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5 ways to inspire community participation with PBS Wisconsin Education and PBS KIDS
August 12, 2024 Leave a Comment
Kids are part of different communities, from school to extracurricular organizations to the community they live in and beyond. PBS Wisconsin Education and PBS KIDS have videos, games and more to help build empathy and model ways kids can participate in the communities they belong to.
Watch City Island together
In the PBS KIDS animated series City Island, every object is alive, from salt shakers to garbage trucks! The short videos feature Watt the lightbulb and his friends as they learn about different aspects of their community. They discover their library, volunteer at the animal shelter, investigate the importance of rules and more.
City Island Sings was recently added to the series. The short musical videos are a great way to introduce young children to concepts like voting, helping others and different jobs within a community. Watch City Island and City Island Sings anytime on the PBS KIDS website or the free PBS KIDS Video app.
Play Rosie’s Rules games
The PBS KIDS series Rosie’s Rules follows five-year-old Rosie Fuentes as she learns about the world around her and finds creative ways to solve problems. Five Rosie’s Rules games offer fun ways for children to explore and learn with her.
Get started with the new Robot Planter Maker game. The game encourages kids to think of others as they create a quirky robot planter to give to someone special. As players pick out recycled and simple household items to build their planter, they may find inspiration for creating a unique gift at home! Find Robot Planter Maker and more free-to-play, ad-free games on the PBS KIDS website or the PBS KIDS Games app.
Learn with You, Me and Community
There are many ways to introduce young children to civics and government, from bringing them along to the ballot box to learning about local history. For more ways to help kids become civically minded citizens, check out PBS LearningMedia’s You, Me and Community collection.
This conveniently organized collection is filled with free-to-use, age-appropriate videos, games, activities and more to explore government, geography, economics and history concepts. Learn about community helpers with Daniel Tiger, or find out what makes a country with Let’s Go Luna!
Not sure where to start? Use the activity calendar for daily inspiration. Plus, many of the resources are available in English and Spanish.
Check out Wisconsin Biographies
PBS Wisconsin Education’s Wisconsin Biographies collection features the stories of people who have impacted communities all over the state. The short animated videos, historical images and digital books are designed for upper elementary learners but are engaging and informative for almost any age!
From First Nations sovereignty advocates like Walter Bresette to community builders like Mahmoud Othman Atta, the stories are great examples of different ways people can be change-makers in their community, government and beyond.
Watch The Ways
The Ways is a series of language and culture stories from 12 Native nations around the central Great Lakes. Aimed at teenage learners, the stories explore connections between traditional ways and those of today.
Each story highlights an important role within a community, from teachers and advocates to hunters and music makers. Learn about the significance of treaty rights through one family’s fishing traditions, or hear from a high school basketball player who infuses her culture in her leadership roles.
