TV Smarts

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

* Today-- “Shakespeare’s Women” (BRAVO, 5-6 p.m., repeats 8-9 p.m.) Broadcast in observance of the Bard’s birthday April 23, this is a compendium of movie scenes from his plays featuring great actresses. Claire Bloom hosts. VCR+780984. Also, “Going Wild With Jeff Corwin” (DISNEY, 7-9 p.m.) Broadcast in celebration of Earth Day, this is a marathon of four Corwin documentaries about the resurgence of once-endangered animal species: sloths VCR+783071, manatees VCR+519938, bald eagles VCR+872919 and elephant seals VCR+884754. The final episode features the birth of an elephant seal.

* Friday--”The Mound Builders” (HIST, 5-6 p.m., repeating 9-10 p.m.) Documentary on a topic studied in several grades: the ritual structures built by ancient tribes in the Americas VCR+22255.

* Saturday--”Children’s Books” (C-SPAN2, 12:30-2:30 p.m.) Report on the visit of Steven Kroll, author of 79 children’s books, to a second-grade class in White Plains, N.Y. From 2:30-4 p.m., C-SPAN2 will carry live coverage of the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books panel discussion, “Americanos: The Faces Of Latino Culture,” hosted by Edward James Olmos. “Defeat at Waterloo: Napoleon vs. Wellington” (HIST 5-7 p.m., repeats 9-11 p.m.) is a documentary that explains why a battle in 1815 near Waterloo, a small town in Belgium, made the town’s name a synonym for “turning point in history.” VCR+66279.

* Sunday--”Politics and Warriors: Women In The Military” (KCET, 5-6 p.m.) This documentary surveys the attitudes of members of the military, educators and politicians about the increased number of women in uniform and the impact on morale and military readiness. From 6-7 p.m., KCET airs “Title IX and Women in Sports,” which looks at the federal law designed to prevent students from being excluded from sports because of gender. From 11 p.m-midnight, KCET airs “The Last Stand: The Struggle For Ballona Wetlands,” which examines the struggle over land near Los Angeles International Airport, where DreamWorks SKG wants to build its movie studio. Ed Asner narrates.

--Compiled by Richard Kahlenberg in consultation with Crystal J. Gips, associate director for teacher education, Cal StateUniversity. Columns available at www.calendarlive.com/HOME/CALENDARLIVE/TVENT/TVSMARTS