Learning Resources
CommonSense.org
is the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of all kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in the 21st century.¡Colorín Colorado!
Provides free information, activities, and advice to families. Colorín Colorado is a bilingual website in English and Spanish and offers basic parent information in 13 languages.
Recommended pages:
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Learning Together at Home - includes ideas and activities you can try at home. It also has ideas related to math and science that are easy to try at home.
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Parent Reading Tips by Topic - offers articles on topics such as “Finding the Right Book for Your Child” and “Reading Aloud to Build Comprehension”
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Raising Bilingual Kids - includes articles on topics such as “Why Reading to Your Kids in Your Home Language Will Help Them Become Better Readers”
Reading Rockets
Offers activities, articles, and resources for families and educators to help young children become strong readers.
Recommended pages:
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Reading Tip Sheets for Parents - available in 13 languages): this sheet offers easy ways for parents to help children become successful readers.
Audible
(Open external link)offers stories in 6 different languages that you and your child could listen to on your computer, phone, or tablet. Audible is available at no cost during your child’s remote learning experience and does not ask for your payment information.
ST Math
ST Math (Open external link) is a visual math program that supports your child’s understanding of math through creative problem-solving. ST Math is available at no cost until June 30, 2020 and does not ask for your payment information.
BrainPop
BrainPop (Open external link) is a group of educational websites that offers short videos and quizzes for students. BrainPop is available at no cost during your child’s remote learning experience and does not ask for your payment information.
When you sign up for BrainPop, you will also receive access to:
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BrainPOP Jr (Open external link): for students who are between the ages of 5 and 9.
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BrainPOP ELL (Open external link): for students of all ages who are learning English. This program focuses on grammar and vocabulary.
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BrainPOP Español (Open external link): for Spanish-speakers who are learning English.
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BrainPOP Français (Open external link): for French-speakers who are learning English.
Getting e-books in Different Languages
In addition to the resources available on your child’s remote learning portal, here are some ways to access e-books in multiple languages:
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SimplyE is The New York Public Library's free e-reader app to borrow e-books. It is available on iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, and Android devices. Students over the age of 13 and parents of students below the age of 13 can register for a library card by using SimplyE
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Make sure that location services are enabled on your device when signing up for a New York Public Library card.
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The International Children's Digital Library Foundation (Open external link) (ICDL Foundation) provides free online books from around the world to both children and adults. Use the ICDL Advanced Search page - find online books by preferences such as language, age, and topic.
Learn at Home with YouTube
YouTube partners with learning creators to bring families resources and activities. YouTube's Learn at Home Videos
Videos are available by different subjects and different ages. Most YouTube videos allow you to change the language of its captions. To choose a different caption language:
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At the bottom right of the video, click on “Settings”.
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Click “Subtitles/CC”.
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Select a language. If your preferred language is not listed, click “Auto-translate” then select your language.
FreeRice.com
Use this free game to build vocabulary. You can learn words and facts on different topics
Print Resources to Support your Child’s Learning at Home
Beginning Tuesday, April 14, the NYCDOE will mail a selection of home language print learning materials to Multilingual Learners and English Language Learners (MLLs/ELLs) without devices. Materials will be mailed on a rolling basis. Packages will include translated family letters with general instructions and the Remote Learning FAQ
The materials listed here are not mandatory. They are supplemental to support student learning as they await devices. The following materials have been mailed to MLLs/ELLs without devices:
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EnVisionmath 2.0, Math for grades K-5 in Spanish (as of April 14)
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EnVisionmath 2.0, Math for grades 1-3 in Chinese, French, and Russian (as of April 17)
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EnVisionmath, Math for grades 1-5 in Arabic (as of April 24)
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engageNY Math for grades 6-12 in Spanish and grades 4-12 in Chinese (as of April 24)
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Amplify Science for grades K-8 in Spanish (as of April 24)
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Learn at Home Printed Materials in all 9 languages (as of May and ongoing)
Principals and teachers may access digital versions of these print materials, including family letters, where available:
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For engageNY and Amplify science, go to TeachHub
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(Google Classroom).
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EnVisionmath 2.0 materials can be accessed via Pearson Realize. For access instructions, principals or teachers may go the Remote Learning Portal > Elementary Instructional Materials > 1st Grade > Math.
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Learn at Home materials are available on WeTeach
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(DOE login required).
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Time for Kids (www.timeforkids.com) - comes in different grade level editions, from K-1, 2, 3-4, and 5-6. The magazine offers news on topics that are interesting and encourage children to think about the world around them.
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I Can Read (www.icanread.com) - offers books at all levels for emerging readers to enjoy with their families, and on their own
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MyStorybook.com (www.mystorybook.com) - is an easy to use website where children can create, illustrate, publish, and print their own books.
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StorylineOnline.net (www.storylineonline.net) - is a free website that features videos of famous actors reading children’s books aloud.
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Bookopolis (https://www.bookopolis.com/#/) - is a website developed to ignite the love of reading for kids ages 7-12. Bookopolis provides a online environment for elementary and middle school children to connect with young readers about reading.
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Discovery Kids in Spanish (https://www.discoverykidsplay.com/) - is an interactive website of educational games and videos entirely in Spanish.
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DK Find Out! (https://www.dkfindout.com/us/) - is a website for kids to find, explore, and learn about anything imaginable. DK Find Out! provides a visual search, videos, and animations and more.
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Get Epic! (https://www.getepic.com/) - is an e-book subscription which provides instant access to a digital library of books, learning videos and more.
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KidLit Tv (https://kidlit.tv/) - provides videos and podcasts promoting children’s literature. Includes KidLit Radio, crafts and activities, book trailers, and original KidLit TV Shows.
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Sugarcane (https://www.sugarcane.com/) - offers educational games on a wide array of topics including language, geography, math, biography, world history, U.S. history, literature, nature, art, sports, and more.
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TweenTribune (https://www.tweentribune.com/) - is an online resource provided by the Smithsonian Institution offering daily news articles, K-12. It is also available in Spanish (https://www.tweentribune.com/category/spanish/)