Make It Awesome!

On Networks. Make It Awesome! 2009. Via http://www.onnetworks.com/videos/make-it-awesome

Plot

This is (hopefully) a series of do-it-yourself videos aimed at older kids. The first two episodes show a boy, a girl, and an adult man completing a simple project which they then add on to. That's how they make it awesome. In the first video the trio makes big blocks of ice. They talk about the properties of ice. For example, ice is less dense than water. Then they use the big blocks of ice to make a remote control boat and a soda holder. In the second video, the group builds periscopes out of mirrors, duct tape, and cardboard. Then they make their periscopes awesome by adding camouflage and flashlights.

Critical Evaluation

These videos are short and fun. The scenes are shot indoors and outdoors which adds variety and interest. The projects are clearly demonstrated while thorough explanations are given. The cast makes jokes and plays around with their projects in ways that inspire creativity.

Annotations

Video clips of kids and a supervising adult making projects at home inspire creativity.

Author

On Networks Make It Awesome.

Genre

Video – do it yourself

Curriculum Ties

Science – properties of water, reflective properties of mirrors

Booktalk Ideas

None.

Viewing Level/Interest Age

Grade 3 to 6 (age 8 to 12).

Challenge Issues and Defense

None.

Why is it here?

I hope this series will be expanded in the future.

Planet Earth - DVD

BBC Video. Planet Earth. Warner Home Video, 2007. Rated G. 550 minutes. ISBN 1-4198-4936-0

Description

An all-encompassing video and audio journey around our planet is narrated by Sigourney Weaver. The video is amazingly captured using cameras, technology, and techniques previously unavailable. There are five DVDs in the set. They are: (1) Pole to Pole, Mountains, Deep Ocean; (2) Deserts, Ice Worlds, Shallow Seas; (3) Great Plains, Jungles, Fresh Water; (4) Seasonal Forests, Caves; and Planet Earth: the Future. Favorites of tweens I watched these with are the mating dances of New Guinea's bird of paradise, Russian Amur leopards hunting, and bats flying in and out of their caves.

Critical Evaluation

This presentation does not hold back. The images are sometimes disturbing, showing life as it happens. Birth, death, injury, and sickness are here. More often, though, the commentary and film are entertaining and convince the viewer of the beauty our planet holds.

Annotations

Planet Earth captures images of the natural world that few people have ever seen before and most people will never see any other way.

Author

Various.

Genre

Non-fiction – natural world

Curriculum Ties

Science – animals, plants, land features

Social Sciences – geography

Booktalk Ideas

Not applicable.

Viewing Level/Interest Age

Grade 3 (age 8) and up.

Challenge Issues and Defense

Some scenes of natural violence may be frightening, especially to very young children. The material presented is appropriate for children age 8 and up.

Why is it here?

Five hundred and fifty minutes of awesome views from around our planet are not to be missed.

Schoolhouse Rock 30th Anniversary Edition - DVD

Bob Dorough, Lynn Ahrens, George Newall, Kathy Mandry, Dave Frishberg, Tom Yohe, and Rich Mendoza, writers. Schoolhouse Rock 30^th Anniversary Edition. Buena Vista Home Entertainment, 2002. Not rated. 283 minutes. ISBN 0-7888-2925-4

Plot

This two DVD edition contains every Schoolhouse Rock video ever created. There are the favorite multiplication rock songs such as Three is a Magic Number and My Hero, Zero. Conjunction Junction and A Noun is a Person, Place, or Thing are highlights from songs about language. A new song, I'm Gonna Send Your Vote to College, was written for this set.

Critical Evaluation

Schoolhouse Rock combines video with songs in a way that is memorable and fun. I learned multiplication watching them as a child. My children have done the same. The content on the CD is enhanced to include activities like the Arrange-a-Song Puzzles and has audio commentaries for die-hard fans. When I showed four clips to a group of fourth-grade students they begged for more.

Annotations

Schoolhouse Rock combines music, lyrics, and video into memorable learning fun.

Author

The writers for Schoolhouse Rock made a point to never write down to kids. They used their creative abilities to write music and design animation that defined television for a generation of kids.

Genre

Non-fiction – educational video and songs

Curriculum Ties

Math – multiplication

Language arts – grammar and parts of speech

Social Sciences – political processes

Science – physical science

Booktalk Ideas

Not applicable.

Viewing Level/Interest Age

Grade 3 (age 8) and up.

Challenge Issues and Defense

None.

Why is it here?

It's fun. Kids love it and adults enjoy remembering it.