The Electric Company: Generating Sparks
By: Nicole Skinner
More than half of the 4th graders in our nation's poorest public schools are failing to reach basic reading levels. On the latest international exam, U.S. students posted a lower average score than students in Russia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Luxembourg, Hungary, Italy, Sweden and several Canadian provinces. Schools are working hard to amend literacy problems, but these shocking new lows require much more help. PBS is ready with a jump-start. Enter The Electric Company, here to re-energize those flickering light-bulbs with a healthy dose of enlightened pop-culture. Does the name sound familiar? That's right, the classic show from the 70's is back and recharged. Part of PBS's Raising Readers effort, the updated series features four culturally diverse teenagers with "mad, mad, super-bad, special skills", that specifically aim to teach. Comprehensive online and offline programming will provide the ultimate motivation for beginning readers. Video games, word generators, and a web board that monitors the "volts" you earn, are included in the tools The Electric Company has in store. As for the show, expect nods to the past like a guy in a gorilla suit and a cameo by Rita Moreno, as well as hip new twists abetted by technology. A fast pace, celebrity guest spots, quirky rhymes and smooth moves makes The (new) Electric Company modern, relatable, and certifiably kid "cool".
VIEW
The Electric Company (ages 6-9 Saturday's 9am):
"Heyyyy... youuuu... Guyyysss..." Sesame's Street's hip older sibling is back! This new version of the 70's superstar packs a potent punch. A High School Musical style cast, animated segments, live action phonics lessons, and familiar aspects of yore are fresh ways to lighten up learning. Weekly, fun and funky episodes coupled with an interactive online component are just some of the good reasons to tune in and power up.
DO
Research has proven that early intervention is necessary in order to prevent recurring patterns of failure among young students. A parent's role is vital to supplementing the work of communities and school. While reading to your child is great, it can be even more exciting to engage your young one in other ways. Pound the pavement with your spark plug and explore your city's signs. Help them sound out words. See a STOP sign? What does it spell backwards? Can you organize the letters any other way? Discover, solve, and be creative. No super-powers required.
READ
Third Grade Scholar
(Scholar Series Workbooks)
by Lisa Klobuchar and Barbara Irwin
Help reinforce learning with 64 pages of fun-filled cross-curricular activities.
Big Words for Little People
by Jamie Lee Curtis
Celebrate the power of language big and small with a quirky, personable family. The 8th in a series of picture books, Big Words for Little People, introduces vocabulary words such as considerate, and preserve in ways that help children understand both the meaning, pronunciation and spelling.
Magic Tree House Series
by Mary Pope Osborne
A great beginner reader series for children ages 4 to 8. Jack and Annie found a Magic Tree House in the woods and the world of reading was changed forever. When in the tree house, the two can be transported to the magical lands and worlds within books. Includes such titles as Dinosaurs Before Dark, The Knight at Dawn, and Mummies in the Morning.
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