Literacy, Languages, and the Arts
March 12, 2014 - March 18, 2014

Find the latest educational resources from Iowa Public Television.

IPTV announces the Teacher Training Institute

Grades: Adult Learning

IPTV is excited to announce their first Teacher Training Institute. IPTV is recruiting Master Teachers that will partner with IPTV in creating model lessons that are cross curricular with STEM components. These model lessons will be presented in June at a hands-on training that will provide learning and networking opportunities for educators across the state.

21st Century Learning

Grades: All

Hear about different models of 21st century learning skills from experts in the education field. Chris Rush from New Classrooms, Teresa Napoli from School of One and Rebecca Rufo-Tepper from the Institute of Play discuss the emergence of new approaches to learning, such as personalized and game-based learning.

The Art of Creative Coding

Grades: 9-12

Programming plays a huge role in the world that surrounds us, and though its uses are often purely functional, there is a growing community of artists who use the language of code as their medium. Their work includes everything from computer generated art to elaborate interactive installations, all with the goal of expanding our sense of what is possible with digital tools. To simplify the coding process, several platforms and libraries have been assembled to allow coders to cut through the nitty-gritty of programming and focus on the creative aspects of the project. These platforms all share a strong open source philosophy that encourages growth and experimentation, creating a rich community of artists that share their strategies and work with unprecedented openness.

Zeega: Interactive Video

Grades: 6-13+

Zeega is a new platform for organizing media from around the Internet to create interactive stories about anything in the world. From crazy cats to remixed popular film clips, Zeega enables users to practice the craft of storytelling in a new, dynamic and digital way. In the latest episode of Art School, Zeega's creators talk about this new tool and the inspiration behind its name, then demonstrate how to create your own Zeega using GIFs from the Internet, original content, music and text.

Digital Media: New Learners of the 21st Century

Grade Range: 6-12

Digital Media: New Learners of the 21st Century explores how exceptional instructors are increasingly using digital media and interactive practices to ignite their students' curiosity and ingenuity, help them become civically engaged, allow them to collaborate with peers worldwide, and empower them to direct their own learning.

21st Century Schools: Learning in the Digital Age
Grade Range: 9-13+

More and more educators are tapping into the power of digital media and technology for teaching and learning. The variety of information resources available online is simply staggering. Watch How Google Saved a School from FRONTLINE's Digital Nation and discuss the hype and the hopes for improving education through technology.

Comic Cam: Expressive Reading

Grade Range: 1-3

Jennifer Barber introduces the different characters she created for her stories

including Bruce the tough guy ladybug, Eleanor the snobby earthworm that hates dirt,

and Courtney the opera-singing daredevil moth. She reads one of the stories she created and uses different voices to differentiate between the three characters. The goal of the resource is reading with accuracy and fluency.

Symbolism: Keely's Mountain
Grade Range: 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.

Understanding Character: The Life of Percy Julian

Grade Range: 5-8

In this blended lesson supporting literacy skills, students watch video dramatizations of Percy Julian's struggles with racism and how he refused to let it limit his possibilities in life. Students develop their literacy skills as they explore an English language arts focus on understanding character. During this process, they read informational text, learn and practice vocabulary words, and explore content through videos and interactive activities.

David Kuraoka: Visual Arts (Ceramics)
Grade Range: 6-13+

David Kuraoka throws enormous pots weighing 100 pounds and more, a process that requires a pottery wheel. In this Spark video produced by KQED, watch him at work in his studio.

Daniel McCormick: Visual Arts (Sculpture)

Grade Range: K-13+

In this Spark video produced by KQED, follow environmental artist Daniel McCormick as he creates temporary sculptures in the creek beds of West Marin.

Resources | PBS LearningMedia | PBS KIDS | Iowa Public Television