Great Reading Websites and Apps

There are many things that I love about using a computer and some of them include all of the wonderful websites that are available for our children to use both in a classroom setting or to continue learning at home. Not only have I placed websites on this list, but I've also included Apps that can be downloaded to your iPad, iPhone or iPod touch, or even on your child's version of the same. 


I've compiled a list of some of my personal favorites here for you to use with many different ages of kids and I've included a short description of each so that you will know what they are about before you click through to each one to see if it is appropriate for your child or even children to use.   If these look interesting t you, just click on the title (bold and blue) and it *should* take you directly to the website as I've linked everything I can.  

So without further ado... Let me introduce you to my favorites!




Starfall -- This is a great website for young readers, including those just beginning to read.  The top link is "ABCs" where littler readers can practice their letters.  As you read down the short list of options on this main page, the options grow more difficult where students can "read" increasingly more difficult books and can have entire passages or select words read to them by clicking-- Make sure to have the volume up or headphones handy!

Starfall iPhone, iPod touch and iPad App Similar to the website, but it has much more portability!

BookAdventure  Book Adventure is a fun, free way to motivate your child to read! Kids in grades K-8 can find a book,  take quizzes on what they've read and earn prizes  for their reading success.  This is one favorite of mine for parents and teachers since teachers can set up an entire classroom full of students and see what they're reading and how they answer quizzes.

SmartyGames   This website has multiple subjects, but I've linked this directly to the reading and language arts section.  This is similar to Starfall, but there is also a games piece to it as well as some writing activities (which I will cover in another Blog entry). 

 TumbleBook   When you visit this site, you can sign up for a free trial before you subscribe as it is a subscription based website.  Check with your child’s school librarian as well, though, to see if they have a log-in from the school already as many public school librarians have taught students how to use this resource already. 

Project Gutenberg    Free copies of books that are out of copyright or are older.  These books can be read right on your computer, printed or downloaded to an e-reader such as Kindle. 

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Road Rally Appisode  Anyone who knows me or who has visited my office knows that I love everything about Disney and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse is no difference, especially now that I have an infant at home.  While your 2-3 year old is not reading yet, you can help them be active participants in what they are watching by watching along with them with this iPad app. Your little one gets to help Mickey Mouse and the gang in a race by touching, shaking, dragging and saying the magic words along with them (Meeska, Mouska, Mickey Mouse!) as they race to the finish line as a team.

That's all that I have for you for now.  Please share ones that you have found for your child in the comments below, I would love to know about more that are out there!  

Until next time, it's a great day at Sylvan!!

~Stefanie, Center Director of Flemington and Clinton, New Jersey Sylvan Learning Centers

How Parents Can Help Their Children Hone Study Skills - and Life Skills

We know it is getting close to the end of the school year, but it seems that we are getting more and more questions from parents about how they can help their child at home to hone their study skills while we also work with their child at Sylvan. I thought that I would revisit a post from a few months ago for this week's entry... Try to remember. When you were a student, did you ever ask, “How will grammar (or geometry or social studies) benefit me later in life?” Be honest. Now, return to today. When was the last time you took notes at a meeting? Or prioritized your “to-do” list? Or organized a project from start to finish? The skills you use to do these tasks at work and at home are the same skills you learned and honed in English class (and geometry and social studies). Now, your children are developing those skills that will enable them to read analytically, write and speak expressively and think strategically. And when they ask, “What good is this going to do me?” - you know that it all starts with taking notes in history class, studying for that bio exam and juggling time to accommodate school, sports and social calendars!

Organization, time management, note taking, test taking and strategic reading are all essential study skills that are first introduced to young people in the classroom, but ultimately transfer far beyond school. To help your child develop these skills in a way that is meaningful to them – mainly applying them to their “job” which is school – Sylvan Learning recommends tips that parents can follow:
Organization and Time Management • Have students use a planning calendar to track daily, weekly and monthly assignments and responsibilities. • Encourage children to break down large, complex tasks into manageable pieces. • Have children prioritize homework and other tasks when they get home from school, then complete the tasks in that order.

Note Taking • Don’t panic if a child’s notes look sloppy and disorganized. It’s often just a sign of a student with an active mind who is organizing things in ways that work best for him or her. • Encourage students to review their notes and even rewrite them, if necessary, to be sure they make sense. • As they review their notes, have children identify the most important points and highlight them.

Test Taking • Urge a student to study over a period of days or weeks instead of cramming the night before. • Be sure students go into the test with the right equipment, whether that means a calculator, class notes, textbooks or simply a pencil. • Encourage them to answer test questions they know first and then go on to the more challenging questions.

Reading • Encourage young readers to use all the clues available to them while reading, such as headlines, pictures, captions, charts, tables and graphs. • Urge them to read different types of writing, such as books of fiction and nonfiction, newspaper and magazine articles, letters and Web sites. • Talk with kids after they read a book or article. Have them tell you what the story was about, why it did or didn’t interest them and how it related to their life.

Studies show that the more involved parents are with their children’s education, the better the children do in school. What the studies don’t say is that this involvement is not just in the children’s school, but in the children’s lives. Because life is a balance of basic core skills (reading and math) and personal skills, such as communication and responsibility skills (organization and time management), parents need to nourish all of these skills, not just the ones that yield a grade. Along with this, comes the language we use when talking with our children. Saying things like "You're never going to get into college at this rate," is something that we sometimes in a heated moment when we're upset with our children, but these words are hurtful and often compound the problem. Instead, try phrases that use "I-Statements" ex. "I'm upset that this is difficult for you" or "I want the best for you, how can I help you?" in some situations. In other situations where a child is just not doing their work, as in the case of homework, check their teacher's website, their online gradebook, their agenda and in some extreme cases, be in almost weekly contact with the classroom teacher.

For some students, though, the lack of higher grades on tests and quizzes might not be an issue of their study habits, it may be a sign of deeper frustrations in their Reading, Math or Writing skills.

Quiz Your Kids

by Guest Blogger, Dr. Rick of Dr. Rick's Blog Research has shown that when students take their studying seriously enough to quiz themselves on their progress, they up the ante for success. This is, after all, why teachers give no-risk pre-quizzes a few days before a major spelling, algebra, or social studies test. Students get an idea of what they’ve mastered and where they need to spend additional time and effort. Here are some suggestions for no-risk, no-stress, pre-test quizzing that can be fun as well as helpful. Watch those grades and confidence rise.

Give quizzes yourself. When your child has a test coming up, encourage her to begin studying several days ahead of time. Each night during homework and study time, spend some time with her asking questions from her notes, textbook, online reading, or teacher materials.

Make flash cards together. Flash cards are particularly helpful for material that needs to be learned with “automaticity,” or with such mastery that you don’t even think about it. Quizzing with flash cards can be fun, especially for younger kids, who feel a real sense of accomplishment for correct answers.

Encourage study buddies. When kids quiz each other, they’re particularly serious about doing well. They want to succeed in front of each other, and they enjoy thinking up questions that are even tougher than anything the teacher will throw at them.

Use a stopwatch. Timed quizzes add another dimension to studying. Set a simple stopwatch for a minute or two, or use an egg timer, and ask a series of questions to see how many your studier can get. This can be particularly helpful for material he’ll need to know off the top of his head.

Keep a chart of progress. Kids like to see their progress in tangible form. Together, create a simple chart of correct answers, new concepts mastered, improved times, or thoughtful interpretations. Let her see how her studying improves her learning and grades.

Talk about the results. Talk about improvements and the valuable impact of studying. Remember, you’re laying the groundwork for future achievement and good study habits.

Talk about test-takingstrategies. Remind him of good practices for the important test day. Relax. Read directions carefully. Answer first the questions he’s surest about, then go back and deal with the others. Keep an eye on the time. Encourage him to remind himself of the work he’s done to prepare.

5 Parent Tips to Increase Students’ Math Success

And Overcome Math Challenges Mathematics Awareness Month is held each year in April and a perfect opportunity to encourage the love of math in your children. In helping children learn, one goal is to assist them in figuring out as much as they can do for themselves. Here are top five math tips that you as a parent can start using right now, to help your child become an independent math learner.

1. Strengthen Core Skills – Effort in Math matters because math skills build in time. Miss one component and you will continue to have difficulties with math. As a parent challenge your child to become better problem solvers.

2. Leverage Technology – Technology should support math instruction, and today’s ‘Net Gen’ students find technology-infused instruction especially engaging, helping them gain an understanding of the underlying reasoning and computations used in problem-solving.

3. Instill Math Confidence in Your Child. – Praise your children’s academic progress. Tell them that you are proud of their math efforts even when they struggle. When students are confident in their abilities, they enjoy learning.

4. Make Real-world Connections – There are many opportunities for parents to make math connections to everyday life – and help students to see the value of math. Think of tasks that you do every day that can be ‘teachable math moments.’

5. Encourage Your Child to Take Math – Early and Often – Many students don’t take math classes beyond their school’s minimum requirements. But math offers critical learning skills that are needed throughout life. Children should take algebra early in their educational careers if they are academically ready. Students who do not take courses covering algebraic concepts early, risk missing important opportunities for growth.

Algebra is Fundamental It is now clearly understood that algebra is the foundation for not only higher-level math and science skills, but it helps lay a solid foundation for the technological world we all now live in. Looking for resources to check your student’s algebra health? Sylvan Learning is offering a FREE, online Algebra Readiness Check-up to help determine if your child is ready for the math challenges that lie ahead. After taking the screener, you will receive a personalized Algebra Fitness Breakdown, which highlights your child’s strengths, as well as areas that require more training. You will also gain access to free online resources to help your child get in tip-top shape for algebra!
To take the screener visit - http://letsgolearn.com/fit4algebra/

Are you College Bound?

Top 5 Tips to Help You Prepare For College Life

Obtaining a college education requires a lot of time, effort and careful planning by parents and students working together. But, preparing for college is much more than the flurry of activity during those last few months of a student's senior year. In many cases, college preparation actually begins before high school, and it is never too early to start thinking about what kind of college experience you or your parent is looking for and how the college preparation process works.

Sylvan Learning, the leading provider of tutoring to students of all ages, grades and skill levels, offers simple tips to help students prepare for their college entrance exams and develop the skills needed for lifelong success.

1. Start Early – Consider taking summer enrichment classes for key subjects like math, reading and creative writing. Nothing shows that you're serious about academic work like dedicating the last few weeks of your summer to intellectual and academic pursuits.

2. Prepare for Tests - April and May, throughout the summer provide the perfect opportunity to take a prep course or obtain academic assistance to prepare for the SAT and ACT autumn exams. If you have not already taken the SAT or ACT, it is important to spend the remainder of summer preparing for these standardized tests. Spend at least a few minutes each day reviewing vocabulary or practicing math problems.

At Sylvan, our college prep experts will tailor a personalized plan that builds the skills, habits and attitudes to your needs in order to score higher on test day and apply to college with confidence. Our highly personalized and targeted approach focuses on the exact skills needed to successfully answer test questions. For many students, skills can be mastered to raise test scores in as little as five to twelve weeks.


3. Don't Miss Opportunities - It's important that students take charge of their education. Seek out opportunities proactively rather than reactively. As you prepare for college and admission tests, look for classes and other resources like free, SAT/ACT practice tests provided by Sylvan Learning.

Such resources are excellent opportunities to practice and assess your skills while preparing for college. There are many great resources that you can utilize for your benefit. Fully engage in the resources of the library, guidance counseling center, teachers' office hours, tutors, after-school programs and fellow students. Make sure to get the best education possible by using all of your school and personal resources.

4. Seek Support and Help from Your Family - The college preparation process can be stressful for you – and for your parents. Your parents want to help you reach your goals and act as a resource during this critical time.

5. Enjoy the Journey – Have fun and enjoy the rest of your summer, but make sure that you keep yourself active. Take a summer school class, get a job or consider volunteering at a variety of community-based organizations or charities. Now is the perfect time to get involved in those endeavors while you have additional time in the summer. These initiatives can allow you to learn more about potential careers and areas of interest. The last weeks of the summer months can be an excellent time to help you prepare for college while providing compelling experiences to use on your college applications.

Make the most of the remainder of this summer. Take the challenge. Use these simple tips to prepare for the next phase in your academic life and enjoy the years of discovery ahead!


For more information and back-to-school resources, visit www.SylvanLearning.com.

Be a D.E.A.R. Day: Encourager For Your Kids on April 12th

12 tips for April 12th show it’s never too early to start reading

April 12th marks the celebration of the National Drop Everything and Read Day (D.E.A.R), a special reading celebration to remind and encourage families to make reading together on a daily basis a family priority. Sylvan Learning is celebrating National D.E.A.R. Day by providing parents with simple tips to encourage a love of reading year-round.

Strong reading skills are incredibly important for all subjects in school, therefore it’s critical that parents help their children develop these skills early on. The more children read, the more they’ll enjoy reading, and the better readers they’re likely to become.

Sylvan recommends that parents set aside at least one hour per week – 10 to 15 minutes a day – to do some form of reading activity with their child.

Since it’s never too early to start reading with your child, here are 12 tips in honor of National D.E.A.R. Day to help parents nurture their children’s reading behaviors:

1. Begin at birth by sharing picture books with your babies. Talking, reading, singing, and listening to newborns and toddlers helps build the knowledge required for success in reading.
2. Recite nursery rhymes and lullabies to newborn babies.
3. When talking with an infant or toddler ask questions and allow pauses to help them develop an understanding of conversation.
4. Narrate your activities to young children to connect the words and their meaning. For example, “I’m putting on your coat.” To connect a word with its meaning, point to an object and repeat the word several times.
5. When reading aloud to young children, point to the words as you speak them. You can also follow the sentence with your finger so that children begin to recognize how words appear in a book.
6. Re-read the same book often because children enjoy hearing the same stories again and again. Hearing and seeing familiar words and pictures may help them have an easier time learning to read.
7. Encourage talk and discussion, as this contributes to the development of language skills and can help with reading. Ask everyone around the dinner table to talk about his or her day or current book that he or she is reading.
8. Model the reading behavior. Set aside time every day to read.
9. Check with teachers and librarians to confirm the appropriate reading level for you child’s age. Get recommendations from them on good age-appropriate books.
10. Research and select books about your children’s interests, such as a sport or hobby.
11. Read newspapers and magazines with your children. Reading and telling stories together sparks the imagination and helps stimulate good reading and writing skills.
12. Lastly, set up or designate shelves in a child’s room for his or her own library.

The Internet can also provide many opportunities for children looking for new and exciting things to read. A free interactive, reading motivation program created by Sylvan Learning - Book Adventure (www.BookAdventure.com) - allows students to choose their own books from more than 7,500 titles, take short comprehension quizzes and redeem their accumulated points for small prizes. Book Adventure also offers teachers and parents resources and tips to help children develop a lifelong love of reading.

Help Your Children Hone Study Skills

Try to remember. When you were a student, did you ever ask, “How will grammar (or geometry or social studies) benefit me later in life?” Be honest.

Now, return to today. When was the last time you took notes at a meeting? Or prioritized your “todo” list? Or organized a project from start to finish? The skills you use to do these tasks at work and at home are the same skills you learned and honed in English class (and geometry and social studies).

Now, your children are developing those skills that will enable them to read analytically, write and speak expressively and think strategically. And when they ask, “What good is this going to do me?” - you know that it all starts with taking notes in history class, studying for that bio exam and juggling time to accommodate school, sports and social calendars!

Organization, time management, note taking, test taking and strategic reading are all essential study skills that are first introduced to young people in the classroom, but ultimately transfer far beyond school.

To help your child develop these skills in a way that is meaningful to them – mainly applying them to their “job” which is school – here are tips that parents can follow:

Organization and Time Management
* Have students use a planning calendar to track daily, weekly and monthly assignments and responsibilities.
* Encourage children to break down large, complex tasks into manageable pieces.
* Have children prioritize homework and other tasks when they get home from school, then complete the tasks in that order.

Note Taking
* Don’t panic if a child’s notes look sloppy and disorganized. It’s often just a sign of a student with an active mind who is organizing things in ways that work best for him or her.
* Encourage students to review their notes and even rewrite them, if necessary, to be sure they make sense.
* As they review their notes, have children identify the most important points and highlight them.

Test Taking
* Urge a student to study over a period of days or weeks instead of cramming the night before.
* Be sure students go into the test with the right equipment, whether that means a calculator, class notes, textbooks or simply a pencil.
* Encourage them to answer test questions they know first and then go on to the more challenging questions.

Reading
* Encourage young readers to use all the clues available to them while reading, such as headlines, pictures, captions, charts, tables and graphs.
* Urge them to read different types of writing, such as books of fiction and nonfiction, newspaper and magazine articles, letters and Web sites.
* Talk with kids after they read a book or article. Have them tell you what the story was about, why it did or didn’t interest them and how it related to their life.