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Discovering New York Suffrage Stories On-Demand

The 70-year fight for suffrage began in Central and Western New York, an epicenter of reform. Women began their battle for the vote  in the mid-1800s. This part of the upstate region was an epicenter of reform, tackling societal issues like abolition, religion, temperance, and women’s rights. Success depended on many women whose stories are often forgotten.  Watch On-Demand & Access Classroom Resources

Meet Matilda Joslyn Gage, Paulina Wright Davis, Mary Burnett Talbert, and Hester Whitehurst Jeffrey, diverse suffragists who tirelessly navigated religious intolerance, sexism, politics, and racism as they fought for the vote and women’s equality

Discovering New York Suffrage Stories PBS LearningMedia Collection

Classroom Uses for Genealogy, History and DNA

WXXI Education has pulled together educational support resources related genealogy, research, history, DNA and storytelling.

PBS LearningMedia Genealogy & Ancestry Resources

Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates Jr Collection: The basic drive to discover who we are and where we come from is at the core of the 10-part PBS series Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr., the 12th series from Professor Gates, the Alphonse Fletcher University Professor at Harvard University and director of the W.E.B. Du Bois Institute for African and African American Research. Lessons in this collection are appropriate for 6-12 grade level students. 

Connections Podcast: ‘Finding Your Roots,’ and the challenges African Americans face in tracing ancestry: Discussion with lead genealogist from “Finding Your Roots” about the challenges African Americans face in tracing their ancestries, about resources available in the process, and we hear from two women who found their roots. Listen Here:

  • Nick Sheedy, lead genealogist for “Finding Your Roots,” season seven 
  • Cheryl Wills, award-winning journalist, anchor for Spectrum News NY1, and author of “Emma,” “The Emancipation of Grandpa Sandy Wills,” “Emancipated: My Family’s Fight for Freedom,” and “Die Free – A Heroic Family Tale” 
  • Teej Jenkins, Teej Jenkins, Rochester resident who researched her genealogy with her family. Teej is also a host of WXXI’s Arts in Focus and a producer for WXXI-TV of such series for the City of Rochester as Cultural Expressions and What’s Good Rochester.

Here are a few of our favorite FYR lessons and activities:

Finding Your Roots: The Seedlings: Inspired by the popular PBS series “Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr.” and shot on the campus of Penn State University, “Finding Your Roots: The Seedlings” follows 13 young people in a genetics and genealogy camp as they explore their family history and DNA ancestry with techniques never before used in an educational setting.

  • Download Full Curriculum: Resources include an introduction to genealogical research from prominent genealogists, clips from the show demonstrating how personal stories connect to larger events in history, and brief historical introductions to key people, places, and events in U.S. and World History. Fill out the form at fyrclassroom.org/curriculum/ and you will be forwarded to a Box folder where you can download the full curriculum. 
  • Download At-Home Activities: Here are free eight activities for families and future genealogists to do to begin learning about their own family history. Activities include: family tree, family interviews, family migration, observable traits, DNA extraction, and more!

Faces of America:  What made America? What makes us? These two questions are at the heart of the PBS series Faces of America with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. The lesson plans and media resources based on the series address a wide range of topics including historic waves of immigration, anti-immigrant sentiment, family genealogy, and state-of-the-art genetic research. Through this collection, students will gain a broader perspective of America’s immigrant history (both past and present) and learn what it really means to be an American.

Ken Burns’ The Gene: An Intimate History: 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.

NOVA Cracking Your Genetic Code: What will it mean when most of us can afford to have the information in our DNA—all six billion chemical letters of it—read, stored and available for analysis? NOVA’s Cracking Your Genetic Code reveals that we stand on the verge of such a revolution. But what are the moral dilemmas raised by this new technology? Will it help or hurt us to know the diseases that may lie in our future? What if such information falls into the hands of insurance companies, employers or prospective mates? One thing is for certain: the new era of personalized, gene-based medicine is relevant to everyone, and soon you will be choosing whether to join the ranks of the DNA generation.

Other Historical Resources for Schools

Black History in Two Minutes: It’s Black History delivered in short, lively, fact-packed stories accessible to people of all ages and education levels. It’s fast, accurate U.S. history available in free video podcast recordings describing major historical events and introducing less well-known experiences involving Black Americans. The series is narrated by Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

Rochester Voices: From the collections of Local History & Genealogy Division of the Rochester Public Library, this interactive, mobile-friendly website is designed to engage a K-12 audience, as well as the general public, in the study of local, state, national, and even global history, by allowing users to explore the stories of Rochesterians who experienced the past first-hand. Combining the features of an online special collections catalog and interpreted digital exhibits with those of an exploratory learning laboratory, this site enables diverse users to interact with unique historical materials in a variety of exciting new ways. The original letters, diaries, interviews, and other primary sources that make up the Rochester Voices digital collections are held in the Local History & Genealogy Division’s special collections and those of its partners.

  • 19th Ward Oral Histories: This oral history collection project was initiated in 2018 by the 19th Ward Community Association (19WCA). The 19WCA is one of the oldest neighborhood associations in the United States, having been established in the 1960s as a response to redlining and blockbusting, with a mission to “create, foster, and maintain a multi-racial community where individual and cultural differences are celebrated and where people share a sense of community.”
  • African American Oral Histories: Dr. James Wright, manager of the Rochester Public Library’s Phillis Wheatley branch, commissioned a project to record the oral histories of African American Rochesterians in the 1970s and early 1980s. The project was designed to highlight the public contributions of African Americans in the greater Rochester area and to make that information available to the community.  The interviewees represent a wide range of occupations, attitudes, and roles in the community, and they discuss a variety of topics from housing discrimination, segregation, and barriers to employment to the importance of community involvement and advances in civil rights.
  • Latino American Oral Histories: In 2011, Dr. Isabel Córdova, Associate Professor in History & Political Science at Nazareth College, initiated a student project to record and preserve the oral histories of Latinos in the Rochester area. Her colleague in the Department of Foreign Languages and Literature, Dr. Hilda Chacon, contributed similar student projects to the collection. Shared with the Rochester Public Library and available here, the Latino Voices collection comprises 66 interviews of Rochesterians with roots in a variety of Latin-American countries, including Puerto Rico, Cuba, Mexico, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Costa Rica, and Colombia. 
  • The Frederick Douglass Voice: The Frederick Douglass Voice began publication on October 6, 1933. The newspaper, published by Howard Wilson Coles, was devoted to the activities, aspirations, and ideals of Black people in Rochester and the vicinity. Howard Coles used the newspaper to call attention to critical issues in the Black community. 
  • Classroom Connections: Here you will find a variety of activities and resources designed for students and their teachers. Developed with help from local educators, Rochester Voices follows the Common Core State Standards. The content of this site, which is differentiated by grade level, allows you to examine primary sources and explore humanities themes, while interpretive elements foster thoughtful analysis of these materials.

Genealogy and Local Partner Resources


 Monroe County Library System (MCLS):

The Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County boasts one of the premier collections of local historical and genealogical materials in western New York, while smaller municipal member libraries such as the Ogden Farmers’ Library in Spencerport, the Henrietta Public Library, and the Penfield Public Library have built collections of materials relevant to their particular towns. MCLS libraries have developed collections and finding aids that try to make sense of the past in an effort to better serve local residents as well as visitors who come seeking their roots.Resources including the New York State Vital Records Index, Life Records, City and Suburban Directories, high school and college yearbooks, microfilmed newspapers dating back to 1818, and subscriptions to e-databases are held by the Central Library’s Local History and Genealogy Division, where Rochester Genealogical Society members volunteer as docents some evenings and Saturdays to provide extra assistance to researchers. (not currently during the pandemic) Connect with your local library to locate electronic services licensed for the public that you can use in your genealogy searches. 

To learn more at the Genealogy Resources section of the MCLS website:

OWLL Library System Local History Resources: For Those Living in Livingston, Ontario, Wayne and Wyoming Counties

Rochester Genealogical Society (RGS):

The Rochester Genealogical Society began in 1938 when several people at a meeting of the Rochester Historical Society formed an informal group to preserve their family heritage. The Rochester Genealogical Society became an independent organization in 1977.

The organization sponsors regular educational activities and encourages member-to-member support as well as community awareness of genealogy and family history. Its membership is comprised of people from all walks of life, who freely offer help or guidance to other members and the community whenever asked. Some members also volunteer at the Local History & Genealogy Division of Central Library and local Family History Centers to assist researchers or serve as speakers on particular topics.

Whether you are a well-seasoned genealogist or family historian, or are just starting out, we are confident that you will find your membership in the Rochester Genealogical Society beneficial.

Meeting and Events

Monthly programs are announced with information on the RGS Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/NYRocGen, and at the Society web site, nyrgs.org  There are also a writers group, and a DNA interest group.

Other Family Search Sites for the Greater Rochester Area

WXXI Video Spot About Local Search Resources at Monroe County Library System for Conducting Genealogical Research

FamilySearch: FamilySearch is dedicated to preserving important family records and making them freely accessibly online. 

PBS LearningMedia Resources >

Coming Together: Sesame Street Resources on Racial Literacy

Sesame Workshop continues its major commitment to racial justice with new resources and content called “Coming Together” to help families talk to young children about race and identity. 

All kids need a strong individual and group identity, but racism hurts the healthy development of both, as well as our entire society. Whether you and the children in your care are directly affected by racism or you’re allies of those who are, engaging honestly and directly with little ones is the beginning of building racial literacy (the skills needed to talk thoughtfully about race and to identify and respond to racism). 

Please note: All of the resources listed below and available through Sesame Street in Communities are designed for co-viewing, co-learning, and co-participation – meaning that to create the most meaningful experience and takeaways, adults and children should use them together.

I Am Somebody Song:

I Am Somebody (Giant Song) #ComingTogether
You and Me Makes We Song #ComingTogether
#ComingTogether Playlist

Coming Together is rooted in extensive research and consultation with experts to develop a groundbreaking Racial Justice educational framework and curriculum for young children. Like the science-based whole-child model that Sesame Street is known for, this framework will help guide and inform the creation of new Sesame Workshop content going forward—including future seasons of Sesame Street. This collection of resources are designed to provide families with the tools they need to build racial literacy, to have open conversations with young children, to engage allies and advocates to become upstanders against racism, and more, Coming Together includes a racial justice educational framework, ongoing research, and a rolling release of new content.

Where to Find Coming Together Resources: You can find all of the resources connected to Coming Together and Racial Justice by following the below links.

Learn More: Sesame Street in Communities Race, Ethnicity, and Culture Resources

Parenting Minutes

Parenting Minutes is a series of short videos from the WNET Group/Channel THIRTEEN (WXXI’s sister station serving New York City) that focuses on key topics related to early childhood learning and raising children.

Parenting Minutes are short videos that focus on key topics related to early childhood learning and raising children. Videos are available in multiple languages, including: English, Spanish, Bengali, and Chinese. 

Explore the full collection of Parenting Minutes videos and resources here. 

Here are a few of WXXI Education’s favorite Parenting Minutes videos in English and Spanish:

Family Discovery Walks:
See how one family spends time together and promotes curiosity on a “discovery walk”.

Sharing Feelings:
Hear how one family makes time to share feelings each day to promote a healthy dialogue around emotions and mental health. 


Routines:
See how one family creates a family schedule to help set a routine for the week. 

Explore the rest of the Parenting Minutes videos and resources here. 

Parenting Minutes is a production of The WNET Group. ©2016-2021 THIRTEEN Productions LLC. All Rights Reserved. Major funding for Parenting Minutes has been provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the Carnegie Corporation of New York, and Learning Heroes with support from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. Additional funding is provided by Helena Rubinstein Foundation, The V & L Marx Foundation, and The Henry and Lucy Moses Fund.

PBS KIDS for Parents in English & Spanish! / ¡PBS KIDS para padres en inglés y español!

PBS KIDS for Parents is a website that provides valuable information and resources to help raise happy, healthy, smart and kind kids. In an effort to provide inclusive, relatable, and valuable content to families of all backgrounds, PBS KIDS for Parents launched a Spanish version of the site. Click on the Button on the Right (Español)

Check it out in English at PBS.org/parents and in Spanish at PBS.org/es/parents.

PBS KIDS para padres es un sitio web que proporciona información y recursos valiosos para ayudar a criar niños felices, saludables, inteligentes y amables. En un esfuerzo por ofrecer un contenido inclusivo, relevante y valioso para las familias de todos los orígenes, PBS KIDS ha lanzado una versión en español del sitio web. Haga clic en el botón de la derecha. (Español)

Compruébelo en PBS.org/es/parents.

Free PBS KIDS Apps

Whether at home or on the go, families can access the same trusted, educational content from PBS KIDS in video or game form – anytime, anywhere. Families are in the driver seat when using the free apps below. Parents and caregivers can trust that when kids watch or play PBS KIDS they are using safe, non-violent, non-commercial, educational technology to learn.

PBS KIDS Video App

Logo image of the PBS KIDS Video app; yellow background with blue and green PBS KIDS logo.

The FREE PBS KIDS Video app let’s kids watch their favorite PBS KIDS shows anytime, anywhere! Stream the PBS KIDS 24/7 channel on the app or tap the “LIVE TV” button to watch what’s airing on WXXI live! The app provides a safe, child-friendly viewing experience. Most recently, the app also provides access to the newest PBS KIDS content: PODCASTS! PBS KIDS podcasts bring your favorite shows and characters to life in audio form.

PBS KIDS Games App

Light blue background with dark blue and green PBS KIDS logo.

The PBS KIDS Games app makes learning fun and safe with amazing mini-games featuring your favorite PBS KIDS friends like Daniel Tiger, Wild Kratts, Donkey Hodie, Alma’s Way, and more! Hundreds of free educational games designed for kids 2-8 – built to engage, educate, and have fun without taking kids away from real-life experiences. These educational games give kids a space to play and learn using skills such as problem solving, critical thinking, creativity, and more!

Trusted Media Helpers

We know the technology world can be a little (or a lot!) overwhelming. Here are a few trusted tools to help can help parents and caregivers make the most informed media and technology decisions for young kids:

Common Sense Media is a hub that can be used to check if media (movies, apps, games, TV/YouTube shows) is appropriate. Common Sense Media “offers families well-researched guidance, age-based ratings, and expert reviews”. Click the link and then type in the media you’re looking to check (i.e. “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood”) and read the results – age appropriateness, evaluations and reviews from experts and parents, descriptions, checks for language/violence/inappropriate topics, and more. They also have a helpful Family Tech Planner to guide families in creating healthy media habits.

5 C’s of Media are a set of media questions and suggestions for families with young children, created* by the American Academy of Pediatrics (and adopted by many other trusted organizations, such as Zero to Three). Not only does it matter what a child is watching or consuming, but each of the 5 C’s reference different pieces of the media puzzle that help parents and caregivers decide what’s appropriate for each child. The 5 C’s are: child, content, calm, crowding out, and communication. The 5 C’s provide parents and caregivers with a way to reflect on media habits and come up with a Family Media Plan that works for their own family.
*The 5 C’s expand upon the 3 C’s developed by Lisa Guernsey in her book, The Three Cs: Content, Context, and Your Child in 2016.

WXXI Community Observation Challenge

Join WXXI as we continue to be community scientists and observe our community through a special ongoing WXXI Community Observation Challenge!

Let’s explore the biodiversity our region has to offer by sharing photos of wildlife observations in backyards, local parks, nature trails, sidewalks…Participation is easy, free, and open to anyone in the Greater Rochester and Finger Lakes region. Help us see all the different living things in our community and get excited about being citizen scientists. 

What to do:

  1. Download the free iNaturalist app onto your device. 
  2. Find wildlife – any plant, animal, tracks, bug, etc. 
  3. Take a photo of whatever you find (and remember where you found it!).
  4. Upload your picture to the iNaturalist app and choose the project: WXXI Community Observation Challenge

(Not into using an app? Snap photos of your observations and remember the important details [date, time, location] and then upload on the iNaturalist website later!)

This project is ongoing! So get outside (yes, even in the winter!), explore, observe and participate as many times as you’d like!

To participate in the Backyard Observation Challenge, download the FREE iNaturalist app, which works on all devices – Android version and Apple version. Need help learning how to use iNaturalist? Check out some of the video tutorials. Teachers: there’s even an iNaturalist educator guide to help with use in your classroom instruction!

Take your nature knowledge up a notch with Seek! Use the power of image recognition technology to identify the plants and animals all around you. No registration is involved, and no user data is collected. This is a great app for families who want to spend more time exploring nature together. Learn more and download the Seek by iNaturalist app!

Wild Kratts: Videos, Games & Activities

Play games and watch full episodes of The Wild Kratts: https://pbskids.org/wildkratts

Join Chris and Martin Kratt in “Wild Kratts,” a series for children ages 4 to 8! In each episode, the Kratt Brothers travel to a different corner of the world to meet amazing new animals and learn about them and their habitats. It’s all wrapped up in engaging stories of laugh-out-loud adventure and mystery as the Kratt Brothers activate their creature power suits to rescue their animal friends!

Mask Maker Activity Challenge

Where to Watch:

Watch Full Episodes Below on this Wild Kratts Playlist

WXXI Education Favorites
Here are a few of our favorite Wild Kratts Activities & Articles: 

Wild Kratts Collection from PBS LearningMedia
In this collection:

Learn more at the PBS KIDS for Parents Wild Kratts Show Page

Read

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