Video of the Week--Scribble Shop: Pretzel
RSSFrom SLJ April 2005
MaryAnn Karre, Horace Mann Elementary School, Binghamton, NY -- School Library Journal, 04/04/2005
videocassette. color. 25 min. with tchr’s. guide. Prod. by Opus Communications. Dist. by Scribble Shop. 2001, 2004 release. $19.99.
PreS-Gr 2–This high energy production, the first video in a four-part series, was created to promote creativity in children through active participation in the arts. The positive nature of the show makes it easy for all children to be creative, which in turn boosts self-esteem and thinking skills. Youngsters are encouraged to dream, brainstorm, and think outside the box, and no idea is too outrageous. Becky, the host, has participants up and moving. Splatter is a paint blob who came to life and lives in a trunk in Becky’s shop. Becky can’t see him because she doesn’t believe in him, but he watches and sometimes motivates what Becky does. In this video, Becky and the children are inspired by an ordinary pretzel to sing, dance, make a mask, and more. The accompanying guide helps teachers extend the video’s lessons. It is chock full of thematic units, related activities in all subject areas, reproducibles, and questions based on Bloom’s Taxonomy. Librarians will be glad to see theme-related books included as well. Other titles in the series are inspired by a banana, broccoli, and a cookie. These entertaining videos are great fun, encouraging youngsters to be creative and self-assured through active participation.
