Thursday, November 9, 2006

Ashley Bryan Children's Literature Conference

The 2nd Annual Ashley Bryan Children's Literature Conference takes place on November 3 and 4 at the Central Library in downtown Atlanta. This conference highlights the work of Ashley Bryan, beloved children's book author, illustrator and storyteller.

As an author and illustrator of children's books for over thirty years, Bryan's works include Beautiful Blackbird, ABC of African American Poetry, Beat the Story-Drum, Pum-Pum and The Story of Lightning & Thunder.

In addition to Bryan, there will be readings and presentations with renowned authors, including Pat Cummings and Colin Boothman. Attendees can also find one of GPB Education's project managers, Laura Miller, presenting on how to utilize Reading Rainbow for family literacy.

For more information, contact Teffany Edmondson at 404-699-6364 or visit Atlanta-Fulton Public Library.

Hear a reading of Ashley Bryan's Beautiful Blackbird.

Wednesday, November 8, 2006

New Animated Science Series for Children

The Zula Patrol, the 21st Century's newest space team, has arrived at GPB. Pre-kindergarten through second graders are taught critical facts about science and astronomy by watching this new series that has been called the "Sesame Street of the New Millennium."

Aligned with National Science Education Standards, this 3D/CG animated educational children's series is designed to address the need for quality children's programming in the area of science. During each episode, children learn new and interesting facts about the universe, galaxy and solar system with fearless Captain Bula, top-notch pilot Zeeter, brainiac Professor Multo, loyal space pet Gorga, and twin flying companions Wizzy and Wigg.

While teaching children critical elements about the universe, The Zula Patrol also encourages core values of non-violence and tolerance and promotes family participation and interest in learning about science and astronomy in a fun, comic style.

Teachers, parents and children can visit The Zula Patrol's interactive Web site for additional learning materials, including vocabulary lists, pictures of the characters for coloring, games and creative storytelling.

For more information, visit www.zula.com.

Tuesday, November 7, 2006

NAEYC 2006 Annual Conference and Expo

The National Association for Education of Young Children's (NAEYC) Annual Conference and Expo will be held Nov. 8-11 in Atlanta, Ga. NAEYC's Annual Conference and Expo is the world's largest early childhood education conference where nearly 25,000 professionals gather each year to learn about important issues in early childhood education and network with others in the field.

Participants can meet representatives from hundreds of companies and organizations that specialize in learning materials for children from birth through age eight. They can also choose from hundreds of sessions, developed around tracks based on the 10 NAEYC Early Childhood Program Standards and other important issues. Conference tracks include:

* Curriculum
* Teachers
* Leadership, Management and Administration
* Advocacy/Public Policy
* Research
* Assessment of Child Progress

The new topic tracks complement the reinvented NAEYC Accreditation system for programs serving young children, which was introduced at the 2005 Annual Conference and Expo. Conference sessions organized around these topic tracks help early childhood educators learn more about the NAEYC Early Childhood Program Standards and how high quality programs benefit children and families.

Another feature of the NAEYC Annual conference is an enormous Exhibit Hall where early childhood educators can see the latest educational and professional tools and learning technology.

The 2006 Annual Conference and Expo will also feature an opening plenary session.

Saturday, November 4, 2006

JapanFest 2006

The Irasshai booth at the 2006 JapanFest held at Stone Mountain on Sept. 23 and 24 was a big hit with an estimated 15,000+ attendees at the event. This year marked the 20th anniversary of JapanFest. Irasshai has enjoyed a presence there since the event was moved to the park in 1996.

JapanFest attendees were treated to demonstrations and performances ranging from martial arts to renowned jazz artists to traditional Japanese dance to street performers and taiko drummers. More than 350 Japanese businesses located in Georgia were also there with their product displays.

At the Irasshai booth, participants enjoyed having their name written with brush and ink in traditional calligraphic style. The trivia bowl, where participants challenged three rounds of Japanese language and culture related questions, also drew large crowds, and more than 40 winners took away highly sought after Irasshai T-shirts.

The event was also an opportunity for Irasshai students to meet their A.I. (telephone) teachers, and to practice face to face their self introductions and other phrases in Japanese. Program facilitators from Georgia high schools got the chance to chat with the Irasshai staff.

JapanFest, voted a Top 20 Event in the region by the Southeast Tourism Society in previous years, was once again clearly an excellent opportunity for people to experience first-hand the many wonderful aspects of Japanese culture without traveling further east than Stone Mountain Park in Atlanta, Ga.

Thursday, November 2, 2006

C-47: Georgia Short Film Showcase

The jury has been selected and judging has begun for the C-47: Georgia Short Film Showcase inaugural round. Designed to foster creativity, engagement, and camaraderie within Georgia's film industry, C-47 gives Georgia filmmakers a broadcast platform in their home state.

Films will be judged quarterly and the filmmaker and their film will be featured on the Georgia Public Broadcasting C-47 program, discussed at length on the C-47 website, and recognized as a superior Georgia filmmaker. At the end of each year, one film will be chosen via audience and industry voting as the top short film for that year in Georgia.

C-47 has been increasing its presence in the Georgia film community by creating public awareness at film festivals throughout Georgia, including the Atlanta Film Festival, Rome International Film Festival, Savannah Film Festival and the TeenScreen Film Festival at AthFest.

The Showcase has also been garnering interest from several media outlets with recent mentions in the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Creative Loafing and Southern Screen Report.

Visit the C-47 website

Wednesday, November 1, 2006

Update for Copyright Guidelines

GPB Education would like to update educators and parents on copyright guidelines for GPB Education produced programming and non-GPB produced programming:

GPB Education Produced Programming
Broadcast: Receiving entities shall be permitted to record and duplicate a maximum of three copies of GPB Education produced programming for the purposes of cataloging and placing into circulation for educational use. Programs produced by GPB Education include Georgia Stories I, Georgia Stories II, Irasshai I, Irasshai II, The People's House, Salsa, Count On It and Transitions.

Digital: Receiving entities shall be permitted to record and duplicate an unlimited number of GPB Education produced programming for the purposes of cataloging and placing into circulation for educational use. Rights for these programs are extended to educational entities in perpetuity.

Non-GPB Produced Programming
Broadcast: Receiving entities shall be permitted to record, catalog and put into circulation for educational use one copy of programs distributed via the GPB Education Satellite network during the time frame for which GPB Education holds broadcast rights. Each school or other receiving entity shall be responsible for erasing or destroying tapes of programs delivered by GPB Education for which broadcast rights have expired. A list of these programs shall be maintained and posted on the GPB Education Web site. Receiving entities shall not duplicate the recorded copy for distribution purposes.

Digital: Receiving entities shall be permitted to record, catalog and put into circulation for educational use unlimited copies of programs available via the GPB Education streaming portal. Each school or other receiving entity shall be responsible for erasing or destroying tapes of programs delivered by the GPB Education streaming portal for which broadcast rights have expired. Receiving entities shall not duplicate the recorded copy for distribution purposes. No materials downloaded shall be permitted to be used on Web sites, unless those sites are password protected and only accessed by students.

Georgia Public Broadcasting rights that are granted through media distributors (vendors) are limited to retransmission only over Georgia Public Broadcasting's broadcast system and are not transferable to third parties.