Educational Programming Highlights
~ DECEMBER 2012 ~
Idaho Public Television offers these programming highlights and information to assist you in providing
a rich learning environment for your students. If you are not receiving this newsletter via email, send
us an email at learn@idahoptv.org and we will send it to you each month of the school year.
Be sure to explore Scout LearningMedia if you haven’t already. Thousands of web-based, classroomready videos and interactives are free and easy to use. Go to http://scout.lili.org to gain access.
The programs listed below air on Idaho Public Television on our “Idaho” channel (subchannel 1), and
can be recorded for use in the classroom. Additional educational programming can also be found on
our “Learn/Create” channel (subchannel 3) if you receive our over-the-air digital signal or receive this
channel on your cable or satellite system. Most programs listed below are accompanied by teacher
guides on the accompanying websites. A calendar with additional programs, professional
development courses, telecourses and more can be found at
http://www.idahoptv.org/learn/toolbox.cfm. **Time zones are MT/PT where two times are shown.
FOR ELEMENTARY CLASSROOMS
Math & Science:
D4K: NERVOUS SYSTEM. Airs Tuesday, Dec. 18 at 2:00/1:00 pm. Join Joan Cartan-Hansen and
her guest as they answer questions about the nervous system. Cartan-Hansen is joined by Dr. Mary
River, a neurologist at St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise. This episode is filmed at the
Bodies Revealed Exhibit at the Discovery Center of Idaho. http://www.idahoptv.org/dialogue4kids/
(30 min)
All D4K programs are now taped, but Joan and her guest scientists will still take questions from
students via email, smart phones and webcams. The remaining D4K topics for the 2012-13 school
year and the deadline to submit questions for each show are:
February 19: Nutrition (deadline 12/1)
March 19: Bears (deadline 1/1)
April 16: Light and Color (deadline 2/1)
May 21: Bees (deadline 3/1)
THE ELECTRIC COMPANY. Airs weekdays at 3:00/2:00 pm. Prankster Planet
http://pbskids.org/electriccompany/pranksterplanet is a new online gaming experience that allows kids
age 6 to 9 to use their knowledge of math concepts and vocabulary that they learn in the Electric
Company episodes, such as probability, coin value and measurement. Teachers can track their
students’ learning through personal progress charts as children complete online missions.
http://www.pbs.org/parents/electriccompany/ (30 min)
ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS CHEERY IN THE LAB OF SHAKHASHIRI. Airs Thursday, Dec. 27 at
1:00/12:00 am. The sights and sounds of science come alive in this 43rd Annual Christmas Lecture
by renowned science communicator, Bassam Z. Shakhashiri, Chemistry Professor at the University of
Wisconsin-Madison. Prof. Shakhashiri and special guests, including Bucky Badger and Santa Claus,
display fascinating phenomena, color-changing liquids, fog and smoke, both loud and melodious
sounds. http://scifun.chem.wisc.edu (30 min)
NASA “WHY” FILES/NASA SCIENCE FILES. Airs Tuesdays at 3:00/2:00 am. This program
emphasizes the integration of mathematics, science, and technology for young viewers. December
episodes: The Case of the Energy Crunch (12/4), The Case of the Deafening Sound (12/11), The
Case of the Unknown Stink (12/18), The Case of the Barking Dogs (12/25).
http://scifiles.larc.nasa.gov/treehouse.html (60 min)
Music, Art & Literature:
WISHBONE. Airs Sundays at 10:00/9:00 am. In each episode, a live-action Jack Russell terrier
imagines himself as the hero in a classic novel. There are 26 Adventures and 24 Mysteries in the
program library, as well as five books for younger readers. December books: The Prince and the
Pauper (12/2), Tom Sawyer (12/9 & 12/16), David & Goliath (12/23), The Tempest (12/30). For a
complete list, check out http://www.wwwishbone.com. (30 min)
WORDGIRL. Airs weekdays at 3:30/2:30 pm. WordGirl aims to enrich children’s vocabularies and
close the gap between those who don’t grow up in language rich environments and those who do.
The program is for everyone, but mainly ages 4 to 9. Teacher lesson plans and activities can be
found at http://www.pbs.org/parents/wordgirl/ (30 min)
FOR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL CLASSROOMS
Math & Science:
SCIENCE INVESTIGATORS. Airs Thursday, Dec. 13 at 1:00/12:00 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)
NOVA. Airs Wednesdays at 8:00 pm. NOVA is the highest rated science series on television, and the
most watched documentary series on public television. December topics: the universe (12/5),
Stonehenge (12/12), Egyptian Sphinx (12/19), cathedrals (12/26). Repeats Saturdays at 4:00/3:00 pm
and Mondays at 1:00/12:00 am. Additional airings: Pharaoh's Ship (12/19 at 9:00 pm, no repeat) and
Solomon’s mines (12/26 at 9:00 pm, no repeat). http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova (60 min)
SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN FRONTIERS. Airs Tuesdays at 2:00/1:00 am. Host Alan Alda takes us from
the depths of the conscious mind to the outer reaches of the universe. Each program is accompanied
by an online teaching guide filled with science activities. December topics: Paul MacCready (12/4),
obesity (12/11), technology and pets (12/18), genetics (12/25). http://www.pbs.org/saf/index.html (60
min)
NATURE. Airs Wednesdays at 7:00 pm. NATURE brings the beauty and wonder of the natural world
into homes, and is the benchmark for natural history programs on American television. December
topics: skunks (12/5), leopards (12/12), Yellowstone (12/19), the Balkans (12/26).
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature Repeats Sundays and Tuesdays at 1:00/12:00 am (60 min)
Social Studies, History and Economics:
HALF THE SKY: TURNING OPPRESSION INTO OPPORTUNITY FOR WOMEN WORLDWIDE. Airs
Sundays Dec. 2 & 9 at 4:00/3:00 am. This Independent Lens special tells the story of inspiring and
courageous individuals across the globe confronting oppression and creating solutions through health
care, education, and economic empowerment for women and girls.
http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/half-the-sky/ (2 x 2 hrs)
NEWSHOUR EXTRA. “Fall Off A Fiscal Cliff or Navigate A Fiscal Slope?” This timely lesson plan is
for grades 9 – 12, and can be found at http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra, along with a lot of other
resources for teachers and students.
WHISPERS OF ANGELS: A STORY OF THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD. Airs Wednesday, Dec.
5 at 2:00/1:00 am. This documentary tells the story of the Eastern Line of the system to rescue slaves
from the South. Actors portray a Quaker abolitionist and a free black activist in dramatic reenactments
filmed on location. Teaching tools are available at http://www.whispersofangels.com (60 min)
BIZ KID$. Airs Mondays at 3:00/2:00 am. This program shows kids how to make and manage money.
The website http://www.bizkids.com has many resources for kids, parents and teachers. (2 x 30 min)
FREE RESOURCES FOR TEACHING FINANCIAL LITERACY. A special collection of educational
digital media resources for use in school and home learning environments to help students
understand complex economic concepts is now available. Access, Analyze, Act: From Economic
Theory to Financial Reality is available for free at http://www.pbs.org/teachers/access-analyze-acteconomy
PBS NEWSHOUR. Airs weeknights at 6:00 pm. The online NewsHour Extra provides unique current
events resources for busy teachers, news stories, pictures, maps, video, in-depth lesson plans,
stories written by students and more. http://www.pbs.org/newshour
Music, Art & Literature:
MARK TWAIN. Airs Sundays Dec. 16 & 23 at 4:00/3:00 am. The film explores the life of Samuel
Clemens as he evolves into Mark Twain, the humorist and writer who would revolutionize the way
Americans viewed themselves and their language. Teacher resources at
http://www.pbs.org/marktwain (2 x 2 hrs)
INDEPENDENT LENS: BETWEEN THE FOLDS. Airs Sunday, Dec. 2 at 2:00/1:00am. Blurring lines
between art, science, sculpture and math, the film presents an adventure into paper folding, going far
beyond the familiar origami of paper planes and cranes.
http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/between-the-folds (60 min)
MASTERPIECE TEACHER GUIDES. A completely updated guide “Film in the Classroom”, created
for Masterpiece's 40th anniversary, offers fresh ideas and innovative activities for teaching film in
today's digital environment. Browse the entire selection of online teacher guides at
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/teachers/index.html
FOR PARENTS AND EDUCATORS
ID21 AWARD SHOW. Airs Monday, Dec. 3 at 3:30/2:30 am. In October 2012, six transformative nonprofits from around the state were honored for their work at the ID21 Awards Show. This program
presents highlights of the show, which was the culmination of a statewide search for Idaho's most
innovative and creative efforts in 21st Century learning. http://www.id21awards.org/ (30 min)
FRONTLINE: FAST TIMES AT WEST PHILLY HIGH. Airs Tuesday, Dec. 4 at 10:00 pm. Watch innercity high school students as they defy expectations when they design and build two super-hybrid cars
from scratch and compete against some of the most talented and well-funded engineers and
universities around the world. Learn about the project-based learning pilot program in Philadelphia
based on the idea that kids learn best when they’re interested in what’s being taught. Repeats 12/9 at
2:00/1:00 am. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/fast-times-at-west-philly-high/ (60 min)
TEACHING CHANNEL. Airs Thursdays at 3:00/2:00 am. Teaching Channel takes you inside
America's K-12 classrooms with programs that showcase inspiring and effective teaching practices.
For detailed topic information and to subscribe to the newsletter, visit http://www.teachingchannel.org/
(30 min)
GUIDE FOR EDUCATORS. Media literacy experts have created a guide that simplifies the legalities
of using copyrighted materials in an academic setting. The Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for
Media Literacy Education can be found online at
http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/fair_use_and_teaching
WORKSHOPS BEGINNING THIS MONTH
CRITICAL ISSUES IN SCHOOL REFORM. Airs Fridays, Dec. 7 to 28 at 1:00/12:00 am. This 8-part
workshop takes you to eight places around the country where teachers, parents, administrators, civic
leaders, and others are collaborating on new practices in public engagement and professional
development. http://www.learner.org/resources/series109.html (2 x 30 min)
Thanks for reading!
IDPTV Learning Services