When our schools closed due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, thousands of students were  without access to educational instruction. Buffalo Toronto Public Media is here to support families, educators, and students as a community classroom during these challenging times.

Whether your child is studying is school or at home, we will continue to keep you connected to learning resources as the new school year begins. Videos and activities for families, caregivers and teachers will be posted here on our website, our social media platforms, and PBS Learning Media’s free online service. We’ll also continue to post learning resources in our WNED PBS Parents & Teachers group on Facebook.

The lesson plans and digital resources adhere to New York's state curriculum to provide continued at-home learning.

Here in the Learn at Home section of our website you will find resources to expand learning and family engagement including discussion questions, reflection pieces, conversation cards, content extension resources, PBS KIDS learning tools and more.

Whether you're looking for music and dance activities, science experiments, family-friendly adventures, or learning about dinosaurs (plus more!), you will find media and activity resources in the Camp PBS LearningMedia collection. We've gathered fun, exploratory resources for you to use as you plan summer fun.

We are pleased to share another great resource for parents and their home-bound students! Rick Steves Classroom curates all of Rick's public television content into more than 400 free and easily digestible 3 to 5 minute clips-all easily searchable, fun, and ad-free. Create a playlist sorted by topic, and students will be engaged, learning and dreaming about post-quarantine travels.

We’re pleased to share free content that our partners at America’s Test Kitchen have created to help kids and their parents dealing with school closures. They have gathered a weekly curriculum filled with recipes, activities and quizzes that’s all about teaching kids how to cook with bonus extra learning moments about science, math, history and culture.

Every week, there is a new Kitchen Classroom plan. Think of it as a sort of kitchen curriculum, composed of recipes, activities, and quizzes, one or two for each day of the workweek and a bigger project the whole family can tackle on Saturday or Sunday. It includes as many pantry-friendly recipes as possible, to minimize grocery runs. Feel free to make swaps and substitutions as you need to make this work for your family. And we want to see what you’re up to! Share what you make by tagging @testkitchenkids or using #atkkids on Instagram, or by sending us photos kids@americastestkitchen.com.

The New York State Museum launched a Portal to Online Educational Resources & Activities that brings together many of the museum’s resources, including links to the popular virtual “Fieldtrips,” digital collections, online resources, and many fun activities for kids derived from the museum’s research and collections. The Portal provides opportunities for educators, caregivers, and students looking for engaging and educational activities that can be done from home.

360 Degree Virtual Field Trips

• The Rotunda Murals- Learn more about the 36 paintings, created by Albany artist Will Hicok Low, that complement the State Education Building Rotunda’s architectural nobility and its aura of intellectual enlightenment. Museum Educator, Carly Benedict leads this tour of the beauty and meaning of these groundbreaking murals.

• The Replica Liberty Bell - Gifted by President Harry Truman in 1950, the New York State’s “Liberty Bell” is an exact replica of the original Liberty Bell located in Philadelphia. Museum Educator, Anna Doren, showcases the history behind the creation of this replica and how it came to be a featured element at the New York State Education Building.

• Regents Room of the State Education Building- Located inside the NYS Education Building, this elaborately decorated room is the meeting place for the Board of Regents. Join Museum Educator Ben Russell as he highlights the Regents history and the room’s design.

• The Rotunda at the NYSED- Explore the NYS Education Building where Museum Educator, Carl Morrone, highlights the building's history and unique architectural elements. Designed by renowned architect and New York City native Henry Hornbostel, the Education Building was the first major building constructed in the United States solely as a headquarters for the administration of education.

Educational Resources

• Women’s Suffrage Commemoration Resources – “Votes for Women: Celebrating New York’s Suffrage Centennial” honors the centennial of women’s suffrage in New York State and raises awareness of the struggle for equal rights up through the present day.

• NYSM Women of Science Programming – This August, we are taking our popular Women of Science program online! During several virtual sessions, you will be able to learn from female scientists and staff about their area of study, collections, and career paths.

• Fun Activities – Videos and downloadable activities for fun at home. Families can “color the collections” with coloring sheets inspired by exhibits and artifacts from the museum’s collections or watch a video from our museum education department about topics inspired by the museum and then make a craft activity at home.

• Teacher Guides & Activities for Students – The New York State Museum offers educational opportunities for learners of all ages and abilities. Through online educational resources, children, families, educators, and students can experience the art, science, and history of New York State in a fun and engaging way. NYSM Teacher Guides meet New York State Learning Standards.

• NYSM Videos– Learn about the research and collections of the New York State Museum through videos from scientists, historians, and educators.