Best Summer Reading Lists (K-5) and Great Websites for Kids from the Newton Public Schools

Newton (Massachusetts) has a wonderful public school system and here is a K-5 reading list that  is comprehensive and equally wonderful. Click here for the link.

The following is a great list of  websites to keep you reading, learning and having fun – also from the Newton Public Schools.

Activity TV

http://www.activitytv.com

All ages can learn to create crafts by watching these online videos.

ALA Great Websites for Kids

http://www.ala.org/gwstemplate.cfm?section=greatwebsites&template=/cfapps/gws/default.cfm

A searchable database of sites recommended by the American Library Association.Animal Fact Guide

http://www.animalfactguide.com

Avoid the ads and you will find short articles about interesting and endangered animals around the world. Explore “FunStuff” to find coloring pages, mazes and more.

Brain Pop and Brain Pop Jr.

http://www.brainpop.com

http://www.brainpopjr.com

A subscription service accessible in most Newton schools for short videos on a variety of educational topics.

Check out the free movie of the month at home!Children’s Room – Newton Free Library

http://www.newtonfreelibrary.net/?sec=childrens

Find a wealth of information and activities selected by the Newton public librarians.

Exploratorium

http://www.exploratorium.edu/afterschool/activities/index.php

Take a virtual field trip to San Francisco’s Exploratorium Museum of Science, Art and Human Perception. Explore the digitallibrary of learning resources and enjoy (and learn from) video clips and hands-on activities.

Funbrain.com

http://funbrain.com

Education and entertainment are linked through FunBrain, a great site for online educational games (math, grammar, science,spelling, history) for kids of all ages.

Glossipedia

http://www.globio.org/glossopedia/Default.aspx

A multimedia online interactive encyclopedia, connecting kids to the world.

Horizon Magic Portal

http://www.magicporthole.org

Entering the magic portal will transport you to the fascinating and fragile world of coral reefs. Children can learn about thecreatures that inhabit coral reefs through multimedia and fun activities.

International Children’s Digital Library

http://www.icdlbooks.org/

An online library of children’s books from around the world.

Internet Public Library for Kids

http://www.ipl.org/div/kidspace/

Are you curious? Do you have questions? If so, visit the Kids section and explore the wide variety of websites for children!

Jack Prelutsky

http://www.jackprelutsky.com

Jack Prelutsky has delighted children with his humorous poetry for thirty years and was named the first Children’s Poet Laureate in 2006. His highly interactive website will delight all who visit and foster a love of poetry.

Jon Scieska

http://jsworldwide.com

The author is the National Ambassador of Young People’s Literature and has a website chock full of fun for readers. There is a direct link to his other site, “Guys Read”, with helpful tips for aiding parents in keeping their children reading.

Kids Click

http://www.kidsclick.org

Annotated and searchable directory of websites created for kids by librarians.