Using humor and engaging examples, nationally known author and educator Barry Lane leads viewers through exercises to help them develop more creative writing pieces. These programs are designed for teachers to use in the classroom or to watch themselves for professional development.

Program of Studies:
Writing: Writing Content, Writing Process, Writing Structure, Writing Conventions
Technology: Research, Inquiry, Problem-solving/Innovation

Write Ideas is a series of 10 short video exercises designed to spark children’s imagination and help them find clever, enticing ideas to write about. Poet and host Aleda Shirley spent a career teaching creative writing to young people in the south, including the Jefferson County Public School System. This KET-produced series is a compact, video version of the successful techniques she used.

KY Program of Studies:
Writing: Writing Content, Writing Process, Writing Structure, Writing Conventions

This KET-produced series features Appalachian, African-American, and Native American stories told by master storytellers.

Program of Studies:
Reading: Forming a Foundation, Interpreting Text, Developing an Initial Understanding, Reflecting and Responding to Text, Demonstrating a Critical Stance
Arts and Humanties: Humanity in the Arts
Speaking, Listening, and Observing

Each year, Kentucky schoolchildren select the winners of the Bluegrass Awards by voting for their favorite recently published books. The three new Reading Room programs for 2005/06, produced by KET, promote the books on the latest list for grade levels 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12. They are designed to motivate reading and discussing books by getting kids excited about rating the books they like best.

The list of books for this year, as well as past years’ winners and master lists and more information about participating in the awards project, can be found on the web site.

Each year, Kentucky schoolchildren select the winners of the Bluegrass Awards by voting for their favorite recently published books. The three new Reading Room programs for 2005/06, produced by KET, promote the books on the latest list for grade levels 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12. They are designed to motivate reading and discussing books by getting kids excited about rating the books they like best.

The list of books for this year, as well as past years’ winners and master lists and more information about participating in the awards project, can be found on the web site.

American versions of classic folktales are featured in the live-action film adaptations of From the Brothers Grimm. Each program has a different historic American setting chosen from authentic locations around the Virginia countryside. The series stimulates interest and understanding of folk literature and presents the classic folktale in an accessible format.

Program of Studies:
Reading: Forming a Foundation, Interpreting Text, Developing an Initial Understanding, Reflecting and Responding to Text, Demonstrating a Critical Stance
Arts and Humanities: Humanity in the Arts
Technology: Inquiry and Research; Research, Inquiry/Problem-solving and Innovation
Speaking, Listening, Observing

Host John Robbins introduces each book (one or two per program), and the narration takes viewers up to a crucial point in the story. Students must read the book to learn the ending. The goals are to introduce 5th and 6th graders to a variety of exciting and well-written books, stimulate the desire to read, broaden each student’s reading experience, expand reading abilities, and instill the simple enjoyment of leisure reading.

Program of Studies:
Reading: Forming a Foundation, Interpreting Text, Developing an Initial Understanding, Reflecting and Responding to Text, Demonstrating a Critical Stance
Speaking, Listening, Observing

Kentuckian George Ella Lyon, author of more than 20 books for children and adults, answers questions from students in this KET production, which originally aired live in May 1997. Topics include where story ideas come from, how being a Kentuckian influences her writing, writing strategies, techniques for crafting dialogue, and the relationship between words and pictures in children’s picture books.

Program of Studies
Reading: Forming a Foundation, Interpreting Text, Developing an Initial Understanding, Reflecting and Responding to Text, Demonstrating a Critical Stance
Arts and Humanities: Humanity in the Arts
Writing: Writing Content
Speaking, Listening, and Observing

James Still’s River of Earth is a portrait of one of Kentucky’s most distinguished and honored writers as well as an introduction to his work; it also gives students insight into the history and culture of the Appalachian region from which that work springs. Still’s publishing career spanned 70 years and includes novels such as River of Earth, story collections such as Pattern of a Man, children’s books, collections of mountain lore and sayings, poetry collections such as The Wolfpen Poems and The Wolfpen Notebooks: A Record of Appalachian Life.

Through interviews with Still and people who knew him—including scholars, friends, and relatives—this KET production highlights the uniqueness of the man and the importance of his vision. The program also includes archival photographs; reminiscences; and readings from Still’s poetry, stories, and novels.

Program of Studies:
Reading: Forming a Foundation, Interpreting Text, Developing an Initial Understanding, Reflecting and Responding to Text, Demonstrating a Critical Stance
Arts and Humanities: Humanity in the Arts
Writing: Writing Content
Speaking, Listening, Observing