Whether you are teaching a virtual or in person classroom KLRN is excited to continue to offer monthly TEKS aligned teacher resources for you to utilize in your lesson planning.
For additional resources check out these links:
- PBS Teacher Planning Kit
- KLRN’s Curated List of Resources for Black History Month
- Free KLRN Teacher Trainings (TEKS Aligned and CPE Credit awarded)
Africa’s Great Civilizations
Air Date: Tuesday, February 2 at 3pm on 9.2 or stream video segments here
Journey with Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. to Kenya, Egypt and beyond as he discovers the origins of man, the formation of early human societies and the creation of significant cultural and scientific achievements on the African continent. The Cross and the Crescent - Gates charts the rise of Christianity and Islam, whose economic and cultural influence stretched from Egypt to Ethiopia. Learn of African religious figures like King Lalibela, an Ethiopian saint, and Menelik, bringer of the Ark of the Covenant.
Grade 4-12
- Africa: Teacher Tools: Where in Africa
In this "Where in Africa" lesson plan, students will learn about the diversity of countries, peoples and geography that exist on the continent of Africa.
- Africa: Taking a Stand
For thousands of years, the Baka people have lived in the rainforest of southeast Cameroon in West Africa. But now their forest is in danger from loggers cutting down a great number of trees. In this video, a delegation of Baka men walk to a town called Abong Mbang to speak with the Prefet, the most powerful government representative in the region. After their meeting, the Baka delegates emerge flushed with success that they will be able to manage their own forests. For more about the Baka, watch "Who are the Baka?" and "Invasion of the Modern World," part of a series of three video segments from the documentary series Africa.
Pumas: Legends of the Ice Mountains
Air Date: Wednesday, February 3 at 7pm on 9.1 or stream video segments here
Travel to the mountains of Chile to discover the secrets of the puma, the area's biggest and most elusive predator. Discover how this mountain lion survives and follow the dramatic fate of a puma mother and her cubs.
Grades 4-6
- *Scientist Profile: Wildlife Biologist in English and Spanish
Wildlife biologist John Beckmann joins biologist and dog handler Aimee Hurt as she combines her talents to train her dog Wicket to find black bear, grizzly bear, wolf, and mountain lion scat (i.e., poop) in the area surrounding Yellowstone Park. This research helps scientists analyze if carnivores are living in the area. John says carnivores are like an umbrella. "If we protect them, we protect all the animals in the ecosystem."
*This video is available in both English and Spanish audio, along with corresponding closed captions.
Grades 6-12
- Chasing Pumas
Join a research team as they track, tranquilize and collar a wild puma. The special GPS collars collect data on the puma's location and behavior, and they reveal how the big cats survive in their shrinking habitat in the Bay Area.
John Lewis: Get in the Way
Air Date: Tuesday, February 9 at 3pm on 9.2
Follow the journey of civil rights hero, congressman and human rights champion John Lewis. At the Selma March, Lewis came face-to-face with club-wielding troopers and exemplified non-violence. Now 76, he is considered the conscience of Congress.
Grades PreK-1st
- Arthur Takes a Stand
Inspired by civil rights activist John Lewis, Arthur and his friends protest an injustice, in this video from the PBS KIDS series ARTHUR. When Mrs. MacGrady opens the cafeteria for breakfast and takes on double the work without any help, Arthur tries different ways to solve the problem. He begs the principal to hire help and even encourages students to boycott! Finally, after a pep talk from Congressman John Lewis, Arthur stages a peaceful protest. His classmates join him, and they refuse to leave the cafeteria until they are heard. But will it make enough of an impact to hire an assistant for Mrs. MacGrady?
Grades 6th-12th
- John Lewis' Speech: The March
Watch footage from The March’s official program, including John Lewis’ (of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee) speech. The powerful speech made by the SNCC chairman highlighted the unfair plight of working class Blacks across the nation.
- Educational Guide: John Lewis: Get in the Way
This study guide uses hands-on activities to promote critical thinking about themes presented in the film John Lewis: Get in the Way. Students explore the work and legacy of Lewis and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), deepening an understanding of the Civil Rights Movement through a youth-centric, direct-action lens. Drawing connections to modern day struggles, students identify their own potential contributions to social issues that affect and inspire them. Educators are encouraged to use the guide as a whole, in sections, or as a launching pad to support their own facilitating methods and interests.
The Universe Within: Indestructible
Air Date: Wednesday, February 10 at 8pm on 9.1 stream episode here.
Glass so strong you can jump on it, rubber so tough it protects a clay pot dropped from 50 feet, endless varieties of plastic. Scientists and engineers have created virtually indestructible versions of common materials by manipulating the chains of interlocking atoms that give them strength—but have they made them too tough? Host David Pogue explores the fantastic chemistry behind the everyday.
Grades K-2nd
- The Healthy Kids Project: Hello Body!
Learn about the functions of our bones and muscles and their importance in helping us move.
Grades 1st-6th
- Body Electricity: Dragonfly TV
This resource helps guide an experiment finding out how the electrical signals in a girl's body help work her prosthetic arm. Two friends use a biopac to learn about electrical signals in the body and how these signals can be used to help control movement in certain machines and technologies- like prosthetic limbs.
Musica Sin Fronteras
Air Date: Friday, February 12 at 8pm on 9.1 stream episode here.
Vin Scully narrates "Lincoln Portrait" with Gustavo Dudamel and the LA Phil. Carlos Vives sings "La Tierra de Olvido" "La Gota Fria" while Cafe Tacvba performs "El Baile y El Salon." Siudy Garrido dances flamenco to Manuel de Falla's "El Amor Brujo."
Grades PreK-1st
- Song: Musica: Sesame Street
Rosita and her friends are making musica, or music, using a variety of instruments. This music video focuses on Spanish language and musical creativity.
- Music!
Enjoy this music-making storybook lesson with a very musical kindergartner named Violet. Practice retelling a story using characters, setting and key details. Vote for your favorite musical videos and make your own instruments at home!
Grades 3rd -12th
- Design Squad: Sound (Grades 3-12) Learn about the fundamentals of sound as student teams create percussive and stringed instruments for a local band, in this video segment adapted from DESIGN SQUAD—a PBS TV series featuring high school contestants tackling engineering challenges. In the process, the teams learn about the physics of sound and music and then apply this knowledge to the construction of their own instruments. Watch to find out which instruments the band finds worthy of debuting in their next live show.
NOVA: Animal Espionage
Air Date: Wednesday, February 17 on 9.2
Camera traps and drones are revolutionizing the study of wildlife by providing an up-close look at animals without disturbing them. See how these technologies are helping us understand everything from mysterious whale behavior to tiger migration.
Grades 3rd -12th
- Masters of Disguise
The natural world is filled with animals trying to eat other animals and trying to avoid being eaten. The pressure to find food or to keep from becoming someone else's dinner has, over millions of years, produced an incredibly effective way to escape detection by predators or prey: camouflage. This video segment from NOVA: Animal Impostors explores the world of camouflage, including some of the methods and benefits of this important evolutionary strategy. This video is available in both English and Spanish audio
Grades 6th-12th
- Maker Bees and the Human Brain
In this video adapted from NOVA scienceNOW, learn how decision making in a bee swarm resembles what occurs in the human brain. Scout bees search for food sources for the colony or, as the video shows, “house hunt” for a new beehive. While scientists have long known that scouts perform a characteristic “waggle” to indicate to other bees the location of food sources, biology professor Tom Seeley discovered they also dance to communicate information about potential home sites. His latest research reveals how scout bees influence a colony to decide between more than one option. This behavior is similar to what neurons do in human brains. This video is available in both English and Spanish audio, along with corresponding closed captions.
SciGirls: High Tech Tide
Air Date: Tuesday, February 23 at 1pm on 9.2 stream episode here.
Florida SciGirls Laila, Claire and Byrne make a splash, uniting with marine biologists to digitally track spotted eagle rays in the Gulf of Mexico. They share their data in a livestream presentation, and explore the incredible Mote Marine Laboratory!
Grades 5th-8th
- SciGirls: High Tech Tide: Research
The SciGirls meet with a marine biologist who shows them how they track spotted eagle rays with acoustic tags. Activities include SciGirls STEM Practices and Signal Senders
MARS 2020
Air Date: Wednesday, February 24 at 8pm on 9.1 stream episode here.
PBS' premier science series helps viewers of all ages explore the science behind the headlines. Along the way, NOVA programs demystify science and technology and highlight the people involved in scientific pursuits.
Grades K-6
- Mars: Exploring Mars: Science Trek
We first saw pictures of the surface of Mars in 1965. Since then, we have tried lots of different ways to explore the Red Planet. Learn the history of our Mars exploration and find out some of what we have learned.
Grades 4th – 6th
- Mars: Dragonfly TV
This DragonflyTV segment demonstrates how infrared imaging helps us to understand the Martian landscape, and how to use an infrared camera to find groundwater.
Grades 6th - 12th
- Life on Mars?
In this video excerpt from NOVA, learn about the discovery of water ice on Mars. Satellites analyzing radar waves bouncing back from Mars's polar caps reveal that if it all melted, there is enough water ice to cover the entire planet in an ocean more than 80 feet deep. However, just like a piece of dry ice on Earth goes directly from solid ice to vapor without forming a liquid, water ice on Mars behaves the same way because the pressure is so low. In activity six from the Education Collection that accompanies this video, students identify the top candidates for life in the solar system. This video is available in both English and Spanish audio, along with corresponding closed captions.
- Designing for Drilling on Mars
In this video excerpt from NOVA: “Ultimate Mars Challenge,” learn about the complex robotic arm of NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) rover, Curiosity. The arm is a feat of engineering that is capable of a range of movements and supports a turret of instruments. Curiosity’s instruments include a rotary percussion drill that can penetrate the surface of Mars. The drill system also collects and delivers a powdered rock sample to the rover’s onboard laboratories to test for organic molecules. MSL team members explain some of the engineering behind the arm’s design, including a plan for what happens if the drill bit gets stuck. This video is available in both English and Spanish audio, along with corresponding closed captions.
- Soaring Over Mars
Tour three Martian landscapes and find out how erosion and water affected the surface of Mars, in this video adapted from NASA. Flyover images created from HiRISE (High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment), an instrument on board the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, show the structure and composition of the Martian landscape. In Candor Chasma, part of a canyon system, large buttes were likely formed by the process of erosion. Channels running down from terraces may be evidence of rainfall at Mojave crater. False-color images show the presence of minerals in an area called Nili Fossae. Carbonates (shown in green) indicate an environment that could once have been conducive to life. This video is available in both English and Spanish audio, along with corresponding closed captions. This resource is part of the NASA Planetary Sciences Collection.