Literacy, Languages, and the Arts
November 13-November 19, 2013

Find the latest educational resources from Iowa Public Television.

PBS Kids Writers Contest: Read & Create Stories
Grades: K-3

The PBS Kids Writers Contest is for students who want to write and illustrate their own stories. Read stories by other students and create new stories using the story creation tool. Support materials include a comprehensive Writing Guide and handouts that teach students the elements of story writing.

Symbolism: Keely's Mountain

Grades: 5-8

In this blended lesson supporting literacy skills, students are introduced to Keely, who feels that her identity as a Nipmuc Native American is weakened because there is no strong Nipmuc community around her. The video Keely made when she was young and felt discouraged is countered by her positive thoughts about identity when she is older. Students develop their literacy skills through an English language arts focus on symbolism. During this process, they read informational text, learn and practice vocabulary words, and explore content through videos and interactive activities.

Persuasive Writing: Take a Stand

Grades: 9-12

The ability to state ideas clearly and back them up with proof is increasingly important, regardless of one's profession, age or background. New technologies such as blogs, podcasts, instant messaging, virtual social networks and email make opinionated self-expression easier and more encouraged than ever before. At the same time, learning to distinguish reputable sources of information from inaccurate sources is challenging, yet important when making credible arguments. Learning how to recognize credible sources and use those to form opinions and support them is a skill used by everyone from sports stars and homemakers to business leaders and politicians.

Johnny Cash: Personal Narratives Inspired by Johnny Cash
Grade Range: 6-12

This lesson plan is designed to be used with the 1969 documentary, Johnny Cash: The Man, His World, His Music, which shows a collection of scenes from Cash's life and a number of concert performances. Since Cash's songs frequently reflected his life experiences, classrooms can use his music to inspire personal narratives.

Brian Selznick
Grade Range: 4-7

Brian Selznick feels that his illustrations are more authentic when he immerses himself in his subject matter. For the picture book "Amelia and Eleanor Go for a Ride", Selznick spent six months in Washington, DC conducting research at libraries and museums. For his Caldecott-Honor-winning illustrations in "The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins", he traveled to London to sketch, photograph, and climb inside the famous dinosaur replicas. For his best-selling 533-page illustrated novel, "The Invention of Hugo Cabret", Selznick watched old French films, interviewed experts, and traveled to Paris three times. That book won the 2008 Caldecott Medal for it's groundbreaking "cinematic" illustrations. Learn about his research methods, how he ended up as a children's illustrator, and his childhood inspirations in this series of Meet the Author videos.

Picasso, Matisse masterpieces uncovered in Munich after 70 years in hiding
Grade Range: 7-12

A trove of art valued at $1.4 billion were recovered after being hidden in a Munich apartment for more than 70 years.

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