TV Smarts

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

* Today--”Dear America: So Far From Home” (HBO, 7:30-8 p.m.) This is a dramatized account based on letters sent to her home country by a teenage servant girl describing the difficult life of Irish immigrants in America during the 1840s. The girl is a fictional character but the description of historical conditions in her letters is historically true. Innovative teachers are encouraging students in social studies classes to look up historical information and then write essays in letter form.

* Friday--”American Presidents--Life Portraits: Franklin Delano Roosevelt” (C-SPAN, 5-8 p.m.) Videotaped at the FDR Presidential Library and Museum in Hyde Park, N.Y., this broadcast provides an extensive tour of sites related to the towering figure against whom all U.S. presidents have been measured since. The Web site www.americanpresidents.org was created for this show with a section “To Be a President: The Children’s View.” Further reading: “Franklin D. Roosevelt, U.S. President (Great Achievers: Lives of the Physically Challenged)” by Don Nardo, a book for ages 9-12 about Roosevelt’s life after he was stricken with polio.

* Saturday--”Images of the Century” (KNBC, 9-10 p.m.) This documentary uses newly available archival footage to present a compelling and fast-paced summary of 20th century history. The emphasis is on U.S. involvement in political and military conflicts around the globe. Walter Cronkite narrates.

* Sunday--”Book TV: Esmeralda Santiago” (C-SPAN2, 3-4 p.m., repeating 9-10 p.m) In this interview program, Latina author Santiago discusses her two memoirs, “When I Was a Puerto Rican” and “Almost a Woman,” about her experiences growing up in Puerto Rico and New York. Also, “Pablo Picasso: A Primitive Soul” (A&E;, 5-7 p.m., repeating 7-9 p.m.) This is a documentary about the Spanish artist whose name has become synonymous with modern art. Each stage of his artistic development and tumultuous private life is described. Rated TV-G. Also, “In a Class of His Own” (SHO, 8-10 p.m.) In this new movie, Lou Diamond Phillips (“La Bamba”) plays a school custodian who has to take--and pass--the G.E.D. high school equivalency test or lose his job. Joan Chen plays the special education teacher who helps him through several unsuccessful attempts.

* Monday--”Discovery: Abejas Asesinas” (KVEA, 10-11 p.m.) Telemundo Network has started a weekly science documentary series airing in Spanish. This episode traces the spread of killer bees through Africa, Brazil, Venezuela and Mexico to the U.S. For younger viewers, taping is recommended to enable viewing at an earlier hour.

* Tuesday--”The Odyssey-Part I” (ODSY, 2-4 p.m., Part II airs Wednesday, 2-4 p.m.) Rebroadcast of the Hallmark Hall of Fame dramatic miniseries that originally aired on NBC. It is now available via a cable network, coincidentally named Odyssey, that is owned by Hallmark, the Jim Henson Company and the National Interfaith Cable Coalition. Because this version closely follows the ancient Greek author Homer’s original story, it has been recommended by children’s librarians as a valuable introduction to material useful for kids when taking language-arts tests in grades two through 12. Armand Assante and Isabella Rosselini star. Also available in video stores.

* Wednesday--”Pioneer Women” (CITY, 9-9:30 p.m.) This documentary on Cityview Channel 35 by each cable company operating within the city of Los Angeles covers the accomplishments of women recently honored by the L.A. Commission on the Status of Women. Each council district is represented by the an honoree doing innovative work in fields such as teaching English as a second language, helping the disabled, revitalizing a business district, running a day-care operation, fighting gang violence and providing dental care to needy children. It’s followed by “Women of Courage” (CITY, 9:30-10 p.m.), a report on acts of courage and bravery by female Los Angeles Police Department officers and Los Angeles Fire Department firefighters.

Compiled by Richard Kahlenberg in consultation with Crystal J. Gips, dean of the School of Education, College of St. Mary, Albany, N.Y. Columns at www.latimes.com/tvsmarts.