Webresource: Media Smart Family Guide

I have no idea how I got on this list, lol, but I like the list of Cable in the Classroom (a list I am on) Family friendly TV shows...looks like the show by Steve Irwin's daughter has started. And looks like Shark Week is coming up! Have fun, Tabbi



Media Smart Your Family Guide to Using Screen Time Well
July 2007

A Tip from the PTA
Family media strategies from the PTA

The Golden Rules of the World Wide Web
The Internet can be a wonderful place, full of learning, friends, and enjoyment. It also can be a risky and dangerous place. These days, it's not enough to teach kids how to efficiently use the Internet. Parents, teachers, and caregivers also must help kids learn about Internet safety, digital ethics, and media literacy. One place to start is a new website, PointSmartClickSafe.org. Check it out, and then explore Cable in the Classroom's Media Smart for Parents or PTA's Parent Resources on Media and Technology.


Family-Friendly Cable Programs in July
Cable in the Classroom presents a sampling of entertaining TV programs for family viewing
Star Wars: The Legacy Revealed (The History Channel)
July 2 at 8:00 PM ET/PT
Through interviews with politicians, academics, journalists, and critics -- all of whom weigh in on the enduring appeal of George Lucas' creations -- this special demonstrates that Star Wars isn't just a high-action adventure in space. It's a remarkably complex and sophisticated story about power, politics, spirituality, and redemption. TV-PG.


Africa's Outsiders (Animal Planet)
July 8 at 8:00 PM ET/PT
Told in the form of an African fable, this documentary explores what it's like to be born an outsider in the animal world. Animals that have startlingly different colors face unique challenges. They are not well-camouflaged for the habitat they were born into, so they must work even harder to survive. Along the way we'll meet a host of fascinating characters, including a pink hippo, a black leopard, and a striped cheetah. TV-G.

Science of Summer (National Geographic Channel)
July 6 at 9:00 PM ET/PT
Summer is a hotbed of science. Watching this special (pictured) from National Geographic Channel, your family can investigate the nature of sunshine and the biology of how our bodies react to it, learn why lightning strikes, and uncover the truth about ice cream headaches. School may be out, but kids can still discover the facts behind some of the mysteries of this sweltering season. TV-G.

Bindi: The Jungle Girl: Like an Eagle (Discovery Kids Channel)
July 7 at 5:00 PM ET/PT
Bindi Irwin and her familly explore the world of big birds, from macaws to cockatoos and condors to eagles. This episode explores the important role these birds play in the animal kingdom. TV-Y7.

Cool Fuel: Food and Veggie Oil (Science Channel)
July 29 at 9:00 PM ET/PT
The Cool Fuel series from the Science Channel challenges the host, Shaun Murphy, to travel across the country without using gasoline. In this episode, Shaun visits New Orleans, La., where he drives a Hummer that runs on fuel made from recycled food. Then he heads to Texas on the hunt for oil -- veggie oil, that is. TV-G.

The Last Day of Summer (Nickelodeon)
July 20 at 8:00 PM ET/PT
In this original Nickelodeon TV movie, tween-age Luke Malloy (pictured), a soon-to-be middle-schooler, wishes for Labor Day to last forever -- and it does. Stuck in time, Luke can't move on until he learns to overcome his fears, including performing onstage with his band, skateboarding with super-cool Snake, and acknowledging his secret love. TV-Y7.

Homefield Advantage Special (DIY Network)
July 8 at 9:00 PM ET
This new special from the DIY Network helps a family design and build a miniature golf course and batting cage in their backyard. Former New York Mets outfielder Mookie Wilson even shows up to give some batting tips. TV-G.

Camp Lazlo (Cartoon Network)
Wednesdays at 7:00 PM ET/PT; Begins July 11
Camp Lazlo is an eccentric animated series that chronicles the odd and happy camping life of a Bean Scout named Lazlo and his bunkmates at Camp Kidney. Lazlo, an optimistic, high-energy Brazilian monkey, loves Bean Scout camp because he can be with his two best friends: Raj, a wise and compulsive Indian elephant, and Clam, an eccentric and highly intelligent albino pygmy rhino. TV-Y7.

For more family-friendly programs, plus information on using parental controls to block out inappropriate content, go to ControlYourTV.org.

Cable on the Web
CIC presents a sampling of family-friendly websites

Shark Week (dsc.discovery.com/convergence/sharkweek/sharkweek.html)
It's the 20th anniversary of Shark Week! Help Discovery Channel celebrate by heading to the companion website. Vote for the Best of Shark Week, take a virtual dive, view clips of this year's programs, play with puzzles and games, and more.

Fourth of July (www.history.com/minisites/fourthofjuly/)
Explore the historical significance of our nation's birthday on this History Channel website. View maps of early America and clips of Fourth of July celebrations, challenge your family with trivia, and more.