Iowa Public Television

Happy Birthday Arthur! Arthur will always be 8 years old, but on May 25th, 2011, he celebrates his 35nd anniversary! Yes, it was over 30 years ago when author Marc Brown first created Arthur as a bedtime story for his son.

Join us as we prepare to celebrate this monumental occasion! Presenters engage students in interdisciplinary activities designed to foster learning while having fun celebrating Arthur's birthday. We will vote for our favorite snacks, sing Arthur's theme song, create a personalized napkin, read Arthur's Birthday by Marc Brown, and use our language arts skills to write clues to guess Arthur's gift.

Your students may send Arthur homemade birthday cards c/o IPTV. We will read some of the cards aloud during the ICN session.

Registrants agree to provide the following materials for each student:

• pencil
• blank sheet of paper
• 'Arthur's Napkin Art' sheet
• 'My Partner's Napkin Says' sheet (OPTIONAL)
• 'Our Favorite Birthday Snacks' sheet (OPTIONAL)
• crayons (OPTIONAL)

Download the worksheets Classroom Resources prepared and compiled by IPTV K-12 Connections staff. The sheets are posted on the 'Arthur's Birthday' section.

Session Related Web sites:

• PBS Arthur (www.pbskids.org/arthur) - Locate and print additional educational materials relating to Arthur in the classroom including the Arthur-themed party hats for students to decorate and wear to the ICN session.
• Marc Brown's website (marcbrownstudios.com) - Locate and print additional educational materials relating to Arthur in the classroom.
• The Great Word Quest (pbskids.org/wordquest/) - On The Great Word Quest you can join a team and conquer online scavenger hunts in a race to earn the most words! Recommended ages: 6 – 8.

Related Lesson Plans and Units:

PBS LearningMedia, a dynamic platform offering the best of public media content and produced specifically for PreK-16 teachers. With free access to over 14,000 high-quality resources tied to national standards, teachers can download, save and share exactly what they need for an inspired classroom experience. Sign up is free and easy! Learn more about PBS LearningMedia.

PBS Teachers - PBS Teachers offers free lesson plans, professional development and more for preK-12 educators.

Applicable standards from McREL:

Working With Others Standards:

Level IV [Grades K-12]
1. Demonstrates respect for others in the group
2. Takes initiative when needed
3. Engages in active listening

Classroom Resources:

The following related programs are available on IPTV's broadcast or from the AEAs: (Check The Classroom Resource (www.iptv.org/k12catalog) Web site for broadcast dates and times.)

• ARTHUR: program 110 'Arthur's Birthday' (Grade Level: PreK-3)
• BETWEEN THE LIONS (Grade Level: PreK-2)
• MARTHA SPEAKS (Grade Level: PreK-2)
• SUPER WHY! (Grade Level: PreK-2)
• WORDGIRL (Grade Level: PreK-4)

Sessions are provided at no cost by Iowa Public Television in collaboration with the Iowa Communications Network to PK-12 students and the adults working with or on behalf of PK-12 students in Iowa. If you are not employed by a school district or an AEA please register at library sites only.

Sign up for the K-12 Connections eNewsletter to receive timely information regarding ICN sessions like this one.