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With school closing due to COVID19, here are some links to sites offering educational, fun, crafty, active and interesting things for the kids to keep them occupied and interested in things other than the T.V.  Which ones are your favourites?  Did I miss one?  Let me know so we can share it with everyone!  Enjoy!
~Eli Chi
✅All encompassing educational information https://www.khanacademy.org/
✅The San Diego Zoo has a website just for kids with amazing videos, activities, and games. Enjoy the tour! https://kids.sandiegozoo.org/
✅Explore the surface of Mars on the Curiosity Rover. https://accessmars.withgoogle.com/
✅This Canadian site FarmFood 360 offers 11 Virtual Tours of farms from minks, pigs, and cows, to apples and eggs. https://www.farmfood360.ca/
✅Indoor Activities for busy toddlers https://busytoddler.com/2020/03/indoor-activities/…
✅Play games and learn all about animals https://switchzoo.com/
✅Play with fave show characters and learn too https://pbskids.org/
✅Travel to Paris, France to see amazing works of art at The Louvre with this virtual field trip. https://www.louvre.fr/en/visites-en-ligne
✅This Virtual Tour of the Great Wall of China is beautiful and makes history come to life. https://www.thechinaguide.com/destinati…/great-wall-of-china
✅Math and Reading games https://www.funbrain.com/
✅Phonics skills https://www.starfall.com/h/
✅This iconic museum located in the heart of London allows virtual visitors to tour the Great Court and discover the ancient Rosetta Stone and Egyptian mummies. https://britishmuseum.withgoogle.com/
✅Read, play games, and hang out with Dr. Seuss https://www.seussville.com/
✅300,000+ FREE printable worksheets from toddlers to teens https://www.123homeschool4me.com/home-school-free-printabl…/
✅Geography and animals https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/
✅Math practice from counting to algebra and geometry http://www.mathscore.com/
✅Favourite kids books read by famous people https://www.storylineonline.net/
✅Crafts, activities, mazes, dot to dot, etc, https://www.allkidsnetwork.com/
✅Math and reading games https://www.abcya.com/
✅Math and language games https://www.arcademics.com/
✅Hands on Elementary science videos https://www.backpacksciences.com/science-simplified
✅Voice based learning... learn through Alexa https://bamboolearning.com/resources
✅Fun games, recipes, crafts, activities https://www.highlightskids.com/
✅ClickSchooling brings you daily recommendations by email for entertaining websites that help your kids learn. https://clickschooling.com/
✅Math as a fun part of your daily family routine http://bedtimemath.org/
✅Games to get "into the book" https://reading.ecb.org/
✅Online history classes for all ages preteen through adults https://school.bighistoryproject.com/bhplive
✅Elementary Math through 6th grade https://boddlelearning.com/
✅Educational games K-12 https://www.breakoutedu.com/funathome
✅Digital archive of history https://www.bunkhistory.org/
✅Resources for Spanish practice https://www.difusion.com/campus/
✅Chinese learning activities https://chalkacademy.com/
✅Science, Math, Social Studies https://www.ck12.org/student/
✅Grammar practice for middle grades https://www.classroomcereal.com/
✅Daily free science or cooking experiment to do at home.http://www.clubscikidzmd.com/blog/
✅Reading passages for grades 3-12, with reading comprehension and discussion questions. https://www.commonlit.org/
✅Vocabulary, grammar, listening activities and games in Spanish, French, Italian, German, Portuguese, Korean, and Latin. https://conjuguemos.com/
✅35,000 pages of online content on the cultures and countries of the world. https://www.countryreports.org/
✅K-5th Science lessons https://mysteryscience.com/
✅Tons of free classes from leading universities and companies https://www.coursera.org/
✅Free printable K-8 Reading and Math activity packs (available in English and Spanish) https://www.curriculumassociates.com/supporting-students-aw…
✅Digital learning content for preschool through high school https://www.curriki.org/
✅A wide range of math content from middle school through AP Calculus. https://deltamath.com/overview
✅Day-by-day projects to keep kids reading, thinking, and growing. https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/…/learnathome.html
✅3 Free Weeks of Maker Stations to keep your children creating at home! Each challenge includes simple instructions using materials around the house, QR code video resources, and a student recording sheet. bit.ly/freemakerstations
✅Classes for older teens or adults https://www.thegreatcoursesplus.com/lp/t1/freemo…
✅Online homeschool platform & curriculum for Pre-K to 12th grade. All main subjects are covered, plus extra curriculum courses. http://discoveryk12.com/dk12/
✅Printable board games, activities and more for phonics and reading all using evidence-based methods. Can be customized to any student's needs including creating flashcards for other subjects. https://dogonalogbooks.com/printables/
✅K-8 online math program that looks at how a student is solving problems to adjust accordingly and build a unique learning path for them. https://www.dreambox.com/at-home
✅Engaging reading game for grades 2-8 that combines strategy, engagement, and imaginative reading passages to create a fun, curriculum-aligned literacy game. https://www.squigglepark.com/dreamscape/
✅Higher level math series... online video series with detailed solutions to more than a thousand publicly-released College Board SAT Math, Subject Test Math Level 1, and Subject Test Math Level 2 problems.https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbQoCpvYRYRkRRvsObOPHaA…
✅Foreign languages https://www.duolingo.com/
✅Interactive video earth science based curriculum supplement. https://www.everyday-earth.com/
✅A safe research site for elementary-level readers. They are offering -- free 24/7 access
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✅Resources for AP students including live reviews, live trivia, and study guides! https://app.fiveable.me/
✅Educational brain breaks to help students review essential literacy and math skills, while getting in some exercise. Find over 900 videos to help your child keep learning at home and burn off some extra energy. Our site is best used for ages 4-8. https://fluencyandfitness.com/register/school-closures/
✅Movement and mindfulness videos created by child development experts. https://www.gonoodle.com/
✅7,000 free videos in 13 subject areas https://hippocampus.org/
✅Carmen Sandiego videos, stories, and lessons for all subject areas https://www.carmensandiego.com/resources/
✅Math Videos with lessons, real life uses of math, famous actors https://www.hmhco.com/math-at-work
✅Entertaining & educational videos for all levels and subjects https://www.izzit.org/index.php
✅Online education program for toddler through high school... https://www.khanacademy.org/
✅Free printables library with activities for children 0-6 https://www.littlesparkcompany.com/printables-library
✅Free at-home kids yoga lesson plans https://littletwistersyoga.com/online-store/
✅Magic Spell is a carefully crafted spelling adventure. https://brainbox.games/
✅Resources for AP students https://marcolearning.com/
✅Enter your math problem or search term, press the button, and they show you the step-by-step work and answer instantly. 2nd grade through college. https://www.mathcelebrity.com/online-math-tutor.php
✅Elem Math games, logic puzzles and educational resources https://www.mathplayground.com/
✅3D printing projects and Coding projects, involving math and other K-12 subjects https://www.instructables.com/…/EdgertonCent…/instructables/
✅Introductory and intermediate music theory lessons, exercises, ear trainers, and calculators. https://www.musictheory.net/
✅Scads of free resources, games, learning resources, and lesson plans for teaching personal finance https://www.ngpf.org/
✅Improve your typing skills while competing in fast-paced races with up to 5 typers from around the world. https://www.nitrotype.com/
✅Illustrated recipes designed to help kids age 2-12 cook with their grown-ups. Recipes encourage culinary skills, literacy, math, and science. https://www.nomsterchef.com/nomster-recipe-library
✅Online curriculum that builds better writers. https://www.noredink.com/
✅Daily lessons and educational activities that kids can do on their own https://www.superchargedschool.com/
✅Adaptive curriculum in Math and ELA for Grades K-8 https://www.scootpad.com/
✅Novel Effect makes storytime a little more fun for kids (and grown-ups too!) As you read out loud from print books (or ebooks!) music, sound effects, and character voices play at just the right moment, adjusting and responding to your voice. https://noveleffect.com/
✅Quick & easy at home projects curated for kids 2 and up https://www.kiwico.com/kids-at-home
✅Teaches students how to write a paragraph through interactive online tutorial http://www.paragraphpunch.com/
✅PreK-12 digital media service with more than 30,000 learning materials https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/
✅Curricular content hub specifically designed for K-3 students. https://pebblego.com/free-pebblego-capstone-interactive-acc…
✅Science and math labs and simulations https://phet.colorado.edu/
✅An online physics problem and video bank designed for conceptual, standard, honors or AP1 physics. https://www.positivephysics.org/home
✅Prodigies is a colorful music curriculum for kids 1-12 that will teach your kids how to play their first instrument, how to sing in tune & how to understand the language of music! 21 for free https://prodigiesmusic.com/
✅Free videos from around the world from grade 3-12 https://www.projectexplorer.org/
✅QuaverMusic is offering free access to general music activities to all impacted schools, including free student access at-home https://www.quavermusic.com/info/at-home-resources/
✅For students to practice and master whatever they are learning. https://quizlet.com/
✅ReadWorks is an online resource of reading passages and lesson plans for students of all levels K-12. https://www.readworks.org/
✅Critical Thinking resources for K-6 students https://marketplace.mythinkscape.com/store/redtkids
✅Music Based Spanish Learning https://rockalingua.com/
✅Science simulations, scientist profiles, and other digital resources for middle school science and high school biology https://sepuplhs.org/
✅The Shurley English program for grades K-8 provides a clear, logical, and concrete approach to language arts. https://www.shurley.com/
✅Sight reading and sight singing practice exercises. https://www.sightreadingfactory.com/
✅Music practice transformed https://www.smartmusic.com/
✅Spellingcity is free right now with code VSCFree90 https://www.spellingcity.com/
✅Kid-friendly workouts — choose from Strength for Kids, Agility for Kids, Flexibility and Balance for Kids, Warm-Up for Kids, Cooldown for Kids, Stand Up and Move for Kids, OR create your own custom kid workout. https://app.sworkit.com/collections/kids-workouts
✅A collection of hundreds of free K-12 STEM resources, from standalone models and simulations to short activities and week long sequences of curriculum materials. https://learn.concord.org/
✅Course sets (Levels 1–5) that combine and thoroughly cover phonics, reading, writing, spelling, literature, grammar, punctuation, art, and geography—all in one easy-to-use, beautiful course. https://www.goodandbeautiful.com/
✅At home OT, PT, and ST resources designed to build skills in children through movement and play. https://www.theottoolbox.com/
✅Science projects that can be completed with or without Internet access https://sciencespot.net/Pages/classhome.html
✅Next Generation Science video game focused on middle school where students directly engage in science phenomena as they solve problems. https://www.tytoonline.com/
✅Short videos and readings that answer various burning questions for students. There are vocabulary challenges and comprehension questions. http://wonderopolis.org/
✅K-5 curriculum that builds deep understanding and a love of learning math for all students https://www.zearn.org/
✅A quick start resource to help families pull together a plan for surviving the next 1-2 months at home with their kids, but it can also be a time of slowing down and enjoying kids as they learn.
✅450 Ivy League courses that you can take https://www.freecodecamp.org/…/ivy-league-free-online-cou…/…
✅Spelling 1-4 grade https://www.spellingtraining.com/
✅2,500+ online courses from top institutions https://www.edx.org/
✅22 languages to learn https://www.memrise.com/
✅Miscellaneous games for all subjects k-8 https://www.funbrain.com/
✅Phonics and learning to read https://readingeggs.com/
✅PreK - 5 games for all subjects https://www.turtlediary.com/
✅Online digital coloring pages https://www.thecolor.com/
✅Every course you could possibly want to homeschool preschool - 8 https://allinonehomeschool.com/
✅Every course you could possibly want to homeschool for high school https://allinonehighschool.com/
✅Phonics worksheets for kids https://www.funfonix.com/
✅Free stories online ages 3-12 https://www.freechildrenstories.com/
✅National Geographic Young Explorers is a magazine designed specifically for kindergarten and first grade students. Children can listen to the magazine being read to them as they follow along with the highlighted text. https://ngexplorer.cengage.com/ngyoungexplorer/index.html
✅Learn all about earthquakes https://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/kids/
✅Learn all about the periodic table https://www.chemicool.com/
✅Farmer's almanac for kids... Date, weather, moon phase, etc. https://www.almanac.com/kids
✅Website allows students to play basic games to reinforce math skills and compete against the computer or others https://www.mangahigh.com/en-us/
✅Space science for kiddos https://www.nasa.gov/kidsclub/index.html
✅Math Games, Logic Puzzles and Brain Builders https://www.mathplayground.com/
✅Games, quizzes and fact sheets take kids on a journey through time. https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/forkids/
✅NGAkids interactives offer an entertaining and informative introduction to art and art history. https://www.nga.gov/education/kids.html
✅News and more for kids https://www.youngzine.org/
✅Randomly generates 356,300,262,144 story starters https://thestorystarter.com/
✅Immerse yourself in cryptography https://www.cryptoclub.org/
✅Math games galore https://gridclub.com/
✅Tons of science experiments that you can do at home https://www.stevespanglerscience.com/lab/experiments/
✅An interactive way to learn history https://www.mission-us.org/
✅Just explore, have fun, and learn some science along the way. https://thehappyscientist.com/
✅Interactive games based on the book series https://www.magictreehouse.com/
✅Work on the 8 parts of speech https://www.grammaropolis.com/
✅Learn all about cells https://www.cellsalive.com/
✅All sorts of learning here if you dig in https://www.google.com/earth/
✅Scratch draws students of all types into coding and lays a foundation for future learning. https://scratch.mit.edu/
✅A wonderful, endlessly detailed way to get kids engaged in the world of art. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/online-features/metkids/
✅Tests kids’ geography skills. Using images from Google’s Street View, it plops players down in the middle of the street and asks them to figure out where they are. https://www.geoguessr.com/
✅Allows students to type in any city, state, or country to view an archive of historical photographs and other documents. It’s a unique way to help them learn about history. http://www.whatwasthere.com//
✅Short videos about numbers that help kids explore complex math topics and make math more fun. https://www.numberphile.com/
✅A human visualization platform that allows students to explore the human body in really cool ways. https://human.biodigital.com/login?returnUrl=/dashboard
✅Helps kids learn to appreciate the arts by providing them with the opportunity to play games, conduct investigations, and explore different forms of art. https://artsology.com/
✅Lets kids play instruments online. Instruments include the guitar, piano, pan flute, drums, and bongos. https://www.virtualmusicalinstruments.com/
✅Crafts, activities, bulletin board designs, and finger plays for early education teachers and parents to use with kids. http://www.preschoolexpress.com/
✅A large selection of fun songs to help teach preschool and kindergarten students https://www.songsforteaching.com/preschoolkindergarten.htm
✅Resource section includes free flashcards, coloring pages, worksheets, and other resources for children, teachers, and parents. https://supersimple.com/
✅Life skills curriculum for students in grades K-12. Their resources include strategies for teaching social and emotional skills. https://www.overcomingobstacles.org/
✅Coding for ages 4-10 https://www.kodable.com/
✅No need to travel to one of the Smithsonian’s zoos or museums — this website brings your child everything from live video of the National Zoo to the Smithsonian Learning Lab right to their screen https://www.si.edu/kids
✅Cool Kid Facts gives your child access to educational videos, pictures, quizzes, downloadable worksheets, and infographics. They can use these to learn about geography, history, science, animals, and even the human body. https://www.coolkidfacts.com/
✅This interactive website, hosted by the U.S. Government Publishing Office, allows your child to see the ins and outs of the U.S. government by taking a series of learning adventures with none other than Benjamin Franklin. https://bensguide.gpo.gov/
✅This NASA initiative covers a wide range of topics including weather, climate, atmosphere, water, energy, plants, and animals. https://climatekids.nasa.gov/
✅Ask Dr. Universe is a science-education project from Washington State University. Kids can send Dr. Universe any question they may have about history, geography, plants, animals, technology, engineering, math, culture, and more. https://askdruniverse.wsu.edu/
✅Your child can play games, learn fun facts, and find out how to turn coin collecting into a hobby. https://www.usmint.gov/learn/kids
✅From rainbows to tornadoes and winter storms to tsunamis, meteorologist Crystal Wicker breaks down the fascinating world of weather. http://www.weatherwizkids.com/
✅Kids Think Design explores careers in fashion design, graphic design, interior design, book design, product design, film and theatre, architecture, animation, and environmental design. http://www.kidsthinkdesign.org/
✅This educational website hosted by the Smithsonian Museum takes a deep dive into ocean life. https://ocean.si.edu/
✅Brainscape offers over a million flashcard decks for every subject, entrance exam, and certification imaginable. https://www.brainscape.com/
✅The Theta Music Trainer offers a series of online courses and games for ear training and music theory. https://trainer.thetamusic.com/en
✅Banzai exposes students to real-world financial dilemmas to teach them the importance of smart money management. https://www.teachbanzai.com/
✅Innerbody explores the 11 bodily systems in depth. With interactive models and detailed explanations, this website will help them learn more about the internal mechanics of the amazing human body.https://www.innerbody.com/htm/body.html
✅Alcumus is specifically designed to provide high-performing students with a challenging curriculum appropriate to their abilities https://artofproblemsolving.com/alcumus
✅Find and fix learning gaps https://www.mobymax.com/
✅Algebra games for kids https://www.dragonboxapp.com/
✅Education for kids all topics https://www.ducksters.com
✅Math and logic problems for ages 5 and up to adult https://www.aplusclick.org/
✅Science podcasts to listen to with your kids https://medium.com/…/19-great-science-podcasts-you-can-list…
✅Coding with Star Wars https://code.org/starwars
✅Tons and tons and tons of games some learning some just fun https://www.crazygames.com/
✅Crafts, projects, science, recipes for young children https://www.funology.com/
✅Engineering challenges with things you have at home https://thehomeschoolscientist.com/paper-structures-engine…/
✅Online photograph jigsaw puzzles You can set the pieces from 6-1000+ https://www.jigsawexplorer.com/
✅Toddler and preschool age ideas https://preschoolinspirations.com/
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Hey friends, it's Eli with Century 21!
 
We all know that interest rates are super low at the moment, but your mortgage doesn't renew for another six months or so, and you're thinking "dagnabbit! I hope the interest rates stay this low for when I have to renew my mortgage!"
 
Well, the interest rates are on the rise folks.
 
You will have to renew your mortgage by the time your mortgage term ends and your lender will send you a mortgage renewal notice at least 21 days or so before the term is up.
 
However, whether you decide to stay with the same current lender or you switch to a different lender for a better rate, you should be on the ball and do some homework.
 
Did you know that lenders may allow you to renew your mortgage early within 121 days to 180 days prior to your renewal date without a penalty? 
 
But don't be alarmed if a lender does not offer you an early renewal date not all lenders offer early renewals.
 
The only time an early renewal is beneficial for Borrowers is when you are in an increasing rate environment, that's because the existing lender is essentially saying "I'll renew your mortgage right now at a current rate before the rates go up"
 
Whereas, if you want to get a current rate with any other lender right now, you will have to pay a penalty to break the contract with the existing lender.
 
Now, if you're concerned that interest rates will increase locking in a low interest rate early will help reduce the risk of having a higher interest rate your mortgage term is up, but the benefit of early renewal depends greatly on the rate being offered. 
 
If the renewal rate is lower than your current rate, or the anticipated future rate, renewing early can potentially help you save money.
 
So I mentioned this to someone that I know and she was at 3.5% or so, her lender allowed her to renew within three months prior to the end of her term and she was able to take advantage of the new lower rate and received 1.49% and she locked that baby in for another five years! 
 
At those interest rates, you can probably pay close to around $100,000 down on your mortgage instead of only about $50,000 at the higher interest rate.
 
So, of course, there are lots of variables with these numbers but you get the idea, right? 
 
You'll save lots of money on your interest.
 
Locking in a mortgage rate early may come at a cost such as you know, an extra 10 or 20 or 30 basis points on your new locked-in interest rate, and if interest rates end up dropping before your mortgage term is up, then locking in a rate early on could mean missing out on better rates. 
 
So it is a little bit of a gamble that you have to choose and decide. 
 
Since you don't have to stick with the same lender for your mortgage renewal it is worth shopping around and exploring your options starting around maybe 120 days or so, or four months, before the end of your mortgage term. 
 
When shopping around and weighing your options you can find the best mortgage rate, or mortgage product, to help you save money and complete the paperwork in time to switch to lenders on your mortgage renewal date.
 
I'm by no means a mortgage broker or specialist so please contact your trusted mortgage professional for more information and the best advice that fits your needs.
 
The bottom line is that when deciding on an early mortgage renewal, it's important to weigh the options, the cost, and benefits to see if it's worth it and a mortgage professional can help you make that easier. 
 
So, find the best mortgage product for your financial situation, your lifestyle, and your future goals. 
 
Hope this was helpful guys.
 
Thanks so much for watching!
 
Take care!
 
PS:  If you’d like to learn more about how I can help you navigate through this unique market, text me at 778-256-2888.
PPS:  If you thought this information was helpful, please share the love with your friends!
 
************************************************
 
Whether you’re a first time home buyer or you want to sell your house in Fort St John, book an appointment with Elizabeth Chi here to talk about the next steps >> bit.ly/3cJmBM8 <<   
 
If you would like to see other homes for sale in Fort St John or are interested in real estate investing Fort St John, contact Eli Chi from C21 Fort St John here >> www.elichi.ca/contact <<
 
Wondering “What’s my house worth in Fort St John?” Elizabeth Chi from Century 21 Energy Realty can give you a FREE home evaluation here >> www.elichi.ca/cma <<
 
 
U P D A T E S  * O N * S O C I A L
 
 
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Click here to watch the video report!

 
The Fort St. John Real Estate Market in 2021 is definitely going to be super busy for single-family detached houses.
You can definitely count on that! 
 
59% more sales in February 2021 than the same month last year.
 
 29% less active listings than February 2020.
 
 So, pretty much the same report as last month everybody where I reported that we had more sales and less active listings than the same time frame a year ago.
 
 So when you see more sales and less inventory, it's all just basic economics folks!
 
 The end result is increased demand and also increased prices.
 
 I'm seeing sellers negotiating a little bit less off the list price.
 
 So if you're thinking that you're going to negotiate a whole lot of money like you could during COVID last year or previous years, think again!
 
There are multiple offers on select properties and properties are selling quicker than a year ago.
 
 Cheap money is a huge catalyst these days, but I'm also seeing lots more people moving into town for work.
 
 The other trend that I'm seeing is people are upgrading their homes instead of selling to leave.
 
 Lots of people are working from home, kids are studying from home...everyone is home!
 
People are saying "We need a bigger home!"
 
 I've been working with quite a few clients that are selling to upgrade whereas in previous years we were selling to move out of town.
 
 One last note is that most of the people that were affected by layoffs or job losses are not your typical home buyer.
 
 I was telling buyers the same thing last June. The market has been quite resilient since June of last year when we opened up again, and it continues to be quite strong.
 
 So that's your February 2021 Real Estate Market Update for Fort St. John.
 
 See you next month!
 
PS:  If you thought this information was helpful, please share the love with your friends!
 
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