Back-to-School Free Resources for Learners of All Ages

As summer winds down and the new school year begins, many families are looking for high-quality, free resources to support learning—whether in public schools, private schools, or at home. Our community-run library is more than just a place to check out books; it’s also a hub for discovery and connection. Here’s a roundup of excellent free tools, platforms, and guides to help learners of all ages and interests thrive this year.

Local Spotlight: Reading at the Rock Programs

Our library’s strength lies in the vibrant, in-person programs that bring learning and community together—plus, everything we offer is completely free and welcoming to all.

For Kids & Families

• Toddler Time (Tuesdays, 10–10:45 am): Songs, rhymes, and movement for ages 1–3 with Lani Comfort, a pediatric occupational therapist.

• Paws to Read (1st & 3rd Thursdays, 4–5 pm): Children read to certified therapy dogs—gentle, confidence-building, and heartwarming.

• Storytime with Cynde Roberts (Thursdays, 10:30–11 am): Storytelling sessions with songs and movement for ages 3–7.

• Math Tutoring: Volunteer-led, by appointment—bring your materials for tailored help. Sign up for your free session today!

• Pre-K Math Fun & Games with Jamie (Wednesdays, starting September 3): Early math skills taught through play, blending tactile and visual learning

For Adults & All Ages*

• Yoga & Meditation*:

  • Wednesdays (12–1 pm): Gentle stretching and guided meditation with Jacquie Ostrom.

  • Tuesdays (10–11 am): Yoga focused on self-esteem, confidence, and emotional strength with Svetlana Nudelman

• Book Club with Leonie Cramer* (1st Thursdays, 1–2 pm): Fiction and nonfiction discussions. The club is currently at capacity, but there is a waitlist available, and another club may launch soon.

• Conversations & Coffee (1st & 3rd Tuesdays, 11 am–12 pm): A relaxed, welcoming space for community chat. Please bring your own cup.

• Spanish Conversation Practice* (Thursdays, 1–2 pm): Ideal for practicing Spanish in a friendly, informal setting

• Sci-Fi (& More) Book Group with Carl Reese* (First meeting on Sept 11 at 5:30 pm): Beginning with science fiction and expanding to history and science titles.

Books & Tech for you

• Lending Library & Computer Lab: A community donated collection of adult, YA, and children’s books—plus laptops (from which you can still access all your PPLD privileges with your card and pin) and a printer/copier are available for community use.

📚 Core Curriculum & Learning Platforms

• Khan Academy
  A gold standard for free online learning, covering math, science, history, art, and more, from kindergarten through AP courses.

• CK-12 Foundation
  Offers customizable digital textbooks, interactive simulations, and practice problems across multiple subjects.

• OpenStax
  Free, peer-reviewed textbooks in math, science, and humanities—especially good for high school students.

• PBS LearningMedia
  Standards-aligned videos, lesson plans, and interactive activities for K–12 learners.

• HippoCampus
  Open Education Resource providing multimedia lessons in math, natural science, social science, and humanities.

• Khan Academy Kids
  A free early learning app for ages 2–8, with reading, math, and social-emotional activities.

• Big History Project
  A free, big-picture interdisciplinary curriculum developed by historians and scientists.

• DocsTeach (National Archives)
  A completely free, interactive tool from the U.S. National Archives that gives students hands-on access to thousands of primary sources—letters, photos, maps, speeches, and more. Browse ready-made history-based activities or create your own using intuitive tools. It’s a terrific way to bring historical inquiry to life for learners.

• Modern States – Freshman Year for Free
  A nonprofit platform offering free, self‑paced college-level courses taught by university professors and designed for CLEP exam prep. Learners who pass the courses qualify for a free CLEP exam voucher, opening the door to real college credits recognized by nearly 3,000 U.S. institutions (including PPSC and UCCS; speak to an academic advisor for more info). Truly a powerful way to start college without the hefty tuition. Note: these courses can also serve as a "spine" for self-directed learning and usually require additional practice and texts even when exam prepping.

📖 Reading & Language Arts

• Project Gutenberg
  Over 60,000 free classics—ideal for older students and literature studies.

• International Children’s Digital Library
  A global collection of children’s books in multiple languages.

• LibriVox
  Free audiobooks of public domain works.

• Other Local Library eBooks & Audiobooks
  With your PPLD library card, families can access OverDrive/Libby, Hoopla, Freading, and Tumble Book Library for thousands of new adult, children’s, and YA titles.

• ReadWriteThink

  Provides interactive tools (like essay maps and story organizers) and lesson plans for students K–12.

• Teen Ink

  An online magazine where teens can publish essays, poetry, and stories—giving them a real audience beyond school.

• Quill.org

  A nonprofit offering free grammar, writing, and proofreading exercises tailored for middle and high school students.

• Starfall

  A free public service focused on helping children learn to read through phonics, with resources for language arts and math.

🔬 STEM Resources

• PhET Interactive Simulations
  Free, interactive science and math simulations from the University of Colorado.

• NASA STEM Engagement
  Activities, lesson plans, and videos that bring space science to life.

• Code.org
  Beginner-to-advanced computer science lessons and games.

• National Science Digital Library
  A curated library of high-quality STEM resources for students and educators.

• GCFGlobal.org
  A completely free, self-paced learning platform offering hundreds of tutorials in technology, Microsoft Office, job skills, and more—no registration needed to get started, though creating an account provides progress tracking and certificates. Great for tech beginners to more advanced learners.

• Journey North
  Explore nature through real science! Journey North is a free, online citizen-science program where students across North America observe and report seasonal changes—like butterfly migrations, tulip blooms, and shifting daylight. With interactive maps, investigative projects, and curriculum-aligned lesson plans, it weaves together science, geography, math, and language arts into meaningful, place-based learning.

🎨 Arts & Enrichment

• Smithsonian Learning Lab
  Access millions of museum resources, lesson plans, and creative projects.

• Google Arts & Culture

  Virtual museum visits and cultural journeys, teacher-friendly lesson plans & guides, interactive art-tech projects and games. Access the platform via web or the free mobile app so learners can explore on any device—including tablets and phones.

• MetKids
  Interactive explorations of art and culture designed for children.

• Chrome Music Lab
  Playful, hands-on music activities for learners of all ages.

• Classics for Kids
  A long-running radio show and podcast that makes classical music approachable and fun for children. The website includes lesson plans, quizzes, and interactive games—great for families and homeschoolers looking to blend music appreciation with hands-on learning.

🧰 Parent & Teacher Support

• Homeschool Academy
  Academy District 20 Home School Academy supports home school families with free weekly enrichment (non-academic) programs. Offers students opportunities for interactive instruction in the arts, outdoors, science, and other areas to complement in-home learning.

• Colorín Colorado [en español]

  A bilingual site serving educators and families of English language learners (ELLs) in Grades PreK-12. Provides a book finder, meet the author videos, booklists, research-based activities, and a full resource library.

• Scholastic Parents
  Reading guides, book lists, and activity ideas for families.

• Teachers Pay Teachers – Free Resources

  A vast, educator-created marketplace with thousands of free worksheets, lesson plans, and writing materials. Just filter “Price: Free” to explore K–12 content for all subjects.

✨ Closing

Back-to-school season is an exciting time for discovery. With so many free resources and our growing list of local programs at Reading at the Rock, families can find support, inspiration, and community right here.

📚 Want to get involved? Donate a book, join a program, or volunteer your time — every contribution keeps our library strong, fresh, and community-powered.

⚠️ Please note: We’ve gathered these resources because they’re free, inclusive, and widely used by students, parents, and teachers. However, every family has different needs. We encourage parents and caregivers to review each website or program first to make sure it’s the right fit for their child.