Can you guess what these three things have in common? They all happen to be plants - the topic of this month's StationBreak! In this edition, we've gathered resources for exploring the fascinating Kingdom Plantae with your students. From the parts of a seed to how scientists use plants to make skateboards - we have more than enough to get you started. Hurry! Stinking Christophers and Sausage Trees await!
"America's Heartland" - Sundays at 12:30 p.m. (Past episodes are available to watch online at the show's website, which also has numerous teacher and student resources.)
"Growing a Greener World" - Wednesdays at 10:30 p.m. (Past episodes are available to watch online at the show's website.)
"Nature: What Plants Talk About" - Wednesday, April 3, at 7 p.m.
"The Cat in the Hat Knows A Lot About That!: Teeny Weeny Adventure/I See Seeds" - Thursday, April 4, at 7:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.
"Seed Swap" - Saturday, April 13, at 2 p.m. (More information about this program can be found at AETN's website, where it is available to watch online.)
"Sid the Science Kid: Seed the Science Kid" - Wednesday, April 24, at 10:30 a.m.
When students see the profiles of a forest canopy researcher, eco-friendly materials scientist, ethno-botanist, and biologist, they will learn what type of plant is used to get relief from a toothache, how plants are grown in space, and much more, as well as be inspired by the scientists' personal stories.
Students can observe various plant processes, such as photosynthesis in action, plant growth in time-lapse format, the ways in which plants adapt for survival or an explanation of the reproductive roles of flowers.
Students can explore the movement and growth of plants in their pursuit of light through time-lapsed videos and text.
When students peruse this interactive, they will learn about the uncommon stories behind some of the most common fruits and vegetables.
"Life Cycle of a Seed Plant"
In this activity, students drag and drop the steps of an apple tree's life cycle to place them in order.
ASCD - Common Core and Literacy Strategies: Science
In Common Core and Literacy Strategies: Science, you'll explore how the Common Core State Standards approach literacy in new and important ways. You will see a new emphasis on critical-thinking skills in the areas of reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Through video examples, in-depth readings, and downloadable application activities, you'll learn practical ways to put the standards to work in your classroom. Go to course.
AETN is accepting entries for "Student Selects: A Young Filmmakers Showcase," which highlights the creativity and talent of the state's kindergarten through 12th grade students. Selected entries will be broadcast on AETN and posted online at aetn.org/studentselects. Additionally, the THEA Foundation awards a total of $10,000 in college scholarships to top high school seniors who submit films to AETN's "Student Selects." Entries to be considered for the THEA scholarship competition must be postmarked by Friday, April 5, and winners will be announced in May. Anyone interested in submitting films should visit aetn.org/studentselects for complete rules and downloadable entry forms for open call or scholarship award films. Additional information is available by contacting Casey Sanders at 501-682-4190 or email@example.com.
The PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest is a national initiative designed to promote the advancement of children's literacy skills through hands-on, active learning. AETN encourages children in grades K-3 to celebrate creativity by submitting their own original stories and illustrations. Each Arkansas entrant will receive a participation certificate, and 12 winners - three from each grade - will receive an AETN prize pack, including a set of PBS KIDS educational apps for mobile devices. Contest rules, creative writing resources and entry forms are available ataetn.org/kids/writerscontest. Additional information is available by emailing firstname.lastname@example.org.
"It All Adds Up" is an effort to boost math and literacy learning at home by providing resources for parents through a collection of more than 100 games and apps. The effort also introduces new multiplatform tools, including the PBS Parents Play & Learn App and a new team of experts called Math Mentors, to help parents nurture their children's love for math from an early age.
Check out PBS KIDS' first app designed specifically for parents. PBS Parents Play & Learn provides more than a dozen math and literacy-based games parents can play with their kids. Each game is themed around a familiar location, such as the grocery store, home or restaurant. The app is available for free from the App Store on iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and for Android phones and tablets. For more details, visit pbskids.org/mobile.
PBS KIDS has assembled a team of early childhood educators and educational bloggers who will provide tips and ideas for parents to help their children learn early math concepts and to integrate math activities into their daily lives. Parents can also visit PBS KIDS Lab for additional information and tools from the Math Mentors.
Want to teach your students how to predict solar storms and design renewable energy systems? How about tracking cloud movements and learning cyber-security strategies? Check out NOVA Labs, and take part in real-world investigations using real scientific data. And, don't forget to watch "NOVA" on AETN Wednesdays at 8 p.m.
Celebrate spring with "Curious George." Help your kids shake the winter blues with the all-new, one-hour special "Curious George Swings into Spring," premiering April 22. Everyone's favorite monkey has a major case of spring fever. To encourage Hundley to get excited about spring, too, Curious George takes him on a wild adventure through the country, but Hundley ends up getting lost. Will George be able to rescue Hundley and lift his spirits through the wonders of spring? This on-air event promises to help preschoolers swing into spring, while showcasing science concepts along the way.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is sponsoring a photo contest on the Curious George Facebook page! Submit fun photos of Curious George at unique locations for the chance to win a FREE trip and prizes. The contest runs through April 22.
For educational resources at home and in the classroom, visit . . .