May 24, 2021 -- Schools are closing for summer break, but Amarillo ISD is opening The Secret Classroom. The original, educational television program created by Amarillo ISD, returns online and on TV this summer with all-new episodes and experiences for early learners. Season 2 of the award-winning show premieres May 26 on KFDA-NewsChannel 10 Too and online at www.newschannel10.com or www.amaisd.org/sc.
The Secret Classroom debuted in May 2020 as an effort to connect kids to the classroom when school buildings closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The six initial episodes featured real lessons delivered by AISD educators. The program went on to win a Lone Star Emmy Award and a Communicator Award of Distinction.
Season 2 of The Secret Classroom promises a full summer of adventure for kids in pre-K to first grade, with a bigger cast of Amarillo ISD teachers and students and segments recorded in a studio and on-location. A total of 12 new summer episodes will air every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m., with encore showings on Saturday mornings at 10:30 a.m.
Season 2 takes a new focus, with learning adventures designed to teach the essential academic skills identified by the state for the pre-k to first grade age group. “We’ve worked with our kindergarten and pre-K teaching teams and curriculum specialists to create imaginative and engaging segments that teach state educational standards, but also help prepare young learners for school and life,” said Holly Shelton, Communications Director. “Building on the theme that the world around us is a classroom, we set out to make sure these learning adventures can be experienced by any child.”
The Secret Classroom theme was developed with the idea that children can dream up their own secret classroom and be inspired to learn about the world around them anytime they want, with a little bit of The Secret Classroom magic and some imagination.
“A science lesson on how heat changes things in the kitchen and turns pancake batter into pancakes is paired with age-appropriate rules for being safe in the kitchen and a trip to a local bakery. Viewers can follow that lesson up by completing a learning challenge from the show to earn some fun rewards, like a cupcake from that same bakery,” explained Early Childhood Education Coordinator Brittany Hinz.
“The episode about camping, for example, shows kids how they can explore the great outdoors from their own backyard or anywhere else. The emphasis isn’t necessarily on having a tent,” Hinz said. “It’s on investigating what kinds of natural objects or wildlife might be found in your yard, neighborhood or even at a campsite. The Secret Classroom is a way to open a child’s eyes to what can be learned from whatever is around them.”
This season, Amarillo ISD students will have opportunities to be part of The Secret Classroom at home and earn rewards to help them go out and explore even more in the Amarillo community. Selected episodes will instruct students and their parents to submit a photo of themselves completing designated learning adventures from The Secret Classroom. Those who successfully complete these challenges will earn free tickets and other rewards.
How to Watch AISD’s Secret Classroom?
- Tune in to KFDA NewsChannel 10 Too, channel 10.2 with an antenna or Suddenlink cable channel 6, at 10:30 a.m on Wednesdays all summer long. Episodes will be repeated at 10:30 a.m. on Saturdays on NewsChannel 10 Too.
- NewsChannel 10 will stream the show at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesdays at https://www.newschannel10.com/live/ and on the NewsChannel 10 app on ROKU, FireTV and Apple TV. Viewers can download the NewsChannel 10 app for those devices by searching for KFDA-NewsChannel 10.
- Visit our Secret Classroom web page at https://www.amaisd.org/SC to view Secret Classroom episodes and learning adventure reward opportunities for your kiddo.
Additional settings for Safari Browser.
