Rivers of Life: Yukon | Watch & Wonder Weekly Highlight

Monday, October 17, 2 PM

For next week’s Watch & Wonder Highlight, we’re thrilled to feature this episode of Rivers of Life. After watching, dive deeper with resources about how the environment of Alaska’s Yukon Delta is seeing major changes, impacting the cultural traditions of the Yupi’k people who live there, on PBS LearningMedia.

Featuring breathtaking photography, the second season of Rivers of Life explores Africa’s wildest river, the Zambezi; Europe’s Danube River, which travels through more countries than any other river; and North America’s great frozen river, the Yukon. Journey from source to mouth and travel through awe-inspiring landscapes to discover the spectacular wildlife and fascinating people that thrive along three of Earth’s greatest rivers.

PBS LearningMedia

Yukon Kings | Global Oneness Project

Grades 6-12
Watch the short film, Yukon Kings by Emmanuel Vaughan-Lee, about the challenges facing Ray Waska, a Yupi’k fisherman, and his community as the fish stocks of Alaska’s Yukon Delta diminish. In the corresponding lesson plan, students learn about how the cultural traditions of Native Alaskans are linked with local ecosystems. Students debate the need to respect and protect tradition vs. accepting change. Reflective writing prompts are also included for students to demonstrate their understanding of the story.

In school or at home, take advantage of the Watch & Wonder broadcast schedule. Running each weekday from 1-3 PM, Watch & Wonder is great for classroom viewing, distance instruction, and families looking to spend some extra, quality time together. Featured programs are ideal for kids in grades 6-12, encouraging creativity with the arts, kick starting innovation through STEM, and expanding their horizons with stories from across the globe!

Each week, we’ll highlight a show from our Watch & Wonder block, and share a PBS LearningMedia resource — suitable for middle and high school students. Follow along on the Watch & Wonder Schedule page, or subscribe to our newsletter!