Hey, all you stay-at-home people! I hope you?re all remaining healthy during these crazy times.

Just the other day, I said to my daughter Liz and her husband Peter, “Boy, that first month went by really fast!” Then they reminded me that it had only been two days. Sigh.

Nevertheless, the new normal at our house is that Peter's office is in the guest room and Liz's office is in her old bedroom and my granddaughter Adeline's classroom is in the kitchen. This place is buzzing.

As a former teacher, I thought I'd share some of the resources I've been using with Adeline, who is a kindergartner but under my tutelage will soon be moving into fifth grade. LOL.

For a great overall website, you can use Khan Academy, a free download that gives access to lessons in all subjects.

Many companies are offering free access to magazines and other lessons. Scholastic is letting kids read their magazines for free at classroommagazines.

scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html.

For math, I love Greg Tang math at gregtangmath.com. Greg Tang makes it easy for even grandma to understand the new math, and he has lots of great activities.

If you Google “free educational websites for kids” you will find a nice list from Good Housekeeping magazine with links to websites that are now free, during this coronavirus outbreak.

The wonderful Pioneer Valley Books is now offering free personalized books you can create online for your student at pioneervalleybooks.com.

It is heartwarming to see how many organizations have stepped up to ensure that our children keep learning through all of this.

One thing that Adeline absolutely loves is the Daily Doodle with Mo Willems, author of such classic books as “Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!” and the Elephant and Piggy series.

Mo's videos are on YouTube. Yesterday Mo taught Adeline how to be an animator. She was thrilled.

I cannot fathom how much life has changed in this past week.

We went from cancelling a vacation to having a staycation with no end date in sight. But I am heartened by the outpouring of love and concern people are showing for each other as we pull together to meet this unprecedented challenge. We will be stronger for it.

When I was filling out report cards back in the day, I would always end my comments with “Keep reading and writing!” Turns out that's always good advice.

And for all you parents and grandparents and aunts and uncles and friends working with our students right now, I would give the same encouragement.

You actually don't have to have fancy books to read, beginning readers can find print all around them (on the cans and boxes in the pantry, for instance). You can help them write books of their own. Staple together some pages and help them write “I can see a _______.” on each page and then write a noun and draw a picture to go with the sentence. Now they have a book they can read!

Teach them a silly poem and help them memorize it. (“I never saw a purple cow/I never hope to see one./ But I can tell you anyhow/ I'd rather see then be one.”)

Have them create a menu for dinner. Let them interview someone, write it up (or illustrate it), and share it with the family. Let them write an email to a friend.

Play store and do math! Put on a puppet show! Act out your favorite stories! The learning possibilities are endless.

I pray you all stay safe and healthy during this time. But, don't forget, keep reading and writing and doing math with those kiddos!