Sunday, Dec. 21
8-9 p.m. E/P

CNBC

Subjects: US History and Economics

Middle and High School

"CNBC Reports 2008: A Year On The Brink"

The title of this documentary says it all. 2008 will go down as a year of intense fear and hope. A year where our economy, our values and our future are shaken to their core. On Wall Street two pillars of investment banking vanish. The program covers the almost unimaginable collapse of Bear Stearns and Lehman Brothers. Beyond the carnage on the street, the unprecedented credit crisis almost taking down the nation's two biggest mortgage giants, Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac not to mention insurance giant AIG. And as 2008 comes to a close basic industries of America rests uncomfortably on the verge of bankruptcy. Ford, GM & Chrysler admit they are on the brink. 2008 will also be remembered as a year when some of the mighty fall and fall hard -- New York Governor Eliot Spitzer, the sheriff of wall street & poster child for ethics, forced to resign as governor because of a prostitution scandal. It was year of historic achievement -- Americans electing their first African American president Barack Obama and American swimmer Michael Phelps captivating a country with his record breaking performance at the Beijing Olympics.

Sunday, Dec. 21
10-11 p.m. E/P

National Geographic Channel

Subjects: Science and Health

Middle and High School

"The Science of Obesity"

Today, 65 percent of adult Americans are overweight, but few are morbidly obese. What are the physical stresses of weighing more than 500 pounds and what steps can reverse it? This documentary explores the genetics of weight gain and medical advances to treat it.

Log on http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/episode/science-of-obesity-3082/Overview

Monday, Dec. 22
6-8 p.m. E/P

HBO

Subjects: US History

Middle and High School

"Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee"

In the late 19th century, the U.S. government waged a systematic campaign to exterminate American Indians--and nobody seemed to care. This program is an adaptation of Dee Brown's nonfiction book that brought this dark chapter of U.S. history to light. Beginning just after the bloody Sioux victory over General Custer at Little Big Horn, the film intertwines the unique perspectives of three characters--Charles Eastman, Sitting Bull and Senator Henry Dawes--while detailing the sprawl into the American West that tragically affected American-Indian culture. Aidan Quinn, Adam Beach, Anna Paquin, August Schellenberg and J.K. Simmons head the cast. Directed by Yves Simoneau; screenplay by Daniel Giat; based on the book by Dee Alexander Brown. TV14 (AC,AL,GV - adult language, adult content, graphic violence)

Log on http://www.hbo.com/films/burymyheart/index.html

Tuesday, Dec. 23
8-9 p.m. E/P

History Channel

Subjects: Science and Math

Elementary, Middle and High School

"Modern Marvels: Measure It"

How do you weigh a whale? This program goes to Shamu's Tank at Sea World to find out. How does your speedometer work? Off to GM's test track for the answer. It also looks at the five most common areas of measurement in our everyday lives: distance, time, speed, weight, and temperature. We visit the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to find out where common measurements come from and how standards for those measurements are set. We'll go inside Stanley Tools where we'll see how they guarantee every measuring tape gives the right distance every time. And while we're measuring time, we'll learn why a $5 kid's watch is more accurate than a $10,000 luxury brand.

Wednesday, Dec. 24
6-7 p.m. E/P

History Channel

Subjects: World History

Middle and High School

"The Christmas Truce"

When World War I began in August 1914, the infantrymen who filled the trenches stretching all the way from the North Sea to the Swiss border were assured the conflict would be over by Christmas. But when Christmas came, it was clear that the volunteers wouldn't be going home anytime soon. On the Western Front, soldiers braced themselves for a long, savage, impossibly difficult war. But on Christmas Eve something remarkable happened: the young men along the Western Front declared an impromptu truce. For hundreds of miles, the fighting stopped. German and British soldiers met on the No Man's Land between the trenches and celebrated the holiday together. They sang carols, shared rations, and played soccer. In some places, the infantrymen went back to fighting after only a few days; in others, the Christmas truce lasted for a month or more. This documentary tells this sory, tracing the events of those days through the commentary of historians, eyewitness sources, and the voices of participants who witnessed the startling events firsthand. Viewers will also see rare, almost unbelievable photographs taken on Christmas Day 1914, of Allied and German soldiers standing together, laughing and smiling, and wearing each other's helmets. With rare footage of the fighting that raged along the Western Front, viewers will also gain perspective on the ways these miraculous events took place amidst extreme brutality and senseless warfare. This program also reveals how reluctant soldiers were as they went back to fighting across enemy lines.

For further information log on http://www.firstworldwar.com/features/christmastruce.htm

Thursday, Dec. 25
1-2 p.m. E/P

PBS

Subjects: Arts

Elementary, Middle and High School

"Christmas With The Mormon Tabernacle Choir Featuring The King's Singers"

King's Singers, England's premier vocal choral ensemble joins the renowned Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square in a Christmas celebration featuring some of the season's most beloved songs. Selections by the King's Singers include "O Holy Night," "Sussex Carol," "The Little Drummer Boy" and a spectacular staging of "The Twelve Days of Christmas." Other numbers with the choir include "The First Nowell," "Deck the Hall With Boughs of Holly" and "Angels, From the Realms of Glory."

Friday, Dec. 26
6-7 p.m. E/P

Science Channel

Subjects: Science and Technology

Middle and High School

"Megaworld: France"

This documentary explores the cutting-edge contributions transforming science in the air, on the sea and on land. It takes a close look at how French scientists are leading the way with sophisticated military operations, innovative commercial air flight technology and more.

Saturday, Dec. 27
9-11 p.m. E/P

HBO

Subjects: English Literature

Middle and High School

"The Golden Compass"

A young girl undertakes a perilous Arctic journey in this adventure film based on the popular British book series. Set in a parallel England, society is ruled by a daunting body known as the Magisterium--and children are rapidly disappearing. Young orphan Lyra is comfortably cared for at a university, but when her best friend suddenly vanishes, Lyra--armed with a unique compass that can reveal truth--sets out on a daring mission to save lives, souls...and possibly the universe. Nicole Kidman co-stars as the precarious Mrs. Coulter who leads Lyra to the arctic region. Also with Sam Elliott, Eva Green, Dakota Blue Richards and Daniel Craig. Winner of the 2007 Academy Award for Best Visual Effects. Screenplay by and directed by Chris Weitz, based on the novel Northern Lights by Philip Pullman. PG-13?MV (mild violence)

For further information about the novel log on http://www.philip-pullman.com/index.asp