Poster for Thinkabout

PBS 1979 - 1980 1 season 60 eps TV-Y7 Ended

Thinkabout

1979 - 1980 1 season 60 eps TV-Y7

8.1

Season 1

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Specials

Season 1

15 min

S1 · E1 · Sep 17, 1979

Finding Alternatives: Why Bother? Episode 1

Kelly researches and gathers information to write a book report on George Washington Carver. She imagines his life and considers different possibilities and ideas about his work.

15 min

S1 · E2 · Sep 17, 1979

Finding Alternatives: Brainstorming Episode 2

The school janitor comes up with a plan to stop students from painting in the halls and to make sure they clean up any mess they create.

15 min

S1 · E3 · Oct 1, 1979

Finding Alternatives: Blockbusting Episode 3

Different people try blockbusting by testing their ideas and visualizing the problem to find new solutions.

15 min

S1 · E4 · Oct 8, 1979

Finding Alternatives: You Can Remember Episode 4

On his first day at work, Pete tries hard to remember everything he’s learned as he begins his newspaper route with Erica.

15 min

S1 · E5 · Oct 15, 1979

Estimating and Approximating: Estimating Episode 5

The Shenandoahs use estimating and approximating to figure out how they can beat the other team in the canoe race.

15 min

S1 · E6 · Oct 22, 1979

Estimating and Approximating: Approximating Episode 6

The students use estimating and approximating as they work together to put their school play on stage.

15 min

S1 · E7 · Oct 29, 1979

Estimating and Approximating: Using Estimating and Approximating Episode 7

The kids and their grandmother use estimating and approximating to figure out which supplies they need to buy to help warm up the house.

15 min

S1 · E8 · Nov 5, 1979

Estimating and Approximating: Find Your Guide Episode 8

Mary, Bill, and Priscilla use different words and clues to help them find their guide.

15 min

S1 · E9 · Oct 29, 1979

Giving & Getting Meaning: What's the Meaning? Episode 9

Alfie has a communication problem with Jack about meeting him at the field until a man tells Alfie about communication about the way to give and get meaning.

15 min

S1 · E10 · Nov 19, 1979

Giving & Getting Meaning: Meaning is More than Words Episode 10

Alfie has a communication problem with Jack about meeting him at the field until a man tells Alfie about communication about the way to give and get meaning.

15 min

S1 · E11 · Nov 26, 1979

Giving & Getting Meaning: Remember the Audience! Episode 11

Chuck, Ginger, and Herbie create a movie for Mr. Callahan called All Around the World to help the audience remember what they’ve learned.

15 min

S1 · E12 · Dec 3, 1979

Giving & Getting Meaning: But What Does It Mean? Episode 12

Kathy and Diane share and interpret the meaning of the letter and the newspaper article, then compare their ideas to the story.

15 min

S1 · E13 · Dec 10, 1979

Giving & Getting Meaning: The Bigger Picture Episode 13

Danny runs away from home and takes a bus to another city, where he begins to think about the bigger picture and what his choices really mean.

15 min

S1 · E14 · Dec 17, 1979

Giving & Getting Meaning: Where Are You Coming From? Episode 14

At prep school, Coulter, Hansen, and Blake share and interpret the meaning behind their teacher asking to see them after class, both about their grades and about working on a story about the school.

15 min

S1 · E15 · Dec 24, 1979

Challenge #1: Time Capsule: Make a Present for the Future Episode 15

A time capsule is uncovered in the desert, and the kids explore its contents to learn about the past, understand the present, and imagine the future.

15 min

S1 · E16 · Dec 31, 1979

Collecting Information: What Do I Know? Episode 16

A boy finds a lost puppy in front of the building and starts gathering information to figure out where it came from. Meanwhile, two girls begin searching for the missing puppy, and eventually, they’re the ones who find him.

15 min

S1 · E17 · Jan 7, 1980

Collecting Information: Where Should I Go? Episode 17

Marty and Pete see a red glowing object in the sky. Marty goes to the library to find information inside the encyclopedia about UFO's, Him and Pete and gather objects to collect information about UFOs.

15 min

S1 · E18 · Jan 14, 1980

Collecting Information: What Should I Do? Episode 18

The kids complain about the school meatloaf and decide they want a change. They talk with Ms. Caldwell, the dietitian, to discuss new lunch options. After collecting information and sharing their ideas, they help get the lunch menu changed.

15 min

S1 · E19 · Jan 21, 1980

Collecting Information: There are Ways to Remember Episode 19

Cathy does Tai Chi in the park, and She forgets her notes on the bus stop and remembers how to do Tai Chi for her presentation.

15 min

S1 · E20 · Jan 28, 1980

Classifying: Classifying Objects Episode 20

Sam, his sister and his parents are having a garage sale to raise money and move, they classified and organize objects in the right column.

15 min

S1 · E21 · Feb 4, 1980

Classifying: Classifying Information Episode 21

Leora classifies information does a report about the Walker hotel and interviews Mr. Stark about the history of the hotel.

15 min

S1 · E22 · Feb 11, 1980

Classifying: Stereotyping People Episode 22

Lisa treats and labels her grandmother as old when she is in mean to her and treats her unkindly at home after being released from the hospital for a broken arm.

15 min

S1 · E23 · Feb 18, 1980

Classifying: There Are Many Ways to Go Episode 23

Heather, Leah and Kathy tell the interviewer about understanding a plan to solve a problem by doing things in a different way.

15 min

S1 · E24 · Feb 25, 1980

Finding Patterns: People Patterns Episode 24

Ricky learns about people patterns inside the classroom, and He does a people pattern on a old man inside the apartment building.

15 min

S1 · E25 · Mar 3, 1980

Finding Patterns: Communication Patterns Episode 25

Roger meets a deaf girl student named Jackie, He don't know sign language, so He learns sign language by Communicating Patterns to communicate with her at the school dance.

15 min

S1 · E26 · Mar 10, 1980

Finding Patterns: Cultural Patterns Episode 26

Chiquita goes to Mexico to learn her family's Cultural Patterns.

15 min

S1 · E27 · Mar 17, 1980

Finding Patterns: Nature's Patterns Episode 27

Susan visits her uncle, aunt, and cousin in town, and she and her cousin Howard spend the afternoon exploring nature’s patterns as they search for fish in the pond.

15 min

S1 · E28 · Mar 24, 1980

A Challenge: Search for the Unknown Episode 28

Scientists travel to northern Scotland to investigate the legend of the Loch Ness Monster, known as “Nessie.” Along the way, locals share stories and sightings, describing a mysterious creature that many believe resembles a prehistoric dinosaur.

15 min

S1 · E29 · Mar 31, 1980

Generalizing: Drawing Conclusions Episode 29

A boy is preparing to move to London, England. His father explains the pattern to him, and he later asks Mrs. Stokins for more information about life in England.

15 min

S1 · E30 · Apr 7, 1980

Generalizing: Checking Conclusions Episode 30

Angie explores what it would take to start a music group for the community talent show, hoping it could lead to a record deal.

15 min

S1 · E31 · Apr 14, 1980

A Tip: Practice for Success Episode 31

Jack doesn’t know how to play tennis, so Lindsay and Stephanie teach him. He practices consistently until he becomes skilled at the sport.

15 min

S1 · E32 · Apr 21, 1980

Sequencing & Scheduling: One Step at a Time Episode 32

Barbara, Rudy, and their family work together to plan and schedule the details for their grandfather’s birthday celebration.

15 min

S1 · E33 · Apr 28, 1980

Sequencing & Scheduling: Plan Ahead Episode 33

The kids work together to sequence their ideas and summarize their plan for designing a Loch Ness monster to place in the lake.

15 min

S1 · E34 · May 5, 1980

Sequencing and Scheduling: Calm Your Jitters! Episode 34

Nancy is nervous about giving a presentation at her old school, especially because her former teacher, now the principal, will be there.

15 min

S1 · E35 · May 12, 1980

Using Criteria: What Are They? Episode 35

Woody explains the criteria he uses to evaluate a baseball pitch, while Debbie shares the criteria she uses as a dancer, and even applies them when choosing a card for her mom. In class, the students discuss what “criteria” means and how to use it.

15 min

S1 · E36 · May 19, 1980

Using Criteria: Where Do You Get Them? Episode 36

Larry uses his criteria to ask the automotive experts what makes a good car. Later, his friends Mike and Ed ask him to judge which of them has the better car.

15 min

S1 · E37 · May 26, 1980

Using Criteria: How Do You Change That? Episode 37

Betsy, a basketball player, uses her own criteria to decide who should be the team captain. Now she has to choose, will she vote for Ellie or May?

15 min

S1 · E38 · Jun 2, 1980

A Challenge: Design a Language Episode 38

Two girls watch a deaf man communicate through sign language with the help of his interpreter in their classroom. Inspired, they visit a school for the deaf to learn signs themselves and later watch him use sign language on television.

15 min

S1 · E39 · Jun 9, 1980

Reshaping Information: Symbols Episode 39

Leah uses symbols as clues, while Burt, Faye, Jack, and Jody read and examine different symbols to help choose a name for their baseball team.

15 min

S1 · E40 · Jun 9, 1980

Reshaping Information: More Than You Think Episode 40

Alex gets a job at a carnival as a fortune teller, and he starts thinking about and reshaping what he knows to understand what a fortune teller really does.

15 min

S1 · E41 · Jun 16, 1980

Reshaping Information: Summarizing Episode 41

Jess summarizes his ideas by writing them down and gathers information from his friends to help him get a job as a cashier at a sporting goods store.

15 min

S1 · E42 · Jun 23, 1980

Reshaping Information: Maps and Models Episode 42

The Westside Wranglers use maps and models to figure out how to get their moose head back up on the wall.

15 min

S1 · E43 · Jun 30, 1980

A Tip: Get Ahead with Goals Episode 43

Leon enters a bike race so he can push himself toward his goals and chase a victory.

15 min

S1 · E44 · Jul 7, 1980

Judging Information: Should I Believe It? Episode 44

Sue decides to become a newspaper writer after she evaluates the information about aliens supposedly invading the town of Duncan.

15 min

S1 · E45 · Jul 14, 1980

Judging Information: What's Important? Episode 45

Jamie and Christy visit Sir Gordon’s castle, where they examine and judge the important information surrounding his death.

15 min

S1 · E46 · Jul 21, 1980

Judging Information: What's Enough? Episode 46

Bobby rides his bike to the until it gets stolen, He blames Eddie for taking his bike, He tries to get enough information to see who stole his bike.

15 min

S1 · E47 · Jul 28, 1980

Judging Information: Point of View Episode 47

Michael goes to Cedarville Park to explore different points of view about the automobile strike.

15 min

S1 · E48 · Aug 4, 1980

Judging Information: Persuasive Techniques Episode 48

Wes asks Allen to play football, but Allen turns him down because he has to go to practice. The other boys criticize Allen, calling him a nerd and making fun of his persuasive techniques, especially since he’s now in high school.

15 min

S1 · E49 · Aug 11, 1980

A Tip: Make a Deal with Yourself Episode 49

Duncan makes a deal with himself as he practices guitar for his audition at the country jamboree. Andrew also makes a deal with himself, he commits to showing up to work on time.

15 min

S1 · E50 · Aug 18, 1980

Communicating Effectively: Styles of Communication Episode 50

Bill, Donna, and Gunnar use their different communication styles to take people’s orders at the restaurant.

15 min

S1 · E51 · Aug 25, 1980

Communicating Effectively: Planning a Presentation Episode 51

The kids plan a school presentation to teach everyone about the importance of getting pets vaccinated.

15 min

S1 · E52 · Sep 1, 1980

Communicating Effectively: Making a Presentation Episode 52

Shannon, a Navajo girl, prepares a presentation for the annual speech contest about her heritage. As she practices, she learns the skills of oral delivery, body language, and eye contact to strengthen her presentation.

15 min

S1 · E53 · Sep 8, 1980

Communicating Effectively: Making Your Point! Episode 53

Flash doesn’t get picked for the basketball squad, so he tries to impress the coach—showing off his skills, promoting himself, and making his case right there on the court.

15 min

S1 · E54 · Sep 15, 1980

Communicating Effectively: Making It Come Alive Episode 54

Heather is a ballerina, and she writes a term paper about becoming one when she grows up—bringing her dream to life through her writing.

15 min

S1 · E55 · Sep 22, 1980

A Challenge: Make Something New Episode 55

Sophie talks about being creative, and the kids join in by discussing how they can make something new.

15 min

S1 · E56 · Sep 29, 1980

Solving Problems: One Thing Leads to Another Episode 56

Margie and Janet are babysitting when things get a little mixed up. Realizing they can do better, they start their own babysitting service to earn money. They even figure out how to get their own phone so they can keep the business going, until everything suddenly goes awry.

15 min

S1 · E57 · Oct 6, 1980

Solving Problems: A Matter of Time Episode 57

Susan takes two of her nieces and their friends to Lake Nedar, but their trip takes a sudden turn when they become involved in a plane crash. The plane catches fire, and Susan is injured in the chaos.

15 min

S1 · E58 · Oct 13, 1980

Solving Problems: There's Always a Risk Episode 58

A girl repairs the scanner so she can check out the plane crash involving Colleen, Roxanne, Cathy, and their Aunt Susan. Roxanne and Cathy take a risk when they decide to walk to a nearby town for help.

15 min

S1 · E59 · Oct 20, 1980

Solving Problems: Hanging in There Episode 59

A search begins for three girls and a woman after their plane crashes. News reports cover the unfolding situation, and helicopter crews eventually locate them and carry out the rescue.

15 min

S1 · E60 · Oct 27, 1980

Plan a City of the Future Episode 60

The kids share and discuss their ideas for planning a city of the future.

60 episodes in Season 1

Some details come from TheTVDB.

Thinkabout, "a cooperative project for acquiring skills essential to learning", was an instructional program for children, produced in 1979 by the Agency for Instructional Television, in association with various contributing television stations in the United States and Canada. It was distributed to PBS and educational stations across the US and Canada as late as the mid-to-late 1980s. The sixty programs produced were aimed for fifth and sixth grade students to understand their learning process in topics as varied as language arts, mathematics, study skills, as well as thinking skills. Thinkabout was funded by various state and local agencies, with additional support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, one of very few CPB-funded programs not distributed by PBS.

Where to watch

Not streaming anywhere

Not on any streaming service in United States, and not available to rent.

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Cast

2 people

Taborah Johnson

Known for

Ewoks

Star Wars: Droids

Jamie Dick

Robert D. B. Carlisle Creator · Edwin G. Cohen Creator

Creator

Robert D. B. Carlisle

Creator

Edwin G. Cohen

Total runtime 15h 0m · Episode length 15 min · Country Canada, United States

Show info

Premiered

September 17, 1979

Final episode

October 27, 1980

Status

Ended

Network

PBS

Country

Canada · United States

Type

Scripted

Episode length

15 min

Total runtime

15h 0m

Original language

English

Production

A

Agency for Instructional Technology (AIT)

Production

P

PBS

Production

Languages

Spoken on screen

English

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Some details come from TheTVDB.

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