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Trilobite © 2000 by S. M. Gon III |
DVDS/VIDEOS A THOUGH L
Ancient Creature of the Deep
NOVA
2003
VHS
"This NOVA program explores the coelacanth, a 400-year-old living fossil that predates the dinosaurs by millions of years and was thought to have gone extinct with them 70 million years ago. The discovery of a living coelacanth near the top of South Africa in 1938 shook the scientific world, and is considered to be one of the most important discoveries of the 20th century. With its limb-like fins, this bizarre creature looked like the fabled "missing link" -- the interim step between primitive creatures that lived only in water and amphibious forms that began the inhabitation of land. The program also tells of the scientists who brought the story of the coelacanth to the attention of the world." Grades 6 to Adults
From School Library Journal (July 2003): "An incredible exploration of the underwater depths...intriguing...outstanding cinematography..."
Back to the Seas
Paleo World: Tracing Animal Origins Series
The Learning Channel
1997
VHS
"This program traces the evolution of whales, dolphins, seals and manatees. As seen on The Learning Channel."
Grades 7 to AdultsThe Birth of the Earth & Ancient Oceans
Discovery Channel
1997
VHS
"From the simplest microorganism to the complex species of humankind, the evolutionary development of every living creature has been marked by life-and-death struggles. In this Discovery program viewers will travel back to primordial times when creatures first emerged from a sea of toxins to fight for a foothold of existence. Then descend into the Earth's ancient oceans to witness the explosion of life that took place there, evidence of which is preserved today in the priceless Burgess Shale. Includes a teacher's guide."
Grades 5 to 12Collecting Earth's Natural Treasures: Gems, Minerals and Fossils
Goldhill Home Media International
1993
VHS
"The world of collecting America's natural treasures and the beauty of these wonders are the focus of this program. View gems, minerals and fossils from museums and private collections around the world, including America's greatest treasures from the GemHall of the Smithsonian, and learn about collecting earth's natural treasures."
Grades 5 to Adults
Earth Science in Action
Earth Science in Action Series
Schessinger Media - Library Video Co.
2000
VHS
"Featuring live-action video, 3-D animation, and graphics, two space adventuring animated green aliens narrate these excellent scripts.Their conversation is sprinkled with just the right amount of humorous dialogue to keep the attention of viewers. Each program includes segments that showcase interesting land formations and tools used by geologists around the world, as well as an experiment that students can replicate in the classroom. Multicultural boys and girls perform investigations." Gr 5-8
From School Library Journal (August 2000): "Covers everything from the Earth's layers, rocks, minerals and
soil to oceans, erosion, volcanoes and earthquakes. Every program includes an experiment, some of which can be replicated by kids." From School Library Journal (December 2000): "This excellent series should be purchased by every middle school science program and for public libraries with non-print home school collections."Earth Stories: Paleontology
Mazon Productions
2003
VHS
" Chip, the animated Rock Hammer, hosts this live-action look at the science of paleontology for children. After introducing paleontology and fossils, the program explores where fossils are found and how they are studied. The program then goes on location to a fossil hunt in South America and Illinois in search of million-year-old fossils." Grades 2- 6
2003 NAPPA Honors Award winner.
2003 Parents' Choice Gold Award winner.
2004 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award winner.
From School Library Journal (Oct 2003): "This is an excellent introduction to an interesting topic, and would be a valuable addition to classroom units on fossils."
From Booklist (Dec 15, 2003): "...fascinating...easy-to-follow..."Evolution
Animal Life in Action Video Series
Library Video - Schlessinger Science Library In Action Collection
1999
"The story of evolution starts with the study of fossils that helps scientists link today's living organisms with those of the past. Students will study the changes in species over thousands of years and see how animals that best adapt to their environment are able to survive and reproduce. A fun, hands-on experiment is included. One of the 16 volumes in the Animal Life in Action series in the Schlessinger Science Library. Part of the Schlessinger Science Library in Action Collection. This correlates to the National Science Education Standards for Life Science - structure & function in living systems, reproduction & heredity, regulation & behavior, populations & ecosystems, and diversity & adaptations of organisms." This includes a teacher's guide - downloadable from Library Video. Grades 5 to 8 Correlation to National Science Education Standards
Form and Function of Fossils
Series: The Earth Explored
PBS Video & BBC
1984
"A study of the ways in which the forms of fossilized sea creatures serve to demonstrate their probable behaviors when alive."
Pathfinder Author Review: This is a fascinating study of marine animal evolution and anatomy and the ways that environment impacts living organisms. It's also a fascinating portrayal of specialized scientists at work.
Fossils
Earth Science in Action Series
Schlessinger Science Library In Action Collection
2000
"Fossils are historic blueprints - remnants of plant and animal life that preceded us. In Fossils, students will examine molds, casts and imprints of various living things and discover how scientists place the age of these ancient remains and the methods they use to preserve them for future generations. Find out how paleontologists discover fossils and what these discoveries tell us about the past. Take a trip to the Petrified Forest and examine tree trunks that were turned to stone millions of years ago. A fun, hands-on investigation demonstrates for students how they can create four different simulated environments in order to test each for its ability to preserve remains. Part of the Earth Science in Action Series." Includes a teacher's guide. Grades 5 to 8 Correlation to National Science Education Standards
From School Library Journal: "This excellent series should be purchased by every middle school science program and for public libraries with non-print home school collections."
Fossils/Erosion
Bill Nye the Science Guy Sampler V Series
Buena Vista
TV and KCTS PBS
2000
VHS"From School Library Journal; Mar2000): Bill Nye brings his fast-paced style to the topics of fossils and erosion in this two-part video. Each 26-minute segment follows the same format as his television shows: an introduction, the show's theme song, coverage of the topic (which usually involves several short episodes, sometimes jumping back and forth from one to another), and a humorous skit running along with the credits at the end. The main section contains both black-and-white segments (which resemble vintage elementary science filmstrips, but with accurate information) as well as color. Bill Nye is the main information source, but he does visit briefly with other individuals to discuss specific concepts. These people aren't completely identified, however, so it is difficult to tell just who they are (perhaps this information is in the credits, which go by very quickly and are not easily read). Several students demonstrate experiments that can be duplicated at home or at school. There are several "commercials" in each segment, such as one for a La Brea Hot Tub (shown after a segment on fossils in the La Brea Tar Pits) and ERosion, where the Statue of Liberty is brought in to the emergency room suffering from severe chemical erosion. A music video completes eachshow (for example, an Elton John look-alike sings "Fossil Man"). This video is an entertaining, informative introduction to the topics. The activities suggested are simple and don't require any unusual ingredients. Fans of Bill Nye will enjoy this latest addition to the series." Grades 4-7
Fossils: Windows Into the Past
Rainbow Educational Media
1998
VHS
"This program provides an overview of fossils and the many things they teach about prehistoric life. It takes students on a dinosaur dig in Wyoming and a fossil horse dig in Florida. It describes fossils as old as blue-green algae that existed 3.5 billion years ago and fossils as recent as those of homo sapiens, our own species, which is less than 200,000 years old. It shows paleontologists at work finding, excavating and preparing fossils; and it shows amateurs, including young students, participating in the search for fossil clues about ancient life." 1999 NEMN Bronze Apple Award winner. Grades 4 to 8
The Geologic Story of Indiana
Instructional Video
Series Discovering the Earth Science Videos
2000
VHS
"The geological history of the Earth covers billions of years! In Geological History, students will examine a time line of the Earth, tracking its violent beginnings and ever-changing face. Discover the four major segments of geologic time (the Precambrian and the Paleozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic eras), and learn about the plant and animal life that developed during each. A journey under the sea shows how geologists study the layers of rock that lie deep under the ocean floor, while a fun, hands-on investigation demonstrates how geologists can 'read' unusual formations in rock layers. Part of the Earth Science in Action Series." Includes a teacher's guide. Grades 5 to 8
From School Library Journal: "This excellent series should be purchased by every middle school science program and for public libraries with non-print home school collections."
Pathfinder Author: This video is ated and a bit slow, but useful for Indiana students to understand the formation of the state's terrain.
I Dig Fossils
Mazon Production Inc.
1993
VHS
"From Rocks & Minerals (September/October 1996): Join a boy and his father as they go out hunting for fossils. It's possible that with a little digging fossils older than dinosaurs can be found. How do you pass along your love of fossil collecting to the next generation? How do you share the excitement of collecting fossils with your own children? I Dig Fossils captures the fun of hunting for fossils, presenting it from a kid's viewpoint. Narrated by young Scott Doniger, this video goes out in the field on a father-son fossil-collecting trip. As they climb hills and gullies, emphasis is on safety tips and collecting pointers. Once home, they split open their concretions to reveal a variety of fern and leaf fossils. References to popular fossil collecting books are given as are information sources for collecting sites. The only drawbacks that this upbeat and professionally produced video has are that it portrays fossil collecting as just a bit too easy, and it doesn't identify most of the fossils shown on screen. The video is best for beginners, especially kids ages five to thirteen."From Billboard (March 5, 1994):"Dinosaurs aren't the only prehistoric wonders of interest to children, although this lackluster live-action guide is not likely to drum up much support for fossil-finding. Narrated by a young suburban-dweller named Scott, the program attempts to awaken the archaeologist in all kids and let them know they don't have to travel too far to begin their excavations. Scott and dad travel a few hours from home to dig for 300-year-old fossils, with the fearless leader explaining how fossils are formed and why they can be unearthed in places viewers might not have expected. In order to.stop kids from grabbing a shovel and heading for mom's garden, the video contains a 'don't try this at home' clause in which Scott informs viewers that all the fossils in people's back yards have been found already."
From Video Librarian Review: "The filmmakers do advise would-be paleontologists to visit their local museums of natural history, and check out some books. Too, they emphasize safety and adult supervision, and remind viewers to get permission with the landowners before they do any digging. How practical this really is, we're not sure - but there's no question that children 6-12 will want to see it. Recommended."
Pathfinder Author: I really enjoyed this video. The young narrator is appealing without being to cute and the information is solid. The focus on safety is well done. I think this will appeal to kids, too.
Land of the Mammoth
Woolly Mammouth Ltd. for Discovery Channel
Discovery Channel Video
2001
DVD
"Includes special features menu.Documentary that follows the search and discovery of new clues as to what scientists are learning form the excavated remains of a 20,000-year-old woolly mammoth known as the Jarkov Mammoth found in the Taimyr Peninsula in Siberia."
From the back cover: "The adventure begins as a team of international scientists start the defrosting process of the Jarkov Mammoth in the arctic chill of an underground ice cave. In the largest expedition to collect Ice Age remains, explorers spread out across the Taimyr Peninsula in a search for more specimens of mammoths and other species that shared his domain. The most recent findings from these and other initial studies, and the discovery of hundreds more prehistoric specimens, have begun to create a more vivid picture of what the woolly mammoth's world was really like some 20,000 years ago."
Pathfinder Author: This DVD is the sequel to Raise the Mammoth and both are compelling, engrossing, fascinating and moving productions!
The Land That Time Forgot
The Learning Channel
1997
VHS
"American paleontologist Bob Bakker explains why some creatures survive times of mass extinction when others die out. The program also heads to the deserts of the South African Karoo with paleontologist Dr. Roger Smith of the South African Museum in Cape Town to look at the unique landscape that preserves eight catastrophic weeks in the life of the bizarre creatures that roamed the planet in the pre-dinosaur Permian age in detail. As seen on The Learning Channel." Grades 7 to Adults
Living Rock: An Introduction to Earth's Geology
USGS
2002
DVD
"This program introduces geology concepts such as geologic time, continental crust, plate tectonics, volcanic activity, earthquakes, subduction zones, erosion, glaciers and more. Produced in conjunction with the U.S. Geological Survey. Grades 6 to Adults
From Video Librarian (November 2002): Also available on the disc as a DVD-ROM feature are 400-plus U.S. Geological Survey “fact sheets” (in Adobe Acrobat PDF format), offering more detailed information on various geological studies. Including both English and Spanish subtitles, this impressive disc should prove to be a valuable tool, particularly for high school science teachers and students. Recommended. From School Library Journal (Dec 2002): "...engaging, vibrant...enhanced with easy-to-follow narration and divided into a wealth of fascinating chapters...truly user friendly...A must for geology courses..."
Video and DVD descriptions on this page came from the linked purchase source. Most of these were located at Library Video.
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