Resources to Support Emergency Distance Learning
Table of Contents
Resources to Support Student & Staff Wellness & Equitable Practices in Distance Learning
My students might have questions about COVID-19 - are there some kid-friendly resources I can share with them and their families?
PM Trudeau and Dr. Tam made a great video with the team at CBC Kids News answering questions from kids all over Canada. This is a long version (17 minutes) that would be great great for older classes. For younger classes you may prefer to direct the video at parents/caregivers so they can decide how much to watch with their kids or just set the link to start at a point of your choosing.
CBC Kids always has great videos/shows and kid-friendly versions of news stories that will help all ages. All of this is available through CURIO on our BYOD as well with more tools to search curriculum connections but this direct link might be easier to start the first week.
Can I read that book aloud to my students virtually?
***Keep in mind that many children’s publishers are subsidiaries of larger publishers so you might need to look at their individual websites too. (e.g. Random House Kids is part of Penguin Random House)
Current Canadian Publishers Offering Relaxed Guidelines Regarding Read Alouds:
https://www.accesscopyright.ca/read-aloud/list-of-read-aloud-canadian-books-publishers-authors/
Current American Publishers Offering Relaxed Guidelines Regarding Read Alouds:
https://www.slj.com/?detailStory=publishers-adapt-policies-to-help-educators-coronavirus-covid19
Sharing Information and Content on Virtual Learning Environments April 6, 2020
The link below is an update as of April 6, 2020 about the rules and copyright policies about posting in virtual learning environments.
ONLINE Reading Tools
Introduction to Bibliovideo
Are there any FREE textbook style resources available?
Educational Publishers Offering OPEN ACCESS Resources:
Nelson (Grade 3 to 8 - Math, Science, Social Studies, History/Geography)
https://www.nelson.com/learningonline/k12openaccess/
Pearson (Math, Science, Social Studies)
https://www.pearson.com/us/campaigns/covid-19-k12-support.html
How can I find free E-books, Audiobooks & more for my students?
Free E-Books, Audiobooks & More:
This list was created by Library Support and includes the following:
- E-books/Audiobooks
- Virtual Read Alouds & Podcast Collections
- Virtual Dual Language Picture Book Collections
- Database Collections Beyond the PDSB BYOD LIbrary E-Resources
Literacy and Inquiry Supports - Learning at Home
Virtual Read Alouds by the 2020 Blue Spruce Authors (OLA Forest of Reading)
Where can I find additional literacy & learning activities that I know will be supported by PDSB libraries?
PDSB Libraries: Bringing The Library Home:
This is a new site created by the library support team to share with staff specifically during this crisis. They are adding planned learning activities ALL the time so check back often.
Important Subheadings in this site:
Curated Collections - click the Google Slides and then you can click each “square” to link to free online books, literacy activities etc (Primary/Junior Literacy,, Intermediate/Secondary Literacy, Visual Arts K to 8)
Book Activities -Primary activities about specific picture books provided
- Only One You
- The Narwhal Series
- The Paper Bag Princess
Materials - This has 2 “hands on”/”makerEd” topics so far with LOTS of suggested activities for all ages - the two topics available right now are learning with LEGO and learning with CARDBOARD
I know the PDSB Library E-resources have a lot of helpful information but where do I begin?
Virtual Library Supports PDSB:
A very quick video to remind you and kids about the various e-resources and learning supports, research etc for kids of all ages.
BYOD Library E-Resources Brochure
This brochure is a good starting point for students, families and staff who may be unsure as to what the e-resources are and how to access them. More specifics on each database will be added to this document in the coming days.
BYOD Hints & Tips
Please see the PLAYLIST to the right is a collection of all our videos so far that help us navigate the PDSB Library eResources.
Beginner's Guide to the Brampton Public Library
How do I find and/or make those CHOICE GRIDS I keep seeing other educators use?
The great choice grids that Laura created for Day of Pink (shown below) are a popular, visual way to share resources and activities with kids while offering them lots of variety, choice and flexibility.
- Here is a quick "how to video" created by Tina Zita that might help you get started if you want to create your own.
More choice boards for you and your students:
Explore Animal Habitats
These link to live and highlighted online cameras showing various habitats and animals. This can be shared just for the fun of exploring the various feeds or may inspire further debate, discussion, inquiry around extinction, animals in captivity, climate change, pollution and more.
Podcasts for Kids
These link to a wide range of recommended podcasts for kids and families. I have included suggested ages where appropriate. Please consider that I am unable to preview every episode of every podcast for specific content but that each one was curated by multiple sources as highly recommended for children.
- The PDSB LLC site also has some blank templates you can use to get going.
https://sites.google.com/pdsb.net/bringingthellchome/templates?authuser=0
- The PDSB LLC site also has predone literacy choice grids you are welcome to use as you plan for next week.
https://sites.google.com/pdsb.net/bringingthellchome/book-activities?authuser=0
https://sites.google.com/pdsb.net/bringingthellchome/curated-collections?authuser=0
(Harry Potter is one of the non-picture book choices that might inspire some of the students who are big fans!)
Ressources supplémentaires en français
Though many of the PDSB E-resources sites have French options the document above contains some additional resources shared by some of our bilingual teacher librarians.
Are there PDSB E-Resources to Support Kindergarten & Grade 1?
Educators who deliver the Kindergarten Program and Grade 1 curriculum know that play and inquiry are central to the success of young learners in a face to face school setting. The capable, curious minds of young children thrive with social interaction and hands on experiences.
In these strange times, access to digital resources may also be needed to support our students and their families. Keeping all of the above in mind here is a list including descriptions and suggestions of:
PDSB E-resources to Support K & Grade 1 During Emergency Distance Learning
Are there PDSB E-Resources to Support Grades 2 & 3?
Educators who deliver the primary education know that play and inquiry are central to the success of young learners in a face to face school setting. The capable, curious minds of young children thrive with social interaction and hands on experiences as entry points to literacy, numeracy and curriculum content.
In these strange times, increased access to digital resources may also be needed to support our students and their families. Keeping all of the above in mind here is a list including descriptions and suggestions of:
PDSB E-resources to Support Grades 2 & 3 During Emergency Distance Learning
Autism Awareness Resources
Created & Curated by Helena Chestnut
Here is a great website with videos and activities that are great for our younger friends
Autism Ontario has put together an elementary educators toolkit with some great videos and resources available in English and French
ed_autisminc.pdfThe government of Prince Edward Island put together a tool kit in collaboration with board certified behaviour analysts which contains classroom activities, professional reading, stories and videos for students, and general classroom resources. It's a lengthy document but has some great tools.