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Home » About OSPI » News Releases and Statements » COVID-19 Guidance & Resources » Resources for Continuous Learning During School Closures

Resources for Continuous Learning During School Closures

In response to school closures due to COVID-19, OSPI content experts have curated a selection of links to external organizations providing high-quality online educational materials – courses, lessons, videos, physical and outdoor activity suggestions, etc. Please note that in many cases, these resources are free to use online but are not openly licensed for wide scale reuse and adaptation. 

These resources were carefully chosen for their alignment to Washington State Learning Standards (or a recognized equivalent) and/or direct experience with effective implementation with students. Particular attention has been given to identifying best practices and guidance in supporting students and providing suggestions for educator professional learning during this challenging time.

Notes:

  • Grade bands: (Pre K–2, 3–5, 6–8, 9–12) are suggestions only – you may find useful resources for your needs in any of the sections.
  • Educator: these resources are primarily directed to teachers, school staff, schools and districts
  • Family: these resources are geared toward parents, families, caregivers, and members of our community who normally do not teach/facilitate in a formal education setting. Everyone is welcome to use these resources.
  • Student: these resources support independent student learning
  • In several cases, a resource appears in multiple categories as it integrates multiple content areas.

Resources by Content Area

Resource Type Pre K–2 3–5 6–8 9–12 Educator Family Student
Arts Ed Washington: Arts Lessons in the Classroom integrated visual arts lessons x x     x    
Google Arts and Culture virtual tours - historical sites and museums, art, photography   x x x x x x
Library of Congress - film and video collections primary source films, videos, and audio resources   x x x x    
OER Commons WA Hub (The Arts) openly licensed resources by OSPI staff, grantees, and Washington districts     x x x    
PBS and WORLD Channel: At-Home Learning Programs WA local public television stations are offering educational programming for students in grades 6–12 from 9:00am–2:00pm daily     x x   x x
PBS Learning Media - Arts video, interactives, and lessons for dance, music, theatre and visual arts x x x x x    
TeachRock integrated arts lessons using popular music   x x x x    
The New York Time Learning Network: English Language Learner & The Arts lesson plans and writing prompts for ELL and the arts x x x x x    
The New York Times Learning Network: Multimedia current events lessons and activities using Times multimedia content     x x x    
Smithsonian Learning Lab interactive platform to create personalized collections of Smithsonian assets and user-generated resources   x x x x x x

Resource Type Pre K–2 3–5 6–8 9–12 Educator  Family Student
Cells alive! – Cells, Microbes, and the Immune System Interactive cell models, games, virtual labs       x     x
CTE Online lessons, STEM/STEAM projects, course outlines, community groups       x x    
OER Commons - CTE curated collection lessons, videos, activities         x    
Purdue Ag Sci Educ & Communication agriculture teachers; lesson plans and activities       x x    
National Council for Agriculture Education - Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE) for All – Independent Learning Guide online course, student learning guides, teacher resources       x x   x
Smithsonian Environmental Research Center – Forces of Change educational activities and videos related to soil, arctic, atmosphere           x x

Resource Type Pre K–2 3–5 6–8 9–12 Educator  Family Student
Code.org online courses, tutorials, videos, and live weekly webcast x x x x x x x
CodeHS guidance, professional development, curriculum     x x x x x
CS for All Washington guidance, professional development x x x x x    
CS Unplugged unit/lesson plans, teaching videos, curriculum integration, plus activities and games without a computer x x x x x x x
Khan Academy professional development, curriculum x x x x x x x

Resource Type Educator  Family Student
Madison Public Library: Appropriate Apps for Children list of apps appropriate for young children x x x
MyTeachingStrategies® Support resources library -  access limited to teachers subscribed to GOLD® x x x
OER Commons WA Hub (Early Learning) suggested family resources x    
ReadyRosie & The Creative Curriculum® Healthy at Home: toolkit for Supporting Families Impacted by COVID-19 x x x
Scholastic Learn at Home projects - video, story, activity - Spanish version available x x x
Storyline Online streams videos featuring celebrated actors reading children’s books alongside creatively produced illustrations. x    

Resource Type Pre K–2 3–5 6–8 9–12 Educator  Family Student
Common Lit- Digital Lessons  fiction and nonfiction  - organized by themes, text sets, and book pairings. Free registration required to view units and download.   x x x x    
EngageNY unit/lesson x x x x x    
Florida Center for Reading Research Resources unit/lesson x x     x    
Formative Assessment During Distance Learning guidance on recapturing “In-the-Moment” observations that inform instruction x x x x x    
Immersive Reading by Microsoft adaptive technology x x x x x x x
Learn Zillion (ELA Guidebooks) unit/lesson x x x x x    
Match Fishtank (ELA) unit/lesson x x x x x    
National Museum of African American History and Culture: Many Lenses unit/lesson     x x x x x
National Museum of the American Indian: Native Knowledge 360' unit/lesson x x x x x x x
Newsela - Distance Learning temporary access to short cross-curricular daily lessons, family resources, and print package options. Registration required.   x x x x x x
OER Commons WA Hub (English Language Arts Group) openly licensed resources by OSPI staff, grantees, and Washington districts x     x x    
Oregon Branch of International Association of Dyslexia resource list of assistive technology tools x x x x x x x
OSPI - Reading in the Time of COVID-19 links to free eBooks, audiobooks, and read alouds Sites include access for English learners as well as students with reading barriers. x x x x x x x
PBS and WORLD Channel: At-Home Learning Programs WA local public television stations are offering educational programming for students in grades 6–12 from 9:00am–2:00pm daily     x x   x x
Pulitzer Center: Education unit/lesson x x x x x    
Reading Rockets unit/lesson x x          
ReadWriteThink lessons, interactives, parent and afterschool resources x x x x x x x
Scholastic Learn at Home projects - video, story, activity - Spanish version available x x     x x x
Smarter Balanced Digital Library unit/lesson (ELA/math) x x x x x    
Storyline Online read aloud x         x x
Student Achievement Partners unit/lesson x x x x x    
Teaching Tolerance: Classroom Resources unit/lesson x x x x x    

Resource Type Pre K–2 3–5 6–8 9–12 Educator  Family Student
Econ Lowdown online courses, videos x x x x x x  
EconEdLink lessons, videos, professional development x x x x x x  
EVERFI Financial Education Courses for Kids online courses - free registration required x x x x x x x
Financial Education Public Private Partnership (FEPPP) - Financial Education Materials curated list of Financial Ed resources x x x x x    

Resource Type Pre K–2 3–5 6–8 9–12 Educator  Family Student
Advancing Health Equity: Adapting Sexual Health Education for a Virtual Environment guidance document     x x x    
Advocating for Youth: Rights, Respect, Responsibility (3Rs) Google Classroom online sexual health education lessons. Free registration required. NOTE: Some schools may restrict access to Google Classrooms outside of their own district.     x x x    
AMAZE Video Series (Sexual Health Education) online videos, teacher and parent discussion guides   x x   x x  
EVERFI Health and Wellness online courses - free registration required x x x x x x x
HIV and Me: Marissa’s Story Video online video, teacher's guide available from OSPI    x     x x  
OER Commons WA Hub (Health and Physical Education Group) lessons, activities, standards x x x x x x  
Online Physical Education Network (OPEN) units, lessons, activities x x x x x    
Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE) - Guidelines for K-12 Online Physical guidance x x x x x    
Understanding HIV/AIDS: Learn the Facts, Fight the Stigma, Stay Safe Video online video     x   x x  

Resource Type Pre K–2 3–5 6–8 9–12 Educator  Family Student
CK-12 online textbook, interactives x x x x x x x
Desmos activities, interactive     x x x    
EngageNY course, units, lessons x x x x x    
GeoGebra interactive       x x    
Illustrative Mathematics activities, interactive x x x x x    
Khan Academy lessons, videos  x x x x x x x
Match Fishtank (Mathematics) course, units, lessons   x x x x    
Math Snacks videos, games   x x   x x x
Mathematics Assessment Project lessons, activities     x x x    
Mathematics Vision Project course, units, lessons       x x    
OER Commons WA Hub (Mathematics Group) openly licensed resources by OSPI staff, grantees, and Washington districts x x x x x    
Open Middle activities     x x x    
PolyUp online, interactive puzzles   x x x x x x
Prodigy: Math Learning Platform game x x     x x x
San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD): K-5 Mathematics course, units, lessons x x     x    
SFUSD: Math Elementary School Closure Lessons ten days of activities that teachers can choose to assign to students for them to complete at home x x     x    
Smarter Balanced Digital Library unit/lesson (ELA/math) x x x x x    
Solve me Puzzles online, interactive puzzles   x x x x x x
Stanford Graduate School of Education: YouCubed online tasks, videos, and courses for teachers and students x x x x x x x

Resource Type Pre K–2 3–5 6–8 9–12 Educator Family Student
CK-12 Foundation online textbook, interactives x x x x x x  
Concord Consortium lessons, units x x x x x    
Council of State Science Supervisors (CSSS) - Supporting Science Learning During Closures guidance         x    
LabXchange lessons, units, simulations, online learning community     x x x x x
MIT BLOSSOMS (Blended Learning Open Source Science or Math Studies) math and science video lessons       x x x x
National Science Digital Library OER repository x x x x x    
Next Generation Science Story Lines lessons  x x x x x    
OER Commons WA Hub (Science Group) on openly licensed resources by OSPI staff, grantees, and Washington districts x x x x x    
OpenSciEd units     x   x    
OSPI K-2 Science Home Learning Resources During COVID-19 resources associated with each of the K-2  Washington Science Content Learning Standards x       x x  
OSPI 3-5 Science Home Learning Resources During COVID-19 resources associated with each of the K-2  Washington Science Content Learning Standards   x     x x  
PBS and WORLD Channel: At-Home Learning Programs WA local public television stations are offering educational programming for students in grades 6–12 from 9:00am–2:00pm daily     x x   x x
PhET interactive simulations x x x x x x x
Scholastic Learn at Home projects - video, story, activity         x x x

Resource Type Pre K–2 3–5 6–8 9–12 Educator  Family Student
Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness Network lesson plans, unit plans, online community     x x x    
iNaturalist phone app, online community, plant and wildlife identification – free registration required x x x x x x x
Journey North interactive database, lessons, simulations x x x x x x x
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration lesson plans, unit plans, data collections x x x x x    
North American Association for Environmental Education: EE Pro online community, professional development resources x x x x x    

Resource Type Pre K–2 3–5 6–8 9–12 Educator  Family Student
C3 Inquiry State Hubs inquiry-based lessons using the College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework x x x x x    
iCivics lessons, units, and games for civic learning. Free registration required to download teacher material     x x x   x
League of Women Voters of Washington - The State We’re In: Washington textbook/reading - state, local, and tribal governance in Washington state     x   x    
Library of Congress lessons, primary sources x x x x x    
National Archives – Docs Teach lessons, primary sources x x x x x    
National Museum of African American History and Culture: Many Lenses reading     x x x x x
National Museum of the American Indian: Native Knowledge 360' unit/lesson x x x x x x x
Newsela - Distance Learning temporary access to short cross-curricular daily lessons, family resources, and print package options. Registration required.   x x x x x x
OER Commons WA Hub (Social Studies) openly licensed resources by OSPI staff, grantees, and Washington districts x x x x x    
PBS and WORLD Channel: At-Home Learning Programs WA local public television stations are offering educational programming for students in grades 6–12 from 9:00am–2:00pm daily     x x   x x
Pulitzer Center: Education international news stories, lesson plans, and activities x x x x x    
Since Time Immemorial: Tribal Sovereignty in Washington State inquiry, place-based, integrated course, units, and lessons. x x x x x    
Washington State Library: Primarily Washington lessons, primary sources   x x x x    

Resource Type Pre K–2 3–5 6–8 9–12 Educator  Family Student
Center for Open Educational Resources and Language Learning (COERLL) textbooks, videos, interactives     x x x    
The FLTMAG - Pandemic Prepping in the World Language Classroom guidance         x    
Georgia Virtual Learning - World Languages online courses     x x x    
National Council of State Supervisors for Languages (CSSFL) - Tips for Teaching Online COVID-19 resource bank spreadsheet         x    
National Public Radio (NPR) COVID-19 Comic COVID-19 info for kids in multiple languages x x          
OER Commons WA Hub (World Languages) lessons     x x x    
PBS Learning Media - World Languages lessons, videos, interactives x x x x x x x
Scholastic Learn at Home projects - video, story, activity - Spanish version available x x     x x x
Smithsonian: World Languages: Diversity, Engagement, and Revitalization video, webcast, lessons     x   x x  

Resource Type Pre K–2 3–5 6–8 9–12 Educator  Family Student
Common Sense Media - ELA Tools Aligned to Common Core Standards games, apps, websites, lessons - free and paid x x x x x x x
Common Sense Media - Free Educational Games, Apps, Websites games, apps, websites, lessons - free and paid x x x x x x x
Common Sense Media - Great Social Studies Apps and Websites games, apps, websites, lessons - free and paid x x x x x x x
Common Sense Media - Math Tools Aligned to Common Core Standards games, apps, websites, lessons - free and paid x x x x x x x
Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) - Preparing to Take Your School Online considerations for school districts x x x x x    
Education Elements - Four Ways to Facilitate Student Learning if Schools Close guidance x x x x x    
Immersive Reading by Microsoft adaptive technology x x x x x x x
Northwest Council for Computer Education: NCCE Live Professional Learning quick, easy tips to implement powerful technology tools in the classroom x x x x x    
State Educational Technology Directors' Association (SETDA) - Coalition for eLearning compilation of resources around eLearning x x x x x    
Teaching Remotely in Times of Need (by Torrey Trust, Ph.D.) tips and resources x x x x x    

Resource Type Pre K–2 3–5 6–8 9–12 Educator  Family Student
Career One Stop online career exploration     x x     x
CAST iSolveIt Puzzles mobile digital learning environment that supports  development of logical thinking and reasoning skills     x x     x
CAST Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Book Builder create, share, publish, and read digital books that engage and support diverse learners according to their individual needs, interests, and skills x x x x x    
CAST Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Editions online platform for presenting world literature in a flexible interface with just-in-time, individualized supports for struggling and expert readers   x x x     x
CAST Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Exchange online platform to browse and build UDL resources, lessons and collections x x x x x    
CAST Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Studio online platform to design and share dynamic, UDL supported learning environments x x x x x x  
Center on Online Learning and Students with Disabilities resources and guidance for making online learning more accessible, engaging, and effective for K-12 students with disabilities x x x x x x x
Equitable Online Learning: Resources and Links Special Education Technology Center (SETC) Resource List x x x x x x  
Google Classroom with Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Extensions Classroom/Learning Management Tool x x x x x    
Lexia Learning Adaptive Reading Assessment and Personalized Instruction x x x x     x
My Next Move online career exploration     x x     x
National Center on Improving Literacy (NCIL) Kid Zone! online student platform with audio books/comics and activities/games for students with reading disabilities, like dyslexia x x x       x
Pictorial Interest Inventory Career Interest Inventory for Students with Significant Disabilities     x x     x
T-Folio online Transition Portfolio Tool     x x     x
WA Career Bridge online career exploration     x x     x
Zarrow Center online secondary transition resources     x x x x  

Resource Type Pre K–2 3–5 6–8 9–12 Educator  Family Student
Basho and Friends – YouTube channel musical content to help students explore languages and experience diverse cultures x         x x
BBC Learning English free courses, audio, video, and text   x x x x x x
Ello - English Listening Lesson Library Online over 300 videos for targeted listening     x x x x x
International Children's Library free e books in a variety of languages. x x x x x x x
Starfall early literacy, language, and math lessons. Some features require paid subscription x       x x x
The Fable Cottage new versions of traditional tales especially for language learners x       x x x
The French Experiment free lessons and children's stories in French x x x x x x x
The German Project free lessons and children's stories in German x x x x x x x
The Italian Experiment free lessons and children's stories in Italian x x x x x x x
The Spanish Experiment free lessons and children's stories in Spanish x x x x x x x
ThoughtCo collection of mini lessons in the four domains of language       x x x x
US Department of State - American English courses, music, games, comics, webinars, and more         x x  

Resource Audience Description Delivery Method Cost
CASEL - SEL Educators The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) is a trusted source for knowledge about high-quality, evidence-based social and emotional learning (SEL). Resource collection Free
ELPA21 Educators Professional learning to introduce and integrate ELP standards into instruction across the curriculum. Online professional learning/resources Free
Google Education Hub Educators Learning opportunities for novice to advanced Google Classroom users, including lesson plans, student activities, family connection resources. Online professional learning/resources Free
Intel Teach Elements Educators Classes on incorporating technology into the classroom, including personalized instruction, creating courses. Online professional learning/resources Free
Northwest Council for Computer Education: NCCE Live Professional Learning Educators Live and recorded events with quick, easy tips  to implement powerful technology tools in the classroom Video Free
OER Commons WA Hub (Professional Learning) Educators Professional learning opportunities offered or identified by OSPI staff, Educational Service Districts, and district collaborators. Resource collection Free
OSPI -CARE: Confident Action and Referral by Educators Educators Research-backed, web-based course to provide educators and other school staff guidance to help students who may be going through difficult times. Moodle, requires registration Free
OSPI - HiCapPLUS Professional Learning Modules Educators Support the delivery of instruction and services to Highly Capable students Moodle, requires registration Free
OSPI - Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Online Learning Modules Educators Modules help build and improve understanding of social emotional skills Moodle, requires registration Free
OSPI YouTube Channel Educators Playlists that highlight resources, programs, and educators across the state. Includes training, webinars, and legislative updates. Video Free
PBS Learning Media - Virtual Professional Learning Series Educators Emphasis on engaging, accessible, and free tools for classrooms, these online sessions are designed to connect educators with each other and PBS shows, themes, and content.  Video Free
pd Enroller Educators Registration system used by eight of the state’s Educational Service Districts (ESDs) and OSPI. System enables Washington educators to register for conferences, events and trainings around the state and tracks attendance and clock hours.  In person and online professional learning Both fee-based and free
Professional Development to Support Students with Disabilities Educators OSPI curated list of professional learning opportunities to support students with disabilities. Varied Both fee-based and free
Professional Learning Resources for Teacher-Librarians Educators Curated list of professional learning opportunities for teacher-librarians from the Washington State Library and OSPI Varied Both fee-based and free
Resources from ASCD Educators Timely and relevant topics such as student engagement, classroom technology, and instructional strategies. Online classes, webinars Both free and fee-based
Teaching Tolerance Educators Social justice and anti-bias self-guided professional development and classroom lessons with a Plan Builder tool. Online professional learning/resources Free

Connect to the OSPI Remote Learning Resource Suggestions document on the Washington OER Commons Hub for a doc, PDF, and sortable spreadsheet version of the list below.

General Guidance

Resource Topic
Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) – COVID-19 Guidance and Resources As schools, students, families, and communities plan for and experience closures, OSPI is committed to providing ongoing guidance and resources for school districts, students, and families.
OSPI – State Learning Standards and Instructional Materials Selection and Adoption Guidance Review state laws that outline basic education goals and require districts to have policies and procedures in place that guide their selection and adoption of instructional materials that meet state learning standards.
Washington Hub on OER Commons Access standards-aligned openly licensed resources (free to use, adapt, and share) developed by OSPI programs, grantees, and WA districts. Find collections of resources that include guidance for online learning, parent resources, and suggestions for supporting our youngest learners, disabled students and special education students during school closures.
OSPI Approved Online Course Providers OSPI maintains a list of approved 3rd party online course providers. Schools can contract with these for individual online courses and receive state apportionment.  Providers must comply with assurances that include an appropriately certificated and endorsed teacher, alignment with Washington state learning standards, and compliance with state and federal regulations. During this time, many of these providers are offering services, training, or access to courses or curriculum free or at a discount.

Limited Time or Low-Cost Access Offers

Many companies are providing free, limited-time, or low-cost access to educational content and technology. The sites below show a comprehensive collection of such resources with a robust description of intended use and access period.

For districts wanting a smaller subset of offers for online learning experiences for kids, curated by the editors at Common Sense, see:

Vendors and resources found in the three directories above have not all been vetted by OSPI, nor should this be considered an endorsement. Educators should be mindful of digital resources that require teachers or students to create online accounts. Please check with district policies and consider HIPPA, FERPA, and COPPA laws concerning

 

Except where otherwise noted, this work by the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. All logos and trademarks are property of their respective owners.

This resource contains links to websites operated by third parties. These links are provided for your convenience only and do not constitute or imply any endorsement or monitoring by OSPI. Please confirm the license status and any district policy requirements before reusing them.