While the threat of the global pandemic continues to increase, schools throughout Virginia and the rest of the country remain closed for the academic school year. Yet that doesn’t mean the learning has to stop.
From printable grammar quizzes for youngsters to one-on-one, virtual college prep courses, these nationally known companies make it easy (and free!) for kids to receive educational lessons outside the classroom.
PBS LearningMedia
Whether you are a teacher or a parent taking on the teacher role during this current climate, PBS LearningMedia has you covered with thousands of media-focused resources for kids in pre-K through high school. In addition to typical subjects like math, English and science, the database also includes learning tools centered on the arts, physical education, engineering and professional development too. Teachers can sync the program with Google Classroom, bringing entertaining, educational videos and activities to the screens of students while schools remain closed.
Lakeshore Learning
While best known for its top-quality learning materials such as building blocks and textbooks, Lakeshore Learning is also an ideal destination for thousands of educational resources. In addition to printable lesson plans, worksheets, calendars, clip art, flashcards and more, Lakeshore offers a YouTube channel with fun, interactive videos for little learners. All led by professional educators, video topics include self-help activities for preschoolers, tips for creating daily routines for kids and open-ended reading questions to work through as a family.
Scholastic
Whether your child is 3 years old or 13, multinational publishing company Scholastic has something to entertain and enrich their mind. In mid-March when the coronavirus pandemic began to spread exponentially, Scholastic launched Learn at Home, a database full of free resources to keep kids “reading, thinking and growing,” according to the company’s website. Learn at Home provides 20 days worth of curriculum, consisting of approximately three hours of learning per day, depending on the student’s grade level and interests. From at-home essays to virtual field trips, this resource has it all.
Khan Academy
For the past 12 years, online platform Khan Academy has been an essential tool for little learners and teens alike. Spanning a variety of subjects, including grammar, writing, history, math, engineering and college or career prep, the online database is full of practice lessons and tests to further your child’s education while at home. The nonprofit also offers interactive ways for teachers and students to complete their daily tasks in a safe, virtual way.
Smithsonian Learning Lab
Based right outside of NoVA in Washington, DC, the Smithsonian Institute is an ideal learning destination for curious kids. While the coronavirus continues to spread, the Smithsonian Learning Lab is a great way to bring all of the Institute’s knowledge from the physical museums directly to your computer screen. Consisting of resources from 19 museums (spanning subjects from American history to globally recognized art), nine major research centers, the National Zoo and more, the Lab encourages discovery and creativity through various activities. The Lab includes podcasts on the moon landing, video courses on language arts and so much more, all just a click away.
Dictionary.com’s Learning At Home Center
While typically recognized as a resource for definitions, Dictionary.com also offers a Learning At Home Center, full of writing-focused academic tools and activities for all grade levels. From thousands of self-guided developmental activities for youngsters to grammar challenges for middle schoolers, there’s plenty to discover. Plus, there’s even a section of innovative games, challenges and writing prompts your entire family can do together.
Looking for more ways to educate and entertain your family? Click here and subscribe to our newsletters.
