Learn about
Take the Stage
A series of interactive videos that teach academics through the arts for grades K-5.
Available on PBS LearningMedia.
Addressing the need for quality educational media
that's actually free-to-use.
Research shows elementary school students have a higher rate of retention when they learn academic curriculum through the arts whether it is through music, dance, theatre, creative writing, or visual art.
​
However, many schools around the country are not equipped with the resources to integrate the arts into the curriculum or have adequate funding to bring in outside teaching artists.
​
Take the Stage meets this need by providing 100% free arts-integration resources to elementary classrooms.
​
There is no catch. All materials are funded by foundations and individuals who believe in democratizing education.
Formative research studies document how the Take the Stage media increases comprehension
Take the Stage was piloted in five elementary schools and twenty-five classrooms in Houston by Allison Caplovitz, Ph.D. (formally of Blues Clues) with a team of academic researchers from the University of Houston. The study results showed academic improvement in all English and Spanish classrooms for grades K-5.
​
One notable outcome shows elementary students scored 5%-18% higher on a comprehension test when they used a Take the Stage activity in the classroom. Scoring was calculated by both a student pre-test and post-test designed by Dr. Caplovitz.
Why use Take the Stage in the classroom?
​
-
Aligns with the elementary core curriculum.
-
Customizable for the teacher and fun for the students.
-
100% free-to-use through PBS LearningMedia.
-
Filmed in both English and Spanish to accommodate the substantial Spanish-speaking population in the United States and around the world.
-
For grades K-5 and covers math, science, social studies, and language arts.
-
Incorporates acting, dancing, visual art, singing and creative writing.
-
Features peer-to-peer learning.
-
Comes with supplemental teacher guides and students worksheets.