More Great Educational Resources

Last Thursday our school had their yearly open house. I got a chance to see Alexis's classroom and meet her fabulous teacher. As I was touring the classroom, I noticed a list of educational websites near the computer station. One site that was listed we are already using  Starfall . 

Also listed was Spelling City, where you can enter your spelling list and practice spelling the words. You can also play fun games and activities with your spelling list such as hangman, missing letter, match it - sentences, and lots of other activities.

Shepard Software Math This site has math games from early math to pre algebra. I haven't spent much time on this one yet but I love free sites with math practice.

Dance Mat Typing I am most impressed with this one. At first, it seemed like first grade was too early to teach typing skills but the more I thought about it the more I liked it. Of course, it makes sense to teach kids typing at such an early age. With technology today, this is a very valuable skill at such a young age. I am embarrassed to admit this but I have never taken a typing course. In school I was not required to take typing so I opted out. It is never too late to learn so Dance Mat Typing is teaching me to type (the proper way).

Alexis has started the Dance Mat Typing at home and has already learned home row in the first lesson. She is excited about learning more.

I Am In Love With Khan Academy

I just discovered a wonderful free math resource called Khan Academy. Khan Academy covers basic math to calculus. They even cover chemistry and physics.

With Khan Academy you watch a video where Salmon Khan explains in simple terms how to work through a particular math problem. After you finish the video, you do the practice problems. Once you correctly complete 10 practice problems in a row, you are considered proficient in that subject. There is an endless number of practice problems.

Last night, Alexis tried Khan Academy for the first time. She did the addition 1 and addition 2. I was afraid that she would be super bored by the videos but I was pleasantly surprised.

Before now we have been using IXL. In some ways Khan academy is similar to IXL, but with the Khan videos it is like having your own private tutor in the room with you.

So far I am very impressed and so thankful I found this resource.