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The People’s Protectors: On-Demand

 

Native American veterans reflect on their experiences in the military during the Vietnam War. Years later these veterans reflect on the agony of war and how their communities helped them carry their warrior legacy proudly. Even as they struggled with their relationship to the United States government from past oppression; the Dakota, Lakota, and Ojibwe warriors still felt compelled to honor their duty to their people as Akichita | Ogichidaag| Warriors, as protectors of the people. Funding provided by Vision Maker Media and The Mark and Mary Davis Foundation.

Watch On-Demand:

PBS KIDS: Talk About: Race and Racism

BS KIDS Talk About: Race and Racism is a special co-viewing program for families with young children to watch and discuss together. 

The PBS KIDS Talk About: Race and Racism special is a half-hour program featuring authentic conversations between real children and their growmups, and will include content from PBS KIDS series DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD, ARTHUR and XAVIER RIDDLE AND THE SECRET MUSEUM.

The special will feature children and their grownups talking about race and racial justice-related topics in an age-appropriate way, such as noticing differences in race, understanding what racism can look like, and embracing the role we all have to play in standing up for ourselves and each other — offering viewers ideas to build on as they continue these important conversations at home.

**Please note: This special programming is designed as a co-viewing experience with adults and children watching together. **

Watch together on-demand

More: Articles and Resources for Grown-ups 

More About the Special

Grownup note: PBS KIDS programs are designed to reflect the diversity of communities across the nation, and to address themes relevant to children’s everyday lives. This special is designed for parents and children to watch together, and for parents to build on in whatever way they choose to have these conversations with their children. The program touches on topics such as race, racism, and the recent Black Lives Matter protests from the perspective of real kids in an effort to help children understand what they might be seeing happening around them in a developmentally-appropriate way.

The PBS KIDS Talk About: Race and Racism special was created in response to parents increasingly asking PBS KIDS for resources to address tough but important topics with their kids, including race and racism, and is part of PBS KIDS’ ongoing commitment to families across the nation.

Designed as a co-viewing experience, the program explores complicated topics in an age-appropriate way. Our goal is to support parents in talking with their children about race. We hope that our content will provide a helpful starting point in whatever way parents choose to have these conversations with their children. Additional parent resources are available on PBS KIDS for Parents on pbs.org/parents/talking-about-racism to support parents in discussions about race and racial justice-related topics with their children.

The following advisors consulted on this project:

  • Dr. Aisha White, Program Director, P.R.I.D.E (Positive Racial Identity Development in Early Education)
  • Dr. Renee Wilson-Simmons, Executive Director, ACE (Adverse Childhood Experience) Awareness Foundation
  • Dr. Dana Winters, Director of Simple Interactions and Academic Programs; Assistant Professor of Child and Family Studies, Fred Rogers Center

The Gene: An Intimate History On-Demand & Education Resources

The Gene: An Intimate History weaves together science, history and personal stories for a historical biography of the human genome, while also exploring breakthroughs for diagnosis and treatment of genetic diseases — and the complex ethical questions they raise. 

Educator Resources

The Gene PBS LearningMedia Collection: This four-hour documentary weaves together science, history, and personal stories to create a historical biography of the human genome. It tells the story of the rapid evolution of genetic science from Gregor Mendel’s groundbreaking experiment in the 19th century to CRISPR, and the hope that newfound powers to alter DNA with pinpoint precision will transform the treatment of some of the world’s most complex and challenging diseases. The series also tackles the daunting ethical challenges that these technologies pose for humankind. 

  • The collection focuses on: Treatments & Access, At-Home Genetic Testing, and the History of Eugenics.

The Gene Explained Animated Series (for grades 6-12th): Everybody is talking about genes. Your body is filled with them. You look the way you do because of them. But do you really know what a gene is? This animated series won’t get you a PhD, but it does clear up a few mysteries about how genes work, how they make us, if we can change them and what they might look like in the future. (Microscope not required.)

The Gene Connected PBS LearningMedia Resources: WXXI Education team curated a list of additional resources available from within PBS LearningMedia NY. This list contains lesson plans, videos, interactives and more, from public media partners such as NOVA. These educational materials are geared towards middle and high school and support topics such as: DNA, genetic testing, genomics, eugenics, ethics, and more.

Watch the Full Program: Episode 1 and 2 of the full “The Gene” series on PBS LearningMedia. Full series length: ~ 4 hours

  • Watch The Gene in Full
    • Episode 1 Description: The story of a young family searching for a cure for their four-year-old daughter’s rare genetic disease, with stories of the discoveries of the pioneers in genetics. It also tracks the dark period in human history when a little genetic knowledge was used to justify terrible human experiments. (Running time: 1:54:09)
    • Episode 2 Description: The story of the signature scientific achievement of our time: the mapping of the human genome. As scientists learn to read the genetic code, they grapple with the dangers of increasingly sophisticated and easily available methods of intervening in the very essence of what makes us human, our DNA. (Running time: 1:54:10)

The Book & Connected Book Lists

  • Connected Children’s Book List from PBS Books: Genetics and DNA make us who we are. As our world and community is gripped by a fearsome pandemic, we are all increasingly aware of the power of genes and the importance of genetic research. PBS Books compiled a list of books to read with your children to better understand the history of genes and DNA. 

  • The Gene: An Intimate History by Siddhartha Mukherje
    Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee braids science, history, and memoir into an epic. In this biography Mukherjee brings to life the quest to understand human heredity and its surprising influence on our lives, personalities, identities, fates, and choices.

  • The Code Breaker: Jennifer Doudna, Gene Editing, and the Future of the Human Race By Walter Isaacson
    After helping to discover CRISPR, Doudna became a leader in wrestling with these moral issues and, with her collaborator Emmanuelle Charpentier, won the Nobel Prize in 2020. Her story is a thrilling detective tale that involves the most profound wonders of nature, from the origins of life to the future of our species.

  • Life’s Greatest Secret: The Race to Crack the Genetic Code By Matt Cobb
    From New York to Paris, Cambridge, Massachusetts, to Cambridge, England, and London to Moscow, the greatest discovery of twentieth-century biology was truly a global feat. Biologist and historian of science Matthew Cobb gives the full and rich account of the cooperation and competition between the eccentric characters — mathematicians, physicists, information theorists, and biologists — who contributed to this revolutionary new science. 

Let’s Learn

Let’s Learn provides resources for children ages 3-7 is drawn from the public television series Let’s Learn. Produced by Thirteen PBS in NYC.

Let’s Learn aims to provide our young learners with knowledge and skills to learn and succeed in school and beyond. While the series is aimed at a wide range of ages, segments might serve as introduction, reinforcement, or enrichment to material depending on students’ needs. To paraphrase Catherine Snow, expert on language and literacy development in children, the teaching that is taking place “…is helpful for all children, harmful for none, and crucial for some.”

Explore: The Let’s Learn website includes: Storybooks, Reading and Writing, Math, Science, Arts, Social Studies, Mind and Movement, and STEM.
Full Episodes are available on-demand. Clips are also available by subject and theme. Activities from each clip are also available.

For Teachers and Classrooms:

Let's Learn and an apple on top of school books

Explore the Let’s Learn PBS LearningMedia Collection

Molly of Denali: Games, Videos, Podcast & Activities

Play games and watch full episodes and podcasts of Molly of Denali on https://pbskids.org/molly

Get ready to sled into fun with “Molly of Denali!” In this show for children ages 4 to 8, join Molly, an Alaska Native girl, her dog Suki, and friends Tooey and Trini on their adventures in epically beautiful Alaska. Along the way, Molly’s life is enhanced, kept on track, and flat-out saved by maps, guide books, websites, weather reports, and more.

Intro Video:

WXXI Education Favorites
Here are a few of our favorite Activities To Do

Watch & Listen

PBS KIDS for Parents Molly of Denali Series Page

PBS KIDS Full Episode Playlist

Do 

  • Play Molly of Denali online games. Try exploring the Trading Post or Sled Dog Dash.
  • Use Google Earth to look at a map of where you live. 
  • Learn the importance of beading with Moly in Beading Art. 
  • Got any old paper maps? See if you can recognize any of the locations. 
  • Download and play Molly of Denali’s FREE app. 
  • Download some Molly of Denali puzzles and activities!
  • Find out where it all started – listen to the Molly of Denali podcast!
  • Expolre nature like Molly!
    • Go on a nature walk. Download the free Seek by iNaturalist app to take your nature knowledge up a notch Use the power of image recognition technology to identify the plants and animals all around you. 
    • Make observations when you’re outside or looking outside from your window. Add your observations to the WXXI Community Nature Challenge. 

Read

Clifford the Big Red Dog: Games, Videos & Activities

Play games and watch full episodes of Clifford the Big Red Dog on https://pbskids.org/clifford

“Clifford the Big Red Dog” follows Emily Elizabeth, Clifford and friends as they explore Birdwell Island, play astronauts, robots, fairies — whatever they imagine! Clifford and friends’ adventures will inspire imaginative play, kindness, empathy and other life lessons among preschoolers. Your family can join in the fun when this silly and heartwarming group of friends finds their way to your home.

WXXI Education Favorites
Here are a few of our favorite Activities: 

    Learn more at the PBS KIDS for Parents Clifford The Big Red Dog Page

    Series Trailer:

    Speaking Grief Documentary & Resources On-Demand

    Moving away from the idea that grief is a problem that needs to be “fixed,” Speaking Grief validates the experience of grievers and guides those wishing to support them. See the on-demand film and extensive resources for exploring the topic of grief.

    Speaking Grief explores why the pain of losing a loved one can be so difficult to understand and discuss. The film interviews grieving families from across the U.S., whose losses range from stillbirth to suicide, to address common misconceptions about grief. Through candid personal stories and conversations with experts in the grief field, the film also presents ideas for how family and friends can better support each other through loss.

    There is no “right” way to grieve. By sharing diverse representations of bereavement, Speaking Grief illustrates that grief is a universal, yet individual experience.

    Watch the documentary on-demand: https://www.speakinggrief.org/documentary

    Funding for Speaking Grief is provided by a grant from WPSU Penn State and The New York Life Foundation

    Related Resources:

    PBS KIDS Play & Learn Science Resources

    PBS KIDS Play & Learn Science
    Play with shadows, control the weather, roll and slide objects down a ramp, choose the best materials for an umbrella – all while building science inquiry skills and learning core science concepts. The games in the app encourage kids to see the science in their world. They are intentionally designed to serve as catalysts for real-world exploration by modeling real-world locations and experiences. The related hands-on activities and parent notes prompt families to “try it” at home and provide tips for engaging in conversations.

    PBS KIDS Play & Learn Science for Parents App
    Ramp and Roll

    Ramp and Roll explores how objects move, roll, slide and/or stay put on ramps and other surfaces. 

    • PBS Play & Learn Science Mini-Games: Play the following games in the app: “Explore the Roll”, “Hit the Target”, and “Surface Challenge”
    • Hands-on Activities:
      • Create a ramp using recycled materials (cardboard tubes, cereal boxes) or using items you have around (books, pillows, clipboards).
      • Test different objects (balls, marbles, blocks) to see if they roll down your ramp.
      • Add different materials to your ramp to change the surface (bubble wrap, a blanket, sandpaper). Does your object still roll? Does it roll the same?
      • Race different objects to see which object rolls the farthest?
      • Go on a ramp hunt – look around inside and outside for different kinds of ramps.
    • Connected Book:  
      • Oscar & the Cricket a Book about Moving & Rolling by Geoff Waring
      • Ramp & Roll books
    • Videos:
      • Ramp-n-Roll (0:51) – George must figure out how to build a ramp so that Hundley, a little dachshund, can get out of a basement window in this video excerpt from Curious George: Hundley’s Great Escape. 
      • Building Ramps (1:28) – In this video segment from PEEP and the Big Wide World, real kids explore what types of objects will slide down ramps of different materials.
      • Rolling Down a Hill (1:28) – Real kids discover what types of round objects will roll the fastest down a grassy hill, a piece of cardboard, and a sidewalk in this video segment from PEEP and the Big Wide World. 
      • Homemade Hills (1:27) – In this video segment from PEEP and the Big Wide World, real kids explore what types of objects will slide down ramps of different materials.
      • The Watchamacallit (8:50) – Peep, Quack, and Chirp discover how ramps and slides work by using angles and round objects, in this video segment from PEEP and the Big Wide World.
      • Super Grover 2.0 Digital Ramp (0:27) – Join Super Grover to learn about ramps. Ramps help you go from low to high. 
    Shadow Play

    Explore light and shadows by making and observing shadows, making and interacting with shadow puppets, and playing with flashlights. 

    • PBS KIDS Play & Learn Science Mini-Games: Play the following games in the app: “Exploring Shadows”, “Shadow Scenes”, or “Guess the Shadow”.
    • Hands-on Activities:
      • Use a flashlight or another light (lamp, cell phone or tablet flashlight) to create hand or full body shadows.
      • Use the PBS KIDS Shadow Puppets to make shadows.
      • Move objects closer to the flashlight and then further away, what happens?
      • Tape a piece of paper to a wall or door. Use a flashlight or lamp to create a shadow, try tracing the shadow on the paper with a pencil or crayon.
      • Play “Guess the Shadow”. Use different objects (try using the PBS KIDS Puppets) to make a shadow and then try to guess what or who the shadow belongs to. 
      • Host a shadow puppet show!
    • Printables:
    • Connected Books:
      • Moonbear’s Shadow by Frank Asch
      • The Black Rabbit by Philippa Leathers
      • Shadow Play books
    • Videos: 
      • My Shadow Goes Where I Go (1:30) – In this short video from The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!, children learn about energy and light. Nick and Sally create shadow puppets and sing a song about where your shadow can go! No matter where you go, you’re shadow will be there!
      • Shadows Can be Scary (2:23) – Daniel Tiger sees a scary shadow on the wall, but Dad shows him that shadows can be fun. Teach kids that being brave and investigating scary things together helps make things seem not as bad
      • A Thing or 2 About Making Shade (1:30) – This short video from The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!, teaches about physical science, energy, and light. Thing 1 tries clear, tinted, and opaque glass, to create a shade for Thing 2. He decides that opaque glass provides the best shade, and relief from the sun.
      • How to Make Shadow Puppets (2:11) – Make your own shadow theater with just a few household items! Mya shows your how to make some neat shadow puppets, and tells the story of the dinosaurs in her own low-lit play.
    Weather and Gear

    Explore the weather by observing, matching appropriate gear and clothing for certain weather, and experimenting with thermometers and temperature.

    • PBS KIDS Play & Learn Science Mini-Games: Play the following games in the app: “Read the Temperature”, “Weather Controller”, “Thermometer Picking”, “Photo Weather”, “Gear Up”, and “The Amazing Umbrella”
    • Hands-on Activities
      • Roll the weather cube. Use Del and Dee Dress Up Characters and Gear to put different outfits ont the character that matches the weather.
      • Track a week’s weather using the “Today’s Weather” printable or a sheet of paper.
      • Hot vs. Cold weather experiment: Use a thermometer to test something really cold (ice cubes or snow) vs. something warm (hand warmers, something put in the microwave). What happens to the thermometer?
      • Roll the weather cube. Find items in your house (winter hat, goggles) that you can wear to match the weather on the cube. 
    • Connected Books:
      • Weather by Jill McDonald
      • All About Weather: A First Weather Book for Kids by Huda Harajli MA
      • Weather books
    • Printables: 
    • Videos: 
      • Poem: “Big Snow” (0:18) – This video segment from Between the Lions is an animated poem that rhymes. Snow falls all over the city and then a snow plow pushes snow. 
      • Bert is All Dressed Up for Winter (2:51) – Get your galoshes on your head, your gloves on your ears, and get those earmuffs around your waist. Earmuffs around your waist? No, no, no, they’ve got it all wrong. Hopefully, Bert can figure out how to get dressed for winter so he doesn’t end up with a cold.
      • Clouds & Weather (2:15) – This video, featuring original stop-motion animation, is a fun way for children to learn about different types of clouds and their relationship to weather. 
      • What is Weather? (2:16) – Abby Brown loves to help kids have fun while learning! In this segment, Abby teaches kids about weather. Kids learn to observe the air and and sky as well as a thermometer in order to evaluate the weather.
      • Meet the Helpers: Meterologist (2:35) – Dive deeper into a meteorologist’s career and find out how this Helper assists in emergency situations. 
    Water Play

    Explore how different objects float or sink and notice how water moves through different kinds of spaces.

    • PBS KIDS Play & Learn Science Mini-Games: Play the following games in the app: “Water Wall”, “Thirsty Doggie”, and “Sink or Float”
    • Hands-on Activities
      • Use aluminum foil or recycled containers to create boats. Test whether they float in the sink, bucket, or bathtub.
      • Add pennies or washers to your boats to see if they can hold weight.
      • Find a variety of objects (pennies, pencil, crayon, ball, race car) and use a sink, bucket, or bathtub to test whether objects sink or float. Make guesses before testing.
    • Printables: 
    • Connected Books:
    • Videos: 
      • Do Try This At Home: Make a Boat (1:30) – In this short video from The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!, children learn about motion and stability: forces and interactions. Nick and Sally test some objects in their backyard wading pool, to see what will float and what won’t. 
      • Sink or Float (1:33) – Show students how easy it is to experiment while introducing them to the concept of buoyancy, in this fun video demonstration. Students are asked whether they think an item will sink or float, the item is then dropped into a fish tank, and the results are charted.
      • Sink or Float Experiment (1:03) – Learn about household objects that sink and float in this easy-to-prepare activity with The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!
      • The Fish Museum (8:52) – In this video segment from PEEP and the Big Wide World, Quack learns about what objects float and sink as he tries to add objects to his underwater fish museum.
      • Making Things Float (1:27) – In this video segment from PEEP and the Big Wide World, real kids explore what types of objects float in water and how to keep sinking objects from staying afloat.
      • Make a Boat (1:28) – Real kids learn how to make their plastic bottle boats sink and float by adding different objects and water to them in this video segment from PEEP and the Big Wide World. 

    Other Support Resources 

    Books & eBooks: There are also LOTS of books available from our local libraries for you to borrow:

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