Early Childhood/Elementary
10 Teachers’ Tips for Kick-Starting the New School Year
Read these tips from teachers to help get your child ready for the new school year.
Source: Scholastic
25 Activities to Keep Kids’ Brains Active in Summer
These fun activities cover all subject and grades; there truly is something for everyone.
Source: Education World
Apps
Kids love tablets and ipads. Give them something fun and educational to play. Download them from the App Store. Here are some to check out:
- Disney American Presidents
Learn about every president, from George Washington to Barack Obama, by flipping through the Unofficial Oval Office Scrapbook. Embedded in its pages are profiles, videos, and little-known facts about each commander-in-chief. - Drawing Carl
Young students can make their own masterpieces using pencils, markers, paint, stamps, patterns, and a variety of other tools. They’ll love Mirror Mode and mixing colors - Everyday Mathematics Equivalent Fractions
This isn’t your ordinary game of solitaire. Students must draw from the card pile and match equivalent fractions. They earn points for each match they make. - Geography Drive USA
This app makes geography fun—students drive customized cars across the country, learning about landmarks, historical events, and other state features. The game also has built-in incentives—students love filling up their learning tanks! - Grammar Jammers
If you thought grammar couldn’t be fun, you’ve never tried Grammar Jammers. It’s a series of three apps designed for different levels—Primary, Elementary, and Middle—that teach grammar skills in a game format. - Handwriting Without Tears: Wet-Dry-Try
Students use a virtual slate chalkboard to practice forming numbers and capital letters using the Wet-Dry-Try approach. Students first trace the letter with a wet sponge, then with a dry paper towel, and finally with a piece of chalk. - Happy Little Farmer
Designed for preschool-age learners, the app covers the entire life cycle of plants. Kids can grow their own fruits and vegetables, play games, and collect stickers along the way. - Khan Academy
Education can be expensive. Fortunately, Khan academy provides more than 4,000, free downloadable videos, so you can brush up on everything from K-12 math and earth science to art history and computer science. You can also track your progress and unlock basic achievements. - Learn with Homer: Reading & Educational Games is a learn-to-read app for kids aged 3 to 6 that incorporates drawing, voice recording, stories, songs, and more, along with more traditional phonics exercises. Up to three kids can have individual user accounts on one app, and parents can view the progress of each kid.
- Learn the World
No passport required to take this global trek. Learn the World tests students’ knowledge of countries, capitals, and continents. By completing multiple-choice quizzes, they can earn flags of countries from around the globe. - Motion Math: Hungry Guppy
The youngest students can practice counting and simple addition by feeding numbers to the hungry guppy. A similar version of the app, Hungry Fish, is aimed at elementary-age students. - Music Tutor
Have students practice pitch identification and sight-reading skills with one-, five-, or ten-minute quizzes. The app lets you work on the treble clef, bass clef, or both. - My Math Flash Cards
There’s no need for old-fashioned flash cards anymore. With My Math, students can practice addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. “This app is great for students who are mastering basic facts or for students who need additional practice. - Toontastic
Toontastic provides kids with a structured story arc and 40 “playsets” of characters and story worlds so that they can create their own animated stories. They can use drawing tools, and incorporate images, photos, music, and voice narration.
Combat the Summer Slump
Parents are faced with the question of what to do over the Summer to help their children academically prepare for the coming school year. There are a couple of things that you can do to help your child get through the Summer without falling into the Summer slump.
Source: Denise M. Barrera, MPH
Guide to Preschool
Review general curricula for Preschool, what to expect for each subject and activities that can be done at home to support learning in the classroom.
Source: Scholastic – By: Shira Ackerman, MA
Guide to Kindergarten
Review general curricula for Kindergarten, what to expect for each subject and activities that can be done at home to support learning in the classroom.
Source: Scholastic – By: Shira Ackerman, MA
Guide to 1st Grade
Review general curricula for 1st Grade, what to expect for each subject and activities that can be done at home to support learning in the classroom.
Source: Scholastic – By: Shira Ackerman, MA
Guide to 2nd Grade
Review general curricula for 2nd Grade, what to expect for each subject and activities that can be done at home to support learning in the classroom.
Source: Scholastic – By: Shira Ackerman, MA
Guide to 3rd Grade
Review general curricula for 3rd Grade, what to expect for each subject and activities that can be done at home to support learning in the classroom.
Source: Scholastic – By: Shira Ackerman, MA
Guide to 4th Grade
Review general curricula for 4th Grade, what to expect for each subject and activities that can be done at home to support learning in the classroom.
Source: Scholastic – By: Shira Ackerman, MA
Guide to 5th Grade
Review general curricula for 5th Grade, what to expect for each subject and activities that can be done at home to support learning in the classroom.
Source: Scholastic – By: Shira Ackerman, MA
Kids.gov
Learn stuff, play games and watch videos on this great website for kids grades k-5th. Topics include Art and Music; History; Online Safety; Exercise and Eating; Jobs & Careers; Reading and Writing; Government; Math; Science; Health and Safety; Money; and Social Studies.
Source: Kids.gov
Parent Guide to Science Fairs
Find easy science fair projects for kids, learn about the coolest experiments, see our list of science books to inspire kids, and discover hands-on projects that you can do at home.
Source: Scholastic
Scholastic
A wonderful website with interactive books and learning activities for parents, teachers and children age 0 to 13 years old.
Source: Scholastic.com
Motion Math – Instructional Math Games
Motion Math’s visual, adaptive games help students master the most challenging K-6 standards. Based on growth mindset research, Motion Math builds math fluency, conceptual understanding, and a love of challenge.
Source: Motion Math
Simple Tips for Summer Math Learning
Great tips by Jessica Efird in finding simple tips for summer math learning in everyday things you’ll do in the summer.
Source: PBS Parents
Summer Reading
Great tips on summer reading with your child.
Source: Denise M. Barrera, MPH
The Measured Mom – Tools for Teaching
A great website filled with thoughtful articles, hands-on lessons, and hundreds of free printables for teachers and parents. Lots of resources on literacy, math, science, and social studies for children preschool through second grade.
Source: The Measured Mom
Middle School
6th Grade Readiness
Entering middle school is a great leap! Be sure your child takes the necessary steps for 6th grade readiness.
Source: Scholastic
Apps
Kids love tablets and ipads. Give them something fun and educational to play. Download them from the App Store. Here are some to check out:
- BrainPOP: Featured Movie
Access BrainPOP’s huge library of videos, spanning all content areas. Science videos address topics in earth, life, and physical sciences, including weather, space, and physics. - Disney American Presidents
Learn about every president, from George Washington to Barack Obama, by flipping through the Unofficial Oval Office Scrapbook. Embedded in its pages are profiles, videos, and little-known facts about each commander-in-chief. - Geography Drive USA
This app makes geography fun—students drive customized cars across the country, learning about landmarks, historical events, and other state features. The game also has built-in incentives—students love filling up their learning tanks! - Grammar Jammers
If you thought grammar couldn’t be fun, you’ve never tried Grammar Jammers. It’s a series of three apps designed for different levels—Primary, Elementary, and Middle—that teach grammar skills in a game format. - Khan Academy
Education can be expensive. Fortunately, Khan academy provides more than 4,000, free downloadable videos, so you can brush up on everything from K-12 math and earth science to art history and computer science. You can also track your progress and unlock basic achievements. - Learn the World
No passport required to take this global trek. Learn the World tests students’ knowledge of countries, capitals, and continents. By completing multiple-choice quizzes, they can earn flags of countries from around the globe. - Music Tutor
Have students practice pitch identification and sight-reading skills with one-, five-, or ten-minute quizzes. The app lets you work on the treble clef, bass clef, or both. - Periodic Table
More than just another interactive periodic table, this Periodic Table app from the Royal Society of Chemistry incorporates everything from podcasts to videos to help you learn about the elements. Don’t worry about being overwhelmed by all the information though, as the app showcases different levels of data to satisfy everyone, from a novice to an AP Chemistry student. - Sushi Monster
Reinforce addition and multiplication skills with Sushi Monster. “This app is a favorite with math students who love a challenge because the difficulty level really escalates as they make their way through the levels.
Enhancing Comprehension: Reading Skills in Middle School
Encourage progress in your ever more sophisticated and independent reader.
Source: Scholastic
Kids.gov – Teens
Learn stuff, play games and watch videos on this great website for kids grades 6th – 8th. Topics include Art and Music; History; Online Safety; Exercise and Eating; Jobs & Careers; Reading and Writing; Government; Math; Science; Health and Safety; Money; and Social Studies.
Source: Kids.gov
Learning Disabilities in Middle School
Smooth the path to middle school for a child with learning challenges.
Source: Scholastic
Preparing for Middle School
Watch for these academic milestones while your child is preparing for middle school.
Source: Scholastic
Scholastic
A wonderful website with interactive books and learning activities for parents, teachers and children age 0 to 13 years old.
Source: Scholastic.com
High School
Apps
Give your high schooler some apps worth downloading. Download them from the App Store. Here are some to check out:
- BrainPOP: Featured Movie
Access BrainPOP’s huge library of videos, spanning all content areas. Science videos address topics in earth, life, and physical sciences, including weather, space, and physics. - GradeProof
Most students don’t have a personal editor to show them how they can improve their writing, one sentence at a time. GradeProof’s AI offers concrete ways to improve your style, check for originality, as well as identify complex grammatical issues that other word processors often miss. While the app itself is free, you’ll need to upgrade to the $10-per-month GradeProof Premium to unleash the full power of this pocket writing coach. - Khan Academy
Education can be expensive. Fortunately, Khan academy provides more than 4,000, free downloadable videos, so you can brush up on everything from K-12 math and earth science to art history and computer science. You can also track your progress and unlock basic achievements. - Music Tutor
Have students practice pitch identification and sight-reading skills with one-, five-, or ten-minute quizzes. The app lets you work on the treble clef, bass clef, or both. - My Study Life
School life is complicated. To help you stay on top of your schedule and often conflicting deadlines, My Study Life is more than just a day planner and school calendar — the app even sends reminders to your mobile device whenever you have upcoming deadlines. As one of the few ad-free agenda apps on the market, My Study Life’s colorful interface gives you all the info you need regarding your day at a glance. - Periodic Table
More than just another interactive periodic table, this Periodic Table app from the Royal Society of Chemistry incorporates everything from podcasts to videos to help you learn about the elements. Don’t worry about being overwhelmed by all the information though, as the app showcases different levels of data to satisfy everyone, from a novice to an AP Chemistry student. - Photomath
For high-school students who just need a bit more guidance on how to isolate “x” in their algebra homework, Photomath is essentially your math buddy that can instantly solve and explain every answer. Simply snap a photo of the question (you can also write or type), and the app will break down the solution into separate steps with helpful play-by-play, so that you can apply the same principles to the rest of your homework. - Ready4 SAT
Ready4’s series of test prep apps, like Ready4 SAT, goes well beyond just drilling you to answer practice questions. It actually aims to teach you the material and test-taking tips in mobile-friendly chunks, so that you can study whenever and wherever you have your smartphone. This free app even tries to match your potential SAT score with schools and academic programs around the world, just in case you need extra motivation to study. - StudyBlue
Studying is the mainstay of an education. With StudyBlue, you can create and share a plethora of mobile flashcards, study guides, and quizzes, or choose from an extensive collection of student-authored flashcards and flashcard decks. Afterward, accept the score you earn or try again to top it.
