Illinois Public Media, the parent of WILL-TV, is presenting a new daytime lineup of educational programming tailored to students in pre-K through fifth grade.
Families can view PBS KIDS programs geared toward 3- to 7-year-olds from 6 a.m.-noon; 4- to 8-year-olds from noon-3 p.m.; and 6- to 12-year-olds from 3-5 p.m. WILL is digital channel 12.1.
The effort is in response to the statewide closure of schools due to the COVID-19 virus. Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday extended the closure period through April 30. Many schools are expanding efforts to create educational opportunities at home while the country deals with the social distancing that’s imperative for slowing the virus’ spread.
The programming change, which became effective March 30, will preempt normal broadcast schedules. Updates schedules are available on the WILL website.
Illinois Public Media also plans to launch a block of educational programs specifically geared toward students in sixth through 12th grades on WILL-TV Create/World (digital channel 12.3). That schedule will be finalized in coming weeks.
Families can find online resources, including free games and apps, on-demand videos, printable PDFs and other articles for parents supporting at-home learning here. All programs have associated learning materials available for download on PBS Learning Media — an online library of thousands of curated free, standards-aligned videos, interactives and lesson plans specifically designed for teachers and students.
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