Amazon Audible has released an all-new format called Stories. It is a temporary format that contains many free audible books for children of all ages. No subscription is required, and it is accessible all on one easy-to-navigate webpage. They are offering Stories for as long as the COVID-19 crisis continues. Start listening here!
Netflix has provided free online videos for children to learn from home. The StoryBots teach the alphabet, counting to ten, healthy habits, and more in an entertaining way. No subscription is needed, and these videos can be accessed through YouTube here.
Right now it can be difficult to find new activities to keep the kids busy as we are all staying within our homes. Thankfully, many different organizations have come together to offer all sorts of experiences that can safely be viewed in your home. From museums to theme parks, your children can enjoy a wide array of outside experiences right from your own computer! Click here to get started on the fun.
In the world of education, charter schools have had their share of critics. Although the data doesn’t support the claim, some say charter schools fail to adequately serve all students, especially those with disabilities. iLEAD Charter Schools strive to support equity and access for all students, and their model of project-based and social-emotional learning has provided a successful approach for all learners. Recently, one parent explained how and why.
Kristin Wullschleger, whose son Adam has attended iLEAD Exploration since 2018, is grateful for the growth and learning her son has experienced since starting with iLEAD. iLEAD’s additional supports for Adam have included occupational therapy, adaptive physical education, speech services (both individual and group) and specialized weekly academic instruction.
According to Wullschleger, Adam has benefited from the one-on-one attention, the opportunity to learn at his own pace, and the efforts of the iLEAD staff to find new ways to support their learners. “Our son has gone up three reading levels and now enjoys math,” said Wullschleger. “He focuses more now on his work and even chooses subjects he wants to learn more about.”
Additionally, Wullschleger and her family have seen a change in Adam’s social-emotional development. “He has better control of his emotions now,” said Wullschleger. “He communicates more effectively with what’s bothering him.”
The game-changer, according to Wullschleger, is the level of support and service Adam receives. She said the staff truly care about her son’s individual growth.
“When virtual learning was not working early on for our son, iLEAD staff asked if we wanted an in-person teacher,” said Wullschleger. “At least two support staff recommended more session time. iLEAD approved it.”
In the previous non-charter-school experiences that Adam had, Wullschleger said, these would have been roadblocks, but at iLEAD it’s always about what’s best for the learner.
Wullschleger said that iLEAD’s Individual Education Plan is not just an acronym or catch phrase but a real practice. “I’m so happy that I’m included regularly in his educational plan,” she said. “I told his occupational therapist and his teacher that we wanted him to learn to write.”
She said his previous non-charter school told her that her son would be only a technology learner and wouldn’t be able to write. “He’s writing now regularly and legibly,” said Wullschleger.
Many of Adam’s projects and learning experiences have impacted him as a learner and person, according to his mom. “Our son is a hands-on learner, so educational field studies at places like Medieval Times, Knotts Berry Farm, and Leaps and Bounds, where he went horseback riding, have all been beneficial to him,” said Wullschleger. “He is now enjoying subscription boxes like Little Passports, Ivy Kids and Raddish Kids. We just studied France and painted the Eiffel Tower.”
Wullschleger’s enthusiasm over Adam’s continued growth and success is contagious. She said she routinely recommends iLEAD to other parents, especially those with special learning needs.
“Our previous school basically said our son was too far behind,” said Wullschleger. “With iLEAD, we have proven that with the right support and team members, he can catch up and exceed all expectations.”
PBS has come out with an article that details 10 different tips to use when approaching the subject of the coronavirus to your children.
Also included in this PBS article is a short video from BrainPop that will inform your learners about the Coronavirus in a kid-friendly animated short. To read more, visit PBS here.
Several companies are offering free educational resources due to school closures around the world. Check out this blog post to find out what’s available for you and your learners by clicking here!
Other great resources:
Math Snacks offers engaging and vivid animations and games for learners to practice math concepts such as ratios, base ten, number lines, fractions, coordinate planes, etc. Suggested learners would be middle-school.
Open-middle is a website that offers more challenging math problems for any learner k-12. Each problem will have multiple ways to complete it and encourage learners to attempt each of the methods in order to achieve the most optimal answer.
Youcubed is a free website that has math-based tasks and activities available for downloading or printing. Each activity or task is labeled with their suggested learner grade and has activities for grades k-12.
Commonlit offers short stories and literature with reading comprehension and vocabulary for all grades. This is a great resource for upper elementary through high school.
Storyline is an incredible site that offers videos of picture books being read by actors and actresses. They have a wide variety, and it is a wonderful resource to utilize from home!
Sciencing is a website that offers easy science project ideas for kids of all ages!
Thoughtful Learning provides access to Language Arts resources such as assessments, worksheets, and lessons, and more!
Finally, iLEAD Exploration has compiled a comprehensive list of Learning From Home – Virtual Resources. The spreadsheet has many tabs, so be sure to refer to the categories at the bottom.
Over the next few weeks, Mindful Schools is offering free mindfulness classes for children. These 30-minute lessons include mindful activities, mindful movement, read-aloud and more! Classes will be held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 10 am and will be taught by experienced teachers. Click here to learn more.
Times have been tough with the temporary closures of schools. Many families have had to move their learner online as they wait for brick and mortar schools to reopen. Both Spectrum and AT&T have generously offered 60 days of free internet or low-cost home internet in order to help those in need.
Spectrum WiFi hotspots will now be open for public use. You may either call 1-844-579-3743 to enroll or visit their website to learn more.
With so much time together at home, it is important to maintain a schedule that works for your family. Below is a sample daily schedule, but there are many other creative scheduling ideas that can be found through friends, family, and/or researching on the internet.
We are so thankful for our school counselors at iLEAD. They provide counseling support to our learners with IEPs, and sometimes even to our own team. We have spotlighted a few of our talented team below.
Danielle Monton
My name is Danielle Monton, and I’m a school counselor at SCVi and iLEAD Agua Dulce. I provide services to learners in need of personal, social, emotional, and academic support.
Superpower
Positive vibes. I help others to see the positive in themselves that I see in them.
Fun Fact
I am a mother of two fun-loving boys, and I love spending time with them any chance I get.
Janet Perez Turner
I’m a school counselor with iLEAD Exploration, supporting learners in K-8.
Superpower
Empathy, which is the ability to not only understand what someone else is feeling or experiencing, but also to share that feeling or experience.
Fun Fact
I met former First Lady Michelle Obama while having lunch when visiting Washington, DC.
Shaana Scott
I am a school counselor at iLEAD Lancaster, and I support learners at various levels of need.
Superpower
I am a “believer.” I stand firm in believing what some may think is impossible.
Fun Fact
I’m a good batter, and like to play baseball.
