Web Resources

Websites for Reading

• www.sesameworkshop.org:  Games for Preschool and Kindergarten students
• www.starfall.com:  For Pre-K – 2nd grade students; learn letters and sounds and simple words
• www.bookadventure.org:  Includes lists of books with quizzes to complete after reading, games and parent resources (all grades)
• www.magickeys.com/books:  Online children’s storybooks  (all grades)
• www.storytimeforme.com:  Click on the Go to Library button to begin (all grades)
• www.pbskids.org/lions:  Games and activities for the PBS series, Reading Between the Lions (Grades 1-3)
• www.childrensbooksonline.org:  Online books for students (all grades)
• www.storynory.com:  Audio stories for grades 2 and up
• www.readingeggs.com:  Activities and practice for pre-kindergarten through middle school
• www.abcya.com:  Skills practice kindergarten through 5th grade
• en.childrenslibrary.org:  International Children’s Library with online books and activities for all ages
• www.storylineonline.net:  Well-known books read aloud by well-known actors and actresses (All grades)
• www.boysread.org and www.guysread.org:  Motivate male readers by helping them find reading material that interests them. (All grades)

Websites for Mathematics

Check out these websites and share with your family what you are learning and practicing. 

• www.ixl.com:  Aligned to Oregon State standards; select the appropriate grade level - pre-kindergarten through high school (free for 30 days, and subscribed to for the 2013-2014 school year.)
• www.aaamath.com:  Free games and practice activities for all grades
• www.multiplication.com:  Free games and flashcard practice activities for all ages
• www.visualfractions.com:  Very helpful free website to aid students in seeing fractional units
• www.coolmath4kids.com:  Free games and practice activities for all ages
• www.khanacademy.org:  Free online videos showing how math problems are solved; also includes science assistance
• www.mathplay.com:  List of other websites and resources for math practice

Research Help for Kids 

The following websites are designed to help you as you complete projects or research questions about various topics.  Your teacher may be able to suggest additional websites for particular areas of learning. 

• www.google.com:  A search engine which will seek out information and images on any topic
• www.discoveryeducation.com/students:  Homework help and research links
• www.meetmeatthecorner.org:  Online video field trips (Select EPISODES to begin)
• kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids:  The official National Geographic for Kids website; includes videos and reference materials
• www.timeforkids.com:  Online magazine with current events
• www.tryscience.org:  Science experiences and resources
• kids.yahoo.com/learn:  Reference center, homework help, dictionary and links to helpful sites
• www.enchantedlearning.com:  Maps, diagrams and information related to topics and units of study

How to Help Your Child at Home

By far, the best way for students to learn a new skill is to use that skill in real life.  In reading, having your child read a newspaper or book to a younger sibling or to you as you prepare dinner is a great way for students to practice.  In math, shopping, cooking, crafting and building or creating allow for real-world practice in measurement, computation and geometry. 
For specific ways to support your child’s progress, please talk to your child’s teacher or the reading and math specialists at school.  These teachers have many ideas and resources to help you best help your child. 

• www.kidsource.com/kidsource/content/homework.html:  Information on how to help your child at home
• www.commonsensemedia.org:  Evaluates mobile apps for students

Homework Help for Parents

In addition to the websites provided in the Resources for Students section, the following link is a help for all areas of homework and learning.

• kids.yahoo.com/learn:  Reference center, homework help for kids, dictionary and links

What Your Child Will Learn This Year – State Standards

In the summer of 2011, Oregon State adopted the Common Core State Standards.  These standards are used in 47 states in the United States.  These standards require a higher level of rigor and are designed to prepare all students for college and career upon high school graduation.  For more information, please contact your child’s school and teachers.  

• www.pta.org/files/K_B-W.pdf:  Common Core Standards documents from the Parent and Teacher Association (PTA)
• educationnorthwest.org/resource/1547:  A series published by Education Northwest to keep regional stakeholders informed about the Common Core initiative.

Local Resources 

Family field trips are a great way to build students’ interest in new ideas and topics as well as support the things that are happening for them in school.  The links below are a few of the local resources for you to consider.  For more information, talk to your child’s teacher, watch for flyers coming home and see the local newspaper for other opportunities. 

• multcolib.org:  Multnomah County Library
• www.omsi.edu:  Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (Portland, OR)
• www.nps.gov/fova/index.htm:  Ft. Vancouver National Historical Site (Vancouver, WA)
• www.portlandcm.org:  Portland Children’s Museum (Portland, OR)
• www.portlandartmuseum.org:  Portland Art Museum (Portland, OR)
• www.oregonzoo.org:  Oregon Zoo (Portland, OR)