I love finding YouTube videos that are not only fun for the kids, but also sneak in something educational.  So you can only imagine how excited I was to find Schoolhouse Rock on YouTube!

Anyone who watched Saturday morning cartoons between 1973 and 1985 watched their share of Schoolhouse Rock (more information here).  Michael Eisner (yes, the one who went on to run Disney) got ABC to cut three-minute segments out of its Saturday morning shows by convincing General Foods to sponsor the segments.  All the business folks were happy, and so were millions of children and parents across the country.  They made 41 segments in total, compiled in albums called Multiplication Rock, Grammar Rock, America Rock, and Science Rock.  Best of Schoolhouse Rock and other albums came later.

Returning to 2009, I have to say that my boys love Three is a Magic Number, and as a result of hearing & seeing it they have both begun chanting multiplication tables.  I don’t think they even understand the concept of multiplication (they’re only 6 & 4!), but all of us get a kick out of their renditions of the song.  Another good one is Interplanet Janet, reminding Dan and me that not too long ago Pluto WAS considered a planet.  Conjunction Junction is great for any child who loves trains (don’t they all?), and kids learn perseverance while possibly even absorbing political know-how from How a Bill Becomes a Law.  A few more to get you started: Bones, Electricity, and Where Money Goes, and now I’ll leave you to your own nostalgia and surfing!