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By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer

With the announcement of Chilton County Schools closing until April 5 amid COVID-19 concerns, students have two weeks off in addition to the anticipated week of Spring Break.

Specific homework or class assignments have not been given for this two-week span, but some teachers and schools have shared information about educational resources that are available digitally.

Some resources shared by teachers such as Edmentum, Acellus and Reflex are available as a part of subscriptions that the school system has paid for and would require having the class log-in information.

However, there are still several resources available for those who may not have access to this log in information.

Brain Pop (https://www.brainpop.com/)  recommended in a note home to parents by a Verbena High School teacher is offering free access due to the closing of so many school systems. The site offers learning opportunities on a variety of topics ranging from STEM to the arts.

Recommended by Isabella High School, Scholastic is also offering 20 days of free resources to families during this time as a part of the Scholastic at Home program. More information is available at classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html.

The Math-focused game Prodigy (https://play.prodigygame.com/) is also free (even when school is in session) but asks players to create an account in order to save their game. Levels are available for up to eighth grade.

Being encouraged to stay away from crowds does not mean students cannot explore new places. A number of virtual opportunities are available. IHS recommended the “Home Safari Facebook Live” event offered by the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens. Each Facebook Live will happen at 2 p.m. and feature a zoo animal and activity that can be completed at home. More information at facebook.com/cincinnatizoo/.

Each day at 9 a.m. the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy will host a Facebook Live Story Hour at facebook.com/atlanticwhiteshark.

Virtual tours of National Museum of Natural History (naturalhistory.si.edu/visit/virtual-tour), National Air and Space Museum (airandspace.si.edu/stories/editorial/your-tour-through-national-air-and-space-museum) and a number of other Washington DC museums and sites are available. (See https://scholasticatravel.com/2014/02/24/washington-dc-virtual-tour/ for a list).