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The Bionic Bunny Show

Language: English

Wilbur is an ordinary rabbit, but when he goes to work each morning he becomes TV’s superhero. Viewers see how television shows are made from behind the scenes with LeVar explaining about editing and other post production activities.

Here are activities to do after watching this episode:

Crazy Bionic Races

Your children don’t have to be superheroes to have fun racing outdoors. Suggest that they try a variety of ways to race, the crazier the better! Here are some ideas:

  • Race by moving like an animal: hopping like a rabbit, leaping like a frog, swaying like an elephant.
  • Race with a book on top of your head or a ball between your knees.
  • Race in clothing that is too big.
  • Race by running backwards or sideways.
  • Race while carrying a small object in a spoon.


Now you think of fun ways to race and be off to the races!

Behind the Camera

If your family has a camcorder, use it to teach your children about various shots used by a television camera crew.

  • Zoom in: get a close-up view of a person or object.

  • Headshot: zoom it close to get just the head of a person.

  • Zoom out: to get a wide view of a person or scene.

  • Top-to-bottom shot: zoom out to show a large area from top-to-bottom and side-to-side.

If it’s possible to visit a local television station, then take advantage of the opportunity and let your children experience it firsthand. Or, watch a television show together and identify the different shots the camera is taking.

  

Salt Clay Baked Bunny

You will need:

  • 2 cups flour
  • ½ cup salt
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • ½-3/4 cup of water
  • food coloring or paints and brushes
  • bowl
  • cookie sheet

Directions:

  1. Mix together the flour, salt, and oil in the bowl.
  2. . Add ½ cup of water and knead. Add more water as necessary to make the dough smooth and easy to work with.
  3. Knead in the food coloring . You may want to wear plastic gloves. (Option: do not use food coloring. Instead paint the objects after they have been bakes.)
  4. Form the dough into the desired shape , such as a bunny!

Then to bake, place the bunny on a cookie sheet and bake at 350 F. lightly brown and firm to a gentle touch.

Check out some of these books on your
next trip to the library:

  • Lights! Camera! Action! by Gail Gibbons
  • The Philharmonic Gets Dressed by Karla Kuskin
  • Ramona: Behind The Scenes Of A Television Show by Elaine Scott

READING RAINBOW has a resource library that includes teacher guide materials as well as reading programs for use in the public libraries. You can download these resources from GPN at:
www.gpnresources.com

If you would like more information about READING RAINBOW or if you would like to learn more about other educational products please visit the GPN web site.

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