Karen Neal/Disney Channel
Wizards of Waverly Place
Disney Channel 290 (and Disney Channel West 291)
Airs May 3 at 3 am ET
Siblings Alex, Justin and Max are wizards in training, and just like Harry Potter, they’re coming to recognize that their powers come with great responsibility. Case in point: Is it okay to use magic to gain an advantage in a school quiz competition? As this episode makes clear, probably not. Note: This episode, titled “Smarty Pants,” airs in a two-hour time slot alongside other shows. Be sure to record the entire two hours in order to capture the program.
Grades 5-8; 30 minutes; one-year taping rights
For more information and a free study guide, visit Disney Channel
Twin Cities Public Television/PBS
SciGirls
PBS
Airs Thursdays (check local listings)
With all the emphasis being placed on STEM education these days, the arrival of a program like SciGirls is a most welcome development. The goal is “to change how millions of girls think about science, technology, engineering and math.” And how is this done? By example. In each episode, we meet a group of middle school students who discover that science-based inquiry is not only fascinating but also fun.
Grades 3-8; 30 minutes; one-year taping rights
For more information and resources, visit PBS Teachers
Courtesy IVTS
Global Voices: China Blue
PBS
Airs May 19 (check local listings)
Globalization is a big word with even larger implications for the future, and one surefire way to get your students thinking about it is by demonstrating the human side of the economic equation. This documentary follows 17-year-old Jasmine from her village in rural China to a factory job in the big city, where she’ll work long hours for low pay producing blue jeans for Western consumption. It’s an eye-opening journey, and sure to stir classroom discussion.
Grade application at educator’s discretion; one hour; one-year taping rights
For more information and classroom resources, visit PBS
Jupiter Images
Little Ice Age: Big Chill
History 269
Airs in two parts, May 17 and 25 at 6 am ET
When we think of the Ice Age, we think of great wooly mammoths huddling for warmth on a vast alpine glacier…or maybe just a cute animated movie starring Ray Romano. Either way, we’re far less likely to recall what scientists call the Little Ice Age, which impacted a large portion of the Western world from 1300 to 1850. This documentary looks at history with an eye toward the future, and the possibility that it could happen again.
Middle and high school; one hour per part; one-year taping rights
For more information and a free study guide, visit History Classroom
Common Sense Rules for Digital Kids
Last month, our friends at Common Sense Media shared some tips on parenting in a 24-7 media environment. In this new video, it’s the kids who take the stage with some good advice for their peers.
Free NASA Education Resources Available Online
By now you’re probably aware that NASA TV 376 is included in your DIRECTV SCHOOL CHOICE® channel package, bringing a wealth of timely, science-related programming to you and your students each month. It’s a great resource, and we’d like to invite you to expand the educational possibilities even further with a visit to NASA Education. This expansive Web site features classroom materials and lesson plans for students K-12 and beyond, putting a space-age spin on everything from math and science to history and health. There are videos, podcasts, downloadable documents and even information on NASA educational opportunities outside your school. Start exploring today at NASA Education.
Bring USA Network’s National Town Hall Meeting on Unity to Your Classroom
“E Pluribus Unum.” Latin for “Out of many, one,” it’s been an essential credo of American society from the very beginning—the idea that people of every creed and color can be united by a set of founding principles. It was an experiment that succeeded wonderfully, but even now, as America becomes increasingly diversified, there are signs of strain. With that in mind, USA Network’s Characters Unite National Town Hall, hosted by Tom Brokaw, brings together a panel of diverse leaders to explore how we might heal the divisions and emerge even more united. The broadcast is available for viewing anytime at USA Network online, along with a free, downloadable activity guide.