A fall-TV sampler for preschoolers to tweens

There's plenty of new family fare to entertain and educate this fall. Tots can develop critical thinking skills while playing along with "Imagination Movers." Grade-schoolers can settle down to watch "Turbo Dogs." And tweens, teens and their parents can relive the horrors or happiness of middle school with some big-time stars in "Gym Teacher: The Movie." Here's a sampling of what's out there.

"Martha Speaks," 11 a.m. weekdays starting Monday on KCTS, ages 4-7.

The basics: Martha is a typical family dog, but after ingesting a bowl of alphabet soup, she can talk to people. The show, based on the books by Susan Meddaugh, incorporates vocabulary lessons into the antics of Martha and her two-legged pals.

Sample lesson: Don't be swayed by peer pressure.

"Sid the Science Kid," 8:30 a.m. weekdays starting Monday on KCTS, preschool.

The basics: From the legendary Jim Henson Co. comes this offering that aims to make scientific concepts accessible to children. Sid, 5, is the protagonist, a curious child excited to learn about the world around him. Digital animation brings a new depth to what Henson puppets usually look like.

Sample lesson: Charts are cool!

"Samurai Girl," 8-10 p.m. Sept. 5, 6 and 7 on ABC Family, teens.

The basics: Heaven (Jamie Chung), 19, is about to enter into an arranged marriage when ninjas attack during the ceremony. The six-hour miniseries follows Heaven as she learns about family secrets and seeks revenge in a journey that takes her around the world.

Sample lesson: It's important to have friends and family you can trust.

"Imagination Movers," daily, starting at 10 a.m. Sept. 6 on the Disney Channel, preschool.

The basics: Four cool dudes of the New Orleans-based band of the same name star in this half-hour live-action series. Rock 'n' roll-style music (five songs per episode) is designed to help kids develop problem-solving skills. The "Movers" (Scott, Smitty, Dave and Rich) are joined in their Idea Warehouse by friend Nina and a resident mouse.

Sample lesson: "There are no bad ideas when you're brainstormin.' "

"Save the Bengal Tiger!," 8 p.m. Sept. 8 on Nickelodeon, preschool.

The basics: This half-hour "The Wonder Pets!" prime-time special has the cuddly crew traveling to India to aid a proud tiger with a thorn stuck in her "poor, poor paw." While on their mission, Linny, Tuck and Ming-Ming meet Raji, a mighty mouse that might be able to help. Bollywood star Nandita Das provides the voice of the tiger in this music-filled episode.

Sample lesson: All creatures are important, no matter how big or small they are.

"Gym Teacher: The Movie," 8 p.m. Sept. 12 on Nickelodeon, middle and high school.

The basics: Christopher Meloni stars as Dave Stewie, a shamed former Olympian competing for the national Gym Teacher of the Year Award. Also appearing are David Alan Grier as Stewie's nemesis and Amy Sedaris as the school principal. The 90-minute movie follows Stewie and his students' quest for the gold — with one unlikely boy standing between them and the prize.

Sample lesson: Underdogs can be winners, too.

"The Suite Life on Deck," at 8 p.m. Fridays starting Sept. 26 on the Disney Channel, ages 8-12.

The basics: The twins from Disney's "The Suite Life of Zack and Cody" return in this spinoff. Zack, Cody and their friend, London, enroll in Seven Seas High, a school housed aboard a cruise ship owned by London's father. They're up to their old high jinks and also befriend a small-town girl named Bailey.

Sample lesson: Don't pick up an octopus if you can avoid it.