Here is a list of useful links and resources
to help you learn, identify, and interact with the natural world.
Trees
Maine Tree identification
from Maine Foliage.gov. This will narrow down what trees you see around you on a daily basis.
Nature Activities
from
Western Foothills Land Trust. 1) Using your senses in Nature 2) Spring
Tree ID 3) Mud Season Animal Tracking 4) Spring Bird Identification.
Flowers
Wildflowers of the United States
This
link will take you to the Reference guide for Maine Flowers. This
website and Wildflower Search are both older websites but they are a
solid online reference source.
Wildflower Search
Wildflower
identification website. This link will take you to the Vassalboro
area. This is a fun website you can play around with settings and
coordinates and find your flowers!
Maine Garden Ideas
This is an older website as well but this link will also help you narrow down the flowers in your area.
Helpful facts about photosynthesis and solar energy.
Birds
E-Bird.org- Bird identification in Maine
This link will take you to a list of birds in Kennebec County, Maine.
"E-Bird began with a simple idea—that every birdwatcher has unique
knowledge and experience. Our goal is to gather this information in the
form of checklists of birds, archive it, and freely share it to power
new data-driven approaches to science, conservation and education."
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
There are lots of free resources here, and some that require payment.
Live cams and Bird guides can help identify birds. There is an APP
called Merlin that can be used.
"Our planet is alive with birds, and there is nothing more fulfilling and
potentially life-changing than observing birds and nature. As we watch
and listen, birds help us understand the living world."
Natural History Resources
Chewonki - Home Resource Page
Maine at home learning from Chewonki. Great educational videos and resources.
Bigelow - Laboratory for Ocean Sciences
Laboratory in Boothbay Harbor. An archived page of educational resources.
iNaturalist.org
Is a community of individuals and groups around the world who record the
natural world around them and share it online. You can post your
observations and build community around nature. Check here for what
others have already recorded in Vassalboro: Observations in Vassalboro Maine
Distance Learning Resources from the National Resources Council of Maine. "8 great Kid's distance learning resources by Maine organizations."
Outdoor Activity Guide
From Maine.gov. "For Kids Who Like Messing Around in Maine."
Maine Mineral Museum - Bethel
This includes a rock garden exhibit of Maine minerals.
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The following links were added in March 2020. Some may no longer be viable.
Sign up for a Maine State Library account (digital access only) to access the Cloud-Library and read e-books.
Access to Ancestry, Chilton Library, Culinary Arts, Encyclopedias, and much, much more!
Open access to E-books, Journals, Art resources, and lots more!
There are loads of free online books here. Try typing in your favorite author and playing around with the search settings. There is some controversy surrounding this site but you can decide how you feel. Some authors and most publishers call it piracy but many respected universities and libraries call it a valuable resource and an information equalizer.
For as long as schools are closed Audible is open. Right now, kids everywhere can instantly stream and listen to an incredible collection of stories, including titles across six different languages, that will help them continue dreaming, learning, and just being kids.
Waking up French -Documentary - Ben Levine
The Franco-American Collection is offering free streaming access for 30 days to Réveíl: Waking Up French,
a documentary film by Ben Levine. This film explores the struggle for
cultural survival among the French-Canadian, Franco-American communities
of New England. It reveals the importance of history and
heritage and demonstrates how languages can be reacquired for personal
and community renewal. The film will be available for 30 days beginning
today, so don’t miss your chance to watch it!
A great online resource page from a great Maine library. Many more links to great sites including FREE IVY LEAGUE courses, AUDIOBOOKS, and STEM.
More great links from another great Maine library.
Share your Story of Covid-19
Maine Memory Network - Individuals Are you an individual with digitized items you would like to share? Have you taken photos of signs of hope, lines at grocery stores, people practicing social distancing? You may upload one item at a time through the "Share Local History."
My Maine Stories Everybody has a story to tell. You can submit video, audio, text, and/or photos via the My Maine Stories. portal. This platform provides a space for anyone with an internet connection to record their stories about Maine. Your story will be permanently preserved, widely accessible, and help document this profound moment in Maine history.
Student Resources
Infobase
Science Online, World News Digest, Access Video On Demand, World
Almanac for Kids. This resource is being offered free until July.
Username: 1658507-user
Password: digital
Stories and activities from Scholastic. Grades Pre-K through 9th.
Entertainment for children. Lots of popular programs.
Highlights Kids - Activities, Poems, Games
Explore, Share, Listen
Watch an astronaut read a story from a space station!
Author of Gerald and Piggie and Pigeon books.
Write a Story with Kate Dicamillo
Author or Mercy Watson, The Tale of Despereaux, and Flora & Ulysses
Free printable worksheets.
Science and Field-trips
Maine at home learning from Chewonki.
Aquatic fish live.
Freedom Home School - Virtual Field Trips
Great reference page for live-cams of animals in zoos, aquariums, and field trips all around the world!
Language
Rosetta Stone - 120 Hours Free
Offering free for the next 3 months. For students to learn from home. Parents have to sign their kids up.
Free resource to learn French.
