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Educational Websites Project

 

A SELECTIVE AND ANNOTATED LIST OF
EDUCATIONAL WEBSITES FOR STUDENTS
GRADES K-12

Carlson Home Instructional Program and Hospital School

Los Angeles Unified School District

Compiled and Annotated by
Lydia A. Saxton

January 2003

(Updated May 2009 by Kate Coombs)

Introductory Notes

The World Wide Web is boundless and provides an ever-expanding resource for educational opportunities.  While the present list is by no means exhaustive, it includes what I believe to be some core or essential educational sites for students, with particular emphasis on Language Arts and Mathematics.  The popularity of these sites is evidenced by the frequency or number of "hits" they experience on the internet, as well as by positive reviews by students, teachers, and educational journalists.

Many of the sites are interactive.  That means, using a keyboard and/or a mouse, students and teachers can actually play games, construct models, participate in tutorials, etc. directly at the site.  Other sites serve as resource centers, provide information, or are databases with numerous links to additional sites.

I hope you will find this list a useful resource.  I would like to thank Larry Bye, Instructional Coordinator for the District B Math Coach Program, and the District B Math Coaches themselves for their generous assistance.

 

Some things you should know:

I have compiled the list according to the following criteria:

  1. Access to the sites must be free (no dues or membership fees required), and the materials found within a site must be in the public domain (except where indicated). [EDITOR'S NOTE: SOME OF THESE SITES NOW CHARGE A LOW ANNUAL FEE, BUT I HAVE LEFT THEM IN FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE IF THEY LOOKED REALLY GOOD.]

  2. Each site must be easy to access and easy to navigate.

  3. Many sites are founded on a not-for-profit model and therefore do not depend upon the marketing of products or services. However, some important sites do have commercial sponsors.  In these instances, I have made every effort to choose only those sites that do not subject the viewer to gratuitous or excessive "pop-up," "link," or banner advertisements.

  4. To the extent possible, sites have been reviewed and are in accord with the precepts of ICRA, the Internet Content Rating Association, which protects children from harmful materials on the Internet.  Other sites have been reviewed by the SafeSurf™ Internet Rating Standard. There is one important caveat here, however.  Since the content of many sites and their links changes from day to day, no one can guarantee the quality of materials being viewed.  Therefore, it is extremely important for teachers and/or parents to supervise students while using the sites on this list.

  5. While it would be difficult, if not impossible, to ensure that the educational content of all sites conforms to California State Education Standards, I believe that the majority of these sites are, at the very least, closely aligned to those standards (except where specifically noted).

 

The sites are divided into several categories, as follows:

  1. Sites with Interactive Lessons and 'Homework Helps' for Mathematics

  2. Sites with Interactive Lessons and 'Homework Helps' for Language Arts

  3. Resources and Links (Sites which serve as large educational resource databases (such as our own LAUSDnet), with links to particular areas of interest for students and teachers.

  4. Miscellaneous (Sites which don't necessary reflect categories above, but which are interesting and noteworthy nonetheless.

Important Note:  

For your convenience, each website address is displayed in color as a link.   Click on a link to be taken to the website to which it refers.


A.

SITES WITH INTERACTIVE LESSONS AND HOMEWORK HELPS FOR MATHEMATICS

  1. http://matti.usu.edu/nlvm/nav/index.html
    This is by far one of my favorite math sites because I believe so strongly in the value of manipulatives for conceptual learning in mathematics. The site, called The National Library of Virtual Manipulatives for Interactive Mathematics, was created and is maintained by the University of Utah. This three-year National Science Foundation-supported project is a library of uniquely interactive, web-based virtual manipulatives or concept tutorials for mathematics instruction with a K-8 emphasis. Here students can actually work with manipulatives right on their computer screens! Manips include geoboards, pattern and attribute blocks, tangrams, base-10 blocks, number lines, fraction models, area models, spinners, charts and graphs, abacus, a graphing tool (for exploring functions), and many others, all divided by grade and math concept.  Students will love interacting with the manips to explore concepts and solve problems.  Note system requirements (listed on the Site Map).  Java applets are required to run most of the manipulative programs.  Mathematics, grades K-12 but with an emphasis on K-8.

  2. http://www.mathcats.com/
    This wonderful site, developed by a teacher, encourages students to engage in a variety of creative, open-ended math explorations, covering a wide range of topics. Well-designed with colorful graphics. Although material covers all grade levels, the emphasis here is on elementary and middle school math. Mathematics; grades K-8.

  3.  http://www.visualfractions.com/index.htm
    This site is simple. It teaches (interactively) the basic concepts of fractions using either a pie chart or a line graph. It displays a fraction visually, and you fill in the numerator and denominator. Learn about mixed numbers, improper fractions, etc. Even play a fraction game called "Find Grampy!" Mathematics; grades 3-6.

  4.  http://math.rice.edu/~lanius/Lessons/index.html#Description
    A wonderful, interactive collection of math games, lessons and activities for all grades, from a professor of mathematics at Rice University. Really fun stuff covering a wide range of mathematical topics from basic counting to Calculus! Mathematics; grades K-12.

  5. http://matti.usu.edu/nlvm/nav/category_g_1_t_1.html
    This site is the essence of interactiveness! It's a site with "virtual math manipulatives". You can actually "play" with base-10 blocks, number lines, pie charts, Venn diagrams, etc. to solve mathematics problems. Interesting but takes a while to learn to manipulate. There are instructions and activities. It also provides links to the exact NCTM (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics) national math standards you are using. Listed for grades pre-K through 12 but I think younger students would have some difficulty maneuvering around the site. Mathematics; grades 3-12.

  6. http://www.mathgoodies.com
    A good interactive site for middle school math lessons and homework helps. Topics include pre-Algebra, Algebra, Geometry, Integers, etc. Mathematics; grades 5-9.

  7. http://www.coolmath.com/
    Entertaining and instructional interactive math site for students ages 13 and up; includes lessons on middle school math topics, e.g., geometry and algebra; also games, math puzzles, etc. Mathematics; grades 7-10.

  8. http://www.coolmath4kids.com/
    Fun interactive math site for students ages 3-12; includes lessons on basic arithmetic, geometry, fractions, etc; also games, puzzles, etc. Mathematics; grades pre-K-6.

  9. http://www.aplusmath.com/
    A useful interactive site that helps students improve their basic math skills with games, flash cards, puzzles, and worksheets. Mathematics; grades K-6.

  10. http://www.mathforum.org/dr.math/
    This is the well-known "Ask Dr. Math" site. It's a great place to ask and find answers about virtually any math subject, e.g. geometry, algebra, trigonometry, calculus, basic math, etc. Choose from Elementary, Middle School, or High School Math. Mathematics; grades K-12.

  11. http://www.exploremath.com/activities/index.cfm
    This excellent site employs advanced, interactive graphics to help students devise real- time (animated) correlations, plot equations, etc. Covers many of the major concepts from elementary Algebra through pre-Calculus. Fascinating. Requires free Shockwave plug in. Mathematics; grades 7-12.

  12. http://www.purplemath.com
    Good site for lessons on Algebra concepts from a website called "PurpleMath;" practical tips, hints, and examples; links to Algebra lessons on other sites (if you can't find it at PurpleMath, they'll direct you to other places on the internet that will address your question or topic). Mathematics; grades 7-12.

  13. http://www.math.com/
    This wonderful site for students, called "The World of Math Online," is quite extensive, covering basic math through calculus and beyond. Click on Homework Help, Practice, Ask an Expert, Calculators and Tools, Games, etc. Includes study tips, test preps, math games, and more. Useful for all grades but a parent or teacher will have to help navigate for the K-2 crowd. Mathematics; grades K-12.

  14. http://www.aaamath.com/
    This site, referred to as "AAA Math," contains "hundreds of pages of basic math skills with interactive practice on every page." If you want to have fun learning math, then try this interesting site. Mathematics; grades K-8.

  15. http://www.thinkquest.org/library/cat_show.html?cat_id=9&cid=1
    "The ThinkQuest Internet Challenge library is the culmination of six years of the largest online educational web development program for kids around the world."   You have to explore this huge site to really get a feel for what it's all about.  Suffice it to say that it contains numerous math resources, researched and designed by students and teachers from around the world.  Check out a section called "Math for Morons Like Us."  Don't be insulted by the title…it's really cool! Mathematics; grades 5-12.

  16. http://standards.nctm.org/document/eexamples/index.htm
    This is part of a much larger site which is probably the best overall that you can find on the Internet for math.  It is a section of a site sponsored by the NCTM (National Council for the Teaching of Mathematics). They are the governing organization from which our national mathematics standards emanate. Their document, Principles and Standards for School Mathematics, delineates those standards and form the basis for our California state standards.

    There are many areas of this vast site. The particular ones I've referenced here are an excellent place to begin. This site contains examples of the math standards and applications for all grade levels for virtually every aspect of mathematics--from kindergarten 'patterning' through high school calculus and trigonometry. Students can see an example of a math standard, manipulate the model, and are even given 'tasks' to do to alter the model. (It will make sense when you see it.) See the next entry, for another wonderful area of the NCTM main site. Mathematics; grades K-12.

  17. http://www.storyplace.org/preschool/preschool.asp?themeID=9
    This site presents on-line stories, activities, and book lists regarding basic geometric shapes. Cute! Mathematics; grades pre-K-2.

  18. http://www.arcytech.org/java/patterns/patterns_j.shtml
    This is a one-page site devoted to making patterns and exploring fractions with pattern blocks. You drag basic pattern block shapes (in their correct colors) to a grid to make patterns and equivalent fractions. Fun and interesting. Mathematics; grades 3 and up.

  19. http://www.arcytech.org/java/b10blocks/b10blocks.html
    This site is similar to entry #20 above. This time however, you are working with place value blocks (100's; 10's or rods; 1's or cubes) to create 3-digit whole numbers or to work with decimals values (i.e. tenths, hundredths, etc.) Mathematics; grades 3-6.

  20. http://arcytech.org/java/integers/integers.html
    This site is similar to those in entries #20 and #21 above. In this activity, simple and complex fractions are explored using "integer bars" (similar to Cuisenaire rods). Mathematics; grades 3-8.

  21. http://arcytech.org/java/fractions/fractions.html
    Similar to sites in entries #20-22 above, this is another page devoted to creating and exploring fractions. Mathematics; grades 3-8.

  22. http://www.tttpress.com/activities.html
    This site is maintained by Teacher to Teacher Press, a publishing company which publishes mathematics materials and learning activities which, in their words, "convert mathematical tears and fears into success and confidence. . .both in conceptual understanding of mathematics AND computational fluency and accuracy." The site contains a number of free sample activities from their publications and workshops. They take the form of lesson plans and include directions, journal prompts, homework, assessment ideas, extensions, and blackline transparency/activity masters. Some of the topics include: MENU MATH (a wonderful way to introduce algebraic principles using a "menu" of hamburgers, cheeseburgers, French fries, and cokes), geometry puzzles, tangram fractions, etc. Mathematics; grades 5-9.

  23. http://www.factmonster.com/homework/hwmath.html
    This site offers explanations of basic math concepts in a wide range of topics such as number, measurement, money, tables, etc. It's written in, what I like to refer to as, 'kidspeak.' Say you don't understand what a prime number is; you'd come here. Want to brush up on your rounding and estimating skills? This is the place. There are also numerous interactive animated games to reinforce math concepts. Mathematics; grades 6-12.

  24. http://highschoolhub.org/hub/math.cfm
    See entry C-7 for an explanation of the main High School Hub site. The part of the site referenced here is devoted to mathematics. Click on any high school math subject, e.g. algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or calculus for links to tutorials, activities, quizzes and tests, etc. This is a great place to start for questions related to high school math. Mathematics, grades 9-12.

  25. http://www.mathacademy.com/pr/prime/index.asp
    An encyclopedia of math terms; Mathematics; grades 4-12.

  26. http://www.amathsdictionaryforkids.com/
    This is an wonderful animated, interactive and colorful dictionary for students explaining over 400 mathematical terms in simple language. Listings are alphabetical and easily accessible. Examples with activities for practice are also included. You have to see this one! Mathematics, grades K-5.

  27. http://www.harcourtschool.com/glossary/math2/index_temp.html
    This is a wonderful multimedia math glossary put out by the Harcourt Brace people. (Many of our LAUSD local districts have chosen the Harcourt Brace series as their official math textbook for elementary grades; but you don't have to be using that series to make use of this site.) Simply click on a grade level (K-6), find the math term you need and click on it. You will be shown a definition with animated examples. Useful and easy to navigate. Mathematics, grades K-6.

  28. http://www.harcourtschool.com/menus/harcourt_math.html
    This is the official, award-winning website of the Harcourt Math textbook adopted by LAUSD and used by many of our local districts for elementary grades. In their own words, " Experience online activities and math models, teacher and parent resources, the Harcourt Multimedia Math Glossary, and other features correlated to Harcourt Math." Be aware however, that there is, from time to time, some difficulty in navigating the site. (I have found this to be true of many of the so-called "student help" sites maintained by educational textbook publishers.) Mathematics, grades K-6.

  29. http://www.onlineintervention.com/
    This is the official website for the Scott Foresman California Math textbook series adopted by LAUSD and used by elementary schools in many of our local districts.  This site is interactive and can be used by both students and teachers.  Click on the word "Math" (bold yellow letters in a blue field).  Scroll down until you see a red banner marked "Homework Help."  Click in the "enter" field below it and you will be taken to a page where you can choose your grade level (grades 1 - 7 plus Algebra are currently available). From there you can choose "Worksheets," "Learning Tools" etc. The lessons given correspond to the chapters in the textbook.  You can even sign on and enter via the "Student" or "Teacher" portal for interactive quizzes. games, video snippets, and resources. Be aware however, that there is, from time to time, some difficulty in navigating the site. (I have found this to be true of many of the so-called "student help" sites maintained by educational textbook publishers.) Nevertheless, this is a very useful and fun site for those students using the Scott Foresman California Math series.  Mathematics, grades K-6 and Algebra.

  30. http://www.classzone.com/start/math_cs1.cfm
    Class Zone is a math student help site run by the McDougal Littell Publishing Company. LAUSD uses their middle school math series Mathematics: Concepts and Skills Books 1 and 2. Here you can find examples, worksheets, and other help for any chapter of the books you may be using. Be aware however, that there is, from time to time, some difficulty with navigating the site. (I found this to be true for many of the so-called "student help sites" maintained by educational textbook publishers). Mathematics, grades 7-9.

  31. http://www.puzzlemaker.com/
    An entertaining site where students can devise their own math puzzles and challenges. Create language arts puzzles as well. Language Arts and Math; grades 3-12.

  32. http://www.mathpower.com/funstuff.htm
    An entertaining site with many math puzzles and games for middle school students, also includes some videos on various math topics. In addition, contains tutorials on pre-Algebra and Algebra invented by students. Mathematics, grades 8-12.

  33. http://auntymath.com
    "This kid-friendly site from the DuPage Children's Museum consists of math problems written as stories about 'Aunt Mathilda.' Students can post solutions and receive a reply from Aunty Math about their solution strategy. Based on the NCTM's (see entry #18) Principles and Standards for School Mathematics, the site has modifications and information about the math involved in each problem for parents and teachers." quoted from the magazine NEA Today, January 2003. It's a fun place to work on problem-solving skills. Mathematics; grades K-5.

  34. http://www.quickmath.com/
    QuickMath is an automated service for answering common math problems over the Internet. Think of it as an online calculator that solves equations and does all sorts of algebra and calculus problems - instantly and automatically. As of this writing, the site is still free (donations are requested but not required). Mathematics; grades 7-12.

  35. http://www.free-ed.net
    This on-line, self-directed, self-paced course in pre-algebra. The course is made up of 14 lessons. The creators say, "If you study online about six hours per week, you should be able to complete the entire course in about 4 weeks." While the graphics are not animated, they are clear and well-devised; useful for review. Mathematics; grades 5-12.

  36. http://www.mathleague.com/help/algebra/algebra.htm
    This is a short and simple, single-page site that provides a good introduction to algebra and algebraic terms. Scroll down to find terms, which are explained, with examples given. Good for review. Mathematics; grades 6-12.

  37. http://www.sosmath.com/index.html
    A popular destination for math students, this site is a good resource for math review material from Algebra to Differential Equations. Good homework helps and test preparation. Mathematics, grades 7-12.

  38. http://www.figurethis.org/
    Called the "Mathematics Challenges for Families" site, these are fascinating, real-world math problems that middle-school students can do at home with their families. Each challenge features a description of the important math involved, how the math applies to the real world, hints to get started, complete solutions, along with additional related problems, fun math facts and resources for further exploration. Colorfully animated cartoon characters guide you through the challenges. The math covers algebra, geometry, measurement, number, statistics and probability. This site is a project of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics with support from the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Education. Available in English and Spanish. Try it! Mathematics, grades 6-9.

B.
SITES WITH INTERACTIVE LESSONS AND HOMEWORK HELPS FOR LANGUAGE ARTS

EARLY LITERACY
  1. http://www.literacycenter.net/play_learn/index.htm
    This is a fun site for young children with games and activities to teach and reinforce basic literacy skills including letter and numeral writing, alphabet study, word recognition, color and shape explorations, etc. The following quote comes directly from the site: "The Literacy Center aims to provide safe learning activities for parents and teachers to share with young children. It follows a modified Montessori approach to teaching reading. As a pre and early reading curriculum, it assumes that each online lesson will be supported by appropriate offline instruction, either at home or in school." Language Arts; grades K-2.

  2. http://www.sesameworkshop.org/sesamestreet
    This site is produced by the famed Children's Television Workshop. Using the Sesame Street characters, your youngest students can play engaging learning activities that will foster literacy. Skills include letter recognition, decoding, aural acuity, etc. Follow 'Ernie's' prompts and click on Games, Stories, Music, Art, Elmo's World, etc. Language Arts; grades pre-K-2.

  3. http://pbskids.org/lions/
    Designed to foster literacy skills, this wonderful and entertaining site is based on the award-winning PBS television series, "Between the Lions." Here you will find stories, games, songs, printables, and especially phonics-related activities which connect to each televised episode. Illustrated word glossaries, curriculum guides, and parent resources are also available. Designed for Pre-K through 1st grade but also appropriate for 2nd, 3rd and ELL's. Your little ones will love this one! Language Arts, grades Pre-K-3.

    LITERATURE FOR ELEMENTARY GRADES

  4. http://www.seussville.com
    This is the official site for Dr. Seuss! Here children can play games with Seussville characters and read segments of stories from this beloved children's author. Also provides information about upcoming national and local "Seuss" events such as the "Read Across America" campaign. A small but entertaining site. Language Arts; grades K-5.

  5. http://www.ucalgary.ca/~dkbrown/stories.html
    This is one of many sites currently on the internet with children's stories that you can either read right on the screen or download and print out. In some of the collections, you can even "click" on an unfamiliar word in the text and get an instant definition! This particular site is divided by categories such as: Story Collections; Folktales, Myths, and Legends; Songs and Poetry; Contemporary Writings, Classics for Young People, et al. Language Arts; grades 2-8.

  6. http://www.icdlbooks.org/
    This is an amazing site from the University of Maryland called "The International Children's Digital Library.  Like entry #5 above, you can download readable and printable versions of children's stories. This site, however, is far more extensive than anything else I've seen.  In the words of its creators: "The International Children's Digital Library (ICDL) is a 5-year research project to develop innovative software and a collection of books that specifically address the needs of children as readers. Interdisciplinary researchers from computer science, library studies, education, art, and psychology are working together with children to design this new library.  With participants from around the world, the ICDL is building an international collection that reflects both the diversity and quality of children's literature. Currently, the collection includes materials donated from 27 cultures in 15 languages."  When finished, it will be the world's largest children's library. Important note: Check system requirements when you get to the home page. This site is large and dynamic and requires special plug-ins and downloads (e.g. Java), but it's well-worth it!  Language Arts, grades K-8.

  7. http://www.classicfairytales.com/
    This is a delightful site from Canada. Read and hear interactive, narrated, animated stories retelling the beloved fairy tales by authors like Hans Christian Andersen and the Brothers' Grimm, featuring animals, princesses, magic, and fabulous creatures. The stories link to learning activities, coloring downloads, arts, games and other kid stuff. (Be sure to click on the English version, not the French!) Language Arts; grades K-8.

  8. http://www.poetry4kids.com/
    The creator of this site, Kenn Nesbitt, is a renown and well-published author whose specialty is children's humorous poetry. Many of his very funny poems and stories are included on the site, along with lessons designed to teach children to write their own poems. Links to the works of other children's authors, e.g. Dr. Seuss, Shel Silverstein, Jack Prelutsky et al. If you have students who enjoy poetry, this would be a good place to visit. Language Arts; grades 3-8.


    LITERATURE FOR SECONDARY GRADES

  9. http://www.sparknotes.com/
    This is one of the most popular sites on the Internet for secondary students. Do you remember Cliff Notes, those little paperback booklets that gave synopses, character analyses, and other key information about a piece of literature you were studying in high school? Well, this site does 'virtually' the same thing, only better! Choose general literature, drama, poetry, even Shakespeare. Simply do a "Search" using the title of your work and you're there! Read a complete synopsis with detailed, chapter by chapter analysis of your favorite short story or novel. Download full texts of some classic literature. Use the Message Board to discuss particular elements of a work with other students. You can even print out the "SparkNotes." Other subjects include Biographies, Math, Chemistry, Biology, etc. You have to 'sign up' for the site but it's free. Your students will love it! Language Arts and Math, grades 6-12.

  10. http://highschoolhub.org/hub/english.cfm
    See entry C-7 for an explanation of the main High School Hub site. Links to Spelling, Grammar, Literature, Poetry, etc. Check out the Literature Study Guides (e.g. To Kill A Mockingbird, Romeo and Juliet, The Crucible, The Tales of Two Cities, etc.). Great site!! Language Arts; grades 9-12.


    BIOGRAPHIES

  11. http://www.people.virginia.edu/~jbh/author.html
    This site is a collection of biographical sketches of famous literary authors, listed alphabetically. If you are reading the novels of Pearl S. Buck or Earnest Hemingway, for example, you could find biographies of the authors here. Language Arts; grades 6-12.

  12. http://www.malaspina.org/
    This site, like entry #11 above, is devoted primarily to biographies, but in this case, the entries are not limited to literary authors. Biographies are offered of great people in the fields of art, music, theatre, history, and science as well. So, if you wanted to find some information about the life of Albert Einstein, for example. you would come here. As a bonus, each biography has links to other sites with even more information about the person you are researching. Language Arts; grades 6 - 12.


    GRAMMAR AND STYLE

  13. http://andromeda.rutgers.edu/~jlynch/Writing/l
    This site was penned by a college professor, who refers to it as "A Guide to Grammar and Style." It contains numerous explanations and illustrations of basic grammar rules and elements of style. There are also links to additional sites; a useful tool. Language Arts, grades 9-12.

  14. http://www.grammarbook.com/
    Jane Straus' reference, The Book of Grammar and Punctuation, is presented here. The site includes explanations, exercises, and actual on-line tests (with answers); good practice! Language Arts, grades 6-12.

  15. http://www.wordcentral.com/
    This is a fun grammar and word site for elementary and middle school students. Look up words (fast!) in the Student Dictionary or build your own dictionary! You can also play interactive word games. This site is busy and it sometimes takes a while to log on but it's well worth the wait. Language Arts, grades 3-8.

  16. http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/
    A comprehensive site including, among other things, tutorials on English grammar and writing. Useful FAQ and 'Ask Grammar' sections.


    WRITING

  17. http://andromeda.rutgers.edu/~jlynch/EngPaper/
    This site was penned by the same college professor as with entry #13. He calls it "Getting an A on an English Paper." In it, the professor explains in detail the elements of a good paper, e.g., Thesis, Research, Close Reading, Style, and Mechanics. You can click on any of these terms and get quite a bit of information on writing a good paper. Additionally, the author provides links to related sites. Language Arts, grades 9-12.

  18. http://www.bartleby.com/141/
    This is the quintessential writer's reference tool by William Strunk, Jr. His classic text, Elements of Style, is presented here, in abbreviated form. Includes a section on commonly misused words and expressions and commonly misspelled words. Language Arts, grades 9-12.

  19. http://webster.commnet.edu/writing/symbols.htm
    This site offers illustrations and explanations of common proofreading symbols and abbreviations. It's basically a 'one-page', which you can print out for ready reference. Language Arts, grades 4-12.

  20. http://www.ipl.org/div/aplus/
    If you need to do a high school term paper or research paper, this is the site you want. It's called the "A+ Research and Writing for High School and College Students." It includes a step-by-step guide to researching and writing papers, along with numerous links for more information. Language Arts, grades 11-12.

  21. http://members.tripod.com/~lklivingston/essay/
    This site is a guide for essay writing and is presented in a very clear, easy to read format. There are explanations of the various elements of an essay, e.g. theme, body, introduction, conclusion, etc. It even includes a sample essay, with analysis, along with numerous links to other essay resources on line. Language Arts, grades 7-12.

  22. http://www.enchantedlearning.com/graphicorganizers/
    This page of this extensive and excellent educational site illustrates many kinds of graphic organizers, especially useful for middle and high school students studying the writing process.


    REFERENCE MATERIALS

  23. http://www.tnellen.com/cybereng/lit_terms/index.html
    A concise listing of literary terms, in alphabetical order. Simply click on a term for its definition; includes links to some other reference sources. Language Arts; grades 9-12.

  24. http://www.rhymezone.com/
    This is the best rhyming dictionary on the net! Type in a word and instantly find its rhymes, synonyms, definitions, and more. Language Arts; grades 2-12.

  25. http://rpo.library.utoronto.ca/
    An extensive library of poetry, as well as an excellent list of poetic terms, in alphabetical order. Select Glossary, then simply click on a term for its definition. Language Arts; grades 9-12.

  26. http://www.uncp.edu/home/canada/work/allam/general/glossary.htm
    An alphabetical glossary of literary terms with lengthy definitions and verbal illustrations. Language Arts; grades 9-12.

  27. http://www.bartleby.com/61/
    This address will take you directly to the online version of the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Over 90,000 entries feature 10,000 new words and senses, 70,000 audio word pronunciations, 900 full-page color illustrations, language notes and word-root appendices; a practical and authoritative guide. Simply type in a word and click "Search." Language Arts; grades 5-12.

  28. http://thesaurus.reference.com/help/faq/roget.html
    This, of course, is the online version of the indispensable Roget's Thesaurus. Simply type in a word, click "Search" and you will get a concise definition, along with a list of synonyms, antonyms, et al. Language Arts; grades 5-12.


    GAMES AND ACTIVITIES

  29. http://www.kidport.com/default.htm
    Although this site is an internet-based educational service for a yearly fee, there is an area for each grade level with free activities for grades 1-8. The language arts section is particularly useful. Simply click on a grade level and then choose a subject. Good review and practice activities. (Also listed under the heading "Resources and Links.") Language Arts/Math; grades 1-8.

C.

RESOURCES AND LINKS

  1. http://www.lausd.k12.ca.us/kids/
    This is a brand new section of the LAUSD website specifically geared for students. It's referred to as "The website for the students of The Los Angeles Unified School District." Useful for homework help, research paper writing, reference materials (i.e. dictionaries and encyclopedias), and games and puzzles; grades K-2 will require teacher/parent assistance in navigating around the site; Language Arts and Math; grades 3-12.

  2. http://www.lapl.org/
    This is the website for the Los Angeles Public Library. Click on Kids' Path for sections such as: Homework Reference Center, Cool Sites for Kids, Recommended Reading Lists, etc. Click on Teen Web for sections such as: Homework Help, What Do You Think?, Teen Stuff, etc. These will take you to various databases with links on the Internet to find virtually anything you need. There are even sections in Spanish. Students may need your help in navigating to the appropriate sites. Some links may require a library card number. Language Arts and Math; grades K-12.
  3. http://pbskids.org/
    This is the official website for all of PBS programming for children. Here you will find engaging and educational games and activities related to all of the programs, e.g. Reading Rainbow, Mr. Roger's, Clifford, Sesame Street and Barney, to name a few. Your young students will know! Links to additional educational resources abound. Language Arts, Math, and all other content areas; grades Pre-K-5.

  4. http://www.nickjr.com/
    Like its non-commercial counterpart above (entry #3), Nick Jr. is the children's internet component of the commercial Nickelodeon television network. Here you will find games, stories, music, art activities, printables, etc. which relate to such programs as Blue's Clues, Dora the Explorer, Little Bill, and others. Your young students will know! Useful section for parents as well. Language Arts, Math, and all other content areas; grades Pre-K-5.

  5. http://www.ajkids.com/
    This is the popular children's version of the "Ask Jeeves" site. Study tools include areas on dictionaries, thesaurus, almanac, biography, science, math, history, et al. Also includes games, news resources, and a parent's section. An excellent jumping off point for getting homework, research help. Language Arts, Math, and other content areas, grades 3-12.

  6. http://www.bigchalk.com/
    This is one of the larger and well-known commercial databases of educational resources on the web. The best way to start would be by clicking on "Homework Central" This is a free directory of educational web sites created especially for students and teachers. Select a grade level (K-5, 6-8, 9-12) and you will be taken to a page with numerous links for virtually all academic subjects, including language arts, math, social studies, history, etc. Language Arts, Math, and other content areas; grades K-12.

  7. http://highschoolhub.org/hub/
    Here is a direct quote from the Home Page of this wonderful site for high school students: "The High School Hub is a noncommercial learning portal to excellent free educational resources for high school students. It features online learning activities, an ongoing teen poetry contest, a reference collection, college information, and subject guides for English, mathematics, science, social studies, and world languages." It's a great database for all high school students and high school subjects. Check it out! Language Arts, Math and other content areas; grades 9-12.

  8. http://school.aol.com/
    Referred to as "AOL At School," this site is an excellent jumping off point for students interested in any subject and for any grade level, K through 12; includes brain teasers, study kits, and reference materials for each grade level; also includes resources for teachers. This site is referenced on the new kids-oriented site of LAUSDnet called "LAUSDnet KIDS" (see entry #1 above). Language Arts and Mathematics; grades K-12.

  9. http://www.myenglishzone.com/
    Originally designed to aid English Language Learners, this impressive site, has expanded to help all students of English, including native speakers. Students can learn idioms, practice with English verbs, test their grammar, check out the Fun Stuff pages, write silly stories, or visit links to other English sites. Visit the Teacher's Zone, filled with ready-to-print materials usable for the ESL classroom, including worksheets, handouts, or quizzes. There are dozens of links to other sites for teachers as well. Although a nominal yearly fee is required for full access to the site, much of it is free. Language Arts; grades 3-12.

  10. http://www.edu4kids.com/
    This small, not-for-profit site is a web-based Internet learning resource. Its mission is to provide a "place where [kids] could come and play drill games to better their skills and to learn." One of the more refreshing aspects of this site is that the creators ensure that students will never have to be forced to look at banner advertisements while using their software. Many other educational sites, with ".com" mentalities, cannot make this promise. Find drill games in Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, and Science. Interesting. May require some supervision to navigate and follow instructions. Language Arts, Math, and other content areas; grades K-12.

  11. http://www.enchantedlearning.com/Home.html
    This extensive site has activities for students to do in virtually all content areas. Special themed sections and seasonal activities are a highlight. Lots of fun and interesting things to do--study dinosaurs, print out a custom calendar, learn how to make a diorama, practice vocabulary words, learn about animals, music, inventors--the possibilities are limitless. Language Arts, Math, and other content areas; grades Pre-K-12.

  12. http://www.kidport.com/default.htm
    Although this site is an internet-based educational service for a yearly fee, there is an area for each grade level with free activities for grades 1-8. Content areas include language arts, math, social studies, science, et al. Simply click on a grade level and then choose a subject. Good review and practice activities. Language Arts and Mathematics; grades 1-8.

  13. http://www.edbydesign.com/index.html
    This Australian-based website offers interactive, educational activities for children ages 5-12. Play Scrambler puzzles, practice mathematical skills, and publish your stories, jokes, riddles, and poems online. Some of our activities are designed to cater for children at a very basic level of understanding while other activities are designed to extend and develop their creativity. Language Arts and Mathematics; grades K-7.

  14. http://www.globalclassroom.org/ecell00/javamath.html
    This is the "link" page from a site, created by a teacher for an elementary school in Maryland. Here you will find a very good list of other interactive sites with numerous learning games and activities. Many of the sites are for math but language arts, science, and social studies sites are also referenced. Language Arts and Math and other content areas; grades K-6.

  15. http://linkasaurus.com/
    This site is an ENORMOUS list of links for kids and called: "Hundreds of Official Kids Sites in One Place." Lists sites for learning, entertainment, games, reference materials (particularly useful!) , science, sports, movies, etc. Language Arts, Math, and other content areas; grades 2-10.
  16. http://www.education.com
    This resource required registration but, don't worry, it's free. Teachers and students may register. Once you're in, there are all kinds of games, activities, homework help, etc. for both language arts and math. Some of the games are similar to CD-rom learning games. Useful. Language Arts and Math; grades 2-8.

  17. http://www.kidsites.com/
    This is a database that describes itself as "the leading guide to the best in kids' websites." Just click on an area of interest and you are immediately taken to that site. All the links are educational and include numerous games and activities. Try out the latest featured site, "Game Goo." It's hysterical! Language Arts and Math, grades K-8.

  18. http://mrsalphabet.com/home.html
    This site has games and activities designed to assist children in early learning and successful progress in alphabet recognition, phonics, beginning reading, and math. Check out the "links" section for both language arts and math. Language Arts, Math, and other content areas; grades Pre-K-2.

  19. http://www.writing-world.com/links/young.shtml
    A set of links for young writers on a site called Writing-World. Some of them look really good! They include sites where young writers can publish their work on the web. [EDITOR'S NOTE: I HAVE YET TO SCREEN EACH OF THE LINKS, SO I CAN'T GUARANTEE THAT THEY WORK OR THAT EVERY SINGLE ONE IS APPROPRIATE--HOWEVER, I DO RECOGNIZE MANY OF THE NAMES AND KNOW THAT THEY'RE REPUTABLE, E.G., STONE SOUP AND AARON SHEPARD'S YOUNG AUTHOR PAGE. (IF I CHECK THE INDIVIDUAL LINKS LATER, I'LL LET YOU KNOW.)]

D.

MISCELLANEOUS

  1. http://www.kids-space.org/index.html
    This is well-designed, award-winning international site created by Kids' Space Foundation, a non-profit children's educational foundation. It is currently being utilized in classrooms around the world. Part of its missions is to " provide high quality yet commercial free web sites for learning and collaboration among students and teachers" and to "engage children's minds and curiosity, stimulating learning through self-discovery." Learn how to create and share artwork, stories, even original music with other children on the net while learning how to safely use internet features. This is the "of kids, by kids, for kids" site. Language Arts, Visual and Performing Arts, grades 2-10.

  2. http://www.alyencreations.com/grabbag/
    This remarkable and award-winning kid site was created by David Sawchak, who was only seven years old when he started the Grab Bag Page. (He's 10 now!). It's a colorful and entertaining place to visit and includes entire sections on themes of interest to children including space, dinosaurs, the beach, summer activities etc. Language Arts, Math, and other content areas; grades 2-6.

  3. http://www.afb.org/braillebug/
    The Braille Bug site teaches sighted children all about Braille Alphabet and raises awareness for the issues that face America's 10 million blind or visually impaired children and adults…fund activities that help children familiarize themselves with Braille and its history." - quoted from NEA Today (Nov. 2002, p. 44). Although this site is a bit beyond the scope of this collection, I thought it was so interesting that I included it anyway! Many children, particularly in middle grades, are fascinated by the Braille system. Language Arts; grades 3-8.

  4. http://www.funology.com/
    As so many of our homebound students suffer from boredom, I felt that this site may be just what the doctor ordered. In the creators words, "Funology.com is where you can allow your kids to SAFELY use the Internet. We offer online activities and offline activities. You can find instructions for kids' games, recipes, craft projects. The site includes areas with science experiments, quizzes, trivia, all kinds of great learning activities. jokes, games, magic, tricks, trivia, recipes, things to make, things to do alone or with parents or friends. Well-worth exploring for those long stretches between classes! Language Arts and Math; grades 3-8.

  5. http://www.learningpage.com/free_pages/home.html
    This site is more for you, the instructor, than it is for your students. However, the very useful instructional materials (in the form of printable worksheets) you can find at this site can be printed out and used immediately by your students, For example, there are printable full-color leveled reader stories complete with teachers notes and worksheets in both English and Spanish. There are also vocabulary books and mini-readers. Let's say you're working with a primary grade student on print practice. You can download worksheets in a variety of print styles, such as Zaner-Bloser, D'Nealian, Cursive, etc. There's much more as well. Membership is free and secure. All they require is your web address and they will provide a password for access. Language Arts, grades K-6.

  6. http://www.flashcardexchange.com/index.jsp
    This site has flashcards that can be printed out--all sorts of flashcards, for language arts, math, science, social studies, etc. Choose the format of the cards, the typeface, the size (e.g. 3X5 or 4X6) etc. I thought the ones for math were particularly useful because they were so comprehensive--basic math facts (addition, multiplication), fact families, math vocabulary, and a whole host of others. The language arts flashcards include Dolch/site words, high frequency words, phonics, vocabulary, spelling words, etc. You have to explore this site to really see its potential. Language Arts, Math, and other content areas; grades K-12.

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Carlson Home/Hospital School
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