Monday, November 23, 2009

Homework help & resources

Math ♦ Science Experiments ♦ Authors & Illustrators ♦ Dinosaurs ♦ Earthquakes for Kids 

Clifford Interactive Story books
 
Maggie ' s Earth Adventures
Fish for great words, race your way to learning Spanish, and use math to save the day: 14 super online learning games
 
"Going Buggy!" is a collection of activities and resources intended as an overview of the study of insects and bugs. The study of bugs offers young students the opportunity to cover basic science concepts and skills, such as classification, observation, and responses to habitat.
 
Kinderweb:Educational
 
Join Whootie the Owl for a big collection of folk and fairy tales from around the world, plus games and coloring pages too!
 
vast treasure trove of 655+ of Aesop's wise fables, fairy tales and other holiday stories, indexed in table format with morals listed. Some are illustrated or read aloud with Real Audio.
 
Read along as you hear the story of Princess Kayla told to you. Is she the Real Princess the Prince has been searching for so long? Only the Queen knows how to find out for sure! Features attractive graphics and animation.
 
Based on the PBS children's series, this great site features an entertaining new story each week for you to read. You'll also find story-related games, a "word helper" , literacy tips , an extensive collection of things to print , and lots more.
 
Lil' Fingers Storybooks is a great collection of animated stories that parents can read with their toddlers. Each story includes child-friendly features and introduces subjects like counting, colors, shapes, facial expressions, and more. A fun assortment of games and activities is also included.
 
 
Kindergarten literacy and math online interactive websites
 
Online kindergarten worksheets
 
Educational games covering art, language arts and math
 
A Kids Heart - A play and learn site with resources for children and their teachers
 
Games designed to help children understand basic number concepts
 
Kindergarten reading sites
 
 

 
Earthquakes for Kids
From the U.S. Geological Survey. Learn about past, present and future predictions for earthquake activity. Includes neat facts about quakes, science fair project ideas and answers to frequently asked questions about earthquakes.
 
Dinosaurs
• Appropriate for PreK aged youth
• Appropriate for Elementary aged youth
• Appropriate for Middle School aged youth
• For Parents/Teachers/Caregivers
http://www.childrensmuseum.org/dinosphere/index.html
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis provides this interactive dinosaur experience which includes photos, games, and discussion about paleontologists and digging for dinosaurs. The website is presented by The Scott A. Jones Foundation.
 
http://search.eb.com/dinosaurs/dinosaurs/index2.html
Explores how our knowledge of dinosaurs has evolved through the centuries.
 
http://dinodictionary.com
This site offers a searchable database, discussion of current theories, a listing of dinosaur sites and clip art.
 
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/diapsids/dinosaur.html
What do we know about dinosaurs? How did they live? How did they die? How do they live on today? Includes a section on myths and contains links to numerous other dino-sites.
 
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sn/prehistoric_life/dinosaurs/
A comprehensive, easy-to-navigate site about the rise and fall of dinosaurs, fossils, and sea monsters. Site is sponsored by the BBC in conjunction with their television series "Walking with Dinosaurs."
 
http://www.levins.com/dinosaur.html
A site about the first dinosaur fossil found in the United States. Foulke had discovered the first nearly complete skeleton of a dinosaur, an event that would rock the scientific world and forever change our view of natural history.
Authors & Illustrators
• Appropriate for PreK aged youth
• Appropriate for Elementary aged youth
• Appropriate for Middle School aged youth
• For Parents/Teachers/Caregivers
http://www.achuka.co.uk/index2.php
News, reviews, interviews, and author profiles of British authors and poets. Interviews with authors/illustrators like Anthony Browne are a special treat.
 
http://www.scils.rutgers.edu/special/kay/mcgovern.html
Look at actual photos showing the author swimming with sharks and sitting on a camel. She is the author of many books including Lady in the Box and If You Grew Up in Colonial Times.
 
http://www.avi-writer.com/
Avi, author of such stories as The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, Nothing But the Truth, and The Fighting Ground, answers questions and talks about his books.
 
http://www.beverlycleary.com
Learn all about this author and the many characters from her books. Then take a quiz to see how well you know them!
 
http://www.multcolib.org/kids/cleary/
There are sculptures of Henry Huggins, Ramona Quimby, and Ribsy in a park only a few blocks from the real Klickitat Street!
 
http://www.acs.ucalgary.ca/~dkbrown/authors.html
Information about children's authors and illustrators, and their books.
 
http://www.ucalgary.ca/~dkbrown/index.html
A collection of Internet sites which are related to books pertaining to resources for Children and Young Adults. Useful for students, professionals, parents and teachers.
 
http://www.chrisvanallsburg.com
Join Fritz the little white dog to find out more about the award-winning author of Jumanji and The Polar Express. An amazing interactive site with many book-related activities, games, video clips, and a scavenger hunt!
 
http://www.colinthompson.com
Australian author/illustrator of wonderful stories like Tower to the Sun.
 
http://www.cynthialeitichsmith.com
This official Web site not only includes biographical and bibliographical information but also includes recommended fantasy, horror, and multicultural books by other authors.
 
http://www.pilkey.com/
Great fun wondering through this site created by author and illustrator Dav Pilkey who wrote The Paperboy, Kat Kong, and Dogzilla.
 
http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/authors/wiesner/home.html
The wonderful illustrations Caldecott Medalist David Wiesner, author of The Three Pigs, Tuesday and The Night of the Gargoyles among others, come alive in this wonderful site.
 
http://www.deborahhopkinson.com
Author of Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt and Birdie's Lighthouse.
 
http://www.dianedegroat.com
The official website of author/illustrator Diane deGroat who has published 120 books for children. This website tells about her, her books, school visits, and how you can purchase Diane's original art. All information is approved by Diane. FAQs answer all of the actual questions Diane has answered during her school visits. Teachers and librarians will enjoy "Fun Stuff" which includes the following in various subject areas: coloring page, word search, connect the dots, mazes, and even a Gilbert paper doll with clothes.
 
http://www.scils.rutgers.edu/special/kay/paulsen.html
Here is the author of Hatchet, Dogsong, The Crossing, The Winter Room, and other great reads.
 
http://www.haemibalgassi.com/
She is the author of Peacebound Trains and Tao's Sonata.
 
http://www.janbrett.com/
You'll find everything from trolls to armadillos on this author/illustrator's page. She has created The Mitten, That Hat, Armadillo Rodeo, The Trouble with Trolls, and Berlioz the Bear.
 
http://www.janekurtz.com
Welcome to the site of the author of Fire on the Mountain and Pulling the Lion's Tale.
 
http://www.janetstevens.com/
She is the illustrator of To Market, To Market and Gates of the Wind, and she wrote and illustrated From Pictures to Words (A Book About Making a Book).
 
http://www.judyblume.com
This site offers information about the books and life of author, Judy Blume.
 
http://www.terabithia.com/
The official site called Terabithia that explores the work of the author of Bridge to Terabithia, The Great Gilly Hopkins, Lyddie, and Jacob Have I Loved.
 
http://www.kristinegeorge.com
This site promotes poetry and activities involving poetry for children. George also includes information about her life and books.
 
http://lauranumeroff.com
Visit Laura Numeroff's Web site to find out about her life, pets, and books. You can also find fun games and activities relating to her books.
 
http://www.writerlady.com
The author of acclaimed novels Speak and Fever 1793, Laurie Halse Anderson, has created pages about her life, works and her own teen read and web site recommendations.
 
http://www.scils.rutgers.edu/special/kay/murphy.html
This site should answer your questions about the author of The Great Fire and A Young Patriot as well as offer some special insights into his work.
 
http://www.scils.rutgers.edu/special/kay/yep.html
He is the author of many novels set in both China and the United States such as Child of the Owl, Dragonwings, Sweetwater, and Dragon's Gate.
 
http://www.lesleakids.com
Newman is the author of picture books, chapter books, and books for high school students including Heather Has Two Mommies, Cats, Cats, Cats!, and Fat Chance.
 
http://home.att.net/~mwturner/
Includes reviews and analysis of this author's Newbery Honor winning book The Thief.
 
http://www.redwall.org/dave/jacques.html
If you're a fan of the Redwall books, here's the site for you! It includes information on the author of Redwall, Mattimeo and The Long Patrol.
 
http://www.eric-carle.com/
For fans of the famous author/illustrator and his books such as The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Do You Want To Be My Friend, and Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me.
 
http://www.rquackenbush.com/
This site presents the author, his books, school visits, and workshops. His books include Henry Babysits, Sherlock Chick and the Giant Egg Mystery, and the Miss Mallard Mystery Series.
 
http://www.sharoncreech.com/index.html
Newbery Award winning author Sharon Creech presents information about herself including photos, details about her books and their creation, and teacher resources. The author gives insight into the writing of her stories.
 
http://www.shelsilverstein.com
Listen to the author read his hilarious poems aloud accompanied by animated cartoons, make a bookmark, and download puzzles and more fun in a classroom poetry kit.
 
http://www.susemacdonald.com
Learn about the author/illustrator of the Caldecott Honor book Alphabatics.
 
http://www.tamora-pierce.com
Learn about this author's background, her life, and her books in this information-packed Web site.
 
http://www.lyonsdenbooks.com
Learn about the author who wrote Sorrow's Kitchen and Letters from a Slave Girl.
 
http://www.roalddahl.com/
This site offers all of the latest news, stories, and views about children's author Roald Dahl.
 
http://www.robertmunsch.com/
Everything you need to know about the children's author, Robert Munsch, from past class visits to unpublished works, you can find it all here.
 
http://www.tomie.com
Find out about award-winning children's author and illustrator Tomie DePaola and the many books he has written and illustrated including "Bill and Pete" and "Strega Nona" on his official Web site.
 
http://www.willhobbsauthor.com
Hobbs, author of outdoor adventure stories, includes biographical information, a list of books, questions and answers, an online quiz and teaching suggestions for some of his books
 
• Appropriate for PreK aged youth.
• Appropriate for Elementary aged youth.
• Appropriate for Middle School aged youth.
• For Parents/Teachers/Caregivers
 
Science Experiments
• Appropriate for PreK aged youth
•  Appropriate for Elementary aged youth
•  Appropriate for Middle School aged youth
•  For Parents/Teachers/Caregivers
http://www.ipl.org/youth/projectguide/
An excellent resource from Internet Public Library that links kids to all sorts of exceptional resources for their projects.
 
http://www.isd77.k12.mn.us/resources/cf/SciProjIntro.html
Do you have to do an experimental science project? This site provides tips for conducting the experiment and using the scientific method.
 
http://www.sciencebuddies.org
Need help coming up with a science experiment? Visit this website to learn how to do a science experiment and to find many ideas for science experiments. All of the science experiments are rated on a scale of 1-10 according to difficulty.
 
MATH
Math games for all ages. Games include Math Baseball, Power Football, Change Maker, Fresh Baked Fractions, Line Jumper, and Shape Surveyor.
 
Math activities and games for grades K-8. Some of the games require that you have the Shockwave plug-in.
 
Includes over 1,000 math word problems for grades 1 through 6, plus instructions on how you can use numbers to do magic.
 
Pre-kindergarden to high school students looking for a better understanding of math will find over 4,750 problems to help them improve their skills. Problems can be printed in worksheet form and tips and tricks are included for each area of study.
 
 
Brain Teasers presents a weekly word problem for 3 grade ranges; answers are given the following week. A section with past 'teasers' is also available.
 
The math section of this site includes flashcards, math games and drills. Also includes sections which deal with time and money.