Synergy: Mister Rogers

Fred McFeely Rogers (1928-2003) was a beloved American television personality and producer who hosted a television series for children titled Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood from 1968-2001.

Read the recently published children’s picture book on this topic, then learn more at the websites:

YOU ARE MY FRIEND written by Aimee Reid and illustrated by Matt Phelan tells the story of Mister Rogers. This beautifully illustrated biography explores the elements of Fred Rogers’ childhood that impacted his decision to create a television program for children that emphasized kindness and celebrated individual differences.

MISTER ROGERS’ NEIGHBORHOOD is a website dedicated to Fred Rogers and his television programs. It features information about his message and music; his guests, puppets and colleagues; and key locations. The website also provides excerpts from the early television program.

Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood
https://www.misterrogers.org/

ARC courtesy of Abrams Books for Young Readers.

Website: BBC

The BBC YouTube channels contain endless informational and educational video programming.

BBC supports dozens of YouTube channels. Best known is the BBC News channel, however there are many other channels useful for educational activities.

BBC Ideas is a channel contains short videos to “feed your curiosity.” CBBC is popular with youth. Check out their videos dealing with the issue of bullying. Students will find their “Horrible Histories” hilarious. CBeebie is a channel designed for young children. Finally Children in Need is focused on changing the lives of disadvantaged youth.

Librarians will want to mine the many BBC channels for short videos that can be woven into the curriculum. Use the news channel to provide a more global perspective on social issues.

To visit the channels, go to https://www.youtube.com/user/BBC/channels.

Website Review: PBS News Hour

PBS NEWSHOUR is a television news program with educational materials for teachers.

The PBS NewsHour website contains full episodes of the television program, podcasts, and online articles. Resources are organizing by topic including politics, arts, nation, world, economy, science, health, and education.

The PBS NewsHour Extra provides student and teacher resources for grades 7-12. Materials are organized by subject areas and include both lesson plans and articles. The student voices section includes reporting by young adults. Students can submit their story idea, essay or poem to be included at the website.

Librarians will find this website to be useful for both students and teachers. Students will find useful information for their research, while teachers will find lots of ideas of integrating news into the curriculum.

To visit PBS NewsHour, go to https://www.pbs.org/newshour/.
To visit PBS NewsHour Extra, go to https://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/

App Review: Ed and the Curious Crew

ED AND THE CURIOUS CREW provides a “behind-the-scenes” look at a children’s hospital.

Published by The Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne Australia, this engaging app follows Ed and his friends as they learn, watch, play, and explore. Users choose from five sections: fun & learning, film & television, nutrition & allergies, fundraising & helping, and sustainability & environment. A different member of crew leads each section.

Librarians will find this engaging interactive app to be useful beyond the hospital setting.

To download the app, go to https://itunes.apple.com/…/ed-curious-crew-at…/id1014855340….

App Review: Ed and the Curious Crew

ED AND THE CURIOUS CREW is an educational app exploring life at a children’s hospital.

Designed for ages 9-11, children choose from five areas: fun and learning, film and television, nutrition and allergies, fundraising and helping, and sustainability and environment. In each section, users can learn, watch, play, and explore. The easy-to-use activities engage children in age-appropriate learning experiences related to hospital and health-related topics.

Librarians will find this adorable app to be a great way to explore health-related topics. Pair it with books about illness and hospital visits.

To download the app, go to https://itunes.apple.com/…/ed-curious-crew-at-…/id1014855340.

App Review: Messy Mia & the Tale of Ancient Technology

MESSY MIA & THE TALE OF ANCIENT TECHNOLOGY is an interactive story and learning app focusing on old and new technology.

Designed for preschool and primary aged children, the 20 page storybook explores how technology such as televisions, phones, and music players have changed over time. The large text, engaging storyline, and attractive illustrations will keep young children interested. The app provides “Read it Myself” and “Read to Me” options. Readers are encouraged to interact with the screen using predictable icons. In addition, a “What’s That Picture?” quiz and three, short games will appeal to users and keep them involved in the story content.

Librarians will find this app an effective way to address digital literacy standards related to changes in technology.

To download the app, go to https://itunes.apple.com/…/messy-mia-tales-sto…/id928647708…. The basic app is free, but additional resources can be purchased.

Published Avatar Generation.

Technology Review: The Smithsonian Channel

The SMITHSONIAN CHANNEL app and website provides access to full-episodes of original series and documentaries as well as a large video library.

The app connects to over a thousand short videos as well as full programs. Users can select from favorite topics or browse the possibilities. The attractive interface is easy to use. Users can create their own channels of content based on favorite topics. Or, let the system select videos based on interests. Favorite videos can be identified.

The website features links to video clips as well as full episodes. Playlists are provided on popular topics such as bees, history, baby animals, and the civil rights movements.

Librarians will find videos across the curriculum including science and social science topics.

To download the app, go to https://itunes.apple.com/…/…/smithsonian-channel/id482096908.

To visit the website, go to http://www.smithsonianchannel.com/.

Book Review: Reality Check in Detroit

REALITY CHECK IN DETROIT by Roy MacGregor is the latest in the Screech Owl hockey mystery-adventure series for middle grades.

The Screech Owls are a local hockey team in a small Canadian community. In their latest adventure, the team has been invited to star in a reality TV show in Detroit. After the initial excitement wears off, they realize that stardom may not be worth the sacrifices to their team and their friendships. Where do the lies end and the authentic reality begin?

For the past 20 years, MacGregor has written engaging adventures for young hockey fans. The mystery stories are told through the eyes of the team captain, Travis Lindsay. The 26 books are available individually or in collected volumes of 4 books. Readers seeking sports fiction focusing on team building and friendships will enjoy this series.

Librarians will find that the fast-paced, easy-to-follow stories are great for reluctant readers. The storylines have a nice balance of live hockey sequences with team drama and light-hearted banter. Librarians don’t need to worry about having all the books in hand. Although the team members carry over from book to book, each book stands on its own. The plots revolve around real places and events or universal themes.

To learn more about the series, go to http://www.screechowls.com/.

Published by Tundra, February 2015.

Website Review: Reading Rockets

Kick off the year by launching young readers! Use the READING ROCKETS website for ideas that promote a passion for reading. Go to http://www.readingrockets.org/.

Launched over a decade ago by WETA, Reading Rockets is a multimedia literacy initiative focusing on how children learn to read and ways adults can help support young readers. Supported through grants from the U.S. Department of Education, Corporation for Public Broadcasting and others, the website provides free, evidence-based information about reading.

The Teaching Reading section explores literacy topics, reading strategies, and resources to help beginning readers succeed.

The Helping Struggling Reader section features ideas for working with struggling readers.

The Reading Topics A-Z section provides a rich collection of research-based information and best-practices associated with reading.

The Children’s Book & Authors section contains endless resources on children’s books and authors including author studies, video interviews, themed and summer booklists, nonfiction book ideas, selection suggestions, buying guides, and activities.

The Research, Guides and Resources section includes an extensive collection of reports, guides, and directories that are useful in professional development and grant writing.

The Librarian section at http://www.readingrockets.org/audi…/professionals/librarians provides topics of particular interest to teacher librarians such as the Common Core, children’s books, and authors.

With themes from gardening to robots, the Reading Adventure Packs for Families at http://www.readingrockets.org/…/reading-adventure-packs-fam… pair themed fiction and nonfiction books with interactive activities. Consider creating these packs for circulation in your library.

Use the E-Cards for Readers activity at http://www.readingrockets.org/books/fun/ecards to involve youth in sharing their passion for reading with others using images from favorite children’s book illustrators.

To extend the experience, join the Reading Rockets Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Tumblr, and iTunes Podcasts social media resources.

Website & App Review: PBS

PBS has recently updated their web and app presence. Let’s explore some of the options.

PBS LearningMedia at http://pbslearningmedia.org/ provides standards-based lesson ideas organized by grade and subject. A suite of productivity tools can be used to create customized lessons, quizzes, and interactive web pages featuring PBS web content. A search for INTERACTIVE yields more than 1500 interactive tutorials and games for youth across the curriculum. Search for topics related to Standards for the 21st Century Learner. For instance, a search for COPYRIGHT yields videos, interactive, and lessons related to copyright law and youth.

PBS LearningMedia for Students at http://pbslearningmedia.org/student/ is a place where youth can access the materials developed by teachers. They can also used the online tools for creating their own online projects known as “storyboards”.

PBSKids at http://pbskids.org/ continues to provide access to videos, games, and other activities for youth.

PBSVideo at http://video.pbs.org/ provides short excerpts as well as full programs from a wide range of PBS programs.

PBS for iPad can be downloaded from iTunes. This app provides easy access to thousands of full-length videos programs.

For access to all of these websites, go to PBS at http://www.pbs.org/.