Live from the Opera House: It’s Storytime!
Season II Airs June 21st - August 9th
Traverse City Area Public Schools, the City Opera House, and the Michigan Learning Channel are pleased to present the second season of "Live from the Opera House: It’s Storytime!," The program will broadcast weekly from June 21st - August 9th, 2021, via the Michigan Learning Channel and will be available to view anytime here at tcaps247.com and michiganlearning.org.
In each episode, host Ben Whiting introduces viewers to a special guest who reads a book and then an activity leader who demonstrates a project related to the week's theme. Each activity uses items commonly found around the house or classroom and will focus on learning about science, technology, engineering and math (or STEM) and local culture. The show is geared toward 3rd and 4th grade students, but offers entertainment and educational content for viewers of all ages.
Click on the links below to view the program and to download the project activity sheet.
Season II Airs June 21st - August 9th
Traverse City Area Public Schools, the City Opera House, and the Michigan Learning Channel are pleased to present the second season of "Live from the Opera House: It’s Storytime!," The program will broadcast weekly from June 21st - August 9th, 2021, via the Michigan Learning Channel and will be available to view anytime here at tcaps247.com and michiganlearning.org.
In each episode, host Ben Whiting introduces viewers to a special guest who reads a book and then an activity leader who demonstrates a project related to the week's theme. Each activity uses items commonly found around the house or classroom and will focus on learning about science, technology, engineering and math (or STEM) and local culture. The show is geared toward 3rd and 4th grade students, but offers entertainment and educational content for viewers of all ages.
Click on the links below to view the program and to download the project activity sheet.
View Season II Episodes Below
August 9: Letters From MIR: An Astronaut's Letters to His Son
Guest Reader: Jerry Linenger, Former NASA Astronaut
Activity Sheet:
Space Origami: Make Your Own Starshade
Guest Reader: Jerry Linenger, Former NASA Astronaut
Activity Sheet:
Space Origami: Make Your Own Starshade
August 2: Around the World - Care on Two Wheels: Celebrating and Sharing Our Gifts with the World
Guest Reader: Ty Schmidt, Norte Executive Director
Activity Sheet:
The Poetry Challenge
Guest Reader: Ty Schmidt, Norte Executive Director
Activity Sheet:
The Poetry Challenge
July 26: Great Lakes - Always Ready: USCG Helicopter Pilots and Rescue Divers
Guest Reader: LTJG Brandon Skelly, U.S. Coast Guard Helicopter Pilot
Activity Sheet:
Build a Boat Challenge
Guest Reader: LTJG Brandon Skelly, U.S. Coast Guard Helicopter Pilot
Activity Sheet:
Build a Boat Challenge
July 19: Our Stories - Incredible History: Honoring Our Nation's Game-Changers
Guest Reader: Rochelle Riley, Author, City of Detroit Director of Arts & Culture
Activity Sheet:
The Rocket Challenge: Make a Straw Rocket
Guest Reader: Rochelle Riley, Author, City of Detroit Director of Arts & Culture
Activity Sheet:
The Rocket Challenge: Make a Straw Rocket
July 12: Engineering - Problem-Solving, Exploration, & Design: Meeting Today's Challenges
Guest Reader: Hans Van Sumeren, Director, Great Lakes Water Studies Institute (NMC), Reading the Book: Skydiving Beavers
Activity Sheet:
The Sneaker Challenge
Guest Reader: Hans Van Sumeren, Director, Great Lakes Water Studies Institute (NMC), Reading the Book: Skydiving Beavers
Activity Sheet:
The Sneaker Challenge
July 5: Sports & Games - Take Me Out to the Ball Game: The Art & Physics of Sport
Guest Reader: Doug Mirabelli, Former Catcher, Boston Red Sox, Reading the Book: The Spy Who Played Baseball
Activity Sheet:
Build A Lever Challenge
Guest Reader: Doug Mirabelli, Former Catcher, Boston Red Sox, Reading the Book: The Spy Who Played Baseball
Activity Sheet:
Build A Lever Challenge
June 28: Across America - The Land You Live On: Local Culture & Traditions
Guest Reader: Doris Winslow, Executive Assistant to the Tribal Chairman, Grand Traverse Band Reading the Book: Bowwow, Powwow
Activity Sheet:
Make A Bandolier Bag
Guest Reader: Doris Winslow, Executive Assistant to the Tribal Chairman, Grand Traverse Band Reading the Book: Bowwow, Powwow
Activity Sheet:
Make A Bandolier Bag
June 21: Animals - Exploring Raptors: Birds of Prey
Guest Reader: Kaitlyn Bohnet, Executive Director North Sky Raptor Sanctuary Reading the Book: About Raptors
Activity Sheet:
The Drink Carrier Challenge
Guest Reader: Kaitlyn Bohnet, Executive Director North Sky Raptor Sanctuary Reading the Book: About Raptors
Activity Sheet:
The Drink Carrier Challenge
View Season I Episodes Below
October 28: The Houdini Box
Guest Reader: Ben Whiting, Professional Magician
Activity Needs Shared in Video
Magic Tricks
Guest Reader: Ben Whiting, Professional Magician
Activity Needs Shared in Video
Magic Tricks
October 21: Trombone Shorty
Guest Reader: Peter Deneen, Teacher/Band Director
Activity Sheet:
Craft Stick Harmonica
Guest Reader: Peter Deneen, Teacher/Band Director
Activity Sheet:
Craft Stick Harmonica
October 14: Balloons Over Broadway
Guest Reader: Phil Murphy, Theatre Manager
Activity Sheet:
Make Your Own Pully
Guest Reader: Phil Murphy, Theatre Manager
Activity Sheet:
Make Your Own Pully
October 7: Mission to Space
Guest Reader: Jerry Linenger, Former NASA Astronaut
Activity Sheet:
Learning Moon Phases
Guest Reader: Jerry Linenger, Former NASA Astronaut
Activity Sheet:
Learning Moon Phases
September 30: A Rock is Lively
Guest Reader: Nick Nissley, NMC President
Activity Sheet:
Fizzy Lava Rocks
Guest Reader: Nick Nissley, NMC President
Activity Sheet:
Fizzy Lava Rocks
September 23: Giraffes Can't Dance
Guest Reader: Tamara DePonio, Banker & Dancer
Activity Sheet:
Dancing Balloons
Guest Reader: Tamara DePonio, Banker & Dancer
Activity Sheet:
Dancing Balloons
September 16: Squash, Boom, Beet
Guest Reader: Amy Smart, Actress & Business Owner
Activity Sheet:
Germinate Seeds & Watch Them Sprout
Guest Reader: Amy Smart, Actress & Business Owner
Activity Sheet:
Germinate Seeds & Watch Them Sprout
September 9: Iggy Peck Architect
Guest Reader: Carter Oosterhouse, Home Improvement Personality
Activity Sheet:
Marshmallow Challenge
Guest Reader: Carter Oosterhouse, Home Improvement Personality
Activity Sheet:
Marshmallow Challenge
September 2: Aliens Are Coming
Guest Reader: Ron Jolly, Radio Show Host
Activity Sheet:
Thunderstorm and Bouncing Ball
Guest Reader: Ron Jolly, Radio Show Host
Activity Sheet:
Thunderstorm and Bouncing Ball
August 26: Twenty-One Elephants & Still Standing
Guest Reader: Casey Cowell, Business Advisor
Activity Sheet:
Build A Bridge
Guest Reader: Casey Cowell, Business Advisor
Activity Sheet:
Build A Bridge
August 19: Papa's Mechanical Fish
Guest Reader: Marty Lagina, CEO & Treasure Hunter
Activity Sheet:
Build a Water Bottle Submarine
Guest Reader: Marty Lagina, CEO & Treasure Hunter
Activity Sheet:
Build a Water Bottle Submarine
August 12: Hedy Lamarr's Double Life: Hollywood Legend & Brilliant Inventor
Guest Reader: Kimmee Wenkel, Actress, Science Enthusiast
Activity Sheet:
Tin Can Walkie Talkie & See Sound
Guest Reader: Kimmee Wenkel, Actress, Science Enthusiast
Activity Sheet:
Tin Can Walkie Talkie & See Sound
August 5: Ada's Violin
Guest Reader: Miriam Pico, Professional Musician
Activity Sheet:
Make Your Own Musical Instrument
Guest Reader: Miriam Pico, Professional Musician
Activity Sheet:
Make Your Own Musical Instrument
Special Episode: If I Built A Car
Guest Reader: McKeel Hagerty, Business Executive & Car Lover
Activity Sheet:
Recycle Racers
Guest Reader: McKeel Hagerty, Business Executive & Car Lover
Activity Sheet:
Recycle Racers
July 22: One Plastic Bag
Guest Reader: Dr. John VanWagoner, TCAPS Superintendent
Activity Sheet:
Plarn Bracelets and Plastic Bag Jellyfish
Guest Reader: Dr. John VanWagoner, TCAPS Superintendent
Activity Sheet:
Plarn Bracelets and Plastic Bag Jellyfish
Tech Support
Please email tech-info@tcaps.net if you are having issues with a TCAPS-issued device or system.
Note: Any device will allow access to the TCAPS 24/7 website, you will not need a TCAPS-issued computer to access enrichment materials.
Please email tech-info@tcaps.net if you are having issues with a TCAPS-issued device or system.
Note: Any device will allow access to the TCAPS 24/7 website, you will not need a TCAPS-issued computer to access enrichment materials.