First Color Television Broadcast

INTRODUCTION
On March 27, 1955, the first coast-to-coast color television broadcast was transmitted. Take a minute to think about how we watch TV. Do you have a favorite snack you like to eat while you watch? What about your favorite TV shows? Does everyone’s family own a TV?

POEM
Jimmy Jet and His TV Set
by Shel Silverstein

I’ll tell you the story of Jimmy Jet-
And you know what I tell you is true.
He loved to watch his TV set
Almost as much as you.

He watched all day, he watched all night
Till he grew pale and lean,
From “The Early Show” to “The Late Late Show”
And all the shows between.

He watched till his eyes were frozen wide,
And his bottom grew into his chair.
And his chin turned into a tuning dial,
And antennae grew out of his hair.

And his brains turned into TV tubes,
And his face to a TV screen.
And two knobs saying “VERT.” and “HORIZ.”
Grew where his ears had been.

And he grew a plug that looked like a tail
So we plugged in little Jim.
And now instead of him watching TV
We all sit around and watch him.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Silverstein, S. (2004). WHERE THE SIDEWALK ENDS: THE POEMS AND DRAWINGS OF SHEL SILVERSTEIN. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 0060572345

EXTENSION
Bring a large cardboard box, and with the students’ help, turn it into a television complete with a large cut-out window simulating the screen. Let them take turns “being on TV” and reading their favorite part of this or another poem.

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