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Create a SUMMER SAFARI Adventure from Home with Jack and Annie!

The magic tree house has whisked Jack and Annie away on a NEW adventure this summer, and you get to come along! This week, learn about animals, explore faraway lands, and experience cultures from around the world with Jack and Annie on your own SUMMER SAFARI! Your adventure starts today-right from HOME!

Settle in for fun storytime videos from Mary Pope Osborne, download safari-themed activities, craft ideas, and recipes, play trivia games, participate in reading challenges, and more!
Join us on safari ALL WEEK, beginning August 3!
Are you up for the challenge? Complete the Summer Safari reading challenge to download an exclusive prize!

Are you ready for adventure? Read and explore with Jack and Annie!

Featured Books

Do you want to learn more? Check out these companion Magic Tree House Fact Trackers!

Featured Fact Trackers

DOWNLOAD THE FOLLOWING MATERIALS TO GET STARTED!

READ ALONG WITH MARY POPE OSBORNE

Mary is your summer safari guide on this week's Home Adventure as she reads from Jack and Annie's newest adventure, Late Lunch with Llamas! Watch the video below, and read along with Mary Pope Osborne!

Continue to explore South America with Mary as she reads from Afternoon on the Amazon. You can view the storytime video below!

LISTEN ALONG WITH LISTENING LIBRARY

DOWNLOAD ADDITIONAL SERIES RESOURCES

ASK THE AUTHOR

Watch below as Mary answers a few of your frequently asked questions!

We hope you enjoyed adventuring with Jack & Annie! With a parent's help, use this form to tell us a bit more about your experience.

To give back to teachers. Mary Pope Osborne created the Classroom Adventures Program, which provides free downloadable resources including lesson plans for every book and nonfiction Fact Tracker in the series. Please click here to find even more educational resources for this week's Home Adventures books and Fact Trackers!

Did you miss a week of Home Adventures? Check out the Home Adventures Archive for past adventures!

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Create a SUMMER SAFARI Adventure from Home with Jack and Annie! The magic tree house has whisked Jack and Annie away on a NEW adventure this summer, and you get to come along! This week, learn about animals, explore faraway lands, and experience cultures from around the world with Jack and Annie on your own SUMMER SAFARI!

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Nature Lab Field Trips exploring Corals, Peru, biomes and more!

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Ocean Heroes: Coastal Frontline Communities and Climate Justice
Made possible with support from the Bezos Family Foundation and Students Rebuild
The health of the oceans is suffering, and this has affected some of us more than others. Coastal communities, and those who are less-advantaged because they have less access to resources and face increased societal oppression, are more at risk from rising sea levels and storms. But there are some amazing groups working around the world to make change, educate their communities and build collective awareness. One featured partner, Minorities in Shark Sciences (MISS), creates K-12 content about sharks, skates and rays, the threats they face and conservation efforts to protect them. Courses include video lessons, activities, quizzes and action items.

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Our virtual field trips allow your students to travel the world and explore natural environments without leaving the classroom. Start your adventure here!

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11 page writing and coloring activities.

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Your first stop for learning resources from USGS! We will be updating this weekly throughout the spring of 2020, so keep coming back. Also, follow our Twitter and Instagram for weekly educational challenges @usgs_yes

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Design, build and launch your very own rocket ship! Once completed, try hitting different targets by adjusting the launch angle and predict where your rocket will land.

Materials Needed

Cardstock, craft foam or thin cardboard

Foam insulation tube or thin pool noodle (12-inch piece)

Plastic drinking straw (1)

Wide rubber band (1)

Scissors

Yardstick or long stick (1)

Yarn (3-foot piece)

Zip tie (1)

At-Home Instructions

Part 1 - Build Your Rocket

1. Fold the yarn in half lengthwise.

2. Tie the middle of the yarn to the rubber band.

3. Tie the loose ends of yarn together in a knot at the end opposite the rubber band.

4. Use a straw to push the rubber band and yarn through the foam tube, so that the rubber band sticks out at one end of the tube, and the yarn is visible at the other end of the tube.

5. Wrap a zip tie around the end of the foam tube near the rubber band. Have an adult help secure it as tight as it will go, so it holds the rubber band in place and does not come out when you pull on it. Use scissors to trim off the excess zip tie so that it does not stick out.

6. Create fins out of recycled cardstock, craft foam or thin cardboard by cutting a four-inch square from the material. Fold and cut the square on a diagonal to form two triangles.

7. Attach fins to the outside of the foam tube with duct tape, near the end with the yarn.

8. Alternatively, create a rocket of your own design out of recyclables!

Part 2 - Launch Your Rocket

1. Slip the rubber band over your finger, a yardstick, or another type of long stick. Use your other hand to pull back on the yarn approximately 12 inches.

2. Stretch the rubber band and prepare to launch.

3. Aim the rocket, steering clear of people, animals and fragile objects. Countdown and then launch!

4. Experiment with launching the rocket at different angles. Try to hit a variety of targets and predict where the rocket will land.

Educators: Use this activity in the classroom with these modifications!

Split your students into teams and have them compete to see who can design a rocket that will launch the farthest. Create multiple rounds where teams take turns launching their rocket. Record how far each team was able to launch their creation and give them five minutes between rounds to make changes to their design or launch angle to see if they can improve their distance. Alternatively, assign various targets around your classroom a particular point value, and have students launch their rockets at these targets to see how many points they can score.

What are we learning?

In this activity, students learn how rockets follow a certain trajectory, or flight path based on the degree from which they are launched. By experimenting with the launch angle, students will be able to predict where their rockets will land.

Inspiration

This STEM activity was inspired by National Inventors Hall of Fame® Inductee George Alcorn, inventor of the Imaging X-Ray Spectrometer - a device that has been used with space telescopes and satellites to search for new planets and collect data.

Looking for more STEM activities?

Discover more fun and educational science activities by visiting our blog or by visiting our Camp Invention® Facebook page!

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Check out this Rocket Launch STEM activity you can do at home!

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Design, build and launch your very own rocket ship! Once completed, try hitting different targets by adjusting the launch angle and predict where your rocket will land.

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Learn at Home with NC State Historic Sites

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Learn at Home with NC State Historic Sites

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Facebook Live Event April 2- May 7

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Other event in Raleigh, NC by North Carolina State Capitol and 2 others on Thursday, April 2 2020 with 142 people interested.

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Dive in without getting wet! Your National Marine Sanctuary System protects a network of underwater parks encompassing more than 620,000 square miles of marine and Great Lakes waters, and now you can visit these amazing places in the blink of an eye. From the thriving kelp forests of Channel Islands to the treasured coral reefs of the Florida Keys, few places on the planet can compete with the wonders of the National Marine Sanctuary System. Come along as we experience these underwater treasures through virtual reality.

Check out the Next Generation Science Standard lesson plans for grades 6-8 that complement the VR videos to go deeper. For younger audiences, explore the VR activity, facts, and drawing sheets.

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national oceanic and atmospheric administration

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Sanctuaries 360 | Office of National Mairne Sanctuaries

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Though our planet is mostly ocean, we still know little about what lies far beneath the surface. Approximately 95 percent of the ocean remains unexplored, much of it in the deep sea. Even your national marine sanctuaries contain areas that have still not been seen by humans.

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There's still plenty of Aquarium fun to experience, even from inside your home!

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International Space Station Tour With Sunita Williams

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Explore the Moai Up Close - Google Arts & Culture

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Click to tour around these incredible monuments

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The young Leonardo, probably in his 20s, completed the picture alongside his master, Andrea del Verrochio. Though it's a collaboration, certain details like Mary's hand on the Bible, the translucent drapery on the book stand, and the hazy background, are quintessential Leonardo.

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Explore the Uffizi Galleries - Google Arts & Culture

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The young Leonardo, probably in his 20s, completed the picture alongside his master, Andrea del Verrochio. Though it's a collaboration, certain details like Mary's hand on the Bible, the translucent drapery on the book stand, and the hazy background, are quintessential Leonardo.

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Digital Directory for Remote Learning Resources

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Digital Directory for Remote Learning Resources

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This resource was put together by the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators- an international professional organization for authors and illustrators of books for children and young adults.

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Digital Directory for Remote Learning Resources

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Below is a directory for caregivers, educators, and students of what our published members are making available online.

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PREK-ELEMENTARY

A Youtube video of Jo Rooks reading their picture book A BOX OF BUTTERFLIES.

Join Author Aly and Alycat every THURSDAY at 10:30AM CST for a Facebook Live Storytime and 11:30AM CST for an Instagram Live Storytime of The Alycat Series! Also, Author Aly has given full permission for her Alycat books to be read aloud virtually and/or recorded (no strings attached).

A reading of the first chapter of AMERICAN AS PANEER PIE (Aladdin/Simon and Schuster, 5/12/20) and a pun activity.

Leslie Bulion will read and share the cool science and poetry behind two poems from their new collection AMPHIBIAN ACROBATS. See also "Fold a Jumping Amphibian Acrobat" video.
Books to Inspire Gratefulness & Kindness
As the author of inspirational children's books, Diana Smith can do a reading of their books and chat on the benefits of gratitude and kindness for children, through reading and activities.

In the coming days, Deborah Freedman will be reading aloud some of their picturebooks, starting with BLUE CHICKEN. They will follow up the stories with demos of related art activities that kids can try at home. Read-alouds will be up for 24 hours, and other content up permanently.

Round up the littles and join for a FB LIVE session with Author Sarah Aroeste Friday 3/20 at 11:30am EDT at Sarah Aroeste Music. She'll be reading from her newest bilingual book and sharing some Ladino songs and fun. Post will be active until 6/30/20.

A "glogster" - cloud-based interactive learning platform - created around Carol Gordon Ekster's books. Hear the author's reading and download the accompanying language arts activities for students.

LILY'S CAT MASK video storytime, plus craft activities and story time links.

Read-along video with artist Micha Archer of DANIEL FINDS A POEM, with hand motions and discussion of my illustration technique.

Each week you'll find a new video. KT and her character friends will read a picture book, and then lead viewers in a drawing lesson. The session will end with a writing assignment that viewers can email to KT. Email your drawing too! With permission, your work will be shared on the next video!

Join author Baron D. Hall as he reads from his picture book with a funny voice changer.

Join Kerry Madden-Lunsford as she reads from her book ERNESTINE'S MILKY WAY.

Weekly reading and author chat, posted on Fridays, for kids who love mystery, adventure, and suspense. Fiction tips, inside stories, and encouragement for young readers and writers. Find Heather Shumaker on Youtube. They will respond to kids questions!

Andrea Moreau's books, I MUSTACHE YOU TO READ WITH ME and I JUST WANT TO READ! were written using figurative language! Great introduction to figurative language or to use as support materials for ELA. Discussion questions, vocabulary, coloring sheets, and Common Core Standards on website. Videos to come!

Join Maria Bostian as they read their latest picture book, FIREFIGHTERS' BUSY DAY. A link to their YouTube Read Aloud and coloring sheets are on my blog. Maria is also available to video chat or Skype with readers.

Join author Tiffiny Mariano as they read from their first children's book GREEN BEANS & TANGERINES.

Allison Ofanansky reads and discusses their nonfiction book HOW IT'S MADE: MATZAH.

HOW TO CATCH A MERMAID by Kristie Smith book reading with activities included.

Join author John Rocco as they read from several of their picture books.

Ages: 3-8 JUMA AND LITTLE SUNGURA introduces Tanzania and the Swahili language. Juma finally gets his wished-for baby sister. Activities for homeschooling or classroom can be found for the Tanzania Juma Stories on the Barranca Press website.

Teachers can schedule a live Zoom meeting with the author of LION DANCER: ERNIE WAN'S CHINESE NEW YEAR with Q&A following.

Live Readings of GOOD DOG and OUR FARM

Author Maya Gottfried is available for live online readings of her two picture books GOOD DOG and OUR FARM. Please email the author via their website to learn more.

Author Ruth Spiro reads her picture book MADE BY MAXINE. Please email the author via their website for a PDF activity guide with fun ideas for home or school.
MAKING FRIENDS ON PLAY DATES
Reading a fun book on playing nicely and then having the children give examples back.

Sing along and read MY MAMA EARTH, winner of the Moonbeam Gold Award for Best Picture Book. Text by Susan B. Katz, illustration by Melissa Launay, music and vocals by Julia Bordenaro Levin. Additional live readings with Susan B. Katz will be available on their Youtube channel here.

Dorena will offer three engaging videos with a reading and discussion of her children's picture books COLORFULL, THOUGHTFULL, and GRACEFULL. The videos will be posted on both the author's socials and publisher's B&H Kids socials using hashtag #operationstorytime.

"How I Became An Author", "Research & Writing a Book" & more videos by author Suzanne Slade available anytime.
PIPPA Storytime with Dimity Powell
YouTube online reading of picture book, PIPPA by author, Dimity Powell. PIPPA is used in early primary curricula to support character discussions and story arc lessons. Teachers' notes can be found here. Downloadable activities and worksheets here.

Discussion and activity guide about PRUDENCE THE PART-TIME COW and the engineering process. Coloring page available. Author Jody Jensen Shaffer will respond to student comments and questions via her website.

Read-along videos with chapter discussion and downloadable worksheets.

Reading from Miriam Selma Reed's bilingual picture book for kids RUN ZIGGY RUN in English. The story is also available in English/German and English/French. (English/Spanish available soon.)

Doug Snelson reads WHO'S GOT THE FACE and THE FABLE OF THE SNAKE NAMED SLIM.

Author Heather L. Montgomery reads chapters from her recent nonfiction book.

Storytime with themes on St. Patrick's Day, colors, luck, fear, bedtime, monsters, trying new things; stories, songs, movement, fingerplays, indoor/outdoor extension activities. A. Kidd will also have content related to their book THE HEALING STAR, a middle grade light fantasy for grades 3-6.

Award-winning author Maxine Carlson, share storytime featuring The Huckleberry Hill Series or readings from her newest book, BELLA SOPHIA A MERMAID'S TALE. Each book features family-friendly recipes, for cooking in your home kitchen. Stories, Recipes, and Laughter at Huckleberry Hill! Virtually join us along the majestic Pacific Coastal town of Pebble Beach, California. Starting March 22, continuing every other Sunday. We'll take a break to giggle together as we support literacy and imagination. Archives of storytimes/recipes will be listed by date (updated every other Sunday) at the home page of the author site. Children can share photos, pictures or write to Maxine at huckleberryhilladventure@gmail.com.

The Sisters of Pauline Press will be reading their line of children's books.

Terri DeGezelle Michels

THE BRAVE LITTLE CRAB is a children's storybook for ages 3-8. Author Beth Costanzo will include the story, the activity book that goes with the story and also a video of the story. Links to the workbooks are available upon request.

Every day at 1:00 PM EST, from March 20 to April 27, Jake Burnett will be reading a chapter of their new novel THE CHAOS COURT via video. 100% of the proceeds from the novel now till April 30 go to The Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina to help feed kids who depend on school lunches as well as other vulnerable people during this difficult time.

THE CRAYON MAN (CRAYOLA CRAYONS) with Resources

Read-aloud story, educators' Guide with resources, podcast interview, and coloring sheets. Explores STEM, art, inventors, history, creativity, true stories, and nature. Please contact the author for virtual Skype visits via their website.

Author Deborah Hunt will be reading the first 2 chapters of their middle grade book THE VISITOR FROM 4-D. They will also share readings from their other books listed on Amazon.

If you need a feel-good story, you will enjoy reading The Worthless Penny. ☺

Daily reading, with illustrations, of a chapter of SHOOT-OUT AT THE ROCK, from the Tommy Bell, Bushranger Boy series.

A daily reading of two chapters from Tara Gillboy's middle grade fantasy UNWRITTEN, as well as occasional commentary on the writing process, starting March 23. The author will also answer questions about the book and their writing process on their Twitter page using the hashtag #unwrittenQ&A.

Ariel Berstein will be reading 1-2 chapters daily from their chapter book, WARREN & DRAGON.

Join Marcy Pusey on Tues/Wed/Friday at 11am PST / 2pm EST for a daily reading and author Q&A with myself and other authors!

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Take a look at STEM author Nancy Castaldo's BACK FROM THE BRINK. Learn how people came together to recover the bald eagle population and what you can do to raise your own voice. See Nancy's website to download the BACK FROM THE BRINK readers guide and others. In addition, check out her blog, Naturally Speaking, for ongoing STEM resources. Together we can all make a difference!

Corresponding via email, the author and book club participants will read and discuss BECAUSE OF KHALID together. Mini curriculum available with purchase of book.

Author Padma Venkatraman will post a reading, recipe and writing prompt daily, 3/20-3/24 by 1:00 EST. Padma will also answer questions on the blog portion of her website.

Britta Jensen, author of the ELOIA BORN series, is reading from ELOIA BORN, sharing writing prompts and mini-workshop lessons on her Youtube channel for teens wanting to keep their writing skills sharp to finish that novel or short story they've been working on! Britta will update content daily for teens and their parents to enjoy and to help provide supplementary materials for reading and writing while school is out.

Author Henry H. Neff reads THE RED WINTER, the 5th and final book of The Tapestry. New chapters will be posted by 5pm EST beginning on Friday, March 20, 2020.

HIGH SCHOOL

NO ENTRY follows a 17-year-old heroine to South Africa's Kruger National Park where she uncovers a murderous poaching ring. Author Gila Green will be reading from NO ENTRY daily starting March 18 and posting on YouTube along with information about elephant poaching and elephant extinction.

ALL

Daily reading of Camilla's third novel, THIRTEENTH WISH. A new chapter every day.

Author Linda Phillips will read from their two books, CRAZY and BEHIND THESE HANDS and discuss how compassion positively impacts students' lives.

Book reading and "scrap happy" art party hosted by Kelly Anne White, author of THE LEGEND OF THE FAIRY STONES.

A recording will be on Michelle's YouTube channel and website.

Join author Tara Lazar as she reads from her books and share tips for writing and creativity.

Barbara Freeman read from her new book MIRROR, MIRROR.

Barbara Freeman

Josh Funk will read one of his picture books, share behind-the-scene secrets, Q&A, sneak peeks, and more! Follow @joshfunkbooks on Instagram.

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Digital Directory of Online Book Readings

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A Youtube video of Jo Rooks reading their picture book A BOX OF BUTTERFLIES. Join Author Aly and Alycat every THURSDAY at 10:30AM CST for a Facebook Live Storytime and 11:30AM CST for an Instagram Live Storytime of The Alycat Series!

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This page contains a list of all of the virtual events, activities, and other social initiatives we are sharing online.

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We understand that many families are now trying to find their new "normal" in light of the news of COVID-19, known also as coronavirus. As an organization committed to providing quality entertainment and resources for children and families, we want you to know that Fred Rogers Productions is here for you in these difficult and uncertain times.

This page contains a list of all of the virtual events, activities, and other social initiatives we are sharing online.

We are sharing one activity, craft or recipe each day on our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages.
Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood
Watch on the PBS KIDS Video Player and Amazon Prime

"How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus" via PBS KIDS for Parents

"How You and Your Kids Can De-Stress During Coronavirus" via PBS KIDS for Parents

When Something Scary Happens: Resources to Help Families Cope in Emergencies and Other Challenging Times via PBS KIDS for Parents, includes activities and tips such as Draw Your Feelings, How to Prepare Children for Unexpected Events and Emergencies, and Helping Children Cope After a Crisis or Emergency.

Activity sheets and other tips at PBS KIDS for Parents.
Mister Rogers' Neighborhood
Watch on the Mister Rogers' Neighborhood Legacy Website, the PBS KIDS Video Player, and Amazon Prime

March 20: Instagram takeover with Matthew Cordell, author and illustrator of the forthcoming "Hello, Neighbor! The Kind and Caring World of Mister Rogers" on the Fred Rogers Productions Instagram page
Peg + Cat
Watch on the PBS KIDS Video Player and Amazon Prime

Virtual Story Time with Peg + Cat co-creator Billy Arsonson on the show's Facebook page

March 24: Virtual Story Time with Peg + Cat co-creator Jennifer Oxley on the show's Facebook page, 11 AM ET

Activity sheets and other tips at PBS KIDS for Parents.
Odd Squad
Watch on the PBS KIDS Video Player and Amazon Prime

Activity sheets and other tips at PBS KIDS for Parents.

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Resources for families during COVID-19 | Fred Rogers Productions

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We understand that many families are now trying to find their new "normal" in light of the news of COVID-19, known also as coronavirus. As an organization committed to providing quality entertainment and resources for children and families, we want you to know that Fred Rogers Productions is here for you in these difficult and uncertain times.

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Smart Fun for Kids!

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The Library has millions of resources online - including some of history's most important manuscripts, photographs, maps, recordings and films - to help teachers, parents and students learn about the world around us.

These include general exhibits you can dip into, such as " Rosa Parks: In Her Own Words," " Shall Not Be Denied: Women Fight For The Vote," and " Mapping a Growing Nation: From Independence to Statehood. "

We'll be highlighting more of these during the coming weeks, so check back often.

Meanwhile! Parents, to start us off, here are some great ideas from the Library's Center for Learning, Literacy and Engagement staff for everyone at the house.
All ages:
Record a family story.

Download the StoryCorps app to record family histories. It's great for building an oral history of your household. StoryCorps will walk you through the process, including suggested questions and interview tips. StoryCorps recordings are archived at the Library's American Folklife Center.

Create an "exquisite corpse" story or poem. Jon Scieszka, the 2008-09 National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, started the Library's own "The Exquisite Corpse Adventure" and had an all-star cast of fellow authors (Kate Dicamillo, Katherine Paterson, Lemony Snicket, etc.) fill in the 27 chapters. Here's how to play: Players construct a story by stringing together disconnected sentences or phrases. It creates a "Frankenstein's monster" type of tale, hence the "corpse" moniker. It can be as silly or serious as the players make it. First, find a photograph in the Library's online catalog or use one of these suggested images from photographer Gordon Parks. (If you'd rather, select a family photo.) Gather players in a circle to examine the photograph. One person starts by writing a line or sentence about the image. They pass the paper to the person to their right. In turn, that person writes a second line of text - but before passing the paper, they hide all the preceding sentences, so that no player sees anything but the preceding sentence. Continue this until each person has written three lines. Then, voila! Read the entire creation aloud.

Elementary & Middle:
Read aloud a classic children's book.

Read and write in braille.

Want to learn how to read with your fingers? Introduce your kids to the basics of braille with the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS). NLS is free for people with temporary or permanent visual impairment that prevents them from reading or holding a page. The NLS is part of the Library and can teach you how to get started.

Write a letter to Rosa Parks.

Read about Rosa Parks' life in her own words in our online exhibition. Then, have children create a card or letter, imagining they are sending it to Mrs. Parks, using kids' letters like these as inspiration. Mrs. Parks loved children and met with them often. What would you say to the mother of the civil rights movement?

Be a Kid Citizen!

Explore Everyday Mysteries.
High School

Get a leg up on your research projects with advice from Library experts. Use our LibGuides to find resources on topics ranging from film and music to veterinary science and much more. It's a near-endless list of information and can take you as deep into a subject as you'd like to go.

Find poetic inspiration from our Poetry and Literature Center.

Former U.S.Poet Laureate Billy Collins selected a poem for each day of the school year.

Former U.S. Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith's daily poetry podcast is called "The Slowdown." In just five minutes, she presents a poem, breaks it down into engaging segments and explains how it works.

Mess around with LCLabs!

Our experimental digital team has created online projects that allow you to explore the Library by colors, play photo roulette, transcribe and tag documents from the collection and more. Try one then tell us what you think. Email comments to [email protected] .
Subscribe to the blog- it's free! - and the largest library in world history will send cool stories straight to your inbox.

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The Library has millions of resources online - including some of history's most important manuscripts, photographs, maps, recordings and films - to help teachers, parents and students learn about the world around us.

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Follow along and read online with Read Recess. You can search the stories by Fiction or Nonfiction, then by grade, subject or topic. Each story is paired with vocabulary and other worksheets.

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Stories for Kids | Free Children's Audio Stories

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A collection of free online audio stories for children with worksheets and vocabulary help.

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Do you have kids or students who want to learn how to type? Dance Mat Typing by the BBC is a good choice. It is interactive, fun, free and easy-to-use for kids; the system is complete with animated animal characters, graphics and sounds. We provide friendly menus or lists and other cool stuff to make it easier for you and your kids to use Dance Mat Typing to effectively learn how to type.

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Anyone can learn computer science. Make games, apps and art with code.

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History @ Home™: Digital Learning with Plimoth Patuxet

We're taking Plimoth Patuxet Museums' award-winning education programs out of the 17th century and going online. Join engaging, interactive virtual workshops and thought-provoking discussions from home and discover the powerful stories of people who actually lived along these shores of change 400 years ago.

Living History Virtual Programs

Hands-On History Virtual Workshops

Powerful Stories

Wampanoag children learned through stories and play. Join us for a hands-on retelling of the classic Haudenosaunee tale, "The No Faced Doll," and make your own corn husk doll to take home. Cornhusk is available online or at your local grocery store. Need a cornhusk substitute? Try baking parchment paper instead.

Questions?

Contact our Education Department

programservices@plimoth.org | (508) 746-1622 ×8358

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We're taking Plimoth Patuxet Museums' award-winning education programs out of the 17th century and going online. Join engaging, interactive virtual workshops and thought-provoking discussions from home and discover the powerful stories of people who actually lived along these shores of change 400 years ago.

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The Smithsonian, National Museum of Natural History virtual tours allow visitors to take self-guided, room-by-room tours of select exhibits and areas within the museum from their desktop or mobile device. Visitors can also access select collections and research areas at our satellite support and research stations as well as past exhibits no longer on display.

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Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

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The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History virtual tours allow visitors to take self-guided, room-by-room tours of select exhibits and areas within the museum from their desktop or mobile device. Visitors can also access select collections and research areas at our satellite support and research stations as well as past exhibits no longer on display.

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These activities 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.

More activities are being added to this page regularly, so make sure to check back for more!

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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, "Finish This Story!" Story Starters, "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. And if you like the activities below, don't miss my activity books, GIVE THIS BOOK A TITLE and GIVE THIS BOOK A COVER, available wherever books are sold!
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 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!

Click HERE to download the above Halloween activities!

Click HERE to download the above Halloween activities!

Click HERE to download the above Halloween activities!

Click HERE to download the above Halloween activities!

"Finish This Story!" Story Starters

Click HERE to download the above "Finish This Story!" activities!

Click HERE to download the above "Finish This Story!" 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!

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!

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!

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!

Click HERE to download the above activity sheets!

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Click HERE to download the above activity sheet!

Click HERE to download the above activity sheet!

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!

Click HERE to download the above activity sheet!

Click HERE to download the above activity sheets!

Click HERE to download the above activity sheet!

Click HERE to download the above activity sheet!

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, "Finish This Story!"

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Over 30 virtual field trips!

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Well-known children's stories translated into Spanish and spoken by a native Spanish speaker. Great for kids... and adults too! Read along in Spanish or English.

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Chicken Little

A modern adaptation of the classic tale: What happens when a completely normal chicken believes everything he reads on the internet? This story is written in the present tense, because it's a good thing to learn.

The Bird and the Whale

Our first ever original story, about a bird and a whale and their shared love of little fish. Inspired by a song by Tom Waits, and an episode of Adventure Time.

The Three Little Pigs

The classic tale of shoddy building materials, DIY folly, and the perils of emparedados de tocino (a.k.a bacon sandwiches). No pigs or wolves were harmed in the making of this story.

Goldilocks and the Three Bears

Why you should probably lock your door when you go out for a walk, even if you live en medio de un gran bosque. Why are the three bowls of sopa different temperatures when they were poured at the same time? Science, is why.

Little Red Riding Hood

A deeply troubling investigation into what happens when you let your children walk somewhere alone: Caperucita Roja eats fresas, picks margaritas and talks to el Gran Lobo Feroz on the way to Grandma's house. (Warning: Contains highly improbable medical scenes.)

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Spanish Children's Stories - The Spanish Experiment

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A modern adaptation of the classic tale: What happens when a completely normal chicken believes everything he reads on the internet? This story is written in the present tense, because it's a good thing to learn. Our first ever original story, about a bird and a whale and their shared love of little fish.

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The Reynolda House collections include fine art, estate archives, and decorative arts and historic house objects. Search by keyword, title, artist, or date. Results will produce objects from all collections with detailed scholarly research on each object. Explore the collections together to reveal the distinctly unique offerings of the Museum.

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The Reynolda House collections include fine art, estate archives, and decorative arts and historic house objects. Search by keyword, title, artist, or date. Results will produce objects from all collections with detailed scholarly research on each object. Explore the collections together to reveal the distinctly unique offerings of the Museum.

You may also browse all collections or view online galleries.

From exhibitions and educational programs to publications and research, the Museum collections fuel almost all Museum activity. Preserving and protecting these collections are the most important ways that we serve our public.

The Office of Rights and Reproductions provides images for educational presentations, professional research, print and electronic publications, and media projects. All requests for images must be made in writing.

Learn about the three-year, comprehensive electronic cataloging project of the Museum's collections.

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Searching Reynolda's Collections | Reynolda House Museum of American Art

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The Reynolda House collections include fine art, estate archives, and decorative arts and historic house objects. Search by keyword, title, artist, or date. Results will produce objects from all collections with detailed scholarly research on each object. Explore the collections together to reveal the distinctly unique offerings of the Museum.

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This service is offering interactive teaching tools at NO cost. There are two programs: Pre-K and K-5.

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Manage and simply teach lessons from Get Set for School with the Pre-K Interactive Teaching Tool: a one-stop digital teaching platform. Students also get a series of developmentally appropriate apps built for exploration, discovery, and creative expression. These experiences reinforce pre-academic readiness and strengthen learning experiences at home.

Use the Learning and Play Resource for 3-Year-Olds as an extension to the Get Set for School complete curriculum, and find suggestions on how to scale multisensory activities in a developmentally appropriate way for younger learners.

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Get Set for School Pre-K curriculum prepares students for academic success with engaging hands-on lessons that develop foundation skills for kindergarten.

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Good news for all those who can’t visit us in person; Casa Batlló opens Gaudí’s gem doors in a Virtual Tour that will surely delight the most intrepid and curious visitors.

A real adventure in which you will have the privilege of discovering, for the first time, the secret spots of the modernist building. 360º of Gaudinian concepts to find out about, endless allusions to Mother Nature by the very pioneering in a unique new style and an aura of mystery floating in the spaces that will be surrounding the visitor from the beginning to the end of the virtual route.

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These resources are split by grade level.

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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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Need a technology break? Try out these activities!

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Unplugged Challenge encourages kids and their families to unplug from cell phones, tablets, video games, TV and other forms of electronics and re-connect with the world around them. For each activity completed, kids are entered to win prizes, so the more activities they complete, the more chances to win!

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Get up and get moving with these yoga lessons perfect for kids 3+.

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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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GoNoodle® engages 14 million kids every month with movement and mindfulnessvideos created by child development experts. Available for free at school, home, and everywhere kids are!

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Home Base Scholastic Interactive Game World

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Home Base Scholastic Interactive Game World

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"Favorite books are coming to life in a BRAND NEW online world! HOME BASE is the essential digital destination for kids to meet their favorite characters, design their own comics, chat and connect with other fans of best-loved books, discover new worlds and stories, and so much more! Learn more at http://bit.ly/2OShBet. Featuring favorites from Sarah Mlynowski, Tui T. Sutherland, R.L. Stine, Lauren Tarshis, Daniel José Older, Dav Pilkey, and Aaron Blabey!"

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

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

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

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

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

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

Author Kate Messner shares a read-aloud of 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! You can find more of Grace's reading & drawing videos on her YouTube channel.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bonus challenge: Write positive affirmations for your family members.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Additional Resources:

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

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

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

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

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

Author Madelyn Rosenberg shares a collection of writing prompts here.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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For kids home from school, Lauren is doing daily read-alouds from her series I Survived and from Scholastic's ELA Magazine, Storyworks.

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Author Lauren Tarshis reads I Survived The Sinking of the Titanic, 1912, chapters 1 & 2

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online K–5 reading program that adapts to the needs of the individual student. It is self-paced, which makes it ideal for at-home practice.

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digital resource that provides a library of differentiated books students can use to practice reading wherever they are (Internet connection required).

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subscribe to Coronavirus Daily podcast

As more festivals, performances and concerts are canceled due to the coronavirus shutdown, musicians of all stripes and sizes are taking to social and streaming platforms to play live for their fans.

NPR Music is compiling a list of live audio and video streams from around the world, categorized by date and genre, with links out to streaming platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Some will require registration or a subscription, but most will be free, often with digital tip jars and opportunities to directly support artists by buying music and merchandise.

Some artists are planning daily streams - like Ben Gibbard and Christine and the Queens - and will be noted below as information becomes available.

This is a living document, updated every day until it's no longer needed.
If you would like a live concert to be considered for the list, please fill out this Google Form. Thanks!
March 21

Classical

Rock

Reggaeton

Experimental

Electronic

United We Stream: Curses, The Lady Machine, Jamaica Suk, Martin Eyerer, Pan Pot, Shaleen
Time: 2 p.m. ET
Link: United We Stream

Americana
#YoMeQuedoEnCasa
Follow the festival on for more information
Americana Highways: Randy Lewis Brown, The March Divide, Mike Osborn, Carolyn Broussard
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Link: Facebook

Pop

Jazz

Ambient

March 22

JAZZ

Classical

R&B/Soul

Americana

Electronic
#YoMeQuedoEnCasa
Follow the festival on for more information
Experimental

Rock

Folk

hardcore / punk

Pop

March 23

JAZZ

Classical

Electronic

Rock

Don Giovani Records Presents Going The Distance: Featuring Bad Moves, Painted Zeros, Nato Coles, Fat Tony and more
Time: 1 p.m.
Link: Instagram
Check Don Giovanni's for more detailed set times

Americana

March 24

JAZZ

Classical

Americana

rock

Special Subject Records: Featuring Camp Cope, Slingshot Dakota, Lou Hanman of Caves and more
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Link: Instagram

March 25

JAZZ

Classical

Folk

rock

March 26

JAZZ

Classical

rock

March 27

JAZZ

Classical

Electronic

rock

March 28

JAZZ

Classical

Experimental

March 29

JAZZ

Classical

March 30

JAZZ

Classical

March 31

JAZZ

Classical

April 1

JAZZ

Classical

April 2

JAZZ

Classical

April 3

JAZZ

Indie

April 11

JAZZ

Classical

7 Deaths of Maria Callas
Time: 12:30 p.m. ET
Link: Bavariand Staatsoper

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A List Of Live Virtual Concerts To Watch During The Coronavirus Shutdown

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subscribe to Coronavirus Daily podcast As more festivals, performances and concerts are canceled due to the coronavirus shutdown, musicians of all stripes and sizes are taking to social and streaming platforms to play live for their fans.

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Fun for all ages! Post your creations on this feed.

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Stuck at home for the next few weeks with nothing to do? Here are over 80 free science ideas, including 7 games you can play over and over, to get you through - no strings attached!

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Stuck at home for the next few weeks with nothing to do? Here are over 80 free science ideas, including 7 games you can play over and over, to get you through - no strings attached!

Over the past ten years, we have shared loads of free science activities, free printable science games, and free science-teaching tips. Many of these use simple household materials, so they are easy to whip up on a moment's notice to fill that "I'm bored" space you now find yourself dealing with.

Before we get to the list, if you are one of the many who find yourself suddenly "homeschooling", you might want to check out our Homeschool Science FAQ playlist below...

Okay, on to the complete list of free science activities separated by subject.

Many of these activities will share a short mini-science lesson about the subject before you get started. All of them include an explanation of the science behind the activity.

These activities do require a few supplies, some of which you might not have sitting around your houses, such as an owl pellet or Borax. We have listed the supplies after the link (except for the round-up posts) so that you can see right away if you do have what you will need at your house.

If you see an activity that you really want to do but you don't have all the supplies, check out the following article for tips:

And finally, before we share the fun, we wanted to explain a few of the symbols:

The activities marked with a (D) require that you download a packet of materials from us. These downloads are completely free, all you have to do is place them in your cart and checkout.

The activities marked with an (F) have a free template in the post for you to use.

Alright, let's get on with the science fun!

Biology Activities

How to Make a Seasonal Tree Sculpture (a small bit of air-dry clay, materials for the trunk and branches - brown pipe cleaners, cardboard, or brown paper bags, materialsfor the leaves - felt, tissue paper, or buttons in orange, red, and yellow, glue)

(D) Hermit Crab Mini-Science Lesson with Video

Two Types of Pollination (paper flowers - printed or drawn, several colors of powdered cake mix, such as yellow, chocolate, and strawberry, several paper bees- printed or drawn, craft sticks, cotton balls, glue)

Nature Print Shirts (a large white T-shirt (100% cotton), cardboard, live flowers or leaves, masking tape, newspaper or towels, hammer)

How to Raise a Native Butterfly (butterfly habitat)

How to Make a Seed Board

How to Make a Mushroom Spore Print (gloves, mushroom cap, paper, bowl, water, hairspray - optional)

(D) How to Make Microscope Slides (microscope, blank slides, slide covers)

How to Create Leaf Skeletons (Super Washing Soda, magnolia leaves, crockpot, water, tongs, colander, bleach, bowls)

How to Dissect a Spring Bulb (flower bulb, knife, magnifying glass)

How to Dissect a Flower (spring bloom, knife magnifying glass, Qtip)

(F) The Science of Fingerprints (ink or pencil-lead shavings, magnifying glass, paper)

(D) How to Make a Fall Leaf Book

The Edible Cell Calzone (pre-made pizza dough, cheese (ricotta and mozzarella), various toppings for cell parts, things like sausage, pepperoni, olives, green peppers, and onions are great options)

How to Grow Herbs from Cuttings (basil, thyme, or mint, cup, water)

How do Snakes Smell

(F) How to Dissect an Owl Pellet (gloves, tweezers, wooden stick (coffee stirrer or popsicle stick will work), newspaper or paper towel, owl pellet)

How to Tell Giraffes Apart

Steps to Dissect a Seed (bean seed, cup, water, knife)

Photosynthesis 101

Earth Science and Astronomy Activities

(F) How to Make a Moon Diary

(F) 3 Simple Constellation Activities (marshmallows, toothpicks, pencil, paper, flashlight, binoculars or telescope)

Sedimentary Rock Cookies (butter, graham cracker crumbs, can sweetened condensed milk, chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, nuts)

Learn about the solar system

(F) 5 Simple Steps for Make a Rock Collection (egg carton, paint, rocks, white-out, permanent marker

3 Weather-in-a-jar Activities (Mason jar with lid, ice, match, food coloring, shaving cream)

How to View Rocks Under a Microscope (microscope or clip-on macro lens, rocks)

(F) How to Make a Seasons Booklet

How to Make a Compass (a milk jug with the cap, a straight pin, a knife, a magnet)

How to Use a Treasure Hunt to Learn About Maps

Learn about the three types of rocks

(D) How to Make a Signs of Spring Journal

Tips for Exploding that Homemade Volcano

(F) How to Make a Habitat Diorama (shoe-box, construction paper, air-dry clay, glue, markers)

How to Make a Life Cycle of a Star Poster (a sheet of black construction paper, 2 cotton balls, markers, small yellow pom-pom, large red pom-pom, small white sequin)

How to Make a Cloud Collages (a sheet of blue construction paper, a handful of cotton balls, glue)

How to Make an Indoor Rain Storm (a clear glass, shaving cream, blue food coloring, warm water)

How to Make Edible Rocks (glass cup, chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, white chocolate chips, spoon, plastic wrap)

Chemistry Activities

3 Activities to Explore the Chemistry of Dry Ice (dry ice, 2 plastic cups, water, dish soap, 2 plates, regular ice)

Indoor Fireworks (clear glass, water, oil, food coloring)

How to Dye Celery (celery or a carnation, glass, food coloring)

How to use Kitchen Science to Send Secret Messages (paper, lemon juice, Q-tip or paintbrush, a heat source)

How to Make Indoor Snow (shaving cream, cornstarch)

Kitchen Acid Test ( a head of red cabbage, a variety of liquids or powders from your kitchen to test, such as lemon juice, baking soda, soda, or detergent, several cups)

How to Make Epsom Salt Snowflake Art (Epsom salts, warm water, cup, food coloring, paintbrush, paper)

3 Borax Science Activities (Borax, glue, cups, baggies, water, pipe cleaner, string, pencil, cornstarch, plastic spoon)

Crazy Changing Colors (a head of red cabbage, knife, pot, water, strainer, clear glass or plastic container, ammonia, white vinegar)

How to Use Chemistry to Polish Silver (aluminum foil, heat-resistant container, hot water, baking soda, salt)

How to Make a Bioplastic(cornstarch, water, vegetable oil, baggie, food coloring - optional)

Marker Chromatography Art (absorbent material (Coffee filter or white cotton material both work well), rubbing alcohol (at least 80% Isopropyl or above), eyedropper, a wide-mouthed jar or bowl, rubber band, permanent markers in a variety of colors, newspaper)

Which one freezes first? (3 cups, water, food coloring, salt, instant-read thermometer - optional)

How to Extract DNA (sliced fruit (a banana, strawberry, kiwi, or tomato will all work), dish soap, salt, ice-cold Isopropyl alcohol (70% or higher), zipper-style plastic bag, coffee filter, funnel, wooden coffee stirrer, test tube or clear glass)

How to Make a Rocket at Home (soda bottle, rubber cement, thin foam sheets)

The Physics of Music (Plus a Free SQUILT Lesson)

How to Have a LEGO Balloon Car Race (LEGOS, balloons)

3 Ideas for Building Simple Machines (a thick, heavy book, round pencils, a block of wood, nail, screw, brick or concrete block, wooden board, stairs)

Learn about Ocean Currents (clear bowl, 2 cups, eyedropper, warm and cold water, blue food coloring, salt)

How to Make Magnetic Slime (white glue, water, iron filings, some Borax, magnets)

Free Science Game Packets

Science Activity Round-ups

Science Plus (Another Subject)

We hope that these science activities, ideas, and tips will brighten your day and bring a bit of fun to the craziness of these days!
Comments will be approved before showing up.

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80+ Free Science Activities to Entertain your Kiddos while you are Stuck at Home

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Stuck at home for the next few weeks with nothing to do? Here are over 80 free science ideas, including 7 games you can play over and over, to get you through - no strings attached! Over the past ten years, we have shared loads of free science activities, free printable science games, and free science-teaching tips.

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Youth Engagement

Nature Lab is The Nature Conservancy's youth curriculum platform.

Connect With Nature Middle school children birdwatch and learn about the species of birds during the First State National Park's Bioblitz outside Wilmington, Delaware. On May 20 and 21, 2016, the Nature Conservancy and the National Parks Service partnered with National Geographic to execute the First State National Park's first Bioblitz. Over the course of the two-day event, over 800 observations were recording and more than 300 species were identified. More than 30 volunteers, 200 middle and high school students, and 100 community members participated in nature walks, species inventories and educational science experiments. © Devan King/TNC

Nature is the fantastic factory that makes the building blocks of all our lives-food, drinking water, the stuff we own, and the air we breathe. That's why The Nature Conservancy and its 550 scientists have created Nature Lab: to help students learn the science behind how nature works for us and how we can help keep it running strong.

Wildfires: Impact of Climate Change

The impacts of climate change can be seen in ecosystems in many ways. Some effects can be minor, and some can be more detrimental to the overall health of the ecosystem. Since ecosystems can manage changes well for a certain amount of time, changes can often be seen through long term research. Explore how wildfires leave a measurable impact on an ecosystem.

Ocean Heroes: Coastal Frontline Communities and Climate Justice

The health of the oceans is suffering, and this has affected some of us more than others. Coastal communities, and those who are less-advantaged because they have less access to resources and face increased societal oppression, are more at risk from rising sea levels and storms. But there's some amazing groups working around the world to make change.

Nature Lab at Home!

Grades 3-8 | Use our week-long thematic family guides to lead at-home enrichment activities! With videos and learning activities, including a weekly hands-on project to get outside safely, kids can explore nature right in their community. Download individual weekly guides below.

Planeta Bala

Discover Nature Lab content in Spanish, including virtual field trips, teaching guides, and a new series created with Nickelodeon, Planeta Bala. || Descubre más recursos diseñados para jóvenes en español, incluyendo guías para maestros, vídeos educativos, y una nueva serie, Planeta Bala.

Planeta Bala header Planeta Bala © N/A

We personalize nature.org for you

This website uses cookies to enhance your experience and analyze performance and traffic on our website.

To manage or opt-out of receiving cookies, please visit our

Privacy Notice .

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Nature Lab is our hub for youth curriculum that gives teachers, students and families customizable, interactive lesson plans to explore and understand nature.

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posts daily math problems for families to build mathematical literacy. Just 5 quick minutes of number fun for kids and parents at home. Read a cool fact, followed by math riddles at different developmental levels so everyone can jump in! - grades K-6

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Bedtime Math fan James H. asked us, how many bugs can a pitcher plant eat in a year? Read on to learn more about the

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Virtual Reality

Take yourself on a real life expedition of Canadian farms and food processing facilities from the comfort of your home. It's a fun, simple and affordable way to educate and engage audiences in workshops, trade shows, classrooms and the like. This can be done through Google Cardboard or Gear VR. Grab one and get started!

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Virtual Reality Take yourself on a real life expedition of Canadian farms and food processing facilities from the comfort of your home. It's a fun, simple and affordable way to educate and engage audiences in workshops, trade shows, classrooms and the like. This can be done through Google Cardboard or Gear VR.

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posts daily math problems for families to build mathematical literacy. Just 5 quick minutes of number fun for kids and parents at home. Read a cool fact, followed by math riddles at different developmental levels so everyone can jump in! For grades K-6.

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Bedtime Math fan James H. asked us, how many bugs can a pitcher plant eat in a year? Read on to learn more about the

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The Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum Scavenger Hunt

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The Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum Scavenger Hunt

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Tour here!

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Salsa is Georgia Public Broadcasting's award-winning Spanish language series for young learners in kindergarten through the third grade. Puppets in familiar stories, digital graphics and animation teach the language. - grades K-6.

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Teach Young Children Spanish with Salsa!

Salsa is Georgia Public Broadcasting's award-winning Spanish language series for young learners in kindergarten through the third grade. Puppets in familiar stories, digital graphics and animation teach the language.
Who Can Use Salsa?
Instructors do not need to be certified to teach a foreign language or be familiar with Spanish in order to use Salsa. It can be used in the classroom and homeschools and by anyone interested in teaching young kids to speak Spanish. Each video lesson is preceded by a staff development component that acquaints the instructor with the content and the objectives of the lesson, reviews all vocabulary words and demonstrates the correct pronunciation of all Spanish words included in the lesson.

For additional SALSA print resources with a scope and sequence guide, click here to visit the Wyoming Department of Education website.

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Teach Young Children Spanish with Salsa!

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Imagineering in a Box is designed to pull back the curtain to show you how artists, designers and engineers work together to create theme parks. Go behind the scenes with Disney Imagineers and complete project-based exercises to design a theme park of your very own.

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If you're seeing this message, it means we're having trouble loading external resources on our website.

If you're behind a web filter, please make sure that the domains *.kastatic.org and *.kasandbox.org are unblocked.

To log in and use all the features of Khan Academy, please enable JavaScript in your browser.

About this unit

Have you ever wondered how theme parks come to life? Disney Imagineers from hundreds of career disciplines around the world share how they use a wide range of skills - from story development and conceptual design, to math, physics and engineering - that all come together to create immersive experiences. Imagineering in a Box allows you to explore different aspects of theme park design, from characters to ride development, as you design a theme park of your very own.

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Imagineering in a Box | Storytelling | Arts and humanities | Khan Academy

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Have you ever wondered how theme parks come to life? Disney Imagineers from hundreds of career disciplines around the world share how they use a wide range of skills - from story development and conceptual design, to math, physics and engineering - that all come together to create immersive experiences.

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Looking for some fun Star Wars™ activities for your young Jedi? You’ve come to the right side of the Force! From making your own finger puppets to fun trivia questions, we’ve got you covered for plenty of fun times in this galaxy … and the next!

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Looking for some fun Star Wars™ activities for your young Jedi? You've come to the right side of the Force! From making your own finger puppets to fun trivia questions, we've got you covered for plenty of fun times in this galaxy ... and the next!

SW-Bith-Puppet

Luke Skywalker has just joined the rebel fleet! He's on a desperate mission to destory the Death Star. Help him fly through the maze to his target so he can win the battle!
Ages 4 - 7

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Star Wars Printables and Activities | Brightly

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Looking for some fun Star Wars™ activities for your young Jedi? You've come to the right side of the Force! From making your own finger puppets to fun trivia questions, we've got you covered for plenty of fun times in this galaxy ... and the next!

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Experience the North Carolina Museum of History digitally! Explore exhibits, engage the collections, tune into a podcast, check out blog posts and enrich your learning of Tar Heel history with our History-at-Home learning packets. Check back for regular updates.

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A t-Home Learning Packets

These compilations of Beyond the Exhibit resources include background information, articles, videos, and activities which meet North Carolina Social Studies and English/Language Arts standards on topics in North Carolina history. These at-home packets are designed for individual student use at home. Check back for additional packets, coming soon!

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These compilations of Beyond the Exhibit resources include background information, articles, videos, and activities which meet North Carolina Social Studies and English/Language Arts standards on topics in North Carolina history. These at-home packets are designed for individual student use at home. Check back for additional packets, coming soon!

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An interactive way to learn history. The Mission US games are designed to improve the learning of American history by students in grades 5 through 8.

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Developed for use in middle and high school classrooms, Mission US engages students in the study of transformational moments in American history. Each mission consists of an interactive game and a set of curriculum materials that are aligned to national standards and feature document-based activities.

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Neat experiments for all ages to try at home.

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At Home Science Experiments | Steve Spangler Science Lab

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A collection of Science Experiments from Steve Spangler Science |

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NASA provides a safe place for children to play as they learn about NASA and its missions.

On this site, you will find games of various skill levels for children pre-K through grade 4. These games support national education standards in STEM -- science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

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NASA encourages you to visit NASA Kids' Club and use its games and activities to inspire the next generation.

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The Story Starter randomly generates 356,300,262,144 story starters. This idea generator can be used by novelists, screenwriters, teachers, short story writers, and more. It has been used by writers of all ages.

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The Story Starter randomly generates 356,300,262,144 story starters. This idea generator can be used by novelists, screenwriters, teachers, short story writers, and more. It has been used by writers of all ages. Write your story starter sentence on a piece of paper or copy and paste it into your favorite word processor and start writing your story! Please bookmark and link to this page and come back again to use The Story Starter.

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Story starters for novelists, screenwriters, teachers, short story writers, and more.

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The Story Starter randomly generates 356,300,262,144 story starters. This idea generator can be used by novelists, screenwriters, teachers, short story writers, and more. It has been used by writers of all ages. Write your story starter sentence on a piece of paper or copy and paste it into your favorite word processor and start writing your story!

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The Story Starter randomly generates 8,286,052,608 story starters. This idea generator can be used by novelists, screenwriters, teachers, short story writers, and more. It has been used by writers of all ages. Write your story starter sentence on a piece of paper or copy and paste it into your favorite word processor and start writing your story! Please bookmark and link to this page and come back again to use The Story Starter.

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The Story Starter randomly generates 8,286,052,608 story starters. This idea generator can be used by novelists, screenwriters, teachers, short story writers, and more. It has been used by writers of all ages. Write your story starter sentence on a piece of paper or copy and paste it into your favorite word processor and start writing your story!

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The Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum Scavenger Hunt

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The Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum Scavenger Hunt

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Tour here!

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subscribe to Coronavirus Daily podcast

As more festivals, performances and concerts are canceled due to the coronavirus shutdown, musicians of all stripes and sizes are taking to social and streaming platforms to play live for their fans.

NPR Music is compiling a list of live audio and video streams from around the world, categorized by date and genre, with links out to streaming platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Some will require registration or a subscription, but most will be free, often with digital tip jars and opportunities to directly support artists by buying music and merchandise.

Some artists are planning daily streams - like Ben Gibbard and Christine and the Queens - and will be noted below as information becomes available.

This is a living document, updated every day until it's no longer needed.
If you would like a live concert to be considered for the list, please fill out this Google Form. Thanks!
March 21

Classical

Rock

Reggaeton

Experimental

Electronic

United We Stream: Curses, The Lady Machine, Jamaica Suk, Martin Eyerer, Pan Pot, Shaleen
Time: 2 p.m. ET
Link: United We Stream

Americana
#YoMeQuedoEnCasa
Follow the festival on for more information
Americana Highways: Randy Lewis Brown, The March Divide, Mike Osborn, Carolyn Broussard
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Link: Facebook

Pop

Jazz

Ambient

March 22

JAZZ

Classical

R&B/Soul

Americana

Electronic
#YoMeQuedoEnCasa
Follow the festival on for more information
Experimental

Rock

Folk

hardcore / punk

Pop

March 23

JAZZ

Classical

Electronic

Rock

Don Giovani Records Presents Going The Distance: Featuring Bad Moves, Painted Zeros, Nato Coles, Fat Tony and more
Time: 1 p.m.
Link: Instagram
Check Don Giovanni's for more detailed set times

Americana

March 24

JAZZ

Classical

Americana

rock

Special Subject Records: Featuring Camp Cope, Slingshot Dakota, Lou Hanman of Caves and more
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Link: Instagram

March 25

JAZZ

Classical

Folk

rock

March 26

JAZZ

Classical

rock

March 27

JAZZ

Classical

Electronic

rock

March 28

JAZZ

Classical

Experimental

March 29

JAZZ

Classical

March 30

JAZZ

Classical

March 31

JAZZ

Classical

April 1

JAZZ

Classical

April 2

JAZZ

Classical

April 3

JAZZ

Indie

April 11

JAZZ

Classical

7 Deaths of Maria Callas
Time: 12:30 p.m. ET
Link: Bavariand Staatsoper

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A List Of Live Virtual Concerts To Watch During The Coronavirus Shutdown

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subscribe to Coronavirus Daily podcast As more festivals, performances and concerts are canceled due to the coronavirus shutdown, musicians of all stripes and sizes are taking to social and streaming platforms to play live for their fans.

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Designed by architect Gaudí

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Fun for all ages!

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Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

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The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History virtual tours allow visitors to take self-guided, room-by-room tours of select exhibits and areas within the museum from their desktop or mobile device. Visitors can also access select collections and research areas at our satellite support and research stations as well as past exhibits no longer on display.

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See elephants, lions and naked mole-rats on animal cams streaming live, 24/7 from the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.

Download Animal Cam Bingo Cards (link opens in new window). These activities are designed to engage learners of all ages in looking closely and thinking deeply about animal behavior and habitats. Welcome to the wild side of learning!

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The Zoo's animal webcams are some of the most famous on the internet. Tune in to watch the Zoo's elephants, lions and naked mole-rats - live, 24/7!

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Appropriate for all ages!

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READ ALOUDS - STORYTIME WITH RYAN & CRAIG

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The British Museum's remarkable collection spans over two million years of human history and culture. Over 6 million visitors every year experience the collection, including world-famous objects such as the Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon sculptures, and Egyptian mummies.
Discover our interactive experience The Museum of the World

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British Museum, London, United Kingdom - Google Arts & Culture

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The British Museum's remarkable collection spans over two million years of human history and culture. Over 6 million visitors every year experience the col...

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Join Elephant and Piggie author, Mo, to doodle!

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Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems! (free video series)

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Now Open! - Through the lens of Chicago's Polish communities, experience the journeys immigrants have taken to get to the city, the ways they have established themselves in its neighborhoods, and the duality of feeling a deep connection to two places at once. More

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The Chicago History Museum's eye-opening exhibitions showcase events and people from the city's past and inspire visitors local and from afar.

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Solar System Scope is an incredibly accurate solar system tour, allowing you to explore the solar system, the night sky and outer space in real-time.

All of the objects on the tour are accurately positioned based on where they are right this very second, and the tour contains interesting facts and information about the many objects in space.

Every now and then, don't you wish you could just pack your bags and jet off on an exciting, awe-inspiring journey across our breathtaking solar system? Ever wondered what it'd be like to skim past the gas giants or marvel at the icy rings of Saturn up close? Well, while Elon Musk is still working on making that a reality, I'll be your virtual guide on a one-of-a-kind solar system tour - an enlightening adventure, without the risk of being lost in space!

Our journey starts right here, on our very own life-logged planet, Earth. As we embark on this space voyage, we'll traverse through the neighboring rocky planets, glide past the incredible asteroid belt, and sweep across the majestic giants, their icy rings and numerous satellites. Towards the end, we'll be gracefully riding the gravitational waves, leaving the outer edges of our solar system, where you'll get a rare glimpse of the enigmatic region populated by icy objects known as the Kuiper Belt.

But before we start our engines and head for the inky vastness of space, it's important to remember that although space explorations have given us a fair idea about these celestial bodies, there's still an ocean of mysteries waiting to be unfolded. The real beauty of our cosmic neighborhood lies in its sheer vastness, diversity and the endless scope of discovery that it harbors. From the scorching heat of Mercury to the frigid reaches Pluto and beyond, brace yourself for an out-of-this-world experience!

The Exciting Experience of a Solar System Tour

Imagine the prospect of a real-life solar system tour. It's akin to a child's joy on their first trip to a theme park. A hands-on space exploration that goes beyond the textbooks, casting a mesmerizing spell on minds open to the wonders of the universe.

Propelling past Earth's atmosphere, you'd first mark a date with our closest celestial neighbor-the Moon. The Apollo astronauts traversed its dusty plains more than five decades ago. Yet for us, it would still be a once-in-a-lifetime event. Next on the itinerary is our scorched twin, Venus. Here's a fun fact, Venus is the only planet in our solar system that spins opposite to Earth.

Then we arrive at the pièce de résistance: our bloodline, the Sun. During the visit, you could learn more about its billion-year lifespan and its constant solar storms. The solar system tour would not be complete without a stopover at Mars. Known as the Red Planet, it's been the subject of numerous space missions, most notably the Mars Rover mission seeking evidence of life.

Here's a quick tabular overview:

The Moon

Closest celestial neighbor, part of Apollo mission

Venus

Spins opposite to Earth, Earth's scorched twin

Sun

Billion-year lifespan, constant solar storms

Mars

Red Planet, subject of Mars Rover mission

From the asteroid belt to Jupiter's turbulent storms, every celestial body sits ready to unfold its story. With the tour continuing to the outer reaches of the universe, you'd experience the icy solitude of the outer planets like Neptune and Uranus.

However, we shouldn't forget about an often overlooked, yet significant part of our solar system. Those are the comets and asteroids, remnants from the formation of our system almost 4.6 billion years ago.

Being part of a solar system tour, you wouldn't just be observing the cosmos. Instead, you'd immerse yourself in a cosmic ocean, each wave presenting a new revelation about the universe. It's not merely an experience; it's the chance to physically connect with the vast expanse of space that usually only feels a speck away in the night sky. This would indeed be a ticket to the greatest show in the cosmos.

Traveling through the Solar System: What to Expect

Imagine blasting off into the cosmos on a spaceship designed for a thrilling expedition! As we set off on our solar system tour, the things we'll perceive are extraordinarily vast and stunningly diverse. This voyage will give us a newfound respect for the majesty of the cosmic neighborhood we inhabit.

Our first stop will be Mercury, the closest planet to the sun. It's a small, bare, and intensely heated planet. We shouldn't forget the sunscreen as daytime temperatures can soar up to 800 degrees Fahrenheit!

Next, we'll swing by Venus - the hot, hurricane-ridden planet awaits us with an unbelievably corrosive atmosphere. It's interesting to note that Venus rotates in the opposite direction to most planets, including Earth.

Continuing our journey, we'll visit Mars. Mars has the tallest volcano in the solar system, Olympus Mons, three times the height of Mount Everest. And don't forget about the giant canyon, Valles Marineris, which would stretch from New York to Los Angeles if it was on Earth!

Yet, our extraordinary adventure won't be all about planets. We'll have a chance to marvel at the Asteroid Belt, a ring composed of millions of rocky bodies. This celestial obstacle course lies between Mars and Jupiter.

Of course, we'll also encounter the majestic giants of our solar system. The gas giants, Saturn and Jupiter, as well as the icy giants, Uranus and Neptune, will present captivating sights. We'll see Jupiter's Great Red Spot, an anticyclonic storm larger than Earth, and Saturn's intricate ring system. Uranus and Neptune, on the other hand, will dazzle us with their stunning cool-blue hues.

Admittedly, going further to behold the beauty of Pluto, once a planet, now a dwarf planet in the Kuiper Belt, caps off this unique expedition. The journey end will leave us with an understanding of the infinite yet harmonious chaos that forms our solar system.

So buckle up, folks. The adventure through our heavenly bodies is par for the cosmic course. Our solar system, with its varied and breathtaking celestial bodies, offers a journey like no other. It's going to be a wild ride! Just remember, despite the vastness of space, we're never too far away from our home planet, Earth.

Conclusion: Reflecting on Our Intergalactic Journey

Wraping up, we've journeyed past planets and stars, across cosmic fields, and brushed alongside cosmic neighbors throughout our solar system tour. Isn't it just incredible that we live in such an expansive universe that holds so many unseen wonders?

Throughout our intergalactic expedition, we'll forever remember the unique characteristics of each celestial body. Let's just take a quick review again:

Mercury, with its sweltering days and frigid nights,

Venus, stunningly bright yet shrouded in clouds,

Mars, our red neighbor that pique our curiosity about extraterrestrial life,

Jupiter's giant gas storms,

Saturn's enchanting rings,

Uranus and Neptune's icy allure,

And let's not forget about our little cosmic sibling, the dwarf planet Pluto.

Something important stood out during our journey, invoking a sense of interconnectivity. Each exists in symbiosis, drawing and relying upon the sun's energy. Just like how everything on Earth is connected, so are we connected to our cosmic counterparts.

So, what's the takeaway? Should we plan to pack our bags and ship off to Mars? I'll leave that up to you. What I will stress, though, is the importance of space exploration. It's not just a testament to human curiosity, it's a driver of scientific breakthroughs and a reminder of the vast unexplored universe that lies ahead of us.

It might seem frightening, or perhaps intriguing. Yet isn't that the essence of exploration? Stepping into the unknown, learning new things, using that newfound knowledge to improve and innovate. And in doing so, perhaps we'll find more about ourselves along the way.

To sum it up, our universe offers infinite mysteries and wonders for us to discover. As we move forward, let's keep looking up and fueling our curiosity. Remember, no question is a bad question and our solar system tour just has begun. As we continue to explore the stars, who knows what we'll uncover? The only thing for sure is that the stars await, ready to share their secrets with us.

Due to errors in the way the solar system model works embedded on this page, we now link directly to Solar System Scope.

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Interactive Solar System Tour | 3D Model of the Solar System

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