Monday, September 26
9-11 p.m. E/P

PBS

Subjects: Arts and American History

Middle and High School

American Masters: "No Direction Home: Bob Dylan-Part 1"

This two-part documentary directed by Martin Scorsese focuses on the singer-songwriter's life and music from 1961-66 and features previously unreleased footage from Dylan's groundbreaking live concerts, studio recording sessions, outtakes and interviews with Allen Ginsberg, Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, Maria Muldaur, Dave Van Ronk and many others. For the first time on camera, Dylan talks openly and extensively about this critical period in his career, detailing the journey from his birthplace in Hibbing, Minnesota, to Greenwich Village, New York, where he became the center of a musical and cultural upheaval whose effects are still felt today. Part 2 airs Tuesday, September 27, 9:00-11:00 p.m. The entire miniseries will be re-broadcast on PBS October 1 at 8 p.m.???midnight.

Series website: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters

Tuesday, September 27
3-4 p.m. E/P

Animal Planet Channel

Subjects: Natural Science

Elementary, Middle and High School

"Backyard Habitat: Dragonflies and Snakes"

In this episode of "Backyard Habitat" reporters visit the Spica family in Knoxville, TN to install a wetland garden for dragonflies and build a brush pile for snakes.

Log on for broadcast times of episodes about other creatures in other backyards: http://animal.discovery.com/schedule/series.jsp?series=112196&gid=14031

Tuesday, September 27
7-8 p.m. E/P

History Channel

Subjects: Science

Middle and High School

"Modern Marvels: Nuclear Tech"

This documentary about nuclear research ranges from well-known applications, such as bombs and reactors, to little-known uses in medicine, food preparation, and radiation detection. It also covers technologies to store nuclear waste and clean up accidents. Despite the risk of use and abuse for destructive purposes, many scientists remain optimistic about what's next for the atom - the latest in nuclear power generation, safety, and security. TVPG.

Wednesday, September 28
5:30-8 p.m. E/P

HBO

Subjects: World History and Geography

High School

"Master and Commander"

This movie is based, mostly, on Patrick O'Brian's adventure novel, "The Far Side Of The World," about the British Navy. Russell Crowe plays the commander of HMS Surprise, sent out to prevent the French from controlling the waters off South America during the Napoleonic War (which was actually a World War in geographic scope). There are big battles, historically accurately portrayed, plus scientific visits to the Galapagos islands (the same ones Darwin made famous). Available on video.

Thursday, September 29
9-11 p.m. E/P

PBS

Subjects: American History

Middle and High School

"The Sixties: The Years That Shaped A Generation"

The 1960's were years of change, experimentation and hope that transformed a nation. This documentary chronicles this era of widespread democratic activism and provocative music, focusing on critical events, from civil rights to the women's liberation movement, the youth counter-culture and the Vietnam War. Through film footage, rare archival photographs and interviews with historians, critics, participants and those on both sides of the generation gap, the documentary captures the electricity, fervor and anger of an era full of great hope and turmoil. And it reflects on the enormous changes that swept the globe during that time and profiles the coming of age of the baby boomers. TV-PG.

Log on http://www.pbs.org/opb/thesixties

Thursday, September 29
10:30-11 p.m. E/P

MTV

Subjects: Social Science

High School

"Think Over Your School"

In this MTV special students in partnership with the New York City Department of Education, "think over" their lunchroom by transforming the space into a multi-purpose resource to support students' academic and creative endeavors. The lunchroom at the Bushwick campus in Brooklyn now offers flexible spaces that can be used by all students for dining, student artwork, performances, meetings, and small group work. In addition, it includes new technology tools including digital projectors and computer stations. This broadcast's goal is to tell the story of a group of young people who worked with their teachers and principal to shape their own academic experience and environment, providing relevant hands-on learning that links the classroom to the real world.

MTV News reports on young people and their educational aspirations; and online tools at think.mtv.com

Friday, September 30
6:30-7:30 p.m. E/P

Sundance Channel

Subjects: World History and Geography

Middle and High School

"Her Israel"

This documentary by Marjan Tehrani profiles three women living within a five-mile radius of one another near Tel Aviv, Israel. Though nearly the same age, their lives couldn't be more different. One is an aspiring architect of Jewish-Israeli heritage; a second is a Ukrainian-born actress who has seen prejudice against Russian Jews; and a third is a Palestinian-Israeli who sits on the Jaffa City Council. It's a glimpse at the diverse reality of modern Israel. TVPG.

Satuday, October 1
11-11:30 a.m. E/P

MTV

Subjects: Social Science

Middle and High School

"My Life (Translated) College Dreams"

MTV News follows correspondent SuChin Pak as she meets second-generation American kids and learns how their college dreams may conflict with their families' cultural expectations.

http://www.mtv.com/bands/m/mylifetranslated/index.jhtml#

Saturday, October 1
5-7 p.m. E/P

History Channel

Subjects: American History

Middle and High School

"Texas: Big America"

This documentary takes viewers on a journey through the history of Texas, a story that spans two centuries and features tall Texan characters--cowboys, oil tycoons, outlaws, and U.S. Presidents. From the early 19th century, when Stephen Austin led American settlers into a sprawling land controlled by Mexico, to 1948, when New England native George H.W. Bush arrived in Odessa to make his name, we follow the enormous struggles throughout the rich history of the Lone Star State. TVPG.

Saturday, October 1
7-8 p.m. E/P

History Channel

Subjects: American History

Middle and High School

"The King's Highway: El Camino Real"

When Spain ruled as a world superpower with colonies worldwide, the term El Camino Real (the King's Highway or Royal Road) was applied to all main government roads, including those in its New World colonies. In 1769, a Franciscan priest, Junipero Serra, pioneered a road connecting California's Catholic missions--from San Diego to Sonoma--establishing a system of self-reliant missions a day's travel apart, linked by El Camino Real, by which he and the Franciscans spread the Spanish language, culture, technology, and the Roman Catholic religion. This documentary uses expert historical recreations to retrace Father Serra's journey. TVPG.

Sunday, October 2
8-10 p.m. E/P

History Channel

Subjects: Science

Middle and High School

"Meteors: Fire In The Sky"

Meteors, comets, and asteroids cross the solar system to offer clues about our planet and universe. Can they destroy civilizations? Did they wipe out the dinosaurs? Have they brought life to our planet? And when will the next one hit? In this documentary animation and live-action footage explain what these space rocks really are and show what likely happened 65 million years ago, when an object plowed into the Yucatan Peninsula. By studying meteor showers we have advanced our understanding of what they are and the danger that they pose. Leading astronomers and geologists including David Levy and Carolyn Shoemaker, co-discoverers of the Shoemaker-Levy discuss the comet that fell into Jupiter in 1994. NASA scientists describe recent missions to asteroids and comets and speculate on ways to move Earth-threatening asteroids and comets out of our way. Because it isn't a question of if but when the next deadly impact will take place. TVPG.