Interactive Literacy Activity Resources

Websites for Instructors

• Adobe Spark (https://spark.adobe.com/) – Create pre-recorded videos that are up to 10 minutes long. Videos can include photos and video clips or record a story being read.
• Boeing & Discover Education Future U (https://www.boeingfutureu.com/) – Use this website to find tools to inspire students  to collaborate and problem-solve. Go on virtual field trips to explore new places.  Geared to students who are grades 6 to 12.

Websites for Families

• Audible (https://stories.audible.com/start-listen) – Stream stories for free while schools are closed due to Covid-19. Stories are in up to six different languages.
• Dial a Story (https://www.oppl.org/use-your-library/kids/dial-a-story/ OR  https://www.yclibrary.org/dial-a-story) – Listen to a story by phone anytime of the day.
• Epic! (https://www.getepic.com/) – Access instantly free digital books for children 12 and under. Subscription required for parents, but a 30-day free trial period is available.
• Free Library of Philadelphia (https://www.freelibrary.org/) – Access free digital books and, if needed, apply for online for a library card.
• International Children’s Digital Library (http://en.childrenslibrary.org/) – NEW Explore this collection of digital of books that represent historical and contemporary books from around the world.
• Open Culture (http://www.openculture.com/2016/08/enter-an-archive-of-6000-historicalchildrens-books-all-digitized-and-free-to-read-online.html) – Discover 6,000 historical children’s books, all digitized and free to read online.
• Unite for Literacy (https://www.uniteforliteracy.com/) – Look through the large collection of books that are either narrated or for the family to read together. The books can be narrated in over 40+ languages.
• Wow in the World Podcasts (https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510321/wow-in-the-world) – Join two hosts as they guide curious kids and their grown-ups on a journey into the wonders of the world around them.

 Additional ILA Resources of museums, zoos, and other fun sites

• Animals & Zoos – Access information about various zoos and learn about animals and view live animal cams.  A few examples include:
  • Atlantic Zoo Panda Cam (https://zooatlanta.org/panda-cam/)
  • Houston Zoo Live Animal Cams (https://www.houstonzoo.org/explore/webcams/)
  • San Diego Zoo (https://kids.sandiegozoo.org/videos)
  • Wolf Conservation Center (https://nywolf.org/meet-our-wolves/webcams/)
  • Cornell Lab Ornithology (https://www.allaboutbirds.org/cams/) – A virtual window into the natural world of birds. Includes live video cams and video highlights of barred owls, red-tailed hawks, and other birds.
• British Museum (https://www.britishmuseum.org/learn/schools/ages-7-11)  – Engage and experience the unique collection through resources, sessions and gallery visits.
• Exploratorium (https://www.exploratorium.edu/) – NEW Learn about science, art, and human perception by exploring the huge collection of online experiences and teaching resources.
• How Stuff Works (https://www.howstuffworks.com/) – NEW Allow your curiosity to run wild on this website that answers questions about topics, such as cars, culture, entertainment, science, technology, money, and more.
• NASA Kids Club (https://www.nasa.gov/kidsclub/index.html) – Play games and learn about NASA.  Features of this site may or may not work on a phone or tablet.
• National Geographic Kids (https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/) – Learn about fun and interesting topics, including animals, earth day, heroes, homework help, and fun quizzes.
• National Geographic Resources for Families (https://www.nationalgeographic.com/family/in-the-news/coronavirus.html) – Find parenting articles, study tips, science experiments, videos, and more.
• National Park Service Virtual Tours – a few examples:
  • Yellowstone National Park (https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/photosmultimedia/virtualtours.htm)
  • Gettysburg (https://www.nps.gov/gett/index.htm)
  • Klondike Gold Rush (https://www.nps.gov/klgo/learn/photosmultimedia/virtualtours.htm)
  • Statue of Liberty (https://www.nps.gov/stli/index.htm)
• P.E. with Joe daily workouts (https://youtu.be/K6r99N3kXME) – Engage in fun, daily live and video-recorded workouts with a fitness trainer.
• Smithsonian Kids (https://www.si.edu/kids) – Find fun stuff for kids, including activities and games and animal cams of zoo animals.
• Spy Museum (https://www.spymuseum.org/education-programs/spy-resources/) – Learn about spy stuff (more for the instructor).