Newest PBS KIDS GO! Web Site Helps 8-11 Year Olds Participate in and Learn about News and Current Events www.pbskids.org/newsflashfive
January 13, 2007 - PBS today announced the launch of NEWS FLASH FIVE (www.pbskids.org/newsflashfive), a pioneering Web site to encourage 8-11 year-olds to learn about current events, and bring them a fresh way of receiving and reporting news online. The announcement was made at the Television Critics Association Press Tour.
A recent survey of pbskidsgo.org users and children of pbs.org and pbsparents.org users revealed a high level of interest in the news. The survey showed almost four in five kids described themselves as interested or very interested in the news, but only one in four thought most news stories are "very easy" to understand.
At the heart of NEWS FLASH FIVE is an original, age-appropriate weekly newscast presented online by five animated kids covering five beats: national news, world, sports, entertainment & technology, and weather & science. In addition, the site will feature educational games associated with each newscast: "Just the Facts" (a news quiz), "Pin Point" (locate places in the news on a map) and "Match It," (matching photos and names of news makers). A larger activity - "Get the Scoop "- is a guided news gathering and writing activity. There will also be opportunities for users to submit their own stories that can be used on the site.
NEWS FLASH FIVE will also offer comprehensive guides showing how the site can be used by both parents and teachers. These guides include:
News & Current Affairs Primer
Featuring activities for the home and school, tips for talking to kids about the news, how to make news relevant to kids, and how to watch the news with a critical eye.
Current Events Lesson Plan
Here, students will analyze the role current events play in their lives.
Making News Lesson Plan
In this activity, students critique news reports and compare the different media that are used to report the news.
Get the Scoop Lesson Plan
In this lesson, students will practice and perfect the skills necessary for reporting a news story.
NEWS FLASH FIVE is produced by Thirteen/WNET New York, in consultation with the Online NewsHour, and is funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
About PBS KIDS
PBS KIDS, for preschoolers, and PBS KIDS GO!, for early elementary school kids, are committed to providing the highest quality non-commercial content and learning environment for children across the country. Providing age-appropriate, diverse programming for kids, PBS KIDS and PBS KIDS GO! programs consistently earn more prestigious awards than any other broadcast or cable network. Only PBS KIDS and PBS KIDS GO! have earned the unanimous endorsement of parents, children, industry leaders and teachers. With additional PBS resources to complement its programming, including PBS KIDS online (www.pbskids.org), PBS KIDS GO! online (www.pbskidsgo.org), PBS Parents (www.pbsparents.org), PBS TeacherSource (www.pbsteachersource.org), PBS Ready To Learn services and literacy events across the country, PBS is providing the tools necessary for positive child development. PBS is a nonprofit media enterprise owned and operated by the nation's 354 public television stations, serving nearly 90 million people each week and reaching 99% of American homes.
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CONTACT:
Kevin Dando, 703/739-5073, kdando@pbs.org