1791. The benefits of student exchange (27:43)

Date:
1954
Summary:
Students representing Spain, Burma, Denmark, France and Egypt evaluate their visit to the United States. Most of the discussion is concerned with the students' reaction to life in the United States. The students contrast the American culture with their own, emphasizing the fact that each of their cultures is comparatively ancient, and thus, there seems no need consciously to "be'' a member of that culture, while they sense the need of American youngsters to "be" consciously American. The problem of segregation is also considered. "Teamwork," and the way in which competition and cooperation are treated in American schools are quite interestingly examined, as is the question of conformity and individualism. One student was particularly intrigued with what American youngsters mean by "personality," and why such a premium is placed on it.

1792. The Child as a Whole (29:37)

Date:
1954
Summary:
Discusses the importance of measuring a child's capabilities by his organismic age rather than his calender age. Explains how organismic age is figured. (University of Michigan Television) Kinescope.

1793. The great gamble: Cyrus W. Field (20:00)

Date:
1954
Main contributors:
Teaching Film Custodians
Summary:
Teaching Film Custodians abridged classroom version of a Cavalcade of America television episode, "The Great Gamble" (season 3, episode 1), which first aired October 12th, 1954 on ABC-TV. Presents the work of Cyrus W. Field in organizing and directing the project to establish a system of rapid communications between Europe and America by means of the Trans Atlantic Cable, and his courageous perseverance to succeed in spite of several unsuccessful attempts.

1794. The United States As Others See It (28:26)

Date:
1954
Main contributors:
National Educational Television
Summary:
The reactions of the countries of the free world to American foreign policy along with the reactions of the panelists to the American people are discussed on this program. Taking part are students from Great Britain, the Philippines, Israel, and the United States. The student from the Philippines raises many interesting points regarding the Asian attitude toward US foreign policy. Although he makes quite clear the fact that these are not his own views, he feels that many people in that part of the world exhibit a distrust of US policy because of a fear that there are "strings attached.” He goes on to show how this fear grows out of Asia's bitter experiences with colonialism, and her identification of the United States with that policy. Some of the problems growing out of America's desire for European and Asian Federation are also examined by the group, such as the fear of the smaller nations that they will be dominated by the larger ones, and Britain's fear of losing her Asian holdings. A comparison by the students of the situation in Asia as compared to that in Europe, showed a strong feeling that each faced many different problems in achieving federation. The inability of many people in the United States to distinguish between communism and socialism is strongly criticized by the delegate from Britain, who points out that he, after all, "comes from a welfare state." Some very alert discussion centers around the reactions of foreign students to the attitudes of American youngsters, and what is described as their "fear of solitude. The American student offers as explanation the necessity to stress citizenship, teamwork, and a sense of "American-ness" in order to bring together all of the varying cultures that make up America.

1795. A day without numbers (09:06)

Date:
1953
Summary:
A second-grader's experiences during a day without numbers cause him to want to study arithmetic and to realize the value of numbers in his everyday living. All the class but Bob enjoy arithmetic. When a puppet with magic powers offers Bob a day without numbers, he gladly leaves the classroom with the puppet. A series of frustrating experiences caused by the magical disappearance of numbers, such as the disruption of an exciting baseball game, results in Bob's gladly returning to the classroom and the study of arithmetic.

1796. A home away from home (06:33)

Date:
1953
Summary:
This film demonstrates the many ways in which Indiana University is a home away from home for the thousands of students that attend each year. The introduction to IU begins with informational pamphlets and brochures that students receive at home, and continues as soon as they set foot on campus to explore all that IU student life has to offer.

1797. City pets : fun and responsibility (10:49)

Date:
1953
Summary:
Illustrates the need of pets for adequate care, urges children to care for their city pets and shows by example how such care is administered. Portrays the kinds of pets that are conveniently kept in city apartments as Jimmy and his dog take a walk in the park and visit a pet shop. Encourages pupils to tell and write stories about the pets that are shown.

1798. Galileo's laws of falling bodies (06:11)

Date:
1953
Main contributors:
Encyclopaedia Britannica Films, O. W. Eshbach, Warren P. Everote
Summary:
Develops the law of falling bodies and credits Galileo for his work in this area. Shows by experiment and slow motion photography that all bodies fall at the same rate of speed and uses the inclined plane to determine speed, acceleration, and distance traveled in given times. Derives the formulas S=10t(2), S=1/2at(2), and S=1/2gt(2).

1799. Gossip (10:49)

Date:
1953
Summary:
Illustrates the detrimental effects of rumors through the experience of Jean, a newcomer in a high school, who becomes the victim of a malicious rumor started by Jack, her first date. After suffering considerable unhappiness, she is again accepted by her friends when her parents and the principal get Jack to confess and to tell the facts.

1800. In this crisis : Trenton, 1776 (21:16)

Date:
1953
Summary:
Teaching Film Custodians abridged classroom version of an episode of the DuPont sponsored Cavalcade of America television series, "In This Crisis" (season 1, episode 7), which aired December 24, 1953 on NBC-TV. This historical drama features John Honeyman, butcher and American patriot, who, pretending to be a Tory, spies on the Hessions to gain military intelligence, which informs Washington's decision to cross the Delaware and attack the Hessions in the December, 1776 battle at Trenton.