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Children have a lot of choices on TV, on video, and online. What sets WGBH's programs apart? A solid curriculum-based foundation, a commitment to advancing literacy, and a goal of creating a generation of active, involved viewers -- all of which adds up to content that's not just entertaining but educational.
Between WGBH 2 and 44, young viewers have 106 hours a week of commercial-free, enriching television fare from which to choose: longtime favorites such as Sesame Street and new additions like Sagwa, the Chinese Siamese Cat, based on Amy Tan's picture book. Most popular of all is Arthur, one of three children's series produced for PBS by WGBH. In fact, Arthur (now in its sixth season) is the most-watched children's program anywhere on television. And it all began with books.
"We saw tremendous potential in Marc Brown's popular Arthur stories," says executive producer Carol Greenwald. "We take a kid's-eye view to address real issues in children's lives, from dealing with a new teacher to asthma and dyslexia." Arthur's Web site picks up where the show leaves off, encouraging kids to post a poem or try a word game.
The Zoom Web site, like the TV broadcast, invites kids to "c'mon and Zoom!," and more than 2 million have sent in experiments, book reviews, or jokes. "We take an active approach to learning, with an emphasis on language arts, science, and math," says executive producer Kate Taylor. "This isn't TV that kids watch passively: we tell them to get up and do something. And they do." "Zoom into Action" segments showcase kids singing in nursing homes, helping out in animal shelters, or otherwise volunteering in their communities. And PBS stations are creating a grassroots groundswell in their own backyards, producing and airing foot-age of local kids giving of their time.
Between the Lions has a concrete goal, too: helping children learn to read. Research shows that the series and Web site, co-produced with Sirius Thinking, Ltd., are hitting their target. "Rave reviews and awards are great," says executive producer Judy Stoia, "but we're most excited about studies showing that young viewers dramatically improve their early reading skills." Two Mississippi communities struggling with low reading scores are participating in a pilot project to use Between the Lions intensively in schools, childcare centers, and Head Start programs. "If this works in Mississippi," says project director Beth Kirsch, "it can be replicated in other low-literacy communities."
Programs for those who care about kids are as central to WGBH as programs for children. Eye on Education -- a collaboration with The Boston Globe, WILD 1090AM, and El Mundo -- will continue to explore the impact of educational reform and high-stakes testing on Boston public school teachers, students, and families. "We're tackling the issue from all angles," says Denise DiIanni, head of WGBH's local productions unit. "This spring, our efforts will culminate in a week of radio, print, Web, and TV specials, including an hour-long Day in the Life filmed at Dorchester's Jeremiah E. Burke High School."
Misunderstood Minds also will premiere this spring, examining learning problems and their impact on children, families, and society. The PBS program, Web site, and video library will offer methods for successfully managing this challenge that affects one in every five American children.
Television and the Web have the power to shape young people's lives. WGBH is seizing that power to bring information-rich resources to families across the country.
To Between the Lions:
Your excellent series Between the Lions certainly meets the needs of my students. I teach at a school whose population is made up of a number of languages (17) and has a large at-risk population. My first-graders are gaining so much from your program, and I am indebted to you. Each segment is so creative and supports all the wonderful ways children learn to read!
Nancy R., Berkley, Michigan
To Eye On Education:
I appreciate all the work that must have gone into making Eye on Education such an amazing television experience. I've been frustrated that those who are supposed to benefit from educational reform have not been described in the policy discourse. You can imagine what a relief it was to watch WGBH and see news and features that cut through the rhetoric to convey the real world of school in Boston. Finally -- some down-to-earth reporting!
Anne W., Boston, Massachusetts
Timeline:
The Spider's Web debuted on 89.7 in 1970 and soon was spinning classic children's tales, from Stuart Little to Treasure Island, for a nation of young listeners. In 1987, WGBH picked up the thread on television with Long Ago & Far Away, demonstrating that TV can be a powerful tool in promoting a love of books and reading. Long Ago & Far Away presented favorite stories from around the world -- animated and live action -- and encouraged young viewers and their families to read together. "The series marked the start of WGBH's concerted effort to create children's television that promotes literacy," says Brigid Sullivan, vice president for children's, educational and interactive programming, and media access.
WGBH's Between the Lions combines stories with phonics to help young children learn to read. Our book-based series Arthur captures early readers' imaginations with the trials and tribulations of an eight year old who just happens to be an aardvark. What's next? As parents and teachers know, introductory chapter books -- books with short, action-filled chapters that help youngsters transition to stories with more words than pictures. WGBH is developing a TV series and Web site based on the popular Time Warp Trio stories, combining time travel and history with suspense-filled adventures designed to take young readers to the next level of literacy.
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