Find BooksActivitiesGames
Reading Rainbow
Parents & Teachers
About Reading RainbowAbout LeVarContestPrintable Song Lyrics

Martha Speaks

Language: English | Español

Problems arise when Martha, the family dog, learns to speak after eating alphabet soup. Luke, LeVar’s favorite pooch, steps to the forefront and takes over the show. As a result, viewers get a dog’s eye view of life, and they see clips of old time dog heroes and dogs doing tricks. Then they meet an animal trainer who demonstrates how he trains dogs for TV and movie performances.

  

Here are activities to do after watching this episode:

Dog Bone Faces

You will need:

  • dog-bone biscuits
  • glue
  • wiggle eyes
  • small red pom-poms
  • red and black felt scraps
  • red yarn

Directions:

  1. Using the dog-bone biscuit for the basic face of the dog, use glue to add black felt ears and a red felt tongue.
  2. Next, add wiggle eyes and a pom-pom nose.
  3. To hang in a window, attach a piece of yarn.

Pet Journal

Buy a blank journal or make you own by compiling several blank sheets of paper into a booklet with a construction-paper cover. Title the journal with you pet’s name, such as “A Day in the Life of Browser.” Date each journal entry you write and include details, telling what interesting or clever things your pet did that day.

  

Forever Pet Pawprints

You will need:

  • modeling compound
  • paints, permanent marker
  • your pet

Directions:

  1. Press the paw of your pet in some modeling compound. (Available in the crafts section of many stores.)
  2. Allow the imprint to dry.
  3. Paint the print if you desire, and use a marker to write your pet’s name below the print.

Use your pet’s paw as a paperweight or desk decoration.

Bow-Wow Frames

You will need:

  • dog-bone biscuits
  • heavy cardboard
  • glue
  • clear acrylic spray
  1. Cut a frame from heavy cardboard.
  2. Glue dog-gone biscuits all around the frame.
  3. When the glue has dried, take the frame outdoors and spray clear acrylic over the dog-bone biscuits to preserve them. (You could also brush a clear shellac on them.)
  4. Once the coating has dried, attach a cardboard stand to the back of the frame. Insert a favorite photo of a pet and display!

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

  • My Puppy Is Born by Joanna Cole
  • Earth Hounds, As Explained by Professor Xargle by Jeanne Willis
  • The Night I Followed The Dog by Nina Laden
  • Boomer’s Big Day by Contance W. McGeorge
  • The Trouble with Mister by Debra Keller
  • Just Dog by Hiawyn Oram

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.

Books | Games | LeVar | Contest | TV Times | Parents & Teachers
http://www.pbskids.org/readingrainbow
© 2007 Educate Media-Reading Rainbow, LLC. All rights reserved. | PBS KIDS Privacy Policy