Did you know that there are amazing educational resources available from PBS LearningMedia that go along with your students’ favorite TV shows? We’re talking about lesson plans, videos, games and more. From activities connected to the brand-new show Splash and Bubbles to lesson plans for old favorites like Arthur, we checked out all the PBS LearningMedia resources for preK–2. Is was hard to choose, but here are 12 of our favorites to use in your classroom.
1. Lu the Explorer (Science Lesson From Splash and Bubbles)
This activity, which accompanies the new Splash and Bubbles series, teaches science concepts and doubles as a “brain break” to energize your students. First students watch an episode called “Lu the Explorer.” Then they play a game of glow-in-the-dark hide-and-seek to help them learn about bioluminescence and the similarities and differences between the sunlight ocean zone (the surface) and the deep ocean zone (the abyss).
2. Build a Wall (STEM Lesson Plan From Curious George)
You don’t need to be an expert engineer, scientist or mathematician to introduce your students to STEM concepts. Start with a short, funny video clip featuring the always-adorable Curious George. Then follow the easy-to-use lesson plan included to explore engineering concepts and introduce science skills to your students as they work to figure out the best materials and methods for building a wall.
3. Discovering Senses (Science Lesson Plan From Wild Kratts)
This awesome activity includes four fun mini-lessons: What Is That Taste?, The Mystery of Touch, Match That Smell and Recognize That Sound. Try them all, and your students get to explore four of their five senses. There are even recommendations for guest speakers, field trips, art connections, books and more.
4. Abby’s Adventure Game (Literacy Game From Sesame Street)
This fun game focuses on letter recognition and sounds. Students help Abby Cadabby identify objects that start with a certain letter while exploring different animal habitats like wetlands and rain forests.
5. So Much to See in the Woods (Science Video From Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood)
Daniel Tiger and his friend O aren’t sure what they’ll find when they go exploring in the woods. This video is a great introduction to the concept of making observations. Try it before taking your students outside on a nature walk.
6. A Kindness Tree (Social-Emotional Lesson Plan From Arthur)
Create a kindness tree with your students and show them how to make it bloom. Each day your students share ways that they have been kind or helpful to a friend or family member, or ways that a friend or family member has been kind to them.
7. Princess Presto Game (Literacy Interactive Video From Super Why!)
In this short video clip, students help Princess Presto rescue a pig stuck in the mud by helping her sound out and spell the word “stick” with her magic spelling wand. Also, check out full-length episodes of Super Why! The famous fairy-tale characters from Storybrook Village can help teach your students how to use literacy and social skills to solve problems.
8. Pirates+ Peaches Board Game (Math Printable Game From Peg + Cat)
Kids won’t even realize they’re doing math when they play this super-fun make-it-yourself board game involving pirates, peaches, and Peg and Cat. But warn them to watch out for the hungry Big Mouth and a band of sneaky, snack-snatching monkeys!
9. Tracking Animals (Science Printable Reader From Nature Cat)
This two-page science article is an informative nonfiction reader about tracking animals. It also has vocabulary words and activities including a fun maze for students to complete.
10. Enough With the Seashells (Math Lesson and Video Clips From Sid the Science Kid)
Estimation is a difficult concept for some young students to grasp. Break it down for them with this activity, which includes seven fun video clips from an episode of Sid the Science Kid, plus there’s also a lesson plan for hands-on exploration.
11. Looking for Food (Science Video From Dinosaur Train)
In this Dinosaur Train video clip, Dr. Scott the paleontologist talks about how carnivores of the past used techniques for catching food that are similar to methods of today’s carnivores. This is a great video to show students as part of an animal research project unit.
12. An Egg Is Quiet (Science Read-Aloud From Between the Lions)
This fun read-aloud teaches students about the structure and characteristics of eggs and shows how creatures develop inside the eggs and eventually hatch. The video segment is a great resource for introducing science concepts, plus it supports text comprehension and vocabulary development.