Training on Utilizing Distance Learning Platforms

Google Classroom:

By clicking on the link above, you will be directed to a resource page that meets teachers at their point of need in training to utilize the Google Classroom platform.  From novices just starting their Google Classroom experience, to educators who are familiar with Google Classroom but wish to diversify what they offer through their digital classroom.

Blend:

Austin ISD utilizes a digital platform called "Blend" for district-wide, digital resources.  High school and middle school teachers are most likely familiar with this platform already, utilizing this resource in their classes, as requested by the district.  However, elementary educators who are unfamiliar with this platform and wish to use this platform for distance learning can access a tutorial titled, "Blend 101 for Educators" in their already created Blend accounts.  To access this course, teachers should log in to their AISD portal, click on the "Blend" app, and will see this course on their main Blend page.

BrainPop, BrainPop Jr, and BrainPop ELL

Reading

School District eBook Resources

City Library Resources

Newsela

Junior Library Guild Digital Collection

Audible

Educational Sites to Enhance Digital Teaching Content

Highlight Kids

Dreamscape

Boom Learning

NASA Kids' Club

Wonderopolis

Phonics Hero

Kids Discover

Ben's Guide to the U.S. Government

Read Alouds and Drawing Tutorials from Authors, Illustrators, and Other Celebrities 

Ben Clanton

Author and illustrator of the Narwhal & Jelly series, Ben Clanton, is hosting various read alouds and live drawing times on various platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and his blog, "Squiggles and Scribbles".  All of these various platforms can be accessed through his blog, which is linked below.

Mac Barnett

Author of many beloved tales such as The Terrible Two and Sam and Dave Dig a Hole, Mac Barnett is hosting a daily read aloud through his instagram platform, @macbarnett.  In order to view these read alouds, you must have an instagram account.  From there, search for @macbarnett, and click on his user image.  This will give you the option of viewing his "live video".  A link to his instagram profile is provided below.

Oliver Jeffers

Oliver Jeffers, famous author and illustrator of The Crayons series, including The Day the Crayons Quit, is hosting a daily read aloud through his instagram platform, @oliverjeffers.  In order to view these read alouds, you must have an instagram account.  From there, search for @oliverjeffers, and click on his user image.  This will give you the option of viewing his "live video".  A link to his instagram profile is provided below.

Chris Van Dusen

Author and illustrator, Chris Van Dusen, is posting several read alouds to his instagram platform, @chrisvandusenbooks.  If I Built a School,  his 2020 Bluebonnet Book Award Winner, is one of his read alouds available. In order to view these read alouds, you must have an instagram account.  From there, search for @chrisvandusenbooks, and you will see several posts containing read alouds.

Molly Idle

Caldecott winner, Molly Idle, is another author and illustrator uploading read alouds to her instagram page, @mollyidle. In order to view these read alouds, you must have an instagram account.  From there, search for @mollyidle, and you will see several posts containing read alouds.

Dan Santat

Award winning illustrator and author, Dan Santat, is uploading daily badges for kids that include historical and scientific information regarding viruses as well as activities and games children can engage with at home.  These badges can be accessed through a dropbox link, given below, as well as through Santat's instagram profile, @dsantat, also linked below.

Mo Willems

Beloved author of the Pigeon, Knuffle Bunny, and Elephant and Piggie series, Mo Willems is providing daily drawing tutorials through the Kennedy Center.  He uploads one each day at 1:00 pm EST.  The link below will give you access to today's recording as well as his archived recordings.

#SaveWithStories

In support of Save the Children and No Kid Hungry, various celebrities have volunteered their time to record read alouds for children currently being affected by COVID-19.  These stories from actors and musicians such as Jennifer Garner and Demi Lovato, can be accessed through the instagram account, @savewithstories. In order to view these read alouds, you must have an instagram account.  From there, search for @savewithstories, and you will see countless posts containing read alouds.

Mental Health Resources for Students

Yoga

This video is brought to you by yoga instructor, Adriene Mishler.  The YouTube channel, "Yoga with Adriene" has a wide array of yoga videos for people of all ages and ability levels.

Origami

Building up your origami skills is a great way to spend some free time at home!  The video provided shows you how to make an origami dinosaur.  A quick search on YouTube will help you learn all sorts of figures and animals you can origami.

Friendship Bracelets

If you have some embroidery thread on hand, friendship bracelets are a fun thing to create and make for your friends.  Even if you can't see them or play with them now, a friendship bracelet is a way of showing that you were thinking of them when you were apart.

Drawing Tutorials

There are tons of drawing tutorials on YouTube.  A great site for kids' drawing tutorials is called, "Art for Kids Hub".  They have a lot of different options, including how to draw a sloth, linked here.

Lettering

Different types of lettering is another great skill to practice at home.  The link provided shows you how to draw 3D letters, but there are many more options on YouTube you can find as well, such as bubble lettering and calligraphy.

Exercise Videos

The YouTube channel, "The Body Coach TV", is creating daily videos starting March 23 that are specifically geared towards kids, called P.E. with Joe.  The first video is linked here.