual worlds for today's children and teens, and for their parents, who often find themselves on the other side of a new digital divide. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/kidsonline/ Repeats 5/25 at 2:00/1:00 am. (60 min)

HEARTS & MINDS: TEENS AND MENTAL ILLNESS. Airs Wednesday, May 21 at 3:30/2:30 am. Four Idaho teens relate their struggles with mental illness in this Peabody Award-winning documentary produced by Idaho Public Television for the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. (30 min)

LIFE IN THE FAST LANE. Airs Wednesday, May 28 at 3:30/2:30 am. Idaho Public Television and the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare team up to produce a video about the perils of teen parenthood and the truth of welfare qualifications. (30 min)

READING ROCKETS: LAUNCHING YOUNG READERS. Airs Friday, May 30 at 3:00/2:00 am. Reading Rockets provides practical advice, important research findings, best book suggestions and more to parents, teachers, tutors, and child care providers who are trying to help children learn how to read. http://www.readingrockets.org/shows/ (2 x 30 min)

EDUCATION NEWS PARENTS CAN USE. HIGH PERFORMING TEACHERS: LEADING STUDENTS TO SUCCES IN THE 21st CENTURY. Airs Thursday, May 22 at 2:00/1:00 am. This looks at how we can prepare all teachers to lead our students towards success in today's world by showcasing award-winning teachers. It explores how effective teaching is at the core of America's competitiveness, and highlights progressive strategies to recruit, train, and reward effective teachers. http://www.ed.gov/news/av/video/edtv/index.html (60 min)

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VIDEO WORKSHOPS BEGINNING THIS MONTH:
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MISSING LINK: ESSENTIAL CONCEPTS FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL. Begins Friday, May 23 at 1:00/12:00 am. This video workshop familiarizes you with four concepts that have been identified by TIMSS (the Third International Mathematics and Science Study) as crucial to your students' future success. http://www.learner.org/resources/series119.html (8 x 60 min)

LEARNING MATH: PATTERNS, FUNCTIONS & ALGEBRA. Begins Friday, May 16 at 2:00/1:00 am. Explores the "big ideas" in algebraic thinking, such as finding, describing, and using patterns; using functions to make predictions; understanding linearity and proportional reasoning; understanding non-linear functions; and understanding and exploring algebraic structure. http://www.learner.org/resources/series140.html (6 x 60 min)

Thanks for reading!
IDPTV Learning Services