TV Smarts

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

* Today--”Aztecs: Inside the Hidden Empire” (TLC 10-11 p.m.) Describes the achievements and internal conflicts in the most powerful empire in North America for 200 years before the arrival of the Spanish. Also, “48 Hours: Inheritance” (KCBS 10-11 p.m.) A look at children who follow in the footsteps of their well-known fathers: Pete Rose, Vince Gotti and David Crosby, plus George Foreman, Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, whose daughters have become boxers.

* Friday--”This Week in History” (HIST 9-10 p.m.) Premiere of weekly series about historical events reported as if they were current news. This week looks at the building of the Berlin Wall, the opening of the Panama Canal and the first shipment of prisoners to Alcatraz. Veteran news anchors Giselle Fernandez and John Binswanger host this spinoff of the popular “Today in History.” See https://www.HistoryChannel.com. Also, “Dateline NBC” (KNBC 9-10 p.m.) Documentary about an experimental program to provide housing in mainstream neighborhoods for families in public housing projects that have become dangerous. Maria Shriver reports.

* Saturday--”Inherit the Wind” (Bravo 8-10:30 p.m.) Classic 1960 movie about a teacher on trial in the 1920s for introducing a class to Darwin’s theory of evolution. Spencer Tracy and Frederic March star.

* Sunday--”Life & Times Tonight” (KCET 8-9 p.m.) Preview of the 2000 Democratic National Convention. Also, “Shark Week” (DISC 9-11 p.m.) First of two hourlong episodes of a documentary series on sharks airs tonight, followed in this time slot Monday through Aug. 18 by one-hour episodes. Also, “Great Conventions” (HIST 10-11p.m.) Documentary about the 1960 Democratic National Convention, at which John F. Kennedy was nominated.

* Monday--”Dora the Explorer” (NICK 8-9 p.m.) First of two episodes of an animated bilingual adventure series for young viewers, accompanied by the launch of a companion Web site at https://www.nickjr.com. Dora is a 7-year-old Latina heroine who lives inside a computer and uses her knowledge of English and Spanish to communicate with friends, overcome obstacles and pursue her goals. She teaches Spanish terms to viewers who have logged on to the Web site and asks them to use the words to solve a problem in each episode.

* Tuesday--”Jimi Hendrix: The Man They Made God” (A&E; 8-9 p.m.) Documentary about the Seattle guitarist who rocketed to fame after arriving in London in 1966 and toured Europe and the U.S. until his death in 1970 at 27.

* Wednesday--”The Sun” (TLC 9-10 p.m.) Chronicles mankind’s fascination with the sun, from the period of desert astronomy by Native Americans through initial sightings of sunspots by Galileo in the 1600s to modern use of telescopes on land and in space.

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