Child of the 1980's - Early Educational Television Shows

 

                I don’t know about anyone else, but few things got me more excited during my elementary school years than walking into a classroom and seeing a television.  The big old television sets on the rolling cart meant that we were going to get to watch some sort of video.  Granted it was an educational video, but a video nonetheless.  Sometimes we would get the retro filmstrips with the audio that didn’t quite line up but mostly it was one of a few educational television shows geared toward kids between 6-10 years old.  As a child of the 1980’s these three shows coming up were a huge part of those classroom video days.  Do you remember them?

                For the younger children of the 1980’s, born during the latter half of the decade The Electric Company might not have been on your itinerary for classroom viewing.  The sketch comedy show meant for kids began with its iconic ‘Hey, you guys!’ opening line. 

 

     Airing from 1971-1977 it helped establish people like Morgan Freeman, Rita Moreno, Irene Cara, and Bill Cosby.  The show helped kids with spelling and grammar in addition to educational yet humorous sketches.  Created by Samuel Gibbon Jr. The Electric Company won an Emmy and a Grammy during its 780 episode tenure.  Though crossovers from some of the Muppets from Sesame Street helped, the show was ultimately canceled despite being very popular.  It was a staple during my first few years of school but was ultimately replaced by two other more contemporary shows.

     Focusing more toward the scientific realm came 3-2-1 Contact in 1980.  Despite it also being created by Samuel Gibbon Jr. it initially was a flop.  The first season showcased college students discussing science in a place called ‘the workshop.’  It would be shelved for nearly three years before coming back in 1983 retooled with several different child hosts.  This was another show that immediately caught the eye of kids with its catchy intro.  

     It kept our attention with scientific content mostly created by Dr. Edward G. Atkins along with memorable sketches like the Bloodhound Gang who solved mysteries using their knowledge of science.  Airing until 1988 over the span of 225 episodes 3-2-1 Contact was usually the show of choice by my teachers, except for possibly one exception.

     When it comes to 1980’s educational television few things come to mind before Reading Rainbow.  It had perhaps the catchiest theme song with the unique Buchla synthesizer playing over lyrics sung initially by Tina Fabrique.  ‘Take a look, it’s in a book.’ 

   

     Created by and starring LeVar Burton, who was only twenty-six when the show debuted in 1983, this series encouraged children to read.  Every episode would feature recommendations of books to read, though Burton would always say we didn’t have to take his word for it.  There would be celebrity readers as well during the show’s 155 episodes which ran from 1983-2006.  All in all Reading Rainbow would be the third longest running children’s series behind only Mr. Rogers Neighborhood and Sesame Street.  It would claim twenty-six Emmys including eleven for Outstanding Children’s Series before it was said and done.

      Few things made school more fun than getting to watch television as part of your learning.  These three shows were a huge part of 1980’s educational television, but I am sure there are more.  What was your favorite early educational television show?  Was it on this list? Stay tuned for more sweet 1980’s memories!

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Previous Blog Posts:

In Their Footsteps: New England History - Brant Point Lighthouse, Nantucket

Child of the 1980's - Introduction to Reading

Be sure to check out my website: Christopher Setterlund.com

Zazzle Store: Cape Cod Living

In My Footsteps: Trip 1: Falmouth & Woods Hole, Mass.

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In My Footsteps

Christopher Setterlund

Trip 1: Falmouth & Woods Hole

January 7, 2010

Falmouth and Woods Hole are two must-sees for any Cape Cod traveler. Falmouth has plenty of stores and restaurants but those can be seen in any town. What I was most interested in were the beaches and historical places that both Falmouth and Woods Hole possess.

The best way to discover and appreciate the natural beauty of Falmouth is to take a drive down Shore Street to Surf Drive. The aptly named Surf Drive Beach(below, left) stretches out for nearly a half mile, overlooked across the street by quaint homes and lovely inns and small motels. For those coming from further away needing sleeping accommodations; Shore Haven Inn and Beachside Village sport a tremendous view of the rocky, seaweed strewn beach. The narrow Fresh River empties out into Vineyard Sound along the way and housed several pairs of adorable ducks swimming and feeding. Keep your eyes peeled at the corner of Mill Road. In the front yard of a residential home, a statue of an old sea captain dressed in a blue fisherman’s raincoat waves a friendly hello to all those who pass by. Several private beach front cottages dot the remainder of the beach. They were a hint of summer even as I drove along on a windy, bitterly cold January afternoon.

The Shining Sea Bikeway, named for a line in the iconic song ‘America the Beautiful,’ crosses Surf Drive near Oyster Pond and continues its journey along the coast of Falmouth and onto Woods Hole. It is a bit too cold on this day to bike, but it should be on the schedule for any bicycling or nature enthusiast in the spring, summer, or fall.

Bearing left, Surf Drive becomes Oyster Pond Road and continues weaving through the rural wooded neighborhoods of coastal Falmouth. The bike path is clearly visible on the left at times as I peer through the bare trees. I follow Oyster Pond Road for a while until reaching Nobska Road. Taking this left leads you to the southern most tip of Falmouth and the famed Nobska Lighthouse(right).

Originally constructed in 1828, the current light tower was built in 1876 and became part of the Coast Guard in 1939. It overlooks Vineyard Sound with the privately owned Elizabeth Islands located less than a mile offshore. The island of Martha’s Vineyard sits a few miles further out. There are also some very high rocky cliffs bordering Nobska Road. These are ideal for scenic photography, but they are also dangerous so be careful where you step.

Nobska Road becomes Church Street as you pass the lighthouse. The similarly named Nobska Pond sits on the right. Following Church Street leads to the intersection with Woods Hole Road. A left turn leads you down into the heart of one of the most highly regarded scientific communities on earth. Woods Hole is home to the Sea Education Association, Marine Biological Laboratory(below, right), and the famous Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (WHOI). Most of these buildings are open to the public unless otherwise noted, feel free to walk around and get a real taste of what goes on here.

For those not interested in the scientific areas of Woods Hole, there are plenty of other things to see. Mixing in quite seamlessly with the 21^st Century technology is the look and feel of a 19^th Century fishing village.

Water Street, the main passage way of Woods Hole, is home to many small restaurants and cafes including Shuckers and Captain Kidd. The Woods Hole - Oak Bluffs ferry to Martha’s Vineyard is always coming in and out, so a trip to the island is quite easy, and tempting.

For kids there are two aquariums, the Woods Hole Science Aquarium on Water Street and the Aquarium of National Marine Fisheries located a short walk away on Albatross Street. The Marine Fisheries aquarium is home to many spectacular species of fish, crabs, lobsters, eels, and my favorite the seal tank. Located outside in the front of the aquarium, the seals are usually fed twice a day. The 11:00am feeding is almost always right on schedule. There are also tanks with creatures that can be gently handled, along with a historical ‘walkthrough’ complete with life-sized photos near the entrance.

Everything in Woods Hole is a short walk away. There is plenty of parking along Water Street(left) but make sure to bring quarters for the parking meters! Exiting Woods Hole is as easy as heading east on Water Street back to Woods Hole Road. This can be followed all the way to its end where it meets up with busy Route 28.

Falmouth and Woods Hole are two of the most exciting places to visit on Cape Cod. Especially Woods Hole which is one part Olde Cape Cod village and one part scientific epicenter, woven seamlessly together. I highly recommend anybody visiting Cape Cod, or wishing to do so, to take this route described above. It is a worthwhile trip filled with both natural beauty and education that can be enjoyed any time of the year. Have fun and happy traveling!

From the East: Take Rt. 28 into Falmouth and turn left on Shore Street to begin the trip. It is located approximately 500 feet past the fire station.

From the West: Follow Rt. 28 south from the Bourne Bridge approximately ten miles. Shore Street is the next right after the Falmouth Public Library. Or, to do the trip in reverse, follow Rt. 28 as stated, but instead take a right onto Locust Street which leads to Woods Hole Road. There you may start the trip where I ended it.

References: Welcome to the Village of Woods Hole

Cuttyhunk Historical Society

Surf Drive on Dwellable