Some broadcast and cable programs contain material included in the public school curriculum and on standardized examinations. Here are home viewing suggestions for December 6-12, 2004.

The topic for this week's Media Hour is technology and engineering. We're still planning a double-issue Media Hour for later in December, so get ready! In the meantime, we'll watch the two shows of the week: Modern Marvels: Robots and Modern Marvels: Radio and check out the related links. Remember, even if you can't see the show, take the time to visit the website and really explore it.

Folks who have seen the shows and really read the related websites will be able to help us really focus on the discussion, exploring what everyone thinks and reminding us to think about what was in the shows and on the websites. Come to the Media Hour prepared and you will be invited down on stage at the beginning of the hour, and you'll earn clams, too!

What's the Media Hour? Watch the show(s)-of-the-week, jot down some ideas, then come and talk about them with me and other citizens (including other City Workers, if they're available). We get together at the Greek Theater (next to City Hall), every Saturday morning at 9 a.m., Whyville Time. (Whyville Time is now the same as Pacific Standard Time.) You'll find that the Theater makes discussions pretty easy, since City Workers are able to direct people's movement and behavior, when we need to, and it makes everyone's chat bubbles overlap a little less than other rooms.

Monday, December 6

"Automatic Kalashnikov" (Modern History/Technology, High School, Sundance Channel, 7:30-9 p.m. E/P) This is a documentary about the invention of the AK-47 rifle, which changed the course of the second half of the 20th Century. Mikhail T. Kalashnikov, the AK-47's 80-year-old designer now living in obscurity in the Ural Mountains, explains how his creation became the weapon of choice of warriors in conflicts around the globe, from Taliban resistance guerrillas in Afghanistan to street criminals in Los Angeles. Rated TV-14.

Tuesday, December 7

"Full Court Miracle" (Social Science, Middle and High School, Disney Channel, 8-10 p.m. E/P) Broadcast on the first evening of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, this movie interweaves a modern high school story with the legend of Jewish military hero Juddah Maccabee and the Miracle of Light (Hanukkah). The setting is Philadelphia, where an African-American college basketball star becomes the head coach of a struggling basketball team at a Jewish high school after a knee injury forces him to leave the game. Based on the true story of Lamont Carr. Actual details at http://www.cavalierdaily.com/CVArticle.asp?ID=17915&pid=1086.

Wednesday, December 8

"60 Minutes Wednesday" (Social Studies, High School, CBS, 8-9 p.m. E/P) The first story in this newsmagazine is about U.S. GIs who have fled to Canada during the Iraq war. The second is about the growth of Christian rock music, and the third is about actor Kevin Spacey's new movie musical about Bobby Darin, "Beyond the Sea".

Thursday, December 9

"Modern Marvels: Robots" (Science and Technology, Middle and High School, History Channel, 6-8 p.m. E/P) This documentary about robotics begins with thousand-year-old "automatons" and covers developments up to the latest creations out of M.I.T.'s artificial intelligence lab. Info about robots can be found at http://www.thetech.org/exhibits/online/robotics/universal/.

"Family Television Awards" (WB Network, Social Science, Elementary, Middle and High School, 9-10 p.m. E/P) This is live-on-tape coverage of the annual awards event honoring seven categories of family-friendly TV shows You'll find out about some excellent shows you might not have noticed before. Celebrity presenters will hand out trophies for achievement in drama, comedy, reality, movie, specials, actor and actress. The goal of the awards is to promote the development and scheduling of movies, series, documentaries and information programs that are aired during the hours when children and adults in a household are most likely to watch TV together: 8 p.m. to 10 p.m..

Friday, December 10

"Modern Marvels: Radio" (Technology and History, Middle and High School, History Channel 7-8 p.m. E/P) This is a documentary about an 'old' medium that now seems to be in everyone's life -- or ear -- wherever they go. Merely a century ago, the radio absolutely revolutionized communications as it linked the world without wires. More info at http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blradio.htm.

"In This World" (Geography/Social Studies, High School, Sundance Channel, 6:30-8 p.m. E/P) Today, December 10, has been declared by the United Nations has been declared International Human Rights Day. This documentary follows the hazardous journey of two Afghan boys as they travel from Pakistan through Iran, Turkey, Italy, France and the UK in search of refuge in London. Based on true stories, the film is intended to bring attention to the public debate over the issue of refugees and the desperate measures people take to escape persecution and the life-threatening conditions they find themselves in along the way. Further information about the refugee issue at http://www.humanrightswatch.org.

Saturday, December 11

"CNN Presents: Nuclear Terror" (Science and Current Events, High School, CNN, 8-9 p.m. E/P) This documentary investigates the chances of a terrorist group building a nuclear device and smuggles it into a major American city. Could it happen? Unfortunately, experts say yes. Three years after September 11, has the threat of nuclear terrorism grown worse? A study guide for high school students is available at http://cnnstudentnews.cnn.com/fyi/index.html.

Sunday, December 12

"Spy on the Wild" (Natural Science/Technology, Middle and High School, Animal Planet Channel, 8-10 p.m. E/P) This is documentary about the technology used to "eavesdrop" on animals in the wild and reveal their world in a completely new light.