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Home » About OSPI » News Releases and Statements » Novel Coronavirus (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 ALL students and providing suggestions for educator professional learning during this challenging time.

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.

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 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
Microsoft Technology Education and Literacy in Schools (TEALS) - Remote Teaching Best Practices guidance for educators         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
EngageNY unit/lesson x x x x x    
Florida Center for Reading Research Resources unit/lesson 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
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
Project Gutenberg free epub and Kindle eBooks - for free public domain audiobooks, visit LibriVox. x x x x x x x
Pulitzer Center: Education unit/lesson x x x x x    
Reading Rockets unit/lesson 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
EVERFI Health and Wellness online courses - free registration required x x x x 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    
AMAZE Video Series (Sexual Health Education) online videos, teacher and parent discussion guides   x x   x x  
HIV and Me: Marissa’s Story Video online video, teacher's guide available from OSPI    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 Elementary School Closure Lessons from SFUDS 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 course, units, lessons x x     x    
Solve me Puzzles online, interactive puzzles   x x x x x x
YouCubed activities 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
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) onopenly licensed resources by OSPI staff, grantees, and Washington districts x x x x x    
OpenSciEd units     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 lessons x x x 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 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
OER Commons WA Hub (Social Studies) openly licensed resources by OSPI staff, grantees, and Washington districts x x x x x    
Washington State Library: Primarily Washington lessons, primary sources   x x x x    
Pulitzer Center: Education unit/lesson x x x x x    
Since Time Immemorial: Tribal Sovereignty in Washington State course, units, lessons x x x x x    
The State We’re In: Washington textbook     x   x    
US History.org textbook      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 ggames, 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
Education Elements - Four Ways to Facilitate Student Learning if Schools Close guidance 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    
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 actvities/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 Audience Description Delivery Method Cost
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
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
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 YouTube Channel Educators Playlists that highlight resources, programs, and educators across the state. Includes training, webinars, and legislative updates. 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
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

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.

 

Many educational companies are providing limited-time free or low-cost access to educational programming. The sites below show a collection of such resources in alphabetical order, with a description.

Vendors and resources found in the two 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 with regards to student privacy BEFORE implementing any of these resources. Make sure plans are in place to support educators when access permissions end.

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 of any third-party resources and understand their terms of use before reusing them.