The Electric Company
By Emily Ashby,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Excellent update of '70s classic makes English lessons fun.
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The Electric Company
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Based on 24 parent reviews
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What's the Story?
THE ELECTRIC COMPANY teaches grade-schoolers important language skills like letter sounds, reading, grammar, and sentence structure. This updated take on the same-named 1970s classic centers on four friends united in their passion for language and the power of words. Blessed with superhuman abilities to conjure and manipulate words and phrases (thanks to the show's top-notch CGI), the friends -- a.k.a. The Electric Company -- use their powers to squash the troublemaking endeavors of their neighborhood nemeses, The Pranksters. As in the original version of the show, a sketch comedy format combines animated shorts, song-and-dance numbers, and instructional lessons that are all focused on a common educational theme.
Is It Any Good?
If you have fond memories of the original series from your own childhood, this great remake offers an opportunity to sit down with your kids and share some common ground. Since the show revives a few of the '70s series' classic sketches (remember those word-building silhouettes?), it's a fun way to revisit a part of your past while you connect with your kids and help reinforce their learning in a unique way.
English class has never been as fun as it is with The Electric Company at the helm. With lessons woven into humorous, kid-friendly storylines, upbeat music inspired by a variety of genres, and graphics that bring words and their letter components to life onscreen, the show gives kids multi-dimensional instruction that builds on traditional education. Brisk transitions between segments and a varied cast of characters and animated clips maintain kids' interest and entertain so well that they might not even realize the show's true intentions.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the media and shows like The Electric Company can be used to educate. Kids: Did you learn anything from watching this show? Did it reinforce what you've learned in school or teach you something entirely new?
Which of the show's methods most helped you understand what was being taught? Do you think shows like this are reliable ways to learn things? Why or why not?
How have digital media like email and text messaging changed the way we communicate? Is their influence making language and grammar skills less important? Is that OK?
How does The Electric Company promote curiosity? Why is this an important character strength?
TV Details
- Premiere date: January 23, 2009
- Cast: Josh Segarra, Priscilla Diaz, Ricky Smith
- Network: PBS
- Genre: Educational
- Topics: Friendship, Great Boy Role Models, Great Girl Role Models, Numbers and Letters
- Character Strengths: Curiosity
- TV rating: TV-Y
- Last updated: September 14, 2022
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