TV Smarts

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

* Today--”The Last Shogun” (HIST 3-4 p.m.) Leading the Allied occupation of Japan after World War II, Gen. Douglas MacArthur assumed the role of absolute military dictator, familiar to the Japanese from their own history, preserving their monarchy for the purpose of establishing democracy and land reform. Suggested reading: “American Caesar” by William Manchester.

* Friday--”The Life of Birds” (KCET 9-11 p.m.) Documentaries by David Attenborough titled “The Problems of Parenting” and “The Limits of Endurance,” about our feathered friends’ tough life. You’ll never utter the phrase “free as a bird” again.

* Saturday--”Hispanic Heritage Awards” (KNBC 7-8 p.m.) Special broadcast from the Kennedy Center in Washington highlights achievements of American Latinos. Honorees include author Gary Soto, dancer-teacher Tina Ramirez, athlete Anthony Munoz, tenor Placido Domingo and civil-rights lawyer Antonia Hernandez.

* Sunday--”Restore America: California” (HGTV 7-7:30 p.m., repeats 10-10:30 p.m.) The new Bob Vila (“This Old House”) series looks at people who are rescuing older historic neighborhoods from the wrecking ball. Vila visits Spaulding Square and Hancock Park in Los Angeles, Alamo Square in San Francisco and sites in Amador City and on Coronado Island. Also, “Animal Farm” (TNT 8-10 p.m.) Newly produced movie version of the classic George Orwell novel, often taught in middle and high schools, about animals taking over the farm where they live. Jim Henson’s Creature Shop used state-of-the-art techniques to create lifelike animal actors, whose voices were provided by Kelsey Grammer, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Patrick Stewart, Peter Ustinov and Julia Ormond. Recommended for viewers 10 and older. TV rated PG. An educator’s guide is available online at www.turner.com/tntoriginals.

* Monday--”Arthur: D.W.’s Library Card” (3-3:30 p.m.) Fall premiere of a new season of PBS animated stories illustrating positive life skills based on the popular book series by Marc Brown. This episode airs in conjunction with a nationwide campaign by the Assn. for Library Services to Children, encouraging kids to read. Arthur’s sister, D.W., finally gets her own library card. For more info, log on to www.pbskids.org/arthur.

* Tuesday--”Secrets of the SAT” (KCET 9-10 p.m.) “Frontline” documentary filmed at the Cambridge Colloquium in Laguna Beach and several Bay Area locations, where kids as young as 12 have been preparing all year to take the SAT college admissions test. Starting next week, 2 million will take the SAT this fall and winter. For a special Web site on this report, log on to www.pbs.org/frontline. Recommended reading: “The Big Test: The Secret History of the American Meritocracy” by Nicholas Lemann.

* Wednesday--”Dolphins of the Shadowlands” (ANML 8-9 p.m.) Documentary about a German scientist who lives alone by a remote New Zealand fjord studying a pod of 60 wild dolphins that apparently choose to live in hidden conditions.

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