Access to the following resources is available from the SIMON home screen under the Library heading or through any computer using the links within the title and the username and password as indicated below:

eChalk educational games: Username: hamiltoncollege.vic.edu.au Password: talented

World Book – encyclopedia, plus every book they have ever published shared in eBook format. Username: thaac Password: college

Microsoft Family Learning Centre has a range of suggestions and supporting links for ages 3 to 12 much of which would be interesting to secondary students too.

Senior School:

Gale eBook library: a range of resources for all ages at Secondary level. Password: library

The best resource is: Gale In Context High School.

Lots of options for how to search see this additional document.

Wheelers eBook and Audio Book Libraries: log in using school email address and user name or download the app to your phone or other device. If you start reading on one device the other device will know where you are up to. Sign in is at top right of the page that opens from SIMON.

If you download the App for The Hamilton and Alexandra College : Sign in at top right

Thanks to Wheelers there will be enhanced access to the titles in our collection for April – and beyond if needed.

State Library of Victoria site for students: Inside a Dog is a site for “bookish teens” – free to join and enjoy.

VCE Edrolo subjects – this tuition will continue to be available. It is an excellent resource – encourage your Year 11 and 12 students to use it for those subjects it covers!

Podcasts and authors reading their titles aloud (some advertising), making it accessible free is a special Covid-19 offer

Junior School:

A range of no cost sites that may be useful to parents dealing with young people at home:

ABC kids has a range of useful activities.

National Geographic for kids

Commercial websites (may try to sell you something)

Curious World

PBS Kids

Fun Brain

Brain Pop for kids currently offering free access due to Covid-19 sign up for family access. Suitable up to Year 8

Spatulatta for budding chefs – requires parental supervision.

Sesame Street you can sign up for a parental account but there are games that are immediately playable from the home screen.

Coolmath lessons and games involving this very vital skill.

The Kidz page games, activities and puzzles.

Families may also be interested in the concept of recording this unique historical event. There are global opportunities to share here:

The History Council of Victoria is offering the following:

Explore and contribute to the global Journal of the Plague Year: An archive of Covid19. Originating in the USA, this online project aims to create an historical resource for the future, providing evidence of how COVID-19 has affected our lives. The Melbourne History Workshop at the University of Melbourne has organised a local node of the Journal and the History Council has endorsed this project.

The Journal is one of many ways to stay engaged with History during the pandemic. For more suggestions, see the home page of our website where we’ve created a list of internet-based activities that will help you and your students maintain engagement with History while distancing yourself from social environments.

Listen to podcasts about history

There are now many history-focussed audio programs that you can hear via the internet (using a computer or other device), or via a smart phone.

There's a great list of podcasts at: https://player.fm/podcasts/australian-history. Their programs cover many the history of parts of the world, not only the history of Australia.

Visit an online exhibition

Many of the world’s cultural institutions have closed to the public as a preventative measure, to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading among visitors, staff and volunteers. Their staff are, however, still at work! Many are actively putting more of their information and resources online. Visit the websites of your favourite institutions and see what they are offering. Search for ‘online exhibitions’ or ‘virtual exhibitions’. Many organisations are also uploading new activities designed for children.

Don’t miss: https://artsandculture.google.com/explore

Thinking of you all at this very difficult time.

Margaret Simkin

Head of Library

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