FREE Learning Tools: Updated Regularly
Last week, with the threat of COVID-19 becoming a global pandemic, many schools across the country, some under direct government order, opted to close their doors for an extended period of time.
That leaves parents and educators all across the country scrambling to determine the best use of this free time at home. While some lesson plans can be easily delivered in a virtual format, others need a little more renovation and kids who are stuck indoors during socially distancing from peers could likely also use a little variety.
Many online educational companies have stepped up to the plate to offer free or discounted tools for parents and teachers to use with and for students. This list will be updated as often as possible and feel free to comment anything you know of that is not on the list so we can all share.
Educators can connect with each other at our virtual collaboration session weekly by registering here. If you want to engage students using social media an online tools, check out the recording of our previous webinar Social Media for Schools: Creating 360 Learning Experiences.
For Teachers or Parents
Audible has free books for kids right now, but you can also get a free trial of books for yourself
Kindle Unlimited provides books directly to your phone or tablet or laptop to keep kiddos reading
KiwiCo. At home activities for families added daily.
Second Step has resources for classroom staff and families who want to support social and emotional learning
Comcast Internet Essentials. If limited access to the internet is a concern, Comcast may be able to help. They have their basic service available in areas they regularly service. Click through to the website to see if you are eligible.
Emotional ABCs. While the teacher account is free, parents can also access these tools for emotional intelligence lessons.
Virtual Museum tours. Exploring your surroundings is pretty hard to do during social distancing, but virtually visiting museums can be fun for the whole family.
Fluency and Fitness. For K-2nd grade learners these movement and literacy activities are great and free for 21 days.
GoNoodle teaches both academic and social and emotional skills with fun movements and music too. There are hundreds of free videos for you to view that can be a great brain break between school work or a nice supplement too.
BrainPop provides a full spectrum of learning experiences for students with free family accounts and special programs for educators right now.
Camp Kindness Counts has a free distance learning packet available for immediate download from their website to focus on social and emotional skills.
Ask Rose has always provided free tutoring resources to students. They are generally available during the hours of 7-10pm, I haven’t seen that they are extending those hours, but perhaps they will be available during the day as well.
Chrome Music Lab provides engaging music lessons for students to do at home.
Circle Time is for the early childhood and kindergarten age group, with engaging lessons for the youngest in your home. Use code homefun1 if prompted when signing up.
Crafting a Masterpiece is for those art lessons your older student might enjoy. Use code Corona2020 for one month free
DiscoverK12 is a free homeschool curriculum with multiple lessons available of all ages.
DreamScape is an online reading program for students in grades 2-8. The account is free for your personal use.
Empatico is a tool that lets classrooms connect digitally this would be a great tool especially as children feel more isolated at home.
Enchanted Learning has lots of printable tools and free memberships to schools right now.
Epic provides ebooks for kids. With most libraries being closed their free membership is a welcome resource right now.
Prodigy Math has free math games for kids of all ages
Duolingo learning a language from home and free
Free college courses If you have older kids, finding quality online resources can be harder to find. This website lists a ton of college courses that are available for free. While you won’t get college credit, some will give a certificate and you can always use the knowledge.
Scholastic Learn From Home. Broken down into 4 age groups, the powerhouse in literacy is now offering free lessons each day for students in K-12 settings.
Virtual tours provide access to a nice break from traditional learning while keeping kids mentally active
Big Life Podcast provides fun quick lessons for kids and parents to enjoy
Read Conmigo bilingual resources
Everfi provides character lessons, social-emotional learning and financial literacy tools for kids in K-12
Pathway to Success has a monster list of tools for SEL support
Families First of Indiana has a great list of mostly free, at home activities that can be done with little prep
GoPeer pairs kids in K-12 with college tutors for free
Humble Warriors Yoga has videos that help kids move mindfully to reduce stress
College courses available for free. Over 450 university courses currently offered free of charge
For Teachers only
Kahoot offers tons of learning resources and right now their premium access is free for educators
Zoom. Their basic plan for up to 40 minutes is always free, but they have stepped up to offer educators the extended plan which has no time restriction. This allows you to screenshare, have video conferencing and record sessions as well.
Age of Learning which includes ABC Mouse is offering districts free access to their platforms.
MobyMax provides tools for identifying student needs
Happy Numbers provides math instruction and is free until the end of the 2020 school year