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DECEMBER 2024

Kratt Brothers in Idaho

We got to hang out with Chris and Martin Kratt when they were in Boise for their Kratt Brothers Live show in November. We thank them so much for making time to collaborate on some videos with us! Pictured with Martin and Chris Kratt are IdahoPTV staff Ashley Gazley, Morgan McCollum, Jenifer Johnson, and Ben Weaver.

Playtesting Opportunity for Families | Ages 3-8

PBS KIDS invites parents, caregivers, and kids ages 3-8 with a variety of abilities to participate in our virtual playtesting program. Participation is voluntary and is conducted via Zoom. Kids can play our yet-to-be-released games and help us make them awesome! Learn More >

Bring a FREE Watch-Party to Your Library or School

Many thanks to all the wonderful families who came to our FREE watch-parties around Idaho to celebrate popular new PBS KIDS series Carl the Collector. We had so much fun making Carl argyle vests and starting collections with you! By popular demand, we will schedule more in 2025, so contact us to bring a Carl the Collector watch-party to your library or school (ages 4-8)!

And check out the new FREE online Carl's Collections Game. Ages 4-8.

Vaping Prevention in Meridian

IdahoPTV's Austin Henderson and Kati Chauvin from Idaho Central District Health present met with fifth-graders at Barbara Morgan STEM Academy in Meridian in November to discuss vaping prevention as part of the ongoing KNOW VAPE campaign, which won a Community Outreach Award at the 2024 Northwest Regional Emmy Awards.

Building Your Child's Confidence, One Step at a Time

How can we help our kids focus on their strengths and build self-confidence? Ages 2-8. Here are four ideas to get you started.

Holiday Fun, Crafts, Recipes

Looking for fun stuff to do with your kids this holiday season? Look no further! Ages 2-8

• Crafts

• Recipes, Books, and More

Middle School, High School

Teen Video Contest: Welcome to the Unaltered State

Idaho Public Television invites Idaho students ages 12 to 18 to enter a new video contest for a chance to win part of $10,000 in cash prizes. Deadline for entries is April 7, 2025.

Welcome to the Unaltered State is a new a youth substance-use awareness campaign developed by Idaho Public Television in partnership with the Idaho Millennium Fund, Idaho’s public health districts, the Idaho Departments of Education and Juvenile Corrections, law enforcement agencies, nonprofits, drug prevention experts, and others. 

Student creators are asked to produce a video, no longer than 90 seconds, that empowers youth to abstain from substance use. Up to two videos may be submitted per individual or team. Winners announced May 2025. Grades 6-12

Idaho Youth and Media

Chief Engineer Andy Miles explains to students from Boise's Fairmont Junior High what engineers do at IdahoPTV. Thank you to Ms. Somoza and her wonderful students for their engaging questions and for being truly excellent guests!

📌Find FREE lesson plans, guides, important links, and everything you need to get started with Student Reporting Labs. Read about how to work with SRL this year, watch SRL’s Back to School Kickoff, and use the updated StoryMaker Toolbox.

NEW: Lessons with Ken Burns' Leonardo da Vinci | Grades 6-12

PBS LearningMedia worked with six middle and high school educators and two advisors to FREE create classroom resources using video from Ken Burns new series Leonardo da Vinci.

Mission US for Middle School

Join us on Dec. 10, 4:30 MT

Developed for use by middle school students in the classroom and beyond, Mission US is an award-winning educational media project with proven positive impact on history learning. Interactive narrative games immerse players in rich, historical settings and empower them to make choices that illuminate how ordinary people experienced the past. Register for webinar. Grades 6-8

Elementary School

Check out the latest in the newly designed Teachers' Lounge webpage and blog. "What Leonardo da Vinci's Many Disciplines Can Teach Students Today." All Grades

NEW: FREE Classroom Activities for Pre-K, K-2, 3-5 Teachers. Available in both English and Spanish. Teacher-created, aligned with standards, always free.

Grades PreK-5

Our IdahoPTV Education Specialists will be in classrooms Dec. 9-13 for Idaho STEM Action Center's Hour of Code. We'll teach kids coding using various tools. Grades K-3

Science Trek: Bears

Each month, Science Trek takes on a different topic, with short videos on the FREE PBS App. In December, we look at bears! Find facts, games, links, a podcast, books, and teacher resources aligned to Idaho and national science standards at ScienceTrek.org. Grades 3-5

Podcast

And check out the FREE Science Trek Podcast, hosted by Idaho elementary school students Evie and Garrett. On each episode, scientists answer kids' burning science questions. Grades 3-5

Pre-K to Grade 2

Lesson Plans: Elements of Art

These FREE lessons have been co-designed by museum and educational partners and feature many of your favorite PBS KIDS friends. Introduce media clips, printables, games, extension activities, articles, and crafts into your classroom and share these resources with families to strengthen the school-to-home connection. Read more>

And be sure to check out the FREE Early Art Experiences: Teach Your Way Calendar.

Find us at these FREE Events

for Families, Educators, and Communities

.....Brady Kissel.............Cheryl Kimber.. . .......Ashley Gazley......Lenea Pierzchanowski

Wednesday, Dec. 4, 10am-11pm | KIMBERLY

Kimberly Public Library, Holiday Storytime and snow globe craft. PreK & families

Saturday, Dec. 7, 9am-1pm | MOSCOW

Winter Market, 1912 Bldg. Pinkalicious, winter activities. PreK & families

Thursday, Dec. 12, 5-6pm | HOMEDALE

Tweens and Teens Night, Homedale Public Library. Ages 13-17

Saturday, Dec.14, 9am-1pm | MOSCOW

Winter Market, 1912 Bldg. Read along with Molly of Denali, winter experiments. PreK & Families