Looking for ways to supplement or enrich your child’s virtual or at-home learning experience? Fond du Lac Public Library’s Youth Services staff recommends the following resources.

In-HouseCindy Casetta Barden Teacher Resource Center

  • Our Cindy Casetta Barden Teachers’ Resource Center has lots of educational materials which can be checked out by anyone. Learn more about some of these materials here. Our staff favorites include the activity and STEM-focused kits, book club kits (great for teaching multiple kids at once or start your own family book club!), and subject kits.

  • Our staff! Staff is always happy to help find titles to supplement curriculum from our nonfiction collection or suggest titles for free reading. 

 

Resources available through BadgerLink

  • Archive of Wisconsin Newspapers: good for older students doing Wisconsin-related research projects.

  • Book Connections and TeachingBooks: can’t get enough books in your life? Explore these resources (from the same company) full of readalong audio performances, exclusive videos and recordings of authors, book trailers, and more. There are slight differences in what’s available on either site, so we encourage you to explore both!

  • Britannica resources: these are great because they are broken down into Elementary, Middle, and High School specific resources. Britannica Fundamentals features interactive learning games and the “Read” tab will read a book aloud while highlighting the text as it’s read.

  • Explora Educator’s Edition: geared toward teachers, this can help you understand curriculum standards and help with lesson planning if you’re choosing to homeschool.

  • Explora for Elementary Schools: browse by subject from animals to geography to health and limit search results by Lexile level if needed.

  • History Reference Center: for general historical research or you can browse subjects in both U.S. and world history.

  • Learning Express Library: get virtual college admissions test prep and visit the School Center for skill practicing in a variety of subjects from elementary through high school.

  • Novelist: this can help you find your next book for pleasure reading by choosing what you’re looking for. Bonus: once you find something you like, there’s a link to search the library catalog for it!

  • PBS Wisconsin Education: tons of wonderful Wisconsin-specific educational information, including Wisconsin First Nations, music of Wisconsin, and more. We also recommend their at-home learning site and PBS Kids for educational games for younger kiddos.

 

Additional Resources

  • America’s Test Kitchen: learn STEAM principles and create delicious treats with America’s Test Kitchen Classroom.

  • Beestar.org: find free, printable math worksheets here and, if you sign up for an account, access free weekly math exercises.

  • Encantos: educational games in English and Spanish.

  • Khan Academy: start with their distance learning guide, which can help you plan an at-home or homeschooling learning schedule, and then explore their extensive collection of lessons and educational materials.

  • Math Antics: fun, math learning videos. NOTE: to access their printable materials, there is a fee.

  • National Geographic Kids: from silly (check out their “Party Animals” videos) to serious (“Kids vs. Plastic” provides tips on fighting environmental pollution), National Geographic Kids has something for all your needs.

  • Scholastic Bookshelf: also accessible via the Instagram app, check out their collection of curated topics, from allergies to death to pets, that feature book selections and discussion questions.

  • Unite for Literacy: This site provides access to free original picture books with audio narration. Narration is available in a variety of languages as well.

  • Wide Open School: gathers free learning resources from a variety of sites and platforms from preschool through high school. Also includes ideas for screen-free activities - we all need a break sometimes!