How to choose an online learning game
for your child:
- Run a Google search on something like “free math games.”
- Find one that looks/sounds like it is age/content appropriate (you wouldn't set your second grader up with square roots practice!).
- Try it out. Are there a lot of popups? Does the game make sense and is it easy to play?
- Make sure the content is related to what your child has been studying in Saxon Math, or is an older concept that he/she struggles with, or is a big, universal concept like telling time, counting money, etc.
- Check in with your child frequently. If the game is too hard, find a new one. If the game is no fun, find a new one. Online learning games are supposed to be a fun reward/review for your child.
- A lot of these sites have junk like coloring pages. That is not reading or math practice, although it is fun and it has its place.
Be sure to limit your child's
screen/online time. Old-fashioned flash cards (available at Dollar
Tree) are a fun way to spend some time with your child, and the more
human interaction we all get, and less screen time, the better off
we'll all be!
Riggs:
The Riggs Institute's 47 Rules of Spelling This has all 71 phonograms, explains consonant blends, digraphs, silent final e jobs, AND MORE! Basically, Riggs in a nutshell. Here's another page about Riggs with the 71 phonograms.
Reading:
Starfall Useful for the struggling reader, or to further develop reading skills.
Mr. C's Librarything A list of many of the books read in class over the course of the second grade year, as well as additional parenting and teaching books Mr. C has read.
Riggs/reading:
Phonogram Page It is not EXACTLY the Riggs system of phonograms, but still better than nothing! Helps with general pronunciation of phonograms (gives you an audio sample), as well as instructions on correct letter formation.
Phonogram Page It is not EXACTLY the Riggs system of phonograms, but still better than nothing! Helps with general pronunciation of phonograms (gives you an audio sample), as well as instructions on correct letter formation.
Core Knowledge:
This is the Core Knowledge Sequence (it is a .pdf). It outlines the objectives for each unit taught in all grades K-8. Teachers may add objectives to accommodate the Common Core as well as our mission. We use it to guide our instruction and planning for history, geography, literature, social studies, and science.
Saxon Math:
Saxon-sponsored link with lesson-related problems/content. Saxon 3 sequence. If your child is absent, or needs extra practice, you may look at the lesson number and see the big ideas learned in that lesson. Saxon basic facts practice (it says "sheets," but it's really an online activity) for all grades, no login necessary.
Math:
Cool Math Click on “numbers.” I liked “Feed Fribbit Addition” and “Marble Lines” (add up to ten to practice friends of ten).
Cool Math Click on “numbers.” I liked “Feed Fribbit Addition” and “Marble Lines” (add up to ten to practice friends of ten).
Sheppard Software Fun, with mellow music! Choose either
“early math” or “basic operations” (and then click on
addition or subtraction sign). Once I figured out the “fruit
shoot”-style games, I liked them (also try clock shoot!).
I will add to this page various websites as I stumble across them/have time to link them. If you've found a good website for practicing a particular skill, please email me!
*"Look good" = were currently up and running and worked for me at the time of this publication/update. Remember, you are the primary educator of your child; be sure to double-check everything on the internet!
(Edit: All links current as of 9-3-13.)
