This week, we have a call for kid illustrators, financial literacy games, STEM, and more!
Art
Illustrator Call from Heather E. Schwartz
Are you in preschool or elementary school? My book needs your pictures! Would you like to draw a picture for my book? Let me know and I’ll send it to you! Of course, it’ll be just the words typed on regular paper. That’s how books start out. Use your imagination to draw a character or a scene – whatever inspires you. You can help make Snowcap Mountain Adventures: Opening Day! a real book!
Entertainment
All of a Sudden and Forever Read Aloud
Chris Barton reads All of a Sudden and Forever: Help and Healing After the Oklahoma City Bombing.
Michelle Obama Storytimes
In an effort to spread cheer and promote literacy among families that are sheltering in place during the pandemic, Michelle Obama is teaming up with Penguin Young Readers, Random House Children’s Books, and PBS Kids to launch a weekly read-aloud series.
TIME For Kids Digital Library Free for the Rest of The School Year
As the world asks more of families and teachers, TIME for Kids salutes you, and we’re here to support you! TIME for Kids is in the unique position to help kids understand this unprecedented moment.
Hands-On Activities
Learn to Knit Mini Course
Join Rowan’s FREE 5-lesson course and your child can get started today. Best for kids ages 7 and older.
A Free Shakespeare Coloring Book
From the people who brought you the Victorian Illustrated Shakespeare Archive comes an Illustrated Shakespeare Coloring Book – a coloring book featuring illustrations of 35 different Shakespeare plays. (All illustrations come from a nineteenth edition of The Plays of William Shakespeare.) The coloring book’s creator, Michael Goodman, tell us: “It’s obviously free to use and I hope in these days of home schooling parents might find it a simple way to engage their kids with Shakespeare.”
It’s Always Autumn
In case you’re looking for some simple, easy ideas that will keep your kids busy on days you’re cooped up inside, here are 50 indoor kid crafts and activities.
History
Idea: 50 American Heroes Every Kid Should Meet
Author Dennis Denenberg has pointed out that 50 American Heroes Every Kid Should Meet constitutes 50 lesson plans. It’s best for kids from grades 6 to 12.
The Red Menace + McCarthyism unit study
Homeschool on the Range offers up a middle-grade unit study of McCarthyism using the novel Red Menace.
Curriculum Guide for No Steps Behind
Beate Sirota came to Japan as a young girl, learning its language, customs, and traditions. She loved her adopted country. When an extraordinary convergence of circumstances gave her the chance, she dared to do the unthinkable — write a clause for the new national constitution guaranteeing women equal rights.
Math
10 Free Financial Literacy Games for High School Students
Students can use games to learn money management and financial decision-making.
Roundups and Resource Lists
Wide Open Schools
Free resource for those trying to balance WFH while also raising & teaching kids home from school. Content broken down by grades and subject. Featuring content from National Geographic, Scholastic, Sesame Workshop, PBS, TIME for Kids, Boys and Girls Club of America, National Head Start Association, Amplify, Noggin, Khan Academy, Google, Comcast, Zoom, YouTube, Apple, Sales Force, and XQ.
Brilliant Book Resources
Librarians Bookends Present: #UnitedByBooksCOVID19
Ideas for Kids during the Coronavirus Crisis
Carol Simon Levin is a retired Youth Services librarian, storyteller and program presenter. You can find her storytimes, songs, art, STEM, and activity suggestions for both pre-schoolers & school-aged kids at carol simon levin.blogspot.com. Free downloadable pages from her book Remembering the Ladies: From Patriots in Petticoats to Presidential Candidates are at tellingherstories.com.
SCBWI Digital Directory for Remote Learning Resources
So many creators of children’s books have risen to the call for help from teachers and parents during the COVID-19 crisis by creating online materials that will entertain, instruct, and inspire children and young people. Some are reading their books and discussing them. Some have created mini-lessons on art or history or craft projects. Some are doing the equivalent of a school visit with a presentation and slide show.
Science
Ruby Tuesday STEM
Over 60 worksheets and other resources for kids to Get Started with STEM books.
Virtual Field Trips and Other Help Managing Social Distancing
Indiana State Library Activities and resources for the COVID-19 Crisis
There are all kinds of activities you can do at your home while we are practicing social distancing. Libraries across Indiana and the world have been adding activities to their webpages and Facebook pages – from library staff reading books to links to national authors reading their own books. Can’t leave the house? Maybe take a virtual trip to Buckingham Palace or to the San Diego Zoo or check out 10 Amazing virtual Museum tours!
Answering Kids’ Questions About the Coronavirus, in Free Picture Books
Coronavirus: A Book for Children
This free informative and accessible guide for young readers defines the coronavirus, explains why everyday routines have been disrupted, and lays out how everyone can do their part to help. With child-appropriate answers and explanations, the book addresses several key questions.
Epi’s Cook-With-What-You’ve-Got Recipe Finder
The current cooking moment calls for making dinner with whatever you have on hand, so here’s a tool to help you find the recipes you need. To get started, click on an ingredient you’d like to use. Long-lasting pantry and freezer goods are tinted red; fresh and perishable items are tinted beige. (Click the circle again to deselect it, and press the reset button to start over.) Have a can of chickpeas and some sausage on hand? Some frozen shrimp and a bag of rice? We’ve got recipes for that and every other combination—all you have to do is click, then scroll down, to find them.
From Slate
How to Survive Distance Learning, According to a Teacher
Let Your Fingers Do the Walking
Books-A-Million has launched an 800 number for customers to Talk to a Bookseller and “discuss authors, book club recommendations, best-selling new releases and much more.”
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Catch up on all of our Help at Home resources.