on the Block, Inc.
Gearing Up
Establishing Your Kids on the Block Program In
the Community
Many groups in your area will be very receptive to arranging a performance of your Kids on the Block program after you make them aware of your availability. Sending out a brochure or letter is an excellent way to let the community know that you are available for performances. Have a representative attend public meetings and bring plenty of brochures to hand out while talking up your program. You can contact organizations such as public libraries, summer camps, youth organizations, places of worship and community centers. Many of these groups may be interested in your program. Be sure to start advertising your program as soon as you begin rehearsing with the puppeteers. Be sure to notify the press when you have special appearances on the calendar. Check out Coordinator's Role for more tips.
Kids on the Block Logos
You may download and use THE KIDS ON THE BLOCK logo in/on promotional materials such as brochures, letterhead, websites, etc. THE KIDS ON THE BLOCK logo is the only puppet drawing you may use, you may not create your own. These logos may be available in other formats. Contact us with your requirements. Credit must be given to THE KIDS ON THE BLOCK, INC. Program titles and performances must make specific reference to THE KIDS ON THE BLOCK, (e.g., XYZ Puppet Players Present The Kids on the Block).
Getting Ready
Find out what procedures must be followed in order to perform in schools. You can do this by calling the cultural arts chairperson, the Parent Teacher Association or the board of education. Explain that there is no fee for your performance. (Or, if you request a fee to cover your expenses, indicate that thanks to the generous support of your funders, the performances are very low cost).
Ask if there is a "Performance Showcase" available. If so, find out how you can participate. This can be a great way to generate interest in your program. Compile contact information and addresses for the schools you plan to serve. After you send your letter or brochure, be sure to follow through. Although they may be interested in booking a performance, they may need that extra follow-up call to remind them about your services.
The Kids on the Block in the Classroom
Download
printable PDFMany groups in your area will be very receptive to arranging a performance of your Kids on the Block program after you make them aware of your availability. Sending out a brochure or letter is an excellent way to let the community know that you are available for performances. Have a representative attend public meetings and bring plenty of brochures to hand out while talking up your program. You can contact organizations such as public libraries, summer camps, youth organizations, places of worship and community centers. Many of these groups may be interested in your program. Be sure to start advertising your program as soon as you begin rehearsing with the puppeteers. Be sure to notify the press when you have special appearances on the calendar. Check out Coordinator's Role for more tips.
Kids on the Block Logos
You may download and use THE KIDS ON THE BLOCK logo in/on promotional materials such as brochures, letterhead, websites, etc. THE KIDS ON THE BLOCK logo is the only puppet drawing you may use, you may not create your own. These logos may be available in other formats. Contact us with your requirements. Credit must be given to THE KIDS ON THE BLOCK, INC. Program titles and performances must make specific reference to THE KIDS ON THE BLOCK, (e.g., XYZ Puppet Players Present The Kids on the Block).
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| Color Logo JPG (139 KB) Color Logo TIF (93 KB) |
B & W Logo JPG (97 KB) B & W Logo TIF (46 KB) |
Getting Ready
Find out what procedures must be followed in order to perform in schools. You can do this by calling the cultural arts chairperson, the Parent Teacher Association or the board of education. Explain that there is no fee for your performance. (Or, if you request a fee to cover your expenses, indicate that thanks to the generous support of your funders, the performances are very low cost).
Ask if there is a "Performance Showcase" available. If so, find out how you can participate. This can be a great way to generate interest in your program. Compile contact information and addresses for the schools you plan to serve. After you send your letter or brochure, be sure to follow through. Although they may be interested in booking a performance, they may need that extra follow-up call to remind them about your services.
The Kids on the Block in the Classroom
(28 KB)
The Kids on the Block, Inc. has
always focused on puppet shows
as being education presented in an entertaining way. Sometimes it’s
necessary to remind teachers and school officials how puppetry fits
into educational standards in the classroom. The following
chart
demonstrates which National Learning Standards a general Kids on the
Block presentation can address. Use this as a guide to develop
your own model. Examine your local standards, keeping in mind
that certain programs
may address
additional learning standards
in the fields of health and/or science.
| KOB Presentation Component |
Language Arts Standard |
Performing/Visual Arts - Theatre |
| The Kids on the Block
performance which includes an introduction, scripted
presentation(s), audience interaction and closing. |
COMMUNICATION: LISTENING Students will be able to demonstrate the following abilities: follow multistep oral directions, listen for meaning in conversations and discussions, focus attention on a person who is speaking, listen politely without interrupting and listen for main ideas. COMMUNICATION: VIEWING Students will be able to demonstrate the following abilities: recognize details, setting, characters and cause and effect in material from non-print sources, summarize information he/she receives from non-print sources and make connections between non-print sources and his/her prior knowledge. RESEARCH Students will be able to demonstrate the ability to construct questions about a topic. |
VALUING AND RESPONDING Students will be able to demonstrate audience etiquette during theatre performances, describe emotions evoked by a theatre performance and explain their personal preferences and suggestions for improvement in response to all or part of a theatre performance. |
| Classroom Follow-up
which includes discussion questions, classroom activities and dramatic
role-play scenarios. |
COMMUNICATION: SPEAKING Students will be able to demonstrate the following abilities: face an audience, make eye contact and use appropriate voice level, initiate a conversation, respond in complete sentences, participate in and contribute to conversations and discussions by responding appropriately, begin giving brief presentations, demonstrations and oral reports, participate in creative dramatics, use oral language to inform, entertain and to compare and contrast different viewpoints, use Standard American English in formal speaking situations and in the classroom, summarize conversations and discussions and begin making appropriate statements to communicate agreement or disagreement with others’ ideas. |
STORY MAKING/SCRIPT WRITING Students will be able to identify individual elements (who, what and where) of dramatizations, create scenes and scenarios (with a beginning, middle and end) by improvising and participating in dramatic role-play theatre games. ACTING Students will be able to describe and compare ways that people react to other people and to internal and external environments, assume roles in a variety of dramatizations and perform in group (ensemble) dramatizations. |
based on a tip from KOB
Coordinator, Roberta Phillips
Putting
On a Show
The Kids on the Block programs are designed to be flexible. Each topic contains between three and five scripts so you can vary the length of your presentation to suit the needs of the organizations for whom you present. Consider matching complementary scripts from different programs to showcase a number of issues or explore an issue from multiple viewpoints. A few examples appear here. Contact KOBHQ at 1-800-368-KIDS (5437) if you'd like to discuss your show line-up.
| Younger Audiences (K - 2nd) |
Older Audiences (3rd - 5th) |
| Secret Code from
The Kids on the Block Program on
Visual Impairment Sticks and Stones from The Kids on the Block Program on Learning Disabilities New Friends from The Kids on the Block Program on Cerebral Palsy |
Shhh!!! from The Kids on the
Block Program on Children's Mental Health (ADHD) An Almost Unhappy Birthday from The Kids on the Block Program on Asthma New Cheers from The Kids on the Block Program on Spina Bifida |
| MAKING RESPONSIBLE CHOICES/BULLY PREVENTION |
| Younger Audiences (K - 2nd) |
Older Audiences (3rd - 5th) |
| Rescue or
Report from The Kids on the Block Program on
Bullies & School Safety Sticks and Stones from The Kids on the Block Program on Learning Disabilities Robin Hood from The Kids on the Block Program on Emotional Disorder Intersperse Making New Friends from Life Lessons: The Kids on the Block Transition Collection |
Big Plans from
The Kids on the Block Program on
Vandalism Prevention You're Not the Boss of Me from The Kids on the Block Program on Bullies & School Safety Food for Thought from The Kids on the Block Program on Alternatives to Gangs, Violence & Prejudice Intersperse Making New Friends from Life Lessons: The Kids on the Block Transition Collection |
CHARACTER
EDUCATION
Over the past few years we've
received increasing school requests for performances on "Character Education."
Although we believe Kids on the Block programs are, by nature,
character building presentations, we have examined our existing
materials to offer a school presentation which specifically addresses a
number of the six pillars of Character Education. E-mail us for more information on what KOB, Inc.
will offer in school presentations for the 2006/07 school year.
Keeping Current
Many of the major changes in the field of special education and intervention for children with special needs occurred in the late 1980's and early 1990's so many of the original Kids on the Block programs went through updates or major revisions during this time period. As presenters of the same materials we provide to our numerous affiliates, our puppeteers are always on the lookout for advancements or other issues which may affect our published curricula. Currently, our staff logs any consistent or significant issues we or our affiliate troupes may have with a program. KOB curriculums are updated in one of five manners:
Scheduled Reprint: May contain edits, corrections, minor line changes, additional questions.
Letter or Insert: New information and/or additional questions included in a free handout.
Update: All existing script material, bios, follow-up, etc. rewritten, additional questions included.
Revision: Existing scripts and materials rewritten PLUS new scripts & questions added.
Program Replacement: Existing program replaced with all new scripts and materials.
All teacher's curriculum guides are examined prior to reprinting. New printings may contain corrections or changes from previous publications.
Return
to TopMany of the major changes in the field of special education and intervention for children with special needs occurred in the late 1980's and early 1990's so many of the original Kids on the Block programs went through updates or major revisions during this time period. As presenters of the same materials we provide to our numerous affiliates, our puppeteers are always on the lookout for advancements or other issues which may affect our published curricula. Currently, our staff logs any consistent or significant issues we or our affiliate troupes may have with a program. KOB curriculums are updated in one of five manners:
Scheduled Reprint: May contain edits, corrections, minor line changes, additional questions.
Letter or Insert: New information and/or additional questions included in a free handout.
Update: All existing script material, bios, follow-up, etc. rewritten, additional questions included.
Revision: Existing scripts and materials rewritten PLUS new scripts & questions added.
Program Replacement: Existing program replaced with all new scripts and materials.
All teacher's curriculum guides are examined prior to reprinting. New printings may contain corrections or changes from previous publications.
| A B & C D & E F |
G - M |
N
& O P - S T - Z |
| Program Topic |
Degree & Year of Update |
Most Recent Re-printing |
| AIDS |
Revised
with script added, 1994 |
|
| Asthma |
Revised
with new scripts, 2002 |
2006 |
| Alcohol, Tobacco &
Other Drugs |
Replaced
Substance Abuse, 1995 New Character & Script Added, 2002 |
|
| Arthritis |
Revised
with 1 script replaced, 1998 |
2004 |
| Autism |
Updated,
1996 |
2006 |
| Automobile
& Bike Safety |
See Vehicle Safety |
|
| Blindness |
See Visual Impairment |
|
| Cerebral Palsy |
Updated,
1995 |
2004 |
| Childhood Cancer |
Replaced
Leukemia, 2000 |
|
| Cultural
Differences |
See Multiculturalism |
|
| Deafness |
Revised
with 1 new script and training video, 1997 |
2005 |
| Diabetes |
Updated,
1997 |
|
| Divorce |
Updated,
1997 |
|
| Down Syndrome |
Revised
with 1 new script, 2005 |
2005 |
| Emotional Disturbance |
Updated,
2006 |
|
| Epilepsy |
Revised
with 3 new scripts, 2001 |
2005 |
| Fire Safety | Revised with new scripts, 2006 |
|
| Gangs,
Violence & Prejudice |
Updated,
1997 |
2004 |
| Healthy Snacking |
Revised
with new scripts, 2006 |
|
| Learning Disabilities |
Revised
with 1 new script, 2005 |
2006 |
| Leukemia |
See Childhood Cancer |
|
| Mental
Retardation |
See Down Syndrome |
|
| Multiculturalism |
Updated,
2005 Replaced Cultural Differences, 1997 |
2005 |
| Physical
Abuse |
Revised
with 2 new scripts, 1996 |
2006 |
| Pool
& Water Safety |
See Sun, Heat & Water Safety |
|
| Sexual Abuse |
Revised
with 1 new script, 2005 |
2005 |
| Sexuality &
Teenage Pregnancy |
Replaced
Teen Pregnancy, 2001 |
2003 |
| Sibling of a Child w/ a
Disability |
Revised
with 1 new script, 1998 |
2002 |
| Spina Bifida |
Revised
with 3 new scripts, 1999 |
2004 |
| Sun,
Heat & Water Safety |
Replaced
Pool & Water Safety, 2004 |
2006 |
| Teen Pregnancy |
See Sexuality and Teenage Pregnancy |
|
| Vehicle &
Pedestrian Safety |
Replaced
Automobile & Bike Safety, 2004 |
2006 |
| Visual Impairment |
Renaldo's
medical equipment updated, 2006 Revised with 1 new script, 1996 |
2006 |
The Kids on the Block puppets have
been educating school-aged children about disabilities and social
concerns since 1977. Over the years we’ve recieved numerous
requests for pre-school presentations. To address the need for
materials for younger audiences, KOB, Inc. introduced The Kids on the Block
Early Learning Series in 1997, to bring some important lessons to
younger, pre-school audiences. Three of our most popular
characters, Mark Riley, Ellen Jane Peterson and Melody James appear in
The Kids on the Block Early Learning Series which is set at “Riley Home
Daycare,” run by Miss Bonnie (Mark’s mom). In addition to Mark,
Ellen Jane and Mel, audiences meet some of the younger children in Miss
Bonnie’s care–Suzette (Mark’s sister), Todd (Melody’s brother), Miguel
(Renaldo’s cousin) and Mai (Nam’s sister). The four
youngsters–along with the audience–learn some important life lessons on
aggression, compassion and perseverance. Be sure to check out the
Windows
Media Video online trailer (5,200 KB).
Many affiliate troupes offer copies of the Early Learning Series for loan in their communities. Now you can incorporate an element of live puppetry into your presentations of The Kids on the Block Early Learning Series. Troupes wishing to offer an appropriate Kids on the Block presentation to pre-school audiences may use a KOB character to provide a live introduction to the Early Learning Series and conduct the post-video follow-up. Information on using your puppets with the Early Learning Series can be downloaded here.
Many affiliate troupes offer copies of the Early Learning Series for loan in their communities. Now you can incorporate an element of live puppetry into your presentations of The Kids on the Block Early Learning Series. Troupes wishing to offer an appropriate Kids on the Block presentation to pre-school audiences may use a KOB character to provide a live introduction to the Early Learning Series and conduct the post-video follow-up. Information on using your puppets with the Early Learning Series can be downloaded here.
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