With the announcement by Governor Roy Cooper on Saturday, March 14, that public schools would be closed for at least the next two weeks, families across our county are facing the prospect of keeping their kids engaged in learning from home.

The following resources are available to help:

Check out an updated version of this resource list here!

Spectrum: For families without access to the internet, Spectrum is offering free services. Here is an article published by WKBW, Buffalo, NY about the program: https://www.wkbw.com/news/national/coronavirus/spectrumto-offer-free-broadband-and-wifi-to-students-without-it. The phone number listed in the article for more information and to enroll: 1-844-488-8398.

Amazing Educational Resources: This is a Facebook group started by Nick Hooper from the University of Texas at Austin. The description given for the group is to be an “…educator community to share the good, bad, and ugly about the many teacher resources on the internet.” This group originally shared a Google Doc of educational companies offering free services during the school shutdown. With over 300 resources already listed, this group moved the document to the web. Visit www.amazingeducationalresources.com to view the document.

Zoom: This videoconferencing company is providing its tools to K-12 schools for free. View the article in Forbes Magazine here: Exclusive: Zoom CEO Eric Yuan Is Giving K-12 Schools His Videoconferencing Tools For Free
Scholastic: Scholastic has launched a new website, https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html, offering 20 days of articles, stories, videos and learning challenges to help keep children engaged. Activities are offered by grade level and will be updated regularly.

Storyline: An award-winning children’s literacy website, Storyline offers videos of actors reading children’s books. Activity guides are included for each title to strengthen learning and comprehension. Visit www.storylineonline.net to access the videos and learn more about the organization.

Kate Messner: As a former classroom teacher and celebrated author, Kate Messner has put together a library of resources for kids, families, teachers and librarians. Access the website at https://www.katemessner.com/read-wonder-and-learn-favorite-authors-illustrators-share-resources-for-learning-anywhere-spring-2020/

Deschutes Public Library: Staff have put together a web page of YouTube and Facebook Live events being offered by children’s authors. Visit the page at DPL Children’s Authors – Read Alouds and other FaceTime Live Events.

Mental Floss: This website calls itself …”an encyclopedia of everything” and promises to offer “…smart, funny and shareable content in an upbeat and witty environment.” They recently published an article 12 World-Class Museums You Can Visit Online

Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden: The Cincinnati Zoo is offering virtual safaris on Facebook Live everyday at 3:00 p.m. EST. Each day they will feature an animal and offer activities you can do at home. Follow their Facebook Page or visit their website: http://cincinnatizoo.org/ for more information.

MAKE Paducah: This private business offers a DIY painting studio, meeting space, and a gift boutique in Paducah, Kentucky. Due to school closures, they are offering Facebook Live art lessons for free. Check out their Facebook Page for more details.

The Shirley Journey: This blog recently posted a “30 Days of LEGO© Play” calendar. The article also gives good tips on cleaning LEGO©. Read the article here or go directly to the printable calendar.

Virtual Field Trips: This google document has been shared widely on Facebook, but the original creator is not linked in the resource. The links in the document do access to the resources listed. Find the document here.

Kottke.org: Founded in 1998, this blog is produced by Jason Kottke and dedicated to covering “…the essential people, inventions, performances, and ideas…” that increase human potential. A recent article, Paris Museums Put 100,000 Images Online for Unrestricted Public Use gives links to Paris Musées, a collection of 14 museums in Paris that have made copies of their artwork available online for free.

Science Mom and Math Dad: Science Mom has a YouTube channel with videos on different science concepts for elementary age kids. Science Mom is teaming up with Math Dad to offer a daily show featuring science and math activities, crafts, and games. Follow their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TheScienceMom/ for the live session, or visit Science Mom on YouTube for the recorded videos.

Walkabouts: Walkabouts are active learning adventures for kids in grades K-2. These movement rich activities are being made available free of charge to families and teachers during the extended school closures. Click here for more information on how to access these free resources.

Emmy Kaster: This children’s book author and illustrator is using her Instagram account to highlight resources available to keep children engaged in literature. Visit her kidlitresources to see what’s available.

Growing Book by Book: This website was founded by a teacher with over 20 years of experience in early childhood educational settings. The site is dedicated to meeting the needs of every growing reader, and they offer resources for infants to beginning readers here.

Anne Frank House Virtual Tour: This virtual tour highlights the house where Anne Frank hid from the Nazis for two years. Visit the tour here.

Local Resources:

ABSS Coronavirus School Nutrition: ABSS has posted information about lunch sites that are available to children (under the age of 18) Monday through Friday. Sites are drop in and pick up only. They are anticipating expanding the program to include breakfast. For more information, check the ABSS website.

SAFE: If you are concerned about children who rely on school for meals, the Southern Alamance Family Empowerment Food Pantry is offering to help. Families in need can call 336-675-3859 for arrangements.
If you are able to help, visit the website at https://www.safealamance.org/ and click on the tab for “current needs.”

Alamance County Public Libraries’ Resources: ACPL offers a wide selection of digital resources including eBooks, eAudiobooks, and digital magazines for all ages. Information on online resources can be found at https://www.alamancelibraries.org/reference-research/online-research-tools/ or contact your local branch