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Series · 1979 – 1980 · Kids

Thinkabout

★0.0 1979 – 1980 1 Season Robert D. B. Carlisle TV-MA

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.

Seasons & episodes

1 season · 60 episodes

Finding Alternatives: Why Bother?

Episode 01

Finding Alternatives: Why Bother?

Sep 17, 1979 · 15 min

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.

Finding Alternatives: Brainstorming

Episode 02

Finding Alternatives: Brainstorming

Sep 17, 1979 · 15 min

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.

Finding Alternatives: Blockbusting

Episode 03

Finding Alternatives: Blockbusting

Oct 1, 1979 · 15 min

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

Finding Alternatives: You Can Remember

Episode 04

Finding Alternatives: You Can Remember

Oct 8, 1979 · 15 min

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

Estimating and Approximating: Estimating

Episode 05

Estimating and Approximating: Estimating

Oct 15, 1979 · 15 min

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

Estimating and Approximating: Approximating

Episode 06

Estimating and Approximating: Approximating

Oct 22, 1979 · 15 min

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

Estimating and Approximating: Using Estimating and Approximating

Episode 07

Estimating and Approximating: Using Estimating and Approximating

Oct 29, 1979 · 15 min

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

Estimating and Approximating: Find Your Guide

Episode 08

Estimating and Approximating: Find Your Guide

Nov 5, 1979 · 15 min

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

Giving & Getting Meaning: What's the Meaning?

Episode 09

Giving & Getting Meaning: What's the Meaning?

Oct 29, 1979 · 15 min

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.

Giving & Getting Meaning: Meaning is More than Words

Episode 10

Giving & Getting Meaning: Meaning is More than Words

Nov 19, 1979 · 15 min

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.

Giving & Getting Meaning: Remember the Audience!

Episode 11

Giving & Getting Meaning: Remember the Audience!

Nov 26, 1979 · 15 min

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

Giving & Getting Meaning: But What Does It Mean?

Episode 12

Giving & Getting Meaning: But What Does It Mean?

Dec 3, 1979 · 15 min

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

Giving & Getting Meaning: The Bigger Picture

Episode 13

Giving & Getting Meaning: The Bigger Picture

Dec 10, 1979 · 15 min

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.

Giving & Getting Meaning: Where Are You Coming From?

Episode 14

Giving & Getting Meaning: Where Are You Coming From?

Dec 17, 1979 · 15 min

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.

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

Episode 15

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

Dec 24, 1979 · 15 min

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.

Collecting Information: What Do I Know?

Episode 16

Collecting Information: What Do I Know?

Dec 31, 1979 · 15 min

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.

Collecting Information: Where Should I Go?

Episode 17

Collecting Information: Where Should I Go?

Jan 7, 1980 · 15 min

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.

Collecting Information: What Should I Do?

Episode 18

Collecting Information: What Should I Do?

Jan 14, 1980 · 15 min

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.

Collecting Information: There are Ways to Remember

Episode 19

Collecting Information: There are Ways to Remember

Jan 21, 1980 · 15 min

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.

Classifying: Classifying Objects

Episode 20

Classifying: Classifying Objects

Jan 28, 1980 · 15 min

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.

Classifying: Classifying Information

Episode 21

Classifying: Classifying Information

Feb 4, 1980 · 15 min

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

Classifying: Stereotyping People

Episode 22

Classifying: Stereotyping People

Feb 11, 1980 · 15 min

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.

Classifying: There Are Many Ways to Go

Episode 23

Classifying: There Are Many Ways to Go

Feb 18, 1980 · 15 min

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

Finding Patterns: People Patterns

Episode 24

Finding Patterns: People Patterns

Feb 25, 1980 · 15 min

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

Finding Patterns: Communication Patterns

Episode 25

Finding Patterns: Communication Patterns

Mar 3, 1980 · 15 min

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.

Finding Patterns: Cultural Patterns

Episode 26

Finding Patterns: Cultural Patterns

Mar 10, 1980 · 15 min

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

Finding Patterns: Nature's Patterns

Episode 27

Finding Patterns: Nature's Patterns

Mar 17, 1980 · 15 min

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.

A Challenge: Search for the Unknown

Episode 28

A Challenge: Search for the Unknown

Mar 24, 1980 · 15 min

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.

Generalizing: Drawing Conclusions

Episode 29

Generalizing: Drawing Conclusions

Mar 31, 1980 · 15 min

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.

Generalizing: Checking Conclusions

Episode 30

Generalizing: Checking Conclusions

Apr 7, 1980 · 15 min

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

A Tip: Practice for Success

Episode 31

A Tip: Practice for Success

Apr 14, 1980 · 15 min

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

Sequencing & Scheduling: One Step at a Time

Episode 32

Sequencing & Scheduling: One Step at a Time

Apr 21, 1980 · 15 min

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

Sequencing & Scheduling: Plan Ahead

Episode 33

Sequencing & Scheduling: Plan Ahead

Apr 28, 1980 · 15 min

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

Sequencing and Scheduling: Calm Your Jitters!

Episode 34

Sequencing and Scheduling: Calm Your Jitters!

May 5, 1980 · 15 min

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

Using Criteria: What Are They?

Episode 35

Using Criteria: What Are They?

May 12, 1980 · 15 min

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.

Using Criteria: Where Do You Get Them?

Episode 36

Using Criteria: Where Do You Get Them?

May 19, 1980 · 15 min

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.

Using Criteria: How Do You Change That?

Episode 37

Using Criteria: How Do You Change That?

May 26, 1980 · 15 min

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?

A Challenge: Design a Language

Episode 38

A Challenge: Design a Language

Jun 2, 1980 · 15 min

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.

Reshaping Information: Symbols

Episode 39

Reshaping Information: Symbols

Jun 9, 1980 · 15 min

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.

Reshaping Information: More Than You Think

Episode 40

Reshaping Information: More Than You Think

Jun 9, 1980 · 15 min

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.

Reshaping Information: Summarizing

Episode 41

Reshaping Information: Summarizing

Jun 16, 1980 · 15 min

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.

Reshaping Information: Maps and Models

Episode 42

Reshaping Information: Maps and Models

Jun 23, 1980 · 15 min

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

A Tip: Get Ahead with Goals

Episode 43

A Tip: Get Ahead with Goals

Jun 30, 1980 · 15 min

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

Judging Information: Should I Believe It?

Episode 44

Judging Information: Should I Believe It?

Jul 7, 1980 · 15 min

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

Judging Information: What's Important?

Episode 45

Judging Information: What's Important?

Jul 14, 1980 · 15 min

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

Judging Information: What's Enough?

Episode 46

Judging Information: What's Enough?

Jul 21, 1980 · 15 min

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.

Judging Information: Point of View

Episode 47

Judging Information: Point of View

Jul 28, 1980 · 15 min

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

Judging Information: Persuasive Techniques

Episode 48

Judging Information: Persuasive Techniques

Aug 4, 1980 · 15 min

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.

A Tip: Make a Deal with Yourself

Episode 49

A Tip: Make a Deal with Yourself

Aug 11, 1980 · 15 min

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.

Communicating Effectively: Styles of Communication

Episode 50

Communicating Effectively: Styles of Communication

Aug 18, 1980 · 15 min

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

Communicating Effectively: Planning a Presentation

Episode 51

Communicating Effectively: Planning a Presentation

Aug 25, 1980 · 15 min

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

Communicating Effectively: Making a Presentation

Episode 52

Communicating Effectively: Making a Presentation

Sep 1, 1980 · 15 min

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.

Communicating Effectively: Making Your Point!

Episode 53

Communicating Effectively: Making Your Point!

Sep 8, 1980 · 15 min

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.

Communicating Effectively: Making It Come Alive

Episode 54

Communicating Effectively: Making It Come Alive

Sep 15, 1980 · 15 min

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.

A Challenge: Make Something New

Episode 55

A Challenge: Make Something New

Sep 22, 1980 · 15 min

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

Solving Problems: One Thing Leads to Another

Episode 56

Solving Problems: One Thing Leads to Another

Sep 29, 1980 · 15 min

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.

Solving Problems: A Matter of Time

Episode 57

Solving Problems: A Matter of Time

Oct 6, 1980 · 15 min

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.

Solving Problems: There's Always a Risk

Episode 58

Solving Problems: There's Always a Risk

Oct 13, 1980 · 15 min

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.

Solving Problems: Hanging in There

Episode 59

Solving Problems: Hanging in There

Oct 20, 1980 · 15 min

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.

Plan a City of the Future

Episode 60

Plan a City of the Future

Oct 27, 1980 · 15 min

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

About the series

Thinkabout poster
Audience score
★ 0.0 /10

based on — votes

Synopsis

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.

KidsFamily

Cast

2 principal cast

Taborah Johnson

Taborah Johnson

Jamie Dick

Where to watch Thinkabout

Thinkabout is available to stream on Flicksy via 6 verified sources, aggregated from publicly available embed providers. The kids from Robert D. B. Carlisle, Edwin G. Cohen has 1 season and 60 total episodes, rated 0.0/10 by — viewers.

Frequently asked

How many seasons does Thinkabout have?

Thinkabout has 1 season with 60 episodes in total.

Is Thinkabout still on the air?

Thinkabout has ended and is no longer in production.

When did Thinkabout first air?

Thinkabout first aired on September 17, 1979.

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