Distance Learning Resources
The resources listed on this page have been divided into the following categories:
Returning to School | Art Projects | Outdoor Activities | Educational Resources | Plano Parks & Rec | Fact Checking | Fun with Legos | Science Opportunities | Reading/Listening Opportunities | General Activities | Enjoying the Visual Arts | Enjoying the Performance Arts | Go on Virtual Adventures | Play Virtual Games | Learn Something New | Podcasts
- Free Mini Science Lessons from Kindergarten - 5th grade
https://mysteryscience.com/school-closure-planning - Kennedy Space Center Video Playlists
https://www.facebook.com/pg/KennedySpaceCenterVisitorCompl ex/videos - Two Weeks of Science Experiments
https://www.mkewithkids.com/post/here-are-two-weeks-worth- of-fun-and-easy-science- experiments
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Summer Reading Programs
- See how many of the books kids should read before they are 12!
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/50-books-all-kids- should-read-before-theyre-12 - Plano Public Library Options
Online resources from the City of Plano Library System including classes and story timeshttps://www.plano.gov/203/Library
Archive of previously held classes and story times
http://www.planolibrarylearns.org/ Summer Learning at the Public Library
https://www.plano.gov/3328/Summer-Learning
Their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/planolibrary/ - Storytime
- Rhymetime
- Dance Parties
- Science Experiments
- And more! Check it out each day for live videos and recordings!
- Audio Books
- Audible.com - As long as schools are closed, Audible.com is offering free listening opportunities. All stories are free to stream on your desktop, laptop, phone or tablet.
https://stories.audible.com/start-listen - Little House in the Big Woods of the Little House on the Prairie Series
https://tokybook.com/little-house-big-woods/ -
E-books for all ages and several additional languages plus Virtual Book Clubs in multiple languages.
- Audible.com - As long as schools are closed, Audible.com is offering free listening opportunities. All stories are free to stream on your desktop, laptop, phone or tablet.
- Walking Scavenger Hunts made by Mae Reedy, Weatherford PTA President
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ug9nmr7o3nahm79/Walking% 20Scavenger%20Hunts.pdf
Enjoying the Visual Arts
This is a great opportunity to learn a new skill or to broaden a current one individually or as a family.
Art Lessons
- https://www.youtube.com/studiojjk
- https://www.facebook.com/makepaducah
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGM_VhNXMmo
- https://homeschoolhideout.com/art-lessons-on-youtube/
- https://www.creativebloq.com/
free-kids-drawing-lessons
Enjoying the Performance Arts
This is a great opportunity to take in the arts as a family to be used as a conversation starter or a bridge into a brand new experience
- Common Sense Media Music Apps & Games - Many for Apple platforms; some for Android and other platforms
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/best-music-apps-and-games-for-kids - Common Sense Media Best Documentaries - Not all of these are available but are great to reference for the future. The site will look to find where the videos are available to stream or for rent/purchase.
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/best-documentaries - Common Sense Media curates TV Shows that multiple ages will enjoy watching together - The site will look to find where the videos are available to stream or for rent/purchase.
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/sibling-watch-together-tv - Common Sense Media curates movies that the whole family can enjoy watching together - The site will look to find where the videos are available to stream or for rent/purchase.
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-lists/family-movies-we-love - Broadway Musicals & Plays to watch at home via rental, purchase or streaming
https://www.playbill.com/article/15-broadway-plays-and-musicals-you-can-watch-on-stage-from-home - Educational Programming on Netflix
https://homeschoolhideout.com/educational-shows-on-netflix/ -
Plano Symphony musical activity website
- Walking/driving tours of Plano Art
https://planoartwalk.com
Go on Virtual Adventures
This is a great opportunity to check out places you may want to see in person in the future - national parks, museums, and cities are at your fingertips.
- National Parks
- https://crafty.diply.com/121060/you-can-virtually-tour-a-whole-bunch-of-national-parks-from-your
- https://www.insider.com/national-parks-america-virtual-tours-3d-visit-2020-3
- https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/photosmultimedia/virtualtours.htm
- https://totallythebomb.com/heres-33-national-park-tours-you-can-take-virtually-from-the-comfort-of-your-home
- Zoos
- Museums & other Historic Sites from Around the World - These museum tours may have an artistry that is not appropriate for all viewing audiences. Parents are strongly encouraged to view the virtual tours first before sharing them with their family.
- https://robbreport.com/lifestyle/news/14-virtual-museum-to-visit-during-social-distancing-and-quarantine-2905827/
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2020/03/18/these-historic-sites-attractions-are-offering-virtual-tours-during-coronavirus-pandemic/
- https://interestingengineering.com/11-science-and-tech-museums-you-can-tour-virtually
- https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/the-white-house
- https://www.southernliving.com/syndication/museums-with-virtual-tours
- International Cities
- Virtual Field Trips
- Theme Park Rides
Play Virtual Games
This is a great opportunity to connect as a family by playing games together online or socially through online board games.
- Hogwarts Digital Escape Room
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSflNxNM0jzbZJjUqOcXkwhGTfii4CM_CA3kCxImbY8c3AABEA/viewform - Online Board Games
https://www.boston.com/culture/entertainment/2020/03/18/board-games-online-with-friends
https://lifehacker.com/you-can-play-these-games-online-with-friends-1842347093
Learn a new life skill
- Touch Typing
https://www.typingclub.com/ - Sewing
https://www.sewasoftie.com/
- The Growing Brain
https://momentousinstitute.org/blog/archive#podcasts
