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The following email went out to families in the Framingham Public Schools today, March 17 just after noon.

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FRAMINGHAM – We know this extended school closure creates many challenges for families, including concerns about how to support your child’s learning.

Regular instruction will not be provided through virtual means during this time to prevent issues of inequity across our district and community.  

However, we have created this list of suggestions and resources to help you provide educational experiences for your students while they are out. These activities are not mandatory and, of course, do not replace the high quality instruction provided by your child’s teacher(s).

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Rather, we solely present these as opportunities to enrich learning and attempt to maintain student engagement until school resumes. 

We hope you find these resources helpful as we all find ways to stay connected (virtually) during this unprecedented time.

Until we are able to come together again face-to-face as a school community, please feel free to reach out to your child’s teacher or principal as needed with typical questions. Teachers will be monitoring their email and reaching out to families when they have updates or other information they need to share.  The district will be providing COVID19-related information, so please do not refer those questions to the building teachers and administrators.

General suggestions to keep kids active and engaged:

  • READ!  Check out the Framingham Public Library Digital Books Collection  No library card?  No problem! Sign up for a temporary card here and get immediate access to their digital collection.
  • Talk to each other!  Begin with these Conversation Starters.
  • Play your favorite family games!  Here are some old-fashioned, tried and true Games that require few or no materials.
  • Write a play, poem, or story!   Then act it out or read it aloud!  Need some inspiration? Try these Writing Prompts.
  • We will be working to post read aloud videos of picture books for elementary students on school websites. Stay tuned as we get those up and running!
  • We will be offering some science activities and STEAM challenges over the next couple of weeks.  Stay tuned as we get those up and running!

Ways to stay physically active:

  • Try to get at least 20 minutes of physical activity per day (but avoid physical contact)!  
  • Consider making weekly goals and create a daily plan for the next three weeks.  Kids can track their progress and celebrate successes. Make it a family project!
  • Don’t forget to stretch–this can even be done while watching TV and helps to relieve tension and stress.  
  • Drink water instead of fruit punch or soda.  Stay hydrated!  
  • Make healthy food choices whenever possible.
  • Dance to a favorite song, hop on one foot while counting by 5s, go for a walk, or try one of these physical education activities at home. 
  • For younger kids, mix in some learning activities.  

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Online resources requiring student login:

i-Ready:  All students in grades K-8 have access to i-Ready.  

In addition, i-Ready has launched i-Ready.com/AtHome for families to support learning at home. On the website you’ll find:

  • Print Resources: Math and Reading Student Activity Packs and Math Pack Answer Keys are available for each grade level. 
  • Families can learn how to get their child started and get tips on how to monitor progress and support their child.

Parents can contact their child’s classroom teacher for log-in information. 

Imagine Learning: For English Learners and dual language Spanish and Portuguese program students in the district with existing accounts, please continue using your Imagine Learning accounts at home on any device with a 9”+ screen. Parents can contact Jennifer LaBollita (jlabollita@framingham.k12.ma.us) or Matt Tobin (matt.tobin@imaginelearning.com) for help with logging in.

Elefante Letrado: For bilingual and dual language Portuguese program students in the district with existing accounts, please continue using your Elefante Letrado accounts at home on any device with a 9”+ screen. Parents can contact Jennifer LaBollita (jlabollita@framingham.k12.ma.us).

RazKids and Reading A-Z: For identified students with existing accounts, please continue to use your accounts at home on any device. Parents can contact their child’s classroom teacher for log-in information.

Type to Learn: Students in Kindergarten through Grade 5 have access to this program that helps to develop keyboarding proficiency. Parents can contact their child’s classroom teacher for log-in information.

IXL:

All 5-8 grade students have access to Science skills practice.

All 6-8 grade students have access to Math skills practice. 

If students need help or have forgotten their login information, please email your teacher.

Newsela: All 6-8 grade students have access to the wide range of articles available in all subjects. If students need help or have forgotten their login information, please email your teacher.

Additional Online Resources:

Resources for grades preK-12:

Scholastic Learn at Home: A free resource that will provide all students with 20 days’ worth of learning journeys that span the content areas so you can keep your students actively engaged in learning while your buildings are closed.

PBS Digital Learning Resources:  PBS LearningMedia span disciplines for grades PreK-12. 

NASA Website for Students: Free catalog of articles, activities, videos, and games for students in grades K–12 on topics related to STEM, aeronautics, and space exploration.

Go Noodle for FamiliesChoose from a variety of videos dance, practice Zumba, and get some physical activity.

DuoLingoLearn a language!  (Please note: There is no Student Data Privacy Agreement. Parents can choose to create an account for students.)

Code.org and Hour of CodeLearn how to code at all ages. (Please note: There is no Student Data Privacy Agreement. Parents can choose to create an account for students.)

Resources for grades preK-5:

Jump Start: Free online resources for grades K-5 that includes activities in math, social studies, science, and more.

Learning Liftoff: Science experiments you can try at home!

Resources for grades 6-12:

New York Times’ The Learning Network: Daily lessons for grades 6-12 on civics, social studies, history, and other topics related to current news and events.

PBS NewsHour Extra: Resources, videos, and articles for students in grades 6-12 in all subjects.

HippoCampus.org: Videos, animations, and simulations on general education subjects (English, math, science, and social studies) to middle-school and high-school students.

Library of Congress Poetry 180: Poetry that appeals to teens.

Khan AcademyFree online lessons and interactive exercises on just about every possible topic.  (Please note:  There is no Student Data Privacy Agreement. Parents can choose to create an account for students.)

NASA Jet Propulsion Lab: STEM projects for kids!

Math Drills: Printable worksheets on a variety of math topics/skills

Learning Liftoff: Science experiments you can try at home! (Grades 6-8)

Middle Schools and High School Online Digital Libraries:

To use the WEB version of your school library’s OverDrive:

(This is best if you plan to read eBooks to your ChromeBook/tablet/reader.)

Direct link to the Library’s OverDrive eBook Collection 

(Use your school email/password to log in.)

To use the Sora APP version of the library’s OverDrive:

(This is best if you plan to listen to audiobooks on your phone or read on your iPad/tablet.)

Download the “Sora, by OverDrive” app onto your phone/device:

Sora on the App Store or Sora on Google Play

(In the app, Search for “Framingham Public Schools” and then use the pulldown menu to choose “MLS Commonwealth eBooks” and log in using your school email/password.)
 

Websites to support English Learners:

Resources for English Learners 

ESL Games  

Games to Learn English

Breaking News English

Unite for Literacy

 This e-mail has been sent to you by Framingham Public Schools. To maximize our communication with you, you may be receiving this e-mail in addition to a phone call with the same message, and/or a text with a simplified message. To update your communication preferences, please connect with the office staff at your child’s school.  If you no longer wish to receive email notifications from FRAMINGHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT, please click here to unsubscribe.

By editor

Susan Petroni is the former editor for SOURCE. She is the founder of the former news site, which as of May 1, 2023, is now a self-publishing community bulletin board. The website no longer has a journalist but a webmaster.