☃️🎄 Watch the Playlist: ❄️ Find all your favorite holiday-themed content here featuring all your friends from PBS KIDS! ❄️Play games and watch more of your favorite shows at https://pbskids.org Download the *FREE* PBS KIDS Games app
Education
Educator Webinar: Visualize History with Student-Created Documentaries
Description
History documentaries transform research into powerful films that bring the past to life and help make sense of complex topics. To coincide with the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, join National History Day and PBS member station KQED, and PBS LearningMedia to explore how student-created history documentaries can help your students share their voice, knowledge, skills, and creativity.
When: Tuesday, December 9, 2025 7:00-9:00 PM EST Virtual Training via Webinar
What you’ll do:
- Explore ready-to-use curriculum using National History Day’s 2026 theme of Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History and the Revolutionary Era as a case study
- Practice video pre-production strategies
- Start a sample mini-documentary you can use as a model with students
What you’ll get:
- National History Day’s documentary projects
- Modifiable curriculum and resources in English and Spanish for PBS LearningMedia’s The American Revolution Youth Media Challenge (hosted by KQED)
- No-cost access to web-based video tools
- A copy of the presentation deck to modify and use with students
- A PDF letter of attendance–verifying 2 hours of attendance–to submit to your district or administration for approval towards professional development credit. (Requirements for professional development credits vary, so check with your district and/or state.)
- Ongoing facilitator support for technical and classroom implementation questions, as needed
Designed by educators for educators, KQED’s well-paced workshops provide ready-to-use resources, instructional strategies, and genuine interaction with experienced and dynamic facilitators.
Speakers
- KQED Education
- National History Day
- PBS LearningMedia
KQED is a nonprofit, public media station and NPR and PBS member station based in San Francisco. As a leader in media innovation, KQED provides free standards-aligned classroom content and professional development that educators can trust. Our workshops and courses help educators in all roles, subjects and grades strengthen their media literacy skills, empower youth voices, and encourage civil discourse. Learn more at kqed.org/education.
National History Day®, a world leader in history and civics education, is a nonprofit education organization improving the teaching and learning of history. NHD reaches more than half a million students and tens of thousands of teachers each year via its international student history contest and its wide range of teacher professional development programs, curriculum tools, and other educational activities.
PBS LearningMedia, a partnership of PBS and GBH, is an online destination that offers free access to thousands of resources from PBS stations and partners. These digital tools are designed to complement classroom instruction — from videos, images, and interactives to lesson plans, articles, and primary sources. Available for free to all educators PreK through 12th grade, PBS LearningMedia offers classroom-ready content aligned to state and national standards, compatible with the tools teachers use most, such as Google Classroom, and contextualized with supporting materials. Learn more at pbslearningmedia.org.
Questions about the event? Email education@kqed.org
Thanksgiving Videos & Games with PBS KIDS!
Watch the Playlist: Celebrate Thanksgiving with family and friends with PBS KIDS! Watch full episodes and clips from Wild Kratts, Nature Cat, Daniel Tiger, Cyberchase and more! See episodes from Arthur and Molly of Denali below.
Play An Elwood City Thanksgiving!
Play An Elwood City Thanksgiving Game at PBS KIDS
Watch An Arthur Thanksgiving with Activities
Watch the full movie & explore Arthur activities
Watch Molly of Denali Thanks for Giving & Learn the Story of the Three Sister
The Story of the Three Sisters and Full Episode of Thanks for Giving
WXXI America at 250
July 4, 2026 the nation will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the founding of the United States and the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. We will also look at ways that America continues to work on fulfilling the promise of the the Declaration, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The page includes:
Upcoming Programs & Events
America 250 Series • WXXI News
Connect250, a Nationwide Storytelling Project
National Treasure, America 250 screening • The Little Theatre
The American Revolution Series • WXXI-TV
A Capitol Fourth: 250th Weekend Celebration • WXXI-TV
America Made in Virginia: 250 Years Together • WXXI-TV
Celebrate America 250: Made with Love • WXXI-TV
People of The American Revolution & Women’s Rights Screening • The Central Library
Ken Burns’ “The Statue of Liberty” • WXXI-TV
America 250 Radio Celebration • WXXI Classical
On-Demand Programs
America’s Awesome Kids • WXXI-TV and YouTube
Lucy Worsley Investigates: The American Revolution • On-Demand
Lessons for Ken Burns’ The American Revolution Series • On-Demand
The American Revolution Series • On-Demand
Lafayette: A Hero’s Return • On-Demand
Hallowed Ground: New York’s Lost Revolutionary War Battlefields • On-Demand
Henry Knox: Resolve Forged by Revolution • On-Demand
Antiques Roadshow “250 Years of Americana” • On-Demand
Voices of the American Revolution
Latino Patriots in the American Revolution
Video Playlist of Clips from The American Revolution
Women of the American Revolution
Would You Have Joined The American Revolution?
Declarations: Black Americans and the Revolutionary War • On-demand
Native Lands and the American Revolution on the Frontier
Patriot, Loyalist, Neutral: Differing Perspectives on the American Revolution?
Past Programs & Events
National Treasure, America 250 screening • The Little Theatre
The American Revolution Series • WXXI-TV
A Capitol Fourth: 250th Weekend Celebration • WXXI-TV
America Made in Virginia: 250 Years Together • WXXI-TV
Celebrate America 250: Made with Love • WXXI-TV
People of The American Revolution & Women’s Rights Screening • The Central Library
Ken Burns’ “The Statue of Liberty” • WXXI-TV
America 250 Radio Celebration • WXXI Classical
Our Sponsors
Sponsored By the NY State Education Department & America 250 New York
The American Revolution Campus Conversation Webinar On-Demand
Explore the recorded video of an event hosted by PBS and Florentine Films on 11/19/25 at NYU. THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION Campus Conversation Partnering with New York University for the in-person and livestreamed event, filmmakers Ken Burns and Sarah Botstein, experts Christopher Brown and Maggie Blackhawk, and moderator Patrick J. Egan will talk about the history, the film, and its relevance today. Intended for Higher Education Faculty and Students
Description
As part of the premiere week of THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, PBS invites college faculty and students to an hour-long virtual discussion during which filmmakers Ken Burns and Sarah Botstein, experts Christopher Brown and Maggie Blackhawk, and moderator Patrick J. Egan will talk about the history, the film, and its relevance today.
Panelists
- Ken Burns (Filmmaker)
- Sarah Botstein (Filmmaker)
- Maggie Blackhawk (Professor of Law, New York University)
- Christopher Brown (Professor of History, Columbia University)
Moderator
Patrick J. Egan (Professor of Politics & Public Policy, New York University)
Event in partnership with New York University, American Association for State & Local History, American Historical Association, and Council for Christian Colleges & Universities
What You Get?
The entire conversation was recorded and is available for students, teachers, and the general public. After watching, we hope you come away with new insights about the Revolutionary era and its continued relevance; ideas for how to use the documentary as a tool to spark discussions in your campus communities; and for teachers and professors, strategies on how to incorporate these history lessons into the larger educational experience.
- Screener Request Form: Continue the conversation in your classroom or campus community with this 36-minute clip reel for 5 clips.
- THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION Engagement Resource Center: Explore nine unique toolkits to engage a variety of audiences, including your campus community, with the “Revolution Reframed: Campus Engagement” toolkit.
- PBS Teach 250: Visit this central hub on PBS LearningMedia, designed for educators and future educators, to find Revolutionary era content, from PBS and local PBS member stations, for their classrooms. If you work with students in grades 3-12, consider watching this webinar that is intended for their grade levels
Interested in hosting your own campus screening event for THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION? Request a screening reel and find resources including discussion guides, event planners, and more at The American Revolution Engagement Resource Center.
Our Sponsors
Sponsored By
Corporate funding for THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION was provided by Bank of America. Major funding was provided by The Better Angels Society and its members Jeannie and Jonathan Lavine with the Crimson Lion Foundation; and the Blavatnik Family Foundation. Major funding was also provided by David M. Rubenstein; The Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Family Foundation; Lilly Endowment Inc.; and the following Better Angels Society members: Eric and Wendy Schmidt; Stephen A. Schwarzman; and Kenneth C. Griffin with Griffin Catalyst. Additional support for THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION was provided by: The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations; The Pew Charitable Trusts; Gilbert S. Omenn and Martha A. Darling; Park Foundation; and the following Better Angels Society members: Gilchrist and Amy Berg; Perry and Donna Golkin; The Michelson Foundation; Jacqueline B. Mars; Kissick Family Foundation; Diane and Hal Brierley; John H. N. Fisher and Jennifer Caldwell; John and Catherine Debs; The Fullerton Family Charitable Fund; Philip I. Kent; Gail Elden; Deborah and Jon Dawson; David and Susan Kreisman; The McCloskey Family Charitable Trust; Becky and Jim Morgan; Carol and Ned Spieker; Mark A. Tracy; and Paul and Shelley Whyte. THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION was made possible, in part, with support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Connecting Students to Our Shared History: The American Revolution PBS LearningMedia Educator Webinar On-Demand
Explore The American Revolution series with this on-demand archive from a virtual educator event from PBS LearningMedia: Connecting Students to Our Shared History: A Live Conversations with the Filmmakers Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt. The filmmakers behind THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION joined in a conversation moderated by Sharon McMahon known as “America’s Government Teacher.” You’ll hear how the film came to life, gather ideas for how to engage students in this shared history, and discover new ready-to-use classroom resources from PBS LearningMedia. This event video is for educators teaching social studies in grades 3-12, as well as other educators, including instructional coaches and curriculum specialists in social studies. This event may also be useful to anyone getting ready to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the creation of United States with children and youth.
Description
Participants will learn about the process of creating a historical documentary, consider the power of visual storytelling to engage with the past, and discover opportunities to use this film in the classroom with PBS LearningMedia’s newest collection Ken Burns in the Classroom: The American Revolution. The resources in the collection will support teachers in connecting students to the Revolutionary era and its legacies today in relatable and meaningful ways. This webinar is from 11/18/25.
Watch On-Demand
What you’ll see:
- Hear from all three filmmakers about their experiences creating this documentary
- Consider how the perspectives of a wide variety of individuals from the Revolutionary era can help students connect to our shared history, 250 years in the making
- Discover more about the Ken Burns in the Classroom: The American Revolution Collection on PBS LearningMedia at pbslearningmedia.org/americanrevolution
What you’ll get:
- Access to insights from The American Revolution filmmakers
- Ready-to-use, curriculum-targeted, standards-aligned classroom resources
- A more expansive view of the Revolutionary era and ideas for how to engage students in this shared history, supporting critical thinking skills and the ability to connect the past to the present
About PBS LearningMedia
PBS LearningMedia, a partnership between PBS and GBH, is a transformative digital media platform for PreK-12 educators, providing free access to thousands of media-centric classroom resources from PBS member stations and esteemed partners. PBS LearningMedia delivers a dynamic mix of national and locally relevant content—including videos, interactives, lesson plans, teaching tips, and primary sources—that elevates classroom teaching and brings learning to life. Designed with teachers and subject matter experts, classroom resources are aligned to state and national standards and are compatible with the tools teachers use most, such as Google Classroom.
Our Sponsors
Sponsored By
Corporate funding for THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION was provided by Bank of America. Major funding was provided by The Better Angels Society and its members Jeannie and Jonathan Lavine with the Crimson Lion Foundation; and the Blavatnik Family Foundation. Major funding was also provided by David M. Rubenstein; The Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Family Foundation; Lilly Endowment Inc.; and the following Better Angels Society members: Eric and Wendy Schmidt; Stephen A. Schwarzman; and Kenneth C. Griffin with Griffin Catalyst. Additional support for THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION was provided by: The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations; The Pew Charitable Trusts; Gilbert S. Omenn and Martha A. Darling; Park Foundation; and the following Better Angels Society members: Gilchrist and Amy Berg; Perry and Donna Golkin; The Michelson Foundation; Jacqueline B. Mars; Kissick Family Foundation; Diane and Hal Brierley; John H. N. Fisher and Jennifer Caldwell; John and Catherine Debs; The Fullerton Family Charitable Fund; Philip I. Kent; Gail Elden; Deborah and Jon Dawson; David and Susan Kreisman; The McCloskey Family Charitable Trust; Becky and Jim Morgan; Carol and Ned Spieker; Mark A. Tracy; and Paul and Shelley Whyte. THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION was made possible, in part, with support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
This webinar was sponsored by PBS LearningMedia
Summer Bucket List 2026!
Time for a summer full of PBS KIDS and community adventures! Our WXXI Early Learning Team has created a special checklist of summer activities to bring even more fun to your family this summer. Have fun exploring your local community and using PBS KIDS to spark joy with your kids. Need more ideas? Follow us on Facebook or Instagram for regular updates of new activities
Unearth a Story! Visit your local public library and join in on summer learning fun.
This summer’s theme for summer reading is “Unearth a Story” – libraries across the Greater Rochester and Finger Lakes region will be spending time exploring dinosaurs, archeology, paleontology, fossils, gardening, history, and so much more! See the full calendars of summer reading activities, special programming, and events at our region’s local libraries: Rochester Public Libraries, Monroe County Library System, and OWWL Library System.
- Find an OWWL Library location.
- See upcoming OWWL library programs.
- Find an MCLS Library location.
See upcoming MCLS library programs. - Visit the Toy Library.
P.S. Are you a summer learning program or public library? Check out WXXI’s Unearth a Story: Summer Learning Resource Guide. It’s free and available for everyone to use to enhance their summer learning experiences. The guide aligns PBS KIDS, PBS LearningMedia, and the summer reading theme of “Unearth a Story”.
Download the PBS KIDS Summer Activity Booklet.
Use the printable PBS KIDS Summer Activity Booklet for even more PBS KIDS-themed adventure and exploring ideas. The resource includes offline activities from your favorite PBS KIDS friends – Wild Kratts, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Phoebe & Jay, Weather Hunters, and more! Download the booklet here.
Go Screen-Free for a Week!
Summer is the best time to create some screen-time balance! Use this “Screen Free Week” guide for activity ideas, crafts, and adventures that you can do with your kids off-screen. All of the ideas are PBS KIDS-inspired activities – from listening to a PBS KIDS podcast to visiting a local playground to going on a sign scavenger hunt like Phoebe & Jay! The best part of loving PBS KIDS is being able to play, explore, and learn with PBS KIDS anytime, anywhere! Download here.
Use WXXI’s Summer Bucket List
Clickable List of Activities:
- Visit your local public library and join in on summer learning fun! (See above)
- Make up your own silly dance and share it with a friend.
- Explore a local playground or park. (Here are some suggestions!)
- Play with a friend or someone in your family.
- Have a dance party with your favorite music (and people!).
Find WXXI Out in the Community!
Our WXXI Early Learning Team likes to spend time in all of the places that you do! Their calendar is filled with community events, activities, and fun things happening in our region. We’ll be out and about in lots of places and spaces where you might want to be too. Check out the calendar of community events – hope to see you out there!
Find WXXI & PBS KIDS in the Community!
Our WXXI Education Early Learning Team’s calendar is filled with community events, activities, and fun things happening in our region. We’ll be out and about in lots of places and spaces where families spend time (or want to!). Check out our calendar of community events below and stop by to see us!
Brockport Arts Festival – Saturday, August 8
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Main Street, Brockport, NY
Visit and play with PBS KIDS in the Kids Zone! Note: WXXI will only be onsite Saturday.
More details: https://biscobrockport.org/arts-festival/
PBS KIDS @ the Market – Thursday, August 13
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Location: Rochester Public Market – 280 N Union Street, Rochester, NY
WXXI’s Early Learning Team will be onsite Thursdays in July and August with playful activities and summer learning resources.
Action for a Better Community’s Community Action Day Resource Event – Friday, August 14
Time: 3 to 8 p.m.
Location: Parcel 5 – 285 E Main Street, Rochester, NY
This event is free and open to the public.
More details: https://www.abcinfo.org/events/2026-community-action-month-celebration/
RCSD PreK Block Party – August 14
Time: 4-6:30 p.m.
Location: School #39 – 145 Midland Avenue, Rochester, NY
This event is for current or eligible RCSD PreK families to learn about the Early Childhood Department, meet staff, register for EPK or UPK, get excited about the school year, and gather community resources.
RCSD PreK Block Party – August 18
Time: 4-6:30 p.m.
Location: School #44 – 820 Chili Avenue, Rochester, NY
This event is for current or eligible RCSD PreK families to learn about the Early Childhood Department, meet staff, register for EPK or UPK, get excited about the school year, and gather community resources.
PBS KIDS @ the Market – Thursday, August 20
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Location: Rochester Public Market – 280 N Union Street, Rochester, NY
WXXI’s Early Learning Team will be onsite Thursdays in July and August with playful activities and summer learning resources.
Carl the Collector Meet & Greet and End-of-Summer Celebration! – Friday, August 21
Time: 2:30 to 4 p.m.
Location: Central Library of Rochester – 115 South Avenue, Rochester, NY
Collect some fun with Carl the Collector! Come meet Carl in person, snap a photo, enjoy hands-on activities, and share a snack with friends. Note: visits with Carl will be first come, first served. This event is presented by WXXI and Central Library.
More details: https://www.wxxi.org/highlights/carl-meet-and-greet/
PBS KIDS @ the Market – Thursday, August 27
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Location: Rochester Public Market – 280 N Union Street, Rochester, NY
WXXI’s Early Learning Team will be onsite Thursdays in July and August with playful activities and summer learning resources.
HealthiKids’ National Day of Play at Fringe Festival – Saturday, September 19
Time: 5 to 7 p.m.
Location: Parcel 5 – 285 E Main Street, Rochester, NY
More details soon!
Fall Fest – Saturday, September 26
Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: Parcel 5 – 285 E Main Street, Rochester, NY
More details soon!
HealthiKids’ Play Day at Fringe Festival – Saturday, September 26
Time: 12 to 3 p.m.
Location: Spieglegarten – 77 Gibbs Street, Rochester, NY
More details soon!
Monroe County Family Coalition’s Youth & Family Wellness Conference – Saturday, October 10
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Monroe Community Hospital – 435 E Henrietta Rd, Rochester, NY 14620
More details soon!
Al Sigl Community WalkAbout – Sunday, October 18
Time: Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.; Walk starts at 9 a.m.
Location: Eastview Mall – 7979 Pittsford Victor Rd, Victor, NY 14564
More details: https://www.alsigl.org/events/annual-al-sigl-community-walkabout/
Halloween at the Market – Sunday, October 25
Time: 4:30 to 7 p.m.
Location: Rochester Public Market – 280 N Union Street, Rochester, NY
More details soon!
Want WXXI’s Early Learning team to attend your family-focused community event with a PBS KIDS resource or activity table? Please send your request to Cara Rager at CRager@wxxi.org.
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