Reading Rainbow 2009 Winners
Twelve young writers grades K – 12 from Tucson and Southern Arizona were recently recognized for their winning stories in the 15th Annual Reading Rainbow Young Writers and Illustrators Contest.
The young authors and illustrators are recognized for their unique creative writing and original artistic efforts for the contest, which is in its 15th year. The local awards ceremony May 3 at the University of Arizona Poetry Center was sponsored by Arizona Public Media, and author Jennifer J. Stewart was the event speaker.
A panel of Tucson-area authors, educators and community volunteers reviewed 319 entries submitted by K-3 students from 17 schools in southern Arizona. Each student wrote and illustrated an original story for the contest, and winners received certificates signed by Reading Rainbow host LeVar Burton, in addition to Reading Rainbow bags stuffed with books, DVDs and gift certificates from Bookmans Entertainment Exchange. Winning stories included:
Kindergarten:
First Place - My Special Blanket by Sophia Smith-Gatto
Runner-up - How the Moon is Shiny by Stephanie Gonzalez-Knott
Honorable Mention - Family Time is Fun by Elissa Marie Ornelas
First Grade:
First Place - A Girl with Magical Shoes by Carolina Sanchez
Runner-up - The Dragon and His Crown by Sasha Gil
Honorable Mention - Garden of Lullaby by Hanna Bennion
Second Grade:
First Place - Watermelons Are Taking Over by Faithe Elsberry
Runner-up - The Pickle Aliens and the Cacti by Seo-Hyun Yoo
Honorable Mention - A Day in the Life of a Dung Beetle by Andy Liaupsin
Third Grade:
First Place - The Gentle Tornado by Katie Soler
Runner-up - Carnotaurus Hatches the Eggs by Daniel Knight
Honorable Mention - The Best Tea Party Ever by Maura Pierce
The Emmy award-winning PBS television series Reading Rainbow is broadcast in Southern Arizona by Arizona Public Media and can be seen weekdays at 4 p.m. on KUAT Kids digital television channel 27.2; on Comcast cable channel 200 and Cox cable channel 80. More quality kids programming can be found on the Arizona Public Media website at www.kids.azpm.org/.
Friday, November 20
| 7 p.m. |
Arthur
The Great Macgrady (part 1 & 2) |
| 7:30 p.m. |
Martha Speaks
There Goes The Neighborhood/i Scream |
| 8 p.m. |
Curious George
Buoy Wonder/roller Monkey |
| 8:30 p.m. |
Sid The Science Kid
Sid The Weatherman |
| 9 p.m. |
Super Why!
Alice In Wonderland |
| 9:30 p.m. |
Dinosaur Train
Valley Of The Stygimolochs/tiny Loves Fish |
| 10 p.m. |
Cyberchase
Eureeka! |
| 10:30 p.m. |
Maya & Miguel
The Bet |
| View Complete Schedule | |
| Antenna | Cable |
| Digital 27.2 |
Cox 80 Comcast 200 |
PBS KIDS IslandFREE literacy tools and activities for children, parents, caregivers and teachers to use at home or in the classroom.
PBS KIDS Island lets children build their own online island by playing reading games with PBS KIDS Raising Readers characters. The research-based program guides children through eight different gaming levels that address seven skills: rhyming, letter identification, alliteration, phonics, letter sequencing, phonemic awareness and reading/vocabulary.
PBS KIDS Island offers a fun and safe online environment that serves children ages two-to-five. The site will be expanded to offer literacy games and activities for children ages six-to-eight.
Key Features for Children
- Fun Reading Games Based on Familiar PBS KIDS Shows and Characters: PBS KIDS Island features dozens of reading games. Favorite characters from PBS KIDS Raising Readers programs, including SUPER WHY!, WORDWORLD, BETWEEN THE LIONS and SESAME STREET, guide and help children learn critical reading skills.
- Customization: PBS KIDS Island offers a total of eight levels of reading games and activities, starting with letter recognition and moving children along the path of learning to read with vocabulary and build simple sentences.
Key Features for Parents, Caregivers and Teachers
- Guided Tour: Parents, caregivers and teachers can tour PBS KIDS Island and preview the games children will be playing.
- Detailed Reading Skill Information: As they click on a game, an overview of the game and its corresponding reading skill appear on screen.
- Progress Tracker: The Child Progress Tracker lets parents, caregivers and teachers understand and cultivate their child’s learning.
