As the summer becomes scorching in Missouri, kids start to move indoors. They gravitate to video and computer games and play the games for hours on end. Playing games can be fun, but parents can also encourage children to use computer websites that focus on educational skills. For most parents, finding age appropriate, “fun educational” games can be pretty difficult. I think I can definitely help. I taught a technology class to Kindergarten-sixth graders, where children used educational websites to reinforce grade level skills. Below I am spotlighting two websites that follow Missouri Classroom Standards and focus on math, reading, and science.

The BBC has developed a children’s section of their website called Schools. It has a wonderful School Game Section; the games are all educational and sorted by grade level from Pre-K all the way through high school. The BBC children’s learning section called Bitesize. Bitesize KS1 focuses on Kindergarten – 3^rd grade reading and math skills. Another section called Bitesize KS2, centers on 3^rd grade – 6^th grade reading, math, and science skills. Bitesize KS3 teaches 6^th grade – 12^th grade reading, math, and science skills.

Another educational website to try out this summer is produced by Houghton Mifflin, a school textbook company. This website offers an entire section, Eduplace Math, dedicated to math skills for Kindergarten – 6^th grade. The reading and English skills section is divided into two parts. If your child is in 2^nd grade – 5^th grade you can visit Grammar Blast Elementary. If your child is in 6^th grade – 8^th grade you will need to visit Grammar Blast Middle School. The science section, Eduplace Science, is appropriate for students in Kindergarten – 6^th grade.

I hope that these two websites will help keep your kids learning through the Missouri summer heat!