Arthur on Racism: Talk, Listen, and Act [web resource]

Help introduce young learners to discussions around race and racism with classroom resources and support materials from Arthur. Find video clips, classroom book lists, and downloadable handouts with tips on how to make your classroom a safe space on PBS Learning Media for California educators.

The PBS KIDS series Arthur is not only the longest-running animated children’s series, it reaches millions of families daily, including children from ages 4 to 8 (younger and older children are also fans). Over the years, the series has portrayed a wide variety of issues and topics, from making friends to understanding differences to dealing with illness or natural disasters. Told with humor and insight, the stories explore and explain the same values that a good citizen possesses. When children watch the show, they are not only entertained, but they also learn important lessons about respecting and understanding others, problem solving, and being a good friend.

Teachers can use the Arthur series—especially those stories specifically geared to civics topics—to lay the foundation for teaching young learners to become active citizens of the world. Applying the concepts introduced in the show—and enacted by the characters— helps children learn how to create community rules, understand their role in their shared community, and recognize why everyone can and should contribute to solve challenges. This sense of responsibility and inclusion, as well as the experience of working together, also helps solidify a sense of belonging. As children watch the show, they relate to the characters and their everyday dilemmas and experiences. This gives children an opportunity to talk about their own problems, issues, and strategies in a supportive environment and to feel appreciated and understood.

More teaching and learning resources featuring Arthur may be found in the Arthur: All About the Community collection of the PBS Learning Media for California Educators site.

CHC offers free community education sessions for educators. Join us to learn practical teaching strategies you can use in your classroom to help more kids reach their promise and potential. Educator sessions are led by experienced educator/clinician teams from Sand Hill School and CHC.