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Education

PBS KIDS Special: The Day You Begin & Read-Aloud

On their first day of school, four imaginative kids feel like they don’t belong, until they learn that everyone has a unique story to share. “The Day You Begin” is a journey of self-acceptance, courage, and the magic that comes when we connect with others. Bursting with color, laughs, and compassion, this animated adaptation brings Jacqueline Woodson’s beloved book to life, reminding kids that every voice matters and every difference is a strength. Premieres August 7th on WXXI-TV and WXXI PBS KIDS 24/7 as well as the livestream for each channel. Find More Back To School Resources

WXXI-TV or Livestream
August 7th at 8am
August 12th at 1pm
August 16th at 7:30am
August 23rd at 10am

WXXI PBS KIDS 24/7 or Livestream
August 7th at 2:30pm
August 8th at 7pm
August 9th at 7pm
August 14th at 11:30am
August 18th at 1pm
August 27th at 7:30pm
August 30th at 6:30am

The animated special is based on a book by Jacqueline Woodson: The Day You Begin. Here is a read aloud by the author.

Webinar: How to involve NY State K-12 students in the NY250: Tapestry of New York Project

Who Should Attend: New York State Teachers, Public Librarians, School Librarians & Media Specialists, Out of School Practitioners and Staff, Museum Outreach and Education Staff, Arts Organizations, Teen and Youth Organization Staff, Home School Parents and others interested in the involving students in this digital quilt project through December, 2026 to mark the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S.

When: Tuesday, July 14, 2026 10am-11am ET (Register to attend and/or receive the recording)

Register for Webinar

Description:

Looking for a way to engage your K-12 students with America at 250 here in New York State? Uplift youth voice through project-based learning while contributing their work to a new digital platform! Find out about the Tapestry of New York project submissions by K-12 students which will run from June, 2026-December, 2026.

Join the NYS Library as we welcome special guests from WNET, New York City’s public media station. Learn about the Tapestry of New York—a new online platform showcasing the creative work of New York students in honor of America’s 250th anniversary. This webinar will provide a full project overview, explore examples of student work, and outline strategies to implement this exciting program within the library which can also supply ideas for other educational and community settings to implement with their K-12 students.

More About the Presenters:

Susan Buttaccio is the Manager of Special Collections at the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library’s Grosvenor Room, where she oversees Local History, Genealogy, Map, Music, and Rare Book collections. She has worked across multiple library roles, including Teen Services, Children’s Services, Cataloging, and Digital Resources, bringing a broad public service and technical background to her current work in special collections management.

In her current role, she leads a team focused on expanding access to historical materials through digitization and public programming. She also provides leadership in public reference and research services, ensuring support for patrons engaging with local and regional history collections. She works closely with community and institutional partners on regional history projects, including collaborative efforts connected to America 250 commemorations and local heritage initiatives.

Her work emphasizes connecting people with primary sources, strengthening preservation practices, and making local history more accessible through both in-person and digital experiences.

Sandy Goldberg is the Education Director in the Kids’ Media & Education department at The WNET Group, the nonprofit parent company of Thirteen PBS – the flagship public television station of the New York City tri-state area – and WLIW PBS on Long Island. In that capacity, she oversees the department’s preK-12 classroom content production, teacher professional development, and outreach efforts and helps to create a vision for the department’s future growth and development. Ms. Goldberg has worked in the education field for over 30 years and is an experienced classroom teacher, technology staff developer, and educational software producer. Since joining WNET in November 2002, she has produced numerous media-rich learning experiences for K-12 classrooms drawn from PBS productions. A key focus of her work has been inclusion of underrepresented groups in K-12 teaching and learning to help promote understanding, awareness, and self-esteem.

This public program is offered by the New York State Library and made possible by federal Library Service and Technology Act funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, which enable the New York State Library to champion lifelong learning.

Patriot, Loyalist, Neutral: Differing Perspectives on the American Revolution?

Learn about Patriot, Loyalist, and neutral perspectives on the American Revolution by examining the stories of those living in the American colonies at the time. Students examine definitions of Patriots and Loyalists during the Revolutionary era from both primary and secondary sources. Then they view video clips highlighting the stories of three different people from that time to explore how differing experiences, beliefs, and practices contributed to Loyalist, Patriot, and neutral viewpoints, and to understand how these differing opinions about American independence created divisions between British colonists in the American colonies.

Explore Perspectives and Student Activities

Together We Can: Civics Music Videos for Kids

Sesame Workshop’s latest collaboration with PBS KIDS brings 20 eye-catching music videos centered on a civics curriculum to young viewers.

Each music video encourages viewers to learn, listen, lead…and sing and dance along the way. The videos help children see themselves as active members of their communities and understand how our government plays a role in our everyday lives. Through a variety of memorably sticky songs across genres sung by a cast of kids, there’s something for everyone in this series! This is a great series for helping young students. (Grades K-5) to understand community and government.

Explore Together We Can

  • Explore Together We Can Media Galleries with Student Activity Handouts
  • Printable Booklet of Student Activities

Watch the Full YouTube Together We Can PBS KIDS Playlist including family, school, community, government and civic participation.

On-demand Webinar: How to involve NY State K-12 students in the NY250: Tapestry of New York Project

Watch the archive: New York State Teachers, Public Librarians, School Librarians & Media Specialists, Out of School Practitioners and Staff, Museum Outreach and Education Staff, Arts Organizations, Teen and Youth Organization Staff, Home School Parents and others interested in the involving students in this digital quilt project through December, 2026 to mark the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. From: Tuesday, July 14, 2026 10am-11am ET

Watch the Recorded Event
Explore the Tapestry of New York Project

Event Description:

Looking for a way to engage your K-12 students with America at 250 here in New York State? Uplift youth voice through project-based learning while contributing their work to a new digital platform! Find out about the Tapestry of New York project submissions by K-12 students which will run from June, 2026-December, 2026.

Join the NYS Library as we welcome special guests from WNET, New York City’s public media station. Learn about the Tapestry of New York—a new online platform showcasing the creative work of New York students in honor of America’s 250th anniversary. This webinar will provide a full project overview, explore examples of student work, and outline strategies to implement this exciting program within the library which can also supply ideas for other educational and community settings to implement with their K-12 students.

More About the Presenters:

Susan Buttaccio is the Manager of Special Collections at the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library’s Grosvenor Room, where she oversees Local History, Genealogy, Map, Music, and Rare Book collections. She has worked across multiple library roles, including Teen Services, Children’s Services, Cataloging, and Digital Resources, bringing a broad public service and technical background to her current work in special collections management.

In her current role, she leads a team focused on expanding access to historical materials through digitization and public programming. She also provides leadership in public reference and research services, ensuring support for patrons engaging with local and regional history collections. She works closely with community and institutional partners on regional history projects, including collaborative efforts connected to America 250 commemorations and local heritage initiatives.

Her work emphasizes connecting people with primary sources, strengthening preservation practices, and making local history more accessible through both in-person and digital experiences.

Sandy Goldberg is the Education Director in the Kids’ Media & Education department at The WNET Group, the nonprofit parent company of Thirteen PBS – the flagship public television station of the New York City tri-state area – and WLIW PBS on Long Island. In that capacity, she oversees the department’s preK-12 classroom content production, teacher professional development, and outreach efforts and helps to create a vision for the department’s future growth and development. Ms. Goldberg has worked in the education field for over 30 years and is an experienced classroom teacher, technology staff developer, and educational software producer. Since joining WNET in November 2002, she has produced numerous media-rich learning experiences for K-12 classrooms drawn from PBS productions. A key focus of her work has been inclusion of underrepresented groups in K-12 teaching and learning to help promote understanding, awareness, and self-esteem.

This public program is offered by the New York State Library and made possible by federal Library Service and Technology Act funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, which enable the New York State Library to champion lifelong learning.

Slide deck from the event.

Daniel Tiger is Coming to Rochester!

Celebrate 60 years of WXXI’s commitment to engaging, educating, and inspiring our community with a special visit from Daniel Tiger at the Rochester and Monroe County America 250 Celebration!

WXXI is joining the community in celebrating America’s 250th birthday! On Sunday, July 12, stop by the PBS KIDS booth for a special photo opportunity with everyone’s favorite neighbor, Daniel Tiger from Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood. Discover how WXXI has supported families and children from our earliest days to today through trusted educational programming and community engagement. It’s sure to be a grr-ific evening—we can’t wait to see you there! Bring the whole family and enjoy activities, memories, and a chance to celebrate this milestone with us.

Here’s What to Expect:

Daniel Tiger Photo Opps: Daniel Tiger photo opportunities will be available from 5-8 p.m. Photo opportunities will be available on a first come, first serve basis. Photo opportunities are for both growups and kids – bring your camera, snap a photo, or give Daniel a hug or a high-five! Please note, Daniel will have to take short breaks.

Birthday Card: Wish WXXI a happy 60th anniversary by signing our card! We’ll have crayons and markers for you to draw and write a happy birthday message.

Timeline of Children’s Educational Programming: Learn how WXXI’s work is rooted in early educational experiences anchored with children’s programming. See how WXXI’s long history of family and community engagement has connected, engaged, and provided a foundational of early learning for kids in the Greater Rochester and Finger Lakes region for 60 years.

Event Details:

Monroe County’s America 250 Celebration is Rochester’s anniversary celebration for our nation, bringing the community together for an unforgettable summer night at ESL Ballpark. This free, family-friendly event transforms the stadium into a vibrant, high-energy experience featuring live music, great food and drink, and activities for all ages. From the outfield to the concourse, every corner of the ballpark comes to life with entertainment, community partners, and hands-on fun. The night builds toward a fireworks finale, creating a shared moment that brings the community together.

Location: ESL Ballpark – 1 Morrie Silver Way, Rochester, NY 14608
Date: Sunday, July 12
Time: 5:00 to 9:30 p.m.
More information: https://www.america250rochester.com

Educator Webinar: Beyond America 250: Teaching THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION This School Year

When: Wednesday, August 19, 7-9pm ET

Description:

Join PBS LearningMedia for an in-depth look at how to teach the Revolutionary Era this school year, using content from The American Revolution, a film by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt. Consider perspectives of one of the filmmakers, a historian, and fellow classroom educators as you prepare to teach the American Revolution after the Semiquincentennial anniversary.

Participants will hear from filmmaker David Schmidt, the National Constitution Center’s Chief Scholar and adviser on The American Revolution Classroom Collection, Thomas Donnelly, and PBS LearningMedia Teacher Ambassadors Leah Amos and Mary Kate Lonergan to learn more about tangible strategies for using these media-rich resources in the classroom with students. Panelists will also address the lasting legacy of our founding principles and ways that teachers can encourage civic engagement among students.

You will leave with new resources and tools for teaching the Revolutionary era through documentary film, focused on connecting the past to the present and strengthening students’ civics skills, while also hearing insider perspectives that are sure to engage and excite learners of all ages.

Register for Webinar

Organized by PBSLearningMedia Events

PBS KIDS Across America

PBS KIDS invites kids and families to come along on an unforgettable cross-country road trip with the PBS KIDS Across America initiative. From May through July 2026 and beyond, PBS KIDS will showcase amazing places and real kids throughout the 50 states and U.S. territories, as well as some of the American figures who have had an impact on the nation’s history to mark the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Leading the way on May 1 is WOWSABOUT, a new special from The Jim Henson Company, followed by the launch of AMERICA’S AWESOME KIDS, a series of live-action shorts from GBH KIDS on May 22. June will bring CITY ISLAND: USA!, a miniseries of shorts from Future Brain Media, and XAVIER RIDDLE CELEBRATES AMERICAN HEROES, four specials from 9 Story Media Group and Brown Bag Films. Additional new content from MOLLY OF DENALI and ALMA’S WAY, as well as videos and games from fan-favorites such as ARTHUR, CYBERCHASE, SESAME STREET and more, are also on the way to help boost civics and broader social studies learning. 

Explore PBS KIDS Across America
  • America’s Awesome Kids
  • Explore America’s Amazing Places
  • Our History, Our Stories
  • Wild Kratts: North American Animals
  • Civics in Your Community
  • And More Related Episodes

Watch the Full Playlist

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