Audio Books | Ebooks | Storytime | Educational Games | Foreign Languages | Literacy | Online Lessons | Productivity Tools | Reference Sources | Research Ideas | Virtual Tours | LiveStream Events | Lesson Plans | Workforce & Small Business | Finance | COVID-19

Audio Books

Audible –  stories.audible.com
Hundreds of our titles available completely free. The collection has been handpicked by our editors and is a mix of stories to entertain, engage, and inform young people, ages 0–18. The experience is completely free – no logins, credit cards, or passwords required. Just click, stream and listen.

AudiobookCloud – https://www.audiobookcloud.com/ViewByCover.aspx?categoryID=35&subcategoryID=19
From Tumblebooks. 1400 audiobooks. Stream titles ranging from classic literature to science fiction, to contemporary blockbusters, and everything in between.

Ebooks

Libby App – https://www.overdrive.com/apps/libby/
eBooks and eAudiobooks – free access through libraries that have Overdrive

Open Library (Internet Archive) – https://openlibrary.org/
Free lending library of e-books: “Current (non-PD) titles are available for two weeks per lending period and public domain titles are available without restriction. Everyone is eligible to sign up. There are no residency requirements.

RomanceBookCloud – https://www.romancebookcloud.com/Home.aspx
More than 1700 romance eBooks

TeenBookCloud – https://www.teenbookcloud.com/Home.aspx
A collection of eBooks and educator resources perfect for your middle school, high school, or public library. Find a robust selection of Graphic Novels, Enhanced Novels, eBooks, classic literature, National Geographic videos, educator resources, and audiobooks.

TumbleBook Library
Over 1100 titles for grades K-6, with animated, talking picture books, read-along chapter books, National Geographic videos, non-fiction books, playlists, as well as books in Spanish and French. Plus, the collection features Graphic Novels.

Storytime/Read-alongs

Clavis Publishing- Online Storytime – https://www.clavis-publishing.com/storytime
Join us for storytimes and read-alouds! We’ll have appearances from your favorite authors!

CLEL’s storyblocks –   https://www.storyblocks.org/
Storyblocks is a project of Colorado Libraries for Early Literacy, working in partnership with Rocky Mountain Public Broadcasting Services. It is a collection of 30-60 second videos designed to model to parents, caregivers, and library staff some songs, rhymes, and fingerplays appropriate for early childhood. Each video clip includes helpful early literacy tips to increase caregivers’ understanding of child development and pre-literacy needs.

Goodnight with Dolly – https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/goodnightwithdolly
Dolly Parton’s 10-book video series called Goodnight with Dolly. Dolly Parton reads The Little Engine That Could and other titles from the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. You can watch Goodnight With Dolly on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We recommend putting on your pajamas, brushing your teeth and getting in bed for maximum pleasure.

Kate Messner – https://www.katemessner.com/read-wonder-and-learn-favorite-authors-illustrators-share-resources-for-learning-anywhere-spring-2020/?fbclid=IwAR3H2lgvfdp1wyTwG-exbXthrpt_XmubD_XerM38OgAetYMFqkx8-V1Am4Y
Author of more than three dozen books for kids, Kate Messner has a great collection of videos from authors and illustrators on her site.

Screen Actors Guild Story Times – https://www.storylineonline.net/ 
Storyline Online is provided by the SAG-AFTRA Foundation (the nonprofit organization of by the Screen Actors Guild & American Federation of Television and Radio Artists). They spotlight award-winning children’s literacy, read aloud by famous actors and actresses. Find your kid’s favorite book or a favorite family celebrity, and hear a cherished book in an entirely new way! Best fit for all ages.

Starfall Learn to Read (iOS, Android) – http://more.starfall.com/info/apps/learntoread.php
Starfall Learn to Read is a mobile version of the “Learn to Read” content from Starfall’s website. It provides an introduction to phonics and sight words in a fun and engaging way. The features in this app are perfect for early readers: highlighted words in read-alongs, a variety of interactive games to reinforce concepts and visual cues that provide a guided experience.
Best fit for grades pre-K through 1.

Story Time at Awnie’s House – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbqmj1hzxuAXsjk08k-KP6w
you can find many popular kids’ books read aloud.

Storytime from Space – https://storytimefromspace.com/library/
We send children’s books to the International Space Station. While in space, astronauts are videotaping themselves reading these books to the children of Earth.

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt: This one and others by Fuse 8 n’ Kate – http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/2020/03/16/fuse-8-n-kate-were-going-on-a-bear-hunt-by-michael-rosen-ill-helen-oxenbury

Educational Games

Breakout Edu – https://www.breakoutedu.com/funathome
In the event that your school is closed for an extended period of time as a result of recent events, we’ve put together a collection of digital games that students can play at home. Students can click on any game and start playing!

Mad Libs (iOS, Android) – http://www.madlibs.com/apps/
Mad Libs are so much fun that your child won’t even realize that they’re learning at the same time! It’s the interactive version of the same Mad Libs you remember from school. Your kids can complete funny, quirky stories while practicing their parts of speech and spelling, and ultimately reading their creation. Get everyone in on the action and add the Mad Libs app to your family’s rotation for family game night.
Best fit for grades 2-6.

Foreign Languages

Conjugemos – https://conjuguemos.com/
Learn a foreign language. Has Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, French. German, Korean, and Latin

Rockalingua – https://rockalingua.com/
Kids and beginners learn Spanish through games, songs, worksheets and other tools. Presents the material in many different formats.

Literacy

Book It! Free Reading Resources – https://www.bookitprogram.com/articles/tips-tricks/free-reading-resources
Mazes, Comic Strips, Bingo and many many more – free to print out.
Good fit for all ages.

Bookopolis (Web) – https://mayorofbookopolis.wordpress.com
Bookopolis provides a fun way for kids to find new book ideas through curated, student reviewed book lists based on age, interest and reading level. If your kids are struggling to find books that interest them, or are just looking for fun, new subjects to read about, give Bookopolis a try.
Best fit for grades 2-6.

KidLitTV – https://kidlit.tv/
KidLit TV is a winner of the Parents’ Choice Gold Award, the Norton Juster Award for Devotion to Literacy, and one of the American Library Association’s Great Websites For Kids.  Storymakers, Read Out Loud, and Ready Set Draw

Storybird (Web) – https://storybird.com/
Storybird turns creative content into tangible books (picture books, chapter books or poems) that can be viewed online or printed (for a fee). Storybird is a visual storytelling platform. Your child begins with selecting beautiful, inspiring artwork and then adds text to build their story. There are even monthly story prompts for those that need a little help getting started. Storybird also has a subscription service where badges can be earned for creating content and the Storybird staff provides personalized feedback on submitted stories. The process of creating their own, visually rich stories may inspire your child to read more or to try a new genre! Plus, the option to print their completed books is a wonderful way to motivate and reward.
Best fit for grades K-1 with assistance or grades 2-6 independently.

Toontastic 3D (iOS, Android) – https://toontastic.withgoogle.com/
Toontastic 3D is a storytelling app created by Google where kids draw, animate and narrate their own adventures. Toontastic guides kids through the entire story creation experience from designing characters to storyboarding, animating, narrating and building a soundtrack. Grab the popcorn and have a family movie night featuring your child’s brand new cartoon!
Best fit for all ages.

Online Lessons

2Simple  – https://2simple.com/blog/using-purple-mash-when-school-closed/
2Simple is offering free access to both Purple Mash and Serial Mash for the duration of school closures due to COVID-19. Access to activities that support home learning for preschool – Grade 6. Children can engage with publishing, story creation, game design, concept mapping, collaborative writing and art, and more. The company is based in the UK. This site is normally only open to schools, with home access for students being set up through the school. During this time of extended school closure, parents can register for a free trial.

CircleTime Fun – https://circletimefun.com/
Kids Classes from Home. Watch on-demand or participate live. Learn and bond with your 0-6-year-old. Follow and interact with an expert instructor.

CK-12 Foundation – https://www.ck12.org/student
Remote learning platform for all grades and subjects. Can do lessons without sign up.

Classroom Secrets – https://kids.classroomsecrets.co.uk/product/parent-access/
UK site, free, 1st through 6th grade, basic subjects, requires full name, address, etc. Family Access BETA will create a parent account for you and the child accounts you need for the children in your family. When registering, put the name of your family in ‘Team Name’.

CMU CS Academy – https://academy.cs.cmu.edu/splash
Can be used individually or by teachers. Online, interactive high school computer science curriculum that is entirely free

Curriki – https://www.curriki.org/
Open and free content development environment, toolkit, and ecosystem for a tech-first generation of learners – bringing the most engaging, innovative, and impactful digital learning experiences to our children. Lessons uploaded by individuals. All grade levels. 50K plus items

Dyslexia Academy  – https://dyslexia-academy.learnworlds.com/
Free for one month. Requires signing up for an account.

Fiveable – https://fiveable.me/
Social learning platform for students preparing for A.P. Exams – with live reviews, trivia games, articles and study guides.English language & lit, AP statistics, AP Calc, AP Psychology, AP US Govt, AP Physics, AP Biology, AP World History, AP European History, AP Environmental Science, AP Human Geography

HippoCampus – https://hippocampus.org/
HippoCampus.org is a free, core academic web site that delivers rich multimedia content–videos, animations, and simulations–on general education subjects to middle-school and high-school teachers and college professors, and their students, free of charge. Has ways to browse by subjects or collections (i.e., a collection is NASA or KHAN Academy.) Free for individual use. Institutions can become members through the NROC Project for the same access. Think of it as a YouTube with only educational content.

Khan Academy – https://www.khanacademy.org/about/blog/post/611770255064350720/remote-learning-with-khan-academy-during-school
A personalized learning resource for all ages, with free tools for parents and teachers.Wide variety, from preschool math to LSAT prep.

Prodigy – https://www.prodigygame.com/
Curriculum-aligned math platform. Includes progress and usage reports. For students, parents, and schools. Easily motivate 1st to 8th-grade students to learn and practice math.

Scholastics Learn at Home – https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html 
Even when schools are closed, you can keep the learning going with these special cross-curricular journeys. Every day includes four separate learning experiences, each built around a thrilling, meaningful story or video. Kids can do them on their own, with their families, or with their teachers. Just find your grade level and let the learning begin!

Sight Reading Suite– https://www.sightreadingfactory.com/
Music reading lessons at various levels of experience

Productivity Tools

Genially – https://doitgenially.com/en/premium-templates-now-available-for-free-for-everyone-forever-genially-aims-to-facilitate-remote-and-distance-learning/
A tool for creating presentations, inforgraphics, and other visual materials easily. They have made 60 premium templates, as well as all the categories of premium resources in the Editor (scenes, gallery images, illustrations, silhouettes, and backgrounds) available for free use. An account is required.

IDEA – https://idea.org.uk/
Free mini-courses in subjects for life and work skills (social media, coding, etc.). It seems mostly for adults. Free, but you need to sign up with an email.

ListenWise – http://blog.listenwise.com/2020/03/listenwise-support-for-schools-affected-by-the-coronavirus/
Listening skills platform. Parents or teachers can join free for 90 days.

Nimbus Capture – https://nimbusweb.me/screenshot.php
Save time from writing by creating visual media to communicate instead. Business + Education. Capture, annotate, create lists, create send videos, screenshots. Free Nimbus Bussiness version during COVID-19 outbreak

TechSmith – https://discover.techsmith.com/remote-techsmith/
Free Snagit screen capture and video review software through June 2020

Typing Club – https://www.typingclub.com/
Free touch typing lessons with a placement test

Reference Sources

Credo Reference – https://search.credoreference.com/?username=clic-k12&password=clic-k12
Check out the mind maps within a topic. Credo promotes knowledge building, problem-solving and critical thinking to give people the information skills necessary for success

Library of Congress Reading Room Alcove 9 – https://www.loc.gov/rr/main/alcove9/
The Main Reading Room of the Library of Congress has eight alcoves. This ninth “virtual alcove” is a collection of websites selected and annotated by Humanities and Social Sciences Division subject specialists. All of these websites have components that are free and available to the public; some might require user registration, or may have links to fee-based services

Research Ideas

Stories of Colorado: Social Distancing Diaries – https://stories.cvlcollections.org/about
Consider creating an oral history Social Distancing Diary entry for Stories of Colorado, which is an online collection of Colorado related content, from individuals or institutions that do not have an online presence themselves, but have interesting and relevant pieces of Colorado history and culture to share. You can choose to create oral histories simply for your own personal archive or use, but contributing to Stories of Colorado enriches the historical record of this unprecedented time.

Wonderopolis (Web, iOS, Android) – http://wonderopolis.org/home
Wonderopolis taps into kids’ innate curiosity through the “Wonders of the Day.” Students from around the world submit curiosities they’d like to learn more about (i.e., “wonders”), then they are voted on by other students. The wonders that receive the most votes are explored in-depth by the Wonderopolis team and could be featured as a future “Wonder of the Day.” With over 1,800 wonders and counting, it’s a great platform to engage kids with reading content that they find most interesting, all while learning something new about the world around them.
Best fit for grades K-6.

Virtual Tours

Virtual Museums, e-Resources, and Online Collections –
https://mcn.edu/a-guide-to-virtual-museum-resources/
Portals and virtual tours

12 Virtual Museums from Travel & Leisure –
https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/museums-galleries/museums-with-virtual-tours
Experience the best museums from London to Seoul in the comfort of your own home.

450 Ivy League Courses available to the public – https://www.freecodecamp.org/news/here-are-380-ivy-league-courses-you-can-take-online-right-now-for-free-9b3ffcbd7b8c/ 

Live Streamed Events

LivBits Live Events –
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MrM7Ypu3uoEEwbyLQ6sxkx8d-sePrP2J64WQrb6dNfI/
Read aloud events with links

LiveStreamed Events –
https://calendar.google.com/calendar/embed?src=p02rmig8r0lpnn6r8jsqs7g2oo@group.calendar.google.com
Events that are being live-streamed on the internet. Storytimes, art instruction, and many many others.

Stimola Live – http://www.stimolalive.com/
Stimola Live is a website of live stream events for kids, tweens, and teens by professional authors and illustrators represented by Stimola Literary Studio

Lesson Plans

DPLA Primary Source Sets ALWAYS FREE! Primary source collections exploring topics in history, literature, and culture developed by educators — complete with teaching guides for class use

i-Ready – https://www.curriculumassociates.com/supporting-students-away-from-school
They have Printable At-Home Activity Packs for math and reading for K-8 students

Izzit.org – https://www.izzit.org/
Educational videos and tools for teachers or caregivers and students. For all ages. Has a helpful chart for subjects/grade for their videos.

PBS Learning Media: PreK-12 Resources for School Closures

Mystery Science – https://mysteryscience.com/school-closure-planning
K-5 Science for both teachers and parents broken down by grade levels. Right now anyone can use for free. No account or login is needed

Pandemic and Civic Virtue: The American Red Cross and the Influenza Pandemic of 1918 from Teaching with the Library of Congress

PenPal – https://www.penpalschools.com/index.html
Ready to go standards-aligned lessons used by over 150 countries. Join as a parent, teacher, student, or admin.

RMPBS’s PBS Learning Media – https://rmpbs.pbslearningmedia.org/
Free standards-aligned videos, interactives, lesson plans, and more for teachers and students (pre-k-12). You need to sign up, but you don’t have to be a teacher.

Scholastic Learn at Home: Day-by-day projects to keep kids reading, thinking, and growing. 

Seneca – https://www.senecalearning.com/
Instruction through tests geared towards middle school and high school.

SPY Museum: Teachers, parents, or anyone looking for activities to engage children at home, shake up your curriculum with FREE downloadable lesson plans, resources & activities from SPY!

Twinkl – https://www.twinkl.com/blog/how-to-utilise-twinkl-during-the-coronavirus-shutdown-a-guide-for-schools?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=corona Home learning hub with a variety of lessons with one month free

Vroom App – https://www.vroom.org/
Pre-K learning tips for parents

Workforce and Small Business

U.S. Small Business Administration – https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/covid-19-relief-options
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources Health and government officials are working together to maintain the safety, security, and health of the American people. Small businesses are encouraged to do their part to keep their employees, customers, and themselves healthy. Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

The Pikes Peak Small Business Development Center – https://pikespeaksbdc.org/what-we-do/programs/disaster-relief/
Helping businesses statewide respond to the current health crisis

Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program – https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/
Disaster loan assistance

COVID-19

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment – https://covid19.colorado.gov/
Information on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Colorado

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html
Information on Coronavirus Disease 2019. Printable flyers.

Deciding to Go Out – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/activities.html
Venturing Out? Be Prepared and Stay Safe.

Addiction Recovery Resources – https://www.sunshinebehavioralhealth.com/resources/telehealth-addiction-treatment-during-quarantine/
Telehealth and Online Mental Health Resources During COVID-19 Pandemic

Ready – https://www.ready.gov/
Official website of the Department of Homeland Security. Disaster planning and facts about pandemics.

Finance

A Guide to COVID-19 and Your Finances: What You Need to Know – https://www.annuity.org/financial-literacy/covid-19-financial-guide/
Information covering Global Economy, Federal Benefits, Economic Impact Payment, Taxes, Unemployment, Health Care, Mortgages and Housing, Small, Businesses, Retirement Plans

Pigly – https://pigly.com/
Free financial calculators can be used for figuring out loan payments, estimating investment returns, or other financial decision.