Parent Resource Guide for Online Learning At Home

Tips for Learning at Home and Having School Online

What other tips do you have? SHARE below in the comments.

PRESCHOOL RESOURCES

1. Barefoot Books At Home Activity Kits
   Pantry play to Yoga Fun, these printable kits are filled with enriching ideas for kids.
   
   
2. Circle Time Kids Classes from Home
   Yoga, storytime, cooking, colors, and sing alongs.
   
   
3. Khan Academy Kids app
   
   
4. PBS Kids
   Online games that are sometimes educational, sometimes not. 
   
   
5. Scholastic Learn at Home Preschool to Kindergarten
   This an incredible resource for parents and teachers filled with topics, books, activities, videos, and more.
   
   
6. Storybook Apps for Preschool & Early Elementary Kids

READING RESOURCES FOR PARENTS

Most of these websites offer online ways to get reading. Offline is still preferred so if you can stock up on actual books, audiobooks, or even Kindle books, I recommend it.

1. Audible
   Free for students as long as schools are closed!!
   
   
2. Audiobook Recommendations for Kids Ages 6 – 12
   
   
3. Audiobook Recommendations for Teens
   
   
4. Authors Videos
   Authors reading aloud their books.
   
   
5. Beyond Chapter Books
   Chapter books aren’t the only options. Get 7 more ideas for other things your kids can read.
   
   
6. Big Fat Notebook Study Guides for Middle Schoolers
   Easy-to-read, condensed books of knowledge, notes, and quizzes about English / Language Arts.
   
   
7. Book Creator
   FREE for schools affected by Coronavirus.
   
   
8. BookFlix
   Video storybooks and nonfiction eBooks from Scholastic to build reading skills designed to bridge learning to read and reading to learn.
   
   
9. Book Lists By Topic (on Imagination Soup)
   
   
10. Book Recommendations & Review By Age (on Imagination Soup)
    
    
11. Book Trailers
    Learn how to make your own book trailer — it’s more fun than a book report and easier to do online.
    
    
12. Brain Quest Workbooks for K – 5
    
    
13. Crash Course
    YouTube videos from John and Hank Green all about, well, everything including literature.
    
    
14. Common Lit Reading Program
    Digital lessons and assessments.
    
    
15. DK Find Out 
    A fun-to-read, visually appealing online encyclopedia filled with lots of topics and info.
    
    
16. E-Book Deals for Kids (Either Free or Under $5)
    
    
17. Epic
    Popular online library of ebooks and audiobooks for kids 2 – 12 as well as videos, quizzes, and more.
    
    
18. Grammar Books
    Picture books that teach elementary-age kids about grammar, figurative language, & punctuation.
    
    
19. KidLit TV
    Read aloud, drawing, and writing tutorials, podcasts, children’s illustrator art, and reading resources for kids.
    
    
20. Kindle Kids
    Built for reading with a black and white display, this is ONLY for reading books and comes with a year of Freetime Unlimited books like Harry Potter and Artemis Fowl.
    
    
21. Libby / Overdrive
    This easy-to-use free app connects to your local library so you can easily check out ebooks and audiobooks.
    
    
22. Minecraft
    Language Arts lessons for all ages.
    
    
23. Newsela
    Curated news texts published for students.
    
    
24. Nonfiction book video lessons from Melissa Stewart
    
    
25. Outschool
    Live small group classes for students 3 to 18 in a variety of subjects.
    
    
26. Oxford Owl
    Free eBooks for ages 3 to 11 including leveled books.
    
    
27. PBS LearningMedia
    Videos about literature, foundational reading skills, and more.
    
    
28. Phonics and Sight Word Apps for Kids
    
    
29. Pinna
    Screen-free, ad-free audio streaming service for kids ages 3 to 12. 30-day free trial.
    
    
30. Podcasts for Kids
    A list from Wired magazine.
    
    
31. Poetry with Art
    Poetry can be tricky for kids. Adding art can unlock poetry for many kids.
    
    
32. Prodigy
    Curriculum-aligned math for 1st to 8th grade.
    
    
33. Raz-Kids
    400 eBooks for growing readers plus quizzes, recording options, and more.
    
    
34. Read Aloud Book Lists
    
    
35. Reading & Writing Apps for Kids
    
    
36. Reading Bingo
    Printable reading-related bingo game for kids plus a blank board for you to make your own.
    
    
37. Reading Eggs
    Games, songs, and books for kids to learn to read.
    
    
38. Reading Simplified
    If your child is struggling to read, this program will teach you how to teach your child reading. It’s backed by science and it’s quick.
    
    
39. Readtheory
    Reading comprehension exercises for K – 12.
    
    
40. Read Works
    Digital classes, printables, articles, and more to give kids reading comprehension instruction and practice.
    
    
41. Summer Reading Lists for Kids Ages 5 to 18.
    
    
42. Storyline Online
    Famous actors read beloved picture book stories out loud.
    
    
43. Storytime From Space
    Astronauts read stories to kids FROM space.
    
    
44. Teaching Reading Beyond the Classroom
    This Facebook group started by Dr. Marnie Ginsberg from Reading Simplified will help you teach your kids to read, keep your kids reading, and more. Highly recommended.
    
    
45. TumbleBooks
    With over 1100 titles, this is an ebook library online for kids ages K to 6.
    
    
46. Unite for Literacy
    Free online access to books narrated in many different languages.
    
    
47. Vocabulary Games for Kids
    Try these fun games to learn new words and expand your children’s vocabulary.
    
    
48. Vooks
    Animated storybooks in a read-along format and no-ads.

WRITING PROMPTS AND RESOURCES FOR PARENTS

Parents, I get that writing is the hardest thing to do at home with your kids, even if you’re a professional teacher or writer like me. Try these ideas. Remember to be an actor– make it seem fun and exciting — and if at all possible, write with your children.

Here’s the parent resource guide for writing. You can do this!!

1. 20 AT HOME Writing Ideas for Kids AGES 6 – 12
   
   
2. 30+ Reading and Writing Gifts for Kids Ages 2 – 16
   
   
3. Exquisite Corpse
   Write a collaborative story with a twist.
   
   
4. Family Newsletter
   Write the news of your family to send to your friends and relatives.
   
   
5. Family Timeline
   Make an accordion book that shows your family’s history on a timeline.
   
   
6. Harry Potter Fanfiction
   Write your own Harry Potter story.
   
   
7. Hidden Message Poetry
   Not only will you be writing poetry, but you’ll be doing it in invisible ink!
   
   
8. Found Poetry
   Use old magazines to create your own “found” poems.
   
   
9. 
   Image and Imagination: Ideas and Inspiration for Teen Writers by Nick Healy and Kristen McCurry
   The book is filled with gorgeous photographs, beautiful design, and interesting writing prompts. What’s more, I think it can be used for writers of all ages, not just teens.
   
   
10. 
    Journal Sparks by Emily K. Neuburger
    This book gives young writers both art and writing prompt suggestions. It’s easy to flip through and find a good idea to get your mind thinking creatively.
    
    
11. List Poems
    Write a list poem. These are easily accessible for young writers.
    
    
12. Mad Libs – Write Your Own
    
    
13. NaNoWriMo
    National Novel Writing Month resources and free printables.
    
    
14. Night Zookeeper
    Fun and engaging online writing classes and lessons for kids.
    
    
15. Outschool
    Live small group classes for students 3 to 18 in a variety of subjects.
    
    
16. Photo Writing: A Day in the Life
    Use photography and your imagination to write about the day in the life of a favorite toy.
    
    
17. Riddles
    Write a riddle poem! These are super fun and addictive — soon, your children will be writing all the riddles.
    
    
18. Secret Code
    Learn to write in secret codes.
    
    
19. 
    Spilling Ink: A Young Writer’s Handbook by Anne Mazer and Ellen Potter
    Written by two experienced children’s book authors, this handbook gives kids lots of helpful ideas.
    
    
20. Sticker Stories
    Use stickers to help your youngest writers tell a story.
    
    
21. Story Writing in Picture Books
    Read picture books that are all about writing stories.
    
    
22. Word Collections
    Start your own word collection jar.
    
    
23. Write a Book with Your Child
    
    
24. Writing Contests for Kids
    
    
25. 13 Writing Prompt Resources for Kids (Books and Websites)

More Writing Prompts

1. Write a scavenger hunt.
2. Take a selfie. Write a poem or a short paragraph about it.
3. Use your five senses to write about your favorite food.
4. Look at the clouds. What do you see? Write about that with a poem or story.
5. Write an ouch story — about any time you got hurt or sick.
6. Write your own myth or folktale. Use made-up gods to explain a natural phenomena such as thunderstorms, rainbows, and so forth.
7. Write a haiku about your favorite color.
8. Invent your own animal by combining two animals together. Then write a story with this animal as the main character.
9. Make lists of your favorite things: foods, games, movies, people, places, or animals.
10. Make an alphabet book. Keep it thematic: music, clothes, famous places, favorite things, wacky words, nature, animals, and so on.
11. Start a word collection.
12. Write down your favorite quotes.
13. Use a paint chip’s color name in a story or poem.
14. Make a blackout poem.

MATH ONLINE RESOURCES FOR PARENTS

Check out this parent resource guide to math websites online that will help as you keep your kids learning and practicing math skills.

1. Big Fat Notebook Study Guides for Middle Schoolers
   Easy-to-read, condensed books of knowledge, notes, and quizzes about math for middle school ages.
   
   
2. Brain Quest Workbooks for K – 5
   
   
3. Delta Math
   Middle school to high school math.
   
   
4. Freckle
   Math lessons and practice for K – 9 students.
   
   
5. Khan Academy
   Elementary, middle school, and high school video courses.
   
   
6. iXL Math
   Starting at preschool and continuing through to high school calculus, this is an online membership site that teaches math concepts.
   
   
7. Mangahigh
   Quizzes, games, and competitions for students. FREE access for COVID-19 school shutdowns.
   
   
8. Minecraft
   Math lessons in Minecraft.
   
   
9. Multiplication Apps for Kids 
   
   
10. Outschool
    Live small group classes for students 3 to 18 in a variety of subjects.
    
    
11. PBS LearningMedia
    K – 12 Math games, animations, and videos.
    
    
12. Prodigy
    Curriculum-aligned math for 1st to 8th grade.
    
    
13. Smarttick Math
    A 15-minute daily adaptive math platform online for children ages 4 to 14.
    
    
14. SplashMath
    A personalized K-5 curriculum with games and practice online.
    
    
15. Tumble Math
    Math-themed picture books on Tumblebooks.

SCIENCE / STEM ONLINE RESOURCES

1. Big Fat Notebook Study Guides for Middle Schoolers
   Easy-to-read, condensed books of knowledge, notes, and quizzes about Science.
   
   
2. Brain Quest Workbooks for K – 5
   
   
3. 40+ Coding Classes, Websites, Games, & Apps
   
   
4. Crash Course
   YouTube videos from John and Hank Green all about, well, almost everything including physics and chemistry.
   
   
5. Crash Course Kids
   Crash Course is now for elementary students, starting with 5th grade science and engineering.
   
   
6. Curiosity Stream
   Thousands of documentaries for K-12.
   
   
7. Freckle
   Science units for K – 8 students aligned to NGSS.
   
   
8. Khan Academy
   Elementary, middle school, and high school video courses.
   
   
9. Kids Discovery Online
   Award-winning science and social studies videos. Apply for FREE access here.
   
   
10. Learn at Home, National Geographic
    Hands-on activities, games, quizzes, videos, and tips for parents plus the Explorer Classroom.
    
    
11. Listenwise
    Science audio lessons with FREE audio lessons for schools.
    
    
12. Minecraft
    Science lessons for all ages.
    
    
13. NASA
    Activities, lessons, printables, and more for grades K-4.
    
    
14. Nature Detectives
    Exciting adventures to do outside for children 0 to 12.
    
    
15. NOVA from PBS
    Science videos, teacher guides, and more about many topics like space, nature, the body, and physics.
    
    
16. Outschool
    Live small group classes for students 3 to 18 in a variety of subjects.
    
    
17. PBS LearningMedia
    Science videos, lesson plans, and interactive tools for K – 12.
    
    
18. Scholastic Learn at Home 
    Topical studies for each day with activities, videos, ebooks and more, this is an amazing resource.
    
    
19. ScienceFlix
    Online STEM content including hands-on experiments, lesson plans, and videos.
    
    
20. Steve Spangler Science
    Experiment library full of interesting hands-on ideas.
    
    
21. The Kids Should See This
    Videos for kids primarily about STEM topics.
    
    
22. Tinkercad
    A free app that allows kids to make 3D digital designs, electronics, and coding.

SOCIAL STUDIES ONLINE RESOURCES

1. 30 Geography Games and Books for Kids
   
   
2. Big Fat Notebook Study Guides for Middle Schoolers
   Easy-to-read, condensed books of knowledge, notes, and quizzes about American and World History.
   
   
3. Brain Quest Workbooks for K – 5
   
   
4. Crash Course
   YouTube videos from John and Hank Green all about, well, almost everything including U.S. History and government! Best for middle and high school ages. (10+)
   
   
5. Curiosity Stream
   Thousands of documentaries for K-12.
   
   
6. Freckle
   K – 8 social studies instruction online.
   
   
7. Geography Games
   Online games about the world including countries, continents, flags, and more.
   
   
8. Global Wonders
   This channel only has a few movies but it’s worth mentioning since you can buy the DVDs if you enjoy the content.
   
   
9. Google Earth VR
   If you have VR tech available, this is a cool option to virtually tour the world. 
   
   
10. Horrible Histories 
    Hilarious reenactments that will crack you up. Very sarcastic humor, best for older elementary kids.
    
    
11. Kids Discovery Online
    Award-winning science and social studies videos. Apply for FREE access here.
    
    
12. Learn at Home, National Geographic
    Hands-on activities, games, quizzes, videos, and tips for parents plus the Explorer Classroom.
13. Listenwise
    FREE audio lessons for schools affected by the Coronavirus.
    
    
14. Minecraft
    History and culture video lessons in Minecraft.
    
    
15. Museum Virtual Tours
    Many museums offer virtual tours so you can visit from the comfort of your own home.

16. Are We There Yet? National Geographic
    This channels is as good as you’d expect from National Geographic. Watch kids discover each location such as places in Mexico, France, and Peru. Really interesting!

17. PBSLearningMedia
    Learning videos in social studies topics for K – 12 grades.

18. Scholastic Learn at Home 
    Topical studies for each day with activities, videos, ebooks and more, this is an amazing resource.

TYPING WEBSITES

Typing or keyboarding is an important skill for kids to be successful with online learning. Here are some website resources for parents so that you can give kids instruction and practice.

• Typing.com
• Type Dojo (my review here)
• Touch Typing for Kids
• SlimeKids
• ABCya

FOREIGN LANGUAGE 

1. Duolingo
   Learn any of 30+ languages with this app and website with short, daily lessons.
   
   
2. LingoDeer
   Learn Korean, Japanese, Chinese, and more.
   
   
3. Linguagarden
   Online, affordable Spanish lessons for children.
   
   
4. One Third Stories
   Stories that start in English and end in a different language for ages 4 to 9.
   
   
5. Rockalingua
   Videos, games, worksheets, and more to help kids learn Spanish.
   
   
6. Rosetta Stone
   Award-winning language learning courses in Spanish, French, German, and more.
   
   
7. Señor Wooly
   Used by many Spanish teachers, these videos and songs are very catchy. 2 weeks free.
   
   
8. The Spanish Experiment
   Spanish children’s stories read slowly by a native speaker plus lessons and homeschool products.
   
   
9. Spanish Immersion Guide for Students During School Closures
   Written by Christa of Pura Vida Moms, this is an all-encompassing list of parent resources for Spanish language homeschooling support in reading, writing, speaking, listening, and grammar. 
   
   
10. TalkBox Mom
    Help your entire family speak Italian, Spanish, French, and other languages with this foreign language curriculum popular with homeschoolers.

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