During the summer it can be hard to get children to practice skills learned during the school year. It can be especially difficult to keep kids reading. Sand toys replace board books on beach trips. Summer blockbusters and movies played on portable DVD players or on car ceilings are more appealing to kids than reading…
Education
Website of the Week: Free Trials of Learning A-Z Sites
When I was working for the school system, one of the most popular programs was a downloadable printable book service called Reading A-Z. Teachers raved about the books because they allowed them to print and copy books to send home with students to reinforce reading skills that were being taught in class. While Reading A-Z…
The Great Scholastic Book Giveaway!
UPDATE: While I am publishing most comments, please read the criteria for this contest carefully since only comments meeting contest criteria will be eligible to win. The winner’s name will be posted here on Saturday and must contact me within 48 hours to claim the collection of books. Otherwise, another eligible reader will be eligible…
Website of the Week- PBS Kids
Earlier this week I discussed characteristics of good websites for kids. This week’s Website of the Week was selected because it is a model site for easy navigation for children and contains something for everyone. PBS Kids is a great site because it is for kids of all ages due to the variety of…
Website of the Week- Lookybook
Maybe it is the former teacher in me but I love books. And so do my children. We go to the library as often as possible with the largest book bag we can find and always fill it until it overflows. We usually threaten to leave a trail of books behind us Hansel and Gretel…
Website of the Week- Clifford Interactive Stories and Games
Little Miss Techie loves the fact that she has her own folder of bookmarked links. She bounces around between a bunch of different websites which of course have been pre-screened by her Tech Savvy Mama. (Pre-screened? Yes, I’m that kind of mom. Not the overbearing type, just the kind that doesn’t want her child exposed…
Virtual Field Trips
Virtual field trips are a way for you to take a tour of a particular location without having to pack a lunch or a suitcase. I personally love the idea of virtual field trips because they allow for a quick visit, don’t break the bank, and are ways you can interact with content without being…
Reading and Language Arts Websites
Clifford Interactive Stories and Games: The stories and games are perfect for preschool beginning and early readers since they teach letter recognition, letter sounds (phonics), and rhyming. Lookybook: Access a wealth of favorite picture books on the computer for your viewing pleasure. PBS Kids: Play with characters from your favorite shows like Boohbah, Barney, SuperWhy,…
Toddler
The following websites have interactive learning games and content that are recommended for toddlers: AlphaBaby: enables infants and toddlers to have fun playing with the computer because click of the mouse or touching a key on the keyboard generates a letter or shape on the screen. Seussville’s Help Mr. Brown Color: Children color designated letters…
Preschool
The following websites have interactive learning games and content that are recommended for preschoolers: Clifford Interactive Stories and Games: The stories and games are perfect for preschool beginning and early readers since they teach letter recognition, letter sounds (phonics), and rhyming. Funbrain’s MadLibs Jr: It is never too early to start learning the parts of…
