Do you remember the gorilla suits? Morgan Freeman and Rita Moreno? The “Last Word” lightbulb? If you were a beginning reader in the ’70s and ’80s, chances are you do. And now PBS and Sesame Workshop have good news for you (and your kids): a full season of The Electric Company is coming back to the air in 2009.

Reformatted for the hip-hop age

Like the original series, which starred Morgan Freeman, Bill Cosby and Rita Moreno and used comedy sketches, superhero skits, and more to engage kids (watch video clips here), the new version of “Electric Company” aims to inspire literacy among children with a half-hour program in tune with the age of hip-hop. Producers promise a more dance-oriented 30 minutes.

Linda Simensky, senior director of programming for PBS Kids, told the New York Times, “It’s the old one mixed with ‘High School Musical.’”

Fourth grade reading wall

The biggest challenge for the show’s producers, aside from heavy kid-oriented programming competing for viewers on other networks, is addressing the fourth grade wall, when school curriculum shifts from learning how to read to reading in order to learn.

In keeping with the original spirit of the show, producers plan to target an economically-disadvantaged audience. They recently screened a demonstration of the show for first through fourth graders at P.S. 188 on Houston Street in preparation for the full 26-episode season next year.

Reading resources

Prepare your children for success in school with Thirteen’s “Ready to Learn,” where you can read award-winning stories written by kids from the kindergarten through third grade level.

Children learn best when they are stimulated and engaged. “View-Read-Do” represents the three sides of the Ready To Learn Learning Triangle. Find out more about this teaching tool, which addresses various learning styles and engages different senses through video, text and related activities.

For more about PBS children’s programming, visit PBSKids online.