Online Resources
Feeling stressed about online education and learning from home? You are not alone. We want to help.
These are guides available through DBRL that include resources, information, links and databases. If you would like to use a database, you have the ability as a resident of Boone or Callaway counties using your library card. The username is your library card number and the password is your PIN—usually your birth date (MMDDYYYY). Many databases request you set up an account and may ask you to make an original username after using your library card the first time.
Education & Online Learning Guide
This guide can direct you to a variety of places for helpful resources. Here are a few of my favorite learning tools:
- Brainfuse: HelpNow
- This is a tutoring resource that comes with a variety of help options, including live tutors from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. every day, a writing lab tool, a question-and-answer style help tool, a language tool and other ways to meet and study virtually, whether alone or with a group
- LOTE Online: Storytime, In Your Language
- This is a newer DBRL resource we are trying out. This resource offers a variety of stories in different languages, including the English translation to help develop reading and listening skills. Some languages included are German, Greek, Hindi, Japanese, Spanish, Korean and Mandarin.
- Universal Class
- Universal Class offers classes taught by real teachers, but it is self-paced. There are hundreds of classes available for users to take, including a tab labeled “Homeschooling” that lists courses for science, writing and more!
The Homework Help Guide
Need help on a specific subject? This guide can be super useful in locating more information and resources.
Parenting Resources Guide
- This guide provides local and library resources available for parents.
Physical Homeschooling Materials
We understand that some people learn better from physical books or don’t have access to the internet, so here are some ways we can get physical items from our collection to you.
Want to check out library books regarding homeschooling?
- Homeschooling Book List
- This book list will give you a pretty good start on learning from home. You can find similar titles by locating the call number 371.042 in the adult nonfiction section of our libraries. Often, these are marked with a red educare sticker.
Want homeschooling materials we don’t have?
- Suggest for Purchase (We consider buying the title and adding it to the collection, at no cost to you.)
- Interlibrary Loan (We ask another library for the title and bring it to you, at no cost.)
Want to grab a book from us, but can’t come inside? Try curbside pickup!
- This service is available at the Columbia Public Library, Southern Boone County Library and Callaway County Public Library.
- If you place a hold on an item through our website or call us to place a hold, we will send you an email or mail you once the item is ready.
- Once your items are available and ready, you can pick up that item through curbside pickup:
- Come to the library like normal, but park in one of our designated curbside spaces.
- Once here, call the number on the sign and give them your space number.
- We will happily package up your items for you (whether books, Launchpads or even a robot), and we will happily run them out to you!
Additional Resources
- A Way With Words & Numbers
- Traditionally, AWWW&N would meet at the Columbia Public Library to offer tutoring services, but due to COVID-19, they have opted to extend tutoring services to the community through Zoom. Parents can sign their children up for one-on-one tutoring sessions that are completely free.
- Khan Academy
- In my experience, math is a tough subject to teach. Math is always intimidating and every learner is different. Khan Academy is a free, online resource for learning math skills.
- Pinterest
- Pinterest is a wonderful resource for lesson plans, crafts and finding new ways to teach difficult concepts.
- Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls
- I found this homeschooling mom’s blog from Pinterest and I currently follow it for crafting and teaching ideas. She teaches a variety of age groups, writing about ideas from early learners to school children.
- DBRL Early Childhood Connections
- This group is run by DBRL. It started as a smaller group for daycare centers to work together, share ideas and spread community resources, but it has quickly grown in size.
- Search Facebook for Groups!
- Use keywords like “Missouri,” “MO” or “Homeschool” to find homeschool groups online that might be useful for creating an online learning environment or talking to other parents, teachers, etc. about how they are instructing their students.
