New Videos Available

Cinco De Mayo (13:00)
Loan Video
Level: Grades K-3

Shot on location in San Antonio, Texas, this video features lots of dancing, singing, and colorful Mexican activities typically seen on this joyous holiday. The program then shows how one school celebrates the holiday. At a special assembly, performers from San Antonio's famed Guadelupe Cultural Center present a pageant that explains the historical significance of Cinco de Mayo. Animated maps and historical pictures are used in the presentation to help students better understand the holiday's historical roots.

All About Neighborhoods (10:00)
Available for Broadcast or Loan
Level: Grades 1-3

Take a trip through American neighborhoods and elsewhere in the world and explore their wonderful diversity! This program explains that neighborhoods are where people live, learn, play, and work. They are places where people move in and out, and change. The program also discusses how a group of neighborhoods makes up a community, and shows how people travel from one community to others in cars, buses, rail transport, and ferries. The video stresses that neighborhoods must work together and follow neighborhood rules and community laws in order to make the neighborhood a good place to live, work, and play. Lively music and poetry are integrated into the program, making it an enjoyable and educational experience.

Native American Folktales (22:00)
Available for Broadcast or Loan
Level: Grades 1-3
Teacher's Guide available from CTN

This video uses music and colorful animation to present four tales from four different Native-American groups:

"The Boy Who Loved Bears" comes from the Pawnee, a Plains group. This beautiful tale helps youngsters understand the significance of bears in Pawnee culture and recognize the deep bond between Native Americans and nature. A young man is killed by a raiding party but is brought back to life by a bear. The two become brothers and lead parallel lives.

"The Turkey Girl" comes from the Pueblo culture of the Southwest. It shows the importance of trust in Pueblo culture and explains why turkeys flee when humans approach.

" Storytelling Stone", from the Seneca tribe of the northeastern woodland area, explains how stories first came to humans. The stone tells the young man how to receive tales. After learning to give thanks and make sacrifices for the stories, the youngster becomes the first person to hear them. In time, he passes along the stories to others.

"Pelican Girl" comes from the Pacific Coastal Miwok group. It is a cautionary tale that encourages children to obey tribal rules. Pelican Girl has just become a woman, and, according to the ways of her people, must not pick berries or bend down for several weeks. But she forgets and the results are tragic. An evil, fire-eating shaman from the north kidnaps her and takes her to his village.

Mother Theresa Seeing the face of Jesus
Loan video (35:00) Gr. 1-5

Mother Theresa always remembered the words of Jesus. Children will happily learn about the life and works of Mother Theresa with words and pictures that even the littlest child will enjoy.

Discovering Simple Machines - 4 Part Series
Available for Broadcast or Loan
Level: Grades 3-5

Let Axle the Robot help your class explore both simple and compound machines. Each of the live-action videos in the 4-part series is 7-10 minutes long. The comprehensive Teacher’s Guide and Blackline Masters make it easy to both teach the unit and assess students’ understanding.

Compound Machines
DSM-001 (10:00)
Summarizes the information presented in the series. “A machine is a devise or tool that does one or more of these three things: makes work easier, make work faster, or changes the direction of a force. Two or more machines used together make a compound machine.” (Teacher’s Guide, p. 1)

Inclined Plane, Wedge, Screw
DSM-002 (7:00)
Explains the special relationship that these three machines have with each other. The wedge may very well be the most common simple machine as it is any device that has a sharp or cutting edge. Axle the Robot will demonstrate how these simple machines help to do work faster, make work easier, or change the direction of effort.

Lever, Wheel and Axle, Pulley
DSM-003 (7:00)
Explores the similarities of these three machines. The parts of a lever, (fulcrum, resistance, and force) are described. The wheel and axle simple machine is presented as a lever that has been wound up. The last section of the video shows the two kinds of pulleys.

Work and Energy
DSM-004 (7:00)
Focuses on how scientists define work. The concepts of potential energy, kinetic energy, and friction are demonstrated.

Thunderstorms (15:00)
Available for Broadcast or Loan
Level: Grades 4-6

Through dynamic time-lapse video-graphy, students learn thunderstorms. Spectacular lightning images show the electrical power inside storms. Animation and simple experiments illustrate how lightning, thunder, hail, tornadoes, microbursts, and flash floods occur. Careful attention is given to safety when encountering lightning and floods. Students learn to appreciate thunderstorms as a natural element of weather, as the purpose and benefit of thunderstorms are discussed. The written material includes several hands-on experiments to simulate the aspects of thunderstorms.

Ancient Chinese Weaponry (26:00 ea.)
4-part series
Available for Broadcast or Loan
Level: Grades 5-8
This 4-part program recounts the dramatic story of the rise and fall of an empire, an empire that at its prime spawned incredible inventions that sparked the dawn of our modem world. The story of the genius of this astonishing civilization is told by traveling back in time to witness China's inventions and how they were used.

Part 1 - Weaponry, Agriculture, & Games
The Chinese developed intricate crossbows far ahead of their time, fleets of paddle boats, curving iron plows, wheelbarrows, folding umbrellas, conveyor belts, restaurants, golf, chess, kites, hot air balloons, and parachutes.

Part 2 - Magnetism, Seismometry, Shipbuilding
Impressive achievements included a device for indicating the direction and force of an earthquake, odometers, the compass, gimbals, intricate differential gears, double action piston bellows, continuous flame throwers, and rudders, bulkheads, and fore and aft sails to enable a ship to sail against the wind.

Part 3 - Astronomy and Chronograph
After experiments with sundials, water and candle clocks, the Chinese developed the world's first accurate clock involving an escapement device. Their mathematicians calculated pi; their astronomers recognized the egg yolk shape of the earth and developed an accurate system for measuring the movement of the stars.

Part 4 - Printmaking, Armaments, & Rocketry, Government
Chinese inventions and discoveries that are covered include gunpowder, bombs, shrapnel, underground and sea mines, aerial bombs and muskets (fire lances), rockets, cannon, immunization, paper, printing with movable type, modem books and bookstores, civil service exams and playing cards.

Mary the Mother of God
Loan video (77:00) Gr. 5-8
Host Stephen Ray as your guide takes you on an extraordinary journey that took Mary to the heart of the Salvation story. You will clearly understand Mary’s Immaculate Conception, her role as intercessor, her assumption into Heaven and more.
Discussion Guide Included.

Peter Keeper of the Keys
Loan video (75:00) Gr. 5-8
Host Stephen Ray as your guide takes you on an adventure about Peter, the rugged fisherman Jesus chose to lead His church. Filmed on location in Rome and the Holy land.

Jesus the Word Became Flesh
Loan video (94:00) Gr. 5-8
Host Stephen Ray as your guide takes you as he catches fish on the sea Galilee, camps along the Jordon River and explores the places where Jesus lived and taught. Experience the breathtaking Journey through the streets of Jerusalem to Calvary and the tomb; encounter the Resurrection and Pentecost.
Discussion Guide Included.

Moses Signs, Sacraments and Salvation
Loan video (90:00) Gr. 5-8
Host Stephen Ray as your guide takes you on a journey of discovery through Egypt, Jordan, and Israel. Cross the Red sea wander the wilderness and climb Mount Sinai. Retrace the footsteps of the Israelites and discover the roots of our Christian faith.
Discussion Guide Included.

Great Age of Exploration (1400-1550) (33:00)
Available for Broadcast or Loan
Level: Grades 6-12

This two-part program takes students through the history of the Great Age of Exploration, focusing on the period from 1400 to the mid-1500's. Using animated maps and "on-location" video, students learn about the shift from the Medieval to the Renaissance era and the trade of Asian luxury goods. Prince Henry the Navigator, the early slave trade, the voyages of Christopher Columbus and other explorers are covered.

Civilizations In Conflict: Byzantium, Islam, and the Crusades (330-1453 A.D.)(18:00)
Available for Broadcast or Loan
Level: Grades 6-12
Filmed in eight different countries, this program examines the historical era that lasted from 330 to 1453 A.D. and focuses on the southern and eastern regions of the old Roman Empire. The program examines three main subjects: first is the rise and fall of the world's first Christian state, the Byzantine Empire; second is the growth of the Islamic civilization; third is the Crusades, a series of conflicts involving Islam, Byzantium, and Catholic Western Europe, that spanned three centuries. The rich visual imagery of the live-action video is enhanced by the use of animated maps and historic artwork, which combine to bring this important era of history to life.

Discovering the Elements (30:00)
Available for Broadcast or Loan
Level: Grades 7-10
Teacher's Guide with lesson plans, student activities available
Experiments are conducted to establish the physical and chemical properties of a number of elements. These elements are then grouped logically; first into metals and non-metals, then into groups based on the observation of reactions. Finally, students compare their table to Mendeleev’s to confirm their findings.

Bill of Rights (17:00)
Available for Broadcast or Loan
Level: Grades 7-12
A lesson on the first ten amendments to the Constitution; the Bill of Rights. Viewers learn about the debate surrounding its ratification, and how the Bill of Rights continues to affect our everyday lives. A closer look at the interpretation of three specific amendments--the first, second, and fourth--shows viewers how the Bill of Rights is still a vital, governing document, flexible enough to be open to debate and evolve as our society changes.

Supreme Court of the United States (15:00)
Available for Broadcast or Loan
Level: Grades 7-12
Follow the development of the United States Supreme Court from its birth to present day, using famous cases to teach students why we still need a Supreme Court. Rare stock footage and re-creations of actual events help depict highlights of actual Supreme Court cases. In addition, an open forum with retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Powell gives viewers insight as to why the court plays such an important role in the justice system of the United States today.
Includes discussion questions.

Exploring the Renaissance (20:00)
Available for Broadcast or Loan
Level: Grades 7-12
Provides excellent insight into the "rebirth" of Europe, or the Renaissance. Marvelous innovations in art, literature, communications, architecture, science, religion, and explorations helped make this a "rediscovery period." A review of the 1400 years prior to the Renaissance is a significant portion of the program. Students meet great figures such as Shakespeare, Michelangelo, Galileo, Raphael, da Vinci, Martin Luther, and Henry VIII, and many others.
Teacher's Guide with lesson plans, student activities, discussion questions, and script available.

Sex Has A Price Tag
Loan video (60:00 ) Gr. 8-High School
Sex Has a Price Tag is life affirming, and is a lifesaver.
Pam Stenzel is brutally frank but totally sympathetic, written to girls and guys. Her message is compelling and unforgettable. Every high school and college student should see this video. It's one of the best tools available to help kids save sex for marriage. Hear intense personal testimonies, medical stats, and practical solutions. She also gives encouragement in the form of Biblical examples, support and networking options, innovative alternatives to dating situations, and creating journaling. She challenges young people to embrace the benefits of abstinence.

For High Schools
SAT Review
Loan and Streaming

SAT Series
9 videos

SAT Program 1: Powering Up the Brain
SAT Program 2: Analogies
SAT Program 3: Critical Reading
SAT Program 4: Prefixes and Math Preparation
SAT Program 5: Understanding the Math Section
SAT Program 6: Tricky Math Terms
SAT Program 7: Algebra
SAT Program 8: Probability and Geometry
SAT Program 9: Circles and Rectangles