Today the internet is full of educational websites. If children don't find them entertaining, however, they just won't use them. These websites are both educational and engaging. Three sites promote literacy skills and the final two are all-round great learning websites.
Best New Writing Website for Kids
Storybird – This is a new collaborative book writing site. Two or more people write a book together. It could be two friends sitting side by side on the same computer or living in different countries. Children use beautiful artwork for inspiration and illustrating their books. The finished product can be shared privately with friends and family or published on the internet.
The site is fresh and innovative and kids really love seeing their own stories online. It can be used at home or in the classroom. Great for kindergarten until grade 6. Storybird develops writing skills, self confidence and creativity. The site is also great used as a library for children who just want to read books written by children. The website is free but does require a 5-minute registration process.
Best Reading and Phonics Websites
Storyline Online – Storyline is a wonderful listening and reading website. A selection of great books are read to the listener in a slow, entertaining way. The expressive narration captivates children of all ages. Great for classroom listening centers and quiet time at home. Each book also includes activity and lesson plan suggestions for parents and teachers.
Starfall – This website, created in 2002, is starting to look dated, however, the educational value of the contained phonics lessons can not be ignored. It offers many phonemic awareness activities in assorted themes that are great for children in preschool, kindergarten, grade one or special needs classes. The site provides many ways for children to practice these necessary emergent reader skills.
Best All-Round Learning Websites
PBS Kids.org – This site is very popular for young kids. Children with special needs or learning disabilities love this site even into grades 4 and 5. Children are totally engaged with their favorite characters from the PBS shows, like Clifford, Elmo, Caillou, Maya and Miguel. The range of activities is broad but includes number, letter, spelling and science skills. This site is popular both at home and school. Kids just can't get enough of this user-friendly site that is easy to navigate without adult assistance.
Kids National Geographic – This website is for students who are reading. There is a link on the website to another site for younger children. Children can almost lose themselves exploring this website; discovering animals, people and places around the world. The site is packed with math, geography, language arts and social study activities. There are endless hours of entertainment and education on this site. It is not surprising that it won the 2008 recommended Parent Choice Award.
With the multitude of free websites available it is hard to find a good site that is both educational and entertaining. The five websites listed – Storybird, Storyline Online, Starfall, PBS Kids and Kids National Geographic – are not only fun and have teaching value, they are free too.
For more information about educating children with a computer read: Internet Scavenger Hunt: Classroom Internet Activity and Computers in the Classrooms: Effective Computer Lessons.
Linda Wongkee - Linda is an online and print author. She writes about travel and education, her two passions!!
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