Fun With Websites for Cold Winter Days!

Recently,  I have had parents asking if I know of any websites where their child can practice math and language arts skills and concepts. First, I'd like to say that working online on a high quality website is a fine way to spend sometime, however, there should be a balance between practice and authentic work, especially where reading is concerned. Reading short articles and taking quizzes should never replace 20 minutes of reading in a text. Additionally, eight year olds should not replace authentic living, such as engaging with friends and neighbors, outdoor play, crafts, card games, board games or puzzles for time on the computer, hopefully gaining skills. These real life experiences for 8 year olds provide the interaction needed to make a well rounded adult, something even the best website can't do.
Having said all of that, I know there are times when a website is just the right thing to motivate children and provide some educational computer time, so here are a few suggestions.

This site has short games and activities for many subjects and topics of interest.

Some of the best recommendations for websites for math come from our very own, Paige Weaver's website. She is our math coordinator. This link will bring you to a page that has many websites laid out by grade and then by domains. i.e. Operations and Algebraic Thinking, Numbers and Operations in Base Ten, Numbers and Operations-Fractions, Measurement and Data, and Geometry.

Once at the site go to Math Resources and you'll see grade level choices.

Finally, I'd like to suggest two fantastic web pages related to reading.

Epic is one of the nicest sites for reading books that look like real books! There are many current texts that students would find in my library or the school library-sometime there are only old titles to choose from on websites. There are many different genres from fiction to mystery and nonfiction. I found several Box Car Children chapter books that also had the Read to Me feature. This could be wonderful for a child who isn't reading at the higher level of The Box Car Children yet would enjoy the high quality, well written mystery. There are so many choices. I highly recommend the site or app.

Last but not least a website I've recommended previously, but it is still one of my favorites.

This site provides Themed Reading Adventure Packs for family reading with follow up activities. Each themed pack recommends 2 books and supplies"activity plans" for parents. One book is a fiction story that is tied by theme to a nonfiction text-the Best of Both Worlds!! The packs are loosly grouped by age, but it would be easy enough to find other books on the same topic. Then use the activities with books that are appropriate for your child's reading level.

I hope these provide some high quality websites for when the wind is blowing and snowflakes are flying and computer time really is the best use of time! If your child uses any of these recommended sites, drop me an email and let me know if you'd give it a favorable review.