apps

Free PBS KIDS Learning Apps

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We’ve pulled together a list of 10 FREE PBS KIDS apps that promote learning, curiosity, play, and help kids activate their brains while learning at home. Find more PBS KIDS apps at pbskids.org/apps! 1. Nature Cat Great Outdoors
Based on the hit PBS KIDS show, Nature Cat’s Great Outdoors is the on-the-go toolset that will inspire your child to explore nature – in the backyard, at a local park or even looking out the window. Every day, Nature Cat has a set of new daily adventures that lets kids use tools to record and share their observations in fun, creative ways! 100+ adventure prompts given daily to get kids using tools, thinking about nature and recording their observations
Daily Nature Adventures are saved in a special journal so kids can go and revisit what they have explored
Take photos and selfies with Daisy’s camera
Record sounds with Hal and his microphone
Use journal art tools to insert photos, sounds, stickers in addition to drawing, stamping, and painting.

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!

early learners

Spend Your Summer in Space

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This summer, your students will be traveling around their town, different cities, different states, and maybe different countries! One place that they can travel to without leaving their home, is space. Introduce your students to what’s in the universe above them with this collection of videos and activities that they can enjoy in the classroom, or over summer vacation.  Explore Resources. Get Your Early Learners into Outer Space with Ready Jet Go!     Learn More    

Go on a Spaceflight with this Virtual Field Trip

    Learn More    

PD Course on How to Teach K-2 Science and Spark Curiosity

    Explore Course    

Bring the Universe to Your Classroom with Resources for All Grades

    Learn More    

32 Space-Themed Resources to Explore the Galaxy Blog

    Read  More    

Introduce your students’ parents to this educational space app to get them outside with Jet, Sydney, Sean, Mindy and Sunspot!

Education

Catch a Sneak Peek of New PBS KIDS Series ‘Molly of Denali’

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Molly of Denali, a new multiplatform PBS KIDS series premiering on July 15th 2019, follows the adventures of feisty and resourceful 10-year-old Alaska Native Molly Mabray. EVENT
Join WSKG and the Fenimore Art Museum on Sunday, July 7th as we partner for a  ‘Molly of Denali’ event! We’ll be screening episodes from the upcoming series at 11a.m. and 1p.m. followed by hands-on activities in the Study Center. Visitors will also be able to view the museum’s Thaw Collection of American Indian Art. The Fenimore Art Museum is located at 5798 State Highway 80 in Cooperstown, NY.

Education

#143DayEDU

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WSKG is pleased to partner for this very special twitter chat in honor of Fred Rogers. Join the discussion May 23, 2019 at 8:30pm EST and follow #143DayEDU. Your hosts for the chat are Sean Gaillard and Dr. Jennifer Williams. Our Director of Education, Jackie Stapleton-Durham, will also be part of the chat and curating input from local educators. HOSTS
Mr. Gaillard is an award winning educator and Principal at Lexington Middle School in Lexington, North Carolina. He founded #CelebrateMonday and #TrendthePositive and is author of The Pepper Effect: Tap Into the Magic of Creativity, Collaboration, and Innovation. 

Dr. Williams has worked as a school administrator, literacy specialist, classroom teacher, and currently, as a professor at Saint Leo University.

Autism

Meet Julia’s Family!

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In celebration of Autism Acceptance Month this April, we are excited to announce the introduction of Julia’s family for the first time in Muppet form! Julia’s parents, big brother, and dog Rose appear in new digital videos celebrating the importance of families. We’ve also released new resources focused on bullying, which disproportionately affects children with autism. All of these resources are available on sesamestreet.org/autism in both English and Spanish. You can also tune in to an all-new episode with Julia airing Monday, April 8, 2019 on WSKG TV! 
Julia was introduced online in 2015 and had her TV debut in 2017.

Education

Free Professional Development for PK-2 Teachers

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‘Learning with Littles: Demonstrating Empathy & Perseverance’
January 8, 2019 at 7:00pm

It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood! Please come along with us, Daniel Tiger and his friends as we explore creative ways to weave social and emotional learning into your classroom. This virtual professional learning adventure is designed and led by fellow educators, and is the third in our four part ‘Learning with Littles’ series for Pre K-2 educators. The hour-long session will highlight exciting resources and models that can immediately be implemented in the classroom. Led by PBS Digital Innovator All Stars Ashley Judd and Mallory Mbalia, this session is one that you do not want to miss.

Education

PBS KIDS Resources for Computer Science

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In celebration of Computer Science Education Week from December 3-9, we’re inviting teachers and parents to discover PBS KIDS resources that introduce little ones to coding, storytelling, and creative problem-solving. With PBS KIDS ScratchJr, kids can create their own interactive stories and games featuring their favorite PBS KIDS characters. The storytelling possibilities are endless with this creative coding app for children ages 5-8. Check out the PBS KIDS ScratchJr collection on PBS LearningMedia and splash page on PBS KIDS. You’ll find resources and activities designed for educators to support the use of the app in both formal and informal learning settings.

Education

Free Workshop for PK-2 Teachers

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Teachers, join us as we nurture curiosity and critical thinking with our littles! This virtual professional learning experience will provide tips on how to responsibly integrate media in the classroom for your early learners. How do you encourage an eagerness to explore in the classroom? A desire to learn? What are the best methods to keep students engaged and learning in the classroom?

Education

Visit WSKG Education at STEAMfest

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Build a robot, make a fidget spinner out of recycled plastic bottles, listen to plants as they make music, create a flying critter with LED light-up eyes, explore fossils, 3-D printing or discover how to power Broome County’s carousels with the wind! STEAMfest 2018 brings together afterschool/out-of-school-time providers, makers, business and industry to highlight Science, Technology, Engineering Art/Agriculture and Math career pathways for young people and innovation throughout our region. STEAMfest 2018 features a huge variety of fun, interactive “maker” stations where young people can learn about exciting STEAM careers through hands-on activities and learn what they need to study in school and college to prepare for these careers. STEAMfest will be held Saturday, October 20, 2018 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Oakdale Mall, Johnson City, NY. Be sure to visit the WSKG station featuring a Bob the Builder inspired activity! This is a free event open to the public.