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Learning at Home | Week of 12/21 – 12/25

Take advantage of this week’s Learning at Home broadcast schedule – great for students engaged in hybrid or distance instruction, and families looking to spend some extra, quality time together!

After watching these fascinating programs, explore the PBS LearningMedia and web resources to learn more.

Highlight of the Week

All is Calm | The Christmas Truce of 1914
Tuesday, December 22, 1 PM

The Western Front, Christmas, 1914. Out of the violence a silence, then a song. A German soldier steps into No Man’s Land singing “Stille Nacht.” Thus begins an extraordinary night of camaraderie, music, peace. A remarkable true story, told in the words and songs of the men who lived it.

Learning at Home Week of 12/21 – 12/25

Monday, December 21

1 PM: Genius by Stephen Hawking | What Are We?

A new set of volunteers explore self-assembling machines, light-up bacteria and the world’s first physical demonstration of evolution in action conspire to totally revolutionize their view of life. We discover not only that our bodies are machines of incredible complexity, but how they came to exist and how long it took for our lives to come about.

2 PM: Genius by Stephen Hawking | Where Are We?

Three ordinary people engage in a series of fun physical and mental challenges to show them how to think like a genius. Can they measure the earth, the solar system and even the universe and find out where we really are? They’ll use a helicopter, a boat and a powerful laser to prove the earth is round – and to measure it. Next they head off to the iconic Black Rock Desert to try and get a grip on the massive scale of the solar system.

Tuesday, December 22

1 PM: All is Calm | The Christmas Truce of 1914

The Western Front, Christmas, 1914. Out of the violence a silence, then a song. A German soldier steps into No Man’s Land singing “Stille Nacht.” Thus begins an extraordinary night of camaraderie, music, peace. A remarkable true story, told in the words and songs of the men who lived it.

2:30 PM: Christmas on the Danube

Against the music of the great composers, Christmas on the Danube travels the majestic Danube River as it passes through European landscape, history and culture. The cities along the Danube have a special sparkle at Christmas. This heartwarming holiday special visits Vienna, Budapest, Salzburg, and Oberdorf. Other highlights include a visit to the Melk Abbey, the old town on Passau, and the charming Christmas Market in Bratislava. Christmas on the Danube is a companion to European Christmas Market.

Wednesday, December 23

1 PM: The American Saint Nick

World War II exacted a heavy toll on the people of Wiltz, Luxembourg, nearly destroying the small town. Occupied by German forces for four years, the town was subject to the whims of Nazi leadership: streets were renamed, the native language was banned, religious freedoms were curtailed, and Saint Nicolas Day was outlawed. The documentary The American Saint Nick chronicles a day at the height of the war when the battle-weary 28th Infantry Division of the American Army returned hope and joy to the children and people of this war-torn town. On Dec. 5, 1944, American soldiers put their guns down for one day and organized a party celebrating the town’s centuries-old Saint Nick tradition.

2 PM: Lucy Worsley’s 12 Days of Tudor Christmas

Join Lucy Worsley on a 12-day extravaganza as she discovers that much of what we enjoy in contemporary Christmas — from carols to gift-giving, feasting and drinking — was just as popular 500 years ago, with some surprising Tudor twists.

Thursday, December 24

1 PM: Wild Kratts: A Creature Christmas

In this one-hour special, it’s Christmas time and the Wild Kratts are taking a break from creature adventuring to celebrate. But when the Wild Kratts receive an alert that their favorite creatures are suddenly disappearing around the globe, their holiday party quickly turns into a rescue mission. Our heroes must race against time to thwart their greedy arch-rivals’ most miserly scheme yet! Will they be able to travel to the ends of the earth and return their baby animal friends to their homes in time for the holidays?

2 PM: Nature Cat: A Nature Carol

When Nature Cat gets in the Christmas spirit, he starts making his holiday celebration as big, shiny, and loud as possible. He even decorates the forest and accidentally bothers the animals! Though after our hero falls asleep on Christmas Eve, he is visited by three friendly spirits, as played by his pals. Together, they visit the future, present, and long ago past when Nature Cat was a mere Nature Kitten. Will the adventure remind Nature Cat what really makes his heart merry?

Friday, December 25

1 PM: Crane Candlelight Concert: Homeward Bound for the Holidays

The Crane Chorus and Crane Symphony Orchestra of SUNY Potsdam presents the Crane Candlelight Concert 2019, themed “Homeward Bound for the Holidays.” The concert highlights the best songs performed at Candlelight from over the past 10 years. Making this year even more special, the Crane Chorus was joined by the Holy Name of Jesus Academy Chorus, a local youth choir, for five songs. Dr. Jeffrey Francom conducts the chorus, while Dr. Ching-Chun Lai, conducts the orchestra.

2 PM: Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir: Christmas Day in the Morning

The Grammy and Emmy Award winning Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, Orchestra at Temple Square, and Bells at Temple Square join Tony Award winning star Kelli O’Hara and renowned actor Richard Thomas to celebrate the holidays with a nostalgic program that exudes the warmth and peace that the season can bring. Set against a backdrop of a country farmhouse and church, the visual and musical spectacle is distinctly different from those of years past and serves as a soulful tribute to the holiday traditions, songs, stories and individuals that have contributed to the rich cultural fabric that is uniquely American.