THE OBSERVATORY - Entry # 0002: KNOWLEDGE IS POWER?

By MRAM
June 13, 2009

"A Noun is a person, place or thing..."

People enjoy reading about the quirkiness of everyday life, whether it be tabloids, music or news events and such...but today I wanted to give props to an idea that may have contributed to the success of quite a few adults.

SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK...wow.

In the mid-1970's, ABC TV aired these short cartoons, which taught a generation about government, history, grammar, science, and math. These educational, yet entertaining offerings really helped young kids get a grasp on certain subjects that in turn may have proved useful to them later in life.

SESAME STREET, THE ELECTRIC COMPANY & to an extent, MISTER ROGERS also started their runs back in those days. And we all know how thankful parents were knowing that there was a virtual baby-sitter helping in the molding of their children's young minds.

It's normal to just say that some kids may lack the skills in learning or furthering their knowledge in their educational odyssey of Elementary School through College because on the surface, it can appear that they may be lazy, or forgive my political incorrectness...DUMB.

Could it be that those children or young adults in question may just have a learning dysfunction? That if they are taught the same thing in a different way, they may understand it better? Which brings me to SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK.

Can you recite the Preamble of the Constitution of the United States or know how a Bill becomes a law? Maybe you always wondered how an adverb or an interjection is used. Could you ever imagine that Math is really fun if you look at it in a different light? Here's where this little group of cartoons comes into play.

Music can be infectious and certain songs may stay with you for days on end. Take for example the song YELLOW SUBMARINE by the Beatles or the theme to IT'S A SMALL WORLD from Disneyland. (I apologize in advance if one of those songs is now stuck!).

Now add music to something where sights and sounds can easily grab the attention of a child. Let's say, a cartoon. The result, if used properly can be epic.

To this day, I still refer back to some of those clips. All I can do is show you what I mean. Below are a few links to some examples. Take a look and see for yourself. If these things can't help and I'm wrong, may the L.A. Lakers trade Kobe Bryant for a bag of magic beans and a dog that barks with a lisp!

We really need more programming like this to start kids off early. This is just my take, of course. Enjoy!



1.) INTERJECTIONS
http://youtube.com/watch?v=RhHpJ45_zwM

2.) THE PREAMBLE
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Q_TXJRZ4CFc

3.) MULTIPLYING BY 5
http://youtube.com/watch?v=BSnZFykq5n8

4.) I'M JUST A BILL
http://youtube.com/watch?v=mEJL2Uuv-oQ

5.) NO MORE KINGS
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ofYmhlclqr4&feature=related

And finally, my personal fave:

6.) NOUNS
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZOoGJmZdfMc