The History Channel Classroom

During the school year there never seems to be enough time! That's why we offer The History Channel Classroom Calendar, which features programming information to give you time to think and create innovative lessons around these fascinating programs. The History Channel Classroom is presented as a service for teachers, commercial- free, five days a week. Not only is taping permitted, it is positively encouraged!

Feedback from teachers around the country shows that they find the remarkable assortment of educational material on The History Channel Classroom an ideal way to enhance basic skills, to present complex material and to make the classroom experience more constructive, more enriching and more rewarding for teacher and students alike.


Get To Know History Channel Classroom Calendar

Featuring program descriptions and air dates, The History Channel Classroom Calendar allows you to easily select and plan for upcoming History Channel programs.

Scan the calendar of upcoming programs. Make notes on those which tie in most appropriately with your curriculum and on any for which you want to design special class activities. Mark your calendars of dates and times when you will set your VCR to record the programs.

Tape Programs And Keep For Up to A Year

Beginning March 27 The History Channel Classroom services will broadcast at 6 am/5 am CT. Pacific time zone viewers please make a note of this.

The History Channel airs commercial-free Monday through Friday, 6-7 am / 5-6 am CT / 4-5 am MT. Check local listings for channel number and airtimes in your area.

Programs aired as part of History Channel may be videotaped and used in the classroom for up to one year from airdate. The exact length of time that a The History Channel Classroom program may be retained appears on air at the beginning of each program. All other programs aired on The History Channel may be videotaped and used in the classroom in accordance with the Standard Educational Fair Use Guidelines.

Create A System To Organize Your Tapes

Once you've taped The History Channel Classroom, catalog the contents on the cassette box and store. Here are some suggestions for setting up a video library:

  • Create a filing system using colored stickers assigning a different color to each subject category, red for performing arts, blue for geography, etc.

  • Write on the colored label what is the last date that the tape is usable in the classroom.

  • Make a note on the label if support material is available for the program. If so, store videotape together with support material in an envelope so that the whole package is readily available.

Edit For Impact - Keep A Video Log

Develop a Video Log to select segments which will have the greatest impact on your students and will help to illustrate the material you wish to cover. To keep a record of video selections, before viewing, set your VCR counter to 0, then using the pause button, record the counter numbers of the selections that interest you. With these numbers on your Video Log, it will be easy to cue up your tape to the correct segment for use in class. Here is a sample of what a Video Log might include.

DATE PROGRAM COUNTER BEGINS



NOTES COUNTER ENDS


Develop Classroom Activities

Before viewing, quiz students on their background knowledge. Show a short segment, pausing the program to encourage discussion and debate. Have students take notes and research related topics for additional information. Using The History Channel Classroom programming in an interactive environment will enhance the development of language, writing and vocabulary skills. A lesson on critical viewing skills can also be incorporated to give students an appreciation of form as well as content.

Consider The History Channel Classroom as a basis for cross-disciplinary projects. Share the calendar with your colleagues and plan ahead. Design a related field trip or invite a guest-speaker to attend your class.

Don't forget to use The History Channel study guides and Cable in the Classroom Magazine which include many suggestions for student activities.

The History Channel Descrambler

If your school has a satellite and would like to get The History Channel Classroom programming descrambled please contact classroom.descrambling@aetv.com.

Cable In The Classroom

A&E Television Networks is a founding member of Cable in the Classroom, a non-profit service of the cable television industry which seeks to match the resources of cable television with the needs of schools. For more information, call this toll free number: 1-800-743-5355. To subscribe to the monthly publication, call this toll free number: 1-800-343-0728.

Visit us for more study guides and updates.

Acclaim For A&E And The History Channel

We have been endorsed as an effective curriculum tool by these associations:

  • NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION

  • NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SECONDARY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS

  • NATIONAL SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION

For more information on our study guides, write to:

Community Development, A&E Television Networks
235 East 45th Street
NY, NY 10017.