Hi Everyone,
We hope you are all doing well and staying safe. In light of the current COVID-19 social distancing requirements, I bet more than a few of you are at home with your families. It can be difficult to find ways to keep everyone occupied, especially for kids of all ages. đ
Thankfully, TONS of organizations– including the kidlit community– have stepped up and are offering online FUN resources. We have compiled some of them here. Note, this is not a full list of everything that’s out there. If you have more suggestions, please add them to the comments so everyone can see them.
Here is a list that we have compiled so far:Â (click on the highlighted words in each listing for the link)
Connecting with Childrenâs Authors
SCBWI Connect â the Society of Childrenâs Book Writers and Illustrators has compiled a huge list of links to connect with authors for resources, activities, and book read alouds
Spooky Middle Grade website teacher guidesÂ
Kate Messner’s Read, Wonder, and Learn— a FABULOUS resource!!
Stimola Live — has lots of great readings and live streams by children’s authors
Connect with some of our own Mixed-Up Files Authors
Connect with Children’s Illustrators — many of whom are offering free coloring pages and more!
Children’s Publishers
Many publishers are setting up a resource page where their authors can post videos
Charlesbridge Publishing (check out their resource tab)Â https://www.charlesbridge.com/pages/remote-author-content
Peachtree Publishing https://peachtree-online.com/resources/
Macmillan Kids https://us.macmillan.com/mackids/
Scholastic https://www.scholastic.com/home/
National Geographic Kids https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/publishing/
Science Activities
STEM Tuesday from our very own website. It has two years worth of activities, project ideas, and literacy and STEM connections for kids of all ages https://fromthemixedupfiles.com/stem-tuesday/
Skype a Scientist Live! Follow on Twitter @SkypeScientist for live talks given by real scientists.
National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) Learning Center https://learningcenter.nsta.org/science60/science60-learning-together.aspx
Follow @ScienceStory on Twitter for great #STEM activities
STEAMTeam2020 website packed with videos and STEM activities  http://www.steamteambooks.com/
Museums
Shedd Aquarium https://www.youtube.com/user/sheddaquariumchicago/videos
Smithsonian Museum Online learning https://www.si.edu/educators
The Field Museum https://www.fieldmuseum.org/educators/learning-resources
Writers
Highlights Foundations #HFGathersÂ
There is so much to do! And these are not everything. So many authors, publishers, teachers, and professionals are coming together to help each other out in this time. It’s wonderful to see. Take advantage of it if you can.
To find more resources online, take a look at the following hashtags that are being used to promote resources
On Twitter look for #kidlitquarantine #covid-19 #kidsathome #parentingathome #operationstorytime #homeschool #quarantineactivities
But also, take the time you need. Here is a great post that gives you tips for how to cope during this time
10-suggestions-1-for-suddenly-homeschooling-your-kids
Whatever you do, please be safe.  And hang in there!
From the Mixed-Up Files crew
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Jennifer is also the creator and administrator of #STEMTuesday and #STEAMTeam2020