Beyond the Backpack is a multi-year, multi-platform program that champions overall school readiness for preschoolers as they prepare for the important adventure of going to kindergarten. In partnership with the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA), Children's Defense Fund, and other experts and leaders in school readiness; Dora's Beyond the Backpack helps provide parents and educators with tools and resources that can help kids prepare for a well-rounded, positive school experience. In particular, the initiative is designed to call attention to the emotional, physical, experiential and actual competencies that preschoolers need for school.
For downloadable activities, Dora the Explorer storybooks and information on the "Beyond the Backpack" partners and their work in the area of school readiness, visit DoraBeyondtheBackpack.com.
PARTNER PROFILE
Beyond the Backpack and DonorsChoose.org Join Forces!
Dora's Beyond the Backpack and DonorsChoose.org have teamed up to help young kids get ready for success in school! Nickelodeon will fund 50 percent of Pre-K through first grade school projects supporting cognitive development, literacy and math skills, social and emotional skills, physical wellness, and parent involvement in schools. Visit www.DonorsChoose.org/BeyondtheBackpack to post a project request to raise funds for the supplies your students need or to donate!
DonorsChoose.org, a Beyond the Backpack Advisory Committee member, is an online charity where public school teachers from across America post classroom project requests that range from pencils for a poetry unit to violins for a school recital. Individuals can browse requests and give any amount to the one that inspires them. After reaching its funding goal, DonorsChoose.org delivers the materials to the school and donors receive photos and thank-you letters directly from the students.
THE BIG HELP
The Big Help is Nickelodeon's commitment to engage kids to take action on issues important to them. The campaign focuses on four key concerns that affect the current generation of kids: the sustainability of the environment, the need to improve on health and wellness, the right to a quality education and becoming more active in their community. Kids are encouraged through on-air messaging to participate in the real world by taking on Big Help Actions in their homes, schools and communities.
Visit the Big Help to participate in groundbreaking Big Help activities, log your Actions, and for more information on the campaign!
APPLY FOR A BIG HELP GRANT TODAY!
Throughout 2010, Nickelodeon will award $1M in grants to schools and community organizations enabling kids around the country to achieve the goal of a million acts of help. The Big Help Grant Program will support projects that inspire kids to (1) take care of the environment; (2) lead active, healthy lives; (3) engage in community service; or (4) improve their educational experience.
Nick News with Linda Ellerbee: Middle School Unplugged
Airdate: Sunday, June 27, at 8:00 PM EST
According to the Center on Media and Child Health, 60 percent of 'tweens and 84 percent of teens have cell phones, and 85 percent have access to the Internet, Facebook, IM, iPod, iPhone, Blackberry, Nintendo and Twitter. They are the plugged-in generation.
But what if these gadgets went away? Tune in to Nick News with Linda Ellerbee: Middle School Unplugged to find out how they did!
For daily updates and more information on Nick News click here.
MANIAC MAGEE
Maniac Magee is available on TurboNick by popular demand. Watch the video with your students and choose from one of the lesson plans written by the National Multicultural Institute.
The movie, which is based on Jerry Spinelli's book, is about a boy named Jeffrey Lionel "Maniac" Magee, who confronts racism in his small town of Two Mills. The book won the 1991 Newbery Medal and is a teacher favorite.
Viacom joined with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to create Get Schooled, a national program that seeks to inform, inspire and mobilize students, parents and government officials to find effective solutions to the problems facing our education system. Get Schooled applies the power of Viacom's diverse brands from BET Networks, MTV Networks and Paramount Pictures to raise awareness about the challenges facing America's public education system. Get Schooled is dedicated to identifying sustainable and effective approaches that will increase high school and college graduation rates, improve postsecondary readiness and promote the fundamental importance of education.
Educators, BAM! Body and Mind is a resource for you to incorporate CDC health, safety, and science topics into your classroom. The site also offers your students interactive content to investigate topics for school or for a personal interest.
For more information visit BAM!
National Wildlife Federation
Educational resources for teachers are also available from our TBGH partner, the National Wildlife Federation:
Log onto Climate Classroom to help educate your class about global climate change in accurate, developmentally appropriate, and hopeful ways.
The National Environmental Education Foundation
The National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) provides knowledge to trusted professionals who, with their credibility, amplify messages to national audiences to solve everyday environmental problems. Together, we generate lasting positive change.
The Natural Resources Defense Council
As part of The Big Green Help's SpongeBob & You Save the Big Blue, join the NRDC to take action for the environment and help conserve the world's oceans!
Ways to Get Involved with The Big Green Help and The Natural Resources Defense Council:
1. Learn about and visit a Marine Protected Area -- the underwater National Parks of the sea where marine life is protected! Animals, seabirds and fish flock to these areas because they are safe from human threats. Find a marine protected area near you to visit with your family, friends or school.
Get Involved! Contact your local politician to encourage them to create more Marine protected areas by visiting http://www.nrdconline.org/campaign.
2. Check out the NRDC's Beach Report Card to see how clean your local beach is. Every year, NRDC rates popular beaches nationwide to help you pick the safest, cleanest place to play in the waves and catch some rays. This year's report is expected to come out at the end of July. In the meantime, see how your favorite beaches stacked up last year. Visit http://www.nrdc.org/water/oceans/ttw/titinx.asp.
You can keep water clean near you by:
Conserving water in your house by taking shorter showers and turning of the water while you brush your teeth
Picking up garbage and litter in your neighborhood and while you are at the beach
Cleaning up after your pet so it does not get into the water-system
3. Watch the world premier of the new documentary, Acid Test: The Global Challenge of Oceans Acidification and learn about how the ocean became more acidic which is killing corals, plankton and shellfish. Visit www.acidtestmovie.org to make a difference.
About the NRDC
The Natural Resources Defense Council is an international, nonprofit organization of scientists, lawyers and environmental specialists dedicated to protecting public health and the environment. Founded in 1970, NRDC has 1.2 million members and online activists, served from offices in New York, Washington, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Beijing.
Nick News with Linda Ellerbee: Tales from the Trail
This show takes viewers on the campaign trail with kids as they blog, canvas, rally, raise money and deliver their candidate's message-in all sorts of creative ways.
*Click here for the lesson plan from the Center for Governmental Studies!
Nick News with Linda Ellerbee: Election Issues '08
Kids talk about which issues they feel are most important in this election. They then explain how these issues affect them personally, and how they'd like the candidates to tackle them once in office.
*Click here for the Election Issues '08 lesson plan.
Nick News with Linda Ellerbee: The Kids' Primary
Nick News explores the process by which we elect our presidential candidates. Linda Ellerbee walks kids through the complicated primary calendar, conventions, and electoral college system in a way that they can understand.
For full details on the Kids Pick the President campaign and to view Nick News with Linda Ellerbee: Tales from the Trail, Election Issues '08 and The Kids' Primary visit www.nick.com/kpp!
Cable in the Classroom's eLECTIONS game
Inspired by the classic board game The Game of Life, players will roleplay their own virtual candidates running for President. The one or two-player game is both genuinely entertaining and genuinely educational-with emphasis on delivering a fun learning experience.
Have the SLIME of Your Life! Follow Dora, Cosmo, and the gang to Nickelodeon Suites Resort - the wildest, wackiest family vacation destination in Orlando, Florida. For more information, visit Nick Hotels.
Stay tuned for special offers for educators!
GET READY TO READ!
NickJr.'s "Get Ready to Read" Builds Early Literacy Skills and Helps Kids in Need!
Help NickJr. & First Book Donate Books
NickJr. has joined with First Book to generate 1,000,000 new books for kids in need. You can help simply by visiting NickJr.com and clicking the red button. It's that easy!
FIRST BOOK
Find Out How Your School Can Receive Books!
First Book is a national nonprofit organization that provides new books to kids through eligible community organizations that serve children from low-income households. If you would like to find out how to receive books, visit FirstBook.org or e-mail staff@firstbook.org.
NICK AT NITE'S FAMILY TABLE
Share more than meals!
Click here for more information on The FAMILY TABLE.
