We’re still keeping an eye out for resources and online help for those currently educating children at home; there are lots of things available, so here is a round-up of useful bits we’ve found so far. For previous editions of this newsletter, please visit this special page on our blog (click link)
We’ll be sharing anything else we find via twitter, so make sure you take a look or follow us if you have access: www.twitter.com/norfolkels The 2020 Summer Reading Challenge is here, and ready to motivate your pupils to read from now until the new school year. It’s all online, and children and families can find out more and sign-up to take part just here: https://summerreadingchallenge.org.uk/ Look out for a bumper edition of information being sent to schools next week, Including more information about Norfolk Libraries and events and even a virtual assembly run by library staff you can share with your pupils at home and school.
We’ll continue to recommend books on all sorts of themes on our blog so keep following that at www.norfolkels.wordpress.com Founded in 2017, Empathy Day was established to showcase how books can be used as powerful tools to understand and experience empathy. It's proven that by experiencing a wide range of stories, we as readers are better able to empatathise with characters and other people's feelings, something which is needed now more than ever. This year, Empathy Day– Tuesday June 9th - will be digital, with a variety of online events and home-based activities designed to help children read, connect and act with empathy. The full programme can be found online, along with downloadable activity packs- all you need is a pen and paper! Visit: www.empathylab.uk/family-activities-pack This daily recommendation service of books for all ages run by CILIP the libraries’ professional body, is currently running an extra special week of suggestions on the theme of empathy, as a build up to National Empathy Day. If you haven’t found this amazing resource yet, you can catch up with their archive of YouTube broadcasts: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPUIqlJM0aieXdq-LxKDvWA/live
Norfolk Record Office have made avialble a number of worksheets suitable for EYFS, KS1 and KS2 pupils, several of which build on the brilliant work they deliver as part of two schools workshops; Norfolk: A County of Welcome and Working as an Historian. Their website has a specific page for these and other activity sheets for free and you can also view accompanying videos via their YouTube page. To find all of this and more, visit:www.archives.norfolk.gov.uk/events-and-education/at-home-activity-pack Running from 15th- 21st June, Refugee Week is a celebration of the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees in the UK, with the 2020 theme of 'imagine'. There are lots of 'simple act' ideas on the Refugee Week website, all easily deliverable and accessible for those at home:www.refugeeweek.org.uk/simple-acts/
On a local level, the Norfolk Record Office have an appropriately themed KS2 activity pack, Norfolk: A County of Welcome, which can be downloaded via their education page:www.archives.norfolk.gov.uk/events-and-education/at-home-activity-pack In the build up to Refugee Week, Norfolk Schools of Sanctuary have organised a Day of Welcome on Friday 12th June, a schools-based initiative (happening digitally this year) with the aim of building a culture of welcome and understanding, sending the message that our communities are welcoming places. For resources, visit: www.norfolksos.co.uk/dow-2020
The Norfolk Family Learning team are currently offering an interactive programme of online taster sessions, delivered digitally in lieu of their usual face to face courses in libraries, schools and Early Childhood Family Centres.
There's a wide range of activities available, all designed to suit the home environment and to give children and families a break from screen time. For a full breakdown of whats currently available, visit: www.norfolk.gov.uk/education-and-learning/adult-learning/courses/family-learning-courses
Building on the success of 2018's Big Sing, and the first virtual Big Sing in 2019, Norfolk Music Hub are working with partners to deliver another interactive and digital concert to young people across the country.
Taking part is easy; simply register online and you'll be sent a code to log in and join the event as it takes place on Friday 19th June at 2pm. You'll also find on their website a list of songs and other resources to help you prepare to sing along and make your voice heard. For this and more, visit: www.norfolkmusichub.org.uk/site/events/event/the-virtual-big-sing-2020/
The Sensory Projects have a wide range of resources designed for use in the home environment, with a database of other relevant links: www.thesensoryprojects.co.uk/covid19-resources
The Norfolk & Norwich Festival Bridge have been producing a weekly newsletter and recently produced one with SEND specific links, curated by Lucy and Amber from Frozen Light, whose multi-sensory theatre creations are aimed at those with profound and multiple learning difficulties. Read their brilliant and useful newsletter here (click link)