Kid storytellers create their own adventures in Story Explorers, new TVOKids series and interactive companion website
TORONTO, Jan. 30, 2014 /CNW/ - TVOKids ignites children's imaginations through storytelling with the launch of the new interstitial series Story Explorers and companion website. This new multiplatform series includes 26 two-minute episodes featuring short stories created, designed and told by Ontario kids. From flying machines to hidden treasure, the episodes inspire kids to go online to the Story Explorers companion website to create their own tales while learning how to improve their reading and writing skills. Produced by Story Planet Media, Story Explorers airs on TVO in TVOKids' afterschool block The Space Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4:55 pm.
"In this interactive multiplatform series, TVO encourages kids to let their imaginations soar through storytelling while providing them with the tools they need to learn about story structure," says Patricia Ellingson, TVO's Creative Head of Children's and Parents' Media. "Story Explorers demonstrates TVO's commitment to using digital media to improve kids' literacy skills so that they can be successful in school and in life."
Each episode of the Story Explorers series is a creative and entertaining story written and told exclusively by kids. The stories are narrated by the child author and animated using pictures created by illustrator Kean Soo as well as the kids' own drawings. Soo is the acclaimed author and illustrator of the Jellaby series.
Story Explorers also offers an integrated digital educational experience. After being inspired by the episodes, the young viewer can go to the Story Explorers website to create their own story. Kids can build a story online by customizing a character and then enter the story world by creating scenes that bring it to life, including the setting, characters and challenges. Advanced users have the option to further open up the scenes and re-write the scripts while early-learners can simply select from a drop down menu of options. Once created, kids can play back, edit and share their story.
The series was inspired by the literacy workshops at Story Planet, a non-profit organization based in Toronto. Story Planet's workshops support children and youth in building important literacy skills. Parents can find more information about Story Explorers at TVOParents.com.
About TVOKids
TVOKids exists to help Ontario's 21st century learners be successful in school and in life. Developed for every kind of young learner and covering virtually all Ontario Curriculum areas for Grades JK-5, TVO-produced children's programs, web activities and mobile apps are built in collaboration with TVO's on-staff educator and classroom-tested to ensure specific educational objectives are met. According to a 2011 Ipsos Reid poll, Ontarians rate TVOKids both the most trusted and most educational children's media brand in Canada. TVOKids airs daily on TVO from 6 am to 7 pm. TVOKids.com is home to over 170 educational games and offers a growing inventory of educational mobile apps for all platforms.
About TVO
TVO is Ontario's public educational media organization and a trusted source of interactive educational content that informs, inspires and stimulates curiosity and thought. TVO's vision is to empower people to be engaged citizens of Ontario through educational media. TVO is funded primarily by the Province of Ontario and is a registered charity supported by sponsors and thousands of donors. For more information, visit tvo.org.
Where to find TVO
| On air: Over-the-air (may vary in some areas) Cable: channel 2 (may vary in some areas) Rogers TV HD: channel 580 Bell Fibe TV HD: channel 1209 Bell Fibe TV SD: channel 209 Bell TV: channel 265 Shaw Direct HD: channel 39 Shaw Direct SD: channel 353 |
Websites: tvo.org tvokids.com tvoparents.com ilc.org |
Online: YouTube™ iTunes™ BlackBerry World™ Bell Mobile TV™ |
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SOURCE: TVO
Media contact:
Monique Camenzuli
UNIT:PR Inc.
416-809-9918
[email protected]
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