E-Educational Resources

As I prepare for my student teaching, it has come to my attention that teachers are creating lists of online resources that can be used in their classrooms and at home. My goal for this post is to give you a detailed list of the most popular "free" online resources that students enjoy.

FunBrain.com is part of the Family Education Network. This site gives students the opportunity to develop their reading skills, play math games for further enrichment, and sign up for Poptropica. Poptropica is an educational multi-player virtual world where students can compete with one another in games and get rewards/points for each "island mission" they complete.

FactMonster.com is a homework help website for kids. In addition to providing an almanac, encyclopedia, and dictionary, FactMonster also has games and quizzes for when students want to take a break from studying.

TumbleBooks.com is an online book database for schools and public libraries. These ebooks for kids range from elementary to high school level and are an interactive way for students to check their understanding.

Starfall.com is a fun reading program primarily for kids in pre-k to second grade. The site is an "inexpensive way to make the classroom more fun and inspire a love of reading and writing."

StudyIsland.com is an educational tool for students in grades 3-5. It is a web-based state standard practice tool to prepare students for the PSSA's.

BrainPop.com is an animated education site for kids. It provides videos and simulations based on the different subjects taught in school.

Most of the sites I listed above are ones that I have used in the classroom many times. StudyIsland is an extremely popular site due to the fact that it is important that students do well on their state exams and schools make AYP. Starfall and Tumblebooks I have only seen used in the lower grades pre-k to second, but depending on reading level, students in middle and high school may also benefit. Finally, BrainPop is similar to YouTube, except that it has less variety and is directly linked to the subjects taught in schools.

*photo from South Suburban Humane Society