Schoolhouse Rock! Earth (2009) - DVD Review

MPAA Rating: NA
Genre: Children's educational
Age range: 5 years+
Runtime: Approx. 50 minutes

Schoolhouse Rock! Earth - Overview

The creators of the original Schoolhouse Rock! TV series have created new songs for today's kids featuring issues facing the world now. Schoolhouse Rock! Earth contains 13 animated songs (11 of them are new) about the environment and bein' green. The upbeat, catchy musical numbers help kids learn about and understand important issues and inspire them to do their part to help the environment. Many of the songs speak directly to kids with a call to action, and others feature Schoolhouse Rock! characters who entertain and inspire kids:

• "Report from the North Pole"
• "The Little Things We Do"
• "The Trash Can Band"
• "You Oughta Be Savin' Water"
• "The Rainforest"
• "Save the Ocean"
• "FatCat Blue: The Clean Rivers Song"
• "A Tiny Urban Zoo"
• "Solar Power to the People"
• "Windy and the Windmills"
• "Don't Be a Carbon Sasquatch"
• "The Three Rs" (Music Video Performed by Mitchel Musso)
• "The Energy Blues" (A classic song digitally remastered)

Schoolhouse Rock! Earth - Guide Review

For anyone who has previously seen Schoolhouse Rock!, the songs on this DVD are EXACTLY the same in look, feel, and style as what you have come to know and possibly love. The same people who created the original series are back, and the songs even feature the same singers that sang the classics such as "I'm Just a Bill."

All of the songs on the Schoolhouse Rock! Earth DVD tie strongly into the earth/environmental theme. The songs educate and inspire kids without going terribly overboard. Some of the songs are great, and some are just okay. Our favorite by far is "Don't Be a Carbon Sasquatch" (how clever is that?); however, try explaining a carbon footprint to a 3 and 6-year-old!

Schoolhouse Rock! Earth - Expand Upon the Curriculum

Whether it is Earth Day or not, teaching kids about the environment and green living can be a rewarding experience. Here are some ideas and resources for further learning:

• Celebrate Earth Day with fun crafts, games and activities.
• Dowload educational science materials related to Disney's Earth movie on the Earth website (click on the link named "For Educators" at the top of the page).
• Take some time to read with your child: great Earth Day books for kids.

*Those who like Schoolhouse Rock! Earth may also enjoy: Schoolhouse Rock! The Election Collection, Nature Documentaries for Kids and Families.