Websites Worth Visiting

Compiled by the Gunston Library and the Technology staff.

Academic Resources

• Virginia State Department of Education – links for parents on SOLs, etc.
• Funbrain.com – links for parents to online educational games
• U.S. Department of Education “Helping Your Child Learn Science”
• Figure This! Math Challenges for Families
• MacDougal Littell Class Zone has resources that support the new math textbooks adopted by Arlington Public Schools.
• International Reading Association– resources for parents to help with literacy skills
• Reading Rockets – Launching Young Readers from PBS
• Reading is Fundamental – Tips for Parents
• Resources for Parents, Teens and Kids – This American Library Association page focuses on books and reading
• Countdown– COUNTDOWN is an interactive television math program broadcast on cable television in Chicago. The shows have been recorded, edited, and archived here. The 4-7 minute math movies consist of direct instruction and are reinforced with literature, manipulatives, activities and related computer instruction. Instructional videos are also cross-referenced in an alpha index so students and parents can access math support by specific topic. Useful for parents who want to help their children but can’t figure out the textbook. *
• USA Learns – A free site for adults to learn English and improve basic reading,writing, speaking and life skills – a good resource for adult students. Upon entering the site, users can choose directions in either English or Spanish and then pick which level they need: beginner or intermediate. Once inside the modules, the instruction is almost all in English. From the U. S. Department of Education’s Office of Vocational and Adult Education.

Health & Family Life Education

• Center for Disease Control and Prevention CDC Education: Parents
• Girlshealth.gov from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) helps girls (ages 10 to 16) learn about health, growing up, and issues they may face. Girlshealth.gov promotes healthy and positive behaviors in girls, giving them reliable and useful health information in a fun, easy-to-understand way.
• Glencoe Online Health and Fitness resources from the publisher of Gunston’s Health textbooks
• We Can! National Heart Lung and Blood Institute – resources that offer practical tips and tools on how families can maintain a healthy weight by making smart food choices, increasing physical activity, and reducing screen time.

General Resources

• Parents and Children Together Online – From the Family Literacy Center at the ERIC Clearinghouse for Reading, English, and Communication, this online magazine offers stories and articles for children, as well as book reviews and articles for parents.
• Online Resources for Parents and Children – From the American Library Association Parents Page
• The New York Times Learning Network Parent Connections
• NEA Resources – articles and resources from the National Education Association
• Ed.gov – section for parents on federal information for parents along with news.
• Parent Resources– useful information from the National PTA
• Counseling Newsletter – a new newsletter every month – downloads as a pdf

Gifted Education

• National Association for Gifted Children– Parent resources

Homework Help

• Great Homework Help Sites from the Gunston Library
• Homework Help by Grade – From familyeducation.com
• “Helping Your Student Get the Most Out of Homework” – an article from the National Education Association with resources
• DiscoverySchool.com – resources for parents
• Homework Hub – Scholastic.com resources for research, communication activities along with organizational help

Internet Safety, Media Literacy and More

• FBI Publications – A Parent’s Guide to Internet Safety – Guide provided in both English and Spanish
• GetNetWise – This site provides information on ways that you can help your children use the Internet in a responsible and safe manner.
• ikeepsafe.org – resources for parents, kids and teachers on Internet Safety
• Internet Safety Resources – from Henrico County, Virginia.
• iSafe.org – “i-SAFE America Inc, a non-profit Internet safety foundation, to bring Internet safety education and awareness to the youth of this country.”
• Safeteens – “A place for parents and teens to learn how to use the Internet safely. No preaching, just good advice.”
• wiredkids.org – online games and information on Internet safety
• NetSmartz – “The NetSmartz Workshop is an interactive, educational safety resource that teaches kids and teens how to stay safer on the Internet.”
• Parental Media Guide – Home Page – This site helps you negotiate the maze of rating systems for today’s media – including television and movies.
• Screen It – In depth reviews of movies, videos, DVDs and music CDs.

Parenting

• Children Now a nonpartisan, independent voice for children, working to translate the nation’s commitment to children and families into action.
• Coping With Disaster
• Trust me, Mom – Everyone Else is Going! – An excellent list of resources for parents of teens from the Arlington Public Library Teen Territory site.
• Talk with your kids – A national initiative encourages parents to talk with their children more often about tough issues such as sex, HIV/AIDS, violence, alcohol, and drug abuse.
• Frontline: Inside the Teenage Brain – a companion site to the Frontline program

Special Education

• Math Related Learning Disorders Dyscalculia
• Misunderstood Minds -A companion Web site to the PBS documentary dealing with learning disabilities and learning differences
• The Access Center – Set of links to online resources for parents.

Talking to Kids about the News

Here are some links to tips for talking to kids about violence, tragedy, or scary news.

• Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers (PDF)
  English | Spanish | Korean | Vietnamese | French | Amharic | Chinese | Portuguese
• Coping With Crisis: Tips for Parents and Educators
• Coping with Crisis–Helping Children With Special Needs
• Talking with Kids News from PBS