Distance Learning Resources

Tools to help students succeed at distance learning.

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Many families are pursuing distance learning for the first time. While it can be an incredibly rewarding experience for families to learn together we know it can also feel overwhelming to find the right tools and resources that will help your student succeed. It can also be stressful for your child to lose their routine while schools are closed.

School Resources

DC area schools have shared resources to guide families while schools are closed.

DC Public Schools | Reopen Strong [4]
DC Public Charter Schools | Reopening Update [5]

The process many families use to procure meals has changed. The city has put together a comprehensive guide on food resources [6] in the District.

DC Public Library Resources

The library has put together a list of items that you can utilize while completing assignments. Many of these digital resources can be used without a library card if you are a District resident. For resources that require a library card, users 13 and older can sign up for a library card online [7]. If you are under the age of 13 please contact your closest open neighborhood library [8] or use the AskDCPL chat feature (located on the bottom right-hand corner of this page) to learn how to get a card. If you are a DC Public School student you may use your student ID to access Library resources.

Brightstorm [9] (Does not require a library card number to access material)
Free fun and engaging online videos teaching math and science concepts. Supports high-school age curriculum.

Britannica (Enter Access ID: dcpl and Passcode: ebaccess to access the LaunchPacks)
Up-to-date, curriculum-aligned content sets with tools that make it easier for teachers to differentiate instruction and for students to understand core K-12 Social Studies and Science topics.

Britannica LaunchPacks: Social Studies [10]
Britannica LaunchPacks: Science [11]

Gale (Does not require a library card number to access material for residents of D.C.)
Gale provides learning materials for students of all ages on a number of topics to help with everything from research projects to test prep.

Gale General OneFile [12]
Gale In Context: Biography [13]
Gale In Context: Global Issues [14]
Gale In Context: High School [15]
Gale In Context: Middle School [16]
Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints [17]
Gale In Context: Science [18]
Gale in Context: U.S. History [19]
Gale Literary Sources [20]
Gale Literature Resource Center [21]
Gale OneFile: High School [22]
Gale OneFile: Informe Académico [23]
Gale Virtual Reference Library [24]
National Geographic Virtual Library [17]

HelpNow [25]

BrainFuse HelpNow is an all-in-one suite of tutoring services designed for a wide range of academic needs for students from Kindergarten through 12th Grade. Access to this resource for DC Public Library cardholders is made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services [26].

Just for Kids Access Video [27] (Does not require a library card number to access material)
Entertain, educate and inspire with videos focusing on early literacy and early elementary students.

Khan Academy [28] (Does not require a library card number to access material)
A free online resource offering practice exercises and videos in math and science. Videos for Kindergarten through High School.

LearnZillion [29] is a classroom-ready tool that enables educators to deepen student engagement utilizing archival collections and primary sources, while further developing an understanding of the research process. Curriculum-based lesson plans are easy to use with built-in discussion questions, giving an opportunity for students to connect their local history to the broader story.

Scholastic
Scholastic has created the Scholastic Learn at Home [30] website. This free resource provides all students with 20* days’ worth of learning journeys. The site supports students with approximately three hours of learning opportunities per day, including projects, articles and stories, virtual field trips, reading and geography challenges and more. These daily learning opportunities were carefully curated to reduce the burden on teachers and families needing to create meaningful learning experiences. The Scholastic Learn at Home [30] website does not require a username or password and is open freely to all, on any device. *The site will be updated weekly until all 20 days of content is available.

Tumblebooks [31] (Does not require a library card number to access material)
Offers animated, talking picture books, which are created by adding animation, sound, music and narration to existing picture books. A caregiver can read to the child, or the book can be “read” to the child online.

Wide Open School [32] (Does not require a library card number to access material)
Wide Open School is a free collection of the best online learning experiences for kids curated by the editors at Common Sense. There is so much good happening, and we are here to gather great stuff and organize it so teachers and families can easily find it and plan each day.

Find more resources for learning on the Homework Help for Kids [33] and Homework Help for Teens [34]pages. Educators should visit the Library's Educator page [35]. See all of the Library's digital resources by visiting goDigital. [36]