EDUCATIONAL WEBSITES

Not only is finding EDUCATIONAL resources important for a teacher, but as a parent I find educational resources very important. Education resources help me gather relevant information for my child's homework and assignments. As a teacher educational resources aid in my developing meaningful lessons.

As our learning environment changes to include technology, it is important for educators to be aware of what is available over the internet. Websites can enhance the curriculum, knowledge and understanding of students. It can be used to enrich or aid in learning depending on the students needs.

The following are sites that I have found useful for my curriculum planning and for allowing students to use during learning and encourage parents to use at home.

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ABC Teach
http://www.abcteach.com/

This is another site that I used while conducting research for my inquiry project on Learning Centres. What I used from this site was information on how to set up your learning environment for learning centres. The site also offers other information and worksheets to the user a number of curriculum areas.

As an occasional teacher, I have used many of the free printable sheets within the classroom as filler work or for ideas that can be used when I am filling in for an away teacher. The site also offers more to members than to individuals who choose to use the items that are free.


A to Z Teacher Stuff
http://atozteacherstuff.com/

This particular website I have found very useful. While doing Teachers College, I did my inquiry project for Language Arts on Learning Centres. During my research I came across this website which offered me with a number of useful links to information on creating literacy centres.

The following are a few samples that can be found on several of the links provided:

Literacy Centres: 60 Literacy Centre Activities and Blacklines (Sample)

ABC Centres (Sample)

Learning Centres/Literacy Centres (Sample)

The site also offers the user with many useful links for teachers. At the top of the site there are tabs that may be of interest to the user like themes, lessons, tips, articles etc…


Primary Resources ~ Free lesson plans, activity ideas and resources for primary teachers.
http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/index.htm

This website has a lot to offer the user, from curriculum units, themed pages, and information on behavioural issues. Under each subcategory, the user can find relevant information for that topic that can be used within the classroom. There is also information on assemblies. The information provided comes to the user in a variety of means, from documents to power point presentations.

What I particularly like about this website is the section on photos, which gives the user several categories to choose from with several images to click on. Some pictures depict class work, bulletin boards, and visual aids.


First School Years
http://www.firstschoolyears.com/

This website has a number of links for various curriculum areas that are taught to students on daily/weekly basis, from literacy to history. Under each curriculum link the user can find website links and suggested resource books. Under the "general" tab, the user can find forms to be used by the teacher along with other links to educational websites.

I have used the Reading Record to track my own child's reading progress. This is one website that I will use again in the future with my own class.


Teaching Ideas for Primary Teachers
http://www.teachingideas.co.uk/index.shtml

This website offers the user with many useful links for teachers who are looking for ideas to supplement their lessons. This site has subgroups for language, math, science, geography, and other curriculum areas. Under each subcategory there is a list of links relevant to that particular content area. There is even a subgroup for religion classes.

What I really like about this site is when you click on the more subgroup, you are taken to more subgroups one of which is display photos. Within this group are curriculum areas with photos of bulletin boards with an explanation. It provides the user with a great visual of displays that can be utilized within the learning environment.


Literacy Matters
http://www.literacymatters.com/

This website has much to offer the classroom teacher when it comes to teaching literacy. In particular this website offers literature ideas and lesson plans for such topics as narratives, nonfiction, poetry, etc...

It has information for preschool, early childhood, and years 1 through 7.

Little Red Hen Here is a sample lesson for Little Red Hen one of many that the site has to offer.


TLSBooks.com Free Worksheets
http://www.tlsbooks.com/preschoolworksheets.htm

This website offers many useful worksheets from shapes, numbers, concepts, thinking skills, colouring pages and much more at the preschool level. A long with preschool materials, along the side the user can find links to Kindergarten to Grade 5. There are also links to crafts, holiday theme ideas, reading support and other websites.

I have used the Reading A-Z while teaching.


Early Childhood Links
http://www.earlychildhoodlinks.com/teachers/worksheetselementary.htm

This website provides the user with links to many sites that offer worksheets (that either have a coast, membership fee, or are free) to use within the home or classroom. I have visited several of the sites listed, and used materials to supplement a lesson I taught. These sites may be listed for early childhood but, I have used them in older grades as well.

Along with the list of worksheets, there are other links for the user to click on. Also offered are links to Homeschooling, Montessori, Teacher links, etc...


Get Ready to Read
http://www.getreadytoread.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=62&Itemid=64

This website offers the user many sources for early reading within early childhood. It is perfect for educators and parents to use. Many of the items that can be found here are information guides for the adult. There are printables for students to use.

I have used some of the information to assist in writing a paper during my graduate studies.


Resources for Primary Teachers
http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/teacher/

This website offers teachers many resources to integrate into the educational program. The user can find game ideas, worksheets, spelling ideas, handwriting, story ideas, and themes.

I have not used anything off of this site yet. If you go to the main page, it takes back to the schools website which offers links for students and other information.


First-School Preschool Activities and Crafts
http://www.first-school.ws/INDEX.HTM

This website has a lot to offer to parents and teachers with young learners. On this site you can find printing sheets that help children learn to print, themed sheets, crafts, games, and so much more.

I have personally used some of the stuff on this website to enhance lessons that I have taught.


Free Worksheets and Awards for your Classroom
http://www.tooter4kids.com/free_worksheets_and_awards.htm

This website offers a lot of worksheets based on themes or lessons, along with awards that can be handed out to students. Included on this site are themed ideas like dinosaurs, dad, back to school, bears, etc...


Educational Activities for Children
http://www.dltk-teach.com/

This website offers many resources that can be incorporated into the learning environment. There are ideas for the alphabet, creating bulletin boards, books, articles, etc...


Personalized Printables
http://www.dltk-cards.com/

This website offers many printables that can be personalized by the teacher. There are awards, cards, papers, and many other items that can be personalize to meet your classroom needs.