We use Epic! in our classroom almost daily. It is the perfect place to search for books on a particular topic. When the school library doesn't have books for your instructional needs, Epic! is the place to go. Epic! isn't just user friendly for teachers. Students can also easily navigate the website for books on their interests.

When there is a need for virtual instruction, it is easy to provide links to online books. Teachers can also set up assignments with accompanying quizzes for their students. The best part is that there are books for every reader and can be found by searching for the lexile level of the student.

Students love Epic! because there are books on so many topics. The books are interactive and user friendly. They allow the student to read at their own pace and provide built in scaffolding. When students do not know a word in the text, they may simply click on the word and it is read for them and a definition is given.

Epic! can be accessed from any device with internet connection or wifi.

Brainpop Jr. hosts a collection of informative and instructional videos for multiple content areas. Teachers can also set up a classroom and create assignments for students. Then, students can take quizzes over the information that is presented. This could be very beneficial for virtual learning as students could continue to receive effective instruction while not at school.

I use Brainpop Jr. frequently in my classroom as a supplemental resource. The videos are engaging and provide important background information necessary for students to master skills taught in the classroom. The students enjoy taking the quizzes following the videos.

Google Slides is an online program similar to Powerpoint. However, multiple users can collaborate and add to the document at once. Teachers often use this aspect of the program for small groups when students are working together. It can also be used to provide a visual representation during instruction. Slides can also serve as notecards, visual aids, or a platform for presentations.

I have used Google Slides to create a Bitmoji Classroom that compiles student website links, learning resources, a library with read alouds, and even includes virtual field trips. The students love navigating the bitmoji classroom. During virtual instruction, I created lesson plans in Slides so that the students could easily see their tasks for each day. It was easy to provide links, images, and text for each task. I also use Slides to create lesson resources to present to my students and interactive lessons where they must drag to answer questions. I have taught my students how to create a short presentation on topics we are learning about in class. They like how easy it is to import images from the internet to add to their "books".

Edpuzzle is a free assessment-centered tool that allows teachers and students to create interactive online videos by embedding either open-ended or multiple-choice questions, audio notes, audio tracks, or comments on a video. Edpuzzle interactive videos can be made with videos from a number of websites including YouTube.

Teachers can assign videos within Google Classroom for instructional or assessment purposes. Grades may be assigned once students have completed the accompanying quizzes that are embedded within the videos.

I regularly use Edpuzzle for videos that would normally be viewed on other platforms. The embedded quizzes provide a change for student interaction which improves student engagement in the lesson. For my students with disabilities, I am able to preview materials and choose the correct level of questioning for the group of students or individually assign appropriate instruction to meet their needs. I can also assign additional videos for reteaching or enrichment for the students to access during computer time or in their home. It is also an excellent way to provide resources for parents to better assist their child in the home environment.

Starfall.com launched in 2002 as a free platform to teach children to read. Since that time, it has expanded to include language arts and mathematics for preschool, kindergarten, first grade, second grade, and third grade. Starfall’s emphasis on phonemic awareness, systematic sequential phonics, and common sight words in conjunction with audiovisual interactivity has proven effective in teaching emergent readers. Starfall activities are research-based and align with Individual and Common Core State Standards in English language arts and mathematics. Starfall is an educational alternative to other entertainment choices for children and is especially effective for special education, homeschooling, and English language development.

Students can use free portions of Starfall from any device with internet capabilities. It can be used as an independent work station during reading or math small group rotations to reinforce skills. Teachers can also use the components of the website to introduce new skills and enhance lessons. I typically use Starfall as a way to reinforce skills that I have previously taught. I also use certain parts of the website to introduce new lessons or use during guided practice. My students use Starfall multiple times each week and often ask if they can access the program when allowed to have free computer time.