Stafford, CONNECTICUT
COVID-19 RESPONSE
For the latest information, executive orders, and guidance related to coronavirus (COVID-19), visit ct.gov/coronavirus
REMOTE LEARNING TOOLS
As we navigate long-term school closures and continue social distancing measures at home, we have compiled free educational websites and apps for all ages. A great place to start is with the Stafford Public Library!
STAFFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY
Did you know that there are a number of digital products that you can access for free with your Stafford Library card? Additionally, the library staff has increased our e-content to provide more entertainment for you while you are staying safe at home.
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OverDrive – e-books and audiobooks (titles for all ages)
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hoopla – borrow e-books, audiobooks, films, and more (titles for all ages)
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Acorn TV – British films and television shows
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Qello - the world's largest collection of concert films and music documentaries
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Universal Class – Free online classes in over 500 subjects
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Consumer Reports - Ratings and reviews for products and services
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NoveList - a database of information on novels, genres, book club questions, and “read-alikes”
If you don’t have a library card you can sign up for one here: stafford.biblio.org/eg/opac/register, or by going to our online catalog located on our webpage at staffordlibrary.org. Library staff will process your registration and you will receive your library card number via email within two business days. Then you can start using our digital services.
We also have links to additional free content from:
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ResearchIT CT – student research databases and RB Digital audiobooks
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TumbleBooks – children’s e-books, quizzes, lesson plans, and educational games
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Sebco Books – children’s e-books
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Abdo Digital – Children’s and Teen e-books
PARENTS:
Library staff members Jessica and Debbie are performing weekly virtual story times on the Stafford Public Library Facebook page. Virtual children’s and family programming is also being planned. Check the library's webpage or Facebook page for details.
Please call the library at (860) 684-2852 or email stafforddesk@biblio.org if you have any questions.
Even though the museum is physically closed, the CT Science Center has adapted content for schools and families to online formats that will be valuable during the COVID-19 related disruptions to school and family life. You can find a lot of this content on their Blog.
mysticaquarium.org/fun-learning
Mystic Aquarium is proud to offer free and fun online resources for educators, students and families. Daily Facebook Live opportunities with animal care professionals and animals, too! Unique multimedia resources offered through our national conservation-based STEM education program, including
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/find-your-virtual-park.htm
NPS partners also have interesting ways to stay connected with national parks on their websites and social media, including live tours, kids activities, reading lists, digital suggestions, and more. Check out the National Park Foundation's suggestions for Park Activities You Can Do from the Comfort of Your Home or Take a Virtual Visit to a National Park.
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
nationalgeographic.com/family/at-home-education-resources
Through their world-class scientists, photographers, journalists, and filmmakers, Nat Geo gets you closer to the stories that matter and past the edge of what's possible. The site includes quizzes, videos, science experiments, and even at-home classroom resources. The National Geographic YouTube Channel also steams scheduled topics each week: Sunday: History & Culture Monday: Nature Tuesday: Environment Wednesday: Exploration Thursday: Science Friday: Fun Facts Saturday: Travel & Adventure
METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART
Engage with art and culture remotely with a variety of virtual events for all audiences. Join storytelling, live performances, film screenings, art-making programs, and conversations with Met curators, conservators, and educators.
classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html
The editors at Scholastic Classroom Magazines curated day-to-day projects to keep kids busy, learning, and entertained. Divided by grade level, each day's worth of activities has "four separate learning experiences, each built around a thrilling, meaningful story or video. Kids can do them on their own, with their families, or with their teachers."
CLASS CENTRAL
classcentral.com
A listing of online courses. Courses are aggregated from many providers to make it easy to find the best courses on almost any subject, wherever they exist. Primary focus is on free (or free to audit) courses from universities, offered through massive open online course (MOOC) platforms. Whatever you are interested in learning, it is more than likely that their catalog includes a course that will meet your needs.
As a mission-focused non-profit, Khan Academy’s duty is doing its part to ensure students keep learning amidst the school closures. Khan Academy has self-paced, interactive content--exercises, videos and articles--for students in every grade and in most major subject areas. It is all free and non-commercial and is made possible by philanthropic support.
MOMMYPOPPINS
mommypoppins.com/connecticut
This website is the result of local parents in different regions coming together to share their activities, events, tips, resources in one spot. In this case, they made a Coronavirus Guide for Parents, with hundreds of crafts, games, even tutoring services. Just make sure you're browsing under "Connecticut" in the upper lefthand corner.
CLASS CENTRAL
classcentral.com
A listing of online courses. Courses are aggregated from many providers to make it easy to find the best courses on almost any subject, wherever they exist. Primary focus is on free (or free to audit) courses from universities, offered through massive open online course (MOOC) platforms. Whatever you are interested in learning, it is more than likely that their catalog includes a course that will meet your needs.
HISTORY CHANNEL
history.com/history-at-home
HISTORY at Home offers teachers, parents and students a chance to learn about history independently. This collection of HISTORY’s educational shows, being made available for a limited time, offers information and insight into middle school and high school core curriculum topics. They have curated these shows around key themes and paired them with study guides and related content so you can easily watch, read and discuss history’s most important moments.
BOSTON CHILDREN'S MUSEUM
bostonchildrensmuseum.org/learning-resources
Current learning resources address the needs of parents, afterschool educators and classroom teachers, and include both free online learning resources and paid professional development workshops. Use the links to learn more about all that Boston Children’s Museum has to offer for the adults in children’s lives.
SMITHSONIAN
si.edu
The Smithsonian is committed to supporting teachers and their students around the globe as they face unprecedented new learning challenges. Here, on the Learning Lab, teachers have access to millions of digital resources from across the Smithsonian's museums, research centers, libraries, archives, and more. You will also find pre-packaged collections that contain lessons, activities, and recommended resources made by Smithsonian museum educators as well as thousands of classroom teachers like you. Use the search bar below to search for Smithsonian Learning Lab Collections. Explore digital resources including
online events, exhibitions, podcasts, collections, animal webcams, and more.
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