Curriculum Options
Information on curriculum and resource suggestions.
- Getting Started With Selecting Curriculum
- Educational Apps for Tablets & Phones
- External Online Resources
- Curriculum Donations
Getting Started With Selecting Curriculum
Curriculum Picks
Curriculum Picks provide just one suggestion for each of the core subjects for each grade, meeting the needs of most typical home-educating students. The trick to finding the Curriculum Picks quickly is to filter Curriculum Options ONLY by GRADE and the Feature “HCOS Pick.”
Curriculum Options
If you would like more choices than our Curriculum Picks offer, the Curriculum Options page on our website provides a searchable selection of resources.
Curriculum Selection Tools and Tips Webinar
This webinar provides an overview of the curriculum selection process and references many curriculum options that may work for your situation.
Slide deck: bit.ly/Curriculum-Selection-23
Curriculum Consultations
If you need assistance selecting curriculum, please be in touch with your support teacher. Our Curriculum Consultant, Cynthia Duncalfe is also available for consultations with HCOS enrolled or registered families via her online calendar.
Educational Apps for Tablets & Phones
This page contains free and paid app suggestions in a variety of subject areas and grade levels.
HCOS + Flex Apps
These are the app versions of tools and platforms available to enrolled students through HCOS + Flex. Please search SOPHIE to learn more about accessing the Resources and visit the Learning Commons website to find passwords for our Subscriptions.
Resources
Name |
Description |
Links |
Canva for Education |
Graphic design |
|
Google Workspace |
Calendar, Docs, Drive, Gmail |
|
Grammarly |
Writing and proofreading |
|
Read&Write |
Reading and assistive technology |
Subscriptions
Name |
Description |
Links |
BrainPOP and BrainPOP Jr |
Movies and quizzes from the BrainPOP website |
(Apple App Store and Google Play) |
Matific |
Skill-building numeracy games |
|
Reading Eggs |
Skill-based literacy games |
|
RightNow Media |
Bible study video resources |
|
Sora |
eBooks and audiobooks library |
|
Tynker |
Coding-based math games |
Teacher Recommended Apps
Parents are encouraged to do their own research on these recommended apps to determine alignment with family values and learning goals. Reviews can be found on the links for the Apple App and Google Play Stores or by searching apps on Common Sense Education.
Arts Education
Name |
Description |
Cost |
Links |
Adult Colouring Book |
Digital colouring book |
Free |
|
DMD Panorama |
Photo and video 3D camera app |
$12.99 (Apple) Free (Google) |
|
GarageBand |
Music recording and editing app |
Free |
|
iMovie |
Movie editing app |
Free |
|
Lapse It |
Time-lapse and stop motion video creator |
Free |
|
Paper |
Digital sketchbook |
Free |
|
PicCollage EDU |
Photo editor and collage creator |
$2.99 |
|
Pixlr |
Photo Editor |
Free |
|
Procreate |
Digital art creator and editor |
$17.99 |
|
Stop Motion Studio |
Stop motion video creator |
Free |
Assistive Technology
Name |
Description |
Cost |
Links |
Articulation Essentials 2.0 |
Speech therapy support |
Free |
|
Articulation Station |
Speech therapy support |
Free |
|
Audio Notebook |
Voice recorder |
Free |
|
Mod Math |
Adaptive math notation |
Free |
|
SnapType |
Worksheet digitization and editing |
Free |
Christian Studies
Name |
Description |
Cost |
Links |
Bible App for Kids |
Interactive Bible stories for children |
Free |
|
BibleProject |
Interactive Bible resources and classes |
Free |
|
Keys for Kids Ministries |
Daily devotionals |
Free |
|
Superbook Kids Bible |
Interactive Bible stories and resources |
Free |
|
YouVersion Bible |
Digital Bible resource |
Free |
Executive Functioning and Organization
Name |
Description |
Cost |
Links |
Be Focused (Apple) Focus To-Do (Google) |
Time management support |
Free |
|
CamScanner |
Document scanner |
Free |
|
Evernote |
Notes and task organizer |
Free |
|
Genius Scan |
Document scanner |
Free |
|
Noteability |
Notes organizer |
Free |
|
Time Timer |
Visual time management |
Free |
|
Vantage |
Scheduling and calendar tool |
Free |
Learning Support and Inclusive Education
Name |
Description |
Cost |
Links |
Blending Sounds 1 |
Skill-building phonics games |
$19.99 |
|
Brain Works |
Sensory breaks |
$11.99 |
|
Choiceworks Calendar |
Visual calendar and time management |
$17.99 |
|
Conversation Builder Teen |
Skill-building conversation tools |
$39.99 |
|
Exploring Emotions |
Social emotional learning |
$9.99 (Apple) $12.99 (Google) |
|
First Then Visual Schedule |
Visual calendar and time management |
$19.99 |
|
Keedogo Plus |
Simplified keyboard layout |
$3.99 |
|
Letter Sounds 1 |
Skill-building letter sounds games |
$19.99 |
|
School of Multi-Step Directions |
Auditory comprehension and listening skills |
$24.99 |
|
Sight Words 1 |
Skill-building sight words games |
$19.99 |
|
The Sounding Out Machine |
Assistive reading tools |
$3.99 |
|
The Zones of Regulation |
Social emotional learning |
$7.99 |
Literacy
Name |
Description |
Cost |
Links |
Book Creator |
eBooks creator |
$3.99 |
|
IXL |
Skill-building literacy games |
Free |
|
LetterSchool |
Handwriting skills |
$12.99 (Apple) Free (Google) |
|
Me: A Kid’s Story |
Digital diary creator |
$4.99 |
|
Storybird |
eBooks creator |
Free |
|
Strip Designer |
eComics creator |
$4.99 |
|
Tell About This |
Photo prompt caption creator |
$3.99 |
|
Text Twist |
Letter games |
Free |
Numeracy
Name |
Description |
Cost |
Links |
Doctor Lowhigh |
Ordering values |
$0.99 |
|
Equilibrians |
Balancing equations |
$2.99 (Apple) Free (Google) |
|
Euclidean Lands |
Puzzle-based math games |
$6.99 |
|
IXL |
Skill-building numeracy games |
Free |
|
King of Math |
Skill-building numeracy games |
Free (Apple) $4.09 (Google) |
|
King of Math 2 |
Skill-building numeracy games |
$3.99 (Apple) $4.09 (Google) |
|
Lightbot |
Coding-based math games |
Free |
|
Math Slide |
Multiplication and division |
Free |
|
Monument Valley |
Geometry-based math games |
$4.99 (Apple) $6.99 (Google) |
|
Odd Bot Out |
Puzzle-based math games |
Free |
|
Prodigy |
Puzzle-based math games |
Free |
|
ReflexMath |
Skill-building numeracy games |
Free |
|
ScratchJr |
Coding-based math games |
Free |
|
SET Pro HD |
Puzzle-based math games |
$6.99 |
|
Swift Playgrounds |
Coding-based math games |
Free |
Science
Name |
Description |
Cost |
Links |
Biodigital Human |
3D anatomy virtual model |
Free |
|
Frog Dissection |
Virtual dissection lab |
$4.99 |
|
IXL |
Skill-building science games |
Free |
|
NASA Visualization Explorer |
Space research and exploration |
Free |
|
The Explorer’s Library by Tinybop |
Skill-building science games |
$2.99-$4.99 |
(Apple Play Store) |
External Online Resources
Overview
We’ve curated dozens of educational resources available for free online. These sites offer valuable and engaging articles, instructional videos, interactive games, and much more to supplement learning at home.
Benefits
Parents, students, and teachers can access a wealth of information and interactive learning experiences for research and inquiry, as well as to supplement coursework, deepen understanding, and foster further exploration.
Using External Resources
Many of these resources are available without an account. Sometimes, parents must set up a free account to use the resource.
Parents should preview resources to ensure suitability for their students.
Accessing External Resources
Kindergarten to Grade 5
Applied Design, Skills, and Technologies: Design Thinking and Making
Curiosity Machine | Design challenges across various subject areas |
Design Squad Global |
Compete to create solutions to engineering challenges |
Instructables |
Learn how to make anything, one step at a time. |
Makers Empire | 3D design tool to create, download, and print original or community-based objects |
The Tech at Home | STEM and design challenge activities for K-12 learners |
The Young Inventors | Challenges designed to demonstrate how inventions can improve people’s lives |
Tinkercad |
Three workspaces where students can design: 3D Design, Codeblocks, and Circuits |
Arts Education
8notes.com |
Sheet music and resources for musicians, including tuners, chord charts, and lessons |
Blob Opera |
Create your opera-inspired song; no music skills required |
GarageBand |
Music creation studio with a complete sound library |
Institute for Arts Integration and STEAM | Arts-integrated online learning experiences for students that include videos and lesson plans |
MetKids |
Whimsical, kid-friendly intro to the wide art world with videos and interactive activities |
PBS Learning Media’s Arts Education |
Resources, videos, and interactive lessons in dance, music, theatre, and visual arts |
TedEd Visual Arts | Instructional videos with comprehension and guided discussion questions |
Yo Kidz | YouTube channel featuring dozens of drawing tutorials |
Bible and Christian Studies
Calvary Curriculum |
Bible lessons for grades 1 – 6 |
Discover God 4 Kids |
Learn about God's character through family activities and Bible study |
Douglas Talks |
Douglas, the puppet, uses stories from his life to explain God’s plan for him and you |
Elevate Kids | Bible-based videos to show your child how to become the leader God designed them to be |
Keys for Kids |
A daily audio devotional based on scripture passages |
Kids Corner |
Audio adventures, Bible stories and activities for kids |
Kids of Integrity |
Downloadable lesson plans that help parents instil Christ-honouring character traits in their kids |
Kids World | Easy-to-read Bible lessons |
Superbook |
Engaging kids’ games, radio, interactive questions about God, and more. |
Career Education
Bankaroo | A virtual bank for kids where you can teach them about the value of money in a safe environment |
EVERFI |
Standards-aligned, research-based digital lessons to teach students to thrive in an ever-changing world. |
Thrively | Guides students through a student-centred journey to discover their strengths, increase their self-awareness, set goals and track progress, build skills, and learn real-world problem-solving |
Communication & Collaboration
Lino |
A sticky-note tool to organize and collect information and can be shared with parents and teachers |
Screencastify |
Empowering students to demonstrate and share their learning |
Seesaw | Students share their learning with others through digital portfolios |
Wakelet | Save, organize, and share any content from across the web |
Computer Science
Code.org | Hundreds of computer science activities and tutorials |
Codeable Crafts | Animate stories with accessible drawing tools and coding blocks |
CS First | Makes coding easy to teach and fun to use |
Scratch | Code, share, and remix stories, games, and animations |
ScratchJr | As above, for ages 5-7 |
English Language Arts
National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) | Draft an entire novel in just one month in motivational virtual spaces |
Quill | Free writing and grammar activities and tools |
ReadWorks | Differentiated reading passages designed to improve comprehension |
StoryJumper | an easy way for students to write, narrate, and illustrate their stories. Find informative, expository, collaborative, narrative, and creative writing project ideas, suggestions on topics to write about and digital storytelling ideas. Your students can then use our tools to create and narrate a book, print it on-demand, and publish a book they can hold and hear |
Storyline Online | read-along books read via video by actors and authors. Each book includes a supplemental curriculum a credentialed elementary educator developed to strengthen comprehension and verbal and written skills for English-language learners |
Whooo’s Reading | a website with a clear mission: to help students think more critically about whatever they read through open-ended rather than multiple-choice reading quizzes. |
Indigenous Education
Canada’s Original Place Names – Indigenous Peoples named many places in present-day Canada.
Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada – Four books: Truth and Reconciliation, First Nations, Inuit, Metis
The Great Bear Sea – Curriculum resources based on the film The Great Bear Sea: Reflecting on the Past, Planning for the Future by Green Fire Productions can be used to engage students in an inquiry-based, educational journey through the Great Bear Sea exploring a variety of themes such as Indigenous Knowledge, collaborative science, marine planning, biodiversity, sustainable resource management and marine stewardship.
Mathematics
Didax – virtual manipulatives and downloadable activities for PreK – Grade 12.
Khan Academy – provides interactive lessons and instructional videos; students practice at their own pace, first filling in gaps in their understanding and then accelerating their learning.
Legends of Learning – provides an engaging educational experience for at-home learning. Kids will love the educational games on the platform, and parents will love the data that comes out as they automatically progress.
MathAntics – FREE math videos and additional subscription-based content!
Math Learning Centre – easy-to-use math apps for web browsers, Apple devices or Chromebooks.
Math Snacks – educational animations, games, and interactive tools that help learners in grades 3 – 8 better understand math concepts.
Zearn – an online math curriculum with supplemental skills practice activities for K – 5. Parents and teachers must set up their own accounts and assign lessons to their students.
Multi-Subject
Choosito – a smart search engine that safely searches the web for resources based on your student’s reading level.
CK-12 – free Math, Science, Social Studies, English and more courses for grades 1-12.
Collabrify Productivity Tool Suite – educational productivity Apps. In real-time, two or more students, each on their own computing device, co-constructing text documents, drawings & animations, KWL charts, and spreadsheets.
Easy Peasy All-In-One Homeschool – a free online Christian homeschool curriculum.
Khan Academy Kids – a free, award-winning app for children ages 2 – 7 that engages kids in core subjects like early literacy, reading, writing, language, and math, while encouraging creativity and building social-emotional skills.
Learning Hero Roadmap – an interactive guide with videos/tools to help parents support grade-level math and reading as well as social-emotional development. Informed by what parents need, developed by leading content experts.
Newsela – great nonfiction articles with 5 options for levelled reading.
NOVA – compelling videos, simulations, teacher guides, and other activities.
PBS Kids – a wealth of educational content and valuable learning resources covering various topics.
PBS LearningMedia – PreK-12 digital media service. Search and browse thousands of learning materials, including videos, interactive lesson plans, media galleries, and more.
Quarto Classroom is a free video library on YouTube of Quarto’s creators using their books as teaching tools in educational spaces.
Smithsonian Learning Lab – an interactive platform for discovering millions of authentic digital resources, creating content with online tools, and sharing in the Smithsonian’s expansive community of knowledge and learning.
TED-Ed – supports kids’ sense of wonder with outstanding short video lessons.
Wonderopolis – short, interesting informational texts. Each text has vocabulary practice, a comprehension quiz, and activities for further learning. The Immersive Reader tool increases text accessibility with read-aloud, picture dictionary, translation, and more.
Physical and Health Education
GoNoodle – movement and mindfulness videos created by child development experts.
KidsHealth – easy-to-follow articles, slideshows, videos, and health tools designed to help kids and teens learn, grow, and be their best.
PBS Learning Media’s Health & Physical Education – resources that provide essential lessons on physical, mental, and emotional health.
Science
100 Fun Science Experiments / Science Fair Projects for Kids – amazing collection of science experiments and science fair projects that you can try with your kids and students at home or school.
Climate Kids – this kid-friendly, expert site by Nasa explores key climate issues through videos, games and activities.
Google Earth – search for specific locations or quickly manually manoeuvre across the globe, zooming in to show detail to the level of parked cars and even pedestrians. Many world areas can be viewed in 3D, allowing students to see cities, the countryside, and famous landmarks in three dimensions.
Inquiry in Action – K-5 science lessons about physical science and chemistry in everyday life
Legends of Learning – provides an engaging educational experience for at-home learning. Kids will love the educational games on the platform, and parents will love the data that comes out as they automatically progress.
Nasa STEM @ Home – videos, interactive multimedia, hands-on activities and more categorized by grade range.
National Geographic Kids – stunning photos, in-depth stories of Earth’s peoples and wildlife, and a large collection of multimedia resources that teach students about animals, habitats, countries, and cultures.
Ocean School by the National Film Board of Canada. It’s bilingual, free and has aboriginal content! A YouTube channel and an app on iOS. It uses video, virtual reality, interactive and 360-degree video, augmented reality, newsreels, toolkits and assessments. Brings powerful storytelling techniques, immersive technologies and interactive media to your home. Explore the ocean with documentary footage of real scientists, 360 videos, AR, and VR.
Science Buddies – K-12 STEM resources, including 160+ hands-on STEM activities and videos. Our activities cover different STEM concepts, can be done in an hour or less, and use materials easily found at home.
Smithsonian Science Education Center – curriculum & resources searchable by type, grade and topic.
The San Diego Zoo – An interactive site featuring videos, games and activities.
Second Language
The ASL App – Learn American Sign Language right from your phone.
ASL Kids – ASL learning app for Beginners & Kids.
Boukili – Help your students and children love reading in French.
Curious Learning – apps for learning to read in 48 languages.
Duolingo – a science-based language education platform that has organically become the most popular way to learn languages online.
Fingerspelling – Learn the ABCs in ASL with machine learning.
HandsOnASL – Learn to fingerspell with sign language.
Oh Noah! – offers students a multi-pronged approach to learning Spanish vocabulary. With its funny, story-based interface, kids are encouraged to take an easygoing, just-try-it approach to learning languages.
OnlineFreeSpanish – dozens of games, colouring pages, and interactive activities by level can be accessed anytime on tablets or desktops.
Sign School – Learn American Sign Language
Virtual Field Trips and Tours
British Natural History Museum – Virtual Museum: 14 ways to explore from home
Canadian Farm Food Virtual Tours – Learn how things are made and how animals are raised.
Discovery Education Virtual Field Trips – Promising amazing places and remarkable experiences, Discovery Education has many different cost-free tours available.
Great Lakes Virtual Field Trip – Learn about the science, diversity, and ecology of these large freshwater lakes.
Hall of North American Mammals (Grades 3-5) – Explore habitat dioramas to learn how animals must be adapted to an environment in order to survive in it.
Royal Tyrrell Museum Park – Visit Canada’s only museum dedicated exclusively to the study of ancient life from home.
Slime in Space – This video field trip shows how slime acts in space. Watch astronauts play ping pong with it!
Smithsonian: National Museum of Natural History – Virtual Tours
The Butterfly Conservatory (Grades K-2) – Observe butterflies and compare their patterns.
The National Aquarium – Explore one of the best aquariums in the country in this interactive self-guided tour.
Curriculum Donations
The Learning Commons welcomes donations of gently used curriculum (e.g., no rips or marks on pages) that are not older than 7 years. Novels, DVDs, and CDs are only accepted if they are part of a curriculum package. When we receive curriculum donations, we post them in our Used Bookstore for other families to purchase at a discounted rate.
Please email Library Administrator Shandra Wiebe for more information: swiebe@onlineschool.ca