Education Services
e-Newsletter
May 2008
Welcome to your May e-Newsletter designed specifically for pre-K-12+ educators in the Prairie Public Broadcasting viewing area. Take advantage of the resources on our Web site to enhance your lesson plans, capture your student’s interest and imagination, and significantly increase student retention through a multi-media approach to learning.
Find all the Instructional Resources video programs and Web resources on the Web site (click on titles for a list of available programs) at http://www.prairiepublic.org/education/pstv
Digital Television Conversion Update - New Education Channel!
In September 2008, Prairie Public will launch its new digital Education Channel on multicast channel 2. The Education Channel will host many of the same quality education programs you currently receive during the 5:30-6:30 AM Block Feed, the 10-11:00 AM Daily Schedule, and from our Lending Library. (See our titles list on our Web site.) Plus, the Education Channel will broadcast many more programs for use in your classroom and/or for professional development, as well as programs of interest for lifelong-learners. We are interested in your suggestions on programming for the Education Channel. Please email your thoughts to education@prairiepublic.org!
How to access Prairie Public's main channel after conversion in January 2009:
If you get your television signal via cable or satellite, you do not need to do anything to continue receiving Prairie Public. On cable and satellite, Prairie Public will stay on the same channel but will be called Prairie Public HD multicast 1 and the television will show your channel (channel 13, channel 3, channel 2, etc.) with a "-1", i.e. 13-1, 3-1, 2-1 etc.
If you use an antenna or rabbit ears, you will need a converter box to use with your current television set or you will need a television set with a digital tuner. Again, the television will show your channel with a "-1", i.e. 13-1, 3-1, 2-1 etc. The federal government is offering up to two coupons per household to help pay for the cost of the converter box. Go to our Web site to learn how to get the coupons.
How to access the Education Channel beginning in September 2008:
If you get your television signal via cable or satellite, your provider MAY carry the Education Channel (Check local listings for the channel number). Contact your cable or satellite provider to assure they will carry Prairie Public's Education Channel multicast 2.
If your provider does not carry Prairie Public's Education Channel, you will need a converter box or a digital television set and an antenna--even if you currently get your television signal from cable or satellite.
Prairie Public will also broadcast a third digital channel, the Minnesota Channel, beginning in September 2008. The Minnesota Channel will continually broadcast regionally produced programs. You may also want to encourage your local cable or satellite provider to carry Prairie Public's Minnesota Channel multicast 3.
Converter Box: For Your Information
The Federal Government is offering coupons for converter boxes, two per household, but schools cannot apply. Instead, encourage your school's families to donate their unused coupons to the school...ensuring access to the Education and Minnesota Channels at your school.
Every situation is different. For more information or if you have questions on the switch to digital, contact us by email education@prairiepublic.org or phone at 701-239-7574 or go to http://www.prairiepublic.org/education/digital.html.
back
| Top
Early Morning Programs to Record for Use in Your Classroom
The following programs air during the 5:30 to 6:30 AM (CT) block feed for recording an entire series on tape or DVD for use at a later time.
http://www.prairiepublic.org/education/pstv/schedule/thismonth.html
Reminder: The final week of Instructional Resources for the school year is May 12-16.
Bill Nye the Science Guy
Science * Grades 4-12
15/25-minute programs * April 30-May 9
Approaches science with humor to engage students in a range of subjects such as technology, astronomy, engineering and life science.
http://www.prairiepublic.org/education/pstv/titles/bill.html
North American Biomes
Science, Biology * Grades 5-8
8/10-minute programs * April 30-May 9
Introduces students to each of the major biomes in North America—forests, grasslands, desert, seashores, rivers and wetlands. Shows how each biome is important to our quality of life.
http://www.prairiepublic.org/education/pstv/titles/biomes.html
Cracking the Code: The Continuing Saga of Genetics
Science/Biology * Grades 9-12
5/25-minute programs * May 9-13
Recounts all the significant historical events of genetic science up to and including the deduction by Watson and Crick of the double helix structure of DNA.
http://www.prairiepublic.org/education/pstv/titles/cracking.html
Energy: Powering North Dakota's Economy
Science/Current Events * Grades 9-12
1/60-minute program * May 14
Explores North Dakota's energy industry and investigates the potential for using renewable fuels as part of North Dakota energy mix.
http://www.prairiepublic.org/features/Energy/index.htm
Red River Divide
Science/Current Events * Grades 9-12
1/60-minute program * May 15
Examines the history of the Red River to better understand the future of the region. At times the Red River offers recreational possibilities, and other times it devastates the region with flooding.
http://www.riverwatchonline.org/
Nature in the Balance: CO2 Sequestration
Science/Current Events * Grades 9-12
1/30-minute program * May 16
Introduces the concept of CO2 sequestration, which is the capture and long-term storage of carbon dioxide. Removing CO2 from the atmosphere is one strategy to off-set carbon emissions. Go to the Web site for a streaming video of the program and identified curriculum and individual lesson plans on everything from developing scientific models to sharing opinions about controversial topics and the debate over climate change. Click on the teacher resources on the Web site.
http://www.prairiepublic.org/education/pstv/titles/eerc.html
Reducing Our Carbon Footprint: The Role of Markets
Science/Current Events * Grades 9-12
1/30-minute program * May 16
Introduces carbon management and examines ways lawmakers and industry leaders are trying to reduce our nation's carbon footprint to help combat global warming. Go to the Web site for identified curriculum and individual lesson plans on everything from developing scientific models to sharing opinions about controversial topics and the debate over climate change. Click on the teacher resources on the Web site.
http://www.prairiepublic.org/education/pstv/titles/eerc.html
back
| Top
Special Friday Programs
The following timely programs of educational interest air on Fridays 10:00 to 11:00 AM (CT).
http://www.prairiepublic.org/education/pstv/schedule/thismonth.html
Reading is Fundamental: RIF Exchange
Language Arts, Reading * Professional Development
2/30 minute programs * May 2
*Summer Reading: A Bridge to Literacy presents strategies for parents and teachers to make time for reading during summer vacation.
*Writing Matters: Children as Authors encourages students to actively write about topics that matter to them.
http://www.prairiepublic.org/education/pstv/titles/RIF.html
Alan Alda in Scientific American Frontiers
Science * Grades 6-12
2/30-minute programs * May 9
*Cybersenses shows the possibilities for repairing the senses, from artificial hearing to electronic retinas for the blind.
*Cars That Think introduces the future of cars, which are controlled more by computers than people.
http://www.prairiepublic.org/education/pstv/titles/saf.html
Where Do Children Play?
Current Events * Professional Development
1/60-minute program * May 16
Examines the changing landscape of play for children. Places for play are harder and harder to find, yet child development professionals stress that play is essential for the physical, social, and cognitive development of children.
http://www.wfum.org/childrenplay/
back
| Top
PBS Programs to Watch
For the entire Prairie Public schedule, go to http://www.prairiepublic.org/programs/tvsched.html. All times are Central Time (CT).
Carrier
April 27-May 1 * 8:00 PM
Demonstrates what life is like aboard a US Navy nuclear aircraft carrier. The programs follow a core group of film participants as they navigate personal conflicts around their jobs, families, faith, patriotism, love, the rites of passage and the war on terror.
http://www.pbs.org/weta/carrier
American Experience: George H. W. Bush
May 5, 6 * 8:00 PM
Examines the life and career of our nation’s 41st president.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/
Secrets of the Dead: Doping for Gold
May 7 * 7:00 PM
Explores the truth behind the 1970s Olympic steroid scandal, the largest state-sponsored doping program the world had ever seen.
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/secrets/
Phoenix Mars Mission: Ashes to Ice
May 22 * 9:00 PM
Chronicles the story of the Phoenix Mars Lander, the latest attempt to search for life on the Red Planet. The lander is scheduled to touchdown on May 25, 2008.
http://phoenix.lpl.arizona.edu
back | Top
Local PBS TeacherLine Courses Start in May and June
PBS TeacherLine provides the ideal online professional development solution for educators who want standards-based, content-rich courses that are affordable and convenient. Courses are facilitated by experienced area educators and are available for two graduate credits through North Dakota State University's Distance and Continuing Education.
Session 1 - May 19 - June 27
* TECH145.212 - Teaching with WebQuests for Grades K-12
Session 2 - June 11 - July 23
*MATH165.111 - Enabling Students with Special Needs to Succeed in Math Class (Approved for North Dakota Title I math credential renewal.)
*RDLA150.73 - An Introduction to Underlying Principles and Research for Effective Literacy Instruction (Approved for North Dakota Title I reading credential renewal and relies upon scientifically-based reading research.)
Visit http://www.prairiepublic.org/education/pstv/teacherline.html to learn more and to register.
back | Top
New Global Warming Lesson Plan and SAT Prep from NOW
The current affairs program NOW on PBS has launched new resources for teachers. The first is a comprehensive series of lesson plans on global warming for high school students, targeting the areas of social studies, debate, science, current events, and government. The plans are standards-based, and resources include video segments and links to outside environmental organizations. To see the lesson plans, visit http://www.pbs.org/now/classroom/globalwarming.html
NOW has also launched two SAT test preparation sites that juniors and seniors might find useful. The first site addresses reading comprehension and the second site addresses essay preparation. Share the following links with your students!
Reading comprehension: http://www.pbs.org/now/classroom/lessonplan-06.html
Essay preparation: http://www.pbs.org/now/classroom/lessonplan-01.html
back | Top
Videos of the Teaching and Learning Celebration Available Online - Only Until May 14th!
In March the 2008 Teaching and Learning Celebration held in New York focused on science, math, global awareness and instructional technology. Now is your chance to catch the highlights! Until May 14, videos of featured speakers will be available online, include Jane Goodall and her presentation, "A Reason to Hope," along with Jean-Michel Cousteau and his presentation "The Great Ocean Adventure." Find these speakers and more by visiting http://www.thirteencelebration.org/edblog/?p=31
back
| Top
********************************************************
Visit Prairie Public's Education Web site at http://www.prairiepublic.org/education/ for the latest in classroom resources that provide high-quality video, online and print materials as well as distance learning opportunities for North Dakota and northwest Minnesota teachers. Contact us at 701-239-7574 or education@prairiepublic.org
********************************************************
|
