It is kind of sad. My older children used to watch it when they were little. There is still "Between the Lions" PBS. I know it is not the same, but similar at least. My personal tragedy was when they dumbed down Sesame Street several years ago with that Elmo World stuff and Ernie in a box. The explanation was that new format was easier to understand for inner city kids and so on. In my opinion it nearly ruined the programm.

I was so forunate to be on the staff of Nebraska Public TV when Reading Rainbow began on PBS. The concept and design for Reading Rainbow came from Neb. ETV - and it was a wonderful series. I keep catching up with technology - but I have a hard time falling in love with a book on Kendle - instead of the one with the picture on the cover that I held in my hand.

Ah, I really like that show. We have a few espisodes on videotape that I recorded off the tv. I do have to say that I don't really think it was one of my son's favorites--it has an old-fashioned Mr. Rogers feel? I don't think it can quite keep up with the faster moving shows with animation and puppets (in his mind.)

When I see Levar Burton, I think of Star Trek. :-)

Reading Rainbow was one of my daughter's favorite programs. We used it as an integral part of our homeschooling curriculum. I was so sad to hear that it had been discontinued.

Chandra, You're probably right. I'd feel even better about her if she apologized to the boy. Perhaps she did. I agree anyone can have a bad moment and agree that being a teacher is a challenging (and rewarding and important) job. It's if there's a pattern of behavior that I'd be particularly worried. I have to say though that if she did this in front of adult witnesses should we be worried about what she might be like if she's alone with the kids in the classroom? (I don't know if there's always a second teacher/adult there. I hope that it was a bad moment. Certainly, every parent and teacher has had them.

I really do try to cut teachers a little slack because I know what a challenging job it can be. Nobody can be perfect 100% of the time. Teachers do have to strike a fine balance between being a disciplinarian and nurturer and they have so many kids to deal with on top of it all! And, honestly, after I helped the boy she thanked me for stepping in and she even seemed a little embarrassed so maybe it was a bad moment.

Abigail wrote: "I saw an announcement about this, on a blog I visit. I myself was raised in a home with minimal TV, and never watched Reading Rainbow, but I've seen a few episodes as an adult, and thought it was w..."

With the closing of libraries and bookstores you wonder if reading is viewed at all. What's going on here?

I can totally see Chandra as a book-fairy! ;)
Regarding the teacher, I agree that her response was the wrong one, and feel for the little boy. It's possible that she was having a bad day, and she's usually quite good, but how can you know? I think I agree with Lisa that it's OK to try to get Izzy into a better teacher's class.

Chandra,
This is so discouraging to hear. Sadly, there are some teachers with a very limited knowledge of children's literature. I really applaud teachers who get to know their students and direct them to books that will engage the children. When I worked as a children's librarian, we used to do an annual workshop for teachers to bring them up to date on children's literature and to show the teachers extension ideas to give the books additional relevance for children. Many of the teacher's really enjoyed this but some were not as interested. Sounds like you ran into a teacher who was more interested in control than learning. Don't get discouraged, you had the perfect response. Maybe you should consider teaching one day!

You know Chandra, Izzy is more important. I'd request the best teachers for her. Even if you weren't volunteering you'd hear things, and some parents have multiple children so they learn that way too. There's all sort of ways to get info on teachers if your family is at a school. The kids learn things from other kids too.

*Sigh* Lisa - I so agree! One of the perils of volunteering is that you get the inside scoop on all the teachers and you quickly develop preferences and aversions. I'm torn between not wanting to be *that* parent and also just wanting the best for my Izzy!

Chandra, I don't want Izzy in that teacher's class next year!! I know everyone has their moments but even so. No excuse to do that to a young kid.

Oh and if you could have seen his little face crumple when the teacher yelled at him - it broke my heart.

Ohmygosh, Chandra, that is SO sad!!!! I am glad you were able to come to the rescue and grant his reading wish! Chandra the Book Fairy! ;->

I've been volunteering at my daughter's school library and most of the time it's just more fun than I could even describe! But then there are days when I just feel so sad for some of the kids and how easily their enthusiasm for reading can be squashed by an insensitive teacher. For example, today a 1st grade class came in and the little kids are supposed to stay in the E (for everyone) section and they are only allowed to pick out one book at a time. One little boy wanted a book about dinosaurs so he wandered into the 'wrong' section. His teacher was so exasperated and impatient with him and just yelled at him to go back to the E section and he started crying :( I felt so sorry for him and I got him one of the Yolen 'How Do Dinosaurs...' books and he was so delighted! I know teachers are spread thin and they get frustrated and snippy like everyone else, but I just felt so bad for this little boy who wanted a special book and to see that if I wasn't there no one would have helped him. So, what I'm trying to say through all this is that I really think that a BIG part of reading is keeping that freshness and enthusiasm!

It's so frustrating to hear stuff like that. Yes, it's important to know how kids learn to read, but enthusiasm plays a huge role in the "how" too! ARGH! Don't turn reading into a chore, people!

I'm going to miss RR, too :( I loved that show.


Kathryn wrote: "I found it interesting and sad how the NPR article said the "passing" of RR is attributed to changes in the way reading education is viewed today. Back in the '80s, it was all about getting kids e..."

I saw an announcement about this, on a blog I visit. I myself was raised in a home with minimal TV, and never watched Reading Rainbow, but I've seen a few episodes as an adult, and thought it was wonderful! Very sad news.

I found it interesting and sad how the NPR article said the "passing" of RR is attributed to changes in the way reading education is viewed today. Back in the '80s, it was all about getting kids excited to read--Reading Rainbow showed WHY we read i.e., it is fun, cool, exciting, etc. -- now education must focus on teaching kids HOW to read so RR has become a dinosaur.
:-(

Chandra wrote: "Haha, that New Yorker article is funny:

I still remember fondly the deep jealousy I felt watching all the (clearly inferior) kids my age (whose parents had obviously bribed their way on to telev..."

Oh, I was totally jealous, too!!! ;-p

I am not sure if there are episodes to watch/buy but if you find any, please let me know!!! I want to make sure I have them in my archives for when I have kids!!!

Haha, that New Yorker article is funny:

I still remember fondly the deep jealousy I felt watching all the (clearly inferior) kids my age (whose parents had obviously bribed their way on to television) over-emote their opinions on books I’d never read.

Ha! I was always jealous of those kids too!!!

Although, I didn't watch Reading Rainbow super frequently I still loved the show!! And of course I love Levar Burton!!! I wonder if the old episodes are available on youtube or dvd or anything...

I just HAD to post an "in loving memory" thread about one of the shows I loved SO much as a kid, that nurtured my love of reading and writing, that took me to cool places both inside and outside the pages of books (seeing how books are made, going with LeVar to a Renaissance faire, that cool episode with the kids in cooking school!) Yes, "Reading Rainbow" is ending its 26 year run :-( Whaaaaahhh!!!!!

Okay, since I don't have kids and currently don't even have TV, I didn't *actually* know that there were actually new shows being made until I read that it WON'T be on any more. But, truly, I watched this show all during my childhood and even sneaked in some episodes in my teen and college years (TV version of comfort food!) I think it was marvelous and I think it is so very, very sad that it is no longer receiving the funding it needs, that apparently kids DON'T need "Reading Rainbow" anymore, at least according to PBS, etc.

Anyway, I just felt that I HAD to post this. I'm sure there are more than a few RR fans out there who want to take a moment to pause, remember, celebrate, whatever! "Butterfly in the skyyyy..."

Here are a few articles if you feel like being nostalgic a bit longer:

http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/bo...

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story...

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/arti...