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Daily Doodles

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Making Books K-2

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Making Zines

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Keeping a Notebook

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So...I welcome you to KEEPING A NOTEBOOK, a series of brief daily writing talks that began on March 16, 2020 and will continue into the foreseeable future. These talks are for everyone, and if you are very young, you might wish to write with an older person you love. Writing together is a gift.

You will find each video in the Padlet below my signature (click the box in the upper right to enlarge), and while I do not have plans to facilitate sharing at this point, there may come a day when I invite those who wish to participate in a celebration. So...please stay home as much as you can, and please don't lose your notebook!

If you wish, you may read more in the letter at the bottom of this post. Please feel free to print it from the link and to share it along if you wish.

I aim to post by 1:00pm EST each school day. If for some reason, you are unable to access a video from this site (Padlet seems to become overwhelmed at times), you may also find them through my YouTube Channel: Amy Ludwig VanDerwater. Please forgive me if I am late; these are strange times, but together we can learn and grow and lift each other up every way we can.

You may find a chronological list of these camper chats HERE. Please know that each writing chat may stand alone and need not be viewed in order.

Much love to you and yours.

ps - Know that you can enlarge these videos by clicking the square in the lower right hand corner of each one.

Second Grade Teacher Mandy Robek shared these thoughts with me:

I' m learning remote learning is hard and rewarding. Each day I'm sharing these videos with my students for keeping our writing notebooks active via Seesaw. I'm getting video responses that are insightful about my students as writers and humans. They are reflective about Amy's advice and try it on their own or take their writing in a new direction. I can just tell they feel empowered as writers in their video sharing.

Please know that Sharing Our Notebooks welcomes all kinds of notebook keepers - of any age and interest - to open up their pages and share their process. At the present time, I am accepting all notebook entries, and I will share them after this series has ended. If you are interested in writing in this space, please contact me, Amy, directly.

Please share a comment below if you wish.

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So...I welcome you to KEEPING A NOTEBOOK, a series of brief daily writing talks that began on March 16, 2020 and will continue into the foreseeable future. These talks are for everyone, and if you are very young, you might wish to write with an older person you love.

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Writers Notebook Hyperdoc

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Sharing Our Notebooks

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Hi Friends, I have been away from this space for some time, but I will be back beginning September 2021. While I adored being a classroom teacher, I also missed writing and teaching from here. I am no longer in the classroom, but instead you will find me here and at The Poem Farm. If you are interested in sharing your notebook, please just let me know. See you soon! xo, Amy

I know that some of you are home from school these days, and I hope you will find some new notebooking ideas here. I love keeping a notebook for writing, for drawing, for making a place for ideas and dreams and wishes and facts and feelings. This blog is home to many peeks into others' notebooks, and in each post you will find photos, notebooking-thoughts, and an idea to try. Feel free to poke around, notebook by your side, and explore your own brain and heart. Sometimes we don't know what we really think until we write. If you like writing poetry, feel free to visit my other site, full of poem writing ideas - www.poemfarm.amylv.com xxxx, Amy

Readers - if you or one of your students or friends keeps a notebook and would like to share in this space, please send an e-mail to amy at amylv dot com. I welcome your contributions and will send you the post specs for this blog.

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Hi Friends, I have been away from this space for some time, but I will be back beginning September 2021. While I adored being a classroom teacher, I also missed writing and teaching from here. I am no longer in the classroom, but instead you will find me here and at The Poem Farm.

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Notebooking Resources

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Duolingo

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If the problem continues, contact the site owner.

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How Stuff Works

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HowStuffWorks - Learn How Everything Works!

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HowStuffWorks has been explaining how things work to curious minds since 1998. Providing factual, unbiased content that's fun to read and makes difficult topics easy to understand.

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Art for Kids

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Hey, art friends! Welcome to Art For Kids Hub! 🎨✏️ Here, you’ll discover all sorts of awesome art lessons, from drawing to painting, and even some super cool origami. Whether you’re a beginner or a budding artist, there’s something fun for everyone! I’m Rob, and along with my amazing wife, Teryn, and our four creative kids, Jack, Hadley, Austin, and Olivia, we make art together as a family and love sharing it with you. ❤️ Ready to jump in and start creating? Most of our art lessons are self-contained, so grab your favorite black marker, some paper, and your coloring supplies, and let’s get drawing! 🖍️📒 Join us on this colorful adventure, and let’s make art that brings smiles and joy. Happy creating! 🌟

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Google Earth Education

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Google’s Geo Tools aren’t just about geography. You can use them to trace Marco Polo’s journey through Asia, to explore the architecture of Barcelona, to measure how Alaska’s glaciers have receded, or to analyze the habitat of the Cameroon grassland frog. Geospatial thinking has transformed our perceptions of the World around us, and how we address issues such as climate change on and the protection of wildlife.

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Khan Academy

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Why Khan Academy works

Personalized learning

Students practice at their own pace, first filling in gaps in their understanding and then accelerating their learning.

Trusted content

Created by experts, Khan Academy's library of trusted, standards-aligned practice and lessons covers math K-12 through early college, grammar, science, history, AP®, SAT®, and more. It's all free for learners and teachers.

Tools to empower teachers

With Khan Academy, teachers can identify gaps in their students' understanding, tailor instruction, and meet the needs of every student.

DISTRICTS

Khan Academy boosts
student learning

In a recent study, students were over twice as likely to meet grade-level standards with Khan Academy. Districts across the country are partnering with us to ensure all their students succeed.

TEACHERS

"I'm finally able to truly differentiate my classroom. This has been priceless for my students' engagement."

DUSTIN FAUTH / 4th grade teacher / Falmouth, MA

We empower teachers to support their entire classroom. 90% of US teachers who have used Khan Academy have found us effective.

LEARNERS AND STUDENTS

You can learn anything.

Build a deep, rock-solid understanding in math, grammar, science, history, SAT®, AP®, and more.

"I come from a poor family. At home it's one room, just a room we live in. When I was a child, I used to fear mathematics. But now, I am in love with mathematics because of Khan Academy."

TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Every child deserves the chance to learn.

Across the globe, 617 million children are missing basic math and reading skills. We're a nonprofit delivering the education they need, and we need your help. You can change the course of a child's life.

Key supporters

Supporters of our COVID-19 response

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Khan Academy | Free Online Courses, Lessons & Practice

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Learn for free about math, art, computer programming, economics, physics, chemistry, biology, medicine, finance, history, and more. Khan Academy is a nonprofit with the mission of providing a free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere.

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Seussville

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Into the Book

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The Into the Book website will be retired on December 31st, 2023. Content will not be available after this date.

Into the Book does not collect any personally identifiable information. The name students enter to log in to the site is used only to save their work on this site; we do not share this information with anyone. E-mail addresses students provide at the end of an activity are not collected or saved; they are used only by to send the work.

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The Into the Book website will be retired on December 31st, 2023. Content will not be available after this date. Into the Book does not collect any personally identifiable information. The name students enter to log in to the site is used only to save their work on this site; we do not share this information with anyone.

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SwitchZoo

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Switch Zoo features six free online games and an app to make new animals offline.

Switch Zoo music is 'performed' by animals! After listening, learn how the music was created.

The resources page provides an overview of the activities and information at Switch Zoo.

Switch the animals' heads, legs, and tails to make your own switcheroos! Play Switch Zoo Online for free. Check out the Switch Zoo App for morphing animations, bigger pictures, and more features.

Switch Zoo Online Switch Zoo App

Build six of world's biomes by choosing the right plants, animal, temperature range, and precipitation for each. Get a postcard for each biome you build, and build them all to become a Biome Master.
Play Build a Biome

A feather match game. See if you can identify each feather's bird from three choices with the help of a clue. Read interesting and sometimes surprising facts while you play.
Play Words of a Feather

Move animals to their home continent or ocean in these geographic animal games. Seven games feature mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and mollusks.
Play Where Do I Live?

It's always feeding time at Switch Zoo! We need your help sorting the animals by diet type to make sure they get the right food.
Play Please DO Feed the Animals

Can you spot a scavenger in a crowd? Find out by choosing scavengers and non-scavengers from groups of animals.
Play Scavengers Hunt

Learn about the characteristics and behavior of the 142 animal species in Switch Zoo.

Reviews of Switch Zoo Online from magazines and web sites, as well as players' comments about the Switch Zoo App.

Switch Zoo visitors share funny and creative animal names, drawings, stories and poems about the animals, and comments about the zoo. Don't miss the fantastic drawings of combination animals created by 5th grade students.

Copyright © 2022 Tubehead. All rights reserved.

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Switch Zoo features six free online games and an app to make new animals offline. Switch Zoo music is 'performed' by animals! After listening, learn how the music was created. The resources page provides an overview of the activities and information at Switch Zoo. Switch the animals' heads, legs, and tails to make your own switcheroos!

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20 Screen Free Ideas

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The coronavirus pandemic has closed schools worldwide. Most schools are catering for home learning so that children can continue with their education despite the necessary measures. Let's take these difficult times as they come and try to focus on the positive rather than negative. Spending time at home allows you to spend some quality time with your children, which you may not have otherwise been able to have.

Below are some ideas of screen-free things you could do with your kids, during this time. Staying indoors to keep safe and healthy is imperative but it doesn't have to be boring or detrimental. After your children have finished with their e-learning tasks, read on to see what you could do with them.

Homemade gifts. Encourage your child to make a gift for someone or a greeting card. There are many ideas and instructions online, start searching!

Get baking. Bake some cakes or biscuits. Have them help you in the kitchen! Who doesn't need a great helper?

Reminisce. Sort through old photographs, make a scrapbook of memories. It might sound a bit old fashioned but it's so therapeutic and you get to spend quality time with your kids.

Organise. Get your child to sort through their belongings and throw out what they don't need. Ask them to organise their room.

Draw or create a family tree. Why don't you even make an art gallery at home and show of your child's artwork?

Chat. Let your child spend time with their friends on Skype or phone. Teenagers especially, truly feel isolated if their aren't in contact with their friends.

Treasure hunt. If you are lucky enough to have a garden create an exciting treasure hunt with clues and home-made treasures for your kids to find.

Get gardening. Show your child how to take care of plants and let them garden, too. If you live in apartment, go to your balcony plant some flowers in pots.

Movie time. Having a family 'film day' is a great way of spending time together watching favourite movies. To make it educational, ask your child to write a film review or draw a movie poster.

Show time. If your children like performing, go through carnival/halloween outfits and help them to put on a show for the family. They can even work on some literacy skills in a fun way by writing a play script and act it out.

Puppets. Make finger puppets and help them create their own puppet show. Make a theatre out of a box and get creative.

Read. Start a family book club. Discuss what your favourite characters and what part you liked best and why.

Picnic time. Have a family picnic indoors, on the balcony or in the garden.

Create. Make potato stamps, stamp paper or even a shirt.

Adventure time. Go camping in the garden or the living room.

Sports. Make your own mini-golf course in the living room. There are many online ideas you can easily recreate.

Homemade games. In the evenings get the kids to design a game that you can make the next day - give them ideas to keep it simple such as a paper boat race in the bath or homemade skittles using a tennis ball and empty toilet rolls.

Origami. All you need is paper and instructions which can be found online, will keeps kids amused and they will learn a new skill.

Theatre. Encourage the kids to put on a play or a magic show. They could even use the dress up with clothes and props from around the house. If you have a camera, you can even film it to watch later or for some great memories.

Games. Play board games and card games, I'm sure there are some lurking somewhere in the house.

Like and share this post to spread the ideas! ❤

Image from CleanPng

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20 Screen-Free Things To Do With Your Kids Indoors When School Is Closed

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The coronavirus pandemic has closed schools worldwide. Most schools are catering for home learning so that children can continue with their education despite the necessary measures. Let's take these difficult times as they come and try to focus on the positive rather than negative. Spending time at home allows you to spend some quality time...

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Journaling w Kids

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Journaling with your kids can be a great way to bond over a shared interest. Some kids love it right away, while others resist. Try these 5 easy tips for journaling with kids. Let the fun begin!

5 Game-Changing Tips for Journaling with Kids

Today, I have a very special post from my oldest son, Blue (not his real name). He's seven years old and has been begging me to put him on the website. As a general rule, I don't put my kids online, but my son was so patient that I had to find a way to include him. So, we put our heads together and decided to help parents and kids embark on journaling together! Aunts, uncles, grandparents and babysitters are also welcome.

1. Let Them Choose

My son really loves his Mead Primary Journal. He'll be going into first grade, so he still needs the red and dotted lines to help him form his letters. He's also a lefty and has trouble with his grip. The best pencils I've found for him are My First Ticonderoga Pencils.

Older kids might prefer to have adult supplies. Unless cost is a concern, you might even let them choose a Leuchtturm1917, Rhodia, or Moleskine notebook. They'll probably take it as a sign of confidence that you are willing to invest in their journaling practice.

Most of these notebooks come in a variety of colors, so they'll be able to choose one that reflects their personality. If a fancy notebook isn't in the cards, make your first journaling adventure all about decorating the cover. You can find inexpensive vinyl decals on Etsy. Putting a personal touch on the journal can help your kids connect with it. This is their personal space to dream, think, and be whatever they want.

You can also look for other kid-friendly supplies like crayons, stamps, and erasable colored pencils.

2. Share Your Supplies

While it's important for children to have their own journals, you probably won't want to buy them too many supplies. My son likes to use my "special supplies." Ordinarily, I don't like sharing my toys. Each time he asks, I have to release my white-knuckle grip on my favorite pens, take two deep breaths and tell myself, "It will be ok." I have to live with some cross-inking on my color box stamp pad, but hey, it's worth it.

Kids know it's a treat to use these supplies. They'll look forward to your journaling sessions together if they feel they get special privileges. Plus, if you're like me, you love your supplies enough you'll want to supervise. My son asks for my stamps, but what he's really asking is for me to spend time with him. You bet, lil' bud!

3. Respect Their Journaling Style

It's tempting to prompt your kids in their journaling (and school, and sports, and life, and everything). Goals, daily to-do lists, dreams, self-discovery...those are your journaling topics. Let your kids journal their way. They might draw something fictional and describe it. Maybe they'll simply draw. Or scribble.

Encourage them in whatever style they seem to enjoy. Older kids might want you to stay out of it completely; that's ok, too. Maybe they'll benefit more from solo journaling. Just because you're not pouring over spreads together doesn't mean you can't bond through a mutual interest.

4. Make a Mess

Perfectionists, I'm looking at you! (and me). If you're particular about your own journal, you may have to sit on your hands to keep from interfering with your kids. Does it matter if they write the wrong date or misspell everything? Those childhood errors are a huge part of what gives kid journals their charm; you'll look back at these little notebooks and cherish each little quirk.

Plus, kids love messes! Let them go a little wild and explore their creativity. We rarely encourage our kids to be untidy, but that freedom can light a fire in them. "Messy Journaling" will probably become their favorite part of the week.

5. Emphasize Your Time Together

When all is said and done, I don't care what kind of journal pages my son produces. Who am I kidding? I think everything he makes is dipped in miracle oil and dusted with sunshine. I'll save anything he makes.

What matters to me is that we spent time together. We created, laughed, and learned together.

Blue's Journaling Tips for Kids:

I already mentioned that I don't normally let my kids appear on the website. Since he finally has a chance, Blue asked if he could pass along his journaling wisdom. So, here are some (verbatim) tips from my very wise 6 -oops!- I mean, 7-year-old...

Think of a plan for what it should look like at the end.

Get all the colors you need.

Make sure you know what to write about.

Ask for help with spelling.

Make the outline of your drawing.

Color your picture.

Put on the finishing touches.

Make sure you didn't forget anything.

Put the date on the paper.

Remember to put your name on it.

It's okay if you make a mistake.

You can always remake it on a new page if you need to.

Have fun!

Have you tried journaling with your kids (or nieces/nephews/grandkids/step-kids, etc.)? Comment below to share your tips for encouraging happy journaling.
Brainstorm with me!

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and FREE access to resources in the Vault!
Don't worry, I only deliver the good stuff. No spam.

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5 Game-Changing Tips for Journaling with Kids | Page Flutter

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Journaling with your kids can be a great way to bond over a shared interest. Some kids love it right away, while others resist. Try these 5 easy tips for journaling with kids. Let the fun begin! Today, I have a very special post from my oldest son, Blue (not his real name).

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Cool Math Games

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Cool Math Games - Free Online Games for Learning and Fun

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Coolmath Games is a brain-training site for everyone, where logic & thinking & math meets fun & games. These games have no violence, no empty action, just a lot of challenges that will make you forget you're getting a mental workout!

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Math Playground

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Practice addition, multiplication, fractions and algebraic reasoning with our popular math games. Discover fun learning games kids love to play.

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HoodaMath

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Share to Google Classroom
Or copy and share the URL

https://www.hoodamath.com

When you play games at Hooda Math you are supporting a small business owner and his family.

Many teachers have come to rely on our Math Timed Tests to easily keep track of their students math skills.

You made it to our Math Movies, try using them as attention grabbers for your classroom.

We have a short math video tutorial for every national math standard for grades 3-6.

Check out some classic math tools that you can use for free online.

We recently created the Order of Operations Quiz, as we continue to build Classroom Tools beyond Math Games.

About Hooda Math

HoodaMath.com, a free online math games site. Founded by a middle school math teacher, Hooda Math offers over 1000 Math Games for all ages.

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Hooda Math Games - Free Online Math Games for Kids

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Hooda Math Games is a free online platform that offers unblocked cool math games for kids, providing an engaging and educational experience to learn and practice math concepts at school. It is a trusted resource that promotes a positive attitude towards math through interactive gameplay and diverse topics.

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National Geographic Young Explorer

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Your Learning | Your Future | Your World

At National Geographic Learning, a part of Cengage Group, we are enabling opportunity, powering progress, and supporting student journeys toward college and career. Using our digital learning programs and classroom learning resources, students experience the excitement and joy of learning that National Geographic explorers, scientists, writers, and photographers experience.

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k-12 english as a second language curriculum

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career and technical education curriculum

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AnimaApp.com - Design to code, Automated.

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K-12 School Digital and Curricular Classroom Materials - NGL

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Your Learning | Your Future | Your World At National Geographic Learning, a part of Cengage Group, we are enabling opportunity, powering progress, and supporting student journeys toward college and career. Using our digital learning programs and classroom learning resources, students experience the excitement and joy of learning that National Geographic explorers, scientists, writers, and photographers experience.

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Storynory

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Tumblebooks/TumbleMath

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TumbleBookLibrary

TumbleBookLibrary is a curated database of children's e-books, available by subscription to Elementary Schools and Public Libraries around the world.

TumbleBookLibrary Premium has over 1100 titles for grades K-6, and includes our unique animated, talking picture books, read-along chapter books, non fiction books and videos, curated playlists, as well as books in Spanish and French. Plus, the collection features Graphic Novels - a student favorite!

Subscriptions are affordable and EASY to use, and include tools to simplify your kids' access from home as well as from your building. There are no check-out times or wait lists: the books are always available, to everyone in your institution!

It's a great resource for tech-savvy kids, and teaches them the joy of reading in a format they'll love.

TeenBookCloud

TeenBookCloud is a curated database of e-books and other digital content for Middle Schools and High Schools, as well as Public Libraries.

The growing collection features over 1000 titles, including student-favorite Graphic Novels, enhanced e-books with full audio narration and highlighted text, classic literature, non fiction videos, and more!

The site supports a wide range of readers' interests and levels. We've partnered with Orca Books and Saddleback books to bring you hundreds of High-Interest/Low-Level content. In addition, our new AP English section makes hundreds of curriculum books available to readers at the click of a button!

Subscriptions are affordable and EASY to use, and include tools to simplify your students' access from home as well as from your building. There are no check-out times or wait lists: the books are always available, to everyone in your institution!

TumbleMath

Educators have long known that one of the most effective ways to teach math concepts, especially to reluctant learners, is by using stories and literature.

TumbleMath has the most comprehensive collection of math stories available anywhere- all in our world famous TumbleBook format which combines animation, narration, and sound to create a compelling and enticing story book for students of all ages.

The books are all accompanied by supplementary materials such as lesson plans, educational games, plus quizzes in order to test and track progress.

TumbleMath is your one stop destination for engaging and entertaining math stories.

AudioBookCloud

AudioBookCloud is a curated database of streaming audio books and is available by subscription to Public Libraries around the world.

The growing collection features over 1200 titles, including dozens of genres and interest levels. The collection includes popular literature, classics, children's and teen books, mystery, sci-fi, history, biography, and more!

The audio books are always available to subscribing libraries and their patrons. There are no special programs to install, or files to download. The site's also completely mobile compatible, and the audio books can be streamed directly to whichever device you wish to use.

Subscriptions are affordable and EASY to use, and include tools to simplify your patrons' access from home as well as from your building. There are no check-out times or wait lists: the books are always available, to everyone in your library!

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Tumblebooks - Read, Watch, and Learn with the this collection of eBooks, read-along, music, memory and language games, graphic novels, and more.

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Starfall Reading

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Starfall requires JavaScript for educational activities.

Skip to content

Join with a home or educator membership and access over 700 activities, games, and books.

At Starfall, children have fun while they learn.

Starfall was founded by Dr. Stephen Schutz, who had difficulty learning to read as a child due to dyslexia. He was motivated to create a learning platform with untimed, multisensory interactive games that allow children to see, hear, and touch as they learn. Read more...

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Starfall Education: Kids Games, Movies, Books & Music for K-5 and above

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At Starfall, children have fun while they learn - specializing in reading, phonics & math - educational games, movies, books, songs, and more for children K-5 and above.

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Free Children's Book Stories

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Washington Post KidsPost

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Sports Illustrated for Kids

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SI Kids: Sports News for Kids, Kids Games and More

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SI Kids: Sports News for Kids, Kids Games and More

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SI Kids provides a kid-first perspective of sports. Find sports news for kids, scores, kids games, photos and expert analysis of the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, soccer, and more.

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Teaching Kids News (2nd-8th gr)

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Teaching Kids News - Readable, teachable news.

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Readworks (need to create free account)

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ReadWorks | Award-Winning, EdTech Nonprofit Organization

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ReadWorks is an edtech nonprofit organization that is committed to helping to solve America’s reading comprehension crisis.

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Nat Geo for Kids

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DOGO News

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DOGO News - Kids news articles! Kids current events; plus kids news on science, sports, and more!

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DOGO News has fun articles for kids on current events, science, sports, and more! There are also lots of stories, pictures, videos, games and the DOGO news map for kids! Add your comments, read reviews of cool websites, and more!

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Project Gutenberg

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Project Gutenberg is a library of over 70,000 free eBooks

Choose among free epub and Kindle eBooks, download them or read them online. You will find the world's great literature here, with focus on older works for which U.S. copyright has expired. Thousands of volunteers digitized and diligently proofread the eBooks, for you to enjoy.

Trouble downloading or viewing books? Let us know. We have made some fixes that seem to address some issues that had been reported, and we would like to hear if any troubles persist.

No fee or registration! Everything from Project Gutenberg is gratis, libre, and completely without cost to readers. If you find Project Gutenberg useful, please consider a small donation to help Project Gutenberg digitize more books, maintain its online presence, and improve Project Gutenberg programs and offerings. Other ways to help include digitizing, proofreading and formatting, or reporting errors.

No special apps needed! Project Gutenberg eBooks require no special apps to read, just the regular Web browsers or eBook readers that are included with computers and mobile devices. There have been reports of sites that charge fees for custom apps, or for the same eBooks that are freely available from Project Gutenberg. Some of the apps might have worthwhile features, but none are required to enjoy Project Gutenberg eBooks.

50 years of eBooks 1971-2021. In 2021, Project Gutenberg celebrated the first eBook for reading enjoyment and unlimited free redistribution. This eBook was created on July 4, 1971 by Project Gutenberg's founder, Michael S. Hart. Read more about this lasting innovation. Project Gutenberg is grateful to all volunteers who helped to reach this milestone anniversary. Project Gutenberg offers a vibrant and growing collection of the world's great literature. Read, enjoy, and share!

Find Free eBooks

Audio books

Audio books are a great way to enjoy and share literature. Project Gutenberg no longer adds new audio books to the collection, and suggests these audio book resources. These audio books are all freely available and in the public domain in the US. They may be easily played back on computers, tablets, mobile phones, and other devices. They may be shared non-commercially, without limitation except in countries where the printed source is still copyrighted. All of the sources listed below are digitizations of texts from Project Gutenberg.

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Project Gutenberg is a library of free eBooks.

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Tween Tribune

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As of Monday, October 24, content that was on TweenTribune.com will now be available here on our new educational resources page and on our learning pages. While much of the content that you enjoyed will still exist, educators will unfortunately no longer be able to assign content to students. Tween Tribune has been a valued educational brand of Smithsonian magazine, and we appreciate your continued support.

Though the Girl Scouts of the USA initially declared itself a space for all girls, the reality was different for girls of color

Erin Blakemore

Get Smithsonian Educational Resources

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As of Monday, October 24, content that was on TweenTribune.com will now be available here on our new educational resources page and on our learning pages. While much of the content that you enjoyed will still exist, educators will unfortunately no longer be able to assign content to students.

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Storyline Online

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The SAG-AFTRA Foundation's Daytime Emmy-nominated, Storyline Online, features celebrated actors reading children's books to inspire a love of reading in millions of children worldwide.

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How to use BrainPop for remote learning

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Posted by Andrew Gardner on
The digital nature of BrainPOP makes it equally powerful in the classroom and for distance learning.
School closures due to weather or more recently, the coronavirus outbreak, have led to a growing demand for effective ways to teach children remotely. Fully-enabled virtual learning environments are no longer a dream for the future, but happening today in locations around the world, and many are equipped with BrainPOP!

BrainPOP's cleverly animated movies and primary sources build knowledge on topics across the curriculum, while concept-mapping and movie-making tools prompt kids to think critically and creatively about what they are learning.

And you can kiss workbooks and making copies goodbye! BrainPOP works on all devices, making it easy for both teachers and students to use from the comfort of their homes.

1. Make Virtual Learning Pathways

Assigning work is a vital part of distance learning. With BrainPOP's feature, teachers can design Assignment learning pathways for students to complete at home. For example, if the objective is to build background knowledge about a topic, you can create a three-part assignment:

Watch a movie

Read a related article ( Related Readings are BrainPOP's digital articles associated with the topic)

Take a quiz to assess understanding

Expand on this pathway by assigning a templated concept map with a question that prompts students to brainstorm prior knowledge about the topic building background.

After watching the movie, have students add to their maps and make connections to what they learn. The concept map serves as a digital artifact illustrating students' learning process.

2. Differentiate for Diverse Learners

One size does not fit all. That's why BrainPOP designed flexible resources that you can adapt and customize to meet students' varying interests and needs. As an example, you can create and assign a partially completed concept map to students who need extra support or scaffolding.

For students requiring more of a challenge, try assigning a map that challenges them to find evidence from multiple movies. Or you can create quizzes for different levels using the Quiz Mixer -mix and match existing quiz questions to meet students' needs or customize by writing your own. Then assign to students to complete at home.

Taking a quiz on BrainPOP results in a score, while interacting with the creativity tools ( Creative Coding, Make-a-Movie, and Make-a-Map) result in artifacts (e.g., movies, concept maps, coding projects)-all of which can be submitted remotely.

The scores and artifacts provide insight into how a student thinks and learns. BrainPOP provides a variety of on its site to help you and your students know the expectations for the different creative projects.

4. Encourage Student Agency

BrainPOP offers hundreds of topics across all subject areas, and multiple entry points to learning. We empower students with the freedom to follow their passions or simply meander, discovering new and interesting information and experiences along the way.

You can choose to use BrainPOP in a prescriptive way, creating assignments and learning pathways, or you can invite students to follow their own BrainPOP adventures. You can even do both. There is no one "right way" with BrainPOP-just what works for you and your students!

There are countless ways BrainPOP can support distance learning. How are you using it with remote students? We'd love to hear your ideas in the comments.

Offering Free BrainPOP Access During School Closures Due to Coronavirus

Distance learning is of immediate importance to schools around the world closed temporarily due to the coronavirus outbreak. Recognizing the enormous impact of this situation, we are offering free, unlimited use of BrainPOP to any school, anywhere, that is closed due to the coronavirus during the period of their closure. Click the button below and complete the form. Then, then keep an eye out for an email from BrainPOP with information on how to set up your account.

We will maintain your free access for the duration of the 19/20 school year.

NOTE: This offer is for schools only and terms and conditions apply. Please contact us if you have any questions.

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4 Ways BrainPOP Supports Distance Learning | BrainPOP Educators

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Posted by Andrew Gardner on The digital nature of BrainPOP makes it equally powerful in the classroom and for distance learning. School closures due to weather or more recently, the coronavirus outbreak, have led to a growing demand for effective ways to teach children remotely.

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Make Zines!

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How to Make a Zine: A Kid-Friendly DIY Guide | Brightly

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Follow along with these simple instructions and you’ll be creating a zine in no time — the perfect project for children looking to express their creativity!

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Create a Bingo Board

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Remote Reading Resources

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NonDigital Ideas for Learning

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Vooks free 1 year membership for teachers

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Oops!
You are lost, as lost as the little i who lost his dot.

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Prodigy

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Here's how nearly one million teachers use Prodigy in the classroom at no cost!

Help students master math standards with a fun and engaging gameplay experience

Adjust and align Prodigy's in-game math content with your lesson plans

Track student development to decide where to best spend your time

No trial period, no hidden costs for educators. Our optional parent memberships ensure Prodigy stays free for all teachers.

Prodigy for Teachers

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Here's how nearly one million teachers use Prodigy in the classroom at no cost! Help students master math standards with a fun and engaging gameplay experience Adjust and align Prodigy's in-game math content with your lesson plans Track student development to decide where to best spend your time No trial period, no hidden costs for educators.

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Mystery Science Lessons

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Stress-free science lessons for K-5 distance learning

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Kids Discover Online

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FRECKLE free online learning

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Freckle by Renaissance - Differentiation Platform for K-12

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Accelerate literacy equitably with differentiated resources.

K-12 coverage of standards and skills

Over 1,000 nonfiction and fiction passages that adapt to each student's level

Teachers can assign a specific standard for some or all students to practice

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Freckle by Renaissance | Reach Every Student at Their Level

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Freckle helps K-12 teachers differentiate instruction and reach every student at their own level across Math, ELA, Social Studies and Science.

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Fun STEM ideas

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Here it is...the brand new "77 MORE Simple STEM Activities for Families"
Find a PDF at https://t.co/sWpIB4heHM
(thank you everyone for suggesting ideas!)
#RemoteLearning #STEM #parenting #COVID19

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Thank you to Claudia Larrain, Mauricio Gonzalez, Ekuwah Moses, Ali Robbins, & Khadi Goodside for the translation work! (Note: Movies are written, directed, & produced to tell a story and make money, not to be used an educational resource. Every movie should be previewed for content that may be inappropriate for your kids) dailySTEM is created by Chris Woods, a HS Math Teacher, Education Presenter, & Host of the STEM Everyday

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Here it is...the brand new "77 MORE Simple STEM Activities for Families"
Find a PDF at https://t.co/sWpIB4heHM
(thank you everyone for suggesting ideas!)
#RemoteLearning #STEM #parenting #COVID19 https://t.co/CYAEmGVGQt

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.metadata.attachment_props_source.data.text
Here it is...the brand new "77 MORE Simple STEM Activities for Families"
Find a PDF at https://t.co/sWpIB4heHM
(thank you everyone for suggesting ideas!)
#RemoteLearning #STEM #parenting #COVID19 https://t.co/CYAEmGVGQt

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Looking for more resources? Here’s an A-Z list Thank you to Claudia Larrain, Mauricio Gonzalez, Ekuwah Moses, Ali Robbins, & Khadi Goodside for the translation work! (Note: Movies are written, directed, & produced to tell a story and make money, not to be used an educational resource. Every movie should be previewed for content that may be inappropriate for your kids) DailySTEM is the goal of Chris Woods, a Teacher, Speaker, Author, & Host of the STEM Everyday

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.metadata.attachment_props.original_text
Here it is...the brand new "77 MORE Simple STEM Activities for Families"
Find a PDF at https://t.co/sWpIB4heHM
(thank you everyone for suggesting ideas!)
#RemoteLearning #STEM #parenting #COVID19 https://t.co/CYAEmGVGQt

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.metadata.attachment_props.text
Here it is...the brand new "77 MORE Simple STEM Activities for Families"
Find a PDF at https://t.co/sWpIB4heHM
(thank you everyone for suggesting ideas!)
#RemoteLearning #STEM #parenting #COVID19

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.metadata.attachment_props.entities.urls[].description
Looking for more resources? Here’s an A-Z list Thank you to Claudia Larrain, Mauricio Gonzalez, Ekuwah Moses, Ali Robbins, & Khadi Goodside for the translation work! (Note: Movies are written, directed, & produced to tell a story and make money, not to be used an educational resource. Every movie should be previewed for content that may be inappropriate for your kids) DailySTEM is the goal of Chris Woods, a Teacher, Speaker, Author, & Host of the STEM Everyday

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Creative writing and drawing ideas from Jarrett Lerner.

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Below you will find a string of numbers. Click on a number, and you will find a downloadable, printable page of blank comic book panels. Each number corresponds to a different arrangement of panels. Print out a few of each, or a bunch of one kind, and give them to the young comic book-creators in your life!

Below you will find some activity sheets aimed at igniting the imaginations and kickstarting the creativity of kids (and, as always, kids-at-heart)! Click the caption links beneath the images to access a downloadable, printable version of each sheet. Completed drawings can then be used as creative writing prompts. And please share completed sheets with me! You can do so on Twitter (@JarrettLerner), Instagram (@jarrettlerner), or using the Contact form in the menu bar above!

Click HERE to download the above activity sheet!

Click HERE to download the above activity sheet!

Click HERE to download the above activity sheet!

Click HERE to download the above activity sheet!

Click HERE to download the above activity sheet!

Click HERE to download the above activity sheet!

Click HERE to download the above activity sheet!

Click HERE to download the above activity sheet.

Click HERE to download the above activity sheet!

Click HERE to download the above activity sheet!

Click HERE to download the above activity sheet!

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Blank Comic Book Panels Below you will find a string of numbers. Click on a number, and you will find a downloadable, printable page of blank comic book panels. Each number corresponds to a different arrangement of panels. Print out a few of each, or a bunch of one kind, and give them to the...

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Authors read and discuss kidlit books.

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Hello, friends! I'm Kate Messner, a former classroom teacher, forever-educator, and the author of more than three dozen books for kids. These include picture books like Over and Under the Snow, The Brilliant Deep, and The Next President; the Fergus and Zeke easy reader series; the Ranger in Time historical chapter book adventures; nonfiction like Tracking Pythons and Solve This: Forensics; and novels like All the Answers, Breakout, and . I'm happy that you found your way here!

This is a library of resources for kids, families, teachers, and librarians to make sure that reading & learning can happen anywhere this spring. Some of you may be out of school as communities try to prevent the spread of a virus known as COVID-19. Here's a great page from NPR that explains what that's all about, in a kid-friendly comic. National Ambassador for Young People's Literature Jason Reynolds shares "How to Fight the New Bad Guy in Town," a PSA for kids, on the StorySeeds podcast here. And this excellent & important post from author Laurie Halse Anderson does a great job explaining why we're seeing closings (and why that's important) for older readers.

Below, you'll find a growing collection of resources that include everything from first-chapter and picture book read-alouds (all shared with permission!) to drawing and writing mini-lessons. Be sure to check back often, as new resources will be added every day. If you'd prefer to browse learning-at-home resources by age group, my daughter Ella has put together the pages below, with even more resources, organized by grade level. (Thanks, Ella!)

Resources for grades PreK-2 (ages 3-7)
Resources for grades 3-5 (ages 8-10)
Resources for grades 6-8 (ages 11-13)
Resources for grades 9-12 (ages 14+)

Many teachers & librarians have also reached out to ask about permission to read books aloud to your students via closed platforms like Google Classroom, Zoom, and unlisted YouTube links. Individual publishers have been sharing their own guidelines for online read-alouds, and you'll find a round-up of those here.

Author Kate Messner shares a read-aloud of THE NEXT PRESIDENT: THE UNEXPECTED BEGINNINGS AND UNWRITTEN FUTURE OF AMERICA'S PRESIDENTS, illustrated by Adam Rex. Writing challenge: After the read-aloud, write your own presidential platform. What changes would you make to your country if you were in charge?

Author Kate Messner shares a read-aloud of OVER AND UNDER THE POND, illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal (shared with permission from Chronicle Books). After the read-aloud, look out your window - or step outside if you can - and see what hidden nature you notice!

Author Kate Messner shares a read-aloud of THE BRILLIANT DEEP: REBUILDING THE WORLD'S CORAL REEFS illustrated by Matt Forsythe. After the read-aloud, check out the Coral Restoration Foundation website. Learn more about the threats coral reefs are facing from NASA's Climate Kids page, and check out this page about how kids can help our oceans. Challenge: Make a poster or drawing to teach people about how we can all help coral and other sea creatures!

OVER AND UNDER THE RAINFOREST, Kate's book with illustrator Christopher Silas Neal doesn't come out until August, but we got special permission to share an early read-aloud! After the story, check out this page with more information on the wildlife of Costa Rica, where Kate did most of the research for this book. Writing challenge: Write a short article to teach people about your favorite rainforest animal!

Tracey Baptiste, the author of The Jumbies series, shares a mini-lesson on comparative mythology. She talks through how creatures from different mythologies have traits in common and encourages kids to find those similarities in the mythologies they come across. She's also sharing some reading resources such as D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths, The Element Encyclopedia of Mythical Creatures, and her own Jumbies Field Guide available at her website.

Author Debbi Michiko Florence shares a read-aloud excerpt of her chapter book JASMINE TOGUCHI FLAMINGO KEEPER, along with a writing prompt (and a peek at a real daruma doll)!

Author Leah Henderson shares a first chapter read-aloud of her middle grade novel THE MAGIC IN CHANGING YOUR STARS. Writing Challenge: Find out who Ailey Benjamin Lane is named after. (Hint: His first name comes from an African-American dancer & choreographer with the initials A.A. His middle name comes from an African-American farmer & naturalist who searches out the stars and who created an almanac in 1792. This person's initials are B.B.) Who could they be?

Author-illustrator Jarrett Lerner shares tips and techniques to help you draw ANYTHING and EVERYTHING!

Veera Hiranandani, author of the Newbery Honor winning book The Night Diary, The Whole Story of Half a Girl, and The Phoebe G. Green series offers a diary writing prompt to help you get to know your characters and create an inspired story!

Author Jason Reynolds shares a read-aloud from his MG novel, GHOST. In this chapter, the main character talks about world records, so after the read-aloud, check out this page from the Guiness Book of World Records, with some records you can try to break at home!

Author Kate Messner shares a read-aloud excerpt from TRACKING PYTHONS: THE QUEST TO CATCH AN INVASIVE PREDATOR AND SAVE AN ECOSYSTEM. After the read-aloud, you can learn more about invasive species from National Geographic and the National Wildlife Foundation. Also check out this article from New York State Conservationist Kids!

Kate also shared this article about the python scientists, with photos and infographics.

Author & illustrator Grace Lin teaches viewers how to draw a Chinese Dragon and shares some tidbits about Chinese culture! You can find more of Grace's reading & drawing videos on her YouTube channel.

Author Carole Lindstrom shares a read-aloud of WE ARE WATER PROTECTORS.

Author Jo Knowles reads from the first chapter of her MG novel WHERE THE HEART IS and offers students a fun writing exercise! For more about Jo and her books, or for teachers/book group guides that go along with her books, visit her website.

Kelley McMorris, who illustrates the RANGER IN TIME chapter book series, shares a video about how she illustrates a book cover. After you watch, try using Kelley's process to design a new cover for one of your favorite books!

Author and illustrator Debbie Ridpath Ohi shares a read-aloud of her picture book WHERE ARE MY BOOKS?, gives a drawing demo and challenges young readers to create their own imaginative squirrels, and shares a crowd-sourced "Where Are My Books?" music video. You can find lots of free, print-ready activities and other fun bonus info at https://www.debbieohi.com/wamb

Author Erin Entrada Kelly gives a peek into the notebooks for several of her novels, including HELLO, UNIVERSE. Writing challenge: What's in your notebook? Take a little time to write in it today, inspired by Erin's ideas!

Author Chris Tebbetts shares a read-aloud of the first chapters of STRANDED. Writing challenge: Choose a wilderness setting of your own - the Arctic, the desert, the rainforest - and imagine you're stranded there. How will you survive? Write an imaginary journal documenting your adventure. Check out these wilderness survival skills from Outdoor Life for ideas!

Author Nikki Grimes shares poetry selections from WORDS WITH WINGS. Writing challenge: Try writing your own poem today, in the style of one of Nikki's read-alouds! For more of Nikki's read-aloud videos and lessons, check out her YouTube Channel here.

Author Ann Braden shares a read-aloud excerpt from THE BENEFITS OF BEING AN OCTOPUS. Note: the octopus is a pretty amazing creature, so after the read-aloud, read up on them at this page from National Geographic Kids!

Author Kate Messner shares a read-aloud of UP IN THE GARDEN AND DOWN IN THE DIRT, illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal. After the read-aloud, read more about helpful insects here and check out these garden activities from KidsGarden!

Author Sarah Albee shares a STEM mystery, "Did the Doctor Do It?" as part of her series exploring the science and intrigue of poison throughout history. Check out more of Sarah's Poison videos here.

Middle grade and Young adult author, Paula Chase offers a mini-writing exercise to help students build stories around their unique traits.

Author Nancy Castaldo reads some of BACK FROM THE BRINK with tips how we can all use our voices through our writing to make a difference. Here's the link to the reader's guide for more activities.

Author Debbi Michiko Florence shares an early read-aloud excerpt of her upcoming MG novel KEEP IT TOGETHER KEIKO CARTER, along with a writing prompt!

Author & illustrator Grace Lin shares the first story from her early reader, "Ling and Ting: Not Exactly the Same!" You can find more of Grace's reading & drawing videos on her YouTube channel.

Author Kate Messner shares a read-aloud excerpt from RANGER IN TIME: RESCUE ON THE OREGON TRAIL. Writing challenge: Choose your favorite event in history and imagine how a search and rescue dog might be able to help out. Then so some research about your historical event, and write your own story about Ranger's adventures there!

Christina Soontornvat shares how she came up with the idea for her new middle grade fantasy novel, A WISH IN THE DARK. Writing challenge: Use Christina's model to brainstorm your own list of ideas for stories that might be inspired by a classic tale! And check out more videos from Christina here!

Author KA Holt reads an excerpt from her forthcoming middle grade novel-in-verse, BEN BEE AND THE TEACHER GRIEFER.

Author Mae Respicio reads a few pages from her upcoming middle grade novel, Any Day With You, and shares a quick, fun writing prompt. Writing challenge: Imagine you've been planning a beach day with your best friends. You're so excited to go but when you get there... everything goes wrong and not the way you expected it to! Describe what happens.

Author Elly Swartz shares tips on how to use the emotion in your life to create authentic characters! Writing challenge: Take a few minutes to journal about a day when you felt an especially strong emotion - joy or fear or excitement! How might you use those emotions in a fictional story?

Author Lisa Yee drinks water, reads the first chapter of Millicent Min, Girl Genius, and fumbles when she comes across a couple of lines in Latin. Writing challenge: Try rewriting a scene from this chapter from the point of view of another character!

Award-Winning author Michelle Cusolito shares a writing mini-lesson to help writers add more sensory details to their writing. You can find more resources related to Michelle's book FLYING DEEP: CLIMB INSIDE DEEP-SEA SUBMERSIBLE ALVIN here.

Author-illustrator Lita Judge shares a video about how a sketching trip inspired one of her picture books! After you watch, take your own mini-sketching trip. Go to your kitchen or your bedroom, your porch or your backyard, and sketch what you see. Observe closely!

Author Kate Messner shares a read-aloud excerpt from CHIRP, a mystery for kids that's set on a cricket farm! After the read aloud, you can learn more about entomophagy (eating insects as food!) from CBS Kids, and check out a real cricket farm's website!

Author Chris Tebbetts shares a video mini-lesson on how to create a good beginning for a story!

And another video writing workshop from Chris, called Four Elements of Character. (This is an 8-minute video where you pause & write sometimes, so the full activity will take about half an hour. Recommended for writers ages 10 and up.)

Author Aisha Saeed shares a read-aloud of her picture book, BILAL COOKS DAAL, along with a related activity!

Author Emily Jenkins shares a read-aloud of A GREYHOUND, A GROUNDHOG.

Author Lisa Schroeder shares a read-aloud excerpt from her MG novel MY SECRET GUIDE TO PARIS, along with a writing exercise!

Author Janet Fox shares a read-aloud of the first chapter of her MG novel THE ARTIFACT HUNTERS. Writing challenge: Try writing a short scene of your own in which something unexpected happens!

Author & illustrator Jess Keating shares some thoughts on where ideas for stories come from! (This is part of a series Jess shares on writing & you can find more on her YouTube channel.)

Author Chris Tebbetts shares a read-aloud of the first chapters of MIDDLE SCHOOL, THE WORST YEARS OF MY LIFE, co-written with James Paterson.

Poet Charles Waters shares poetry from DICTIONARY FOR A BETTER WORLD (by Charles Waters and Irene Latham)

Author Abby Cooper reads the first chapter of her middle grade novel, FRIEND OR FICTION.

Author Lynn Plourde shares some tips on starting an observation notebook!

Author-illustrator James Burks shares a video lesson on how to draw Squirrel from his graphic novel series, Bird and Squirrel!

Author Kristen Larson shares an engineering design activity based on her book WOOD, WIRE, WINGS: Emma Lilian Todd Invents an Airplane.

Author Liz Garton Scanlon shares a video lesson on writing am ETHEREE - a ten line poem in which each line is one syllable longer than the last.

Author-illustrator Karen Romano Young shares a video doodling tutorial. You can also check out Karen's #AntarcticLog comics, a weekly series of comics about Antarctica - as well as the Arctic and anyplace where climate change is being studied.

Author KA Holt reads an excerpt from her novel-in-verse, HOUSE ARREST. Mini-lesson: listen for as many poetic devices as you can find (metaphor, simile, assonance, hyperbole, etc.)

Author Jennifer Roy shares a video read-aloud from her historical novel YELLOW STAR, along with a writing prompt about looking for symbols of hope in tough times, recommended for ages 10 and up.

Author Laurel Snyder shares some thoughts on fiction and making up stories, along with a read-aloud of CHARLIE AND MOUSE OUTDOORS.

Author Caroline Starr Rose reads her picture book, A RACE AROUND THE WORLD: THE TRUE STORY OF NELLIE BLY AND ELIZABETH BISLAND. When you've finished listening, visit the article, How to Pack Like Pioneering Journalist Nellie Bly, Who Circumnavigated the Globe in 1889 with Just a Small Duffle Bag, to see what Nellie brought on her journey. Challenge: Plan your own trip around the world. What would you like to see? Where would you like to visit? Mark these places on a map.

Author Corinne Demas shares a read-aloud of THE DISAPPEARING ISLAND.

Author Lauren Tarshis shares a read-aloud of the first two chapters of I SURVIVED THE SINKING OF THE TITANIC. After the read-aloud, check out this link to read about Robert Ballard, the oceanographer whose team discovered the wreck of the Titanic more than seventy years after it sank.

Author & poet Nikki Grimes shares poems about one of her favorite cakes, Pineapple Upside Down Cake, along with five steps to creating your very own poem about your favorite food! For more of Nikki's read-aloud videos and lessons, check out her YouTube Channel here.

Author Sarah Aronson shares a read-aloud of JUST LIKE RUBE GOLDBERG. And here's a FlipGrip page where kids can share their projects and ask questions.

Author Chelsea Clinton shares an excerpt from her book START NOW: YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

Author Bruce Hale shares a read aloud of BIG BAD BABY.

Writing Challenge: Write about the same experience in multiple ways (letters, poems, illustrations, and screenplay).

Bonus challenge: Write positive affirmations for your family members.

Author Sayantani DasGupta shares a read-aloud of the first chapter of THE SERPENT'S SECRET.

Author Deborah Underwood reads INTERSTELLAR CINDERELLA (illustrated by Meg Hunt) and gives kids a mini-lesson on how to write their own fractured fairy tales.

Author Kate Messner shares a read-aloud of UP IN THE GARDEN AND DOWN IN THE DIRT and answers questions from kids in a "Family Book Club" video recorded earlier this year (thanks to Read-Aloud Revival for making this recording publicly available for learning at home this spring!)

Author-illustrator Brian Biggs shares a read-aloud of his EVERYTHING GOES board books.

Author Jessica Young shares a read-aloud of HAGGIS AND TANK (illustrated by James Burks) with a mini-lesson on sound words.

Author-illustrator Brandon Reese shares a read-aloud of his picture book CAVE DADA. And here's a link to download a coloring page, too!

Here's a fun challenge from author Laurel Snyder ... She's written a brand new book, but doesn't have any pictures for it. Will you help? She'll read you the story of The Beastly Collective, and you'll draw your favorite animals, while she teaches you some brand new words!

Author Christine Evans shares a read-aloud of Evelyn the Adventurous Entomologist, illustrated by Yasmin Imamura.

Author and illustrator Grace Lin shares a chapter from her book, The Year of the Dog. You can find more of Grace's reading & drawing videos on her YouTube channel.

Grace Lin teaches families how to draw a dog from the number 5 (just like in The Year of the Dog!)

Amy Guglielmo, co-author of POCKET FULL OF COLORS shares a read-aloud of her picture book biography of Disney artist Mary Blair. Art challenge: Collect a rainbow of colorful objects inside or outside as a fun follow up activity. Take part in the "Rainbow Hunt," and draw a picture of a rainbow to post in your window for neighbors to see on their daily walks.

Author Kerry O'Malley Cerra demonstrates an easy tool students can use to summarize. This tip can also be used for writers as chapter checks!

Japanese American author, Kathleen Burkinshaw reads a chapter from her MG historical fiction, The Last Cherry Blossom based on events in her mom's life as a 12 yr old in Hiroshima during WWII. Also learn a little about her mom's favorite Japanese folk tale. You can find a Discussion Guide on her website www.kathleenburkinshaw.co

Newbery Award winning author Meg Medina shares a writing lesson on Creating Tension.

Kerry Madden shares a read-aloud of ERNESTINE'S MILKY WAY.

Author Buffy Silverman shares On a Snow-Melting Day: Seeking Signs of Spring and a little science show-and-tell.

Author Diane Zahler shares a read-aloud of the first chapter of The Marvelwood Magicians and a writing prompt.

Abigail Rayner shares a read-aloud of The Backup Bunny.

Michelle Cusolito reads aloud her book Flying Deep: Climb Inside Deep-Sea Submersible ALVIN (illustrated by Nicole Wong) while Jeff Angeley of Southcoast Lessons provides live musical accompaniment. You can find more resources related to Flying Deep here.

Author Meg Fleming shares a read-aloud of her picture book, Sometimes Rain.

S.K. Ali, co-author of THE PROUDEST BLUE, shares directions for making a paper boat.

The niece and nephew of Cedella Marley read her book, Get Up, Stand Up, a picture book adaptation of one of Bob Marley's beloved songs that has a timely message for children: To counter injustice, lift others up with kindness and courage.

Author Lisa Yee talks about Bobby vs. Girls (Accidentally) and reads passages from the book. Writing prompt for today: Do you think boys and girls can be friends?

Would you rather be an #astronaut or #aquanaut? Perhaps you need more info to decide. Check out Jen Swanson's video below. Then make your choice and draw a picture of your suit!

Author Jo Watson Hackl Shows How to Take Your Reading to the Next Level by Exploring the Natural World of Your Characters.

Author Heather L. Montgomery reads-aloud chapters from SOMETHING ROTTEN: A FRESH LOOK AT ROADKILL.

Author Heather Shumaker offers a weekly author chat called Fiction Friday. She shares tips and ideas for writing fiction, reads a short excerpt from her middle grade novel The Griffins of Castle Cary, adds in a mini writing lesson, a few corny jokes, and encouragement to young writers and readers.

Author Christina Diaz Gonzalez talks about finding writing inspiration from your own family history (video is in English and then in Spanish).

Kate Messner shares a read-aloud of HOW TO READ A STORY, illustrated by Mark Siegel & shared with permission from Chronicle Books.

Author Kimberly Derting shares a read-aloud of CECE LOVES SCIENCE with permission from HarperCollins.

Author & science teacher Anne Ruppert shares a try-it-at-home fingerprinting activity from SOLVE THIS: FORENSICS (by Kate Messner & Anne Ruppert, published by National Geographic)

Author Jacqueline West shares a read-aloud from The Shadows, volume one of her bestselling MG fantasy/mystery series The Books of Elsewhere, along with a writing activity for you (and possibly your pet!) that will help you think about character and dialogue. For more info and other videos, visit her website! www.jacquelinewest.com.

Author Carter Higgins shares a read-aloud of BIKES FOR SALE with permission from Chronicle Books.

Author Deborah Underwood reads FINDING KINDNESS, illustrated by Irene Chan (Godwin Books/Macmillan, 2019).

Author Melanie Crowder reads a chapter from her middle grade novel, Three Pennies, and shares a quick and easy craft to go with it. Writing Challenge: Think of one of your favorite books-does an animal make an appearance in the story? In Three Pennies, the author writes several chapters from the point of view of an owl (named Owl). Try to add a chapter to that favorite book you've got in mind, writing from the point of view of an animal in that story.

Author Cynthia Levinson reads The Youngest Marcher: The Story of Audrey Faye Hendricks, a Young Civil Rights Activist, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton. Thanks to Simon & Schuster Kids for permission.

Loree Griffin Burns, author of books like Citizen Scientists and the upcoming picture book You're Invited to a Moth Ball, shares her favorite book of all time: The Flora and Fauna of Hosmer Street. It's not a book she wrote, but rather one she made with her three kids. For one year, Loree, Sam, Ben, and Cat committed themselves to getting to know their animal neighbors; what they found surprised them. In this video, Loree show listeners a few of their best finds (garter snake! walking stick! a skeleton!), what they learned (the more you look, the more you see!) and, of course, how to start creating The Flora and Fauna of Your Place.

Many people have heard of the secret network that helped many enslaved blacks escape to freedom in the North called the Underground Railroad. But how many of you have heard about the Overground Railroad? Author Lesa Cline-Ransome reads from her book, The Overground Railroad, illustrated by her husband, James Ransome.

Author Kathleen Blasi reads HOSEA PLAYS ON, which depicts a day in the life of street musician Hosea Taylor, who made his community better, with his open-hearted giving. After the read-aloud, you can take a look at the newspaper article that inspired Kathleen to learn more about Hosea Taylor and served as the research springboard for HOSEA PLAYS ON.

Author Laya Steinberg reads her picture book THE BEST SUKKOT PUMPKIN EVER and shares a seed planting activity.

Author Jewell Parker Rhodes shares a read-aloud of the first chapter of GHOST BOYS.

Roy Freeman shares a read-aloud of CORDUROY, written and illustrated by his father, Don Freeman.

Author Nancy Tupper Ling shares a read-aloud, along with a lesson on how to make a list poem about your favorite place in the world.

Author Sarah Scheerger reads her picture book, Mitzvah Pizza, and shares a story about the real-life pay-it-forward pizza place that inspired the story. Classroom activities for the story are found here.

Writing Lessons! Many families are using this time at home to work on writing projects that range from stories and poems to special interest research reports and even novels. Here are some craft lessons from authors to help with ideas & strategies!
Author Meg Medina shares a video lesson on creating tension. Author Jennifer Torres shares a mini-workshop on setting with a video and pages to download. Here's a lesson from author Paula Chase on writing dual points of view. Author Josephine Cameron shares creative writing tips about how choosing the perfect setting can help you shape the character, plot, and relationships in your story.
Additional Resources:

Want to see even more author & illustrator videos? Check out the Authors Everywhere YouTube channel, created by Susan Tan!

Check out STEM Tuesday from The Mixed of Files of MG Authors blog for weekly book lists, interviews, and activities.

Want to try writing some poetry today? Joyce Sidman shares an amazing collection of ideas to get you started.

Here's another poetry lesson from Kathryn Apel - writing a didactic cinquain!

If you're stuck at home, it's a great time to start a writer's notebook! Author & Poet Amy Ludwig VanDerwater has a whole collection of posts from different writers, called "Sharing Our Notebooks." Check it out -so many ideas here!

Author Madelyn Rosenberg shares a collection of writing prompts here.

Here's a collection of video mini-lessons from nonfiction author Melissa Stewart - great for teaching informational writing, including research, text features, text structure, rich language, voice, and revision.

Author & poet Laura Shovan shares a collection of poetry mini-lessons on her website!

The folks at Middle Grade at Heart share a list of MG novels with discussions questions & related activities here.

Author Victoria Coe has a playlist of writing lessons for kids with 25 lessons.

Author Sarah Darer Littman offers short readings and writing prompts on her website.

On the Kids Ask Authors podcast, you can hear author/illustrator Grace Lin and a guest author answer a kid question! Kids can submit their own book reviews, poems or jokes! https://www.kidsaskauthors.com Subscribe to the podcast here: http://ow.ly/8OPg30qr7WD

Erica S. Perl (@ericaperl) is doing a weekly Instagram live author event called "Winging It with Erica S. Perl" featuring read-alouds, writing prompts, and occasional shakings of a tail feather. Tune in every Tuesday at 2 pm EST and wish her good cluck!

The KidLit TV team, a group of diverse children's book authors and illustrators, has created a virtual library of FREE read aloud, drawing & writing tutorials, podcasts, art activities + reading resources for kids. https://kidlit.tv

Jarrett J. Krosoczka, author & illustrator, shares daily drawing lessons on his YouTube channel.

Author Kathryn Hulick invites you to investigate a ghost story as a scientist, based on her book STRANGE BUT TRUE.

New Books to Check Out!

In case you're missing your weekly trip to the library or bookstore, we also want to let you know about some new books out this spring!

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Read, Wonder, and Learn! Favorite Authors & Illustrators Share Resources for Learning Anywhere - Spring 2020

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Hello, friends! I'm Kate Messner, a former classroom teacher, forever-educator, and the author of more than three dozen books for kids. These include picture books like Over and Under the Snow, The Brilliant Deep, and The Next President ; the Fergus and Zeke easy reader series; the Ranger in Time historical chapter book adventures; nonfiction like Tracking Pythons and Solve This: Forensics ; and novels like All the Answers, Breakout , and .