Vermont PBS continues our partnership with Vermont Agency of Education and Vermont Department of Libraries to meet the anywhere, anytime educational, social and emotional needs of Vermont children.
Showcase
Latest Recommendations
For June - Cathy recommends...
"Looking for some educational family fun this summer — and a chance to win a free trip to Washington, D.C.? Help the kids in your life take the Good Citizen Challenge. This nonpartisan civics activity rewards participants for learning about their communities, keeping up with local news and helping others. Organized by Seven Days and its parenting publication Kids VT — with help from the Vermont Historical Society, Vermont Public Radio and Vermont PBS — the Challenge is open to all K-12 students. Participants must complete five activities in a row on the bingo-like Challenge scorecard. All who do get a Good Citizen sticker and patch and an invitation to a VIP reception at the Vermont State House this fall. They will also be entered into a drawing for a free trip to Washington, D.C.! Find more information and download the scorecard at goodcitizenvt.com."
Cathy Resmer, Deputy Publisher
Seven Days
Learn more about your community, country and world by doing the Good Citizen Challenge.
Get your scorecard now!
Check out Vermont PBS and Vermont Public Radio inspired challenges by age-band.
PreK-K/3: But Why
Middle and High School: Brave Little State and Vermont This Week
Vermont PBS and Agency of Education recommend
- Molly of Denali: Indigenous Cultural and Informational Text
- PBSLM: Creating a Caring Classroom Community
- PBSLM: Expanding the Narrative Using Media: A Planning Kit (All Grades).
- PBSLM: Find new SEL resources for your classroom (English/Spanish) with Alma’s Way (PreK-Grade 2)
- PBSLM: Media Literacy – Teaching Students to Critically Analyze Media: Empowering Young Media Consumers and Creators
For more info, contact:
- Emily Leute (AOE) at emily.leute@vermont.gov
- Heather Duhamel (PBS) at hduhamel@vermontpbs.org
Leonardo da Vinci: Machines in Motion
Teach and Learn about Da Vinci from PreK- Grade 12
PreK: Be Curious with But Why Podcast: Where Does the Sky End?
K-2: Xavier Riddle explores the life of Leonardo Da Vinci with Hero Maker game
Gr. 3-5: Da Vinci Activity Bundle including video and lesson plans for teachers
Gr. 6-8: Explores a media collection about Da Vinci from the Empire of Medicis
Gr. 9-12: Check out Decodes Da Vinci or think local with Brave Little State’s Podcast What Can Be Done about Vermont’s Aging Sewar System?
WIN 4 tickets to the Montshire Museum’s Leonardo da Vinci: Machines in Motion
Opening Saturday, May 28, on Memorial Day weekend.
Summer of Possibilities!
Support parents and caregivers this summer with curated resources they can use to spark everyday moments of learning and fun. Resources available through WIFI, interactive, or as printable resources included and noted.
The summer hub on PBS KIDS for Parents offers DIY activities, printables, games, and playtime suggestions; the summer collection on PBS LearningMedia offers PreK-5th grade teachers adaptable project ideas, fun science experiments, and a wide-range of “anytime” activities. Middle and High School Collections noted. Vermont flavor and connections here too!
Tools to Help You and Your Students Cope in Difficult Times
PBS Teacher Lounge The 3 R’s for Teacher Self Care: Reflect, Release, Recharge - Article
Difficult Times & Tough Talks - PBS LearningMedia Collection
Meet the Helpers - (Videos) Crisis Tips for Families and Caregivers
Just for Teachers!
As the nation navigates the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this film, A Trusted Space, and curriculum offers tools to mitigate the effects of grief, trauma, anxiety, and other emotional stressors affecting both students and teachers.
PreK-Grade 2
Social Emotional Learning
NEW Donkey Hodie (English/Spanish/WIFI or Print to Send Home)
- PBSLM Collection: Donkey Hodie
- Video & Activity Bundles (WIFI, Print to Send Home): Conversation Starters
- Summer fun: Web-based Games! Froyo Stand and Art Pals
- Crafts (Print to Send Home): Character Puppets
Storytelling Packet – BINGO, games, and more (Print to Send Home)
Find more at Summer Camp
Curiosity & Wonder
But Why Podcast – “Are Llamas Ticklish? And Other Silly Questions”
- Listen (WIFI/19 minutes)
- Learning Guide (PDF, Download, Print to Send Home)
Between the Lions Poem: Doggy Days and others (:40 seconds)
Summer of Possibilities Activity Book (PDF, Download)
Poetry and Music
Seasons of Change Poem: Seya’s Song (Interactive/WIFI)
In this online book from the International Children's Digital Library, a young American Indian describes the natural surroundings and activities of the S'Klallam, or Clallam, people through the seasons of the year. The book includes a glossary of S'Klallam words.
Lanston Hughs Jazz Poetry (Video/WIFI/Discussion)
Music and Pitch: STEAM Camp (Video/WIFI/Discussion)
A look ahead to summer: Come back in June to find local Vermont connections from VPR (on-air/online) who will share more about kid composers from Music-Comp!
Middle School
Storytelling and Poetry
PBSLM Summer of Learning Collection
- Reading, Writing, and Storytelling (WIFI/Download)
- NEW Virtual Tours (WIFI)
Poetry Everywhere Connection
- Essays, Videos, & Poetry Readings (WIFI/Download)
Vermont Connection! Clemmons Family Farm Storytelling Room (WIFI)
High School
Poetry and Story Science
PBSLM Poetry in America Collection
- Video and Printable Activities (WIFI, Teacher Resource Download)
- Opportunities, Full Episodes, and Events
Vermont Connection! Brave Little State Podcast How has the geology of Vermont affected its character?
Ukrainian War
Ukrainian War - appropriate for grades PreK, K and Grades 1-5
But Why Podcast - Why is Russia Invading Ukraine?
Download our learning guides: PDF|Google Slide|Transcript
How to talk to kids about war
- Meet the Helpers
- Common Sense Media
- News Sources for Kids from Common Sense Media
- NAMLE Parent’s Guide to Media Literacy
Ukrainian War - appropriate for Grades 6-12
This new 30-minute profile on Volodymyr Zelenskyy is brought to us by ITN. The program follows Zelenskyy in his youth, his life before his presidency, and now his position as the leader of Ukraine under siege.
The story of the American effort to relieve starvation in 1921 Soviet Russia. Context to the tension in the region when Ukraine fought for independence when it was still part of the Soviet Union. When a devastating famine descended on Soviet Russia in 1921, it was the worst natural disaster in Europe since the Black Plague in the Middle Ages. Half a world away, Americans responded with a massive two-year relief campaign
Profiles allegations of criminality and corruption that have accompanied Vladimir Putin’s reign in Russia. For over two decades, Putin accumulated wealth and power that has led to his autocratic rule and the specter of a new Cold War.
Reveals the inside story of what led to Vladimir Putin’s war on Ukraine. The events that shaped the Russian leader, the grievances that drive him, and how a growing conflict with the West exploded into war in Europe.
Support Conversations about Ukraine
PBS Learning Media is offering context to unfolding events in Ukraine.
- For those looking to engage younger audiences around the Ukraine crisis, WVIZ/Ideastream’s NewsDepth program and KET’s News Quiz both have weekly news segments with timely updates for students in late elementary and middle school.
- PBS NewsHour Classroom has added a segment on the Ukrainian refugee crisis to PBS LearningMedia accompanied by classroom discussion questions for middle and high school students, and teachers can visit the PBS NewsHour Classroom collection to search for news segments covering the ongoing conflict in the region, including these segments from newscasts between December 2013 and March 2014.
- For additional context on the history of the region designed for classroom use, these PBS Learning Media oral history interviews and accompanying lesson plan from the NETA-distributed documentary Baba Babee Skazala: Grandmother Told Grandmother provide students with the opportunity to understand the history of Ukraine since World War II.
Teach Your Way - June
The world is full of possibilities and so are your students! Inspire their curiosity each day with the activities, printables, and videos available from pbslearningmedia.org and pbskids.org.
VPR Podcasts
People-powered journalism. Brave Little State, a podcast where you ask the questions, you decide what VPR investigates, and then you work with us to find the answers. With connections to other PBS LearningMedia resources.
Join VPR Classical host James Stewart on a journey into the events, characters and concepts that shaped our Western musical tradition. We'll start at the very beginning and trace the steps of music through history. This music, and its history, is ours. With Learning Guides.
But Why is a show led by you, kids! You ask the questions and we find the answers. It’s a big interesting world out there. With Learning Guides.
VPR One Small Step and Storycorp
One Small Step is an offshoot of StoryCorps, with a focus on connecting strangers who fall on opposite sides of a political divide. VPR is one of six stations nationally that have been selected to conduct One Small Step conversations in communities across Vermont.
Mister Chris and Friends videos
The latest videos from our popular Mister Chris and Friends series, are digital shorts that guide children and their families through special daily moments: waking up, brushing teeth, washing hands, cleaning up, and going to bed. This video shorts series welcomes Elephant, a new friend who joins Mister Chris for these activities. Each video has a new original song and features a peek into lives and routines in our community thanks to participation from viewers.
“Routine helps children process what they feel, see, touch and hear each day. Our hope is that these videos help little ones engage with five special everyday moments in a time when many of their routines have been disrupted,” said Chris Dorman. “And we hope our new friend, Elephant, helps families smile, giggle, and maybe even shed a joyful tear or two together.”
These videos are available to watch below, and at vermontpbs.org/misterchris, where families can also watch full episodes of seasons one and two!
Mister Chris sings a song and helps Elephant to see how fun brushing our teeth can be!
Educational content continuing on broadcast
Browse our online schedules below for educational content available on broadcast (over-the-air and cable) Vermont PBS channels. Many corresponding episodes also available via Video On Demand.
Preschool to Grade 5Monday to Friday 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m | Grades 6-12Monday to Friday 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. | |
Kids 24/7 Channel | Main Channel | PLUS Channel |
Create a family tradition of learning with Friday night Family Night
Did you know that every Friday night on Kids Channel, Vermont PBS highlights family favorite programs, during our weekly Friday Night Family Night starting 7:00 p.m.
Details and resources at pbs.org/parents/family-night
Vermont PBS Learning Media
Bring the World to Your Classroom. Vermont PBS offers curated FREE, standards-aligned videos, interactives, lesson plans, and more for educators like you.
Create a free account and access a vast amount of lessons and topics from across PBS nationally.
Local Collection: Saving our Waters
From our Saving our Watersdocumentary, learn about water quality in Vermont lakes. Appropriate for Middle and High School.
Local Collection: Mister Chris and Friends
From our Mister Chris and Friends series, browse various videos and interactive activities, suitable for Preschool to Grade 2.
Become a Media Mentor through Vermont PBS
Becoming a Media Mentor: Playful Interactions for Young Children
Presented by Vermont PBS
Heather Duhamel, M.Ed. & Certified Media Literacy Educator
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT:
CASTLETON.EDU/EARLY-CHILDHOOD-INSTITUTE
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Kids & Education on Vermont PBS is proudly sponsored by