Education
PBS Kids Writers Contest

PBS KIDS & WSKG Youth Writers Contests Now Open

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This contest is designed to promote the advancement of children’s reading skills through hands-on, active learning. It encourages children in grades K-3 in communities across the country to celebrate the power of creating stories and illustrations by submitting their own original pieces.  The contest extends the powerful tradition and annual success of the national “Reading Rainbow Young Writers and Illustrators Contest.” In 2014, the WSKG Youth Writers Contest launched in an effort to offer older students a unique writing opportunity, too!  This local contest is open to students in grades 4, 5, and 6. These contests are open to children who reside in the region that WSKG serves. 

2020 PBS Kids Writers Contest Entry Form (K-3)
2020 PBS KIDS Writers Contest RULES (K-3)
2020 WSKG Youth Writers Contest Entry Form (4-6)

Submissions must be postmarked by April 30, 2020 and mailed to:

PBS Kids Writers Contest
c/o WSKG Public Media
Attn: J. Stapleton-Durham
601 Gates Road
Vestal, New York 13850

These contests are supported by volunteers from the School Librarian Association of the Southern Tier East, the George F. Johnson Public Library, and the Four County Library System. Thank you!

Education

Free PD Series for Social Studies Teachers

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“Let me tell you what I wish I’d known
When I was young and dreamed of glory
You have no control:
Who lives
Who dies
Who tells your story?”
–”Who lives, who dies, who tells your story?”, Hamilton
Every student has a voice and a story. Is it true that they have no control over how their stories are told, or can we provide resources to help them direct their own narratives? In this three part series educators will have the opportunity to explore tools, devices, and unique practices which encourage students to not only critically consider how history is defined, but also how to ensure their own stories are accurately documented and their point of view is conveyed. Cultivating Inclusive Spaces for Empathy Inquiry
April 10, 2019 | 7:00 P.M.

Brene Brown says, “Empathy is simply listening, holding space, withholding judgment, emotionally connecting, and communicating that incredibly healing message of you’re not alone.” And while the concept is clearly conveyed, teaching empathy, as it applies to understanding history especially, is not quite as clear cut or simple. Teachers, we hope you’ll join us for  the first of our three part series specifically for Social Studies educators, “Who Tells Your Story.” Through this exciting ‘live learning’ event, we’ll discuss how to cultivate inclusive spaces within your classroom so students can build a foundation for learning and inquiry that allows them to empathize with, and better understand, different perspectives.

Education

For the Love of Lit: Free Virtual Professional Learning Series for Teachers

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Teachers! Join us as we bring the Great American Read to your classroom. 

This four-part virtual professional learning series is designed for English Language Arts teachers, created FOR educators BY educators. With an emphasis on fun, engaging, accessible, and free tools for classrooms, this series will highlight techniques for engaging learners through essential communication skills, and present ideas for enhancing teaching practice through activities, projects, passion, and a connection to literature. PBS will provide a certificate of attendance for each one hour virtual professional learning event. For the Love of Lit: Inspiring Young Authors, with NaNoWriMo founder Chris Baty
October 17 @ 7-8pm ET

Designed by educators, this virtual professional learning experience will introduce a number of teaching models and strategies to enhance your practice. How can you inspire your students to be passionate writers and engaged readers?

Books

Free ‘Little Women’ Webinar for Teachers & Librarians

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FREE Webinar for Teachers & Librarians, Grades 6-12
Thursday, May 24, 2018 at 7pm EST

Loved by generations worldwide, LITTLE WOMEN is a universal coming-of-age story. In this webinar for educators, we use the new MASTERPIECE adaptation of LITTLE WOMEN and partner with the Great Books Foundation to explore why the classic novel’s themes still resonate with audiences 150 years after its publication. This webinar will support English teachers and librarians grades 6-12 and offers:

A tour of the media-based resources on PBS LearningMedia, featuring key scenes from the MASTERPIECE broadcast
A discussion of Great Books Foundation’s shared inquiry technique to help students think critically about the novel and reflect on its relevance today
Q&A with resource developers

Register Now

A Certificate of Participation will be sent to all who attend the live stream. A recording link will be available. Registration is limited so please sign up today.

2018

Winners of Writing Contests Announced

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Congratulations to the winners of WSKG’s 2018 PBS KIDS Writers Contest and Youth Writers Contest! 

Kindergarten
1st Place | Helicopter Rescue by Conrad Gopie
2nd Place | The Three Little Lambs and Hungry Fox by Joshua McKernan
3rd Place | Snakes and Sunflowers by Alice Abaya

First Grade
1st Place | Should You Get a Cat? by Amelia Parks
2nd Place | Lost and Found by Felicity Clarke
3rd Place | My Fun Snowy Day by Abigail Okogu

Second Grade
1st Place | Mary’s Roses by Grace Jean-Baptiste
2nd Place | A Vernal Pool Adventure by Frances Miller

Third Grade
1st Place | Grussel by Kyleigh Weiland
2nd Place | The True Story of Dorothy by Heyan Chung
3rd Place | Pick Me Pops by Evelyn Szeliga
Honorable Mention | The Mysterious Amazon River by Hudson Scaglione 

Fourth Grade
1st Place | U.S. Time Zones by Nehemiah Jahn
2nd Place | The Tiniest Royals by Reese Dimon

Fifth Grade
1st Place | Miss Literal by Inaaya Sethi
2nd Place | Stuck in Time by Ryan Witt
3rd Place | Tiny Tina by Lilia Mack
Honorable Mention | Hot Sauce Man by Ian Clark

Sixth Grade
1st Place | Dying Music by Ian Chung
2nd Place | The Case of the Missing Stanley Cups by Keyahn Sethi
3rd Place | A Typewriter of Truth by Kate Fehrer

 

 

 

Education

Contest Deadline Approaching

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The PBS KIDS Writers Contest is designed to promote the advancement of children’s reading skills through hands-on, active learning. It encourages children in grades K-3 in communities across the country to celebrate the power of creating stories and illustrations by submitting their own original pieces.  The contest extends the powerful tradition and annual success of the national “Reading Rainbow Young Writers and Illustrators Contest.” In 2014, the WSKG Youth Writers Contest launched in an effort to offer older students a unique writing opportunity, too!  This local contest is open to students in grades 4, 5, and 6. PBS KIDS Writers Contest (K-3) Entry Form
PBS KIDS Writers Contest K-3 Rules
WSKG Youth Writers Contest Entry Form & Rules

Submissions must be postmarked by April 30, 2018 and mailed to:

PBS Kids Writers Contest
c/o WSKG Public Media
Attn: J. Stapleton-Durham
601 Gates Road
Vestal, New York 13850

Questions ? Contact jstapleton@wskg.org

Education

One Month Left for Students to Enter ‘An Ear for Drama’

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You might listen to three podcasts a week, some streaming from a favorite website or others downloaded to your phone… But what entertainment could be found through your headphones before the internet? Enter the RADIO DRAMA! Wikipedia reminds us that radio drama first appeared in the 1920s and quickly rose in popularity. In the 1940s, it was a leading form of popular entertainment for children and adults; and one they often enjoyed together.

books

Two Months Left to Enter Local PBS KIDS Writers Contest

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This contest is designed to promote the advancement of children’s reading skills through hands-on, active learning. It encourages children in grades K-3 in communities across the country to celebrate the power of creating stories and illustrations by submitting their own original pieces.  The contest extends the powerful tradition and annual success of the national “Reading Rainbow Young Writers and Illustrators Contest.” In 2014, the WSKG Youth Writers Contest launched in an effort to offer older students a unique writing opportunity, too!  This local contest is open to students in grades 4, 5, and 6. PBS KIDS Writers Contest (K-3) Entry Form
PBS KIDS Writers Contest K-3 Rules
WSKG Youth Writers Contest Entry Form & Rules

Submissions must be postmarked by April 30, 2018 and mailed to:

PBS Kids Writers Contest
c/o WSKG Public Media
Attn: J. Stapleton-Durham
601 Gates Road
Vestal, New York 13850

Questions ? Contact jstapleton@wskg.org

collaboration

WSKG Writing for Radio Project Open to 7-12 Students

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You might listen to three podcasts a week, some streaming from a favorite website or others downloaded to your phone… But what entertainment could be found through your headphones before the internet? Enter the RADIO DRAMA! Wikipedia reminds us that radio drama first appeared in the 1920s and quickly rose in popularity. In the 1940s, it was a leading form of popular entertainment for children and adults; and one they often enjoyed together.

Education
PBS Kids Writers Contest

2018 PBS KIDS Writers Contest Opens!

By |

This contest is designed to promote the advancement of children’s reading skills through hands-on, active learning. It encourages children in grades K-3 in communities across the country to celebrate the power of creating stories and illustrations by submitting their own original pieces.  The contest extends the powerful tradition and annual success of the national “Reading Rainbow Young Writers and Illustrators Contest.” In 2014, the WSKG Youth Writers Contest launched in an effort to offer older students a unique writing opportunity, too!  This local contest is open to students in grades 4, 5, and 6. PBS KIDS Writers Contest (K-3) Entry Form
PBS KIDS Writers Contest K-3 Rules
WSKG Youth Writers Contest Entry Form & Rules

Submissions must be postmarked by April 30, 2018 and mailed to:

PBS Kids Writers Contest
c/o WSKG Public Media
Attn: J. Stapleton-Durham
601 Gates Road
Vestal, New York 13850

Questions ? Contact jstapleton@wskg.org