On-Demand

Donkey Hodie: Songs, Videos & Activities

Play games and watch full episodes of Donkey Hodie on https://pbskids.org/donkeyhodie

The whimsical puppet series produced by Fred Rogers Productions and Spiffy Pictures, encourages preschoolers to aim high, embrace challenges, and work hard to achieve their goals. The colorful multi-platform show follows the adventures of Donkey Hodie, granddaughter of the original Donkey Hodie character from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood (now known as “Grampy Hodie”). The original puppet appeared in 59 episodes of the beloved children’s series. Inspired by the quirky, funny side of Fred Rogers, Donkey Hodie furthers the children’s TV pioneer’s mission of helping young viewers navigate the challenges of childhood. The series features original new music along with reimagined versions of Rogers’ songs.

Set in the whimsical land of Someplace Else, the imaginative social-emotional series for children ages 3-5 centers on the adventures of Donkey Hodie, an enthusiastic, “can-do” yellow donkey with a bright magenta mane, and her pals: Purple Panda, her loyal and empathetic best friend who wears his big heart on his sleeve; Duck Duck, a practical, quick-witted young mallard who loves to figure things out; and Bob Dog, an energetic and eager canine who is always ready to boogie to music or fetch a ball. In Someplace Else, everyone’s big dreams are possible—whether it’s Purple Panda finding the end of the Golden Rainbow, Duck Duck planning a Book-A-Palooza Festival or Bob Dog playing the largest kickball game in history. Episodes include catchy songs that reinforce the stories’ positive messages and fun adventures.

Watch Full Episodes on the PBS KIDS YouTube Playlist

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

Article: It’s okay to make mistakes: How being wrong can help us learn
Activity: Make a mindfulness glitter jar
Game: Play Art Pals and create something fun together
Activity: Learn the Hoof Dance with Donkey
Activity: Make a Donkey Hodie puppet
Recipe: Make flying flapjacks

Learn more at the PBS KIDS for Parents Donkey Hodie Page

Find activities, and games in the PBS LearningMedia Donkey Hodie Collection

Listen to the Donkey Hodie Theme Song:

Sesame Street: See Us Coming Together Special

It’s “Neighbor Day” on Sesame Street and everyone has something special to share! The special follows the Sesame Street friends through a community celebration with new friend Ji-Young—a 7-year-old Korean American character, performed by Sesame Workshop puppeteer Kathleen Kim. Original music and celebrity guests like actors Simu Liu and Anna Cathcart, comic book artist Jim Lee, chef Melissa King, television personality Padma Lakshmi, and athlete Naomi Osaka round out the celebration! Also Available on PBS LearningMedia

Article: See Us Coming Together A Watch & Play Guide
Activity: Sing Along to the See Us Coming Together Song!

and

Ji-Young’s Song with the Best Friends’ Band

Norm & Company: Dr. Walter Cooper On-Demand

Scientist, activist, educator, and humanitarian Dr. Walter Cooper joins WXXI President Norm Silverstein for an episode of Norm & Company, a monthly series where long-time Rochesterians recount fascinating stories about their lives in our community. Dr. Cooper shares stories about his college days at the University of Rochester, his work as a research scientist for Eastman Kodak Company, and his strong involvement in civil rights and education issue. Dr. Cooper received his Ph.D. in physical chemistry at the University of Rochester in 1956 and worked as a research scientist at Eastman Kodak Company for more than 30 years. During his time at Kodak he became very active in civil rights and educational issues, and is still today. The Democrat and Chronicle has called Dr. Walter Cooper a “superhero” because of his contributions to the Rochester community, his devotion to equality, and his commitment to young people.

Serving Change On-Demand

Episode 1: Start Small, Think Big: Meet the roadtrippers and other inspiring people changing the world on a local, countrywide, and global level. Along the way, the roadtrippers learn making small positive changes in their own communities can slowly add up to changing the entire world around them.

Episode 2: From the Ground Up: How do you build a better world? One small change at a time. The roadtrippers meet with public service professionals doing their part to pave the way to a more just and equitable society.

Episode 3: A New World: Change is always happening—the best we can do is influence it in a positive direction. The roadtrippers meet leaders working to do just that, and reflect back on how they can do the same.

Watch On-Demand

More Roadtrip Nation Specials

The Next Mission On-Demand

Three veterans set off on a road trip to discover their purpose in the civilian world.

Roadtrip Nation: The Next Mission, shares stories presented prove there’s no one way to handle transition—each veteran has a different background and set of challenges. But they all share a common hurdle: after spending their lives defined by their military identity, they wonder who they’ll be when the uniform is gone. Helen Chandler has been in or around the military her whole life—she was literally born in an Army helicopter. But now that she has retired from her military career, she’s struggling to find an identity that doesn’t revolve around being a soldier. Army veteran Sam Shockley had everything stripped from him in an instant when he lost his legs to an explosive device during a tour of Afghanistan. But after trudging through post-traumatic depression, he feels he’s finally ready to take hold of his life and find a passion that will push him forward. Bernard Edwards has already figured out what his passion is—helping his fellow veterans transition out of financial and mental woes. Now he’s ready to execute his vision, and seeks to connect with other altruistic veterans like himself. From interviews with fitness entrepreneur Derek Weida, to skincare line founder Nicole Baldwin, author and businessman Robert Kiyosaki, and many more, the road-trippers discover that the skills cultivated in the military aren’t relegated to the battlefield; they can be translated to any number of exciting jobs.

Watch Next Mission: On-Demand

More Roadtrip Nation Specials

Career Center Series On-Demand

Career Center series collection of career sector stories produced by Detroit Public TV.

Watch Career Center Series Short Docs

Watch all 8 episodes:

Information Technology

Ep10 | 26m 45s

Careers in Public Service

Ep7 | 26m 45s

Healthcare Careers

Ep6 | 26m 45s

High Tech Manufacturing Careers

Ep5 | 26m 45s

Careers in Transportation

Ep4 | 26m 45s

Careers in Building Trades

Ep3 | 26m 45s

Careers in Sports and Athletics

Ep2 | 26m 45s

Early Childhood Education Careers

Ep1 | 26m 45s

Dropping Back In (In English & Español) On-Demand

Dropping Back In features half-hour programs which introduce people that left school and are now reconnecting to education and training opportunities. The stories show the issues they face and the people and programs helping them to succeed in continuing their education and furthering their work opportunities.

While they face similar struggles, each person’s story is unique, complicated, messy, revealing, and compelling. The result is a series of documentaries that are both enlightening and inspiring and include a diverse mix of people,
programs, experts, and explanations.

Watch Episodes:

Building a Better Life: Between 2012 and 2022, the U.S. is projected to need more than 500,000 new carpenter and construction laborers. Yet, as Stephen Hernandez, director of the boatbuilding apprentice program at the Alexandria Seaport Foundation says, “People don’t work with their hands anymore.” In fact, there are two million jobs available today that are going unfilled because there are no skilled workers available.

Building a Better Life looks at successful apprentice and training-based programs preparing under-educated and unemployed people for available jobs by teaching academic, life, and employment skills while learning a valuable trade. The “Dropping Back In” episode also features Cafe Hope, a culinary apprentice program in New Orleans, and The Makers Coalition of Minneapolis, a training program in sewing manufacturing. The latter of the two began when a local company discovered a successful niche in making domestically manufactured high-end leather goods, but couldn’t find enough skilled workers. Their dilemma led to a partnership with a local technical college to develop a course and train people in need of marketable skills.

Watch Building a Better Life | Construyendo una vida mejor

Second Chances – High school dropouts, educators, and researchers introduce the economic and personal costs of dropping out, why a high school equivalency is no longer enough, and the benefits of dropouts gaining second chances. Two former dropouts, Kellie Blair Hardt, homeless as a child, now an award-winning teacher, and Hasan Davis, former commissioner of juvenile justice for the state of Kentucky, tell their stories.

Watch Second Chances | Segundas opportunidades

Complicated Lives – Why does it take many dropouts years to attain a high school equivalency? Why do so many former dropouts struggle in college? The challenges faced by many go far beyond academics. Featured programs include Academy of Hope in Washington, DC, a community-based program that works with inner city adults, and Enemy Swim Day School in South Dakota, where children and parents learn together. Tricia Amos, a member of the Dakota Sioux tribe, tells her story.

Watch Complicated Lives: | Vidas complicadas

Working for the Future– In order for America’s dropouts to attain college and career readiness, institutions must change. This program looks at innovative programs that are achieving success, including Lake Area Technical College in SD, which works closely with employers to make sure students gain marketable skills; the Academy for College Excellence, a one-semester program developed By Cabrillo (CA) College to assist under-prepared college students and achieving retention and completion rates far beyond traditional community colleges; and the Makers, a coalition of manufacturers and community colleges working to train much-needed workers that can help keep high-skills manufacturing in America.

Watch Working for the Future | Trabajar por el futuro

More Than A Statistic – The longer someone is out of school the less likely they are to go back. This program looks at programs designed to get young dropouts back on course. Featured are Pedro Albizu Campos High School in Chicago, where a community-based curriculum incorporates Puerto Rican culture; YouthBuild, a national program combining academics with mentoring and construction career training; and ChalleNG Academy, a National Guard program for dropouts and potential dropouts.

More Than A Statistic | Más que estadísticas

Advantages of Career Technical Education Programs

How can career technical education programs help students explore in-demand career fields while still in high school?

Exploring Career Technical Education programs can lead to a career immediately out of high school. Many students have options to go on for more training and education paid for by their employers. Career Technical Programs are also available to adults looking to gain new skills or transition to a new career field. BOCES programs are available to high school students and also adults as separate offerings. Also find career training programs by industry and union groups to increase the number of trained people in the field.

Career and Technical Programs at in the Region