Does the name Yul Kwon ring any bells?Yes, you guessed it…he’s the winner of Survivor: Cook Islands 2006.But more importantly, he’s now the host of the
new PBS four-part series America Revealed.And this isn’t your typical hosting gig.Yul jumps out of aeroplanes in Kansas, climbs to the top of wind
turbines in the Columbia River Gorge and takes part in a giant tomato fight in
Nevada.Talk about checking off things
on the bucket list!
AMERICA REVEALED goes beyond outdoor adventures.The program takes viewers on a journey high
above the American landscape to reveal the country as never seen before
travelling through time, space and systems to reveal a nation of interdependent
and intricately interwoven networks that feed and power the nation, produce millions
of goods, transport people great distances and still come together to make
America work.
Meet a pastor in DC who has led his ministry to go green.
Discover the people responsible for managing the traffic in America’s
skies.Go inside the New York Mercantile
Exchange.And where else can you find
programming that digs deep into your food trash and explains how less than 2%
of the population can feed the other 98%? PBS and AMERICA REVEALED do just
that, and it just all sounds fascinating!
Beginning April 11th, Tuesdays at 10p
CHECK OUT YUL KWON’S
GRAND ADVENTURES IN THIS SNEAK PEAK!
As a mom, I was never really into parenting books. I barely picked up parenting magazines…I preferred to make my way trying to find solutions for situations that actually plagued me as opposed to looking for situations that may not even exist in my life. That said, I do depend heavily on stories from other mothers on how they raise their kids, what they did well, what they didn’t do well, lessons learned, etc…and those stories are the ones that I store in my mind and I reflect on them when I need to.
Several weeks ago, I had the chance to watch “Being Elmo: A Puppeteer’s Journey.” I was captivated. Not only was the story of this big guy who plays the voice of a small, furry character interesting, but in everything he did as a child, I was looking at his parents. As a child, Kevin Clash was always interested in puppetry. Building his own sets, creating characters, acting them out, watching the programs, and in his mind he was dreaming about how he could do that job one day. He had the passion, he had the creativity, he had the drive, and clearly he has the heart…but one key element that he had that made it all possible…he had the parents.
Sometimes I hear parents creating a path for their children, steering them in a direction that they want them to go in. Sure their children may be interested in something by default (a dentists' child will surely know a lot about teeth)…but do they LOVE it? Do they have a passion for it?
In “Being Elmo,” I watched all of the video clips of Clash as a kid putting on community puppet shows and I saw many photos of him and his characters. I heard him speak about all of the shows that he put on and how he had to search for the right fabric and sewing technique for his puppets. As a 10-year-old, I can’t say that he would have been able to do all of that if he hadn’t had such supportive parents. His parents were the ones allowing him to set up a show in the middle of the living room (surely disrupting normal “living”), his parents were the ones helping him pick out and purchase the fabric that he needed, and his parents were the ones who were holding the video camera or taking photos of his sets and his characters. Clash felt supported, justified, celebrated and he felt like he COULD do it…that is why he did.
I am a sucker for a good documentary. I am. This program is fantastic and I know that different people will get different things out of it. Whether it is seeing how the puppets work, what the Sesame Street scene looks like behind the cameras, or learning about how one puppeteer is living the dream…I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Now, I’m off to hang out with my kids, and I’m going to see what THEY want to do today…as opposed to what I want them to do today.
Are you on the edge of your seat waiting for the next season
of Downton Abbey? I am right there with you!But while waiting for Season 3, PBS doesn’t disappoint.Get ready for a wild ride of love, obsession
and forgiveness as PBS introduces a brand new GREAT EXPECTATIONS on MASTERPIECE.
I was absolutely drawn into the program preview. The beautiful,
mysterious Gillian Anderson plays the starring role as the manipulative Miss
Havisham. Great Expectations is a Charles Dickens’ tale of rags to riches to
self-knowledge.This most familiar story
— an orphan boy meets an escaped convict, a crazed rich woman, a bewitching
girl, and grows up to have great expectations of wealth from a mysterious
patron — appropriately airs during the bicentennial of Dickens’ birth, and this
marks the fifteenth MASTERPIECE adaptation of the great novelist's works.
Tune in on Sundays at 8p or set your DVR because I guarantee
you don’t want to miss this.Time and
time again, MASTERPIECE continues to set the bar.
As I watched a preview of this program, FINDING YOUR ROOTS,
I couldn’t help but think back to my past Christmas holiday.The best present that I received was from my eighty
year old grandfather.With no help, he
created a family photo album — a flip book of old black and white photos — for
each of his grandchildren.And on the
back of each photo, he attached a label with a description, names of the people
in the photo and their ages.I sat with
him that day and went through each photo, and although the description was on
the back, he added so many other charming details to the story that I just
would have never known if we hadn’t spent that time together.I learned that my great, great grandfather
moved from Germany to Africa, married a woman in South Africa, and although she
died during childbirth, a family was created — one that I have never met and
one (after researching online) that owns a coffee plantation in which you can
tour.So it’s no secret where my
passport will take me next.
Whether it’s anecdotes about ancestors from generations
past, or stories of recent relatives, each of us has a rich, unique
genealogical heritage to share.In all
this research you find yourself, and it makes you cognizant of what kind of
legacy you want to leave with this world.
If this fascinates you in the least, you will no doubt enjoy
FINDING YOUR ROOTS, one of the newest PBS series airing Sundays at 7p.The program examines the histories and family
genealogies of a number of well-known personalities.Renowned cultural critic and Harvard scholar
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. journeys deep into the ancestry of a group of remarkable
individuals and provides new understanding of personal identity and American
history.
Growing up I wasn’t really ever introduced to musicals, operas and theater. And now that I’ve had the opportunity to experience a handful, I’m a total fan of live performances and excitedly jump at any chance to attend. It would be a dream of mine to watch live the Phantom of the Opera — the danger, the tragedy, the romance, the mystery and most of all, the magical element!
Like many, I try to be financially careful, and it’s nice to know that I can turn on the TV to my local PBS station and find arts programming.
This past year like never before, PBS reaffirmed its passion in delivering the arts, and it continues to impress with Great Performances: Phantom of the Opera, Tuesday, March 20 at 8p. In celebration of its blockbuster 25th anniversary year, Andrew Lloyd Webber presents The Phantom of the Opera in a fully-staged, lavish production, set in the sumptuous Victorian splendor of London's Royal Albert Hall.
If you are a fan of the Phantom of the Opera, I encourage you to check this out:
And for those who enjoy a bit of research, here are some interesting facts about the play: The Phantom of the Opera first opened in 1986. It has been produced in 145 cities in 27 countries and played to more than 130 million people. The show has won more than 50 major theatre awards, including seven Tonys and three Olivier Awards in the West End. In 2006, it became Broadway's longest running show ever, and it is currently showing in London, New York, Budapest, Las Vegas, and Kyoto.
Walk down the street and just mention the name Aretha Franklin. You won’t find many who do not recognize the Queen of Soul’s name and don’t be surprised if you come across a few who will even sing some tunes from her collection of hits.
PBS definitely knows when it’s just good music, and that’s why Aretha Franklin returns to public television on Thursday, March 15 at 9p. Delight in a festival of original Soul Hits of the 1960s and special love ballads from the 70s. Aretha Franklin Presents Soul Rewind is a comprehensive collection of rare performances by legendary R&B performers, offering an abundance of long-lost archival material that has been recovered from film vaults across the United States, England, Germany and France.
Each year many of us make a New Year’s resolution to get healthy, and around this time, many of us tend to forget what we set out to do. The gym classes don’t seem as full, and you may find yourself saying “oh, it’s just one piece of cake”.
If you want to get back on track, here’s a clip with excellent tips from Dr. Amen sharing the 7 best types of food to keep your brain young and strong.
According to Dr. Amen, the fountain of youth is literally between your ears. A healthy brain is the key to staying vibrant and alive for a long time. Be inspired to tune in on Tuesday, March 13 at 8p for more motivational tips on Use Your Brain to Change Your Age with Dr. Amen.
I was caught dancing in my office today (not completely unusual for me), but who can resist snapping your fingers, tapping your feet, and in my case, spinning your office chair, to hits from the 40s, 50s and 60s. It also doesn’t hurt that these talented singers — Michael Ingersoll, Shonn Wiley, Michael Cunio and Christopher Kale Jones — are pretty good looking!
Under the Streetlamp is an engaging concert of classic hits from the recent leading cast members of the Tony-Award winning musical, Jersey Boys. You'll hear Doo-Wop, Motown, old time Rock 'n' Roll and your favorites from the American radio songbook, including tunes made popular by The Drifters, The Four Seasons, The Beach Boys, The Beatles and many more.
Tuesday, March 6 at 8p: Under the Streetlamp is, without a doubt, a modern classic! Check out America’s hottest new vocal group:
And I’m sure attending a Straight No Chaser concert would be a fantastic experience, but watching it on Tuesday, March 6 at 9:30p at home from the comfort of your own couch and not having to worry about anyone blocking your view, well that’s pretty cool too!
Filmed live at Harrah's Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey, this male a cappella phenomenon takes us on a journey through the decades of the pop songbook in Straight No Chaser: Songs of the Decade. Hear songs like "Heartbreak Hotel," "Big Girls Don't Cry," to name a few.
Even Madonna may have some competition. A sneak preview of “Like A Prayer” can currently be viewed here:
Do you ever find yourself clicking through your TV guide wondering what show to watch next? Let me help by saying, “the answer my friend is blowin’ in the wind…” That’s right, let the legendary Peter, Paul & Mary guide you right to your local PBS channel.
That was 1966. And on Sunday, March 4 at 8p, PBS is re-releasing the Peter Paul & Mary: 25th Anniversary Concert in celebration of 50 years! Perhaps as much as anyone, in a period of great turbulence and transformation, Peter, Paul and Mary inspired America to be the best we could be. That, indeed, is a formidable legacy and one that has made this trio and its music a true and enduring national treasure.
And as we draw closer to St. Patrick’s Day, dig through our closets for green shirts, and dream of Guinness, tune in on Sunday, March 4 at 10p and enjoy a warm and nostalgic parade of Irish favorites from the past, When Irish Eyes are Smiling: An Irish Parade of Stars.
Hear some of Ireland's most beloved ballads and folk songs, performed by some of the world's greatest vocalists. Among the traditional favorites to be featured are "Too Ra Loo Ra Loo Ra," "Molly Malone," "McNamara's Band," "It's A Long Way To Tipperary," "Danny Boy" and "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling”.
by Yvonne Yates, Director of School Services yyates@klrn.org
Nothing says community like an event that gathers people from all over our city for a common goal. This year, September is full of community involvement happenings, from the 9/11 10th anniversary memorial events to KLRN’s Not in Our Town Week of Action September 18-24. San Antonio is a community that has come together many times to celebrate our diversity and culture. We each have a role to play in strengthening our community and it is the job of all educators, parents, and teachers to lead by example.
We teach our students from a young age to share and be kind and as they get older they continue to share their lunches with friends and are kind to the elderly gentlemen at the grocery store. However, how many of us take those early lessons and apply them to service in the community? Are we showing students that community service isn’t about padding one’s resume, but about realizing that by helping others we gain an understanding of each other and a sense of human compassion? We as teachers have a responsibility to show our students that it is our civic duty to provide support for one another.
Our mission at KLRN is to enrich our viewers with quality educational programing and events. One such event is KLRN’s Not in Our Town Week of Action (September 18-24), during which we’ll be having a FREE public screening of the film on Tues., Sept. 20 at 6:00 PM at the P.E.A.C.E Initiative Offices at the San Antonio Mennonite Church (1443 South St. Mary’s Street). This film documents the effects that hate can have on a community. Following the screening, there will be a panel discussion. We want our community to be informed in order to prevent this from happening in our fair city.
This is just one event that is happening in our city that can inspire your students to take action and make a difference. There are so many opportunities to work with your students to strengthen our community by engaging them in service. Plant a community garden, collect can foods for the San Antonio Food Bank or maybe just help by picking up the trash around your campus. Every little bit helps
So my question to you this month is: What are your students doing to help in their community?
by Yvonne Yates yyates@klrn.org Director of School Services, KLRN
As the number of summer vacation days diminishes and the smell of brand new school supplies fills the air, this is a great time to add a few new things to your teacher toolbox.
KLRN Connect has undergone a facelift this summer. We are still working on the final touches of the website to ensure that it looks its best. It is our hope that we will be ready to go by the time the kids are in your classrooms. Be on the lookout next month for the new site.
The new site will include PBS’s brand new media resource. In late June, PBS launched PBS LearningMedia at the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) 2011 in Philadelphia. PBS LearningMedia offers the best of public media content produced specifically for PreK-16 teachers. With free access to over 14,000-plus high-quality resources, teachers can download, save and share exactly what they need for an inspired classroom experience.
With PBS working hard to make sure that you have quality videos for your classroom, we at KLRN are always on the lookout for local events and resources. In its inaugural year, TechCon2011 is a place where teachers and students can go to get inspired to continue looking towards careers in Science, Technology and Mathematics. This event will feature the latest cutting edge technology that makes San Antonio and Texas a leader in innovation. Teachers and students will see examples of the advancements in energy technology, the latest consumer and medical electronics, education and automobiles. Mayor Julian Castro will make opening remarks discussing San Antonio's role as a leader in innovation and STEM education. In attendance will also be a number of exhibitors, including KLRN, that will be showcasing information and activities for students and teacher.
Join KLRN August 30-September 1 at San Antonio Shrine Auditorium. Check out our freebie this month for more information.
by Yvonne Yates yyates@klrn.org Director of School Services, KLRN
I traveled to Washington DC a few weeks ago and missed the beautiful cherry blossoms by two weeks. The only indication of their presence were the fallen petals on the ground. It was these fallen petals that sparked my idea for this month’s newsletter. Although they were no longer part of the beautiful tree, they were evidence that they had grown as part of the tree.
I have had the pleasure of working with many schools this year and have grown as a person because of the special teachers, faculty and students that have taken on KLRN’s educational projects. Students like Ms. Stacy Hodges’ Sophomore World History Classes at Travis Early College High School who took on a public affairs project and produced amazing results in just three weeks. And Ms. Marie Bonar-Ruiz' Sophomore AVID students at Brackenridge High School who began working on the RoadTrip Nation Curriculum in October and are going to have their own film festival in a few weeks to showcase all their hard work. These are just two examples of the amazing work that students in our community are doing. I walk into classrooms every month and see how teachers are helping these students grow. Teacher Appreciation week is May 2-6, and I want you to know that we at KLRN not only appreciate everything you do but look for ways to showcase how your students grow from week to week and year to year.
To grow means to increase by natural development. The school year is quickly coming to an end and teachers have seen first-hand the growth of their students. Some have grown naturally without any extra help where as others have needed a little extra TLC to make that growth happen.
There was a bitter sweet feeling that would come to me this time of year. The sweet feeling of seeing how my students had learned and matured as the year progressed and yet bitter because I would no longer enjoy them as students in my classroom. My farewell hope for the 2010-2011 school year is that it has taken you and your students on an unforgettable journey.
KLRN will be growing this summer, too. Be on the lookout for a new KLRN Connect. Until August, I wish you all a wonderful summer.
You may be wondering what to serve Mom on Sunday. Let us help...or at least let us turn to one of our fabulous programs for help. Here are some ideas for you from America's Test Kitchen. We hope you have a wonderful Sunday with the Moms in your life.
I have lived in San Antonio for over ten years, and I am just now beginning to feel like I truly live here. Since starting at KLRN, I have had the opportunity to visit parts of the city I had never been to before. Like many students in your classrooms, I had not gone outside of my own neighborhood often to see what this city had to offer. I have only been to one Fiesta event and that is only because it is held at the university where I went to school.
Every April, the city of San Antonio starts buzzing with all the fun of Fiesta. This eleven day event takes our fair city by storm with numerous events that can be enjoyed by all. Students will come into your classroom talking about the carnival, the parades and the delicious foods (can you say Chicken-on-a-Stick) that they will enjoy during this time. However, many students do not know the origins of this city-wide celebration. Here is a brief history lesson.
In 1891 a group of San Antonians decided to pay homage to the heroes of the Battle of San Jacinto and the Alamo. The first parade consisted of horse-drawn carriages decorated with fresh flowers, and the people watching would throw flowers at the floats to symbolize a battle. This parade was such a success that within in a few years more events and a royal court were added to the celebration.
Fiesta San Antonio is a wonderful time not only to celebrate our city’s heroes, but also our fair community. There are many things to do and explore in San Antonio beyond the Alamo--there are four other missions to discover: San Jose, San Juan, Concepcion, and Espada. Challenge your students to explore the history and sights of San Antonio.
If your students have Fiesta plans, there is little you can do to keep their attention as their minds wander to the fun that will be had. So why not take a few moments from all the hustle and bustle of TAKS and district assessments/benchmarks this month and include Fiesta San Antonio into your daily routine for those eleven days? Have your students write about their favorite Fiesta event before the festivities begin. Or, begin your day with a Fiesta Fun Fact to teach them about the history of Fiesta.
This April, I will be going out and exploring the new San Antonio River Walk expansion as well as some of our city’s parks. Take time to enjoy the lovely spring weather and all that San Antonio has to offer. Ask your students to do the same and allow them to see why we are one of the favorite destinations for visitors from around the United States. Let us all take time this month to celebrate our community.
How will you incorporate Fiesta San Antonio in your classroom?
Mae Jemison once said that you should never limit yourself because of others’ limited imaginations and never limit others because of your own limited imagination. She broke frontiers in 1992 by becoming the first African American woman to travel to space while on board the Space Shuttle Endeavour.
Women’s History Month encourages the celebration of women in history as a way to promote equality among the sexes in the classroom. Writing this reminded me of a time when I was at recess with my students and I heard one of the young men in my class tell the young ladies that they could not play football because it was a “boy’s game.” I smiled at the girls and told the boys that if the girls wanted to play that they could. The exact same day, we were making ice cream in science and one of the girls told her partner that she needed to do the mixing of the ingredients because she was the girl. After these two instances, I decided that I would take some time at the end of our day to have a class meeting to discuss gender roles.
I started the conversation talking about their parents and asking with they did for a living. Many of my students had parents in the military, and we discussed their role in their particular job. I asked my students if a person of the opposite sex could do the job that their mother or father does. “Yes, Ms. Yates of course.” I continued to talk to them and said that although some career and activities are predominantly one gender, this did not limit the other gender to participate. We made a list of all the activities that mostly only men do and another list of activities that mostly only women do. One side had basketball player and race car driver and the other had cook and teacher. We discussed the WNBA and shows such as Top Chef.
I gave them as an extra-credit assignment to find pictures or articles of people in careers that they thought were only for men or for women. It opened my students’ eyes to a world where anything is possible and that there are no limits to what you can do--if you let your imagination fly. I never again heard my students limit their classmates to any activities on or off the playground.
Some students might not know of influential women such at Dolley Madison who pushed the envelope of United States politics in the early 1800’s.
What are some of the lessons that you are teaching in your classroom that focus on the role of women in history?
