{"id":505,"date":"2025-04-01T09:59:31","date_gmt":"2025-04-01T14:59:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nationaltheatre.com\/PEN\/?p=505"},"modified":"2025-04-03T10:03:48","modified_gmt":"2025-04-03T15:03:48","slug":"lower-elementary-literacy-programs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nationaltheatre.com\/PEN\/lower-elementary-literacy-programs\/","title":{"rendered":"Lower Elementary Literacy Programs"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Thanks for being a part of the PEN Network. We\u2019d like to offer our members a special series of virtual programs for lower elementary school students, focused on literacy subjects. Each of the programs includes:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\tOne video presentation on the topic <\/li>\n<li>\tA pre-test to gauge students\u2019 knowledge prior to the program<\/li>\n<li>\tAn activity sheet (back side of pretest) that students will need for the program<\/li>\n<li>\tA post-test so that you can assess students\u2019 understanding of the content<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The titles below include a list of the educational content covered by the program and buttons for the downloadable test and activity documents. <strong>These shows were originally streamed live to schools and there was an option for students to send in questions. Although that featured has been disabled, please contact us at <a href=\"mailto:ntcstudios@ntccorporate.com\" target=\"_blank\">ntcstudios@ntccorporate.com<\/a> if your students do have any questions they would like answered. Enjoy!<\/strong> <\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><strong>1. Why Read<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Reading helps you develop creativity skills and gain a deeper understanding of the world.<\/li>\n<li>Concentration levels improve when you read.<\/li>\n<li> Reading improves your social skills and interaction.<\/li>\n<li>Reading helps you perform better academically in other subject areas.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ntc.hubs.vidyard.com\/watch\/S94YPdPoVhpzUzmWE93oST\" class=\"myButton\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" style=\" align:left;margin-bottom: 10px;\">Watch Video<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/livestreamlearningstudio.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/programmaterials\/Act1-pre-post\/WhyRead-Worksheet-2023-PreTest.pdf\" class=\"myButton\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"align:left;margin-bottom: 10px;\">Pre-test and Activity<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/livestreamlearningstudio.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/programmaterials\/Act1-pre-post\/WhyRead-Worksheet-2023-PostTest.pdf\" class=\"myButton\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"align:left;\">Post-test<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>2. Fun with Fiction<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Fiction is a story that is not real, but created by an author\u2019s imagination.<\/li>\n<li>Nonfiction is factual stories based on actual events and people.<\/li>\n<li>Fiction can have some parts of the story that are based on true events.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ntc.hubs.vidyard.com\/watch\/2xF6pVvQs9cXyaetpXnWBR\" class=\"myButton\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" style=\" align:left;margin-bottom: 10px;\">Watch Video<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/livestreamlearningstudio.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/programmaterials\/Act1-pre-post\/FunWithFiction-Worksheet-2023-PreTest.pdf\" class=\"myButton\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"align:left;margin-bottom: 10px;\">Pre-test and Activity<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/livestreamlearningstudio.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/programmaterials\/Act1-pre-post\/FunWithFiction-Worksheet-2023-PostTest.pdf\" class=\"myButton\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"align:left;\">Post-test<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>3. Author&#8217;s Purpose<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>How to interpret the author\u2019s purpose.<\/li>\n<li>Entertaining, informing and\/or persuading the reader as different methods of storytelling and evoking emotions.<\/li>\n<li>Informative writing and its role in educating the reader about the world.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ntc.hubs.vidyard.com\/watch\/3WUGD3UmUbawYntuSTRN5d\" class=\"myButton\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" style=\" align:left;margin-bottom: 10px;\">Watch Video<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/livestreamlearningstudio.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/programmaterials\/Act1-pre-post\/AuthorsPurpose-Worksheet-2023-PreTest.pdf\" class=\"myButton\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"align:left;margin-bottom: 10px;\">Pre-test and Activity<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/livestreamlearningstudio.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/programmaterials\/Act1-pre-post\/AuthorsPurpose-Worksheet-2023-PostTest.pdf\" class=\"myButton\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"align:left;\">Post-test<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>4. Just the Facts<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Nonfiction is factual stories based on actual events and people.<\/li>\n<li>A fact is a statement that can be proven to be true.<\/li>\n<li>An opinion is a view or judgment formed about something, not necessarily based on knowledge.<\/li>\n<li>A story can include both facts and opinions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ntc.hubs.vidyard.com\/watch\/4XSqeLHgpC4kgCm6n9pnCi\" class=\"myButton\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" style=\" align:left;margin-bottom: 10px;\">Watch Video<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/livestreamlearningstudio.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/programmaterials\/Act1-pre-post\/JustTheFacts-Worksheet-2023-PostTest.pdf\" class=\"myButton\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"align:left;margin-bottom: 10px;\">Pre-test and Activity<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/livestreamlearningstudio.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/programmaterials\/Act1-pre-post\/JustTheFacts-Worksheet-2023-PreTest.pdf\" class=\"myButton\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"align:left;\">Post-test<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>5. The Main Message<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>How to detect a story\u2019s main idea.<\/li>\n<li>How to describe characters, settings and major events in a story using key details.<\/li>\n<li>Discover how the supporting details reinforce the main message.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ntc.hubs.vidyard.com\/watch\/EeY2MQ76LoCwVEviWMmn8t\" class=\"myButton\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" style=\" align:left;margin-bottom: 10px;\">Watch Video<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/livestreamlearningstudio.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/programmaterials\/Act1-pre-post\/TheMainMessage-Worksheet-2023-PreTest.pdf\" class=\"myButton\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"align:left;margin-bottom: 10px;\">Pre-test and Activity<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/livestreamlearningstudio.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/programmaterials\/Act1-pre-post\/TheMainMessage-Worksheet-2023-PostTest.pdf\" class=\"myButton\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"align:left;\">Post-test<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>6. Points of View<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Stories can be told with different perspectives, or points of view.<\/li>\n<li>First person point of view is when the narrator is a character in the story.<\/li>\n<li> Third person point of view is when the narrator exists outside the events of the story.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ntc.hubs.vidyard.com\/watch\/c1n2idBuWPfGrgVwZrjJX2\" class=\"myButton\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" style=\" align:left;margin-bottom: 10px;\">Watch Video<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/livestreamlearningstudio.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/programmaterials\/Act1-pre-post\/PointsOfView-Worksheet-2023-PreTest.pdf\" class=\"myButton\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"align:left;margin-bottom: 10px;\">Pre-test and Activity<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/livestreamlearningstudio.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/programmaterials\/Act1-pre-post\/PointsOfView-Worksheet-2023-PostTest.pdf\" class=\"myButton\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"align:left;\">Post-test<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>7. What a Character!<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The main character is who or what the story is mostly about.<\/li>\n<li>The protagonist is the main character.<\/li>\n<li> Characters can be realistic or fictional.<\/li>\n<li> Stories can have more than one character.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ntc.hubs.vidyard.com\/watch\/zdv1NXK92k3PL6aNbJwsrX\" class=\"myButton\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" style=\" align:left;margin-bottom: 10px;\">Watch Video<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/livestreamlearningstudio.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/programmaterials\/Act1-pre-post\/WhataCharacter-Worksheet-2023-PreTest.pdf\" class=\"myButton\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"align:left;margin-bottom: 10px;\">Pre-test and Activity<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/livestreamlearningstudio.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/programmaterials\/Act1-pre-post\/WhataCharacter-Worksheet-2023-PostTest.pdf\" class=\"myButton\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"align:left;\">Post-test<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>8. Set the Scene<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The setting is where and when a story takes place.<\/li>\n<li>The setting is often described in the very beginning of a story.<\/li>\n<li>The physical location, time period and time of day are part of the setting.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ntc.hubs.vidyard.com\/watch\/XZ3tivk94i2Lsjwossuvu7\" class=\"myButton\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" style=\" align:left;margin-bottom: 10px;\">Watch Video<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/livestreamlearningstudio.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/programmaterials\/Act1-pre-post\/SetTheScene-Worksheet-2023-PreTest.pdf\" class=\"myButton\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"align:left;margin-bottom: 10px;\">Pre-test and Activity<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/livestreamlearningstudio.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/programmaterials\/Act1-pre-post\/SetTheScene-Worksheet-2023-PostTest.pdf\" class=\"myButton\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"align:left;\">Post-test<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>9. The Plot Thickens<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The plot is the beginning, middle and end of a story.<\/li>\n<li> A plot is made up of a sequence of events.<\/li>\n<li>lots usually have a problem for the character(s) to solve.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ntc.hubs.vidyard.com\/watch\/XgmtsbcfjjSTywY4wkqgxB\" class=\"myButton\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" style=\" align:left;margin-bottom: 10px;\">Watch Video<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/livestreamlearningstudio.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/programmaterials\/Act1-pre-post\/ThePlotThickens-Worksheet-2023-PostTest_FINAL.pdf\" class=\"myButton\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"align:left;margin-bottom: 10px;\">Pre-test and Activity<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/livestreamlearningstudio.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/programmaterials\/Act1-pre-post\/ThePlotThickens-Worksheet-2023-PreTest_FINAL.pdf\" class=\"myButton\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"align:left;\">Post-test<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong><br \/>\n10. Feeling Conflicted<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Conflict is a problem the character(s) face in the story.<\/li>\n<li> A conflict is not always a physical altercation.<\/li>\n<li>Not every conflict in a story has a resolution.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ntc.hubs.vidyard.com\/watch\/cmBunDQs1GAQZieRBqfaKE\" class=\"myButton\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" style=\" align:left;margin-bottom: 10px;\">Watch Video<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"ttps:\/\/livestreamlearningstudio.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/programmaterials\/Act1-pre-post\/FeelingConflicted-Worksheet-2023-PreTest_FINAL.pdf\" class=\"myButton\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"align:left;margin-bottom: 10px;\">Pre-test and Activity<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/livestreamlearningstudio.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/programmaterials\/Act1-pre-post\/FeelingConflicted-Worksheet-2023-PostTest_FINAL.pdf\" class=\"myButton\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"align:left;\">Post-test<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>11. Making Connections<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A connection you can make with the story is called text-to-self.<\/li>\n<li>A connection made from one story to another is called text-to-text.<\/li>\n<li> How the story connects to events taking place around the world is called a text-to-world connection.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ntc.hubs.vidyard.com\/watch\/3mD5y5NxamPvSMxAqhEnMX\" class=\"myButton\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" style=\" align:left;margin-bottom: 10px;\">Watch Video<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/livestreamlearningstudio.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/programmaterials\/Act1-pre-post\/MakingConnections-Worksheet-2023-PostTest_FINAL.pdf\" class=\"myButton\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"align:left;margin-bottom: 10px;\">Pre-test and Activity<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/livestreamlearningstudio.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/programmaterials\/Act1-pre-post\/MakingConnections-Worksheet-2023-PreTest_FINAL.pdf\" class=\"myButton\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"align:left;\">Post-test<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong><br \/>\n12. Drawing Conclusions<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>An inference is an idea or conclusion that is drawn from a story.<\/li>\n<li>Predictions are educated guesses a reader can make about the story.<\/li>\n<li>A conclusion is drawn using context clues from the story.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ntc.hubs.vidyard.com\/watch\/wkn3Dk8uvc6PCNrwsqSN4e\" class=\"myButton\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" style=\" align:left;margin-bottom: 10px;\">Watch Video<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/livestreamlearningstudio.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/programmaterials\/Act1-pre-post\/DrawingConclusions-Worksheet-2023-PostTest_FINAL.pdf\" class=\"myButton\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"align:left;margin-bottom: 10px;\">Pre-test and Activity<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/livestreamlearningstudio.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/programmaterials\/Act1-pre-post\/DrawingConclusions-Worksheet-2023-PreTest_FINAL.pdf\" class=\"myButton\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"align:left;\">Post-test<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>13. Legends and laughter<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A genre is the name for a category given to the story.<\/li>\n<li>A legend is a genre of folklore featuring human actions, believed or perceived, both by teller and listeners, to have taken place in history.<\/li>\n<li>The different ways humor is used to help with storytelling.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ntc.hubs.vidyard.com\/watch\/WP1eJoegRMpdpeQRWiX1P8\" class=\"myButton\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" style=\" align:left;margin-bottom: 10px;\">Watch Video<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/livestreamlearningstudio.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/programmaterials\/Act1-pre-post\/LegendsAndLaughter-Worksheet-2023-Pre+%26+Post+Test_FINAL.pdf\" class=\"myButton\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"align:left;\">Pre-test, Post-test and Activity<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>14.  Mysteries and Magic<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A genre is the name for a category given to the story.<\/li>\n<li>A mystery is a genre whose stories focus on a puzzling crime, situation or circumstance that needs to be solved.<\/li>\n<li>Fantasies are characterized by imaginary and unrealistic elements, typically involving supernatural powers and magical creatures.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ntc.hubs.vidyard.com\/watch\/Mha4g1w9oCUUvaAXGVtdPv\" class=\"myButton\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" style=\" align:left;margin-bottom: 10px;\">Watch Video<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/livestreamlearningstudio.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/programmaterials\/Act1-pre-post\/Mysteries%26Magic-Worksheet-2023-Pre+%26+Post+Test_FINAL.pdf\" class=\"myButton\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"align:left;\">Pre-test, Post-test and Activity<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong><br \/>\n15.  Write it Yourself<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Writing can directly benefit your reading skills.<\/li>\n<li> Writing improves reading fluency.<\/li>\n<li> Writing improves reading comprehension.<\/li>\n<li>Writing is a critical communication skill.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ntc.hubs.vidyard.com\/watch\/APckzsNAdLXu5aDTdmnT14\" class=\"myButton\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" style=\" align:left;margin-bottom: 10px;\">Watch Video<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/livestreamlearningstudio.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/programmaterials\/Act1-pre-post\/WriteItYourself-Worksheet-2023-Pre+%26+Post+Test_FINAL.pdf\" class=\"myButton\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"align:left;\">Pre-test, Post-test and Activity<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong><br \/>\n16. History and Heroes<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A genre is the name for a category given to the story.<\/li>\n<li>Historical fiction includes a plot that takes place in a setting relating to past events, but is fictional.<\/li>\n<li>Mythology is fictional stories based on historical beliefs of ancient people.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ntc.hubs.vidyard.com\/watch\/8b5ZJJRonKzXd9hniNpkV9\" class=\"myButton\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" style=\" align:left;margin-bottom: 10px;\">Watch Video<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/livestreamlearningstudio.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/programmaterials\/Act1-pre-post\/HistoryAndHeros-Worksheet-2023-Pre+%26+Post+Test_FINAL.pdf\" class=\"myButton\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"align:left;\">Pre-test, Post-test and Activity<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Thanks for being a part of the PEN Network. We\u2019d like to offer our members a special series of virtual programs for lower elementary school students, focused on literacy subjects. Each of the programs&#46;&#46;&#46;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-505","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-videos"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"post_mailing_queue_ids":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nationaltheatre.com\/PEN\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/505","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nationaltheatre.com\/PEN\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nationaltheatre.com\/PEN\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nationaltheatre.com\/PEN\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nationaltheatre.com\/PEN\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=505"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/nationaltheatre.com\/PEN\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/505\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":527,"href":"https:\/\/nationaltheatre.com\/PEN\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/505\/revisions\/527"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nationaltheatre.com\/PEN\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=505"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nationaltheatre.com\/PEN\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=505"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nationaltheatre.com\/PEN\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=505"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}