Resources for Freedom Summer 1964

This recollection from one of our most beloved singer/storytellers is among many riveting moments from American Experience’s Freedom Summer, airing on WGBY on June 24 at 9p.  The film documents 10 memorable weeks in 1964 when more than 700 student volunteers from around the country joined organizers and local African Americans in an historic effort to shatter the foundations of white supremacy in what was one of the nation’s most viciously racist, segregated states.  For educator resources Continue reading

Beavers — Great Hydro Engineers & Environmental Saviors

Industrious beavers are now seen by many experts as overlooked tools in the effort to reverse the disastrous effects of global warming and worldwide water shortages.

To complement NATURE’S Leave It To The Beavers, airing on WGBY on Wednesday, May 14, at 8p, PBS LearningMedia has resources Continue reading

World Premiere of Frederick Law Olmsted: Designing America + Classroom Resources on Architecture & Design

indexWGBY invites you to the world premiere of Frederick Law Olmsted: Designing America, an in-depth study of the architect’s complex life and accomplishments this Sunday, 13 April, from 4 – 6 pm at The Academy of Music, Northampton.  In addition to major contributions to the American landscape, such as co-designing Central Park, heading the first Yosemite commission, and designing the U.S. Capitol Grounds, Olmstead designed Smith, Mt. Holyoke, UMass and Amherst, and his firm created parks in Springfield and Holyoke MA.  (Who remembers Riverside Park?) Continue reading

Your Inner Fish Premiere With Accompanying Lesson Plan

On Monday we shared THINK WEDNESDAY’S on WGBY.  This Wednesday, April 9, Your Inner Fish explores how the genetic legacy of a fish can be seen in our own DNA. This cutting-edge scientific adventure reveals the startling truth that hidden within the human body is a story of life on Earth and the legacy of animals that lived hundreds of millions of years ago.  To bring these discoveries alive in the classroom, PBS LearningMedia provides a lesson guide for grades 6-12 on Your Inner Fish, which includes National Standards. Continue reading

THINK WEDNESDAY for Nature, Technology, and Science

imagesJoin WGBY each Wednesday night at 9p — starting on April 9 —  for THINK WEDNESDAY, a dynamic line-up of programs exploring the thrilling world of nature, technology, and science.  This special night of science explores the animal mind, bionic pets, DNA, and human evolution.  PBS LearningMedia is extending THINK WEDNESDAY into the classroom by offering a new resource collection for PreK-12 science teachers packed with videos, infographics, lesson plans, and interactive games.  Watch a preview. Continue reading

For The Gettysburg Address – A Film, Advanced Screenings and A Packaged DVD

pPBS3-16931518dtOn April 15 at 9pm, WGBY airs “The Address,” a 90-minute feature length documentary by Ken Burns that tells the story of a tiny school in Putney, Vermont, where each year students are encouraged to memorize, practice and recite the Gettysburg Address.  WGBY is also hosting an advanced screening of the film in our area this Sunday, April 6.   And, from WGBY’s Lending Library, you can borrow Gettysburg and the Civil War (I.D. 2407), a package containing a documentary film plus photos, documents, maps and other memorabilia relating to that epic event.   Continue reading

Personal Finance Lessons for You and Students

WGBY provides you with financial advice from America’s most recognized expert in personal finance with the new PBS special, Suze Orman’s Financial Solutions for You, which will air on Saturday, March 22, at 5p and 11p and Sunday, March 23, at 9p.  Equally important, PBS Learning Media provides a wealth of resources on finance, including 10 lesson plans. Continue reading

WGBY Challenges Students to Learn Gettysburg Address

THE ADDRESS, Ken Burns’ 90-minute documentary, airing on WGBY April 15, 2014, tells the inspiring story of the Greenwood School in Putney Vermont, where students are encouraged each year to practice, memorize, and recite the Gettysburg Address.  To celebrate the 150th anniversary of President Lincoln’s oration and remind us of its principles, WGBY challenges everyone in our region — especially students — to join others across our country who are video recording themselves as they read or recite these enduring words.


Continue reading

NOVA: Alien Planets Revealed Plus Space & Flight Resources

alien-planets-revealed-viOn Wednesday, January 8, at 9pm, WGBY airs NOVA:  Alien Planets Revealed where viewers explore strange worlds and possible creatures in the thousands of exotic new worlds far beyond our solar system that NASA’s planet-hunting Kepler Telescope has discovered.  You can see a preview and find classroom resources at NOVA’s website and at PBS LearningMedia. Continue reading