English

Students will learn about resources they can use to improve their writing. They will discover that they can look at the work of other writers, use books like a dictionary or thesaurus, use writing techniques like rhyme, alliteration, and onomatopoeia, organize ideas and facts with outlines or story maps. Proofreading tools are also discussed.

Professor Plot, the zany publisher of Wordswork, has given his editors a unique challenge: Showcase four different types of writing, each with its own purpose and audience, in the upcoming issue of the magazine.

Expository writing emerges as the theme for this issue of Wordswork, and the editors are on a quest to fill the magazine with writing that informs or provides facts. The team quickly realizes that expository writing can be anything from a school science project to a letter to the president!

Viewers learn the importance of prewriting (thinking and planning), how to transform ideas into a written draft, different types of sentences (lead, topic, etc.) editing, proofreading, and publishing.

Viewers will learn about the story-writing process. Discusses character, setting, plot, the ending, and looks at ways to organize ideas through the use of character webs and story maps. Examines character and plot development, diologue, and descriptive details as a tool for making a story interesting.

Fifty years ago, two unknown scientists ran into an English pub shouting that they had found the secret of life. Jim Watson and Francis Crick were not exaggerating. Narrated by Jeff Goldblum, this series looks back on the achievements that launched a new era in biology and human life itself.

This program tells the story of genetic engineering's pioneers and the controversy surrounding it. Focuses on the race to synthesize insulin and genetically modified crops. Includes interviews with leading biochemists and molecular biologists.

Examines the Human Genome Project and tracks the progress, including the scientific innovations which lead to its completion. Includes a discussion of its political and economic impact of the project. Includes interviews with scientists involved with the project.

Tells the story of how a small group of scientists have developed radical new ways of treating cancer on the genetic level. Focuses on two pioneering efforts: one that isolated the gene linked to breast cancer, and the other which eventually lead to the anti-cancer drug Gleevec, used in the treatment of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia.

Nobel Laureate Jim Watson gives a guided tour of the future of genetic engineering. Looks at the eugenics movement and genetic selection for families with children that have disabilities. Discusses scientists that speak out in favor of to the manipulation of DNA to benefit humans, and those scientists who fear the risks of losing genetic variation and "playing God."