Online Resources by Content Area
Your children, especially your middle school and high school children, will spend a lot of time online in the coming weeks. A lot! And that is OK. There are wonderful benefits of high-quality online curriculums, especially in these uncertain times when we don’t know when they will return to their classrooms. A couple of quick words of wisdom about using technology to teach:
Boundaries: define a clear purpose for the technology with designated times to start and stop the work. Supervise tech use with periodic check-ins.
If all of your child’s academic time is online, encourage outdoor play, reading, art, music, or other non-screen activities during other times of the day.
Sorting through dozens of virtual resources can be overwhelming. Yet it’s important for your child to access high-quality sites when it comes time for learning. Spend a few minutes each day clicking around to see if one of the sites below is a good fit to supplement your child’s learning. And then save this page and refer back to it when you and your child are ready to try something new.
All Content Areas
Khan Academy – video lessons and practice for a wide variety of topics
IXL – online practice for K-12 skills; immediate feedback and standards-based learning for all content areas
Quizlet – online practice for all content areas using learning tools and flashcards
Scholastic – free lessons for all content areas
Newsela – non-fiction, leveled reading articles for multiple content areas
NYC Department of Education “Learn At Home” Activities for Students – a great tool for families without Internet access or computers at home. Also includes activities for student Assistive Technology, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, or Speech Therapy needs.
Math
National Association for the Education of Young Children – math play and learning resources for early childhood
DreamBox – offering a 90-day free trial for parents
National Library of Virtual Manipulatives – virtual manipulatives for PreK - 12
Arcademics – fact fluency builder and math games
Zearn – K-5 math curriculum with lessons and remediation (includes paper-based materials that don’t require a device)
Multiplication.com – Multiplication fact practice
Hooda Math – math games
Literacy
Reading A to Z – basic reading practice for early readers; also offers downloadable books in Spanish
CommonLit – upper elementary/secondary; high-quality free reading passages for grades 3-12
Starfall – for emerging readers; uses songs and interactive games to teach early reading skills; especially helpful for children with special needs
Time For Kids – elementary; articles for grades K-6
EPIC – digital library for students; (teachers must sign up and invite students)
Myon – personalized digital library and newsite
Facts 4 Me – elementary research site
DreamScape – reading games for grades 2-8
History
Teaching Tolerance – lessons and resources to teach students how to be active citizens in a diverse democracy
Zinn Education Project – history teaching materials by time period, theme, and resource type
Bunk – digital archive of history
Science
Great Minds – Grades 3-5; free, daily recorded lessons delivered by teachers
Mystery Science – K-5 Science Lessons
National Geographic Kids
Switch Zoo Online
Foreign Language
Duolingo
Early Childhood (2-5)
Busy Toddler
Pre-K Pages
Wellness