Educational Websites and Apps to Help You and Your Children Whilst We HomeSchool.
Schools may be closed, but your children will still be keen to keep learning.
Schools across the globe are responding to the outbreak of the Coronavirus. In some cases schools have closed or are making preparations for a potential closure.
Whilst you will be getting sent work from school to complete, an entire day may feel tricky to fill, especially when you are used to having a jam packed day full of school, clubs and playdates.
This may feel like a challenging time, but educating at home can be incredibly rewarding for both you and your children.
While you are free to teach your children in any way you like, remembering that their school days and week will include: Written and spoken Language, Literature, Maths, at least one Foreign Language, European and World History, Geography, Science, Technology, Art and PE - You may begin to feel overwhelmed.
Do not fear, we have gathered some helpful learning websites and Apps that you can add to part of your daily routine for learners of all ages.
Websites and Apps to support with all Curriculum Areas:
Khan Academy - Khan Academy is a US-based site, and is structured around the American school system, but it's packed with a huge amount of content that crosses
over with most curriculums. All content on Khan Academy is free to use, though it's a good idea to sign up for a free account so your children can keep track of their progress. There are also mobile apps available for iPhone and Android, which they may prefer to the desktop site.
BrainPOP - BrainPOP is an animated website to keep children interested and
entertained with movies and games while learning about topics including English, Social Studies and Arts and Music. There are also webinars that parents can watch to learn more about how to use BrainPOP for remote learning. (A webinar is an online meeting or presentation held via the Internet in real-time. To put it simply, it is an online event, which connects individuals with viewers across the world.)
Websites and Apps to support with Phonics and Early Reading:
Vooks - Storybooks Brought To Life. Vooks is a child-safe, ad-free streaming library of
read-aloud animated storybooks. Vooks is enjoyed by millions of children every week, trusted by parents, and loved by teachers.
Oxford Owl - Discover expert advice, educational resources and free eBooks to support children's learning at home, from Oxford University Press. This includes: advice and support for parents, educational activities and games and a Free eBook library for 3 - to 11-year-olds.
Scholastic - Classroom Magazines -
Scholastic provides day by day
projects to keep children and young learners reading, thinking and growing. https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html
Teach Handwriting - Teach Handwriting is a resource for Cursive Practise, supporting your child’s handwriting at home with information and resources that can help your child become a happy writer.
Phonics Play - A range of fun interactive games to support your child with their phonics and reading skills awaits at Phonics Play. Children will enjoy expanding their phonic
knowledge and understanding of letters and sounds, as well as improving their grammar with these enjoyable games.
Phonics Bloom - Phonics Bloom has plenty of interactive online phonics games to help teach children the relationship between letters and sounds and develop the skills needed to read and write.
Letters and Sounds - Letters and Sounds provide free resources to help support the DfES Letters and Sounds phonics programme.
Websites and Apps to support with Maths and Science:
TopMarks - Top Marks has a great bank of interactive games, as well as a lot of resources to support parents with home education.
Explorify for Science - Explorify Science provides awesome, bitesize prompts for discussion and investigation! Explorify’s high-quality image, video and hands-on activities are sure to spark curiosity and get your children thinking like scientists.
Bee Bot App -
The BeeBot App for Computing enables children to improve their skills in directional language, programming sequences of forwards, backwards, left and right 90 degree turns.
Prodigy Maths - Prodigy Maths gives you the resources to support your child as they learn maths with a Prodigy Parent Account. This account enables you to set goals, give rewards, monitor progress and receive Report Cards.
ICT Games - for Maths have tablet and desktop friendly free educational games aimed at children between 5 and 8 years old. They also have Literacy related games. https://www.ictgames.com
Websites and Apps to support with Other Curriculum Subjects:
Duolingo - Duolingo has lessons specially designed for school aged children, which can really support their modern language classes. While its desktop site is a handy starting point, Duolingo's mobile app (for iPhone and Android) is excellent. It starts by assessing your childs' current fluency, then helps them develop their skills by introducing words and phrases, with regular quizzes.
The Artful Parent - Learning at home doesn't and shouldn't be all about staying in front
of a screen; The Artful Parent is a site packed with fun craft ideas to get your children thinking creatively. Many of them are well suited to younger children, and are fantastic if your little ones are starting to get bored or anxious. Whether it's observational drawing, making sculptures from leaves or making your own playdough, each project includes a list of materials, ways to gently engage your child, and suggestions for follow-up activities.
Code Studio - Computer Science activities and lessons that mean your child can continue to learn at home while schools are closed. Try out fun computer science tutorials, watch videos about computer science concepts, and even build your own projects!
Websites and Apps to support with Mindfulness and Keeping Active:
Cbeebies - Interactive games and stories for toddlers and younger children with playful
and fun characters.
Smiling Mind - Smiling Mind’s goal is to promote children's mental health and wellbeing in schools. They believe wellbeing is essential for learning. With mindfulness students are more focussed and more engaged learners.
Go Noodle - GoNoodle Good Energy at Home offers free movement, yoga, and mindfulness videos. There are also downloadable curricular activities and recommended off-screen home activities.
Cosmic Yoga -
Cosmic Yoga is a colourful, exciting and enthusiastic introduction through the world of yoga, mindfulness and relaxation. It has been designed specially for children aged 3 and over. Cosmic Yoga uses characters that children know and love for active journeys and storytelling. A great example of ‘active screen time'. https://www.youtube.com/user/CosmicKidsYoga
P.E with Joe / The Body Coach - With schools closed and with us all spending more
time at home, it's more important than ever that we keep moving and stay healthy and positive. You don't need any equipment, just tune in to Joe Wicks’ YouTube channel at 10am each morning (9am UK time) for a 30-minute, fun workout. https://www.thebodycoach.com/blog/pe-with-joe-1254.html
Learning obviously doesn’t have to involve a screen and if you are interested in some other learning activities to complete together then find some on our previous posts that include: