Rainy Day Websites

 
When your children get tired of reading and want something more interactive to do, let them check out some of these fun educational websites to keep their brains active. 

Check out our Mexico links gathered for Cultural Arts Week.

Literature/Reading Sites

PBS Kids Reading Games http://pbskids.org/games/reading.html 

PBS Kids Literacy Games http://pbskids.org/games/literacy.html 

PBS Kids Vocabulary Games http://pbskids.org/games/vocabulary.html 

PBS Kids Spelling Games http://pbskids.org/games/spelling.html 

Popular Magazines on the Web http://www.iconn.org/AdditionalResourcesJournalsPopMag.aspx 

Lunch Lady Comics http://www.lunchladycomics.com/ 
Jarrett Krosoczka's site.

Seussville http://www.seussville.com/ 
Random House site for kids. Includes interactive games, contests, and information on Seuss and his works.

Jan Brett's Coloring Video and Activity Pages http://www.janbrett.com/ 

Berenstain Bear Website http://www.berenstainbears.com/ 

The World of Beverly Cleary http://beverlycleary.com/ 
Kids: Learn about the characters, play games, explore Ramona Quimby's neighborhood, take a trivia quiz, read an interview and watch a video about the author. 
Teachers: Download The World of Ramona Quimby Teacher’s Guide for your classroom or library.
Learn about the Ramona and Beezus movie http://www.ramonaandbeezus.com/ 

Magic School Bus Games http://www.scholastic.com/parents/play/games/# 

Little House Books http://www.littlehousebooks.com/ 

American Girl: Fun for Girls http://www.americangirl.com/fun/ 

The World of Beverly Cleary http://www.beverlycleary.com/ 

Goosebumps Official Site http://www.scholastic.com/goosebumps/ 

Alex Rider http://www.alexrider.com/ 
Anthony Horowitz's super teen spy site. 

Keyboarding Sites
Don’t forget to practice those essential keyboarding skills. Short, but frequent practice sessions will really help your child improve in speed and accuracy. If you don’t have a keyboarding program at home I’ve listed a free online keyboarding program and a free downloadable programs you can try.  

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Math Sites

 

new Sumdog http://www.sumdog.com/ 
Free, fun multiplayer games for grades K-8, designed to improve math fact fluency.

 

new Math Arcade at FunBrain.com http://www.funbrain.com/brain/MathBrain/MathBrain.html 

 

new PBS Kids Math Games http://pbskids.org/games/math.html 

 

new Games at Math is Fun http://www.mathsisfun.com/games/index.html 

 

new Math and Logic Puzzles at Math is Fun http://www.mathsisfun.com/puzzles/index.html 

 

Math Playground http://www.mathplayground.com/ 
Welcome to Math Playground, an action-packed site for elementary and middle school students. Practice your math skills, play a logic game and have some fun!

 

Math Doodles http://www.carstensstudios.com/mathdoodles/mathdoodles.htm 
Math Doodles are designed to provide a place where children can discover the joy, wonder, and fun of mathematics.

 

Cool Math Sites http://cte.jhu.edu/techacademy/web/2000/heal/mathsites.htm

Really Cool Math Websites! Algebra, Geometry, Discrete Math, Trigonometry and Calculus Sites. Math Puzzles & Math Brain Teasers Sites. Math Web Quest Sites. Math Humor. Elementary, Middle, & High School Math Teacher Resources!

 

www.multiplication.com http://www.multiplication.com/  

 

**Multiplication.com Student Page http://www.multiplication.com/students.htm

Games, worksheets, flash cards, activities and quizzes to help your child learn their multiplication facts.

 

Math Magician http://oswego.org/ocsd-web/games/mathmagician/maths1.html 
Try to solve 50 math facts in 2 1/2 minutes: 
Level 1Multiplication = facts 0-5
Level 2 Multiplication = facts 0-12

 

Robot Calculator http://www.playkidsgames.com/games/robot/default.htm# Use level 1 multiplication for multiplication fact practice.

 

Figure This! http://www.figurethis.org/index.html
Mathematical challenges for families provide interesting math challenges that middle-school students can do at home with their families. Figure This! is designed to provide an exciting and family-friendly way to become more involved in learning math. All materials on the site can be downloaded for free and reprinted for distribution. Figure This! is a joint project of the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Widmeyer Communications, and the Learning First Alliance.
  

ART GAMES & MORE:  

Sumo Paint http://www.sumopaint.com/app/ 
Sumo Paint is a full featured photo editing / painting application, which works right in your favorite web browser! The application can be used in Windows, Macintosh or Linux operating systems. The only requirement is the Flash Player (which usually comes preinstalled in any OS). See http://www.sumopaint.com for more info. See http://www.sumopaint.com/help/ to browse through a complete list of Sumo Paints tools and features, view tutorials and get tips on usage. Options to save to your document to your computer, or create a Sumo account in which to save.  

 

 

Pivot Stick Figure Animator  

3/25/2012 this link is currently not working http://pivot-stickfigure-animator.en.softonic.com/ 
Free Download for PC computers running Windows (Win95/98/Me/NT/XP/Vista/7). Allows you to create simple animations. Option to import backgrounds you have created in a paint program. Option to save as a .bmp or .gif file. Opt out of any additional download offers. 

Alternate download source: Download through CNET.com 

Watch for the following message and click on the "click here" link to download Pivot without downloading the free download of TechTracker .

Pivot Stickfigure Animator

Your download will begin in a moment...

No download? Check for your browser's security bar at the top of the page or click here.

 

Pivot Stick Figure Animator Tutorial video - How to create your first animation with Pivot Stickfigure Animator.

 

new Stykz Multi-platform Stick Figure Animator http://www.stykz.net/ 

Stykz is freeware, meaning it's completely free to download and use to create animations that you can show off to others or import into other applications. Works in Windows and Mac OS X. It is similar to Pivot but has some extra features. You can imports Pivot .stk files to use in Stykz. Stykz does not let you import a background for all of your slides. 

 

 

Color the Mouse http://www.harpercollinschildrens.com/harperchildrensimages/game/mouse17.swf 
Use red, green and blue sliders to make different colors.

 

Online Etch A Sketch http://www.etchy.org/ 
A virtual Etch-A-Sketch ® where you can create a drawing and submit it for posting in the gallery. If you submit a picture, it will not show up immediately because all of the artwork is checked before it is published. Once it is published, there is a button to send an email announcement with a link to your gallery page.

 

Artgames http://www.albrightknox.org/artgames/ - Play games and online activities while you learn about paintings and other works of art at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery in Buffalo, New York.

 

Chunky Monkey Fan Club http://www.chunkymonkey.com/  - cartoon and drawing lessons for kids, original stories, and a showcase for kids' art. There are also other fun activities.

 

A Lifetime of Color (ArtEdventures redeisgned)http://www.alifetimeofcolor.com/ 
Interactive Games for Primary Students   Interactive Games for Intermediate Students
Our ArtEdventures are interactive online games for teachers and students. Activities, demos, lessons, featured artists, games.

 

 

 

 

HARRY POTTER

Harry Potter Fans (unofficial site) http://www.harrypotterfans.com/ 

Games http://www.harrypotterfans.com/harry-potter-games/

Character Bios http://www.harrypotterfans.com/character-bios/ 

 

Harry Potter http://www.scholastic.com/harrypotter/home.asp

Official Scholastic HP site. Information about each book, discussion chamber, 
reference guides (pronunciation guide & glossary), and the Harry Potter Wizard Challenge (Trivia challenge) http://www.scholastic.com/harrypotter/challenge/ 

 

Harry Potter.com http://harrypotter.warnerbros.com/ Official Warner Brothers Site

Quidditch practice games http://harrypotter.warnerbros.com/game

Catch the Pixies http://harrypotter.warnerbros.com/livethemagic/ 

Venture off school grounds http://harrypotter.warnerbros.com/beyondhogwarts/index.html

 

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince  
http://harrypotter.warnerbros.com/harrypotterandthehalf-bloodprince/ 
Video clips from the movie coming to theatres on July 15, 2009.

 

 

Harry Potter http://www.bloomsburymagazine.com/harrypotter/

Send a howler http://www.bloomsburymagazine.com/harrypotter/wizard/section/howler_main.asp

Download a screensaver http://www.bloomsburymagazine.com/harrypotter/wizard/section/screensaver.asp

How the books are created http://www.bloomsburymagazine.com/harrypotter/wizard/section/creation.asp

 

Harry Potter Facts http://www.harrypotterfacts.com/

Chapter summaries of all books. 

Lists of names, creatures, objects and terms all defined and referenced where you will find them. 
HP screensavers and wallpaper.

 

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Social Studies

Science

 

PBS Kids Science Games http://pbskids.org/games/science.html 

 

The Magic School Bus Marine Life Tour http://www.scholastic.com/magicschoolbus/tour/tour.htm?marine 

 

The Magic School Bus Animals Tour http://www.scholastic.com/magicschoolbus/tour/tour.htm?animals 

 

The Magic School Bus Dinosaurs Tour http://www.scholastic.com/magicschoolbus/tour/tour.htm?dinosaurs 

 

The Magic School Bus Space Tour http://www.scholastic.com/magicschoolbus/tour/tour.htm?space 

 

Nasa Kids' Club  http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forkids/kidsclub/flash/index.html 
5 levels of entertaining, and educational activities designed for kids in grades K-5.

 

NASA for Students in Grades K-4 http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/k-4/index.html 
            Picture Dictionary http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/k-4/dictionary/index.html 

 

NASA for Students in Grades 5-8 http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/5-8/index.html 
            Fun and Games http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/5-8/multimedia/funandgames_archive_1.html 

 

Your Sky http://www.fourmilab.to/yoursky/

Working with map skills? Help your students build a sky map. This program lets you choose a nearby city, or enter your latitude and longitude, to find out what is in the sky presently. Using fairly easy-to-use controls, you can then manipulate the data to find a star map for the next night, or the next week.

 

Access Excellence: The Mystery Spot http://www.accessexcellence.org/AE/mspot/

Great online and offline activities that allow you and your students to solve mysteries using science. Find out what happened to the local frog population, explore Arctica, or use a microscope to solve a mystery. These fourteen activities are designed to show science in a whole new light.

 

Ranger Rick's Kid Zone (Ages 7 and up)  http://www.nwf.org/kidzone/kzPage.cfm?siteId=3

The National Wildlife Federation is a member supported conservation group. This site is an excellent resource for learning about the environment. It includes activities, games and resources on the web as well as ideas for environmental activities outside. It also includes ideas for becoming active in the community.  

Ranger Rick's Fun and Games http://www.nwf.org/kidzone/kzPage.cfm?siteId=3&departmentId=77  

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SPELLING Improve your spelling skills with these sites.

Online Spelling Program http://www.spellingcity.com
Student or parent can type in a list of words, then choose “Teach Me” (word will be spoken, spelled and put in a sentence) “Play a Game”(choose from several games to play, some online and some are printable), “Test Me” (the word will be spoken and/or put in a sentence and student must type it, then they are scored). This site also lets teachers sign up and create lists for their class.

AAASpell.com http://www.aaaspell.com/
Choose from multiple spelling lists categorized by grade level (1-8), or type you own, and then choose from nine activities. Also has vocabulary lists for grade levels 1-8.

Lookcover http://www.amblesideprimary.com/ambleweb/lookcover/lookcover.html
Look at a word, have it covered, write the word, have it checked. Choose from given word lists (some are categorized by spelling patterns, some are categorized by themes) or type your own.

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MUSIC

Music Games International Internet Playroom
http://www.nutcrackergame.com/musicgames/ 

Online trials of software packages that can be purchased from Music Games International (music appreciation software) at http://www.nutcrackergame.com/, includes Flying Instruments from The Nutcracker, 12 Steps Game from Alice in Vilvadi's Four Seasons, Orchestra Game from The Magic Flute, Music Riddles  from Alice in Vilvadi's Four Seasons, 3 Stages Game from Alice in Vilvadi's Four Seasons.

Name That Instrument www.menc.org/guides/charguid/match/matgame1.htm 

A matching game for young kids from MENC's "Charlie  Horse Music Pizza" Teacher's Guide

 

Music Match'em
http://funschool.kaboose.com/fun-blaster/games/game_music_matchem.html 
Match match the instrument with the sound it should really make.

 

Boomthang
http://funschool.kaboose.com/fun-blaster/back-to-school/games/game_boomthang.html 
A music activity that lets you create, record, and play your own music.

 

Fred Penner Juke Box http://games.funschool.com/game.php?g=1649&t=s&w=504&h=304 
Fred Penner Juke Box works just the way a regular juke box does without having to insert any coins. Play your favorite song from one of the CD's.

 

Kazounds http://funschool.kaboose.com/fun-blaster/games/game_kazounds.html 
Kazounds is a musical memory game that gets you to copy the sounds you hear. Each button has a different color and tone, and will light up when it is played. The goal of this game is to repeat the tones you hear in the order you hear them.

 

Spring

Summer

Ride the Wild Surf  http://kids.yahoo.com/games/game/surf 

Perfect Pizza http://kids.yahoo.com/games/game/perfectpizza 

Undersea Underworld http://kids.yahoo.com/games/game/undersea 

Chicken Little Batting Practice http://kids.yahoo.com/games/game/cl_batting 

Nim's Island Seaside Shuffle http://kids.yahoo.com/games/game/seashuffle 

ONLINE GAMES

       Simon - The Memory Retention Game

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HTML HELP AND LESSONS

Lissa Explains it All http://www.lissaexplains.com/  

A colorful and fun approach to learning HTML especially for kids.

 

HTML for Kids http://www.goodellgroup.com/tutorial/  

Welcome to Learning HTML For Kids. This tutorial attempts to teach the young (10 years old and up) about the markup language HTML. The author has tried to present the information in the simplest of terms so that it can be easily digested.

 

Learning HTM http://www.ipl.org/div/kidsweb/ 

Outlined tutorial from the Internet Public Library Youth Division. Includes a handy Quick Reference of tags.

 

HTML Color Code Chart   http://html-color-codes.info/

This chart shows all the basic color codes to change the background or font color of your website. Then plug the basick code into the HTML Color Picker to get a different cast or shade of your color. 

 

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