Category: Div 9

Below is the text for ‘Jim Henson’. You can click on the orange translate button to read this biography in your home language before reading it in English. This should support your understanding of the reading text.

A Happy Childhood

Jim Henson was born in 1936 in Mississippi. He loved comedy and trying out all kinds of art. Jim spent lots of time with his grandmother. She was an artist and taught Jim how to paint, draw, and sew.

The Spark of Creation

In fifth grade, Jim’s family moved to Maryland. He loved art and TV. He created sets of school plays and drew a cartoon for his high school yearbook. In high school, he also began creating puppets for a TV show.

Success as a Young Adult

Jim soon got his own TV show, Sam and Friends. The show was only 5 minutes long. It featured an early Kermit the Frog! Jim worked on the show with Jane Nebel, who he later married. Together, they founded the Jim Henson Company.

Sesame Street

Hearing how creative Jim was, a group called the Children’s Television Workshop asked him to create a new children’s show. The show, Sesame Street, began in 1969. It was so loved, it ran in more than 80 countries and in 14 languages.

Muppets

In 1976, The Muppet Show began. “Muppet” was a word Jim came up with that brought together the words “puppet” and “marionette.” The show became one of the most successful TV shows of all time. It showed in over 100 countries!

Creating and Teaching

Jim used puppets in movies and TV shows to spread important messages. Fraggle Rock began in 1983. It taught children about diversity and peace. Before it showed in another country, it was sometimes reworked to make sense for that culture!

Puppets and Feelings

Some puppets are made out of wood. But when making Kermit, Jim had the idea to use cloth instead. Cloth made it easier to move the Puppets’ faces. This way, the puppets could make faces that showed human-like feelings.

A Different Kind of Boss

Jim saw failing as a way to learn how to do better. He was a calm, fun leader. He loved laughing and making good work. Jim was a great listener and loved to hear other people’s ideas and thoughts.

Remembering Jim

Jim died in 1990. He lives on through the magical worlds and more than 2000 puppets he created. His creations and ideas changed TV and movie making forever. But his life’s work isn’t just about puppets. Jim Henson is a proof that kindness and respect can bring success!

You can use the translate button to read the story in your home language. Then read it on EPIC.

Helen Keller

I was born in Alabama. It was 1880.

I got sick as a baby. I could not see. I could not hear.

Imagine you could not see or hear. What would that feel like?

I struggled to communicate. I was angry.

I did not behave well. My family was upset.

I needed help. I visited doctors. They worked with the deaf and the blind.

They said I should work with a teacher. They suggested Anne Sullivan.

Anne came to live with my family. I was 6 years old.

Anne worked hard to teach me. It was not easy at first. But Anne found a way.

What would it be like to have your teacher live with you?

She helped me feel an object. Then she spelled the word in my hand.

The first word I learned was “water” It was a miracle!

I quickly made progress.

I learned to read Braille.

I learned to write.

I even learned to speak.

With Anne’s help, I went to school. I graduated from college.

I wrote books. I traveled. I gave speeches.

I was a leader for deaf and blind people.

I started groups to help them.

I shared my story.

I won many awards. I was honored until my death at age 88

I was a gifted woman. I was smart and courageous. I was a hero to my community.