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Topic: Living or Worthy tv/DVD Programs & Series

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JennGM
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Posted: June 12 2012 at 11:06am \| IP Logged

Susana wrote:

I was really disappointed with the agenda Bill Nye was pushing on an episode I happend to watch while staying at a hotel a couple of years ago. He was giving the whole, "the world is overpopulated" spiel. It really turned me off. We hear that enough when going out in public! :)

I noticed his "agenda", also. Lots of global warming, anti-human stuff. I pick and choose which episodes to watch due to this.

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Jennifer G. Miller
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Susana
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Posted: June 12 2012 at 11:25am \| IP Logged

Mackfam wrote:

I thought of another series I wanted to add - the old Reading Rainbow series with Levar Burton. These are fantastic and can be viewed online for free.

Where, oh where, can we find these for free online? Please share :)

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Mackfam
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Posted: June 12 2012 at 11:32am \| IP Logged

Susana wrote:

Mackfam wrote:

I thought of another series I wanted to add - the old Reading Rainbow series with Levar Burton. These are fantastic and can be viewed online for free.

Where, oh where, can we find these for free online? Please share :)

Here

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Jen Mackintosh
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Wildflowers and Marbles

KackyK
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Posted: June 12 2012 at 12:54pm \| IP Logged

Oooo loving this thread. I feel like we should really watch tv on this rainy day !!! Thanks for all the links!

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KackyK

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Angie Mc
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Posted: June 12 2012 at 3:52pm \| IP Logged

The heat is climbing and we'll be indoors more often...thanks so much for the recommendations

.

Love,

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Angie Mc
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danivdp
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Posted: June 20 2012 at 7:03pm \| IP Logged

I love the StorykeepersStorykeepers

TracyFD
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Posted: June 22 2012 at 5:10am \| IP Logged

We have found some of these shows like Little Bear and Mister Rogers on Amazon, but after we watch one, the screen does not seem to indicate or remember which ones we have watched. With so many episodes and seasons, I have trouble remembering where we left off! Does anyone have a remedy for this other than a little notepad by the TV?

Great list! I don't have much to add, other than maybe Baby Songs or Lamb Chops

We still use some very well-worn VHS cassettes like Richard Scarry, Thomas, and Pooh.

Now, do you ladies get to watch all these videos too, or use them to play in the van on longer trips? We drive an hour to the city once or twice a week and I miss out on seeing some great DVDs!

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Tracy
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Mackfam
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Posted: July 20 2012 at 9:48pm \| IP Logged

Don't kill me for linking (sorta cheesy...ok....the music is definitely cheesy) 80's series.

Netflix instant play has all of the seasons of MacGyver and we've really been enjoying them! This was my little brother and sister's favorite show in the 80's!!! And in spite of it being a little dated, my kids have been enjoying it and I've seen their interest for everyday science really blossom! They're beginning to see science in ordinary things after watching this series.

The premise of the show was based on science and intellect to solve creative challenges vs. guns/muscle. MacGyver is a secret agent that is thrust into a variety of seemingly impossible situations and uses ordinary stuff that he just finds or happens to have in his little bag of supplies to scientifically solve huge challenges. Consistent in his arsenal of supplies are his Swiss Army Knife and Duct Tape, and the show certainly has my sons inspired as they consider again how useful their pocket knives are!

The producers claimed that all the science in the show was vetted. Much of it seems plausible, and certainly inspiring, but some of it, upon closer inspection, hasn't weathered scrutiny. The Mythbusters did an entire MacGyver Special testing some MacGyverisms.

The show does have some peripheral (fairly mild) tv violence and occasional kisses between MacGyver and the female character-du-jour that is smitten and overcome with his ability. >> Eyeroll << Whatever.

But....just wanted you to know.

Each family will be different, but we let our entire family watch, and they all enjoy it. While the show has instant appeal with boys, my teen dd enjoys it, too. Sometimes she just argues with it, and I think that's great, too...she's thinking and reasoning and applying her own intellect!

Because of the show's value in terms of inspiring a love of everyday science, and seeing science outside of "the curriculum", I'm listing it here in our living/worthy tv programs.

Edited to add...Since posting we've come across a few programs that are a little intense for littles (albeit still super cheesy so that biggers aren't worried). And we've noted a consistent kiss-the-strange-girl-that-you-just-met theme. It's usually over my little kids heads - although the 7 yo just buries his face and counts to 5 and that's it for the token "romantic" scene. But still....just letting you know so you can preview first if these are sensitive issues in your home.

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Jen Mackintosh
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SeaStar
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Posted: July 21 2012 at 6:16am \| IP Logged

I posted in another thread, but I wanted to add it here, too.

The Way Things Work by David Macaulay also comes as a 26 dvd series of about 15 minutes per episode. They are animated- fun to watch

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Chris V
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Posted: July 21 2012 at 8:16am \| IP Logged

SeaStar wrote:

I posted in another thread, but I wanted to add it here, too.

The Way Things Work by David Macaulay also comes as a 26 dvd series of about 15 minutes per episode. They are animated- fun to watch

Do you have a link? I could only find the books, not the DVD's.

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Chris
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VanessaVH
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Posted: July 21 2012 at 9:57am \| IP Logged

We just found a DVD of Redwall at the library!
It seems pretty true to the book (although it's been years since I read it...)
Animated, but pretty dramatic, so might not be for very young or sensitive kids.

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SeaStar
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Posted: July 21 2012 at 11:28am \| IP Logged

Chris V wrote:

SeaStar wrote:

I posted in another thread, but I wanted to add it here, too.

The Way Things Work by David Macaulay also comes as a 26 dvd series of about 15 minutes per episode. They are animated- fun to watch

Do you have a link? I could only find the books, not the DVD's.

I didn't see them on Amazon, Chris, but I found them here:
The Way Things Work at the Library VIdeo Company.

The complete set is very pricey- definitely one to request from the library!

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3ringcircus
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Posted: July 21 2012 at 8:38pm \| IP Logged

I have some repeats on my list.

We just discovered How It's Made, and D is obsessed with it.

S loves Storm Chasers, and has become quite an expert.

G loves Mighty Machines. It has real construction equipment. He's obsessed w/ diggers & likes trains, but dismisses the cartoon-y stuff that's in other series'.

We're outgrowing Signing Time as a family, but S still loves it. It was a lifesaver when the first 2 were slow to talk.

Godspell (on DVD)
Tin Tin
Colossal Squid (non-fiction, Netflix)
Land Before Time series (a little overkill, but good morals)
Star Wars-IV, V VI--oddly, they haven't asked about the other episodes yet, and I'm not in a hurry to show them.
Animusic-utterly amazing and hypnotic. The DSs put things around them and make their own setups to play along. Acquired taste though, not all children are spellbound.

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Christine
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DianaC
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Posted: July 31 2012 at 12:20pm \| IP Logged

Thank-you for all of these recommendations! We watched an episode of MacGyver and my dd loved it!

I would like to recommend Energency! It is a show from the 70s about the beginning of the paramedic program for the LA Fire Department. We have been watching for a few months now and are on the 3rd season.

It's a very enjoyable show, but I also like that we've learned a lot of medical terms, we can guess what meds may be used for different circumstances (for that time), but also it's great to see not only a great work ethic in action, but also the many problem solving skills used for different emergency situations. Also, it is not a graphic show - rarely do you even see any blood.

It's been quite a hit here.

JaysFamily
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Posted: July 31 2012 at 3:32pm \| IP Logged

I cannot recommend Microcosmos enough! We all love it. It's fascinating and let's you simply watch wildlife without the commentary.

hmbress wrote:

Muzzy - Immersion style foreign language. Pricy but well-worth it, I think. Sometimes you can find it used.

March of the Penguins - available streaming instantly on Netflix.

Microcosmos - we could watch this over and over! Also available streaming instantly on Netflix..

Jenn - for travel Netflix has apps for iPad and iPhone. For at home (or grandma's house) you can use a Roku player or Wii to wirelessly transmit to your TV. Older versions of the Roku can be found used.

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Jaysfamily
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3ringcircus
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Posted: July 31 2012 at 4:23pm \| IP Logged

Oh yeah, we like Microcosmos, too. Might be time to see it again...

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Christine
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JaysFamily
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Posted: July 31 2012 at 4:28pm \| IP Logged

All of these can be found on Netflix.

American Wonders: National Parks of the West- This just shows videos taken of beautiful landscapes, and is set to classical music. It does a good job of settling down the most hyper of boys after a crazy day!

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh - I grew up watching this and now my son loves it, too. I love how they have stories go through pages of a book.

America's Scenic Rail Journeys - This is great for the train lover, or someone who's searching for a nice vacation.

The Secret of Kells - This is probably not going to be a good fit for many. It mixes Celtic legends with the real story of the Book of Kells. It's probably a bit too intense for very sensitive children, but it's wonderful for it's creativity and for art study. The movie is designed to reflect the artwork from the Book of Kells.

The National Parks: America's Best Idea - This is a Ken Burns documentary, and a favorite in our home.

We also love classics such as Charlie Brown, Mary Poppins, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, etc. They may not be "living", but I figure if they're enjoyable and innocent enough to last through generations, then they're worthy of watching. Plus, I like to revisit the movies from my childhood, and I know my mother likes to share things she used to enjoy watching!

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Jaysfamily
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Mackfam
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Posted: July 31 2012 at 5:18pm \| IP Logged

JaysFamily wrote:

The National Parks: America's Best Idea - This is a Ken Burns documentary, and a favorite in our home.

Oh, I'm glad you mentioned this one! This is a favorite of ours, too! My kids are really intrigued (as am I!

) with the story behind our National Parks. Excellent program!

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Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19

, ds 16

, ds 11

, dd 8

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Wildflowers and Marbles

CrunchyMom
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Posted: Nov 29 2012 at 7:49am \| IP Logged

Schoolhouse Rock is now free for Amazon Prime subscribers

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Lindsay
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RyaneM
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Posted: Nov 29 2012 at 12:52pm \| IP Logged

CrunchyMom wrote:

Schoolhouse Rock is now free for Amazon Prime subscribers

Oh. Checking that out now!

For "quiet" shows for the littles: Kipper, Little Bear and Oswald also have free episodes for Amz. Prime members.

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