[soft intro music]

(Describer) In the Reading Room, Dott and Dusty play with paper dolls that look like them.

[French accent] Allo, Dusty! My name is Dott. I am from Paris!

Oh, allo, Dott! I am-- I'm from Paris, too! Ah, oui? Yeah! The best from Paris! Oh, yes!

(children) Hi! Oh! You're here! You made it! You're the first to arrive! I'm Dott, like the polka dot, and this is my dog, Dusty. Like the dust! Haha! Oh, Dott, what badge am I trying to get today? Today's Alphabadge is called...

Oooh! [children laughing]

(Describer) Dott bumps Dusty.

The "e-e" vowel team badge. Eeew, wheee! Eh.

[horn toots]

Hey! The Alphabotteers are here! Come on! Let's go outside and say hello!

(Describer) To the dolls.

[upbeat music] You stay here.

Au revoir! [panting]

(Describer) A diverse group of kids rush into the yard. They grin and wear backpacks.

[upbeat music]

(all) ♪ We use our eyes ♪

(Describer) They dance.

♪ We use each ear ♪

♪ The letters show ♪

♪ The sounds we hear ♪

(Describer) They lean as they cup one ear.

♪ Reading together will help us grow ♪

♪ These badges show you all we know ♪

♪ We get a new one every time ♪

♪ And with your help, we'll take that climb ♪

♪ Let's go! On a letter adventure ♪

♪ Let's go, learning's better together! ♪

♪ We're the Alphabotteers! ♪

(Describer) They all pose.

All right, everybody! Drop your backpacks off inside. We'll be right in. You heard her! Backpacks inside! We've got a lot of work to do today. Ah, Dust? Hm? That means you too. Ah! Heh heh! Right. All right, come on, feet!

(Describer) To us.

And you. Come on.

(Describer) In the garden, two colorful puppets stand.

[upbeat music]

Hello, Reading Buddies! My name is Marty, the garden gnome. And this is Mary. Say "hello," Mary. "Hello, Mary." We're here to give you...

[together, with children] The "Fancy Schmancy

Word of the Day!" We're going to give you a fancy word and tell you what it means. Drumroll, please. Yabba, dabba, yabba... Today's word is... "Feeble." Let's all say it all together. "Feeble" on three! One, two, three!

(all) Feeble! Feeble mean: "weak or without energy." That's right! Muscles could be feeble if you don't use them every day. Or you may feel feeble if you're getting over a cold and you're still tired and sick. Oh! Our friend Jampa is coming! We'll see you later, alligator! In a while, crocodile! Freeze!

(Describer) Jampa pops up in the window and spies on the frozen gnomes through binoculars.

[banjo strumming]

[Alphabott squealing "fanfare"]

(Describer) In the Reading Room.

You know what that means-- it's time for Alphabott's sound of the day! What's the new sound, A.B.? "ee, ee, ee, ee, ee, ee." This is a super fun one, Alphabott! "e-e" as in bee. Hmmm! Buzz, buzz, buzz! Hey, wait, why is the "ee" sound super fun? Oh, just that it has a secret!

Oh, well, okay, but-- [gasps]

What's the secret? The sound "ee" can be made by two vowels that work together as a team! Today, you're going to help Dusty earn the "e-e" vowel team badge!

[magical tinkling] (children) Oooh!

The "e-e" vowel team badge! Weeeee love it! There are a bunch of vowel teams, but today, we're going to learn one team that makes the "ee" sound-- "e, e." Alphabott, can you show us what our mouth does when we make the "ee" sound?

[whirring]

When we make the "ee" sound, the front of our tongue lifts, but not too high. The lips are flat, and our top and bottom teeth are close together. See? "ee."

[whirring]

"e, e, e." What about your voice box? Is it on?

(Describer) Dusty touches his throat.

[inhales]

eeeeeeee! [laughs] Did you feel a buzz?

(children) Yes! Yeah, me too! That's right. The "ee" sound is a vowel sound. The air comes whooshing through with nothing in its way. Thanks for giving us our new sound, A.B.

[squeals]

(Describer) Alphabott leaves.

I'm gonna get that "e-e" vowel team badge! Oh, you'll get it! With your help, I'm sure of it. Oh, phew! All that hearing made me hungry! Well, you can have treats after you clean your doghouse, Dusty. Oh, that? I did that hours ago. Oh!

(Describer) To us.

I didn't. I was sleeping hours ago, dreaming of old cheese, which is exactly what my room smells like. Ha! Will you help me clean up my doghouse?

(children) Yes! Hot dog! Race you there! Ready, set, go!

(Describer) Dusty hurries to his doghouse door in the middle of a bookcase. He ducks inside the yellow curtain.

[panting] [funky music playing]

Hmm? Goh!

(singer) ♪ Dog dog, doggy dog ♪

♪ Doggy dog dog doghouse ♪

[panting] Oh, you win again!

Haha! [sniffs] Eww! What's that stench? Oh, right. Hmm! The pile of junk. Let's sort it out! Today, let's set aside the things that have the "ee" sound. Remember, "e, e," as in bee.

(junk pile) You think you can beat me, Pee-Wee? Yessirree! Dive, dive, dive!

(Describer) Dusty leaps into the pile.

[grunts] Rummage, rummage, rummage, rummage, rummage!

[whistles] Seed!

Ss, ee, duh. Does seed have the "ee" sound?

(children) Yes! Yes, in the middle! I wonder what it's going to grow into?

[grunting]

(Describer) Dusty pulls another item out.

[upbeat music] Gnome?

Nn, oh, mm! Does gnome have the "ee" sound?

(children) No! No way! Outside with you, gnome!

[grunting]

Tree! Tuh, rr, ee! Does tree have the "ee" sound?

(children) Yes! Yes! It's the last sound in tree. Ooh, I hope it's a money tree! Ka-ching!

(junk pile) Nooooo!

(Describer) The junk pile quivers and sinks down out of sight.

See ya tomorrow, Dusty. See ya tomorrow, Junk! Hahah! Whoa! Now I'm really hungry.

[sniffing]

Do you smell that?

[sniffing]

I smell-ee something yummy in the reading room! Hahah! Let's go!

[dog howls]

(Describer) In the Reading Room, Maya sits with dog treats.

Hey, Dusty, do you know what time it is? I would if I had a watch! Hint, hint-- birthday gift idea!

(both) It's "Snack Time!" I'm teaching Dusty some new tricks. Do you want to help?

(children) Yes! Great! Here we go, Dusty. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.

[metronome ticking]

Say "share." Share. Say it again, but don't say "sh." Air! Correct.

[slurps]

Say "cheese." Mm, cheese. Say it again, but don't say "eese." Ch! Correct.

[slurps]

Say "hike." Hike. Say it again, but don't say "hh." Ike! Well done, Dusty. Mmmm! This is fun! Let's do another! Sure, but I'm all out of treats. Dusty?

[children laughing] Dusty?

[cricket chirp] Dogs.

Woof! [laughing]

(Describer) In the garden.

[upbeat music] Oh! Hi, Reading Buddies!

We're looking at this prize tomato. It's so heavy, there's no way it could be grown on a feeble, tiny vine! It came from a big, strong vine. Yeah! A feeble vine couldn't hold this tomato. It's too big, right, Marty? Right. Uh-oh. Watch out for that ant! It may steal the tomato. Hoho! That ant is way too feeble to carry that tomato. It's too feeble to carry a grape! Too feeble to carry a raisin, even.

Why, it's so feeble... [children laugh]

(Describer) The ant carries the tomato away.

Gee! I guess the ant's not so weak and feeble after all, huh, Marty? I guess not, Mary. I guess not.

[whirring, beeping]

(Describer) In the yard, Ziggy paints on Alphabott's screen.

[French music playing]

Every day's a great day when you're drawing. Right, Alphabott?

[positive squealing]

Hi, Ziggy. What are you drawing today? Love! See here? It's a girl. She's looking at someone or something. Aww! I think she's looking at me. Hey, can we help you finish her eyes? I was hoping you would.

(Describer) To us.

Can you help finish these eyes?

(child) Okay. Great! Now, follow along. Let's make a short, horizontal line going from left to right. Now we draw a counterclockwise circle, but we leave it open at the end. See that? Let's do it again. From left to right, with a counterclockwise circle that's open at the end. Done! She's definitely looking at me. My favorite one yet. You say that about all your paintings! I mean it every time. I have to rinse out my brushes. See you later, painter!

(all) Bye! Those eyes made me think of the vowel team that make the "ee" sound. The two "e" s together! Today's Alphabadge! Let's look a little closer at the letter "e," huh? Alphabott, switch into learning mode, please.

[whirring]

(Describer) Alphabott shakes and slides in their arms.

[upbeat music]

[whistles]

(Describer) Their head spins.

All right, Reading Buddies, time to take out your magic paintbrush. Now, I know I put mine around here somewhere. Oh, haha! I remember now! Beeoop!

(Describer) Dott pulls an imaginary paintbrush from her hair.

(children) Oooh! Now, that's a good hiding place! Hey, follow along with Dott to create the vowel team "e-e." Let's start between the dotted and bottom line. Draw a horizontal line across to the right, start our circle curving to the left, but we leave that space instead of finishing the circle. Now let's do it again. Start between the dotted and the bottom line. We draw our line across to the right, and an almost-circle to the left, making sure that I hit the line we started with. Wait a minute! It looks like the eyes we drew. Right! The two "e"s form a team. Can you hear 'em?

(Describer) Alphabott.

e-e, bee, ee! Did you hear that? Hahah! Well, that's a magic paintbrush for you! Let's put those things away before they cast a spell on us or something! Good idea! Do you want to go inside and play with this new "ee" sound a bit more?

(children) Yes! Okay! Meet you in the reading room!

(Describer) On Alphabott's screen, animated paper letters spell "Alpha Shorts".

[funky music]

(Describer) Two red letter 'E's float as a bumble bee flies in circles.

(Dott) ee, bee, "ee." ee, bee, "ee." ee, bee, "ee."

(Describer) The bee flies away.

[ticking]

(Describer) On the screen, two blocks break apart with the words "Where is it?" Dott wears a red jacket and eyeglasses and Dusty wears a name tag.

[game-show music playing]

[children cheering]

♪

Welcome back to...

(all) "Where Is It?" The game show where you have to listen for a sound in a word. You all know the reigning champion, Dusty! Hello, Grandpa Marty! I'm on TV! Today, you're listening for the "ee" sound. It will be in the first, second, or even a third square. Here we go. The first word is: "eek!" Eek! Ee, kk. Which square has the "ee" sound? Ee, kk. Yeah! Let's go with the first one, Dott.

(Describer) Dott taps it.

[dinging]

Way to go! Now it's time for a surprise round! Let's add a fourth square, Alphabott.

(children) Oooh! The word is: "sweet." Oh, boy! Okay, uh, sweet. Ss, wuh, ee, tt. Which square has the "ee" sound? Ss, wuh, ee, tt.

(child) Third square! Okay! Let's go with the third square! The third square? Mm-hm.

(Describer) She taps it.

[dinging]

Wowee! The last word is: "green." Green. Guh, rr, ee, nn. Which square has the "ee" sound? Guh, rr, ee, nn.

(child) Third square! Are you sure? Okay, this one's for all the kibble. The third square, Dott!

(Describer) Dott taps it.

[dinging]

Yahoo! You won! Haha! Oh oh!! I'd like to thank my Reading Buddies and, of course, the "ee" sound. Join us next time where we'll find a whole new sound!

[sad wheezing]

Uh-oh. [squeals]

Alphabott's battery's running out of juice. Hey, Dusty, could you take her to Reggie for a quick charge? Oh, sure! Reggie's great with repairs! Will you come with me? We could use your help!

(children) Yeah! Let's go! Oh, great! Let's do it! Reggie! Your best friends in the whole world are here! Hey, you two! Hey, Reading Buddies! Oh, were you working on the Happy Camper? Are the hair bags full of hair? Or whatever they do. Do you mean "air bags"? Yes! A hair bag would be gross and we should... never make one! Haha! No, no, no.

[chastising squeal]

Sorry, Alphabott! Dusty, let's take a look under the hood.

(Describer) Reggie puts on goggles. He takes off an instrument panel and hands it to Dusty.

[whirring, steam hissing]

Wowee zowwee! Her battery's drained. Hey, will you help us charge Alphabott's batteries?

(all) Yes! We can do it! Okay, for every sound we hear in a word, we have to press a button. After a few rounds, Alphabott will be fully charged. Let's get to work!

(Describer) A battery and four buttons appear.

[beeping, whirring]

(Dusty) Feet. The word is "feet." How many sounds do you hear in: ff, ee, tt?

(child) Three! Three? Ff, ee, tt. Feet!

[whirring]

(Reggie) Great job, Buddies!

(Describer) One bar on the battery turns green.

[beeping]

(Dusty) Cheek. The word is "cheek." How many sounds are in: ch, ee, kk?

(all) Three!

(Dusty) Three! Ch, ee, kk. Cheek!

(Describer) Two of the four bars on the battery are green.

[whirring, beeping]

Three. The word is "three." How many sounds are in: Th, rr, ee?

(child) Three!

(Dusty) Three! Hahaha! Th, rr, ee. Three!

[whirring, beeping]

(Describer) One more bar to go.

Bleep. The word is "bleep." How many sounds are in the word: Buh, ll, ee, puh?

(child) Four!

(Dusty) Four? Let's see. Buh, ll, ee, puh. Bleep!

[whirring, beeping]

(Describer) The battery turns green.

[fanfare, upbeat music]

(Reggie) She's fully charged!

[children cheering]

Great work, Reading Buddies. That'll be ten cents, Dusty. Ten cents towards the "Get Reggie to Space Camp" fund!

[happy squealing]

Thanks, Reggie. Aw, thanks, Dust.

[chuckles]

(Describer) Reggie adds the dime to his piggy bank. In the Reading Room, Alphabott and Dusty join Dott at the desk.

[coin rattles]

[Alphabott whirring]

Great to have you back, A.B.

[curious squealing]

Okay, A.B. Alphabott wants to transform some words that have the "e-e" vowel team in them. Oh, boy! I'm so close to earning that "ee" vowel team badge, I can taste it. Mmm! It's kind of sweet. Mmm! Dusty? Promise me you won't eat your "e-e" vowel team badge.

Eeeeeh! [children laugh]

Are we going to transform some words or not? Okay. Let's take a simple word like this to start. Read this one with me.

(Describer) 'E-E'.

(both) ee, ll.

(Describer) 'L'.

Eel. What sound is in the beginning of "eel"? Ee-e-el. Oh, that's easy! "eee"! Uh-huh, that's right. It's your new vowel team. Okay, now let's transform "eel" by adding a new first sound. Dusty, what would we make to say "peel"?

(Dusty) Puh, ee, ll. Puh, puh, ee, ll. I hear a "puh" sound. Puh! Let's add a "p." Okay, let's add a "p." I have one right here. Now we have "peel." Mm-hm. What do I need to change if I want to make the word: "peep"? Hm. Puh, ee, puh. Puh, ee, puh. Puh, puh-- right there! At the end. Do we need to add another "p"? Uh-huh. That's right, sure do. Okay, Dusty. What do I need if I wanted to change "peep" into "sheep"? Hm, "peep" to "sheep"? Puh, ee, puh. Sh, ee, puh. Sheep! The change is in the first sound! Yup! I hear the "sh" sound, which means I need my "s-h" digraph.

[Dott laughs] Shee-e-e-e-ep!

Hahahah! Great job, Dusty. You transformed all those words. Finally! My brain is full! Hey! Can we go outside? Sure we can! We can get some fresh air in while we exercise. Do you want to come outside with us?

(children) Okay! Yeah! Great! Let's get to it. Thanks, A.B.

[squeals] [upbeat music]

(Describer) In the yard. Dusty waves pom-poms.

Are you ready to "Squat with Dott"? Whoo! It's that time of the day. You want to stand up and join us? Yeah, come on. Dusty's our cheerleader. Hiss, boom, bah! Today, let's start with our feet. Do you feel your feet deep in the floor? I do! Mm-hm. Now, can you dig your heel? Like this? Great! Let's do it together. Heel dig.

(Describer) Kitt and Cosmo join Dott pressing one heel and then the other into the ground.

(all) Heel dig. Heel dig! And stop! Let's sweep from side to side, okay? Here we go. Five, six, seven, eight. Sweep from side to side.

(all) Sweep from side to side.

(Describer) They push their hands to one side, then the other.

Sweep from side to side. And stop. I feel the need for speed. Ho ho! You heard him! A speedy sweep. Dig deep and sweep. Here we go. Five, six, seven, eight. Dig deep and sweep!

(Describer) They stomp and bop their hands as they raise them.

Dig deep and sweep.

(all) Dig deep and sweep. And stop!

Whoo! [panting]

I'm about to keel over. Uggh! Good workout, folks. Gleeful, really!

(Describer) They grin.

[soft music playing]

(Describer) Dusty in the bathtub.

Hmm! Oh! That workout made me sweat. Wow, look at all the bubbles. Hee hee! Let's get popping.

[bubbles pop]

(Describer) Three bubbles float up.

(Dott) Ss, ee, mm. Seem.

(Describer) Three bubbles.

Guh, ll, ee. Glee.

(Dusty) Ooh!

(Describer) Three bubbles.

Ff, rr, ee. Free.

[popping]

[scatting] Haha!

(Describer) Dusty walks across the bathroom. Next, in the yard.

[banjo strums]

Oh! Hi, Jampa! Hi, Dusty. Whoa! Is that a new picture for your scrapbook? Yeah. What is that? A tree. A tree! Oh, I love trees! Hey, trees fly, right? No, Dusty. Oh ho! They don't fly. Hey, do you have a tree at your house? Yes, in my backyard. In your backyard? Wow, lucky you. Have you ever seen leaves on a tree? Yeah! What color are the leaves on a tree? Green! Green! Yeah, that's right. Hey, what color are they in the fall? Red and orange. Red and orange? Oh, yeah. What's your favorite season? Summer. Summer! Oh, I love summer. Thanks for sharing your scrapbook with me. Bye, Dusty. Bye, Jampa!

[banjo strumming]

(Describer) In the Reading Room.

Hi, Maya.

[sighs]

(Describer) Maya keeps reading.

Hi, Maya. Oh, hi, Dott. Is everything okay? I'm fine. Okay. Well, if you ever feel not fine, you can always talk to me. I'll do my best to listen. Wait! I have to share my creative-writing project with my class in a few days, and I've never done that before. I'm really nervous. Oh, Maya, I'm so glad you told me. It can feel really scary to do something new. Sometimes what makes it scary is not having any idea what to expect. That's exactly how I feel! Will I have to go first? Will I have to stand up in front of the room? Can I hold my paper? Will I have to read it more than once? Will people ask my questions after? Oh, Maya! You have so many questions. Have you ever made a list of the questions you have? No, they're mostly in my brain. When I get nervous about a new plan, I like to write my thoughts and questions down. Sometimes, I can even find someone who has some of the answers. Maybe I can ask my teacher some of them? Absolutely! I bet they'll be able to help. It's important to ask for what you need. Though he probably won't be able to help my nerves. I'm just so nervous! So what? You're also brave! You can be both-- nervous and brave. Would it help your nerves to read your work to me to practice? I would love to be an audience. Really? Absolutely. How can I help? Well, just to start, can you sit in front of me, please?

(Describer) Maya stands while Dott sits at the desk.

[soft music]

But turn around so you're not looking. Absolutely. I'll even close my eyes and focus just on listening instead of watching. Okay, great. Thanks, Dott. I'm feeling better already.

[sighs]

Okay. "My trip to the ocean, by Maya. "The first thing that I did when I got there was I went to Leaf Island, but there were no leaves..."

(butterflies) ♪ Feeble, feeble, feeble! ♪

(Describer) In the garden, butterflies sing for the gnomes.

♪ Feeble! Feeble! ♪

"Weak, or without energy." I liked it! That's our time, Reading Buddies! Say goodbye, Mary. "Goodbye, Mary!"

(both) Goodbye, Jampa!

(Describer) The gnomes freeze. Jampa appears.

[banjo strumming]

Bye, gnomes!

(Describer) In the yard.

And you, Dusty, You've earned your new Alphabadge, the "e-e" vowel team badge!

Wear it with pride. [fanfare]

Shucks, folks, I'm speechless! Hey, Ziggy, can you paint me a picture of this?

(Describer) He joins the kids.

Little by little.

(all) Letter by letter!

[bus horn beeps] Oh, time to go home!

Give your vests to A.B. I'll see you tomorrow. I'm very proud of you!

(Describer) The kids hang their yellow vests on Alphabott's arms. They give hugs and high fives to Dott.

[closing theme song plays]

(all) ♪ Reading Buddies ♪

♪ You did great work today! ♪

♪ Reading Buddies ♪

♪ I really wish you could stay ♪

♪ We'll see you soon from this same spot ♪

♪ With Dusty and Dott and Alphabott ♪

♪ With your Reading Buddies ♪

♪ You'll never read alone! ♪

(Describer) Everyone waves.

(all) Goodbye! See you soon! Accessibility provided by the U.S. Department of Education.

(Describer) Credits. Accessibility provided by the US Department of Education.

[upbeat music]

♪