Starring an inquisitive youngster who never runs short on questions, corny jokes, or zeal for learning, this PBS Kids series promotes enthusiasm for science among preschoolers.
The animated show, which debuted in 2008 and is still airing new episodes, is co-produced by the Jim Henson Company and features a cast of appealingly colorful muppetesque characters. Playing off of children's natural curiosity about the workings of their own bodies and the world around them, the series blends music, humor, and true-to-life experiences to encourage exploration, discovery, and familiarity with scientific principles. Each half-hour episode begins with Sid posing a new question ("Why do bananas get mushy?") and then embarking on a busy and fun-filled day of seeking answers by interacting with his family and friends, discussing ideas with his teacher, and engaging in activities in his classroom's Super Fab Lab.
Sid's conceptual content is based in national science learning standards, cognitive learning theory, and on the "Preschool Pathways to Science" curriculum. Each week, the series presents five episodes that focus on a single scientific concept (e.g., the senses, simple machines, weather), providing an opportunity for kids to explore broad ideas over time and through different approaches. The emphasis is on hands-on learning, with characters asking questions about objects and occurrences encountered in their day-to-day lives. Sid's queries have passed the lips of many a preschooler, and his path to enlightenment involves a dynamic blend of active investigation and factual presentation. The show encourages youngsters to think like scientists by carefully observing the wonders of the world around them, asking big questions, experimenting and gathering information, drawing conclusions, and, of course, asking more questions.
Visit Sid Online
The Sid the Science Kid Web site is updated to parallel the content of the show and support each week's concept. With colorful scenery, upbeat music, and a clean-looking and easy-to-navigate design, the site makes an inviting destination for preschoolers. The gateway screen puts kids on Sid's school playground, where they can collect interesting objects or click on the jungle gym to play hide-and-seek with the characters or listen to jokes. The site includes three discovery zones-Sid's kitchen, the playground, and the school's Super Fab Lab-each with games designed to reinforce the series' scientific concepts. A "Tell Me More" feature
(Teacher Susie is the icon) provides additional facts and discussion prompts for adults to help extend each idea. The site also provides easy access to printable activity pages and video clips (including both songs and scenes of children involved in hands-on investigations). By following the link to "Parents and Teachers," adults can find out more about the series, its mission, and its educational themes; read tips for viewing the show with youngsters and extending the learning experience; find easy-to-replicate activities and experiments related to each episode; and access additional resources (including a glossary and downloadable educational materials for use at home and in the classroom).
Book Tie-ins
HarperCollins has published a line-up of books sure to please fans of the series-and to reinforce the concepts and the enthusiasm for learning presented in the show. All of the titles are illustrated with clearly reproduced full-color images from the episodes and feature inviting but not too busy layouts. Two staple-bound paperbacks make good choices for reading aloud, as Sid explores two types of transformation: the concept of growth in Why Are My Shoes Shrinking and the changes caused by temperature in Why Did My Ice Pop Melt? (PreS-K). Both of these books present clear explanations of concepts while incorporating scientific vocabulary ("reversible change") into the text. Two "I Can Read!" (Level 1) offerings tempt emerging readers with short and simple sentences and a controlled vocabulary (PreS-Gr 1). In What's that Smell?, Sid learns about how we smell things that are far away, whether it's his baby brother's diaper ("not so good"), or "Dad's famous pancakes." Dad's gigantic early-morning "A-CHOO!" leads Sid to investigate The Trouble with Germs and discover the importance of hand washing. Both of these titles provide plenty of visual clues to help readers along and end with a page of jokes that will leave them giggling.
Three "Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science" titles (Stage 1) feature longer texts, charts and diagram-style layouts that help convey ideas, and a page or two of additional information or activities (PreS-Gr 1). In Everybody, Move Your Feet!, Sid discovers why exercise is necessary for good health and thinks about the various types of physical activity that people like to do. Why Can't I Have Cake for Dinner? covers nutrition basics and the importance of eating from the different food groups, while A Cavity Is a Hole in Your Tooth provides facts about teeth and dental hygiene essentials. Filled with the characters' smiling faces and familiar activities, all of these titles have a welcoming tone that will encourage readers to participate in the investigations of Sid and his friends and to observe similar happenings in their own day-to-day worlds.
Pub Info
RAYMOND, N. T., adapt. Sid the Science Kid:Why Are My Shoes Shrinking? pap. $3.99. ISBN 978-0-06-185252-7.
KORMAN, Susan, adapt. Sid the Science Kid:Why Did My Ice Pop Melt? pap. $3.99. ISBN 978-0-06-185253-4.
FRANTZ, Jennifer. Sid the Science Kid:What's that Smell? pap. $3.99. ISBN 978-0-06-185259-6.
_____. Sid the Science Kid:The Trouble with Germs. pap. $3.99. ISBN 978-0-06-185258-9.
HUELIN, Jodi, adapt. Sid the Science Kid:Everybody, Move Your Feet! pap. $5.99. ISBN 978-0-06-185264-0
_____. Sid the Science Kid:Why Can't I Have Cake for Dinner? pap. $5.99. ISBN 978-0-06-185266-4.
_____. Sid the Science Kid: A Cavity Is a Hole in Your Tooth. pap. $5.99. ISBN 978-0-06-185263-3.
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