For Teachers
TSC students now have access to this up-to-date, and age-appropriate research resource for K–8 Students. Includes encyclopedia articles, multimedia materials primary sources, games, and other learning resources.
Accessible only while in the TSC building, no log-in required
Borrow and read ebooks and audio books with Sora, TSC's digital library
The collection of titles in Sora is an extension of TSC’s physical library, only it provides 24/7 access to ebooks and audiobooks. Visit soraapp.com, click on the Sora app on your TSC ipad, or download the app for free, and sign-in with your TSC email and password to start borrowing and reading books today!
Have questions? Contact the librarians at library@theschool.columbia.edu
Need help getting started?
Check the Sora FAQ, watch the short introduction to Sora video, and follow the step-by-step guide to Getting Started with Sora. Watch the guides for educators posted below to find out more about the different functionalities (such as note taking and highlighting and tracking reading progress) and how to integrate them into your teaching practices Still have questions? Contact the TSC Librarians at library@theschool.columbia.edu
Faculty and staff can use this form to request that an ebook or audio book be added to our Sora collection.
SoraIntroVideo.mp4Sora How To-Customize, Track-Progress, Make Lists, etc-Video.mp4Sora-Definitions-Highlights-Notes Video Intro for Faculty.mp4Sora-Exporting Intro for teachers.mp4
A rich bank of resources from The Child Mind Institute, to help you support the mental health and well being of your child during this time. Join live video chats with clinicians (10am and 4.30pm), take advantage of remote evaluations and phone consultations, find daily tips for parenting during the crisis, and much more.
Common Sense Media: Coronavirus Resources
"Tips and tools to support school closures and transitions to online and at-home learning" compiled and created by Common Sense Media. Includes topics like "Tools and Advice for Virtual Learning and "Resources for Digital Citizenship and Well-Being."
A wonderful selection of multicultural and social justice books for K-8 for educators and families.
Be sure to check out their Guide for Selecting Anti-Bias Children's Books and
Resources for Talking with Kids About Race, Racism, Racilized Violence
An extensive compilation of resources to support conversations and learning around race and anti-racism work with children.
Resources for Race Equity and Inclusion
A rich array of resources offered through the We Need Diverse Books site. Also check out their list of sources for finding diverse books.
Guide to Finding Excellent Diverse Children's Books
An extrmely extensive collection of resources for finding and selecting diverse and anti-bias books for children.
Includes movement, yoga, and mindfulness videos. Downloadable curricular activities and recommended off-screen home activities.
Flyleaf Publishing Online Materials Portal for Instructors
Offered as a free resource for 2020–21 school year. "Materials are organized by...Phonics Scope and Sequence, and can be quickly navigated."
School Library Journal: Publisher Permission Information Updated
Up to date inforamtion on Publisher Permission Policies through this time of Distance LearningFor specific questions about copyright or fair use policies please contact a Librarian.
Free online learning resources from the New-York Historical Society! Includes live online events for students, professional development workshops for educators and an online History Happy Hour for teachers every Thursdays 6pm to learn more about their resources.
National Geographic Resource Library
Search for articles, videos, infographics, maps, lessons, and more for ages K–8, on a wide variety of topics.
AuthorFy: Interactive Reading & Writing Activities
Downloadable activity packs based on current children's books, that "range from arts and crafts pages to book club questions and games, and they’re all aimed at boosting reading and writing for pleasure."
Poetry Foundation: Teaching Poetry Online
"Resources for teaching and learning remotely, for all levels."
Many videos, games, lessons, images and professional development opportunities offered by NASA.
"Amazing Educational Resources"
A searchable database of free educational resources for all ages and disciplines.
Smithsonian Learning Lab: Distance Learning
“Access to millions of digital resources from across the Smithsonian's museums, research centers, libraries, archives, and more." Not sure where to start? Check out this list of Eight Educational Resources from the Smithsonian.
Demco: Home-Learning Resources for Librarians, Educators, and Parents
A list of reading and writing and STEAM resources educational resources, plus hygiene tips, mental health resources, info about free internet access, physical activity resources and more.
A rich collection of Virtual Reality 360° video tours of places, habitats, and sites all over the world, ranging from the Great Barrier Reef to an encounter with Mountain Gorillas in Uganda to Ellis Island. Note: Links all go to Youtube and some will include pop-up ads.
Digital Public Library of America: Primary Source Sets
"Primary source collections exploring topics in history, literature, and culture developed by educators — complete with teaching guides for class use."
A non-profit library of millions of free books, movies, software, music, websites, and more. Sign up for a free account with your email to "borrow" materials. Materials indendend for educational fair use only.
A free social studies resource!"Students study primary source documents from the Founding Era, learn how Lin-Manuel Miranda used such documents to create the musical Hamilton, and finally create their own original performance pieces based on the same material."
A collection of free ebooks on PD topics, as well as free science and social studies ebooks for students.
Moving Dance-Based Pedagogy Online
A resources created by the Dance Studies Association, including resources and tools helpful for teachers in many disciplines.
Zoom
Tips & Info
From Columbia Center for Teaching and Learning: Active Learning for Your Online Classroom: Five Strategies Using Zoom
Visit the Zoom Training Resources site and check out Ms. Marcel's Primary Technology resource site for more tips and info!
Kareem Farah (who teaches teachers how to screencast) shares his best advice for creating good, clear, engaging instructional videos. He talks about how long they should be, what tech tools you can use, and how to add extra features to make it more likely students will stay engaged.
