TV Smarts

Some broadcast and cable programs contain material included in the public school curriculum and on standardized examinations. Here are weekend home-viewing tips:

* Today-- “Scared Straight! 20 Years Later” (KCOP 8-10 p.m.) An Oscar- and Emmy-winning 1979 documentary about at-risk kids’ encounters with inmates at Rahway State Prison in New Jersey has been updated by revisiting the same kids and convicts in 1999. Videos of the initial version were widely use nationally in crime and violence prevention projects. The new version shows which convicts are still in prison and which of the kids, now in their 30s, stayed out. VCR+91979. Also, “Fire, Risk and Rhythm: Stories of Arts for Change” (Bravo 8-9 p.m.) Quincy Jones hosts this report on the effects of arts programs on the lives of three at-risk kids. It’s part of Bravo’s “Start Smart 2000” campaign to demonstrate the positive effects arts education has on learning and on employment potential, which includes a Bravo-funded competition offering grants for arts teachers and community arts groups.

* Friday--”Franklin” (NICK, 10:30-11 a.m.) This series, based on Paulette Bourgeois’ books for children ages 3 to 8, follows the adventures of a turtle coping with many of the feelings of children. Saturday at 11 a.m. in Tarzana, Pages Books for Children presents a “Franklin Storytime” with readings from the latest book in Bourgeois’ series, “Finders Keepers for Franklin,” and a costumed Franklin character autographing books.

* Saturday--”National Geographic Explorer: The Battle for Midway” (TBS, 7-9 a.m.) This is a new documentary about a battle that was to World War II in the Pacific what Gettysburg was to the Civil War--the turning point. Historical combat footage, including material from director John Ford, then a rear admiral, and interviews with surviving veterans are combined with views of the U.S. aircraft carrier Yorktown, where it lies three miles deep in the ocean. It was recently discovered by Robert Ballard, who found the wreck of the Titanic. VCR+176291. Recommended for taping. “Before Their Time: Ancient Technology” (A&E;, 10-11 a.m.) A documentary about technologies employed by the Chinese, Peruvians, Egyptians, Greeks, Syrians and Italians centuries ago that modern engineers use and some they are still trying to figure out. Examples are Damascus steel, nonelectric Greek computing devices and Egyptian civil engineering achievements. VCR+632272.

* Sunday--”Intimate Universe: The Human Body” (TLC, 9-11 p.m.) Premiere of a new BBC documentary series that uses special cameras and microscopes to study the inner workings of the human body from the beginning to the end of the life cycle. Tonight’s episodes are “Life Story,” the maturing process from birth to 100, and “Building a Baby,” which contains a remarkable sequence tracing a nine-month pregnancy in less than a minute. Monday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., TLC airs episodes entitled “First Steps,” covering early childhood and including babies’ ability to swim underwater, and “Raging Teens,” covering puberty.

Compiled by Richard Kahlenberg in consultation with Crystal J. Gips, associate director for teacher education, Cal State University. Columns available at www.calendarlive.com/HOME/CALENDARLIVE/TVENT/TVSMARTS.