 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Electric Company
Common Sense Media says
Cool word games add extra challenge to friendly edu-site.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this companion site to the television show is a stimulating place for grade-schoolers to learn reading skills such as letter sounds, spelling, and grammar. Guided by the friendly faces from the TV show, the site offers educational games, vignettes from the show and behind-the-scenes glimpses into the people behind the characters. Kids will need basic reading skills to enjoy the site.
What kids can learn
Kids can learn basic reading skills by putting together compound words, adding prefixes and suffixes, and sorting words by the sounds they make. On this companion site to the PBS television series, kids can play a variety of games that playfully teach kids how words are formed and changed. Games about reading and spelling basics are encouraging, but kids may want more challenging levels.
Subjects
- Arts
- Hobbies
- Language & Readingletter or word recognition, reading comprehension, spelling
- Matharithmetic, counting, numbers
- Science
- Social Studies
Skills
- Collaboration
- Communication
- Creativity
- Emotional Development
- Health & Fitness
- Responsibility & Ethics
- Self-Direction
- Tech Skills
- Thinking & Reasoningapplying information, problem solving, solving puzzles
What's it about?
Like the TV show, the website uses animation and real characters as guides. By completing various reading and spelling games, kids collect “volts” to mark their progress. Through game play and engaging graphics, kids put together compound words, add silent vowels, play with prefixes and suffixes, and explore sounds that letters make. Characters from the television show offer instruction and encouragement, and since kids choose which character they're collecting volts for, there's an added competitive element.
Is it any good?
Parents may fondly recall The Electric Company television show from their youth. The updated version is just as upbeat, educational, and kid-friendly as the 1970’s version, but is far more visually appealing and engaging thanks to modern-day animation, CGI, and effects. Like the TV show, the Web site features colorfully cute animation, photo-and-illustration montages and four real characters who guide users through the various areas of the site. With the help of the on-screen actors and simple, easy-to-follow audio instructions, visitors can view a variety of sketches from the television show, get glimpses into what happens behind the scenes and play assorted word games that help build vocabulary and teach language skills. The site is upbeat, encouraging and full of fun characters and activities that will keep kids so interested they may not realize they’re learning at the same time. Even parents will get a charge out what this new Electric Company offers.
Online interaction: Although users create profiles and can view the profiles of other users, there's no personal information revealed in any of the profiles and there's no user interaction.
What families can talk about
How online games can help reinforce some of the language lessons kids learn in school and through educational television programming. How does this help you learn better?
Why it’s so much fun to have a competitive element to online games and learning, such as the point system on this site. How does collecting “volts” add to the experience of learning and playing games? How can you ensure you’re not spending too much time playing these games?
Why it’s important to maintain a healthy balance when it comes to online entertainment -- even when you’re spending time with positive media such as educational television programs and online learning games.
What kids can learn
Kids can learn basic reading skills by putting together compound words, adding prefixes and suffixes, and sorting words by the sounds they make. On this companion site to the PBS television series, kids can play a variety of games that playfully teach kids how words are formed and changed. Games about reading and spelling basics are encouraging, but kids may want more challenging levels.
Subjects
- Arts:
- Hobbies:
- Language & Reading: letter or word recognition, reading comprehension, spelling
- Math: arithmetic, counting, numbers
- Science:
- Social Studies:
Skills
- Collaboration:
- Communication:
- Creativity:
- Emotional Development:
- Health & Fitness:
- Responsibility & Ethics:
- Self-Direction:
- Tech Skills:
- Thinking & Reasoning: applying information, problem solving, solving puzzles
How kids will learn
Kids will likely be actively engaged by the site's word games and reading activities, with feedback and hints that help them move along. They're encouraged every step of the way, whether they're faltering or succeeding. Rewards also provide incentive for kids to continue. When they complete a game, they earn volts and receive verbal accolades from characters on The Electric Company.
How parents can help
- Reinforce learning during daily conversations by pointing out compound words, prefixes, and different word tenses.
- Create pen-and-paper versions of games to further challenge kids. For instance, write down words with hard and soft consonants and let kids sort by sound.
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
Kid, 10 years old
February 18, 2010
AGE
I love the electric company?
what is the electric company e-mail?
e-mail me kimnea@yahoo*
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AGE
BEST SHOW EVER
I love it:)
i watch it almost ever time its on:)
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Kid, 10 years old
December 24, 2010
AGE
i love it it is so fun for my kid to watch it it is the only show he wants to watch he thinks its the best show
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| Genre: | Fan Sites |
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