Education with Reading Rainbow

It comes as no surprise that the founder and co-executive producer of the twenty-time Emmy-award-winning show, Reading Rainbow is an educator and avid reader herself. Dr. Twila Liggett was born to teach.

Liggett's passions led her to different jobs, which includes school principal, state reading consultant for Nebraska, a handbook writer and teacher of grant-writing courses. When Nebraska Educational Tv decided to be the progenitor of a national children's series, Liggett was their selection. With her talents, Reading Rainbow was born.

Reading Rainbow identified a formula that works and sticks with it. Each and every episode highlights three books that are reviewed by actual kids. LeVar Burton, the host of the show, talks candidly to viewers and asks questions that encourage them to answer from their living rooms. Burton goes on location to explore topics addressed in the books so children can see genuine footage of the events being discussed. Children are taught to question and investigation, skills that teachers and parents encourage.

Reading Rainbow does not shy away from tough problems. They are portion of children's reality and Reading Rainbow is there, helping kids to cope with the globe. The Emmy award winning Tin Forest deals with 9/11and is included in the Youngsters Very first!® Film and Video Festivals. Visiting Day focuses on kids with a parent in prison.

The role of the show extends far beyond the actual television set. Burton and Liggett bring their joy of reading into schools, and nearby networks promote literacy programs based on the concept that reading need to be fun. In the American school program, there is a great push for kids to be even more literate, but busy schedules stop older young children, such as tweens, from growing their literacy abilities by reading for enjoyable. "Reading is the greatest joy on the planet. Once you read, the world is there for you," Liggett summarizes.

Parents can be fantastic role models by reading books themselves. Liggett suggests the public school program of Sustained Silent Reading for every person, adults as well as kids. She further recommends that parents acquire an author their child enjoys then search for other books by the exact same author. Some great resources are the and the New York Times recommendations.

Amongst the greatest rewards of the Reading Rainbow legacy are loved ones literacy projects, according to Liggett. Across America nearby stations sponsor initiatives that reach out, bringing reading to everyone-such as the poorest communities. Reading supplies are brought to hospital waiting rooms, parents in prison, and rural communities and with them they bring the joy of reading.

However, literacy programs price cash, a factor lacking in Reading Rainbow's otherwise effective production equation. "My dream of dreams is to have a wealthy entrepreneur, preferably 1 with children and grandkids of the exact same mindset, decide that they want to make a distinction in this world by supporting literacy and supporting Reading Rainbow," Liggett says with a sigh. Funding comes from a number of unique resources, local PBS stations with matching funds grant income and businesses with a corporate underwriter such as the existing sponsor of Reading Rainbow, The Children's Location.

Even though waiting for their dream benefactor, Liggett and the Reading Rainbow team struggle together to raise the funds crucial for the top-quality show. Liggett has intriguing plans to use the web as a fund-raiser. For Reading Rainbow, the future is uncertain. You can support Reading Rainbow by donating to your local PBS station with a note saying you are supporting them due to the fact they run quality shows like Reading Rainbow.

Reading Rainbow is a production of GPN/Nebraska ETV Network and WNED-Tv Buffalo and is produced by RCN Entertainment, New York. Reading Rainbow is a registered trademark of GPN/WNED-Tv.