For January - Melody recommends...

"Caregivers and teachers know that kids have a lot of questions. But Why has answers! Our podcast tackles questions about science, history, culture and more with seriousness and a little bit of silliness. But Why is made for 5 to 11 year-olds but we often hear from families that listen together in the car and from teachers who use the podcast in the classroom for engaged listening. My favorite recent episodes are How Deep Is the Ocean? And Why Do We Wear Clothes?"

Melody Bodette 
Senior Producer, But Why 
Vermont Public Radio 
 

Vermont PBS and Agency of Education recommend
 

• Molly of Denali: Indigenous Cultural and Informational Text
• PBSLM: Creating a Caring Classroom Community
• PBS KIDS for Parents: Holiday Crafts and Activities 
• PBSLM: Expanding the Narrative Using Media: A Planning Kit   (All Grades).
• PBSLM: Teach Your Way Calendar November 2021 .
• 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 

View Previous Recommendations

Happy New Year! We have included a few of our favorite winter themed bundles to compliment home or school! We have included links to local podcasts like But Why (PreK-Grade 5), Timeline (Middle School) and One Small Step (High School). Check out the safe, free, and educational (prek-Grade 3) PBS Kids game app and PBS Kids video app.  There are interactive media literacy resources and teacher webinars to enjoy. All new in 2022!

Just for teachers! 

One Small Step Project by Vermont Public Radio  

Vermont Public Radio and Vermont PBS have united and are collaborating on an exciting project through StoryCorp called One Small Step. One Small Step is a nationwide initiative to help bridge political divides and strengthen communities, one conversation at a time. This One Small Step conversation guide will help teachers of high school students set up scaffolded opportunities to explore political identity and differences, but most importantly--find common ground. To find out more about ways to get your school or students involved please email Heather Duhamel, Manager of Education, hduhamel@vermontpbs.org. 

Want to find out more? 

• PBSLearningMedia StoryCorp: Interview Tips

Preschool to Grade 2

Enjoy FREE Learning Games and Podcasts!  

• Listen to local Vermont Public Radio But Why Podcast for Curious Kids with questions like Do skyscrapers scrape the sky?
• Watch FREE PBS KIDS Video Mobile with optional Download App (for children ages 2-8)
• Safe, child-friendly viewing for shows like STEAM inspired Wild Kratts
• Play FREE Interactive PBS KIDS Games – Download App (for children ages 2-8)
• 50+ Learning Games like STEAM inspired The Cat in the Hat Builds That
• Enjoy new episodes from Alma’s Way in English and Spanish

Other Webinars for Families 

• Talking Authentically about Race and Racism

For Teachers 

• PreK Self-Paced Teacher Learning Modules (FREE, includes certificate)

Grades 3-5 

Critical Changemaker Worksheet – Let’s expand the narrative and ways we think about digital media in the classroom!  

Informational text to accompany Changemaker worksheet: 

• The Arts:
• Trombone Shorty Learning Guide & Read Aloud
• Leaders in STEAM:
• Albert Einstein: Mini-biography from Nat Geo for Kids
• Jane Goodall: Mini-biography from Time 4 Kids online & accompanying video from PBS Learning Media
• Social Studies/History (For Martin Luther King Jr. Day):  
• Mini-biographies from Nat Geo for Kids, Time 4 Kids & Ducksters; 
• Accompanying video from PBS Learning Media 
• ELA: 
• Dr. Seuss: Mini-biography from Britannica for Kids

Middle School  

VPR Podcast: Timeline with NEW Learning Guide (WebQuest)  

Learn more about Scott Joplin in January. Composer Scott Joplin was called “The King of Ragtime.” Though his works were popular during his lifetime, Joplin did not have an easy life or kingly riches. 

Expanding the Narrative Resources on PBS LearningMedia 

• Creating Podcasts
• Critically Analyzing Media Catcher & Question Stem Cards

High School 

VPR’s Brave Little State highlights podcast: Black Comfort, Or Lack Thereof, In Vermont 

We get comfortable — or uncomfortable — and talk about living in Vermont with, or as, a Black kid. 

Teacher Webinars and Resources (For all) 

• Virtual Professional Development Series for Teachers: Deepening Your Understanding of Race and Racism 
• PBSLM: Examining Identity – A Creative Media Extension for the Classroom From the Ken Burns in the Classroom Ali Collection

Teach Your Way - January

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.
 

Download this month's calendar of suggestions!

VPR Brave Little State

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. 

VPR Timeline

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. 

VPR But Why

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.

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!

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.

Bring the World to Your Classroom. Vermont PBS offers curated FREE, standards-aligned videos, interactives, lesson plans, and more for educators like you. 

 Browse All Topics

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.

Vermont PBS offers a professional development online workshop series for Early Educators and families of young children. Each 8 hour module focuses on creative, safe and healthy ways to use technology with children from Preschool to Grade 12. All workshops are recognized for 8 hours of Professional Development through Northern Lights at CCV.
 

Complete the adjacent form and select the course module appropriate for you!

• Online Workshop 1a: Becoming a Media Mentor (PreK Educator)
• Online Workshop 1b: Becoming a Media Mentor (PreK Family) 
• Online Workshop 2: Tech Savvy (PreK-12)
• Online Workshop 3: Mister Chris and Friends: Hybrid Learning (PreK)
• Online Workshop 4: Kids & Integrated Media with the Vermont Early Learning Standards (PreK)
• Online Workshop 5: Kids & Playful Media STEM (PreK) 
  
  Vermont PBS is waiving the enrollment fee during the COVID-19 pandemic. Just one way we strive to help parents and teachers.
   

For more info contact: Heather Duhamel, Community Engagement & Education Consultant at 802-309-9951 | hduhamel@vermontpbs.org

Register now for Free!

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