May 5, 2022 | Issue 63
Hi Teachers!

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! Montana PBS LOVES teachers! We know this past school year has been challenging for Montana teachers. We want you to know we SEE you teachers and we appreciate all that you do! Thank you for supporting students in Montana!

If you are looking for virtual summer PD opportunities scroll down to learn more about the MTPBS Summer Media Lab workshops and our virtual Summer Book Study!

MTPBS is excited to be part of the OPI Summer Institute in June. Look for Nikki's sessions about PBS resources for Social Emotional Learning!

As always, please reach out to our Education team if we can help you by using Montana PBS digital media with your students!
Nikki Vradenburg, Ed.D
Director of Education
In This Issue:

  • Lesson Planning with PBS LearningMedia
  • MTPBS Media Lab
  • Summer Book Study
  • PBS Media Literacy Certified Teachers
  • Join our Facebook Group
Lesson Planning with PBS LearningMedia
Alma's Way
(K-2)

ALMA’S WAY follows 6-year-old Alma Rivera, a proud, confident Puerto Rican girl who lives in the Bronx with her family among a diverse group of close-knit friends and community members. Explore this collection of video and activity bundles and digital games from Alma's Way!
How the West Was Fun Montana Artists Lesson
(Grades: 3-5)

In this lesson plan students watch biographical accounts of three artists of the West: Charlie Russell, George Catlin, and Evelyn Cameron. By completing a graphic organizer based on the videos, students compare and contrast the focus and perspectives of each of the artists.
Craft in America
(Grades: 6-12)

Use this collection of lessons, video clips, and images to explore America's creative spirit seen through the language and tradition of the handmade. Students will learn about the artists, origins, and techniques of the American craft.
Upcoming Engagement Opportunities
MTPBS Summer Media Lab
Join tech savvy media makers from across the state to learn the ins and outs of making media with students. Montana PBS Media Lab is a FREE interactive and hands-on virtual learning experience! Each session will focus on a single digital tool for making media projects with students and will begin with an introduction to the tool, some examples about how it can be used with students, step by step instructions for how to use the tool and time to explore and ask questions. This is HANDS-ON professional learning! Teachers will create projects and share them at the end of the workshop! Media Lab workshops are FREE and everyone who attends live has the chance to win cool prizes! Two OPI units will be granted to all participants who attend live sessions and participate! We will record Media Lab sessions for those who want to watch them later! 


Virtual Summer Book Study
Join Montana PBS for a virtual summer book study of The Startup Teacher Playbook! This interactive and hands-on learning experience will provide teachers with the opportunity to work with their peers as they brainstorm and plan for the new school year using The Startup Teacher model for innovating in education. This book study will meet once a week for 5 weeks for 2 hours each time using Zoom. Earn 10 OPI recertification credits for participating. The first 10 teachers to register for the book study get a FREE copy of the book! Spaces are limited so register now to hold your place. You must attend all 5 sessions, in person and participate fully, to earn credit and the book. Sessions will not be recorded for this series.
Changing Seasons Collection on PBS LearningMedia
Join PBS KIDS and explore spring. Learn about the parts of a plant, seeds, and about how plants grow through media clips, extension activities, articles, and crafts.
Celebrating Teachers
Congratulations to Sally Bishop and Brooke LaRoche--elementary teachers in Billings!

Brooke and Sally completed the PBS Media Literacy Certification for Educators last month. They were part of the MTPBS Online Cohort of teachers working together this school year to earn 8 mico-credentials toward PBS Media Literacy Certification. Both teachers earned OPI credits for their participation in our webinars and for completing the micro-credentials. They also earned a stipend for their time from MTPBS.

We will start another online cohort for teachers who want to become PBS Media Literacy Certified this fall. Stay tuned for more details!
Stay organized this school year using this editable teacher planner from PBS KIDS, including a monthly calendar with timely resources aligned to early learning themes and skills for PreK-2 students.
Join Our Facebook Group!
Have you joined our MTPBS Teachers Facebook Group yet? Stay up to date on the latest technology and media integration resources and events.