Curricular Connections

Writing and Publishing

  • National Novel Writing Month: If you’re writing a novel, this site will help; see the pep talks from professional writers (Fun Stuff), and get advice on a variety of topics (Forums)
  • Young Writer’s Workshop: Story starters, including an illustration and text, help students get started with story writing. Students can submit their work for online publication.
  • Poets.Org: This site offers a variety of ideas for getting students enthusiastic about poetry. In particular, note the various poetry implementations done by schools around the country. Be sure to give students choices.

Reading

  • Guys Read: This web site focuses its attention on encouraging boys to read; it provides a variety of blogs, articles, and other news of interest.
  • International Digital Children’s Library -This site’s goal is to build a collection of books that represents outstanding historical and contemporary books from throughout the world.
  • Project Gutenberg Online Books: A pioneer in the field, Project Gutenberg has amassed a wide collection of ebooks that are free.

Math

  • Math Playground: It’s a busy site, but children who like math will find something to like here.
  • A Plus Math: This site includes math games and a homework helper.
  • Math Forum: Problems of the week.
  • Measurement Conversions – Want to convert from English system to metric? This site makes it possible to convert (easily) from one system to the other, whether the purpose is for mass, weight, volume, etc.
  • Kahn Academy: This site houses a variety of  short videos on a host of topics in the math and science fields. Whether it’s acids and bases or vectors, this site may have a video that explains the concept in a way you can understand. The hitch is that you’ll need to know what the concept is called.
  • Crickweb: This math site will help the summer days pass more quickly. You’ll find games and math resources.
  • Mathsframe Interactive: Math games and resources help children visualize the numbers and relationships.
  • National Library of Virtual Manipulatives: Sponsored by Utah State University, this site supports math by showing manipulatives that work online.
  • Math And Money: From counting money to identifying coins, this web site provides a primer on money.
  • Math Exercises and Worksheets: Sample math problems and worksheets for students.

Science and Science Fairs

  • Science Buddies – The world’s best site for anyone who wants to do a science fair project. In particular, find the STUDENTS tab and choose SCIENCE FAIR PROJECT HELP. That will generate a series of questions to help your child find a project that is meaningful, timely, and affordable.
  • Science of the 2010 Winter Olympics – Sponsored by the National Science Foundation, this site intertwines students’ interest in the Olympic competitions with the science behind them. How does one become swifter, higher, stronger? Watch the 16-part video series to find out more!
  • Marc’s Observatory – For students who are interested in astronomy, this site provides information about the moon, the stars, and the galaxy.
  • Science Bob – If you have a developing scientist in your home, this site provides information about experiments; try some yourself, watch videos of others, and think about your next science fair project.
  • InformEd: This site presents a step-by-step walk-through for those interested in pursuing a science fair project.
  • The Bubblesphere – Everything you ever wanted to know about bubbles.
  • Chem4Kids – Need to understand how the periodic table works? This site may help you!
  • Try Science – This science education resource for parents, and teachers features information on science museums, science fair projects, and more.
  • Google Earth – Google offers maps and satellite images for complex or pinpointed regional searches. Try looking for your own home on street view.
  • Science News for Kids – Intermediate to middle-school students can learn about climate changes, animals on the verge of extinction,  Earth-bound asteroids, and more. Additional resources are included, including hands-on resources and puzzles.

Good for Growing Minds

  • Building Big – Bridges, domes, tunnels, skyscrapers―how are they built? How do they stay up? Interactive labs show how forces affect structures. Learn the tools you’d need to tunnel through a mountain.
  • Bradshaw Foundation – Focusing on archaeology, anthropology and genetic research, the Bradshaw Foundation’s  primary objective is to discover, document and preserve ancient rock art around the world, and promote the study of early mankind’s artistic achievements.
  • TVO Kids:  TVOkids.com is Ontario’s most popular site among kids ages three through eight years old, providing fun and engaging activities and games.
  • The Vienna Vegetable Orchestra: When you attend a classical music concert, usually you see strings, winds, brass, and percussion instruments, but imagine listening to and seeing an orchestra whose musicians use only vegetables as instruments! Fresh produce is drilled and shaped into a variety of instruments; a bell pepper becomes a trumpet, while an eggplant becomes a clap. The Vienna Vegetable Orchestra plays all over the world and serves vegetable soup after its concerts.
  • Keyboarding speed test: Take a one-sentence test of your typing speed. Or, sign in and race other people on line.
  • Help with keyboarding: This site helps students practice their keyboarding skills.
  • Sudoku Dragon shows variations of the basic Sudoku pattern.
  • Quizlet: Make your own flashcards, or use flashcards already made by others.
  • America’s Story: Discover the inventors, politicians, performers, activists and other everyday people who made this country what it is today. One of this web site’s offerings enables students to jump back in time to see what was happening on their birthdays or other dates in history.
  • Sheppard Software: This company creates educational software. The web site provides games, paint opportunities for children, and other software pertaining to maps and more. Be sure to look at the SAT word quizzes and flash cards for older students.

Maps

Finances

  • The Mint – This site offers advice about saving and investing money.

Origami