At Home Learning
10 strategies for online learning during a coronavirus outbreak
As the COVID-19 coronavirus continues to spread, schools around the globe are shifting to online learning in an effort to slow the spread of the disease. Members of ISTE’s professional learning networks have been hard at work identifying key practices for successful online learning. Here are some of the best ideas from educators from around the world, many of whom have already been teaching during coronavirus closures.
How to homeschool during the coronavirus with Free Resources
You're a home-schooler now? Check out these free resources for activities kids will love.
Suddenly We're All Homeschoolers! What? You Weren't Trained For This?
Like all overwhelming projects, this one is best tackled by breaking it down into bite-sized chunks. Here's your game plan.
How to Keep Kids Learning When They're Stuck at Home
Tips and resources for setting up a daily homeschool schedule
At-Home Learning for Grades 4-6
At-Home Learning for High School
At-Home Learning for Grades K-3
At-Home Learning for Middle School
As the COVID-19 coronavirus continues to spread, schools around the globe are shifting to online learning in an effort to slow the spread of the disease. Members of ISTE’s professional learning networks have been hard at work identifying key practices for successful online learning. Here are some of the best ideas from educators from around the world, many of whom have already been teaching during coronavirus closures.
How to homeschool during the coronavirus with Free Resources
You're a home-schooler now? Check out these free resources for activities kids will love.
Suddenly We're All Homeschoolers! What? You Weren't Trained For This?
Like all overwhelming projects, this one is best tackled by breaking it down into bite-sized chunks. Here's your game plan.
How to Keep Kids Learning When They're Stuck at Home
Tips and resources for setting up a daily homeschool schedule
At-Home Learning for Grades 4-6
At-Home Learning for High School
At-Home Learning for Grades K-3
At-Home Learning for Middle School
Resources & Tips
Resources for Families During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Navigate social distancing and school closures with quality media and at-home learning opportunities for your kids. See it here!
Coronavirus: Learning Resources for Kids Home From School
This article provides advice for structuring the home learning environment as well as a list of free online activity websites.
COVID-19: Five Helpful Responses for Families
Safety is the brain’s most basic need, followed closely by connection. When we feel unsafe or disconnected, our brains downshift from the higher centers responsible for learning and problem solving, to the lower reactionary centers. That’s why all those challenging behaviors are popping up, and why a minor frustration is now Titanic in size. We can help children (and ourselves) by creating a sense of safety, connecting, and cultivating a new sense of normal with these five tips.
Get Daily Advice About COVID-19
Sign up to receive daily tips in your inbox about how to support kids during the COVID-19 crisis from Child Mind Institute. Our clinicians will share advice about structuring the day when kids are stuck at home, managing behavior, balancing work and child care, practicing mindfulness, and much more.
Navigate social distancing and school closures with quality media and at-home learning opportunities for your kids. See it here!
Coronavirus: Learning Resources for Kids Home From School
This article provides advice for structuring the home learning environment as well as a list of free online activity websites.
COVID-19: Five Helpful Responses for Families
Safety is the brain’s most basic need, followed closely by connection. When we feel unsafe or disconnected, our brains downshift from the higher centers responsible for learning and problem solving, to the lower reactionary centers. That’s why all those challenging behaviors are popping up, and why a minor frustration is now Titanic in size. We can help children (and ourselves) by creating a sense of safety, connecting, and cultivating a new sense of normal with these five tips.
Get Daily Advice About COVID-19
Sign up to receive daily tips in your inbox about how to support kids during the COVID-19 crisis from Child Mind Institute. Our clinicians will share advice about structuring the day when kids are stuck at home, managing behavior, balancing work and child care, practicing mindfulness, and much more.
Internet Access
Several internet providers have announced that they will make their services available for free for households with K-12 and/or college students who don’t already have internet through the company. Further installation fees may also be waived for new student households. Please contact your local internet provider for additional information.
>>>Charter to Offer Free Access to Spectrum Broadband and Wi-Fi For 60 Days For New K-12 and College Student Households and More
National PTA has joined several other education groups in calling for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to temporarily allow schools to utilize E-Rate program funding to provide Wi-Fi hotspots or devices with Wi-Fi capability to students who lack internet access at home. This action would help ensure that all students can remotely continue their education during the current public health emergency.
The coronavirus pandemic is shining a bright light on the so-called “homework gap” experienced by 12 million students in this country. The gap refers to those students who do not have internet access at home and are unable to complete their homework—at a time when over 70% of educators assign schoolwork that requires the internet.
>>>Charter to Offer Free Access to Spectrum Broadband and Wi-Fi For 60 Days For New K-12 and College Student Households and More
National PTA has joined several other education groups in calling for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to temporarily allow schools to utilize E-Rate program funding to provide Wi-Fi hotspots or devices with Wi-Fi capability to students who lack internet access at home. This action would help ensure that all students can remotely continue their education during the current public health emergency.
The coronavirus pandemic is shining a bright light on the so-called “homework gap” experienced by 12 million students in this country. The gap refers to those students who do not have internet access at home and are unable to complete their homework—at a time when over 70% of educators assign schoolwork that requires the internet.
Routines
Routines During “The For Now Normal”
Daily routines have changed for many families because of steps taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Your children are likely staying home instead of going to school or daycare, and it can be easy (and understandable) for everyone to feel overwhelmed. Taking things one day at a time is okay.
Sample Schedules for Kids Home from School
Parents share their routines for keeping kids learning and engaged.
Learning Routines for Children
Learning routines offer structure and safety for children, increasing focus, engagement and learning potential. See it here from our friends at Conscious Discipline.
The Power of Routines
Routines help babies and toddlers learn self-control. Learn more.
Schools Closed? How to Make a New Home Routine
Here are some suggestions of how to make a new routine for your weekdays. (I recommend keeping weekends looser, just like we do in other times.)
Daily routines have changed for many families because of steps taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Your children are likely staying home instead of going to school or daycare, and it can be easy (and understandable) for everyone to feel overwhelmed. Taking things one day at a time is okay.
Sample Schedules for Kids Home from School
Parents share their routines for keeping kids learning and engaged.
Learning Routines for Children
Learning routines offer structure and safety for children, increasing focus, engagement and learning potential. See it here from our friends at Conscious Discipline.
The Power of Routines
Routines help babies and toddlers learn self-control. Learn more.
Schools Closed? How to Make a New Home Routine
Here are some suggestions of how to make a new routine for your weekdays. (I recommend keeping weekends looser, just like we do in other times.)
Play
Making Time for Play
Playtime is always important for children—and grown-ups!—and even more so in times of change and disrupted routines. Movement, laughter, and creativity help reduce stress and strengthen bonds within the entire family. Play keeps morale up, and it can create happy memories during otherwise stressful times. Getting down on the floor and being in the moment with children away from media and phones for even five minutes can be a much-needed “reboot” for everyone.
Playtime is always important for children—and grown-ups!—and even more so in times of change and disrupted routines. Movement, laughter, and creativity help reduce stress and strengthen bonds within the entire family. Play keeps morale up, and it can create happy memories during otherwise stressful times. Getting down on the floor and being in the moment with children away from media and phones for even five minutes can be a much-needed “reboot” for everyone.
Activities
FreePlayIT
This blog contains activities featured in our playgroup, as well as ways to inspire your children's continuing play, with you and independently, in your own home.
Hello, Brain Builder
Sign up for Vroom Tips™ help you do more with your shared moments. Add learning to mealtime, bathtime, bedtime, or anytime with 1,000+ fun, free activities.
23 Toddler Activities (Without Screens)
Whether you have an 18 month old, a 2 year old, or a preschool age child, there are so many fun activities to discover on this list of toddler activities!
This blog contains activities featured in our playgroup, as well as ways to inspire your children's continuing play, with you and independently, in your own home.
Hello, Brain Builder
Sign up for Vroom Tips™ help you do more with your shared moments. Add learning to mealtime, bathtime, bedtime, or anytime with 1,000+ fun, free activities.
23 Toddler Activities (Without Screens)
Whether you have an 18 month old, a 2 year old, or a preschool age child, there are so many fun activities to discover on this list of toddler activities!
Apps/Websites
Educational Apps That Don't Need Wi-Fi or Data
Having internet access shouldn't be a requirement for kids to use great learning apps. Even if you don't have broadband access at home or you're worried about data limits on the go, these excellent educational tools are always ready when you are. From coding games to apps that encourage creative thinking, everything on this list provides high learning potential. Plus, they're so much fun that kids might not even realize they're learning. For more fun apps that are great for offline use, try one of these Fun Apps That Don't Need Wi-Fi or Data.
Cultivating Readers
This parent-friendly magazine provides effective and easy strategies to promote reading throughout a child's early years. The magazine is available in English and Spanish and includes a monthly calendar of activities to do with your child.
Scholastic Learn at Home
This free resource includes days of projects for children in grade bands of PK-K, 1-2, 3-5 and 6+.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy offers free courses for kids in subjects such as math, science and history.
Wide Open School
Common Sense Media just launched a brand-new, free online resource to support families and educators who are transitioning to remote learning as a result of the coronavirus: Wide Open School. Wide Open School features a free collection of the best learning experiences and activities for kids, organized by grade band and subject. You will also find daily schedules with creative breaks and recommendations to keep kids engaged and exploring, one day (or one hour) at a time.
Having internet access shouldn't be a requirement for kids to use great learning apps. Even if you don't have broadband access at home or you're worried about data limits on the go, these excellent educational tools are always ready when you are. From coding games to apps that encourage creative thinking, everything on this list provides high learning potential. Plus, they're so much fun that kids might not even realize they're learning. For more fun apps that are great for offline use, try one of these Fun Apps That Don't Need Wi-Fi or Data.
Cultivating Readers
This parent-friendly magazine provides effective and easy strategies to promote reading throughout a child's early years. The magazine is available in English and Spanish and includes a monthly calendar of activities to do with your child.
- Cultivating Readers (PDF)
Available in both English and Spanish, the Cultivating Readers Family Guide provides tips to grow reading skills from birth to age eight. The guide will help parents keep their shared learning activities with their children fun and part of their everyday routine. Children will learn without even realizing it! (Also available in Spanish)
- Cultivating Readers Booklist (PDF)
Find suggested fiction and nonfiction reading for grades K – 5. This 22-page booklet features more than 200 recommended books covering 20 popular subjects for children, such as crafts and hobbies, health, realistic fiction, fables, humor, and more.
- Cultivating Readers Bookmark (PDF)
This bookmark offers ideas for parents on how to make the most of the time they spend reading with their child. It also features a question-and-answer guide to help children develop oral language skills and build vocabulary.
Scholastic Learn at Home
This free resource includes days of projects for children in grade bands of PK-K, 1-2, 3-5 and 6+.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy offers free courses for kids in subjects such as math, science and history.
Wide Open School
Common Sense Media just launched a brand-new, free online resource to support families and educators who are transitioning to remote learning as a result of the coronavirus: Wide Open School. Wide Open School features a free collection of the best learning experiences and activities for kids, organized by grade band and subject. You will also find daily schedules with creative breaks and recommendations to keep kids engaged and exploring, one day (or one hour) at a time.
FREE Subscriptions & Resources
Quality learning at home
We know it can be hard to sort through the many lists of possible resources to use with students at home—and to figure out which ones will truly advance learning during this unusual time. To help educators and families, we’ve pulled from our top-rated programs to create a series of remote learning experiences that are high-quality, easy to use at home, and totally free.
Free Resources and Subscriptions for Remote Learning and Home Schooling Due to Coronavirus
This is a curated list of free remote learning and homeschooling resources for a variety of subjects and grade levels.
Fun and Free Educational Websites for Kids
Your children can learn something new today in a safe online environment. These 17 free educational websites for kids are fun while offering online teaching games, printables, videos, and so much more.
20 Education Companies Offering FREE K-6 Subscriptions Due To School Closings
If your school hasn’t provided a lot of direction, check out this list of educational companies sharing free subscriptions during school outages. Here are 20 FREE tools geared toward middle and high school students that will help you maintain your kids’ education in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
We know it can be hard to sort through the many lists of possible resources to use with students at home—and to figure out which ones will truly advance learning during this unusual time. To help educators and families, we’ve pulled from our top-rated programs to create a series of remote learning experiences that are high-quality, easy to use at home, and totally free.
Free Resources and Subscriptions for Remote Learning and Home Schooling Due to Coronavirus
This is a curated list of free remote learning and homeschooling resources for a variety of subjects and grade levels.
Fun and Free Educational Websites for Kids
Your children can learn something new today in a safe online environment. These 17 free educational websites for kids are fun while offering online teaching games, printables, videos, and so much more.
20 Education Companies Offering FREE K-6 Subscriptions Due To School Closings
If your school hasn’t provided a lot of direction, check out this list of educational companies sharing free subscriptions during school outages. Here are 20 FREE tools geared toward middle and high school students that will help you maintain your kids’ education in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Branch Libraries may be closed but our staff has been getting creative with some how-to-videos highlighting our Digital Collection! Topics so far include:
HelpNow Homework Help
Free Online Tutoring + more
Do your children and students need homework help now? You got it!
HelpNow offers FREE live, online tutoring (Mon.to Fri., 2 - 11pm), writing experts, flash cards, language lab, skill building, online study groups, collaboration, and practice tests. Especially helpful for students in middle and high school grades.
More Resources from Dayton Metro Library
Increased Online Lending Limits, New Resources and Home Access
Ancestry.com - This popular genealogy website that was only accessible in our branches is now available to you from home through April, 2020. Just visit our website for access or go directly to:
https://ohioweblibrary.org/db/ancestry
Hoopla - DML has increased Hoopla downloads to 20 per patron card. Enjoy!
Kanopy Kids - Free, unlimited access to Kanopy Kids began on March 16. Kids can enjoy quality educational content like Sesame Street, Arthur and even benefit from a language learning series! Free access is available for 30 days. Parental Controls are also available for this service. Learn more here.
TumbleBooks - Free, unlimited access is now available to online to Animated eBooks, eBooks and eAudiobooks for kids, teens. and now adults. Enjoy online instant access, free of holds and limits through August. Our TumbleBooks Collections now include:
You can explore our entire 24/7 Digital Library online. Remember you will need your library card number for some of these resources. If you or someone you love needs a library card you can get an eCard instantly on our website today.
For a full list of our current Frequently Asked Questions regarding our current suspended status you can click here.
- How To Get A DML eCard - Get connected to our online resources including ebooks, audio books, Hoopla, Kanopy, databases and more with a DML eCard.
- Using OverDrive - Use our most popular free digital tools for reading eBooks and listening to eAudiobooks.
- LawDepot.com - Get started updating important legal documents including a living will, loan agreement and power of attorney.
HelpNow Homework Help
Free Online Tutoring + more
Do your children and students need homework help now? You got it!
HelpNow offers FREE live, online tutoring (Mon.to Fri., 2 - 11pm), writing experts, flash cards, language lab, skill building, online study groups, collaboration, and practice tests. Especially helpful for students in middle and high school grades.
More Resources from Dayton Metro Library
Increased Online Lending Limits, New Resources and Home Access
Ancestry.com - This popular genealogy website that was only accessible in our branches is now available to you from home through April, 2020. Just visit our website for access or go directly to:
https://ohioweblibrary.org/db/ancestry
Hoopla - DML has increased Hoopla downloads to 20 per patron card. Enjoy!
Kanopy Kids - Free, unlimited access to Kanopy Kids began on March 16. Kids can enjoy quality educational content like Sesame Street, Arthur and even benefit from a language learning series! Free access is available for 30 days. Parental Controls are also available for this service. Learn more here.
TumbleBooks - Free, unlimited access is now available to online to Animated eBooks, eBooks and eAudiobooks for kids, teens. and now adults. Enjoy online instant access, free of holds and limits through August. Our TumbleBooks Collections now include:
You can explore our entire 24/7 Digital Library online. Remember you will need your library card number for some of these resources. If you or someone you love needs a library card you can get an eCard instantly on our website today.
For a full list of our current Frequently Asked Questions regarding our current suspended status you can click here.
