THE CAT IN THE HAT KNOWS A LOT ABOUT THAT! is a science program for preschool-aged children designed to spark curiosity and a love of learning.  It is based on the Random House Beginner Book collection “The Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library™.  The program offers extensive online resources which include interactive games, video, print materials, and parent and teacher resources.

The Cat himself will be making appearances throughout the day at the Children’s Museum.  Won’t you join us for the fun?

Members of the community are being asked to donate new or gently worn sweaters at collection boxes at our partner locations. The Daily Planet, which serves central Virginians, will be the recipient of your generous contributions. As Fred Rogers said, “bring sweaters for people who can’t afford them and need sweaters to keep warm.”

Won’t you be a good neighbor too? Click here for more information, including drop-off location addresses. Thanks in advance for supporting this tribute to the values Mister Rogers instilled in caring for others!

Recently, his department acquired a digital spectrum analyzer. This device is used to analyze the maximum percentage of a signal strength received off a satellite or antenna. These photos show him in action and “on the job” in Prince George County at N. B. Clements Junior High School.

If your school division is in need of a “checkup”, call Lee at 804.560.8136 or email him at lharding@ideastations.org.

WHEN FAMILIES GRIEV

WHEN FAMILIES GRIEVE harnesses the unique approach that Sesame Workshop takes in addressing children’s needs: using the SESAME STREET Muppets to aid the communication between adults and children with language and strategies that are child-appropriate and useful for the whole family.

As part of the outreach efforts associated with the program, Sesame Workshop provided over 1000 WHEN FAMILIES GRIEVE kits to be distributed to local agencies that help children facing the death of a parent.  These kits provide families with the tools to help them cope, to begin the healing process and ultimately to adjust to their ‘new normal’ in the healthiest way possible.

In our central Virginia viewing area, many kits have already been distributed to groups such as VCU Medical Center, Bon Secours Hospitals, Camp Comfort Zone, SCAN, and Crater Community Hospice.  We are now ready to begin the second phase of the distribution process by providing the kits to each elementary school counselor in our central Virginia viewing area.   The kits should be in schools by the end of September.

If you would like more information about the kits, please visit the Sesame Workshop‘s website.  The entire kit is available there and they can be ordered online.

Do you know any other resources or organizations in Central Virginia that might help a child deal with a death in the family?

In 2009, we began a View/Do/Read Backpack Program with Richmond City Public Libraries.  At that time, we provided over 20 backpacks for the libraries to put into circulation.   These backpacks are filled with all the materials needed for early learning providers and educators to easily complete a View/Do/Read Learning Triangle with the children in their care.  The packs include a PBS DVD for viewing, a View/Do/Read guide with activity suggestions for doing, and coordinated books for reading.   There are three titles:  Curious George and Zoo Nights, Clifford’s Schoolhouse, and Welcome to Word World.  The backpacks are available at the Main, Belmont, Broad Rock, East End, North Avenue, West End and Westover Hills branches of Richmond City Public Libraries and may be checked out for a two-week period.

Most recently, backpacks have been given to Henrico Public Libraries.  The three titles are available at the Fairfield branch and the Tuckahoe branch.  Backpacks have also been placed in the Maude Langhorne Nelson Library in Hopewell, which is the headquarters for the Appomattox Regional Library.

The View/Do/Read Backpack Program is a great resource for child care providers and early childhood educators! Please check it out when visiting one of these branch libraries!

Have you experienced a “teachable moment” while watch a children’s program with a child?  Tell us about it.

What is geocaching? It’s a modern day, high-tech treasure hunt involving GPS enabled devices and longitude and latitude coordinates. Once you go online and pick a location, the real fun begins. The purpose of geocaching is to find the hidden container filled with a logbook, pencil – and often prizes! Once you find the cache, sign and date the logbook. You can even post a comment online if you like. Geocaching encourages children — and their parents — to explore their surroundings, use observational skills and have an adventure in their own neighborhood. Critical and creative thinking skills are necessary when locating a cache, as well as problem-solving and scientific thought.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Each DINOSAUR TRAIN geocache container features a different dinosaur, as well as  educational information about the dinosaur. A complete field guide — with more detailed scientific facts related to each dinosaur — can be found on the DINOSAUR TRAIN website.

Wouldn’t it be fun to travel across the country and find all the DINOSAUR TRAIN geocaches? If you’re new to geocaching, check in with our local experts at Central Virginia Geocaching Association who can provide the needed assistance.

DINOSAUR TRAIN can be viewed weekdays at 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on WCVE HD (23.1) and 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on WCVE (23.2). It is also broadcast on weekends (Saturday and Sunday) at 8:30 a.m. on WCVE HD (23.1) and WCVW DT (57.1).

“There is no substitute for books in the life of a child.” ~ May Ellen Chase ~

On May 12^th, 29 volunteers from the Community Idea Stations – which included Richard Nunnally, host of Virginia Home Grown (shown at left) –  traveled to Richmond’s east end to read to classes at Fairfield Court Elementary School.  The enthusiasm was shared by both the volunteers and students, making it hard to tell who had more fun.

Afterwards, each child was given their own copy of the book to take home.  The kindergarten classes received Clifford Goes to Washington; first graders were given Arthur’s Eyes; second graders received The True Story of the Three Little Pigs; third graders were given Wings; fourth graders received The Tale of a Fourth Grade Nothing; and fifth graders took home Double Fudge.

Research has proven that reading aloud to children is one of the most effective ways to help them succeed in school.  Sharing books promotes and inspires a love of reading, and builds motivation and curiosity.

Many thanks to our volunteers, who continue to support our Ready To Learn program by giving their time to read to the classes at Fairfield Court Elementary.

If you are interested in volunteering for one of our children’s activities or other station events, please contact Jo Ann Cardwell at jcardwell@ideastations.org

Tell us…What favorite childhood story would you recommend for our next reading and book distribution event?

The Ready To Learn Coordinator at the Community Idea Stations has been very pleased to distribute these kits to schools, hospitals, military organizations and children’s advocate groups in our surrounding community. If you feel this is something you would find useful to your needs, these kit materials (video clips, guides, printables, additional resources) can be conveniently accessed at Sesame Workshop‘s website.  The WHEN FAMILIES GRIEVE kit can also be ordered online.

How would you help a child remember a loved one?  What suggestion would you share?

The series will feature two neighbors, six-year olds named Sally and Nick, who are transported on voyages of scientific discovery on the whimsical vehicle called a Thinga-ma-jigger. Their adventures include a journey to the bottom of the sea to study the mysterious giant sea worms and a trip to the middle of the rain forest to observe animals in their natural environment. Can you see how the Thinga-ma-jigger will come in handy as it sprouts wings, pontoons and skis when it zips around the world?

There’s plenty of time to find your whimsical Dr. Seuss hats and plan a premiere party for September 6. This new series should prove to be both entertaining and educational with a good combination of adventure and silliness!

On April 25, 2010, the winners from each grade level were invited to the studios of WCVE PBS for an awards ceremony honoring their achievements.  Clifford, the Big Red Dog, was on-hand to meet and greet his fans…and to congratulate the young authors for a job well done.

The winners read their stories to an audience of family, friends and teachers.  Afterwards, light refreshments were served, and Shannon Foor, from Pony Express Caricatures, created a caricature as a memento for each child who attended the ceremony. Digital versions of each story, read by the winner, can be found on classroomclips.org.

Because the goal of the contest is to encourage, challenge and reward effort, every child who submitted an original story was recognized for their participation with a Certificate of Appreciation.

Thanks to all who helped make this year’s PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest a rousing success