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This list is a valuable resource for home education and indoor activities. I will try to add more as the weeks go by, so please Pin this post for future reference!
Reading, Writing and Language Arts
If you have children who love to read, covering Language Arts and Reading for the day won't be too difficult. Set aside some DEAR tie (Drop Everything and Read) each day. But if you struggle to get your child to like reading and complete writing assignments, this area could be more of a challenge. Here are some book lists, reading suggestions, writing activities and more to help you on your way!
*And remember, if your child struggles to enjoy reading, find something they like to read- this includes magazines, graphic novels, comic books (with words), Manga, and so much more. For tons of reading suggestions, check out my fellow blogger's amazing site, From Babies to Bookworms, or author Jan Brett (www.JanBrett.com) who has tons of free reading and language arts activities on her website!
Workbooks and Activities You Can Purchase
Highlights Big Fun Workbook (available for grades PK through 2nd)
10 Week by Week Sight Word Packets (Scholastic)
Grammar (for Grades 7-8)
Vocabulary for Grades 6-8
One Question a Day for Kids
101 Story Starters for Kids
Puzzlemania Brain Teasers from Highlights
Frida's Fruit Fiesta Alphabet Game
At-Home Activities, Ideas, Suggestions
10 Book Suggestions for Kids: Chapter Books, Picture Books, Non-Fiction and More!
Check out all of my Book Suggestions, Book Reviews and Reading Lists
Awesome Book Lists for Kids from Mommy University
25 Day Reading Challenge (free printable) from Natural Beach Living
The Letter Garden from Babies to Bookworms
LEGO Literacy Activities from The Letters of Literacy
Teaching the Element of Surprise in Literature from Babies to Bookworms
Roll and Retell: Building Summarizing, Communication and Writing Skills from An Apple for the Teacher
Letter Recognition Games from Babies to Bookworms
Fun Ways to Enhance Writing Skills at Home from New Jersey's own, Mommy University!
A Note About Journaling
Journaling is one of the best forms of writing practice, but I'll be honest, many kids hate it. One suggestion is to keep a journal with your child. Type or write the day's events together. It will be fun to look back on, trust me!
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| photo from Mommy University |
Free Printable Journal Pages
I created two free printable journal pages so kids can keep track of daily activities. The printables are a "fill in the blank" style, and can even help emergent writers. Be sure to check them out and read why I think journaling is important during this time period. Find the free printables and full post here.
Math
I hate to say this, but math is an area where you can find some great apps and online games to practice facts and concepts. But if you want to steer clear of the online or tech devices, check out some of these fun products and lessons to help boost math skills at home.
Math Books and Games to Purchase:
Carson Dellosa Addition Flashcards (through 12)
Multiplication and Divison Math Workbook for 3rd, 4th and 5th Grade
Pass the Pigs Math Game
Snack Shack Counting Game
Money Bags Coin Value Game
Math Activities and At-Home Lessons
Totally Awesome LEGO Math Activities from The Kindergarten Connection
LEGO Number Mats from 123HomeschoolforMe
Fun Math Activities with Apples (written for Fall but still a fun resource!)
10 Math Games to Play with Dominoes by Upper Elementary Snapshots
5 Math Games to Play with UNO Cards by Primary Playground
250+ Free Math Games and Activities from 123Homeschool4Me
Roll and Cross Math Games by Busy Toddler
Science
Remember, Science is everywhere! Go on a nature walk or bug hunt, collect leaves and sticks, create a terrarium, raise butterflies (painted ladies are good this time of year), or keep a weather journal/observation station. The opportunities to learn from the world around us are everywhere! If you need some added inspiration, here are some products and posts that might help.
Science Kits or Ideas to Purchase:
Insectlore Butterfly Growing Kit
Light-Up Terrarium Kit from Hapinest
Crayola Color Chemistry Lab
Crayola Arctic Color Chemistry Lab
Hand2Mind Bubbles STEM Kit
ERUPT Volcano Lab
Science Lessons and Experiments at Home
Simple Science Experiment: Swirling Colors (for any age)
The Water Cycle from Babies to Bookworms
DIY Dinosaur Eggs from Babies to Bookworms
Egg-cellent Experiments: 5 Simple Educational Activities from Mommy University
5 Books to Inspire Interstellar Imaginations from Theresa's Reviews
Aladdin Magnetic Flying Carpet Experiment from Theresa's Reviews
Social Studies
Social Studies Supplements to Purchase:
U.S.A. Bingo Game
Top Trumps Red White and Blue Card Game
When in Rome - Alexa Geography Game
180 Days of Social Studies (book)
There are many places offering virtual field trips for kids! Check out these links for museum fun.
10 Museums Offering Virtual Tours
33 National Parks You Can Tour Virtually
Check out these fun Social Studies projects and book lists, too:
100 Historical Books for Kids from Learn in Color
Technology & Computers
Check out these posts for reviews of online learning platforms and educational apps. Sites like Adventure Academy and ABCmouse are offering free resources for schools but the districts have to register in advance. Tell them to do it! Adventure Academy is our absolute favorite.
Adventure Academy
ABCmouse
Night Zookeeper (for writing skills)
5 Great Coding Toys for Kids
Check out my walkthrough video of Adventure Academy and see what you think!
Simple Art Ideas
Art can be as simple as setting up an easel, some finger paints, different mediums for drawing and coloring (colored pencils, crayons, markers, pastels, water colors, etc). You can also check out some amazing kits by Crayola, like their Color Wonder line, Sprinkle Art Shaker, Glitter Dots (my favorite!), or their Crayon Melter.
Want to create some Art of your own? Here are some suggestions for simple projects (I stress simple- I'm all about the simplicity!). These projects are so simple, in fact, that you probably already have most of the supplies at home
Paper Plate Rainbows
Minecraft Shrinky Dinks
No-Sew Sock Puppets
Make Your Own PEEPS Houses
Creative Uses for Colored Chalk
Easy Marble Painting
How to Make Chalk Sand Art (using table salt and colored chalk!)
DIY Spin Art
Upcycled Starry Night Luminaries
Salt Dough Memory Stones or Ornaments
Easy Handmade Suncatchers (might need to buy supplies from Amazon or online)
DIY Votive Candle Holder (you can also decorate the votive jar with colored Sharpies if you don't have tissue paper)
New Victory Arts Break offers weekly thematic units (puppetry, juggling, songwriting and so much more)
Physical Education
It goes without saying that the best form of "Phys Ed" is simply to GET OUTSIDE! Go play basketball or kickball, ride bikes, play hide and seek. Artsy kids might enjoy using colored chalk to play hopscotch or going on a nature walk through the woods. You can also:
-have a scavenger hunt
-create an obstacle course for bikes
-play jump rope
-play some old school games like Freeze Tag, What Time is It Mr. Fox or Red Light Green Light
-take a family walk or jog
5 Great Coding Toys for Kids
Check out my walkthrough video of Adventure Academy and see what you think!
Simple Art Ideas
Art can be as simple as setting up an easel, some finger paints, different mediums for drawing and coloring (colored pencils, crayons, markers, pastels, water colors, etc). You can also check out some amazing kits by Crayola, like their Color Wonder line, Sprinkle Art Shaker, Glitter Dots (my favorite!), or their Crayon Melter.
Want to create some Art of your own? Here are some suggestions for simple projects (I stress simple- I'm all about the simplicity!). These projects are so simple, in fact, that you probably already have most of the supplies at home
Paper Plate Rainbows
Minecraft Shrinky Dinks
No-Sew Sock Puppets
Make Your Own PEEPS Houses
Creative Uses for Colored Chalk
Easy Marble Painting
How to Make Chalk Sand Art (using table salt and colored chalk!)
DIY Spin Art
Upcycled Starry Night Luminaries
Salt Dough Memory Stones or Ornaments
Easy Handmade Suncatchers (might need to buy supplies from Amazon or online)
DIY Votive Candle Holder (you can also decorate the votive jar with colored Sharpies if you don't have tissue paper)
New Victory Arts Break offers weekly thematic units (puppetry, juggling, songwriting and so much more)
Physical Education
It goes without saying that the best form of "Phys Ed" is simply to GET OUTSIDE! Go play basketball or kickball, ride bikes, play hide and seek. Artsy kids might enjoy using colored chalk to play hopscotch or going on a nature walk through the woods. You can also:
-have a scavenger hunt
-create an obstacle course for bikes
-play jump rope
-play some old school games like Freeze Tag, What Time is It Mr. Fox or Red Light Green Light
-take a family walk or jog
- try my Neighborhood Safari idea
Other Options for Physical Education:
Easy Ring Toss Game (Dr. Seuss themed but doesn't need to be a theme)
Creative Uses for Colored Chalk (includes outdoor games and activities)
GoNoodle.com tons of videos and online exercise offerings for kids
Rock Painting Hide and Find (See photo below): Paint a large rock with bright colors or designs and hide it somewhere in your yard! Kids can search and find with or wothout hints, then play again with a new hiding spot! Set a timer for a challenge!
More Helpful Resources and Freebies
Charles Schulz Museum at Home (tons of free lessons, printables and more of Snoopy and the whole Peanuts gang!)
How to Talk to Kids About Fear from Babies to Bookworms
8 Educational Travel Toys (not just great for travel!)
6 Educational Uses for Outdoor Toys
How to Create Strong Study Habits in Kids
Keeping Kids Busy Over Winter Break with Educational Activities (great any time, not just winter!)
Boredom Busters for Kids (these were created for Winter, but can really be applied any time!)
No Prep Activities for Kids from Babies to Bookworms
75 Learning Activities to Do from Home from Mommy University
Educational Virtual Tours: Travel the World from Inside Your Home from Mommy University
Online Story Time: Virtual and Livestreams from Mommy University
Monitor Screen Time
Other Options for Physical Education:
Easy Ring Toss Game (Dr. Seuss themed but doesn't need to be a theme)
Creative Uses for Colored Chalk (includes outdoor games and activities)
GoNoodle.com tons of videos and online exercise offerings for kids
Rock Painting Hide and Find (See photo below): Paint a large rock with bright colors or designs and hide it somewhere in your yard! Kids can search and find with or wothout hints, then play again with a new hiding spot! Set a timer for a challenge!
More Helpful Resources and Freebies
Charles Schulz Museum at Home (tons of free lessons, printables and more of Snoopy and the whole Peanuts gang!)
How to Talk to Kids About Fear from Babies to Bookworms
8 Educational Travel Toys (not just great for travel!)
6 Educational Uses for Outdoor Toys
How to Create Strong Study Habits in Kids
Keeping Kids Busy Over Winter Break with Educational Activities (great any time, not just winter!)
Boredom Busters for Kids (these were created for Winter, but can really be applied any time!)
No Prep Activities for Kids from Babies to Bookworms
75 Learning Activities to Do from Home from Mommy University
Educational Virtual Tours: Travel the World from Inside Your Home from Mommy University
Online Story Time: Virtual and Livestreams from Mommy University
Monitor Screen Time
One last note about remote learning and at-home education: our children are subjected to a lot of screen time. Many schools conduct yearly eye exams through the school nurse to help keep parents and caregivers in the loop about how children are 'seeing' things in the classroom. Be an advocate for your child while they are learning from home, too. If you find that your child is squinting or struggling to see the display, it may be time to intervene. Headaches can be another sign of screen fatigue. Don't be afraid to take them in to see an eye doctor. Should you need to explore getting glasses, be sure to check out a reputable website or professional advice. Some doctors can recommend blue tint glasses to reduce glare, too.
Other Amazon affiliate suggestions for learning:
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