Resources for Learning at Home (in progress!  updated 6/26/20)
* = new items

Librarians are still working for you! 
​The best way to reach Ms. Ferguson and Ms. Laudi is
library@bths.edu 

•  Have a research question? Need help with an assignment?
• Want access to an ebook/audiobook? 
• Having trouble with a public library account? 
• Need help with a new app or online service?
• Want a book recommendation or recommend one to us?
• Need help with a club? project? making a schedule? 
• Have suggestions of resources for sharing?
• Just want to say hi?  We do!

​

Table of Contents (click heading to go to that section)

1. Need help with online access?
2. Ebooks, Audiobooks and other online reading
3. Virtual library activities - makerspace and "book" club
4. ​Help with schoolwork or organization
5. Online learning and test prep
6. ​Stressed?  This is hard!  Please be kind to yourself

Need help with online access - internet, computer? 

• If you need internet access or want to check on getting unlimited wifi service here are some local resources.​
  • Ways to increase internet speed.
• Recycle an old computer
  • Turn and old computer into a Chromebook:  Neverware.com. 
  • Or Linux OS.  Here is my process (just starting).
  • Let us know if you try this!  library@bths.edu
• Request an ipad from DOE: https://www.schools.nyc.gov/learn-at-home/ipad-distribution or call 718-935-5100, select option 5

 

Ebooks, Audiobooks and Other Online reading

 Public Library resources  (all boroughs) - ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, online learning
BTHS Library ebooks and audiobooks - username, find here and password is your OSIS

 Other Online ebooks:

• Scribd free 30 days (no credit card needed).  Full access to books, audiobooks, magazines, and sheet music.  
• Firstbook Open Ebooks program (pleasure reading):  email us for a username/password.  Recommended books in that program. 
• Amazon Prime ebooks (free for members) 
• Discount ebooks 80% off (updated list monthly) through Book Riot.
• NYC DOE ebooks and audiobooks through Sora App or Sora online.  Download app then enter school name: New York City Department of Education for access, sign in with nycstudents.net email.  Always available books: Hate U Give (ebook and audiobook), Ms. Marvel 1, Downstairs Girl audiobook, Epic Crush of Genie Lo, and many more.

Free audiobooks and podcasts: 

• BTHS LGBTQIA+ Audiobook collection - scroll down on this page, and click on titles for access.  Summaries of books in alpha order here.
• Audiobooks.com 3 free for 30 days (requires credit card)
• Audible.com  -  free audiobooks (good books for all ages in elementary section too and Spanish, French, German and Japanese) 
• See Scribd above
• List of podcasts for newbies.  Thanks, Rachel Greene, et. al.​

​​

• Free weekly audiobooks to keep through July 29th: Audiobook Sync (register and download Sora app, then enter school name: audiobooksync).https://www.audiobooksync.com/

More detailed directions on how to get access.








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Other

• Tech's own literary and arts publication, Horizons
• Free Manga: https://www.viz.com/shonenjump/chapters/all
• Free Comic Books
  • ​​Marvel Monthly Free Access (changes monthly)
  • *Comics Books Plus: https://nycdoehs.comicsplus.app  Login: nycdoehs  Password: books123​
• New York Times for students - free digital access through July 6.  Students, let us know if you did not get an invitation.
• Short stories - Chronicles of Now 
• Free webcomics from School Library Journal (scroll down for YA) 

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 Virtual Library Activities

Frustrated by cancelled internships, SYEP or other summer plans?  Follow your passions and do something that inspires you.  Design yourself a project this summer and get credit by sharing your project in a meaningful way.  
https://bthslib.weebly.com/summer-passion-project

​

Join our "book" club, whether you are having trouble concentrating on a book or not.  We will take Yales' most popular class, the Science of Well-being, a free 10-week psychology course taught by Yale professor, Laurie Santos.
​
It involves listening to or watching lectures, doing reflection activities and optional readings (est. 2-4 hours/week).
You can listen to or watch the lectures of this 10 week course on your own (and school will be out before the course is over!), however, the advantage of doing it with us (as a "book" club) is that we will send you reminders each week and encourage you to keep up and there will be optional online meetings on Tuesdays at 3:30 to discuss the assignments and how it relates to you as a Tech student IN A PANDEMIC. Also, we will sometimes encourage you all to share things like: which article was most helpful? add to the "good news" section, or respond to a survey.

Join with us through our Google Classroom: nd5dyt5:  first week meeting 3:30pm Thurs, May 21  - but you can really join anytime.

Help with schoolwork

Public libraries offer live, one-to-one tutoring - Brainfuse, 2-11pm

• Brooklyn Public Library: To obtain a Brooklyn Public Library eCard, fill out this form. Families and students may access Brainfuse using their Brooklyn Public Library eCard.
• New York Public Library: To obtain a New York Public Library eCard, download and use the SimplyE app. Please note that this app has been uploaded to all iPads issued by the DOE. For instructions on how to apply using the SimplyE app, please visit NYPL.org. Families and students may access Brainfuse using their New York Public Library eCard.
• Queens Public Library: To obtain a Queen Public Library eCard, fill out this form. Families and students may access Brainfuse using their Queens Public Library eCard.

Organization

• *Distance Learning: Digital Planner Template Directions and blank template
• Try bullet journaling
• give yourself a schedule each day and highlight the most important (breaks for meals, getting outside (if safe), exercise, contacting friends, something fun)​.
• consider following your school class schedule to go through classes and get things done so schoolwork is finished quickly.  

Simple Tech tools 

Make videos (of yourself or screen or both):

• Screencastomatic.com (15 mins max) or Screencastify (5 mins max) (Chrome add on)

Google Classroom tools:  https://teachfromhome.google/intl/en/

• Google Meet Grid View Chrome add-on

Make a podcast:  NPR guide

Online learning and Online Test Prep

Online Learning

• Over 450 Online courses for free - draw, guitar, storytelling, languages, filmmaking, etc.
• ​1,500 Online courses for free by field of study
• MIT Open Courseware 
• Harvard Free Classes 

AP 
AP Tests will still happen in another format.  Stay up to date with test dates and free study resources 
​https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/coronavirus-updates#free-ap-classes

Free SAT Prep 

• ​collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/
• ​khanacademy.org/test-prep/sat
• ​cracksat.net/index.html
  
• Learning Express 

Regents are cancelled for 2019-2020.   

Stressed?  This is tough!  Please be kind to yourself!

In need of some help (food, rent, elderly care) for yourself or families?  NY Thrive contacts here, and NYAM resources here, but also feel free to email your guidance counselors.  

• Try going for a fast walk (if safe) or getting some exercise.  Even a little bit can help.  Here are some free workouts.
• Listen to some guided meditation (great for help getting to sleep or getting a "reset")
  • Liberate
  • Calm
• Articles:  Advice can be overwhelming.  see if there is one tip to try
  • 5 ways to combat stress/anxiety
  • How to cope with loneliness
  • Telecommuting strategies for adults with ADHD 
  • General tips for managing.  Good for re-reading.  
• Need help?  There is help.  It is really ok to ask.  Ask us, ask your teachers.  
  • Email your guidance counselor or Mr. Ventura: jventura2@schools.nyc.gov
  • Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-7233, texting “LOVEIS” to 2252
  • Suicide Prevention 1-800-273-8255.

Email Ms. Ferguson or Ms. Laudi to talk if you feel down and want to complain, don't know who to call, or just want to say hi!  Library@bths.edu