Sesame Street (2 Parts)

Big Bird. Bert and Ernie. Elmo. Kermit the Frog. These puppets with their distinctive personalities are part of American culture, as is their home, Sesame Street. For over thirty years, Sesame Street has taught American preschoolers, as well as preschoolers across the globe, their numbers and letters. But Sesame Street is much more than a children's educational show. It is part of our national collective memory and past, and is as appealing to adults as it is to children. What started as a novel and radical new concept in children's television has grown to be the model for quality educational and entertaining television. This episode of BIOGRAPHY examines the history of Sesame Street and its impact on American children. Sesame Street would be useful for classes on America History, American Culture, Media Studies and Education. It is appropriate for middle school, high school and college.

Objectives

Students will learn the history and evolution of Sesame Street and its impact on American children as well as American media. They will analyze the ways in which the show combines current pedagogical philosophies and methodologies with entertainment to provide a rich educational experience for children.

• Debris
• Debut
• Deficit
• Empathy
• Exaggerate
• Obliterate
• Poignant
• Poverty
• Quintessential
• Resonant
• Simplicity
• Surrogate
• Trailblazing
• Validate

1. Sesame Street has been around longer than you have. In fact, it is one of the longest running shows in television history. How long has Sesame Street been on the air? When did it make its debut?

2. Sesame Street is an American cultural icon. What is a cultural icon? How and why did Sesame Street attain that status?

3. Discuss the effects Sesame Street has had on children's education.

4. Sesame Street was born in the 1960s. How did this unique show reflect the cultural and social changes of that era?

5. Discuss the role of television in American society and culture in the second half of the 20th century.

6. How did Sesame Street come into existence?

7. Discuss the class differences of children's education. How did Sesame Street attempt to rectify some of the class and economic inequities of education?

8. The set of Sesame Street is recognizable to children all over the world. How does this famous setting reflect the mission of the program?

9. How did the producers of Sesame Street ensure that the show would be popular with its intended age group?

10. How and why do the puppets take center stage on Sesame Street?

11. Everyone recognizes Big Bird. How did Big Bird evolve into the famous character he is today?

12. Jim Henson created the Muppets. How did this pioneer become a puppeteer?

13. How do the producers test Sesame Street to make sure it is appropriate for the intended age group?

14. Although Sesame Street is a children's program, it is also popular with adults. How does the show 'speak" to both adults and children?

15. Everyone loves Elmo. Why is this character so appealing?

16. How did Sesame Street deal with the death of Mr. Hooper, one of the show's beloved characters?

17. Discuss some of the difficulties of operating a Muppet.

1. What are your memories of Sesame Street? Write an essay of your fondest memory and/or the influence of the show.

2. Imagine that the producers of Sesame Street have hired you as a writer. Write a sample script for an episode of Sesame Street.

3. Create an advertisement for Sesame Street.

Related Videos

Primary Sources

• Sesame Street— http://www.pbs.org/kids/sesame/

Air Dates

• December 14, 2004
• December 15, 2004