Online gaming platforms

In addition to playing games with distant friends and family over video chat, there are a few specialized gaming platforms that my family has been using since we went into lockdown. All of the sites below have a way to play for free and I've also listed what you get if you pay the extra subscription fee.

Roll20.net -- https://roll20.net/
For tabletop role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons. You can store your character sheets and roll dice, view maps, do video and voice chat.

• Plus membership: USD 5/month. Can play on mobile devices, more storage.

Board Game Arena -- https://boardgamearena.com/
Games have been developed so that you can play in real time or turn based. It prompts you for actions on your turn and keeps score for you. You're not allowed to have multiple players at the same location unless you have a premium membership to discourage cheating.

• Games we've played: Hanabi, Takenoko
• Games we're familiar with but haven't played yet: 7 Wonders, Carcassone, Love Letter, Race for the Galaxy, Sushi Go, Tokaido
• Premium membership: USD 4/month or 24/year. Premium games available, video & voice chat.

Tabletopia -- https://tabletopia.com/

Provides game board, game pieces, and instructions. Players move the cards and pieces around by themselves. No voice or video chat.

• Games we've played: Wingspan, Secret Hitler, Castle Panic, Viticulture
• Game we're familiar with but haven't played yet: Glorantha: The Gods War
• Premium members: USD 4.99/month and USD 9.99/month. Premium games available.

- Lillian

Educational fun from Library of Congress

Suggestions of fun and educational activities for kids of various ages from the Library of Congress staff:

https://blogs.loc.gov/loc/2020/03/parents-smart-fun-for-kids/?loclr=twloc

[UK] Family Zone web portal from the National Literacy Trust

A very visually appealing and easy-to-navigate collection of resources (and we do love resources!) organized into three different age groups from birth to 12 years:

https://literacytrust.org.uk/family-zone/

Coping calendar

"The world is in crisis. Keep Calm, Stay Wise & Be Kind.
This Coping Calendar  has 30 suggested actions to look after ourselves and each other as we face this global crisis together. Download it as an image for sharing or a PDF for printing. Pass on to others and help spread the word."

Source: https://www.actionforhappiness.org/coping-calendar

List of low-tech home activities for kids

Go offline and use home as your resource to keep the kids engaged.
https://www.weareteachers.com/things-to-do-during-covid/

Free videos of Beachbody kids' workouts on Vimeo

Beachbody has put together a free collection of kids' workouts from Beachbody celebrity trainers Tony Horton, Shaun T and Leandro Carvalho (no registration required).

https://vimeo.com/showcase/6880106

FREE online education resources

Source: https://www.facebook.com/jean.worsley/posts/10156608078391076

Jean Parnell

March 13 at 9:33 AM · 

School closures will no doubt come, for any parents worrying this list was put together by the home ed community 💗 feel free to share.

FREE online education resources

A non-exhaustive list that might help those affected by school closures due to coronavirus, compiled by home educators.
Feel free to share.

Khan Academy
https://www.khanacademy.org
Especially good for maths and computing for all ages but other subjects at Secondary level. Note this uses the U.S. grade system but it's mostly common material.

BBC Learning
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learning/coursesearch/
This site is old and no longer updated and yet there's so much still available, from language learning to BBC Bitesize for revision. No TV licence required except for content on BBC iPlayer.

Futurelearn
https://www.futurelearn.com
Free to access 100s of courses, only pay to upgrade if you need a certificate in your name (own account from age 14+ but younger learners can use a parent account).

Seneca
https://www.senecalearning.com
For those revising at GCSE or A level. Tons of free revision content. Paid access to higher level material.

Openlearn
https://www.open.edu/openlearn/
Free taster courses aimed at those considering Open University but everyone can access it. Adult level, but some e.g. nature and environment courses could well be of interest to young people.

Blockly
https://blockly.games
Learn computer programming skills - fun and free.

Scratch
https://scratch.mit.edu/explore/projects/games/
Creative computer programming

Ted Ed
https://ed.ted.com
All sorts of engaging educational videos

National Geographic Kids
https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/
Activities and quizzes for younger kids.

Duolingo
https://www.duolingo.com
Learn languages for free. Web or app.

Mystery Science
https://mysteryscience.com
Free science lessons

The Kids Should See This
https://thekidshouldseethis.com
Wide range of cool educational videos

Crash Course
https://thecrashcourse.com
You Tube videos on many subjects

Crash Course Kids
https://m.youtube.com/user/crashcoursekids
As above for a younger audience

Crest Awards
https://www.crestawards.org
Science awards you can complete from home.

iDEA Awards
https://idea.org.uk
Digital enterprise award scheme you can complete online.

Paw Print Badges
https://www.pawprintbadges.co.uk
Free challenge packs and other downloads. Many activities can be completed indoors. Badges cost but are optional.

Tinkercad
https://www.tinkercad.com
All kinds of making.

Prodigy Maths
https://www.prodigygame.com
Is in U.S. grades, but good for UK Primary age.

Cbeebies Radio
https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/radio
Listening activities for the younger ones.

Nature Detectives
https://naturedetectives.woodlandtrust.org.uk/naturedetect…/
A lot of these can be done in a garden, or if you can get to a remote forest location!

British Council
https://www.britishcouncil.org/school-resources/find
Resources for English language learning

Oxford Owl for Home
https://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/for-home/
Lots of free resources for Primary age

Big History Project
https://www.bighistoryproject.com/home
Aimed at Secondary age. Multi disciplinary activities.

Geography Games
https://world-geography-games.com/world.html
Geography gaming!

Blue Peter Badges
https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/joinin/about-blue-peter-badges
If you have a stamp and a nearby post box.

The Artful Parent
https://www.facebook.com/artfulparent/
Good, free art activities

Red Ted Art
https://www.redtedart.com
Easy arts and crafts for little ones

The Imagination Tree
https://theimaginationtree.com
Creative art and craft activities for the very youngest.

Toy Theater
https://toytheater.com/
Educational online games

DK Find Out
https://www.dkfindout.com/uk/…
Activities and quizzes

Twinkl
https://www.twinkl.co.uk
This is more for printouts, and usually at a fee, but they are offering a month of free access to parents in the event of school closures.

The Big List of Children’s Authors Doing Online Read Alouds & Activities

https://www.weareteachers.com/virtual-author-activities/

Use Your Time in Isolation to Learn Everything You’ve Always Wanted To

Free Online Courses, Audio Books, eBooks, Movies, Coloring Books & More

http://www.openculture.com/2020/03/use-your-time-in-isolation-to-learn-everything-youve-always-wanted-to.html

[UK] Oxford Owl for home

‎Amy Thompson to FAMILY LOCKDOWN TIPS & IDEAS (FB group):

"Hey, I’m a Key Stage one teacher in the UK. As our children won’t be able to change books on their colour bands at home I’d highly recommend joining the ‘Oxford Owl’ reading site, (parents can join free!) There are a number of ebooks on there that the children will be used to, like the Biff, Chip and Kipper books. They also do interactive games and activities for reading comprehension, and this is all free! Great for busy parents. Check it out"
https://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/for-home/

Live streaming of Shakespeare readings

"A weekly Shakespeare reading group, covering the plays in the order they were written, helping actors and theatremakers to stay connected and creative during unprecedented times."
Click on the YouTube link to see what's streaming or coming next.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOAHj4ANGKw

Indoor Fun: 100 Great Indoor Activities for Kids to Do at Home

Oodles of ideas for activities with the kids

https://www.dayoutwiththekids.co.uk/blog/indoor-activities-for-kids

Scholastic Learn at Home: Grades 3-5

[US] Articles and activities to explore at home for children approx. aged 8 to 10:
https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome/grades-3-5.html

100 things to do while stuck inside due to a pandemic

https://eu.usatoday.com/story/life/health-wellness/2020/03/16/coronavirus-quarantine-100-things-do-while-trapped-inside/5054632002/

Education companies offering free subscriptions due to school closings

Looks like we're all going to have a chance to educate the kidlets at home!

https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/135609/list-of-education-companies-offering-free-subscriptions

Over 30 Virtual Field Trips with Links

A teacher in the US has put together this handy Google doc with links to virtual field trips.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SvIdgTx9djKO6SjyvPDsoGlkgE3iExmi3qh2KRRku_w/preview?fbclid=IwAR0Jx4oNDwKnKXt76gs0Wu8tBgUL1hocD1l5nDcW70WkOu8PwaD5ZWOTSEU&pru=AAABcQcHHE8*DFx02ALfKz7UGo5U589xsw

Ideas for socializing when you're stuck at home

How to Be Social While Social Distancing During the Coronavirus Pandemic
https://thewirecutter.com/blog/coronavirus-socializing-online/

I've been working from home since 1997 (almost 13 years now) and experience has taught me that lack of social contact impacts badly on my mental health. At this point I'm not indicated for self-isolation and the UK government didn't even mention social distancing until 12 hours ago, but as of two days ago I started canceling everything - reluctantly, but with confidence that it was the right thing to do.
Having experienced involuntary social isolation from my own circumstances of being self-employed and moving to another country where I didn't have any friends (twice!), I feel real trepidation now at the thought of not being able to go out or spend time with people outside of my household. I've lived through that before - also when I was a new parent with a young baby - and being around others is not something I forego readily.
To help lessen my dread of being stuck at home I started looking for games to play online with friends and stumbled across the article above, which provides some inspiration for socializing using technology. Even though I've known for years that online interactions are no substitute for seeing people in person, at least there are plenty of options available for connecting easily to others in real time.
- Jennifer

Seize the Opportunity of Home Quarantine

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