Other reliable sources of information

DK Findout (https://www.dkfindout.com/uk/) is an online encyclopedia resource for schools that can be accessed from home so that learners can discover more about a given topic. Content can be filtered by subject area and the resulting articles are interactive (with some also containing quizzes to consolidate learning). Learners could be assigned topics from this resource to engage in project work for distance learning, or could visit an article and complete a quiz to consolidate their learning.

There are a host of teachers’ resources available on the website also containing sample ebooks, lesson plans and worksheets, available here: https://www.dkfindout.com/uk/teachers/. 

Epic! For Educators

Epic! is an online library which offers over 35000 resources including “Read to Me” books, audiobooks, student tracking, reading level linkage with Accelerated Reader and other reading levelling schemes. It also offers high interest texts such as National Geographic Kids and Guinness Book of Records. It is suitable for children from ages 4-12. 

Teachers and librarians can sign up for free access by visiting www.getepic.com/educators and registering with a school email address e.g. msmurphy@scoilaine.ie or an eircom address usually works too. If you do not have a school email address, you can fill out an account request form here. You then get an automatically generated class code so kids can log in via the website or the app (see links below) at school or at home. Teachers can set up student accounts where you can assign books or track what students have read by adding pupils to your Student Roster on Epic. Children do not need an email address to be able to log in at home. This free service is only available during school hours as parents have to pay for this service outside school hours.

Once you have created your account, you can view this tutorial to see how Epic! Works.

iOS Epic app: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/epic-kids-books-and-videos/id719219382 

Android Epic app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.getepic.Epic&hl=en_IE 

Remember to seek parental consent when setting up online accounts for students under 13.

Britannica has been the publisher of big multi-volume encyclopaedias since 1768. These days they've moved into the 21st Century, but that same, invaluable content, updated daily with videos, images, and other learning aids, can be found in a digital form in a variety of online products designed for learners of all ages. At the moment Britannica is offering free content for Science and Humanities at all levels. Very nicely presented and free for the Rep of Ireland at the moment through the Scoilnet: https://packs.eb.co.uk/hss