TV tips

NEA Today, Apr 1999

Fresco: A Story of Art, Community, and Excellence

PBS, April 1, check local listings. This one-hour program documents the creation of an enormous ceiling fresco depicting the seven virtues: faith, hope, charity, justice, prudence, temperance, and fortitude. An activity and resource guide as well as an education outreach newsletter are available. Send E-mail to dbartemis@aol.com

Outward Bound

Discover Channel, Saturdays, premiering April 3, 10-10:30 a.m. ET This new Discovery Kids series follows eight teens on a wilderness challenge. The teens must develop strong teamwork skills to overcome deserts, mountains, and rivers. For more information, call up www.discovery.com.

Sci Squad

Discovery Channel. Saturdays, premiering April 3, 9:30-10a.m. ET. Another new Discovery Kids series, this program follows a group of kid detectives who solve science problems. The cases include the physics of hockey, gravity on roller coasters, and hurricane prediction. For details, go to www.discovery.com.

The Merrow Report: Growing Up in the City

PBS, Fridays, April 9-23, 10-11 p.m. ET, check local listings. This documentary series profiles a group of middle schoolers in Manhattan's Upper West Side, observing and recording the specific challenges and obstacles that confront today's urban youth. Transcripts, resource guides, and videos are available at www.pbs.org/merrow.

A&E Classroom:

Ernest Hemingway

A&E, Monday-Tuesday, April 12-13, 78 a.m. ET Mariel Hemingway narrates this documentary about the influential writings, explosive personality, and controversial life of her grandfather. For an online study guide, check the Web at www.AandE.com or see the spring issue of A&E's Idea Book for Educators, which is also available on the Web site. For home video availability, call 800/423-1212.

The Century: America's Time

The History Channel, Monday-Frida,v, 9-lOp.m. ET, premiering April 12. The History Channel has picked up Peter Jennings's documentary on the major personalities, movements, and wars of the 20th century.

Expanded to 15 parts. Support materials include a video collection, an educational outreach program, and companion book. Study guides are available at www.HistoryChannel.com.

Scientific American Frontiers: Spiders!

PBS, Wednesday, April 14, 8-9 p.in. ET, check local listings. Alan Alda hosts this exploration of arachnids from the rain forest to cyberspace, including a look at arachnophobia, the common fear of spiders. For free classroom guides, call 800/315-5010 or visit the Web at www.pbs.org/saf.

Great Composers

PBS, Wednesday's, April 14, 21, 28, 9ll p.m. ET, check local listings. Narrated by Kenneth Branagh, this series profiles Mozart, Beethoven, Mahler, Wagner Tchaikovsky, and Puccini, exploring each composer's personality, career, and legacy. Resources and home video information can be found at

www.pbs.org/composers.

Bravo in the Classroom

Bravo, Tuesday-Thursday, 6-7 a.m. ET Designed to enhance arts and humanities studies, these programs feature the performing and visual arts and include profiles of writers, musicians, and artists. Visit the Web at www.bravotv. com for program schedules and discussion questions or call Bravo at

Crashbox

HBO Family, Monday-Friday 44:30 p.m. ET. Each episode of this interactive game show features games that challenge gradeschool kids on history, math, spelling, grammar, and culture. Visit www. hbo4kids.com for an online kids' club with information for parents and teachers.

Great Minds Think for Themselves

ABC, Saturdays 8:30-10 a.m. ET. Interspersed among ABC's regular Saturday programming, these 90-second spots feature Disney's animated Genie introducing young children to independent thinkers who shaped American history. The spots profile Sojourner Truth. Sequoyah, Susan B. Anthony, and John Muir. For details, see "One Saturday Morning" at www.abc.com.

Joan of Arc

CBS, Sunday, May 16 and Tuesday, May 18, check local listings. This prime-time miniseries is based on the life of the illiterate peasant girl who, guided by visions, led the French army against the English.

KIDSNET is providing a print study guide as well as supplementary online study materials. Students with questions for Joan of Arc will have the opportunity to "chat" with the historical figure herself on the Web at www. cbsjoanofarc.com

KIDSNET a national resource for children's media in Washington, D.C., provides these listings. For additional listings and information on children's shows, check out the KIDSNET Web site at www.kidsnet.org.