Ready for your March journey around the web? Let’s jump right in! As always, check each website before letting your children loose on the web. Happy Surfing!
The Arts:
- Notepad is a free version of Finale’s music writing software. This software will have children composing and transcribing music for fun which is a great way to connect the visual notes on the page to the sounds they represent. Kids can develop their ear by typing in and checking what they write.
- Art Smarts 4 Kids is a new blog I found recently which has daily posts about artists, museums, and styles.
- April is National Poetry Month so make sure your children are reading and writing poetry! You’ll find this online rhyming dictionary useful for finding all sorts of rhymes from end rhymes (blue/shoe) to triple rhymes (antelope/canteloupe). And who can resist a little Shel Silverstein? My oldest son’s favorite begins with “Sister for sale, sister for sale…”. Ahhh, siblings! Finally, check out this site for poems of all kinds by classic poets as well as kids’ contributions and a whole set of nursery rhymes with sound bites so you can hear them sung.
Science:
- Dana has a great project on her blog to make a simple circuit using things around your home.
- This is too cool. A bit gross, but I’ve never known a homeschooler to let that stop them.
Social Studies:
- Amy provided the link for this geography resource which has, among other things, color animal cards to print out, printable maps, flags, and more.
- Lots going on in the world of politics these days. Check out the official Whitehouse site for kids and find information on our government, quizzes and games, a list of books recommended by the first lady, and much more.
Reading Assessments:
- I have often used reading assessments to figure out how best meet my son’s needs. I found three different ones at these websites here and here.
Miscellaneous:
- A great resource for finding information and activities about holidays is this website.
- I have recently found Susanne at Hillbilly Housewife and love her site! She says, “The focus here is on low-cost, home-cooking from scratch. The recipes are all tested in a real kitchen with hungry children, stalking cats, begging puppies and a playful husband underfoot.” This is a wonderful resource!
April 6, 2008 at 7:00 pm |
I wanted to comment on reading and assessments. Take a look at Differentiating Reading Instruction — it talks about catering to kids’ individual needs, which is so important, as we all know! But she also makes clear that assessment is what drives instruction and interventions.
Lots of good info in the book.