Learning from Home

Even though school has been cancelled through at least April 3, there are many ways students can continue learning from home. The list below is a compilation of my favorite digital resources.
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If you need help accessing something, I am happy to help. Please email me at amcmillan@sbunified.org or you can leave a message on my Google Voice number: (805) 272-0879.

Nonfiction You Can Access from Home

1. Newsela (Log in with your school Google account): Browse the home page for interesting current events or use the search box to type in key words of subjects you are interested in. Remember, you can adjust the Lexile (reading) level for every article.
2. Tween Tribune: Like Newsela, Tween Tribune hosts current events and news articles for kids and teens. Choose the Lexile (reading) level for the article to make it the just-right reading level for you. You do not have to log in to use this site.
3. Britannica and Britannica escolar (Username from home: sbunified / Password from home: sbunified): Britannica (in English) and Britannica Escolar (in Spanish) have informative articles on a variety of topics from history, to animals, to arts and literature, and more. Press Explore Articles to browse or use the search box to type subjects you are interested in learning more about. Press the speaker to listen to the articles as you read.
4. Proquest SIRS Discoverer (Username from home: sbunified / Password from home: sbunified1!): This database has articles on the following: Animals; Controversial Issues; Famous People; and Countries, States, and Provinces. I recommend choosing Controversial Issues to explore a range of current issues with articles expressing opposing viewpoints. Press the speaker to listen to the articles as you read.
5. Want More Nonfiction? Explore all of the databases listed under the Database dropdown on the top menu of this site. Click the Database Guide for more information about each resource.

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Fiction You Can Access from Home

1. Destiny eBooks and Audio Books: Click the link to Destiny Discover and log in to the catalog to access our school eBooks and audio books. When you land on the home page, scroll down for the audio books and eBooks. Press See All for the complete list. Students log in with the following information: Username = student ID number / Password =  6-digit birthdate (MMDDYY [ex. February 3, 2007 = 020307]).
2. Commonlit.org: Press the Library to access a dropdown menu with choices such as genre, topic, grade level, and more. On CommonLit, you will find poems, short stories, and articles on many subjects and themes. Log in with your school Google account.
3. ​Goleta Valley Public Library Apps: If you have a Goleta Valley Public Library or Santa Barbara Public Library card, you can access their extensive eLibraries. I recommend downloading the Hoopla and Libby apps to your iPad from Self Service. You can also download the apps to your phone. With Hoopla, you can stream eBooks, audiobooks, movies, TV shows and comic books. Click the link for more information about How to Register with Hoopla. With Libby (or Overdrive), you can checkout audiobooks or eBooks. You do not need to register or create an account to use Libby, but you do need to know your library card number.