WGBH’s MARTHA SPEAKS has been celebrating summer learning with a week of fun and vocabulary in three all-new episodes and a new, meaty online game, MARTHA’s STEAKS. During the special themed week, “MARTHA SPEAKeth Weeketh,” fans can watch their favorite canine linguist “speaketh” in questions, in Polish, and even in Elizabethan English! Continue reading
PBS Kids
Resources for Upcoming Earth Day (With More to Come)
As you may know, Earth Day is celebrated on April 22 with events held worldwide to demonstrate support for environmental protection. We have resources that span preK-12 — from PBS KIDS programming with themed on-air programming and online and mobile content to a WGBY Lending Library video on Earth Day’s history, and more to come! Continue reading
7 Ways to Evaluate Educational Games
This image of a child playing a PBS KIDS game is growing more common in and out of the classroom, and these educational games extend to students of all ages. In the March 28 edition of eSchoolNews, Managing Editor Laura Devaney writes that as educational gaming moves from a future technology to a practice found in more and more classrooms, educators are recognizing game-based learning’s (GBL) potential to engage students and help them prepare for future learning. Continue reading
Bringing Spring — Timely Science DVD for PreK-2 Students
Award-winning comedienne Joan Cusack narrates these engaging and comprehensive science segments from the PBS “Peep” series, aimed at pre-K to 2nd grade students. Continue reading
Early Math Skills Found Improved by PBS KIDS Content
A new study has found that the acquisition of essential early math skills — counting, recognizing numerals, recognizing shapes, and patterning — increased significantly among four- and five-year-old children from economically disadvantaged communities who participated in a 10-week PBS KIDS Transmedia Math Supplement initiative.
Materials featured videos and interactive content from several PBS KIDS programs such as Sid the Science Kid, The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!, Curious George, and Dinosaur Train, as well as non-digital activities including books and foam shapes. Continue reading
“Arthur’s Perfect Christmas” Perfect for the Season
Here’s a timely video for teaching the little folk about the multiple holidays that are celebrated this time of year. Plans are under way in Elwood City for the best holiday ever! Arthur Read, the world’s most famous aardvark, and his friends are making preparations for the perfect holiday season to celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. But Arthur and his friends discover that holiday joy isn’t found in the artificial vision of “perfect”, but in the wonderfully messy imperfect world they live in. Borrow this delightful and informative DVD (Arthur’s Perfect Christmas), by clicking here.
Martha Speaks For Thanksgiving and Literacy
Produced by WGBH in Boston, Martha Speaks is a fantastic PBS Kids program that takes its name from a beloved dog, Martha, who can talk. Why? Because she eats alphabet soup! And with so many letters in her head, Martha effectively teaches children new vocabulary words, some of which will astonish you.
At the start of the holiday season, children will immediately warm to the family-themed MARTHA’S THANKSGIVING, a special episode where Martha searches for her long-lost canine family as her owner, Helen, has an extended family coming together for Thanksgiving. The program airs on WGBY this Monday, November 25, and again on Thanksgiving Day at 6:30am, a time that usually finds kids ready to start their day!
Parents and teachers don’t have to rise early to discover the great learning resources that accompany Martha Speaks. At the Martha Speaks Parent and Teacher’s website, you’ll find expert research and activities as well as curriculum for Martha Speaks Reading Buddies and Martha Speaks Read Aloud Book Club — all great resources that support students oral vocabulary growth.
Halloween Tricks & Treats for the Classroom
The following resources can help engage students over this Halloween season of ghouls, ghosts and all things slimy. For our youngest trick or treaters, you can also visit PBS Kids to find videos and activities from favorite characters such as Curious George, Clifford, and Arthur who will be among those celebrating this creepy, fun time!
Halloween Spooky Science Special (Grades PreK-1): Investigate spooky animals, conduct a slimy science experiment, and listen to a song about Halloween parades!
Worm Slime! (Grades 1-3) :Learn all about the characteristics of worms and what makes up their slimy structure! Students learn that worms have tiny hairs, a head with no eyes or ears, are covered in slime, and can have over 100 segments!
Sharing Halloween Candy (Grades 3-6): In this video segment from Cyberchase, Jackie shows Buzz, Delete and Harold how to deal out rounds (or sets) of objects to solve a problem.
PBS NewsHour Presents: The Zombie Autopsies (Grades 8-12): Inspired by Dr. Steven C. Scholzman’s “The Zombie Autopsies,” this series of lessons uses the undead to teach the living about the brain.
Fun Way for Pre-Schoolers to Learn Important Lessons
Here is a new DVD that contains six short, separate episodes, each designed to help pre-schoolers develop their understanding of some of life’s important lessons.
Big Kid Caillou – Caillou learns a lesson about the importance of not hiding who you really are; Caillou’s Glasses — Caillou learns the importance of good vision after playing with a pair of pretend glasses; Caillou’s Dance Party — Caillou learns there’s more than one way to do things; Helping Mrs. Howard — Caillou learns that friendship is often the best form of help; Caillou’s Fun Run — Caillou learns that winning isn’t everything in a race; The New Girl — Caillou welcomes a new girl at preschool after remembering what it was like to be “the new kid.”
Borrow “Big Kid Caillou” for a month by clicking here.
Daniel Tiger’s Day & Night App: For Morning and Nighttime Routines
Everyone’s favorite tiger is back with an all-new app. Based on PBS KIDS’ hit show DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD, Daniel Tiger’s Day & Night app for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch helps kids learn basic morning and nighttime routines from Daniel Tiger as he gets ready for school in the morning and ready for bed at night.
Designed for children ages 2-4, the app’s songs and games encourage kids to tap into their imaginations as they make believe with Daniel. Kids can set the breakfast table, tie their shoes, and listen to a bedtime story – all with Daniel Tiger!
Additional features include:
- 8 games about morning and nighttime routines
- Good Morning and Good Night strategy songs
- A timer for parents to help with routines
We hope you’ll share Daniel Tiger’s Day & Night app with parents, family, and friends.