While school has let out for the school year, you can still help your kids have productive learning time. Let’s keep fighting the pandemic and “flattening the curve.” Limit screen time and plan some creative learning activities.
Our Health Matters™ compiled a short list of educational websites, streaming services programming and popular YouTube videos for kids. In addition, check with your local library, as some are launching online or outdoor summer reading programs.
EDUCATIONAL YOUTUBE CHANNELS
- Liberty’s Kids. Liberty’s Kids first aired on PBS decades ago, and is a fantastic narrative account of the American Revolution, spread over 40 episodes, 23 minutes each.
- Mark Rober. A good place to start is his “learn some science” playlist, currently at 26 videos, 10 to 15 minutes each.
- Bill Nye the Science Guy. Includes a playlist with 48 full-length, 23-minute videos, covering virtually every major topic in the science curriculum.
- Educational documentaries on Netflix. Netflix put this thirty-four-video collection on YouTube for free to help teachers, parents, and students during the Covid-19 pandemic.
EDUCATIONAL TV shows and movies on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime
Netflix is a goldmine for educational movies and TV shows. Here are a few of popular choices — plus some great additions that are now available on Disney-Plus’s National Geographic stream.
- The Magic School Bus (Netflix).
- Walking with Dinosaurs (YouTube TV).
- National Geographic Ancient Civilizations (Amazon Prime).
- Our Planet (NetFlix)
Source: Mike Petrilli, Education Next
Creative Learning at Home
Submitted by Monica, Teacher at Hogan Prep
- As parents are cooking, especially if they are using a recipe, have kids to read the recipe and talk about the various measurements 1/2 cup, 2 tsp, what does it mean to “sift, stir, grate…”
- Read something together every day.
- Have children participate in reading programs through the local library. These are free opportunities and children usually receive rewards for meeting reading goals. Go online to see what your local library offers.
- Have kids research various animals that they see at the zoo. Then visit the Zoo for fun and learning.
- Encourage children to keep a journal or Writer’s Notebook. Students can write about their feelings, concerns, things that are just going on in their head right now or each day. Students that like to draw can also draw pictures to go with their entries.
- Fly a kite. Research kite flying. This is another way to incorporate science of air and wind.
- Start a garden in your backyard. Go to the Dollar Store and purchase seeds and plant flowers. Incorporate science, help kids research how plants grow, learn new words and use as a spelling bee opportunity.
- Bake some cookies. Use this experience to reach about fractions by cutting the dough into 1/2, 1/4, etc.
