Distance Learning Resources for Teachers and Parents
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We are living through an unprecedented time right now as we all scramble to figure out our new normal (at least the new normal for now). Distance Learning or Learn at home initiatives are popping up all over the place. I’m compiling a list here of various options that teachers or parents can use while we muddle our way through distance learning and homeschooling during this period of self-isolation. Many of the resources are ones that I use even when not living through a pandemic so you might find some things that you will continue to utilize when life and learning returns to what it once was.
Distance Learning Resources for Teachers and Parents:
Some of the resources listed may be more for teachers who are in a situation where they have to distance teach but others are also good for parents who find themselves suddenly as homeschool instructors.
–Google classroom is probably one of the best ways for educators to keep in touch with students and to assign any distance learning assignments for at home learning. I did a tutorial on this in my Facebook Group for grades 3-6 educators but if you teach any other grade and want to join an watch the tutorial you can.
–Zoom is a video conferencing tool that educators can use to meet with their whole class or just a few students. You can also use Google Hangouts but Zoom is arguably a better tool for this purpose.
–Flipgrid is a great tool for sharing video snippets for your students but also for having students share video responses. You could or example, use it for a show and tell type activity.
-Talk and Comment is a google chrome web store extension that allows you to leave a voice note in the comments of Google Docs or Slides. You can also leave voice notes in the comment sections within Google Classroom assignments. I use this tool to leave feedback for students.
–The Secret Door – Click on the door and it takes you to a new location via Google Maps. Students can click on the door and write a short description of where it takes them OR they can do some creative writing about the location. They can also use clues in the pictures to try to infer where the location is. It’s kind of addictive, I may have visited 25 places just now.
–University of Waterloo Math Problem of the Week
–Scholastic is offering a great Learn at Home option for grade K-9. I have already used some of the resources with own kids and they are pretty good.
–Prodigy is a fun math game and you can create a free account. There are paid option as well but the free account is good. Teachers can create assignments for their students.
–Knowledgehook is really great because students can take pictures of their work and attach it to some of the questions that teachers have assigned. They get assigned “missions” and teachers can also host “game shows” which are like Kahoot. Teachers get free premium access during the Covid-19 related schools closures.
–Virtual Field trips are a fabulous ideas well that you could assign through something like google classroom, you could even create a scavenger hunt or something for students to complete or have some follow up questions. Parents can also do these with their kids. Discovery Education is one site that offers some but there are many museums and Zoos that are also offering this.
-Many teachers have created Google Classroom and G-Suite ready resources that students can work on at home. I have a ton of these in my TPT store like my newly created digital Grammar word work. It includes a video for students to watch and then 12-15 follow up questions. I also have self-grading math work and many literacy and science resources as well that are perfect for students to work on at home.
-A digital reader’s notebook so students can keep track of their thinking when reading independently.
–Epic has online books that you can assign to students and create response questions for them based on the book or series of books that you assign. It is currently free for teachers and they can give access to parents.
–Kahn Academy is a website with instructional videos for preschool to grade 8 and includes questions for students to respond to.
-The Starfall app and website is good for young learners from K-3 for math and literacy.
–Coding assignments are a great way for kids to introduced into the world of computer programming. Code.org is a great website with lessons that you can assign for students to complete.
-List of children’s authors doing online read alouds as well as Storyline Online which is celebrities reading children’s books.
–Go Noodle for fun indoor physical activity.
–Free Harry Potter Digital Escape Room
–Audible has Free audio books.
I will add to this list as I find more resources. If you have more ideas please leave them in the comments.
