PBS Kids Go! Presidents’ Day Programming
PBS KIDS GO! will be offering a collection of age-appropriate entertainment for Presidents’ Day that teach elementary school-age kids the basics of civics and government through fun, curriculum-based entertainment. Featuring a two-hour block of ARTHUR, CYBERCHASE, MAYA AND MIGUEL, and, in a special Monday premiere, WORDGIRL, kids’ favorite PBS KIDS GO! characters learn what it takes to run their class, local and cyberspace government.
Monday, February 18 (check local listings):
WORDGIRL (New episode) – “Mr. Big’s Big Plan” WordGirl must get to the bottom of Mr. Big’s plan to steal the local election when he claims he’s reformed and runs for Mayor.
ARTHUR – “The Election” ‘I, Muffy Crosswire, do solemnly swear to uphold the office of the President of the United …’ Actually, it’s only a mock election in Mr. Ratburn’s class, but Muffy takes it just as seriously. How far will she go to win?
CYBERCHASE – “True Colors” – A new, reformed Hacker runs for election against Motherboard, claiming to have done five good deeds, and promising to turn over a new leaf. Can the kids find a counter example that proves his claims to be false – or will Hacker be elected the new ruler of cyberspace?
MAYA & MIGUEL – “Politics Unusual” – Maya has a bright idea to support her friend Maggie’s campaign for Class President in order to reorganize the upcoming School Assembly Day show. Unfortunately, someone else decides to run, an unassuming kid named Simon. Can Maya and Maggie out-glitz Simon’s campaign? Or is Simon the right choice because he listens to the concerns of the other students?
In addition, pbskidsgo.org offers online resources to continue kids’ learning while online. Supporting material is also available on pbsteachers.org.
The Democracy Project (pbskidsgo.org/democracy/)
Kids can explore being President for a day, learn how government affects each person, and go inside a voting booth to learn how a small number of votes can have a big impact on history.
Presidents: The Secret History (pbskids.org/wayback/)
Kids can hit a fictitious campaign trail to check out historic and unusual campaign memorabilia from American presidential campaigns, as well as explore a dossier of little-known “presidential secrets.”
