Remote Learning and Homeschool Resources

Did you know that school closures due to the coronavirus have affected at least 124,000 public schools in the United States and impacted more than 55.1 million students? If you’re one of the millions of parents now dealing with remote learning, you understand the stress that comes with it. Schools have responded to homeschooling differently, which can also lead to added anxiety and confusion.

Social distancing and attempts to flatten the curve have left some parents and students overwhelmed by the amount of work assigned. Yet, other parents find themselves desperately looking for homeschool resources to fill gaps due to a lack of structured activities and work.

What can you do as a parent to make sure your kids don’t get left behind when it comes to schooling in the age of COVID-19? We’ve compiled a list of resources to make sure your children stay challenged and learning.

Online Educational Resources

Although schools have closed, students still need to work hard and make educational strides. Of course, this comes with unique challenges, particularly for parents who are attempting to work remotely. Homeschooling involves a learning curve, yet we’ve all had to hit the ground running. Very few of us have had much warning when it comes to taking on this added responsibility.

Luckily, you don’t have to go it alone. For families looking for more structure and a suggested daily routine, check out Wide Open School. Wide Open School features content from:

• The Boys and Girls Club
• Khan Academy
• Noggin
• Scholastic
• XQ
• Amplify
• AFT
• Comcast
• National Geographic
• PBS
• Sesame Workshop
• YouTube
• Apple
• Google
• National Head Start Association (NHSA)
• TIME for kids
• Zoom

When you go to the website, Wide Open School will ask you to select whether you’re an educator or parent. Then, you’ll choose between grades PreK-5 or grades 6-12. From there, you can choose from a wide selection of activities and resources. Among the most helpful, particularly if you feel your child needs more daily structure, is the “Daily Schedule” option.

Clicking on the “Daily Schedule” button will take you to various tabs based on grade level. When you select the appropriate tab for your student, it provides a full day of activities with links to each resource. It’s an excellent way to keep your kids on track. It also includes fun recess activities such as going on a scavenger hunt and other “Get Moving” opportunities.

While the individual homeschool resources listed above, from Khan Academy to National Geographic, also have plenty of excellent educational materials for kids, it’s hard to beat Wide Open School as a central hub for all of these websites. What’s more, we’ve heard from many parents frustrated by the lack of schooling their preschoolers and kindergartners are receiving. Wide Open School has countless activities to fill the gaps when it comes to the youngest learners.

Online Social Studies and Humanities Resources

Besides Wide Open School, there are countless enrichment opportunities for students during this hectic time. Many of them are offering complimentary access due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

They include Enchanted Learning, where you’ll find educational websites designed to capture the imaginations of children and maximize their learning, creativity, and enjoyment. Be sure to check out their timely pages, which are offering craft ideas for kids for Earth Day, Arbor Day, and more. Looking for more fun craft ideas? Here’s our list of travel-themed crafts.

Because of school closures, BrainPOP is offering students free access to their website. They provide lessons in a variety of subjects, ranging from math and science to social studies and arts & music. Brain POP provides education in English, Spanish, and French, and they serve a variety of ages.

Online Science Education Resources

Everyday Mysteries is a site compiled by the Library of Congress, containing fun science facts and answers to your kids’ most outlandish questions. What’s the smallest flower in the world? How can you tell the difference between a butterfly and a moth? If you or your kids have ever wondered about science-related questions like these, Everyday Mysteries has your answers.

There’s also Science Bob, where your students can access a variety of science experiments with instructions and lists of the items you’ll need. From how to build a fizz inflator to how to make your rock candy, your kids will learn all about science while enjoying hands-on experiments.

To help educate children about the world, check out World Book Online. The website includes more than 50 challenging games across five subject areas and a variety of tools for science-related education. They offer thousands of biographies, a collection of age-appropriate science projects and activities, and a variety of interactive maps, atlases, flags, and more.

Fun Ways to Get Moving and Explore the World Virtually

Kids need lots of wiggle time. Or, they’ll crawl up the walls. (I’m guessing you’ve already experienced this once or twice over the past few weeks.) What do you do if you have limited access to the outdoors or the weather doesn’t cooperate?

GoNoodle offers movement and mindfulness videos created by child development experts. Every month, more than 14 million kids rely on these videos to get moving. These videos are founded in the whole child approach to education, which benefits kids’ academic success, physical wellness, and social-emotional well-being.

Other fantastic ways to explore the world virtually include touring art museums online. We’ve compiled a list of ten virtual art museum tours your kids (and you!) will love.

What about those days when work or life gets so hectic that you can’t guide your children through their online learning? Experts recommend giving yourself a break and letting them watch a movie. After all, this is a stressful time for everyone. You’ve got to give yourself and your kids a break sometimes. Here are 11 best travel movies that’ll let your kids learn about the world while taking a break from their online classroom.

Remote Learning and Homeschool Resources for Success

Many of us have been thrown into a homeschooling routine with little (if any) preparation. What’s more, there’s a great disparity across the country when it comes to the organization of online coursework. Depending on your children’s learning styles, they may be struggling at the moment to stay on track, and you may be wondering what’s next. Fortunately, the homeschool resources above will help you fill in the gaps or develop a daily routine based on your current needs.

At Our Whole Village, we craft transformational trips for curious families who want to create lasting memories while making a difference. We’re here to help you and your family experience the world, its people, and its cultures. While traveling doesn’t make sense at the moment, there’s no reason you can’t plan and dream! When the time’s right, we’ll be here, curating unforgettable journeys for adventure-seeking families just like yours.