Aggie Homework Helpline

*As an added measure of security, PK-12 students will not interact one-on-one with Aggie Homework Helpers. Instead, there will be two Homework Helpers, working in tandem, to support one or more students while on the phone or interacting via Zoom.

• Texas A&M University – Texas Child Mental Health Care Consortium (TCHATT) – Telebehavorial Care – helping schools identify and assess the behavioral needs of students and provide access to mental health services.
• Texas A&M University – Literacy.io Student Video Library – educational videos related to science, history, and language arts for students in 2nd through 12th grade.
• Texas A&M International University – Student-Created Virtual Learning – helpful ideas for kids to use and learn from home

FREE LIVE TUTORING

• Brainfuse allows children to actually do a live interactive visit with a tutor. It’s in 20-minute increments with a whiteboard, so you can work that math problem – if you are doing physics or chemistry you can do the sophisticated things. This live tutoring service is also available at libraries in Fort Bend, Montgomery, Galveston, and Brazoria counties.
• Gale offers free tutoring help for high-school and college students.
• Learning Express Club offers tutorials for elementary to college kids and even adult education courses.

HOW TO GET FREE TUTORING HELP

The key to access all of these services is to have a library card. In most cases, you can register for a library card in minutes and have immediate access to the online options available. For curbside pickup or equipment rental, you will need to bring in proof of residency. Check with your library for exact instructions on how this might work, each one is a little different.
*Note: when checking some of the program links above, you will see you have to “join” or there is a membership fee. When you go to these sites through the library you will not have to pay for it. So, check with the library system in your area to get access to the program websites.
Find your library below:

• Brazoria County Library System
• Chambers County Library System
• Fort Bend County Library System
• Galveston County Library System
• Houston Public Library System
• Lavaca County Public Library
• Livingston Library System
• Liberty County Library System
• Montgomery County Public Library System
• Polk County Library System
• Rosenberg Library
• Trinity County (library currently closed, but check back)
• Walker County Public Library 
• Waller County Public Library System
• Wharton Library

FREE READING HELP FOR KIDS

For younger kids, most public libraries have a free service that will help your kid with reading. Tumblebooks are animated picture books. It reads the book to you the words are on the screen, it either highlights it or it has a bouncing ball so your emerging readers can connect with literacy.

HOMESCHOOL AND VIRTUAL LEARNING MATERIALS

The libraries in Montgomery County use a service called “book butler.” You can submit in the ages of your kids and they will put together a collection of books for you to come and pick up curbside. Houston and Fort Bend County also offers a similar service.

WHERE CAN I FIND FREE WI-FI AND ELECTRONIC RENTALS?

Some of the larger library systems offer free wifi hotspot and electronic rentals. Fort Bend County just started a sign up for renting out wifi hotspots to help parents with virtual learning. Houston has wifi rental too, along with a laptop and iPad rentals on a first-come, first-serve basis. In Brazoria County, you can rent tablets too. *Note here: check with your library to see if they are renting out electronic materials. Remember, most libraries are closed right now and they are all full of electronics that were once for in-person use. While the website might not say they are renting out electronics online, many are taking items they have in the library that was once for in-person use and renting those out. So, call and check to make sure!

FREE STUFF FOR KIDS TO DO

All library systems offer some sort of book reading club or even DIY classes for all ages. Brazoria County libraries just started up a new program called Creativebug that has video DIY classes for use.
* Source: click2houston.com

• CDC’s Mental Health Resources for Parents – tips and resources for coping with stress.
• Child Mind – insights, resources and expert advice on common concerns and tips for facing challenges many families share.
• Interdisciplinary STEAM Activities at Home – creative interdisciplinary science, technology, engineering, arts, and math lessons to do at home.
• Lead4Ward – School at Home
• National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) – resource on supporting children during coronavirus (COVID-19)
• Sanford Harmony – At Home Toolkit
• The Kid Should See This – Smart Videos
• U.S. Department of Education – Parent Resources – resources for parents  to help your child’s education
• Wonderopolis – Fun Q&A
• National PTA – resources and tools for families and teachers who are navigating working, teaching and learning at home
• PBS for Parents – resources for parents to help your child learn and grow