Plastic Problems PBS News airs 3/6 at 3 a.m.. – – By 2050, there will be more plastic than fish in the oceans. PBS NewsHour takes a closer look at this now ubiquitous material, how it’s impacting the world and ways we can break our plastic addiction.
New England Story for Sustaining the Sea airs 3/3 at 3:30 a.m. – – Off the shores of New England, in a region steeped in old maritime tradition, comes a modern wave of big ships, energy industries, and a changing climate, now testing the limits of an already crowded sea. But in a pioneering trial of far-sighted planning – pushed by blueprints for offshore wind energy – old residents and new are coming together to keep their ocean and livelihoods alive.
One Carbon Footprint airs 3/3 at 3 a.m. – As discussions of the impact of climate change intensify around the world, many Americans are wondering if changes they make in their everyday lives can make a difference. The short answer, as vividly demonstrated in One Carbon Footprint At A Time, a new half hour documentary from award winning filmmaker Bob Gliner (Schools That Change Communities, Barefoot College) is that they can. As seen through the lens of a diverse range of university and middle school students enthusiastically engaged in a wide range of climate change activities as part of the curriculum at their schools – from analyzing the clothes they choose to buy and wear, to the food they grow and eat, to the energy used to power their cell phones, hair dryers and electricity in their homes, and the jobs and lifestyle changes they make after graduation – everyday actions play a critical and potentially inspirational role in impacting climate change.
March is Music in Our Schools Month so it’s a perfect time to incorporate music into the library and collaborate with your music teachers.
We have lots of resources that can help you get started.
How to Read Music – Grades 3-8: This educational program covers the basics of reading and understanding music. Colorful animations and graphics make learning simple and fun. The lessons cover staffs, pitch, scale, octaves, sharps, flats, rhythm and notes.
Bill Nye: The Science of Music – Grades 3-8: In this live-action, fast-paced program, Bill Nye the Science Guy explains how each musical note and every tone of each instrument is, in fact, a unique sound wave. Along the way, students will learn about the science behind getting the exact sound waves in the pattern desired. Features comedy, music videos, interviews with real scientists and hands-on experiments to make the concepts presented understandable and fun. Disney Educational Productions. c 1998 Disney.
Musical Devices in Poetry – Grades 6-12: This brief clip discusses the use of musical devices in poetry, including assonance, consonance, dissonance, onomatopoeia, caesura and repetition.
Math & Music: Beats and Notes – Grades 7 to Adult: Daily Planet, Discovery Channel Canada’s flagship science program, features daily news, discussion and commentary on the scientific aspects of current events. In this episode of Daily Planet, host Jay Ingram and a couple of musical guests discuss the mathematical underpinnings of musical beats.
Music as Language – Grades 7-Adult: This TED-Ed lesson by bassist Victor Wooten, accompanied throughout by his own guitar playing, discusses the language of music and how to learn and approach that language. As seen on YouTube.
Introducing the Music of Africa: Music of the World: African music permeates the many diverse cultures across the continent. The legacy that African musical traditions have passed to contemporary musicians is rich and varied. From the iconic djembe drum to the distinctive a capella choir vocals, Africa’s music embraces many instruments and rhythms. This program presents a selection of music from the countries of Africa that have impacted movements such as blues, jazz, rock, and rap.
Introducing the Music of Mali: Music of the World: “Observe Niam, a boy from Mali, work to become a Jali, or folk musician. See him practice his instrument, a Kora, to prepare for a music competition. Follow him to the competition and listen to his winning song.”
Introducing the Music of India: Music of the World: Over thousands of years, music has woven through India’s rich culture. Though Indian music has changed and diversified, tradition remains strong. This program introduces the origins and cultural relevance of music in India. Indian Classical, Folk and Bollywood melodies and rhythms are discussed. Demonstrations of how to play widely used instruments – the bansuri, tanpura, sitar, tabla, and kinjira – will be of particular interest to music students.
Introducing the Music of Japan: Music of the World: Whether it’s the unique sounds of a Koto, Shamisen, Shakuhachi or Shinobue, or the pounding of traditional drums, Japanese music has evolved over centuries as an integral part of the nation’s rich culture. Featuring Shakuhachi performer Adam Simmons, Koto performer Brandon Lee and Japanese drummer Toshi Sakamoto, this video explores the history of Japanese music, its structures and a range of traditional instruments.