West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind Library
150 years of History at WVSDB (click here)
- Insert Thumb Drive into the right side of your Digital Book Player (the slit next to the Headphone Socket) with the raised dot side up.
- Turn on Digital Book Player, it will say how many books are on the USB Thumb Drive.
- Hold down the Green Play Button until you hear a Beep. It will say “Bookshelf” and name the number of books on the USB Thumb Drive.
- Push FF/Forward to select the book you want to read. Push RW/Rewind/Back to go to the previous book.
- Each books will automatically advance once they are completed.
Library virtual literacy and research activities to complete at home. (Click Here)
- For students without Digital Book Players at home, here is how to access Digital Books via Bard Mobile from any phone:
Free Story Book Read Alouds by Authors (click here)
Source: Julie Falatko’s list - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1sxU02heqtCoZgi4HZ_f5f0rtN8S2ZuFFaLKT6S0U19A/edit?pli=1#gid=0
Reading/English/Language Arts (Click Here)
- Storyline Online (always free): Books read out loud by authors /famous people:
https://www.storylineonline.net/
- Learning A-Z:
- Accessibyte makes fun, funky, fully accessible apps for users who are blind, visually impaired, deaf, dyslexic, or have other reading difficulties:
https://www.accessibyte.com/stay-safe2
- Anna’s Story
https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/annas-story
- SLJ Roundup of Resources: http://www.teenlibrariantoolbox.com/2020/03/a-roundup-of-pandemic-resources/
- Texas Association of School Librarians’ Wakelet of Distance Learning Resources and Ideas for School Closures: https://wakelet.com/wake/a3e4beea-e081-412f-8d40-a8be616214e0
- Children's Authors Read Aloud Links: https://www.weareteachers.com/virtual-author-activities/?fbclid=IwAR22ie32Fahm599TxYcx56dp4VGj4T1Y7wFLqHa2MWOMQJNDXsR_KLJBl6k
- Dolly Parton Imagination Library: https://donate.imaginationlibrary.com/goodnight-with-dolly/
Math (Click Here)
- Math games for home
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QrtcVGfO2hHsLGXbwSH5aYKsP2S3gJVyisHbP167aBc/mobilebasic
- Math ideas/activities
http://www.amazingeducationalresources.com/
- Nemeth Math Tutorial
- UEB Math Tutorial
Science (Click Here)
- Nat Geo Kids: https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/
- The National Parks Service
https://artsandculture.withgoogle.com/en-us/national-parksservice/parks
- Mystery Science home activities
https://mysteryscience.com/school-closure-planning
- Smithsonian Kids: https://www.si.edu/kids
- NASA library https://www.nasa.gov/centers/hq/library
- Arbor Day
- Earth Day
- Green Bank Observatory
Social Studies (Click Here)
- History at Home https://www.history.com/history-at-home
- Virtual Museums to visit from home: https://hyperallergic.com/547919/2500-virtual-museum-tours-google-arts-culture/?fbclid=IwAR14-nOdm_FTjvUT5VMbIq1tNzjLzoC56u828ySScUF3P_1demNh1L_i8BE
- HMH’s Carmen San Diego resources (show is on Netflix): https://www.carmensandiego.com/resources/
- Wonderopolis: https://wonderopolis.org/
- DK Find Out: https://www.dkfindout.com/us/
News and Digital Magazines:
Highlights: https://www.highlightskids.com/
National Geographic Kids: https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/
Ranger Rick: https://rangerrick.org/
Youngzine: https://youngzine.org/
Newsela: https://newsela.com/
Scholastic Kids Press: http://kpcnotebook.scholastic.com/
Tween Tribune Junior: https://www.tweentribune.com/category/junior/
Kids Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/kidspost/?noredirect=on
Virtual Field Trips:
We Are Teachers - Best Virtual Field Trips: https://www.weareteachers.com/best-virtual-field-trips/
The Hidden Worlds of National Parks (Google): https://artsandculture.withgoogle.com/en-us/
Cincinnati Zoo Home Safari (Weekdays @ 2pm on Facebook Live): https://www.facebook.com/cincinnatizoo/
Google Earth (Voyager): https://www.google.com/earth/education/explore-earth/
https://www.tripsavvy.com/virtual-field-trips-for-kids-3129414
Museums: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/arts/19-immersive-museum-exhibits-you-can-visit-from-your-couch
https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/museums-galleries/museums-with-virtual-tours
San Diego Zoo Cams: https://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/live-cams
Smithsonian National Zoo Cams: https://nationalzoo.si.edu/webcams
Earth Cam - Animal Cams: https://www.earthcam.com/events/animalcams/
Technology (Click Here)
Coding
- Free Coding for students: https://www.tynker.com/
- Python and JavaScript Coding: https://codecombat.com/
- Hour of Code: https://code.org/learn
- Scratch Coding: https://scratch.mit.edu/
- Coding Games: https://www.codingame.com/start
- Coding the Muffin Pan: https://www.perkinselearning.org/technology/blog/coding-muffin-pan
Typing
- Dance Mat Typing: https://primarygamesarena.com/Play/Dance-Mat-Typing-2012
- Typing Games: https://www.typing.com/student/games
- Typio (FREE) https://www.accessibyte.com/typio-online-page/
- Keyboarding for Desktop: https://www.perkinselearning.org/technology/blog/ballyland-keyboarding-desktops-and-laptops-fun-game-early-learners
Navigation and Keyboard Commands
- VoiceOver for Typing
https://www.perkinselearning.org/technology/blog/voiceover-101-how-use-voiceover-typing
- VoiceOver Gestureshttps://www.perkinselearning.org/technology/blog/teaching-voiceover-gestures-1-finger-tricks-and-tips
- Technology for Low Vision
- Technology for Fluctuating Vision
- Dictation on the iPad
- Speech to Text Dictation
- Youtube instructional video for apple product operation
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcIupCht58IcZ8m3fS4fScuB8phKEcdSi&app=desktop
Podcasts
Wow in the World: https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510321/wow-in-the-world
But Why: https://www.vpr.org/programs/why-podcast-curious-kids#stream/0
Brains On: https://www.brainson.org/
Circle Round: https://www.npr.org/podcasts/532788972/circle-round
The Story Seeds: https://the-story-seeds-podcast.simplecast.com/
The Music Box: https://www.npr.org/podcasts/539111687/the-music-box
Kids Ask Authors: https://www.kidsaskauthors.com/
Crash Course (video cast): https://www.youtube.com/user/crashcourse/featured
Spanish (Click Here)
The Spanish Experiment: https://www.thespanishexperiment.com/stories
Salsa (series from Georgia Public Broadcasting): https://www.gpb.org/salsa/term/episode
DuoLingo: https://www.duolingo.com/
Unite for Literacy: https://www.uniteforliteracy.com/
Music, Art, Health and Physical Education (Click Here)
- The Kennedy Center Classroom Resources (arts): https://www.kennedy-center.org/education/resources-for-educators/classroom-resources/
- Go Noodle: www.gonoodle.com
Expanded Core Curriculum (Click Here)
- Virtual Expanded Core Education Learning Academy for Students with Visual Impairments
https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/resources/virtual-learning-academy
- Additional Expanded Core Education Learning Academy courses
https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/resources/Virtual-ExCEL-Academy
- Resources for students with visual impairments and their families
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OuzFqGQbC2AoQbR5Jg5PqQEauvkq8NhJcnA5Mj5gB-o/edit
- Beginning braille writing
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDRycZnAVm00CeP_X_AX0ffkUlqe3zphv&app=desktop
- Instruction in recreational activities
https://www.campabilities.org/instructional-materials.html
- Fun activities for parents to use
https://www.sensorysun.org/activities/
- Sites for families to use while school is closed
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Sgk9Pq5eCRJFvnjM9PNdei21z5-AQ6l0-bJqFE7n25o/mobilepresent?slide=id.p
- Dan Santat’s Online Survival School for the Pandemic (via Twitter or Instagram: @dsantat): https://www.dropbox.com/sh/bob5l36h7vkbe8c/AABqupBSK1UqEK-pWI51NqC-a?dl=0
- Learning at Home Wakelet compiled by Tracy Brawner: https://wke.lt/w/s/mvzD9w
- SLJ & Joyce Valenza’s list of resources: http://blogs.slj.com/neverendingsearch/2020/03/15/resources-for-learning-at-home-while-were-keeping-each-other-safe/
- Education Resources: http://www.amazingeducationalresources.com/
- Orientation and Mobility: http://parentmobility.com/
- Braille Blaster: https://brailleblaster.org/
Deaf Education
- Employment Opportunities for Deaf Youth https://learn.nationaldeafcenter.org/courses/work-based-learning
- Remote Speech to Text Services: https://www.nationaldeafcenter.org/resource/remote-speech-text-services
- Remote Access Services for Students: https://www.nationaldeafcenter.org/resource/remote-access-services-tips-students
- Checklist for teaching Deaf students online: https://www.nationaldeafcenter.org/news/checklist-teaching-deaf-students-online
- Using Assistive Hearing Devices At Home: https://www.nationaldeafcenter.org/news/using-hearing-assistive-devices-home-5-tips-deaf-college-students
- Deafverse Teens: https://www.nationaldeafcenter.org/news/deafverse-can-help-deaf-teens-connect-and-learn-home
- STEM Activities and Lessons for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing/Deafblind: https://www.tsd.state.tx.us/apps/pages/STEMfocusedactivities
- Supporting Success for Kids with Hearing Loss: https://successforkidswithhearingloss.com/2020/03/18/e-learning-coronavirus-covid-19/
- Teaching Resources: https://www.tsd.state.tx.us/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1691240&type=d&pREC_ID=1873970
Educational Games (Click Here)
- Free Educational Games: https://hip2save.com/tips/free-educational-games-for-kids/?fbclid=IwAR2bI1qV2a5Gd7TziAO9-ryxOKhzdGovdd8JLaR3N5bsdmzWvtG_fffoaS4
- Brain Pop free membership
https://go.brainpop.com/accessrequest?fbclid=IwAR0xjUrLgtKNJL2B7onXS3gA4w4I6i8UnyPiMHhLo3C0szhHUSdjX5cJEF8
- BreakoutEDU Fun @ Home: https://www.breakoutedu.com/funathome?fbclid=IwAR3OdLHbDIanPNw_bdkSYFv5gSbilg4SmFtVJ2ecfPgNux-exhNJIgVvBIE
- PBS Learning Media: https://klrn.pbslearningmedia.org/
- PBS Kids: https://pbskids.org/
- Free Educational Games: https://sites.google.com/k12ahisd.net/celibrary/educational-sites-games-tools-apps
- Learning Through Games: https://www.aph.org/learning-through-games-at-home/
Battle of the Books (click here)
About the WVSDB Libraries
The West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind Library is split between both of our schools: one housed in the West Virginia School for the Deaf and one housed in the West Virginia School for the Blind. The WVSDB Library services are for educational and leisure purposes to students in grades Pre-Kindergarten through 12. We provide materials in many formats: print books, Braille books, Twin-Vision books (print books with pictures and Braille overlays), large print books, audio books, tactile books, children’s books with signed words, ASL books, audio described videos, closed captioned videos, kits containing multi-media packets, print and Braille magazines, games (with compatible accessibility features), Makerspace items (related to STEAM content), technology, and digital talking books for all ages.
The primary function of the school library is to seek to maintain an atmosphere where learning and collaboration are encouraged. This includes providing alternative learning spaces that promote social interactions through creativity, to managing access to educational resources, to providing direct instruction on the West Virginia Library Media Content Standards and Objectives. The Librarian roles include but are not limited to co-teaching research skills in the classroom or technology resource classes, training teachers and support staff, or providing direct instruction and assessment in the areas of digital citizenship, research support within the core academic subjects, as well as literacy support while encouraging independence.
The West Virginia Library Commission: Subregional Library is housed in the West Virginia School for the Blind school library. We serve qualifying patrons from 8 surrounding counties by providing free digital book players and digital talking books. Under the regulations prescribed by the Library of Congress, patrons can obtain this free service if they are to Blind/Low Vision or Physically Handicapped. Readers must be certified by a competent authority as unable to read standard printed material as a result of physical limitations. These materials are mailed to patrons free of charge and maintained by the WVSB Library staff. Talking Books are available in many reading levels and genres. Applications for services are available through the WVSB Library as well as the West Virginia Library Commission.
Vision Statement: Accessibility is Our Priority.
Mission Statement: The West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind Libraries promote and encourage reading, research, and utilization of resources by means of individualized accessibility; ensuring equitable use of all media.
Core Values: We believe that all individuals whom use the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind Libraries have access to material in a their preferred format. Maximizing literary and media experiences for educational, informational, and recreational purposes.
Barbara Kidwell
Library Aide/Reader Advisor
West Virginia School for the Blind
WV Library Comission - NLS Subregional Library
Phone 304.822.6656