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To:     Regional Detroit’s School Administrators and Education Leaders

 

Fr:     Detroit Public TV

 

Re:    Educational Resources for Parents During Coronavirus Outbreak

 

Dt:     3/15/20

 

The entire Michigan community is grateful for the remarkable response of district administrators and other educators to Gov. Whitmer’s call that schools be closed as the coronavirus begins to be transmitted in our state.

 

Detroit Public TV understands that there is much planning yet to be done as educators work with parents, caregivers and other community institutions to assist students through these challenging times.

 

As your public media station, we are gearing up to serve as partners to  provide educational instruction and resources during this period and to keep students engaged in learning and engage their parents in those efforts.

 

It’s a crucial part of public media’s mission to ensure all kids have access to continued free educational resources at home or wherever else they might be cared for.

 

Detroit Public TV, in partnership with community educators and in collaboration with PBS stations across Michigan, will be providing educational programming and associated digital resources that adhere to Michigan’s state curriculum to foster at-home learning across all grade levels.

 

As many of you know, Detroit Public TV and PBS educational programming and resources have been shown by multiple evaluations to be effective tools for teachers and parents. They are curriculum-based by state, and they have been classroom-tested by teachers.

 

The Detroit PBS KIDS Channel (56.2) is available 24 hours a day seven days a week with kids’ favorite shows – Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Arthur, Pinkalicious and Peterrific, Wild Kratts, Odd Squad and many others. The  programming also can be accessed on the Detroit PBS KIDS website and on the free PBS KIDS app, available for free on a wide range of platforms.

 

We will also be providing daily communications with suggestions for content, activities and learning opportunities through newsletters and social media, as well as at DetroitPBSKIDS.org. We hope that you will share these materials with your organizations and communities as well.

 

Our Detroit PBS KIDS Education team will continue its discussions with school administrators and educators to identify the needs of the community and to work together to meet them. Please let us know what needs can we can meet as the situation evolves.

 

We know the challenges ahead for all of us. But we share your commitment to serving our families and communities to ensure that we cope with the crisis and that our children continue to thrive.

 

Below you will see the first of our daily newsletters to parents, caregivers and others who will be working with your students in the days ahead. Let us know what you think!   You can reach the education team by email at Education@DPTV.org.

You probably grew up watching PBS KIDS and know it is a safe and nurturing place for children. As we begin the first day of at-home learning for thousands of children on Monday, Detroit PBS KIDS wants to be your partner in providing the very best in educational programming and resources.   We will give you ideas daily to support in-home learning and fun activities that bring to life the learning provided by Detroit PBS KIDS television programming.  

 

PARENTS:  Making Kids Feel Safe

This is a stressful time for everyone and especially for our youngest learners, whose routines are about to undergo a major change – change that they may not fully understand.  

 

This is a stressful time for everyone and especially for our youngest learners, whose routines are about to undergo a major change – change that they may not fully understand.  

 

If you aren’t sure how to start the conversation, this short article on how to talk to your kids should help. 

 

We recommend making the conversation E.A.S.Y. when discussing issues like this with young children:

• Eye level
• Age Appropriate Language
• Soft voice
• Yield to allow children to share thoughts or ask questions

Need inspiration? Check out this video on talking about the virus from DPTV’s Early Education Manager Tara Hardy to help you begin.

 

Looking for more? The Daniel Tiger team has a suggested activity to help calm your 2-8-year-old.  

 

Check out even more resources about coronavirus (COVID-19). 

 

PARENTS:  Learning Resources and Activities

Featured App: PBS KIDS Games

PBS KIDS Games app has more than 100 free games for your 2-8 year olds.  In this safe learning environment, kids learn science, math reading, creativity and more.   Play mazes, puzzles, dress-up, coloring and more.  The games feature their favorite PBS KIDS characters and help teach everything from the ABCs and shapes to reading and math.   Free for iOS and Android devices in the app store, and no in-app purchases required.   

 

Preschool to Grade 2: Make a Boat
Will a toy car float?  How about a tin pie plate?  In this short video from The Cat in the Hat Knows A Lot About That! Nick and Sally test some objects in their backyard wading pool (a bathtub makes a good substitute), to see what will float and what won’t.

 

Grades 3-5:  Measuring Length Precisely
In this video segment from Cyberchase, the CyberSquad must remove a voice box from a giant statue without touching the laser alarms that protect it.  They need an exact measurement, and your student will be asked to help!   A ruler is needed.

 

Grades 6-8:  Dunk Tank!

In this interactive math game, learners explore mean, media, mode, range and how to recognize which central tendency best represents a set of data. 

 

Grades 9-12: Making Cents
This video series teaches teens and pre-teens how to manage their money and foster an entrepreneurial spirit. 

 

TEACHERS:

If you are a teacher preparing to guide student learning online, DPTV and the PBS Education team have compiled an extensive list of curriculum-aligned resources online. PBS LearningMedia is a Google Classroom friendly collection of videos, interactives, lesson plans and more.

 

PBS LearningMedia is hosting the webinar, Distance Learning With PBS LearningMedia for educators of all ages on Wednesday, March 18. This one-hour virtual learning event, hosted by PBS master trainers and educators, will highlight a variety of tips, from student activities to digital tools and PBS LearningMedia hacks. Featuring insights applicable to elementary, middle and high-school classrooms, the session will focus on skills, tips, and techniques that educators can apply immediately to prepare for successful distance learning, whether working with students in person or sharing lessons online.  Register for the webinar

 

SPECIAL EVENTS: Women’s History Month

March is Women’s History Month and DPTV is offering programming and resources to celebrate. 

 

On Monday, March 16, Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum will premiere a new episode, “I am Madam President.”  Instead of going back to the past, Xavier, Yadina and Brad will go the future.  What will they see?

Airs on Detroit PBS KIDS (56.2) at 7:30am and 7:00pm Monday, March 16th, and available on demand Tuesday through the PBS KIDS app.

 

And check out these tips for Raising a Self-Confident Girl.  (They work great for boys, too!)