Online Educator Resources

Are you looking for student materials to help with the transition to flexible online learning? Mid–Continent Public Library can help you out with that, whether you’re looking for lesson plans, student activities, or quality age-appropriate content from trusted sources. We have online resources for students, parents, and teachers available 24/7 at mymcpl.org/homework. All are free with your MCPL Access Pass (Library card).

To make things a little easier for you in these busy times, I’ve compiled a list below of the online resources, including teaching tools, and what they are. To view a brief description of the database content, click on the name of the resource. Each section is grouped by school age, and within that, by subject category. Some databases may be repeated in different subject categories due to their wide coverage of topics. At the end of each section are additional tips and resources that you may find helpful.

For the most part, you should have no problem locating these tools, but not all are easy to find. You may find them under a “resources” tab, or maybe “educators”—it just depends on the resource. So, if you need assistance locating anything, please email info@mymcpl.org, and I will be happy to show you.

As I’ve also found myself in a new role as homeschool teacher, it was nice to find so many resources in one place. I hope you find it helpful as well!

Let me know which are your favorites!

Carla P.
Electronic Resources

Pre-K / Elementary Home Educator Resources

Early Learners

• BookFlix (Pre-K–3) – Lesson Plans for each book/video pairing, suggestions for activities—group and individual (under Resources and Tools tab)
• Early Learning by World Book  (Pre-K – 2nd Grade) – Lesson plans for each title

Grades K–6

Encyclopedias and Magazines

• Explora for Kids – Lesson Plans for STEM, Geometry, American History
• World Book Kids – Extensive lesson plans, scavenger hunts

English and Reading

• Teachables (Pre-K – 6) – Activities and skills sheets, lesson plans, clip art, customizable games, and other resources
• TrueFlix (Grades 3 and up) – Lesson Plans and Quizzes for each unit

History and Social Studies

• CultureGrams – Many activities, organized by grade level k–12
• FreedomFlix – Lesson Plans, Quizzes, Writing Prompts, and other activities for each unit
• Teachables (Pre-K – 6th Grade) – Activities and skills sheets, lesson plans, clip art, customizable games, and other resources
• TrueFlix (Grades 3 and up) – Lesson Plans and Quizzes for each unit

Science

• Science Reference Center – Lesson plans, experiments, worksheets, and a research guide
• ScienceFlix – Lesson plans, quizzes, projects, videos, and other media
• Teachables (Pre-K – 6th Grade) – Activities and skills sheets, lesson plans, clip art, customizable games, and other resources

Math

• Teachables (Pre-K – 6th Grade) – Activities and skills sheets, lesson plans, clip art, customizable games, and other resources

Other Useful Resources

• Live Homework Help from Tutor.com – Connects students with online tutors for live, one-on-one help with homework assignments
• Just for Kids Access Video – Stream fun and educational videos for kids

Virtual Learning Tip!

Turn the Page KC recommends SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s Storyline Online, which presents children’s books read aloud by famous individuals, such as Rami Malek, Oprah Winfrey, Kevin Costner, Chris Pine, and many more.

Middle School Home Educator Resources

English and Reading

• Bloom's Literature – Literary movements, themes and timelines, essay topics

Dictionaries and Encyclopedias

• Explora for Teens – Lesson Plans for STEM, Geometry, American History; Link to NASA for Educators
• World Book Online – Blank printable charts, outside links to lesson plans, scavenger hunts

History and Biography

• CultureGrams – Many activities, organized by grade level k–12
• U.S. History – Research toolkit for writing reports including tips and worksheets
• World History – Research toolkit for writing reports including tips and worksheets

Magazines and Newspapers

• Access World News – Daily headlines with correlating lesson plans

 Science

• Interactive: Science – Learning activities with guided lessons followed by a quiz
• Science Reference Center – Lesson plans, experiments, worksheets, and a research guide
• ScienceFlix – Lesson plans, quizzes, projects, videos, and other media

Other Useful Resources

• Live Homework Help from Tutor.com – Connects students with online tutors for live, one-on-one help with homework assignments
• Access Video on Demand – Stream documentaries, educational films, and helpful instructional videos

Virtual Learning Tip!

Kansas City Public School District teachers have put together free, grade-specific packets of worksheets on a variety of subjects for students Pre-K through high school! Access them here.  
 

High School Home Educator Resources

English and Reading

• Bloom's Literature – Literary movements, themes and timelines, essay topics
• Writer’s Reference Center – Grammar and punctuation references, step-by-step essay instruction with samples, guide to research, and more

Dictionaries and Encyclopedias

• Explora for Teens – Lesson Plans for STEM, Geometry, American History; Link to NASA for Educators
• World Book Online – Blank printable charts, outside links to lesson plans, scavenger hunts

U.S. History

• African–American History – Guide for students on how to analyze Editorial Cartoons, and guide for educators how to use them; primary source worksheet
• American History – Guide for students on how to analyze Editorial Cartoons, and guide for educators how to use them; primary source worksheet
• American Indian History – Guide for students on how to analyze Editorial Cartoons, and guide for educators how to use them; primary source worksheet
• U.S. History – Research toolkit for writing reports

World History

• Ancient and Medieval History – Maps, charts, timelines, guide for students on how to analyze editorial cartoons, guide for educators how to use them, and a primary source worksheet
• CultureGrams – Many activities, organized by grade level k–12
• Modern World History – Maps, charts, timelines, guide for students on how to analyze editorial cartoons, guide for educators how to use them, and a primary source worksheet
• World Geography and Culture Online – Printable maps and flags, statistics, ability to rank and compare
• World History – Research toolkit for writing reports including tips and worksheets

Science

• AccessScience – Curriculum maps with activities in many course topics
• Interactive: Science – Learning activities with guided lessons, followed by a quiz
• Science Reference Center – Lesson plans, experiments, worksheets, and a research guide

Other

• SIRS Issues Researcher – Curriculum guides for understanding editorial cartoons, infographics, primary sources, and statistics; guides for research and argument writing

Other Useful Resources

• Live Homework Help from Tutor.com – Connects students with online tutors for live, one-on-one help with homework assignments
• Access Video on Demand – Stream documentaries, educational films, and helpful instructional videos

Virtual Learning Tip!

PBS Media is providing home educators with great current events videos, plus games and activities aligned to state and national standards for all ages. Access their resources here.