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It's no surprise that authors are incredibly good at bringing their own books to life. Whether through live or pre-recorded visits, read-aloud videos, or other virtual author activities, kids will connect with books like never before! Here are some of our favorite options to try.

Pre-Recorded Virtual Author Visits

Check out these videos of presentations authors have given at schools and libraries. There are authors here that will interest students at any age.

Arree Chung

Hear Chung talk about the process of creating his book Mixed: A Colorful Story. The allegory of one color who thinks it's better than the others is meaningful at any age.

Bao Phi

Bao Phi's lovely book A Different Pond showcases the relationship between a father and his son. As they fish for the food their family needs, the father tells his son about a pond from his own childhood in faraway Vietnam.

Jasmine Warga

Author of the Newbery Honor book Other Words for Home, Jasmine Warga gives an engaging talk about how she writes.

Jennifer L. Holm

From her Babymouse graphic novels to the Sunny series and beyond, Holm writes books that middle grade readers absolutely love.

J.H. Reynolds

Do your students love the thrills and chills of the MonsterStreet series? Then they'll love seeing its author answer kids' questions about reading and writing!

J.K. Rowling

Every kid will recognize the author of the beloved Harry Potter books! See her interview with the Harry Potter Reading Club in this video.

Kate Messner

Kate Messner writes fiction, nonfiction, novels, chapter books, and picture books, so there's a good chance most kids have read at least one of her books.

Katherine Applegate

Lots of kids read The One and Only Ivan in class, and Applegate has plenty of other popular and award-winning books as well. Hear her talk about her books (and even show off her adorable dog!).

Lois Lowry

Here's another name kids will recognize. Whether they love The Giver, the Gooney Bird series, or any of her other numerous works, they'll enjoy listening to her speak and answer audience questions.

Max Brallier

The Last Kids on Earth book series is now a Netflix series too! Listen to author Max Brallier talk about his writing process and give kids a writing challenge of their own.

Live Virtual Author Visits

Want to set up a virtual author visit live for your class or school? If you have a particular author in mind, visit their website (or their publisher's) to contact them and find out if they do virtual visits. Scholastic offers virtual author visits through their catalog, so that's a great place to start.

The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators has a terrific roundup of virtual author visits and writing workshops too. Here are some to consider.

Gutman has written all sorts of books for kids, and he's happy to do virtual school visits. Find his offerings and prices at his website.

Nonfiction children's author Kurtz loves to present his books to kids of all ages. His virtual offerings include readings, interviews, and concept-based workshops.

Long does both in-person and virtual author visits based on her popular books, like How I Became a Pirate. Visit her website to see her offerings and book a visit.

Biebow's colorful book about the inventor of Crayola crayons is a delight. She offers free virtual visits, plus interactive in-person workshops.

Known for Dahlia in Bloom, Koehler offers both virtual author visits and writing workshops. She does professional development workshops for teachers too.

Virtual Author Read-Alouds

When you hear authors read their own books, it gives you a whole new perspective on their works. That makes read-alouds some of our favorite virtual author activities.

Hale's YouTube channel includes a playlist called Storytime With Uncle Bruce. Hear him read about Clark the Shark and other hilarious characters.

Gutman has a whole collection of read-alouds on his Facebook page, like Miss Blake Is a Flake. Kids will love his wacky style!

Visit her YouTube channel to see the author read her book Where Are My Books? She's got a few other read-alouds too, along with drawing tips.

Fabien Cousteau is the grandson of famed sea explorer Jacques Cousteau. His book series explores his own experiences under the water, and you can watch his read-aloud on Facebook.

You'll feel inspired when you hear Byers read her heartfelt book I Am Enough.

Lin reads aloud from her picture books as well as chapters from her longer books on her YouTube channel.

Watch Knowles read the first chapter of her middle-grade novel Where the Heart Is, while giving students a fun writing exercise.

Hear Cook read a variety of books from her collection, like Wilma Jean the Worry Machine. Her YouTube channel also includes interviews, advice, and other fun virtual author activities.

Watch Messner read Fergus and Zeke and the 100th Day of School in this YouTube video.

This read-aloud of Fry Bread includes some of the author's thoughts on writing the book and the recipe he included at the end.

Listen to Henderson read the first chapter of her book The Magic in Changing Your Stars on YouTube.

The author regularly shares read-alouds of his books, like I Love You Like a Pig, on his Instagram page.

The author has added a collection of videos of herself reading from her picture books on Instagram. Titles include When We Are Kind and You Hold Me Up.

Hear readings from Shusterman's books on his YouTube channel, including excerpts and complete short stories.

The author created a Stay at Home: Story Time section on his website. Initially made during the 2020 COVID lockdown, these videos are still lots of fun to watch.

Visit Reynolds' Facebook page to see him read from some of his most popular books, like The Dot.

The award-winning author and illustrator reads from her book The Story of Ruth Bader Ginsburg in this YouTube video.

The author reads his picture books on his YouTube channel, where he also has lots of drawing videos for inspiration.

Other Virtual Author Activities

So many wonderful authors and publishers have YouTube or Instagram channels! Join them as they teach you how to draw, offer writing tips, and lots more.

Kids will do more than just watch these videos. They'll write, draw, and create on their own, inspired by famous authors and illustrators.

Watch story time, Cressida Cowell's summer camp, author interviews, how-to-draw videos, and a whole lot more.

The prolific author has a robust website full of videos, activities, podcasts, and more virtual author activities to engage kids of a variety of ages.

The Lunch Lady author and illustrator has a series of videos showing kids how to draw some of their favorite characters. His YouTube channel also has cartooning tips, writing tips, pep talks, and shorts.

This YouTube channel is rich with content, including interviews, tour journals, how-to-draw tips, and so much more.

The Kennedy Center sponsored this series of videos with the beloved author of classics like Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!

Author and illustrator of hits like Smile and Drama shares drawings, time-lapse videos, and more on her Instagram page.

Aspiring illustrators will enjoy this series, where any kid can learn to draw creatures of every kind.

These half-hour chats with well-known middle grade authors are the perfect length to share with your classes.

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The Big List of Virtual Author Activities

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Check out live and pre-recorded author visits, read-alouds, and other virtual author activities like drawing sessions to share with students.

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NASA STEM @ Home For Students Grades K-4

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Fun Activities To Do @ Home. Launch rockets, build a Moon Habitat, solve spacey puzzles and more! These science, technology, engineering and math activities are fun for kids, adults and the whole family.

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Lessons Grades K-5

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To help educators during this time of coronavirus, we have pulled our most popular science lessons and are offering them for anyone to use for free. No account or login is needed. Copy and paste the links below into your documents and use them however they might be helpful! Mystery Science is the creator of the most popular science lessons in U.S. schools. We've curated this starter set of science lessons that you can use remotely or share with parents. If you need more lessons than what is listed below, you can sign up up for a free account:
Teacher Sign-up for Full Lessons | Parent Sign-up for Mini-Lessons

All of the lessons below are expertly designed to engage students, achieve learning outcomes, and be easy for teachers to use. We have short mini-lessons that are completely digital and full lessons that include an activity. All of the activities are designed to use simple supplies a parent will likely already have at home.

Jump to lessons for: Kindergarten | 1st Grade | 2nd Grade | 3rd Grade | 4th Grade | 5th Grade

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Open-and-go lessons that inspire kids to love science.

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To help educators during this time of coronavirus, we have pulled our most popular science lessons and are offering them for anyone to use for free. No account or login is needed. Copy and paste the links below into your documents and use them however they might be helpful!

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Since many schools have been temporarily shut down in an effort to slow the coronavirus's spread, I wanted to mention some of the educational resources available on my website. They include a half-dozen
video mini-lessons that look at various aspects of informational writing, including research, text features, text structures, rich language, voice, and revisions.

I also have a variety of other materials, including curriculum guides, readers theaters, read aloud guides, and activity pages. Many of these reading and writing resources can be used even if you don't have copies of my books.

I wish you all well during this difficult time!

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Video Mini-Lessons for Students at Shutdown Schools

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Since many schools have been temporarily shut down in an effort to slow the coronavirus's spread, I wanted to mention some of the educational resources available on my website. They include a half-dozen video mini-lessons that look at various aspects of informational writing, including research, text features, text structures, rich language, voice, and revisions.

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Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum | PBS LearningMedia

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Support students' social-emotional, literacy, and social studies skills with these educator resources for Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum, the PBS KIDS series based on the Ordinary People Change the World books. Use video clips, teaching tips, and historical figure biosketches to engage students and build classroom character.

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Cleveland Inner City Ballet Launches Virtual Online Ballet Instruction Program

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Cleveland Inner City Ballet Launches Virtual Online Ballet Instruction Program

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Cleveland Inner City Ballet to launch Virtual Online Ballet Instruction Program

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Due to issues with Coronavirus Cleveland Inner City Ballet be launching our first ever Virtual Online Ballet Instruction Program, FREE of charge. You will be a

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Berliner Philharmoniker Digital Concert Hall

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Berliner Philharmoniker Digital Concert Hall

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The Philharmonie Berlin is closed until 19 April to help contain the coronavirus. But the orchestra will continue to play for you - in the Digital Concert Hall. The Berliner Philharmoniker invite you to visit their virtual concert hall free of charge. "We hope that through this initiative we can give pleasure to as many people as possible with our music. We already miss our public very much and hope that in this way we can remain in contact with our audience at least virtually," says Olaf Maninger, principal cellist and chair of the orchestra's media board.
Go to the Digital Concert Hall
How do I do this?

Log on to the Digital Concert Hall ticket page with the code BERLINPHIL and use the Digital Concert Hall free of charge for 30 days. Cancellation is not required. If you are not yet a user of the Digital Concert Hall, registration - without obligation - is required. If you already have a ticket or subscription to the Digital Concert Hall, the duration will be extended accordingly.

What is on offer?

There are over 600 orchestral concerts from the Berliner Philharmoniker in the Digital Concert Hall from more than ten years, including 15 concerts with the new chief conductor Kirill Petrenko. There are also bonus videos from behind the scenes: documentaries on the history of the orchestra, portraits of conductors and orchestra members, and projects from our education programme. A place where you can stay connected to the Berliner Philharmoniker and their music!

Beethoven's Ninth

2019: Inaugural concert of Kirill Petrenko as chief conductor of the Berliner Philharmoniker Watch Video

Dvořák "From the New World"

1966: Historical recording with Herbert von Karajan Watch Video

Star Wars

Concert at the Berlin Waldbühne 2015 with Sir Simon Rattle Watch Video

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The Digital Concert Hall now free for everyone | Berliner Philharmoniker

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The Philharmonie Berlin is closed until 19 April to help contain the coronavirus. But the orchestra will continue to play for you - in the Digital Concert Hall. The Berliner Philharmoniker invite you to visit their virtual concert hall free of charge.

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Sign Up Required by April 30

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DreamBox Learning - Online Math Learning for Home

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DreamBox has the best math lessons for kids from K-8. Supports all students, including English learners and gifted. For Common Core and other standards.

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Kid Lit Authors Step Up to Help Educators, Students, and Parents

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Kid Lit Authors Step Up to Help Educators, Students, and Parents

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Children's authors and illustrators are creating resources and reaching out to educators to help during the coronavirus school closures.

As educators, parents, and students enter this unknown territory of school closures and remote learning, kid lit authors and illustrators have been stepping up to help. Many are parents themselves and juggling the same school/work balance amid the stress and uncertainty.

"Gina and I are transitioning to homeschooling," tweeted Jarrett J. Krosoczka, creator of the graphic novel Hey Kiddo among other titles. "We need to keep the kids on a schedule, and we are imagining we are far from alone. We want to help. Every weekday at 2pm ET for at least the next few weeks, I'll host free webcasts for you and your kiddos. http://youtube.com/studiojjk "

Laurie Halse Anderson, author of Shout, is making herself available for a virtual Q&A.

"Do you or your students or kids have any questions about my books? Ask them! Since we're all homebound for a while, let's turn social media into a #QuarantRead book club! DM me if you want to ask your question anonymously."

While perhaps best known for her YA work, including Speak and Shout, she has written for all ages and is welcoming questions from everyone.

"All ages are invited: readers of my picture books, Vet Volunteers, Fever 1793, the "Seeds of America" trilogy, and all my YAs; from Speak to SHOUT. Students should be able to get extra credit for participating!" she tweeted.

Starting March 23, Stimola Literary Studio, representing kid lit and YA authors and illustrators, will host livetreamed readalouds, craft activities, and drawing demonstrations between 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. EST with Matt Tavares, Ellen Hagan, Shannon Stocker, and many others.

Mo Willems, who gave permission for noncommercial use of reading his books, is doing daily doodles at 1 p.m. ET through the Kennedy Center, where he is artist-in-residence. It will be a mini drawing workshop, and he promises to show kids a little bit about his studio, too. Unfortunately, in a sign of likely logistical issues to come, the webpage was downed by too much traffic minutes before the first doodling session was to begin.

Grace Lin (right) was scheduled to start a new podcast this week. She hoped Kids Ask Authors-a five to 10-minute podcast where a children's author would answer one question from a young reader-would help bridge the gap of kids' access to authors. In the current crisis, she calls the endeavor "even more poignant."

Read: Free Tools for Online Teaching and Learning During School Closures

"I hope by having questions, reviews, jokes, stories and poems by kids closing each episode it's also a way for kids to feel like their writing has purpose outside their now smaller confines," she said in a tweet.

Kids can submit a book review, poem, short story or joke to the podcast, which will end with submissions from children. Temporarily, she will release three episodes a week.

READ:A Crisis-as in School Closures Due to Coronavirus-Justifies Fair Use, Say Librarians

Lin is also using her personal YouTube channel to help, recording herself reading her books-including Mulan: Before the Sword and When the Sea Turned to Silver -and doing some drawing demos.

One of the major concerns has been copyright laws and authors have made their own efforts to inform teachers and librarians if their books can be used without breaking copyright laws. If it is authors reading their own books, it might not matter.

"I've decided not to do online read-alouds of my books due to copyright issues, but I recommend the Poetry Foundation for interviews and recordings of myself and other Young People's Poet Laureates," Margarita Engle tweeted.

READ:Tackling Copyright Concerns When Taking Storytime Online

Many authors have and are reaching out to their publishers for guidance.

"FOR EVERYONE (TEACHERS) ASKING ABOUT RECORDING READINGS OF THE BOOKS: I just checked with MY publisher, and they said it's technically not allowed, BUT as long as you can keep it somewhere only students can access, (like your own channel on YT) it's fine," Jason Reynolds tweeted.

10-year-old superfan Ryu, daughter of SLJ's creative director, was one of 3,500 people who checked out Dan Gutman reading aloud from his latest "My Weird School" book, Miss Blake Is a Flake.

"Several teachers and librarians have contacted me, asking for permission to shoot and post videos of themselves reading my books for their students while their school is temporarily closed due to the coronavirus," tweeted Dan Gutman. "The answer is YES YES YES! I love it! Please do!"

Gutman planned a 2 p.m. ET reading of his Miss Blake is a Flake on his Facebook page.

Kate Messner has collected a list of "learning-at-home" resources from authors and illustrators that includes read-alouds, writing and drawing lessons, and research links, "all free & copyright friendly!" she tweeted.

Messner has been urging people to remember copyright laws even in these times. It is not up to the authors, she cautions, it is a publisher's decision. Reading only part of the books may be the answer for now as people work through the complexities of the law and try to find a solution.

"What I'd ask you NOT to do is share public read-alouds of entire books online," she tweeted. "That's less likely to be considered fair use and puts you in a shaky place. It's also more likely to harm creators, and may in the long term impact their ability to keep making books for your kids."

Read: In a Pandemic, Librarians Are Reporting to Work, Scared and Questioning Their Institutions

Kara Yorio

Kara Yorio (kyorio@mediasourceinc.com, @karayorio) is news editor at School Library Journal.

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Kid Lit Authors Step Up To Help Educators, Students, and Parents

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Children's authors and illustrators are creating resources and reaching out to educators to help during the coronavirus school closures. As educators, parents, and students enter this unknown territory of school closures and remote learning, kid lit authors and illustrators have been stepping up to help.

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Writing Tips from Kate DiCamillo | Part 1

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Free writing, drawing and storytelling classes from award winning author/illustrator Arree Chung

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Creativity Camp - Registration - Arree Chung Website

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Arree's FREE Creativity Camp Free writing, drawing and storytelling classes from award winning author/illustrator Arree Chung Join the Camp How to write a story How to draw and invent easily How to make a comic How to animate How to use your imagination and live a creative life Arree Chung Published Author/Illustrator Published Books Publishers ...

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Printables from Author/Illustrator Jess Keating

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Printables from Author/Illustrator Jess Keating

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Looking for some free, print-ready resources for your readers? I'm slowly building up some bookmarks and other goodies here! All are free to use and download - enjoy!

Keating Creature School:

Build a Nudibranch Habitat - click to download

Aye-Aye Dinnertime - click here to download!

Invent-A-Creature - click here to download!

World of Weird Animals Template - click here to download!

READ, EXPLORE Poster - click here to download

WORLD OF WEIRD ANIMALS BOOKMARKS - click here to download
STAY CURIOUS, KEEP READING POSTER - BLOBFISH BELIEVES IN YOU Classroom Poster - CUTE AS AN AXOLOTL DOODLE SHEET - click here to download WHAT MAKES A MONSTER BOOKMARKS Color Me Bookmark Set SHARK LADY BOOKMARKS Click here to download POSTERS TO FOSTER CURIOSITY & EXPLORATION click here to download
CUTE AS AN AXOLOTL CUTIE PORTRAIT PAGE - click to download

Shark Lady Bookmark Set -Click this link to download the PDF!

SHARK LADY POSTER - click this link to download the PDF!

SHARK LADY POSTER - DIVE INTO A BOOK - click this link to download the PDF!

SHARK LADY - READ POSTER - click this link to download the PDF!

My Dot Day Poster: STAY CURIOUS - Click the link to download the PDF!

SHARK LADY Printable Ornaments - Click the link to download the PDF!

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Looking for some free, print-ready resources for your readers? I'm slowly building up some bookmarks and other goodies here! All are free to use and download - enjoy! Keating Creature School: Build a Nudibranch Habitat - click to download Aye-Aye Dinnertime - click here to download! Invent-A-Creature - click here to download!

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It's easy to imagine a kid learning coding being stuck in front of a computer for the rest of their lives. However, that doesn't have to be the case! In fact, coding experience can open up many opportunities and make your child more marketable when they start applying for awards, scholarships, and even jobs! There are plenty of paid coding apps, websites, and books for kids to learn to code. In the digital age, there are even more ways to learn coding for kids, free.

Coding also allows your kid to creatively express him or herself. Your child has an idea for a game? They should make it! Your child has an idea for a website? They should design it! The possibilities are endless when it comes to coding and there are FREE apps, websites, and activities available to kids of all ages.

 COVID-19 School Cancellations: We are here for you during this difficult time and want to help your kids stay safe and productive from home. We are now offering 1-hour concept classes, 1-week mini courses, and 3-week accelerated full courses for a limited time at reduced rates. Stay healthy and stay coding! [Learn More]

Free Coding Apps for Kids

Students can learn to sequence with this app by choosing the preset actions of their robotic arm and putting them in the right order. These challenges can help students to think concisely and find the simplest solution to a given problem.

Free Coding Websites for Kids

Free Coding Activities & More for Kids

I hope that you take this advice to heart and give your kiddo the opportunity to explore a potential passion and find his or her reason for coding. If anything from this list caught your interest and you wish to further pursue programming, feel free to check out the classes that we offer here at CodeWizardsHQ. Happy coding!

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Coding For Kids: Free Classes, Websites, and Apps | Ages 8-18

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It's easy to imagine a kid learning coding being stuck in front of a computer for the rest of their lives. However, that doesn't have to be the case! In fact, coding experience can open up many opportunities and make your child more marketable when they start applying for awards, scholarships, and even jobs!

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Explore the Hidden Worlds of our National Parks

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Explore the Hidden Worlds of our National Parks

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Explore The Hidden Worlds of our National Parks

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Explore The Hidden Worlds of our National Parks

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Follow rangers on a journey to places most people never go in stunning 360° video.

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Going into a self-quarantine can have many complex issues and complications beyond having enough food and supplies for two weeks. In terms of entertainment, it also probably means you're in for a lot of boredom, a lot of Netflix, and a lot of browsing the internet.

But there is a way to get a little culture and education while you're confined to your home. According to Fast Company, Google Arts & Culture teamed up with over 2500 museums and galleries around the world to bring anyone and everyone virtual tours and online exhibits of some of the most famous museums around the world..

Now, you get "go to the museum" and never have to leave your couch.

Google Arts & Culture's collection includes the British Museum in London, the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, the Guggenheim in New York City, and literally hundreds of more places where you can gain knowledge about art, history, and science. This collection is especially good for students who are looking for ways to stay on top of their studies while schools are closed.

Take a look at just some of Google's top museums that are offering online tours and exhibits. Museums around the world are also sharing their most zen art on social media to help people cope with staying home. And if that's not enough culture for you, New York's Metropolitan Opera will be offering free digital shows every night at 7:30 p.m. Now you can even go "outside" with incredible virtual tours of some of America's best national parks.

British Museum, London

This iconic museum located in the heart of London allows virtual visitors to tour the Great Court and discover the ancient Rosetta Stone and Egyptian mummies. You can also find hundreds of artifacts on the museum's virtual tour.

Guggenheim Museum, New York

Google's Street View feature lets visitors tour the Guggenheim's famous spiral staircase without ever leaving home. From there, you can discover incredible works of art from the Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, Modern and Contemporary eras.

National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.

This famous American art museum features two online exhibits through Google. The first is an exhibit of American fashion from 1740 to 1895, including many renderings of clothes from the colonial and Revolutionary eras. The second is a collection of works from Dutch Baroque painter Johannes Vermeer.

Musée d'Orsay, Paris

You can virtually walk through this popular gallery that houses dozens of famous works from French artists who worked and lived between 1848 and 1914. Get a peek at artworks from Monet, Cézanne, and Gauguin, among others.

National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul

One of Korea's popular museums can be accessed from anywhere around the world. Google's virtual tour takes you through six floors of Contemporary art from Korea and all over the globe.

Pergamon Museum, Berlin

As one of Germany's largest museums, Pergamon has a lot to offer - even if you can't physically be there. This historical museum is home to plenty of ancient artifacts including the Ishtar Gate of Babylon and, of course, the Pergamon Altar.

Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

Explore the masterworks from the Dutch Golden Age, including works from Vermeer and Rembrandt. Google offers a Street View tour of this iconic museum, so you can feel as if you're actually wandering its halls.

Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam

Anyone who is a fan of this tragic, ingenious painter can see his works up close (or, almost up close) by virtually visiting this museum - the largest collection of artworks by Vincent van Gogh, including over 200 paintings, 500 drawings, and over 750 personal letters.

The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles

European artworks from as far back as the 8th Century can be found in this California art museum. Take a Street View tour to discover a huge collection of paintings, drawings, sculptures, manuscripts, and photographs.

Uffizi Gallery, Florence

This less well-known gallery houses the art collection of one of Florence, Italy's most famous families, the de'Medicis. The building was designed by Giorgio Vasari in 1560 specifically for Cosimo I de'Medici, but anyone can wander its halls from anywhere in the world.

MASP, São Paulo

The Museu de Arte de São Paulo is a non-profit and Brazil's first modern museum. Artworks placed on clear perspex frames make it seem like the artwork is hovering in midair. Take a virtual tour to experience the wondrous display for yourself.

National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Built in 1964, this museum is dedicated to the archaeology and history of Mexico's pre-Hispanic heritage. There are 23 exhibit rooms filled with ancient artifacts, including some from the Mayan civilization.

Sadly, not all popular art museums and galleries could be included on Google Arts & Culture's collection, but some museums are taking it upon themselves to offer online visits. According to Fast Company, the Louvre also offers virtual tours on its website.

To see more of Google Arts & Culture's collection of museums, visit the collection's website. There are thousands of museum Street Views on Google as well. Google Arts & Culture also has an online experience for exploring famous historic and cultural heritage sites.

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Stuck at Home? These 12 Famous Museums Offer Virtual Tours You Can Take on Your Couch

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Going into a self-quarantine can have many complex issues and complications beyond having enough food and supplies for two weeks. In terms of entertainment, it also probably means you're in for a lot of boredom, a lot of Netflix, and a lot of browsing the internet.

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Introducing the Storyman Virtual Reading Series

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Disney & Khan Academy - Imagineering in a Box

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Disney & Khan Academy - Imagineering in a Box

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Free online program that brings together the diverse talents of Disney Imagineers around the world for a one-of-a-kind learning experience and is part of Disney’s commitment to helping today’s youth create the future they imagine.

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Imagineering fans, get ready! If you've ever been one of many guests who's visited a Disney theme park and found yourself inspired to dream, build and create, there's a new online program you just can't miss!

' Imagineering in a Box ' is a free online program that brings together the diverse talents of Disney Imagineers around the world for a one-of-a-kind learning experience and is part of Disney's commitment to helping today's youth create the future they imagine.

The series offers 32 videos in which Imagineers share how they use a wide range of skills - from story development and conceptual design, to math, physics and engineering - to create immersive experiences. The online curriculum aims to ignite curiosity, inspire creativity, and encourage innovation in the minds of students and teachers alike, while creating fun and engaging opportunities to explore new concepts.

Modules range from a tutorial on engineering software, to an interactive exercise where learners are encouraged to gather items around them and create something new. The program's hands-on components will allow students to relate new concepts to real-world examples to bring treasured Disney stories to life. Each activity is designed to be scalable, allowing individuals to learn on their own or in a classroom setting.

Click here to get started!

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Walt Disney Imagineering Partners With Khan Academy To Bring You 'Imagineering in a Box'

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Imagineering fans, get ready! If you've ever been one of many guests who's visited a Disney theme park and found yourself inspired to dream, build and create, there's a new online program you just can't miss!

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Virtual Book Festival May 1 & 2

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The Everywhere Book Fest was a virtual celebration of authors, books, and readers that brought the book festival experience to everyone on May 1 & 2, 2020. You can catch all the festival panels on our YouTube channel!
Our YouTube Channel

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The Everywhere Book Fest was a virtual celebration of authors, books, and readers that brought the book festival experience to everyone on May 1 & 2, 2020. You can catch all the festival panels on our YouTube channel! Our YouTube Channel

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Dear Parents,

First of all - You've got this!

Now that I have your attention, here's one thing I have learned as a teacher over the years -- if you are a planner, you need to slow down and plan for the long haul. If you are not a planner then you have a little time, but you still need to plan for the long haul. So that means in our current situation, we have a little wiggle room!

The first thing we all need to do is breathe. You need to breathe. Your kids need to breathe. Your family unit needs to breathe. There is a LOT of change happening. Our kids are watching. Our kids are listening. Our kids are trying to process all of our emotions. This is real. This is happening. We all need time to find our way into this, although temporary, new normal. What kids need more than anything right now is you. Just you.

Educators and authors, including myself, have been sharing plans, ideas, and resources for online learning. The creativity and generosity are amazing. It can also be overwhelming. Remember, we are planning for the long-haul. Right now, you are being inundated with "what" to do, but "how" you do it might be more essential. I think we need to bookmark and organize all of these resources and first develop a learning, living, home community.

As teachers, this is what we do at the beginning of the year. We develop our systems and structures with our students. We get to know them as students and let them know us. We decide how we are going to learn together, be together, and support one another in our learning community. We also organize our learning space with our students. Where will the supplies be? How will we organize the books/magazines/text in our community? How will we rotate jobs so we are all contributing members of our community? Where will we work? What will we do when problems arise?

I think this is the work we need to do in this first week home. Give yourself time to create your learning, living home community.

Here are some things to consider :

1) Play together - play is the motor of learning for young children - board games, dramatic play, building, puzzles, etc. Let them create games. Give them time to play and join them as you can - it will reduce stress for everyone.

2) Get outside - go for walks, notice nature, notice parts of your city or neighborhood you have missed in the past, build a fort, create scavenger hunts for objects or pieces of information.

3) Watch TV together - let's face it there will be some screen time coming your way. When you are able, watch, respond and relax with them.

4) Problem-solve together - if you are working from home then you will need time to do that work. Talk to your kids and let them know what you need. Ask them what they need and work it out together. Plan the time you will work and ask them to help out by planning what they will do during this time. How can they be a part of the solution? Everyone loves being helpful, let them be a contributing member.

5) Family meals - plan, cook and eat together. I remember doing this with my parents and with my kids when they were young. Your kids will also remember.

6) Keep it real - don't try to be perfect and don't try to keep up with what others post online.

7) Listen - so often we are in a rush - we are moving on to the next thing on our list while still involved in the previous thing on our list. Slow down, listen, talk, question, linger, and appreciate the time we have to connect with our kids.

8) Journal - create a journal for drawing and writing. A historian on-line yesterday recommended that everyone keep a journal. This is a significant moment in history and your children will someday be a primary source of this event.

9) Investigate together - kids have a million questions, and now you have time to answer them WITH them. Join your kids in curiosity and learning for the pure joy of learning.

10) READ - read to them, with them, and next to them. It doesn't matter what it is or how many times you reread it. Read together!

Kids are going to be okay. You don't have to have a home-school up and running by Monday. Take this first week to be together. Stay in your PJs all day, have breakfast for dinner, go on long walks, laugh until it hurts, and don't feel guilty when you need to take time to do your job or just have a moment to yourself. Change takes time, take the time to help your kids through this change.

Breathe - you've got this.

Clare

Thank you, Stacey, Beth, Betsy, Kathleen, Melanie, Lanny, Kelsey, Marina, Amy, and Therapi for hosting this weekly forum and the March Challenge. Check out the writers, readers, and teachers here.

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Slice of Life: Dear Parents ... #SOL20 #TWTBlog - Clare Landrigan

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Dear Parents, First of all - You've got this! Now that I have your attention, here's one thing I have learned as a teacher over the years -- if you are a planner, you need to slow down and plan for the long haul.

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Technology can be a powerful tool to assist students with special needs or any sort of learning challenge. In particular the Chrome web browser allows users to install a wide variety of web extensions that provide tools that can help all learners, regardless of ability level.

In this blog post we will take a look at over 30 Chrome web extensions that can assist students in five main categories:

Text to Speech

Readability

Reading Comprehension

Focus

Navigation

Some of the tools fit into more than one topic, but each is only listed once. Certainly this list does not cover all of the useful web extensions available for struggling learners, but it is a great place to begin. In addition to the list of extension, I have also linked in the video from a webinar I did a while back on "Google Tools for Special Needs".

Text to Speech extensions

1) Read&Write for Google Chrome
Chrome web extension link
The "Swiss Army Knife" of extensions with tools including word prediction, dictionary, picture dictionary, text to speech, screenshot reader, speech maker, screen mask, translator, highlighters, voice note, and more. Works on webpages, PDFs, Google Docs, and Google Slides.
Note: There is a paid version with all the tools and a free version with a subset of the tools. Educators can get the paid version for a year at no cost by filling out the form at: https://www.texthelp.com/en-us/products/read-write/free-for-teachers/

2) Read Aloud
Chrome web extension link
This text-to-speech extension will read either the entire page or just the text that you have selected. In addition to the normal options to adjust the speed, pitch, and volume of the voice, the best feature is the wide collection of high-quality voices to choose from.

3) Voice Instead
Chrome web extension link
This is another good text-to-speech extension with high-quality voices. The only drawbacks are that you have to select the text you want read (rather than the entire page), and sometimes there can be odd pauses in the middle of a sentence.

4) Announcify
Chrome web extension link
This is another text to speech tool that not only reads a webpage, but also removes distracting elements from the site. The only drawback is the inability to select specific text to read, as the entire page is read aloud.

Speech to Text extensions

5) VoiceIn Voice Typing
Chrome web extension link
This speech-to-text extension allows the user to dictate text for any text box or text entry portion of a web page. You can either click the extension or right-click and choose "Start recording" to use it. Be sure to click the extension again to turn off the speech-to-text function when done.

Readability extensions

6) Mercury Reader
Chrome web extension link
Make any website easier to read by removing ads, comments, and all other distractions, so just the core content remains. Users can also adjust the font size and color scheme of the new text. (For a list of 10 more extensions that clean up webpages, see here: http://www.controlaltachieve.com/2016/11/10-readability-alternatives.html)

7) OpenDyslexic
Chrome web extension link
Override all fonts on a webpage with the OpenDyslexic font, making the text more easily readable.

8) Dyslexia Friendly
Chrome web extension link
This extension replaces the fonts on a web page with either OpenDyslexic or Comic Sans, and provides a horizontal shaded bar to help the user stay on the correct line when reading. The only drawback is there is no easy way to toggle it on and off, so you will want to use an extension management tool to let you turn it off when not in use.

9) BeeLine Reader
Chrome web extension link
This tool creates a more readable version of a web page by removing all the ads, comments, and other extra distracting items, and then applies a color gradient to the page text guide your eye from one line to the next. (Limit of 5 articles per day for free version.)

10) ATbar
Chrome web extension link
Toolbar with features including color overlays for webpages, dictionary, text to speech, word prediction, and more.

11) MagicScroll Web Reader
Chrome web extension link
Turn web pages into a flippable e-book with easy clickable or keyboard control, as well as control over font size and page color as well.

12) Readline
Chrome web extension link
Although originally designed as a speed reading tool, you can slow the WPM rate down so students can use this to focus on one word at a time when reading to not lose their place.

13) Visor
Chrome web extension link
This screen overlay tool darkens out the page except for a horizontal band you can move up and down as you read, helping the student focus.

14) High Contrast
Chrome web extension link
This tool can make webpages easier to read by changing the colors to increase contrast, invert the colors, or switch to gray-scale.

15) Color Enhancer
Chrome web extension link
For people who are partially color-blind, this tool can help adjust and improve webpage colors.

16) CraftyZoom
Chrome web extension link
This extension give you a floating magnifying glass that you can move around the screen to make portions of the page larger. You can adjust the size of the circle and the level of the zoom.

Reading Comprehension extensions

17) Google Dictionary
Chrome web extension link
Don't get stuck on an unknown word. Double-click on any word to get a pop-up definition, as well as spoken pronunciation for many words.

18) SMMRY
Chrome bookmark link
While not technically an extension, this tool functions very much like one and is launched from your Chrome bookmarks bar. Summarize any online article with a simple click of the SMMRY bookmark link. This will generate a simplified version with fewer sentences (7 by default) and just the most important information. Settings can be adjusted for longer or shorter summaries, as well as emphasis on certain desired words..

19) TLDR: Summarize Anything
Chrome web extension link
This extension will generate a summary of any web page you are on. There are three levels of summarization - short, medium, and long, in addition to the original full version of the page.

20) Resoomer
Chrome web extension link
This is another summarization tool for web pages. It opens up a new tab with a cleaned up version of the page, as well as three levels of summary.

21) Internet Abridged
Chrome web extension link
This article summary tool gives you a pop-up window with a short bullet list of the main sentences from the page.

22) Auto Highlight
Chrome web extension link
This extension takes a different approach to summarizing. Instead of removing the non-essential portions of the text, it highlights what is most important. This allows the reader to still look at the rest of the article if needed. Three levels of highlighting can be chosen.

Focus extensions

23) Simple Blocker
Chrome web extension link
This tool helps students to stay focused on their work by blocking distracting websites. The user can choose the sites to block, how long to block them, and optional password protection.

24) uBlock Origin
Chrome web extension link
A simple but powerful ad-blocking extension to help remove distracting ads from websites, making pages less cluttered and easier to read.

25) Move It
Chrome web extension link
For students who need a break, this extension can be set to periodically have them stop working and do something physical for a moment.

26) Google Keep
Chrome web extension link
Keep allows users to save and retrieve any information they come across including text, links, pictures, speech, handwriting, doodles, and more. The tool works as an extension, web site, Android app, and iOS app, and integrates into Google Docs, Slides, and Drawings.

Navigation extensions

27) CrafyCursor
Chrome web extension link
This extension makes it easier for the user to find and track the mouse cursor by putting a highlighted circle around it. The user can choose between several colors for the cursor spotlight.

28) Click-free Browsing
Chrome web extension link
For users who have a difficulty clicking a mouse, this extension adds on-screen navigation buttons the user can simply hover over to use.

29) Vimium
Chrome web extension link
Provides keyboard shortcuts for navigation and control for someone with difficulty using a mouse.

30) CrxMouse
Chrome web extension link
Use mouse gestures to navigate including forward, backward, scrolling, refreshing, switching tabs, and more. The user can even program their own custom mouse gestures to open programs and perform other tasks.

31) Caret Browsing
Chrome web extension link
This extension gives you a movable cursor in any web page, allowing you to move through the text with your arrows keys and select text with the keyboard.

Additional Resources

Video training webinar (1 hour)

What other Chrome web extensions have you found that can assist students with special needs and struggling learners? Share your suggestions in the comments below.

Post by Eric Curts. Bring me to your school, organization, or conference with over 50 PD sessions to choose from. Connect with me on Twitter at twitter.com/ericcurts and on Google+ at plus.google.com/+EricCurts1

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Chrome Extensions for Struggling Students and Special Needs

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Technology can be a powerful tool to assist students with special needs or any sort of learning challenge. In particular the Chrome web browser allows users to install a wide variety of web extensions that provide tools that can help all learners, regardless of ability level.

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Facebook Event

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Many links to activities here!

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If you are anything like us right now, you are quietly panicking a bit. Our young children (three, in Ricki's case) are home for at least the next two weeks, and they cannot go to public places. This is different from the summer because...they cannot go to public places. Our parenting strategy is always to keep them busy. Our kids thrive on trips to the playground, visiting museums, play dates, etc. When we keep ourselves busy, everyone does well.

We know that online learning content offers a lot for kids. We did some hunting, and we found some screen-time options that offer great educational content. Luckily for us all, there are many generous people and companies offering educational opportunities for our kids. We're sharing the list below and invite you to share other options! Something we are trying to remember-this will hopefully be a short time period. We all hope this passes quickly. In the meantime, we are all going to do the best that we can. Solidarity with the parents and guardians out there. <3 BE WELL!

There are some incredible authors who are doing LIVE (yes, LIVE!) readings and doodle alongs of their books. We are, quite frankly, blown away and in awe of these authors. Ricki's and Kellee's children are loving so many of these! Here's amazing opportunities (some available for a limited time) for our children/students as we move to digital/distance learning:

Mac Barnett, author of EXTRA YARN, SAM AND DAVID DIG A HOLE, THE TERRIBLE TWO, Shapes Series; THE TERRIBLE TWO, and so many more!

As we mentioned earlier, Ricki and her kids watched his first reading, and it was great! He mentioned that he was going to go in order of publication, and he has over 40 books. We will be watching him every single day. He's quite entertaining! Follow him on Instagram to watch live at 12pm PST or watch the video within 24 hours! He recommends that kids wear a hat, and he answers questions at the end.

Oliver Jeffers, author of STUCK, LOST AND FOUND, The Boy Series, THE INCREDIBLE BOOK EATING BOY, ONCE UPON AN ALPHABET, HERE WE ARE, and so many more!

At 2pm EST and 11am PST starting on Monday, Oliver Jeffers will read one of his books every weekday and talk about "some of the things that went into making it." He talks about what he was thinking when he made each book, which is really neat to learn.

Kate Messner, author of the Over and Under Series, Ranger in Time Series, HOW TO READ A STORY, and so many more!

Kate Messner, who is always an ally to educators!, has put together a list of resources for us: "Read, Wonder, and Learn! Favorite Authors & Illustrators Share Resources for Learning Anywhere-Spring 2020" which includes so many videos, activities, and other resources!

She has also gotten permission from her publisher to do read alouds on her You Tube Channel! Including the upcoming OVER AND UNDER THE RAINFOREST which doesn't come out until August!

More read alouds available:

Audible is offering free audio read-alouds while school is out!

Josh Funk has announced that on his Facebook he will be doing Saturday read louds.

On her You Tube channel, Laurel Snyder read aloud her newest Charlie and Mouse book and included an activity at the end.

Debbie Ridpath Ohi is doing daily read alouds and drawings on You Tube.

Dan Gutman is reading from his books on his Facebook page.

School Library Journal published an article on the 16th: "Kid Lit Authors Step Up to Help Educators, Students, and Parents"

Josh Gad is reading books on this Twitter and Instagram accounts.

The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy is going to do Shark Story Hour every day this week at 10am on Facebook Live! (Available to watch later in the day as well!)

Storyline Online has videos of celebrities reading their favorite picture books.

There is a Google Doc that is also keeping track of author read alouds and activities.

There are read aloud opportunities for older kids, too!

Audible is offering free audio read-alouds while school is out!

Laurie Halse Anderson is promoting the #QuarantRead book club on Twitter where all ages may ask her questions.

On her YouTube channel, Kathy Burnette is reading Tracey Baptiste's THE JUMBIES and hopes to read more after that.

Grace Lin is doing read alouds from her books on You Tube.

Kenneth Oppel is doing daily read alouds from his books on You Tube.

Dan Gemeinhart is doing a Coyote Sunrise Book Club & Read Aloud on You Tube.

On Facebook and You Tube, Neal Shusterman is going to do a Storyman Virtual Reading Series reading some of his less well-known short stories. He'll be posting two or three times a week.

As we're moving to digital learning for our country, there has been a lot of questions about copyright behind educators recording themselves reading texts to their classes. In this tumultuous time, publishers have kindly banded together and are giving guidelines for fair use for online storytimes and read-alouds during COVID-19 closures.

Free "Listen at Home" collection of classic titles is accessible via Penguin Random House Audio's Volumes app (free for iOS and Android) and includes The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, narrated by Brooke Shields with Paul Rudd, Grimm's Fairy Tales by the Brothers Grimm, narrated by a full cast, and Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, narrated by John Lee.

Dan Santat has created the SANTAT ONLINE SURVIVAL SCHOOL FOR THE PANDEMIC #DANDEMIC! He'll be sharing lessons on Instagram, and all lessons are available in a Drop Box as well.

Josh Funk has many activities on his website for his books.

Jarrett Lerner has activities such as "Finish the comic" on his w e bsite.

Grace Lin is starting a new podcast called Kids Ask Authors which debuted this week!

Penguin Teen has a podcast called We Are YA, and they have added new episodes called The Check In, starting with Randy Ribay.

Check out Storytime From Space where astronauts read books from the ISS.
11 Free Reading Websites for Kids
Log into Kanopy or Libby (Overdrive) and download free books (provided by libraries).

The New York Times provides daily writing prompts for free for students.

Audible has opened up a collection of books for ages 0-18 that they are sharing for free!

Penguin Random House Audio is offering a collection of free audiobook downloads for teachers and parents with kids home from school - or anyone looking for a great story right now. The free "Listen at Home" collection of classic titles is accessible via Penguin Random House Audio's Volumes app (through 4/30).

Also, amazing news: Kid Lit Authors are joining together and organizing a virtual book festival for May called Everywhere Book Fest.

Ben Clanton, Author of the Narwhal and Jelly Book Series, BOO WHO?, and so many more!

Ben Clanton will be reading and drawing Tuesday and Friday this week. Our kids are very excited for this one.

Jarrett J. Krosoczka, author of the Lunch Lady Series, HEY KIDDO!, and so many more!

At 2pm ET, Jarrett will be doing a live webcast! And since it is on his You Tube channel, if you cannot watch live, they will be archived. We cannot wait to see what Jarrett will teach us to draw!

, author of the Elephant & Piggie Series, Pigeon Series, Knuffle Bunny Trilogy, and so many more!

Mo Willems is hosting a lunch doodle each day at 1pm ET. "Learners worldwide can draw, doodle and explore new ways of writing by visiting Mo's studio virtually once a day for the next few weeks. Grab some paper and pencils, pens, or crayons and join Mo to explore ways of writing and making together."

More Art-Focused Activities

These coloring pages from some of our favorite illustrators.

AccessArt for Kids Hub for basic drawing videos for kids!

Many museums are offering virtual tours including the 12 shared in this article.

@MrsVelazquezArt has created a guide to art at home!

A wonderful blog that focuses on learning through play with lots of crafts and art activities is LearnCreateLove.

Zoologist, artist, and author Jess Keating is releasing Keating Creature Activity Pages with a new creature featured on each one!

Visit the Cincinnati Zoo at 3pm ET/1pm MST Live where they highlight an animal each day on Facebook Live and include an activity to do. (Available to watch later in the day, as well).

Find a science-related video at Mystery Science! (Free memberships with some content available).

The Shirley Journal blog created a 30 day LEGO Challenge calendar!

This doc shares Engineering Activities for Kids (when under quarantine).

The Georgia Aquarium has live webcams for their exhibits, so you can go under the sea at home.

Code.org is a nonprofit focused on getting computer science to every kid!

Mass has many resources including nature BINGO.

The Erie Canal History Museum has provided the public with a virtual tour on You Tube and Educational Resources.

Travel the world with Travel Kids.

[Canadian] "Indigenous educators volunteer to teach short K-8 lessons online amid school closures"

Do some Cosmic Kids Yoga with the kids.

Virtual dance lesson s for kids or the Just Dance Kids videos are uploaded on this account!

Scholastic has rolled out FREE! Learn At Home lessons that are very easy to follow Scholastic lesson plans (book, video, discussion questions)! They also shared that more will be coming.

PBS Learning Media has curated standards-aligned videos, interactives, lesson plans, and more for educators, and PBS Digital Studios has a ton of content in many different content areas.

Our friend Jenny Seiler has put together an Edu Resources Padlet with lots of resources as well-it is separated by type of experience and is continuously being added to!

Join Miss Megan's Camp Kindergarten for Morning Meeting (ages 3-7)! Videos are posted to the website and can be accessed whenever you are eating breakfast!

Join Mr. Jon and Friends weekday mornings live for musical fun at 10:30am EST/ 7:30am MST (or watch later on the page).

Try out a free kids' recipe from Raddish Kids.

Go on a virtual field trip including 30 National Parks!

There is this great list of 150+ Enrichment Activities for children while their parents work remotely.

Zoom is being kind and allowing their service for free! Zoom will easily allow anyone to have face to face meetings. And a kind educator created a document for instructions for students/kids.

Learn in Color, another education-focused blog, has compiled "75+ Entertaining and Educational Activities for When You're Stuck Indoors" including a BINGO card to complete with the activities.

We Are Teachers is a fantastic resource for many resources including lists of podcasts, TED Talks, online learning resources, and, like us, they have curated a list of authors doing online reading and activities.
What are some ideas that you've found? Share them in the comments! We are in this together. <3

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Stuck Inside? Live Author Read-Alouds, Doodle Alongs, and Other Learning Options

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If you are anything like us right now, you are quietly panicking a bit. Our young children (three, in Ricki's case) are home for at least the next two weeks, and they cannot go to public places. This is different from the summer because...they cannot go to public places.

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Here's 33 National Park Tours You Can Take Virtually From The Comfort Of Your Home

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As we are all stuck at home, it's hard figuring out how we will keep the kids entertained. Well, say no more! I've gathered 33 National Park Tours you can virtually. Yes, that means you

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Facebook Live: Weekdays @ 3pm

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"kids yoga" "yoga for kids" "yoga for children yoga story for kids" "children's yoga" "yoga adventure for kids" "kindergarten yoga" "preschool yoga" "kids me...

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YOGA | MINDFULNESS | RELAXATION FOR KIDS! Screentime that gives kids SUPERPOWERS! ⬇️ D O W N L O A D T H E C O S M I C K I D S A P P ⬇️ 🍏Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/cosmic-kids/ 🛍️Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cosmickids 🖥️ Desktop (great for teachers!): https://app.cosmickids.com/ 📺 Roku: https://rb.gy/44r8d -------------------------------------------------------------------- Why watch on the App?

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Draw Every Day with Author/Illustrator Jarrett J. Krosoczka

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Draw Every Day with Author/Illustrator Jarrett J. Krosoczka

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"drawing tutorial" "drawing tutorials" "kids' books" "graphic novels" reading books drawing cartooning vlog memoir booktube "growth mindset"

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New York Times-bestselling author/illustrator Jarrett J. Krosoczka [𝙲𝚛𝚘𝚠-𝚜𝚊𝚞𝚌𝚎-𝚔𝚊𝚑] gives readers a look at his creative process and offers writing and drawing tutorials. JJK has published 45 books, including his wildly popular LUNCH LADY graphic novels, select volumes of the STAR WARS™: JEDI ACADEMY series, and several picture books.

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The activities below are available for free download, and are to be used in educational and/or private settings. They may not be used elsewhere or for other purposes (such as for profit) unless explicit permission is granted.
Below will find: Blank Comic Book Pages, Special Activities, "How to Draw..." Instructions, "Finish This Comic!" Comics, and Drawing/Writing Prompts.
More activities are being added to this page regularly, so make sure to check back for more!
Click on the numbers below to find a variety of different blank comic book pages. Each number corresponds to a different arrangement of panels on the page. Print out a few of each, or a bunch of one kind, and make your own comic!

Special Activities

Click HERE to download the above activity sheet!

Click HERE to download the above activity sheet!

Click HERE to download the Introduction to Hand-Lettering sheets!

Click HERE to download the above Thank You activities!

Click HERE to download the above Haiku Diary activity!

Click HERE to download the above Thank You activities!

Click HERE to download the above Earth Day activities!

Click HERE to download the above Earth Day activities!

"How to Draw..." Instructions

Click HERE to download the above "How to Draw..." activities!

Click HERE to download the above "How to Draw..." activities!

Click HERE to download the above "How to Draw..." activities!

Click HERE to download the above "How to Draw..." activities!

Click HERE to download the above "How to Draw..." activities!

Click HERE to download the above "How to Draw..." activities!

Click HERE to download the above "How to Draw..." activities!

Click HERE to download the above "How to Draw..." activities!

"Finish This Comic!" Comics

Below you will find a collection of comics that are incomplete. Look closely at the pictures, then figure out what you need to add to complete the comic!

Click HERE to download the above incomplete comics!

Click HERE to download the above incomplete comics!

Click HERE to download the above incomplete comics!

Click HERE to download the above incomplete comics!

Click HERE to download the above incomplete comics!

Click HERE to download the above incomplete comics!

Click HERE to download the above incomplete comics!

Click HERE to download the above incomplete comics!

Click HERE to download the above incomplete comics!

Click HERE to download the above incomplete comics!

Drawing/Writing Prompts

Below you will find some drawing prompt activity sheets. Completed drawings can also be used as creative writing prompts.

Click HERE to download the above activity sheets!

Click HERE to download the above activity sheets!

Click HERE to download the above activity sheets!

Click HERE to download the above activity sheets!

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Click HERE to download the above activity sheets!

Click HERE to download the above activity sheet!

Click HERE to download the above activity sheets!

Click HERE to download the above activity sheets!

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Click HERE to download the above activity sheets!

Click HERE to download the above activity sheets!

Click HERE to download the above activity sheets!

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Click HERE to download the above activity sheets!

Click HERE to download the above activity sheets!

Click HERE to download the above activity sheets!

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Click HERE to download the above Spanish version activity sheets!

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The activities below are available for free download, and are to be used in educational and/or private settings. They may not be used elsewhere or for other purposes (such as for profit) unless explicit permission is granted. Below will find: Blank Comic Book Pages, Special Activities, "How to Draw..."

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Coloring Squared- Free Math Coloring Pages

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Make Math Fun! with Coloring Squared. Download free pixel art coloring pages to practice math facts, numbers, grade level math and more with your favorite characters from Movies and TV.

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Meteorology, astronomy, geology

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Photo Credits: Adam Van Spronsen/Shutterstock (bear); Kinzie Riehm/Image Source/Getty Images (4 children); Illustration by Allan Davey (Revolutionary War); Courtesy of Lily Hevesh/Hevesh5 (domino sculpture)

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Teaching Remotely for Grades K - 12 | Free Resources and Strategies

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Photo Credits: Adam Van Spronsen/Shutterstock (bear); Kinzie Riehm/Image Source/Getty Images (4 children); Illustration by Allan Davey (Revolutionary War); Courtesy of Lily Hevesh/Hevesh5 (domino sculpture)

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Who says you can't play with your food? The Building Brick Waffle Maker lets you play with your favorite breakfast food in any way you can imagine! Breakfast is not only the most important meal of the day, but it can now be the most fun, too! The Building Brick Waffle Maker creates patented interlocking...

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Who says you can't play with your food? The Building Brick Waffle Maker lets you play with your favorite breakfast food in any way you can imagine! Breakfast is not only the most important meal of the day, but it can now be the most fun, too!

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Live wildlife cameras at the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

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What is a multiple?

How do multiples get used in everyday life?

How can you determine a number's multiples?

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Who was Mary Anning?

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Have you ever tasted an Arab taco?

When was the Arab taco invented?

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How are currency exchange rates determined?

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Which of the following is usually NOT a factor in determining currency exchange rates?

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Where the Wonders of Learning Never Cease | Wonderopolis

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Where the Wonders of Learning Never Cease

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The Kid Should See This: Educational videos for curious kids of all ages, a free resource for parents & teachers. Science, art, nature, animals, & more.

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Download Free Coloring Books from 113 Museums

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One can only color so many floral-trimmed affirmations before one begins to crave something slightly more perverse. An emaciated, naked, anthropomorphized mandrake root, say or... Thy wish is our command, but be prepared to hustle, because today is the final day of Color Our Collections, a compellingly democratic initiative on the part of the New York Academy of Medicine.

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Kid friendly science activities that will help kids learn and grow their understanding of the science in our world.

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During these turbulent times, many authors are jumping in to connect with readers. Author Laura Shovan has launched a movement of authors willing to connect via snail mail. Below, you can find a list of authors willing to participate and write back to students. Happy writing! ✏️

List of Authors

Laura Shovan

Author of Takedown & The Last Fifth Grade of Emerson Elementary

Laura Shovan
P.O. Box 203
Highland MD 20777

Susan Muaddi Darraj

Author of the Farah Rocks series

Susan Muaddi Darraj
Po Box 474
Phoenix MD 21131

Chris Grabenstein

Author of the Mr. Lemoncello's Library series

Planetarium Station
PO Box 1050
NY, NY 10024

MarcyKate Connolly

Author of the Shadow Weaver series

MarcyKate Connolly
PO Box 180
N. Billerica, MA 01862

Rachel Toalson

Author of The Colors of the Rain & The Woods

Rachel Toalson
PO Box 591596
San Antonio, TX 78259

Nanci Turner Steveson

Author of Lizzie Flying Solo

Nanci Turner Steveson
PO Box 3195
Jackson, WY 83001

Jess Rinker

Author of Gloria Takes a Stand

Jess Rinker
PO Box 221
Old Fields, WV 26845

S.A. Larsen

Author of Motley Education

Sheri Larsen (S.A. Larsen)
1110 Kennedy Memorial Drive
Oakland, Maine 04963

Randi Sonenshine

Author of The Nest That Wren Built

Randi Sonenshine
489 Waterford Dr
Cartersville, GA 30120

randi@randisonenshine.com

Jane Koluth

Author of Anne Frank's Chestnut Tree

120 Brook St.
Holliston, MA 01746

Email: jane@janekohuth.com

Laurie Morrison

Author of Up for Air

Laurie Morrison
800 N 2nd Street, PMB 238
Philadelphia, PA 19123

Erin Teagan

Author of Survivor Girl

Erin Teagan
PO Box 2364
Purcellville VA 20134

Allison Ofanansky

Author of The Patchwork Torah, the Nature in Israel series and the How It's Made series

Allison Ofanansky
POB 134
Tzfat, Israel 13401

Joanne Levy

Author of Crushing It

Joanne Levy
PO Box 153
Clinton, ON N0M 1L0, Canada

Lisa Schroeder

Author of Wish on All the Stars

Lisa Schroeder
6107 SW Murray Blvd. #204
Beaverton, OR 97008

Lynne Kelly

Author of Song for a Whale

Lynne Kelly
PO Box 8293
Spring, TX 77387

Anica Mrose Rissi

Author of the Anna, Banana series

Anica Mrose Rissi
P.O. Box 581
Princeton, NJ 08542

Stephanie Ward

Author of Arabella and the Magic Pencil

Stephanie Ward
Flat 7
59 Netherhall Gardens
London NW35RE U.K.

More Authors

The authors below (listed in alphabetical order) are sharing their mailing addresses via direct message (DM) on Twitter or via email. Feel free to reach out for their addresses!

Tina Athaide, author of Orange for the Sunsets - @tathaide

Shannon Anderson, author of Coasting Casey - @shannonteaches

Chris Baron, author of All of Me - @baronchrisbaron

Elisa Boxer, author of The Voice That Won The Vote - @eboxer

Leslie Bulion, author of Amphibian Acrobats - @LeslieBulion

Kathleen Burkinshaw, author of The Last Cherry Blossom - klburkinshaw@gmail.com

Danielle Cohen Joseph, author of Tap Tap - Danielle@daniellejoseph.com

Abby Cooper, author of Sticks & Stones - @_ACoops_

Trevor D, author of I Am Me - trevord.author@gmail.com

Erin Dealey, author of Snow Globe Wishes - @ErinDealey

Natalie Dias Lorenzi, author of Flying the Dragon & A Long Pitch Home - @NatalieLorenzi

Rebecca Donnelly, author of Green Machine - @_becca_donnelly

Maria Faust Bostian, author of Fraidy Brady and the First Field Trip - mjbostian@gmail.com

Lija Fisher, author of The Cryptid Catcher - @LijaFisher

Heidi Fishman, author of Tutti's Promise - kheidifishmanauthor@gmail.com

Carol Gordon Ekster, author of You Know What? - @cekster

Lee Gjertsen Malone, author of Camp Shady Crook - LeeGjertsenMalone@gmail.com

Gila Green, author of No Entry - see contact form at gilagreenwrites.com

Shari Green, author of Root Beer Candy & Other Miracles - @sharigreen

Evelyn Kreiger, author of One is Not a Lonely Number - contact via website at EvelynKrieger.net

Sarah Lamstein, author of Big Night for Salamanders - sarahm45@aol.com

Lindsay Leslie, author of This Book is Spineless - @LLeslie

Caitlin Lochner, author of A Soldier and a Liar - @CaiLochner

Mariama Lockington, author of For Black Girls Like Me - mariamalockington@gmail.com

Amy Losak, author of H is for Haiku - Losak@optonline.net

Gina Loveless, author of Diary of a 5th Grade Outlaw - @lovelesswriting

Tammy Lyon, illustrator of Katie Woo series - @TammieLyon or tammielyon@gmail.com

Sue Macy, author of The Book Rescuer - @suemacy1 or sue@suemacy.com

Tracey Meltzer Kyle, author of Pepe and the Parade - TraceyKyleAuthor@gmail.com

Naomi Milliner, author of Super Jake and the King of Chaos - naomiwm@verizon.net

Anne Marie Pace, author of Vampirina Ballerina - annemarie@annemariepace.com

Mary Quattlebaum, author of Pirate vs. Pirate - mary@maryquattlebaum.com

Stacey Ramey, author of It's My Life - @stacieramey or stacieswritinglife@gmail.com

Amanda Rawson Hill, author of The Three Rules of Everyday Magic - @amandarhill32

Madelyn Rosenberg, author of Cyclops of Central Park - @madrosenberg or madelynruth@gmail.com

Victoria Sanchez, author of Pilar's Worries - @victoriasansays

Bracha K. Sharp, author of The Challah Girl - contact via website https://www.brachaksharp.com/contact-me

Kate Szegda, author of Pharmacy Girl - Kate@Kateszegda.com

Sasha Thomas, author of The Slug Queen Chronicles - @ichigoblack

Rosanne Tolin, author of More than Marmalade: Michael Bond and the Story of Paddington Bear - @roseannegtolin

Beth Vrabel, author of The Newspaper Club - @beth_vrabel

Rozanne Weissman, author of Rozanne Travels to Africa to Kiss a Giraffe - RWCommerce@gmail.com

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#WriteToAnAuthor: Connecting with Authors by Letter * Reading Connects Us

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During these turbulent times, many authors are jumping in to connect with readers. Author Laura Shovan has launched a movement of authors willing to connect via snail mail. Below, you can find a list of authors willing to participate and write back to students. Happy writing!

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High-Quality Sites & Apps Supporting School Closures with Free Resources

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High-Quality Sites & Apps Supporting School Closures with Free Resources

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Resources from Josh Funk

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Josh Funk is the author the Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast series, How to CODE a Sandcastle, Lost in the Library, It's Not Jack and the Beanstalk, Pirasaurs!, and more!

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In an effort to continue providing opera to its audience members, the Met Opera will host "Nightly Met Opera Streams" on its official website to audiences worldwide.

These free streams will present encores of past performances from its famed Live in HD series. The encore presentations will begin at 7:30 p.m. EST each night on the company's official website and will then be available for an additional 20 hours thereafter. Each showcase will also be viewable on the Met Opera on demand apps.

"We'd like to provide some grand opera solace to opera lovers in these extraordinarily difficult times," said Met General Manager Peter Gelb in a press release. "Every night, we'll be offering a different complete operatic gem from our collection of HD presentations from the past 14 years."

The first week of the schedule is as follows:

Conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin, starring Elīna Garanča and Roberto Alagna. Transmitted live on January 16, 2010.

Conducted by Nicola Luisotti, starring Angela Gheorghiu and Ramón Vargas. Transmitted live on April 5, 2008.

Conducted by Marco Armiliato, starring Anna Netrebko, Dolora Zajick, Yonghoon Lee, and Dmitri Hvorostovsky. Transmitted live on October 3, 2015.

Conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin, starring Diana Damrau, Juan Diego Flórez, and Quinn Kelsey. Transmitted live on December 15, 2018.

Conducted by Marco Armiliato, starring Natalie Dessay and Juan Diego Flórez. Transmitted live on April 26, 2008.
Saturday, March 21 - Donizetti's "Lucia di Lammermoor"
Conducted by Marco Armiliato, starring Anna Netrebko, Piotr Beczała, and Mariusz Kwiecien. Transmitted live on February 7, 2009.

Conducted by Valery Gergiev, starring Renée Fleming, Ramón Vargas, and Dmitri Hvorostovsky. Transmitted live on February 24, 2007.

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Metropolitan Opera to Offer Up 'Nightly Met Opera Streams' - Opera Wire

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In an effort to continue providing opera to its audience members, the Met Opera will host "Nightly Met Opera Streams" on its official website to audiences worldwide. These free streams will present encores of past performances from its famed Live in HD series. The encore presentations will begin at 7:30 p.m.

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Favorite Authors & Illustrators Share Resources for Learning Anywhere

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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.

Wash your hands, stay healthy, and enjoy these resources as we take care of one another this spring!

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!

Author & illustrator Grace Lin teaches viewers how to draw a Chinese Dragon and shares some tidbits about Chinese culture!

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!

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!"

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!

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.

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.

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 .

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Education Companies Offering Free Subscriptions due to School Closings

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Education Companies Offering Free Subscriptions due to School Closings

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75+ Entertaining & Educational Activities for When You're Stuck Indoors

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75+ Entertaining & Educational Activities for When You're Stuck Indoors

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If you're stuck indoors for whatever reason, try these educational activities to crack boredom.

Disclaimer: I make a small commission from some of the links on this site. It allows me to keep the site up and the content free. You can read my full disclosure here.

75+ Educational Activities for When You're Stuck Indoors
1. Watch historical movies (check out my lists for kids and teens)
Sign up for Curiosity Stream, which is like an educational Netflix, for only $2.99/month or a yearlong membership for only $20. They have so many great programs!
2. Play a board game (Life and Disney Monopoly are favorites) 3. Build famous landmarks from LEGOs 4. Learn about the basics of music theory with these apps 5. Create a song/rhyme/poem/rap/TikTok of what you're currently learning about in school 6. Make your own Apples to Apples 8. Learn about the phases of the moon with Oreos 9. Create a marble run 10. Re-enact a famous historical event 11. Make your own board game 13. Create your own podcast 14. Make a food common in a foreign country 16. Create interactive notebooks 17. Try educational games 18. Build a fort 19. Trade video games/movies with a friend 20. Have a math scavenger hunt around your home (you can use it with newspapers or magazines) 23. Put together a puzzle 24. Start learning a foreign language (my Spanish learning journey) 25. Make a ninja warrior course 26. Try drawing with this 30 day challenge 28. Have a photoshoot. Edit photos. 29. Make a shadow box 30. Make edible play dough 31. Make a music video. Edit it. 32. Build a website (here's how I started my website when I was 14) 33. Read historical books 34. Learn secret spy codes 35. Try cup stacking 36. Watch these cool science movies/documentaries 37. Try Jenga with random objects 38. Look at ads from different historical time periods (sorted by category) 39. Make golden ticket cookies, then watch Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory! 40. Start coding 41. Make a kindness tree 42. Make an obstacle course 43. Cook or bake 44. Try these faith-based object lessons 45. Make a stop motion video 46. Get creative with sight words and handwriting 47. Have a coloring contest 48. Try bowling at home 49. Create your own escape room 50. Make constellation maps 51. Try these free educational online games/activities Please note: These are just websites I have used in the past or have had them recommended to me. Some may have memberships or free trial periods. Learn in Color is not affiliated with any of them. If you have problems with the below sites, please contact the individual site. 52. Have a blindfolded candy taste test
Blindfold the kiddos and have them guess the candy flavor, chip, soda, or candy bar!
53. Learn Braille 54. Try these free 14 day challenges for cooking, photography, drawing, and more
FUN SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS

These experiments are fun, easy, and don't require too many items.
55. Make magic milk 56. Make fluffy slime 57. Create color changing flowers 58. Learn about vortexes (with glitter) 59. Learn about the electrolysis of water 60. Try the elephant toothpaste experiment 61. Learn about sound by creating a DIY phone speaker 62. Learn about the layers of the ocean 63. Make a heart pump model 65. Create a rain cloud in a jar 66. Make a classic baking soda volcano 67. Make a tornado in a bottle 68. Try this How well do you wash your hands? experiment
For Tweens and Teens
69. Play Scrabble, Life, chess, or Monopoly 70. Learn a new skill 71. Try magic tricks 72. Learn the alphabet in sign language 73. Binge watch a new show These are some of my favorite YouTube series which are both entertaining and educational. They're overall clean, perhaps some bleeped out language, but they're very interesting! 74. Wired's "One Concept at Five Levels" is also interesting. They have a neuroscientist, musician, physicist, and more. 75. CrashCourse's channel has fun and entertaining videos that are 10-15 minute "crash courses" on topics. 76. Watch the most-watched Ted Talks (they're great!) 77. Wired has a series of fun videos where experts break down clips from famous movies, like a lawyer watching courtroom scenes, a forensic examiner watching crime clips, a pro chef watching cooking scenes, or Bear Grylls watching survival scenes. 78. Learn how to budget If you're struggling with helping your students in grades 4-8 understand terms, I created these cheat sheets to help break concepts down in a visually beautiful way.
The "cheat sheets" concept began with colored pens in my notebook in elementary school! 🙂

Samantha is an entrepreneur and a former homeschool student from Indiana, USA. When not blogging, Samantha can be found reading about WWII, trying to speak Hebrew, and wasting time on Pinterest. Her work can be found on Free Homeschool Deals, Unigo, True Aim Education, Encouraging Moms at Home, and more.

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75+ Educational Activities for When You're Stuck Indoors

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If you're stuck indoors for whatever reason, try these educational activities to crack boredom. Disclaimer: I make a small commission from some of the links on this site. It allows me to keep the site up and the content free. You can read my full disclosure here. 1.

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National Gallery of Art Daily Gallery Tours on Twitter

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National Gallery of Art Daily Gallery Tours on Twitter

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Tweets by ngadc

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1 year free for educators/home school educators

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

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Complimentary Access through 2019/2020 school year for Educators

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Helping you plan and continue instruction during the COVID-19 crisis

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To help your schools and give you some degree of certainty during these uncertain times, we are making Newsela's entire product suite available, free of charge.

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through your local public library or school

Borrow and read free ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines from your library using your phone or tablet. It's easy to get started― all you need is a library card! Learn more or download the app below.

Google Play
Editors' Choice

PC Magazine's The Best Free Software of 2019

Popular Mechanics 20 Best Apps of the 2010s

Time Magazine's Best Apps of 2018

The student reading app

Getting ebooks and audiobooks from your school is quick and easy with Sora. Just sign in with your school account and borrow & read books with one tap! Teachers and school staff: visit DiscoverSora.com to learn how to get your school started with Sora. Learn more.

2019 AASL
Crystal Apple Recipient

2019 Academics' Choice
Smart Media Award

Time Magazine's
Best Inventions of 2019

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Search and borrow from OverDrive's huge catalogue of eBooks, audiobooks and videos

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Borrow and read free ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines from your library using your phone or tablet. It's easy to get started― all you need is a library card! Learn more or download the app below.

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(that don't break copyright)

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I am at our public library right now and it is deserted. Wisconsin was ordered to close their schools this coming week as more and more cases of Covid-19 pile up. The world is upside down.

As we prepare to switch to online learning, I have been thinking of the power of the read aloud. How having the social connection through shared books can bring us together. How doing a read aloud in this stressful time can calm us. And so as we plan for what we will do, I immediately thought of reading picture books aloud to my students and having them respond to them in a short paragraph through Google Classroom. However, there is one glaring problem; copyright violations, I don't want to break copyright by reading aloud a book and then sharing it with students. So instead, I compiled as many lists as I could find here featuring the creators reading aloud. Perhaps the list will be helpful to you?

Kate Messner has a post that details which publishers have given limited permission to read their books aloud following their guidelines, see the post here.

Indianapolis Public Library has a compiled list here with more than 100 titles

Storyline online has a compiled list right here with some great titles

Kate Messner is compiling videos right here featuring authors and illustrators sharing their work and resources

Susan Tan has a great video channel featuring writing prompts and read alouds

Kidlit TV has a great compilation here

Harper Kids Has their read alouds compiled here

Vooks Online are offering a free first year for teachers and have videos compiled here

Brightly Online has a compilation here

Storytime with Bill from Little Brown Books can be found here

Mrs. P's storytime can be found here

Debbie Ridpath Ohi is posting videos of her books as well here

Unite For Literacy has many stories read aloud in multiple languages compiled here

Free Kid Lit Visits and Authors Read Aloud compiled by A.Keene can be found here

Storytime from Space features astronauts reading aloud

I will keep adding resources here as I find them and as they are shared with me. If you know of any more, please share.

Take care, stay safe, and take care of others. We will get through this.

And by the way, if you can't feed your family in the coming weeks or months, please reach out to me. I will try to send you a giftcard for groceries if I can.
If you are wondering where I will be in the coming year or would like to have me speak, please see this page.

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Picture Books Read Aloud Videos for Lesson Use

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I am at our public library right now and it is deserted. Wisconsin was ordered to close their schools this coming week as more and more cases of Covid-19 pile up. The world is upside down. As we prepare to switch to online learning, I have been thinking of the power of the read aloud....

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For all you folks stuck at home in the coming weeks. Starting on Monday, at 6pm GMT / 2pm EST / 11am PST
I will be reading one of my books every weekday, and talking about some of the things that went into making it.
We are all at home, but none of us are alone.
Let's be bored together.
Also, my pal, and one of the best storybook writers in a generation @macbarnett will be doing the same with his books daily, an hour later....
And the genius minds behind @kaleidoscopeire are doing a daily creative project called 'Home Club', also starting Monday.
ADDITION:
I will make it available to watch later for those in other time zones.
Stay tuned for more details.

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For all you folks stuck at home in the coming weeks. Starting on Monday, at 6pm GMT / 2pm EST / 11am PST I will be reading one of my books every weekday, and talking about some of the things that went into making it.

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Mac Barnett Daily Read Alouds - Instagram

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Mac Barnett Daily Read Alouds - Instagram