Sunday, Apr. 23
9-11 p.m. E/P

Discovery Channel

Subjects: World History

Middle and High School

"First Emperor: The Man Who Made China"

Airing on the occasion of the recent visit to the U.S. of the President of China, this is a rebroadcast of a documentary about one of the most powerful men who ever lived, Qin Shi Huangdi. He commanded millions, united China and designed the Great Wall. The enormous scale of this leader's achievements was matched only by the legacy he left. TV Rated PG.

Log on http://www.royalty.nu/Asia/China/ShiHuangdi.html

Monday, Apr. 24
9-10 p.m. E/P

PBS

Subjects: American History and Geography

Middle and High School

"American Experience: The Alaska Pipeline"

This documentary describes the effort to bringing Alaskan oil to market. One of the greatest engineering feats of the 20th century. For more than three years, workers battled brutal Arctic weather to construct an 800-mile pipeline that would traverse three mountain ranges, 34 rivers and 800 streams, and that would withstand earthquakes and subzero temperatures. The men, machines and money the pipeline brought to Alaska transformed what had long been regarded America's last great wilderness. TV-PG

Log on http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex

Tuesday, Apr. 25
9-10 E/P

PBS

Subjects: World History

Middle and High School

"Frontline: The Insurgency"

The Iraqi insurgency continues to challenge the most highly trained and best-equipped military in the world. This documentary provides a look inside the multi-faceted insurgency in Iraq. The investigation includes special access to insurgent leaders, as well as commanders of Iraqi and U.S. military units battling for control of the country, and detailed analysis from journalists who have risked their lives to meet insurgent leaders and their foot soldiers. It explores the battle for one Iraqi town and presents vivid testimony from civilians whose families were targeted by the insurgents.

For a study guide in which students explore the reasoning behind the proposals for either a clear and defined exit strategy or the current "stay the course" policy of the U.S. government log on http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/insurgency

Wednesday, Apr. 26
6-6:30 p.m. E/P

Discovery Channel

Subjects: Science

Elementary, Middle and High School

"How It's Made"

This episode of the Discovery Channel's ongoing look at the science behind everyday things covers how bees make honey and what humans do with honeycombs, how fiber optics are constructed, how bricks are formed and how pipe organs are made.

Wednesday, Apr. 26
10-11 p.m. E/P

HBO

Subjects: American History

High School

"Billie Jean King: Portrait Of A Pioneer"

She was a powerful force on the tennis court--and a trailblazing one off of it. Billie Jean King's dominance in women's tennis in the 1970s--she won 39 Grand Slam titles--brought her to the forefront of the American sports landscape. But it was her role as a symbol for gender equality that made her an international icon. This HBO Sports documentary chronicles the remarkable rise of the tennis legend and provides an intimate look at her private life, including her divorce from Larry King. Rare footage and archival photos are backed by revealing interviews with Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, Elton John, Frank Deford, life partner Ilana Kloss, ex-husband Larry King-and with King herself speaking openly and honestly about her life on and off the court. TV Rate PG ??? for athletes using adult language

Thursday, Apr. 27
10-11 p.m. E/P

PBS

Subjects: American History and Geography

Middle and High School

"California And The American Dream: The New Los Angeles"

This episode in the current miniseries of documentaries about the culture and identity America's most populous state tells the story of the "The New Los Angeles." It's the nation's largest majority-minority city and the city with the largest divide between rich and poor. This portrait of a city in transition begins with the 1973 election of Tom Bradley, the first African-American mayor in a major American city without an African-American majority, and concludes with the political empowerment of Latinos and the election of Antonio Villaraigosa, Los Angeles' first Latino mayor in more than 130 years.

Friday, Apr. 28
8-10:15 p.m. E/P

TCM

Subjects: World History and the Arts

High School

"Cinema Paradiso"

This is a movie about a boy coming of age in WWII Italy and his lifelong love affair with movies. A Best Foreign Film Oscar Nominee, it's the autobiographical story by director Giuseppe Tornatore. Nowadays, people are going out less and less to theatres, but rather looking at movies on a little screen ??? sometimes even an i-pod. This movie, even if viewed via DVD ( it's available) or home TV is a reminder of how civilization was for people ??? and could be again for people - without TV. Rated PG (In Italian with subtitles)

For excellent details about this film log on http://imdb.com/title/tt0095765/

Saturday, Apr. 29
9-11 p.m. E/P

History Channel

Subjects: Science and World History

Middle and High School

"Quest For Dragons"

This is a documentary about the history, science, and legend of the world's most notorious beast--the dragon, the best-known creature that never was. Throughout history, dragons influenced wars, science, art, and religion. They appear in almost every culture and many still believe in dragons. How could different cultures, isolated by geology and millennia, all invent the same creature? If the dragon is simply the product of our imagination, how could distant peoples, with no knowledge of each other, all invent the same beast? One of the reasons dragons are a perennial favorite is that even though they are the ultimate predator and antagonist, it's also fun to identify with them. TVPG.