Academic Resources
Visit and explore quality reading websites such as:
Starfall
Well-known and used beginning reading site. The Starfall Method of reading instruction was developed for the emergent reader. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development base it in part on research about how children learn to read.
PBS Kids
PBS offers very good reading practice with the well-known Arthur and friends by Marc Brown. Story Scramble is for young independent readers. There are several other word and game related activities.
Read a story and play a game with the favorite character, Clifford. Interactive and beginning reading stories and games.
High quality picture books read aloud. Quizzes and a comment/book response form for kids. This is a subscription site, but a free trial is offered and worth the time to experience the large collection of books and club activities offered.
http://www.storyplace.org/
Interactive stories in English or Spanish for first and second graders. Stories are
adaptations of classic fairy tales. Produced and maintained by a NC public library
and on the ALA list of best reading sites for kids.
Famous actors read popular picture books to kids. The Screen Actors Guild
Foundation offers Storyline Online, an on-line streaming video program
featuring SAG members reading children’s books aloud. Hand-picked by
BookPALS National Program Director Ellen Nathan, a former teacher
And librarian, each of the books on this site offers an accompanying lesson plan
and activity guide.
Online Activities for Families
National Geographic Kids: offers great nature videos, activities, games, stories,
and more
CoolMath4Kids: take a trip through an amusement park of math and more at this
extremely interactive math website
Smithsonian Kids Collecting: how to start your own collection and see what other
kids collect
Explore Dinosaurs: FAQs and top 10 myths about dinosaurs, a virtual dig, behind
the scenes tours, and more from the National Museum of Natural History
Smithsonian Digging for Answers: a site that tests your research skills and
knowledge
NASA Quest: interactive explorations that engage students in real science and
engineering. Topics include robots, helicopters, lunar exploration, and designing
your own human-friendly planet
My Wonderful World: a multimedia tour of our seven continents
Time for Kids: fun games (The Great State Race), an online weekly magazine
written for kids, and news from around the world