Which educational website(s) have you been using with your kids at home?

amy_b_d

Hi everyone. I hope you’re all good and enjoying this fantastic weather.

We’ve been sharing lots of resources over the last few months to keep safe and keep kids entertained. As sharing is caring, we are looking for some advice from parents with children who have been homeschooled during the Covid-19 lockdown. We have 2 questions we hope you can help us with: -

Which educational website(s) have you been using with your kids at home?
If you use more than one, which website would you recommend to others looking for educational resources online?

Thanks so much! Keep safe and make sure you slap on a lot of suncream if you are planning on taking a stroll today!

Amy

kath72

Ah the joys of living in Scotland … term ends this week and it looked like we’ll be back full time in August all being well

Home schooling at high school level I have found bbc bite size very useful for 2 reasons

it’s a quick refresh for me of a topic before looking at it together
its good for teens to revise from as it covers the basics of everything and has quizzes.

the site has sections for each age group and at exam level has sections specifically for the Scottish exams content

For younger kids ‘twinkle’ comes highly recommended by the regular home education community. There’s a subscription fee (waived back in March, not sure now) but it has loads of printable worksheets

I haven’t used it (as we have a maths teacher in the house) but many people rave about khan academy

kath72

I know I’ve shared this before but might be useful again

Free resources put together by the home ed community
A non-exhaustive list that might help those affected by school closures due to coronavirus, compiled by home educators.

Khan Academy
https://www.khanacademy.org
Especially good for maths and computing for all ages but other subjects at Secondary level. Note this uses the U.S. grade system but it’s mostly common material.

BBC Learning
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learning/coursesearch/
This site is old and no longer updated and yet there’s so much still available, from language learning to BBC Bitesize for revision. No TV licence required except for content on BBC iPlayer.

Futurelearn
https://www.futurelearn.com
Free to access 100s of courses, only pay to upgrade if you need a certificate in your name (own account from age 14+ but younger learners can use a parent account).

Seneca
https://www.senecalearning.com
For those revising at GCSE or A level. Tons of free revision content. Paid access to higher level material.

Openlearn
https://www.open.edu/openlearn/
Free taster courses aimed at those considering Open University but everyone can access it. Adult level, but some e.g. nature and environment courses could well be of interest to young people.

Blockly
https://blockly.games
Learn computer programming skills - fun and free.

Scratch
https://scratch.mit.edu/explore/projects/games/
Creative computer programming

Ted Ed
https://ed.ted.com
All sorts of engaging educational videos

National Geographic Kids
https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/
Activities and quizzes for younger kids.

Duolingo
https://www.duolingo.com
Learn languages for free. Web or app.

Mystery Science
https://mysteryscience.com
Free science lessons

The Kids Should See This
https://thekidshouldseethis.com
Wide range of cool educational videos

Crash Course
https://thecrashcourse.com
You Tube videos on many subjects

Crash Course Kids
https://m.youtube.com/user/crashcoursekids
As above for a younger audience

Crest Awards
https://www.crestawards.org
Science awards you can complete from home.

iDEA Awards
https://idea.org.uk
Digital enterprise award scheme you can complete online.

Paw Print Badges
https://www.pawprintbadges.co.uk
Free challenge packs and other downloads. Many activities can be completed indoors. Badges cost but are optional.

Tinkercad
https://www.tinkercad.com
All kinds of making.

Prodigy Maths
https://www.prodigygame.com
Is in U.S. grades, but good for UK Primary age.

Cbeebies Radio
https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/radio
Listening activities for the younger ones.

Nature Detectives
https://naturedetectives.woodlandtrust.org.uk/naturedetect…/
A lot of these can be done in a garden, or if you can get to a remote forest location!

British Council
https://www.britishcouncil.org/school-resources/find
Resources for English language learning

Oxford Owl for Home
https://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/for-home/
Lots of free resources for Primary age

Big History Project
https://www.bighistoryproject.com/home
Aimed at Secondary age. Multi disciplinary activities.

Geography Games
https://world-geography-games.com/world.html
Geography gaming!

Blue Peter Badges
https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/joinin/about-blue-peter-badges
If you have a stamp and a nearby post box.

The Artful Parent
https://www.facebook.com/artfulparent/
Good, free art activities

Red Ted Art
https://www.redtedart.com
Easy arts and crafts for little ones
The Imagination Tree
https://theimaginationtree.com
Creative art and craft activities for the very youngest.

Toy Theater
https://toytheater.com/
Educational online games

DK Find Out
https://www.dkfindout.com/uk/…
Activities and quizzes

Twinkle
https://www.twinkl.co.uk
This is more for printouts, and usually at a fee

amy_b_d

kath72 Thank you Kath! This list is absolutely incredible and hopefully will come in handy with what we’re looking into. 🙂

kath72

amy_b_d what we’re looking into.

Intriguing

If there’s anything else you think I might be able to help with regarding home schoolingjust drop me a Pd

by the way depending on what you are working on it would be good to make sure you get the terminology right

Home schooling applies to what families are experiencing during lock down. It’s also the term many Americans use as they follow a structured curriculum at home

Home education Is the terminology used by those who educate their children at home in normal circumstances. It usually looks nothing like school and home educators get very touchy about home schooling being used for them

there is also education at home Where a child remains on their school roll and is given work from school to do at home. This is usually due to mental or physical health issues which prevent them going to school

there is also Flexi-schooling where a child is home educated part of the week and in school the rest of the time

amy_b_d

kath72 Thanks for the tips. Having the correct terminology is something we will definitely keep in mind. 🙂

josup63

I’m in a facebook family lockdown group and one primary school headteacher posted explaining they’ve been delivering their lessons via their youtube channel. It might be worth a look if you want to compare to what your schools have been setting. https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCIHhtw3wR_bTXrZmA-VR9bQ/videos

Reception- Redwood
Year 1 - sycamore
Year 2 - oak
Year 3 - willow
Year 4 - birch
Year 5 - maple 🍁

josup63

We got a microbit (they are about £20) and then it's an easy way to start programming and learning code. The first tutorial my 6 year old followed was to make a flashing heart. She found it strat forward go follow. https://microbit.org/code/

river29967

Thank you so much for sharing. It’s very helpful to me.