Resources

Summer and weekend learning

Here are some nice websites to explore with your children. Some are free and others require a subscription fee. Most have a free trial option.

Language based

IXL. This website is great for kids to review school content by grade. There is a fee for subscribing: IXL.com

Free reading books. Check out this website: www.freephoneticreaders.com. This is a great set of books to help your child reinforce and master their sounds and are free Get free phonetic reader stories: www.freephoneticreaders.com

Math and Language based

IXL. This website is great for kids to review school content by grade. There is a fee for subscribing. Covers content by grade and covers Pre-kindergarten to Grade 12. IXL aligns to B.C. math and English curriculum. There is weekly reporting provided to the parent. Check it out: IXL.com

Math based to master math facts

Great beginner programs

BIG BRAINZ. This is an excellent program to help your child master math facts (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division). There is a fee with this one, but there is a free trial available: www.BigBrainz.com

REFLEX MATH. Reflex math is another great program to consider. There is a fee with this one, but there is a free trial available: www.Reflexmath.com

More advanced programs

MATHIGON. I like this program and in addition it is free. It covers math foundations for students in grade 6-8 and covers numbers and arithmetic, geometry, equations and functions, probability and statistics. It’s an active learning program where the textbooks come to life to keep the student alert and active in their learning. The content covered continues for grade 9-12 and there is also a section called “recreational activities and fun”.  www.mathigon.org

Support for parents for math

It’s important that children not be afraid of math. Sometimes we don’t realize it and we may as parents be contributing to their fears and anxiety about the subject. Check out some of these resources:

Dr. Carol Dweck has done research looking at why some children seek challenges and others do not (Growth Mindset versus Fixed Mindset). Check the article and videos to see a summary of her study results:
Video: Growth Mindset Introduction: What it is, How it Works, and Why it Matters 
Video: The Impact that Praise has on Children’s Development
Article: Growth Mindset Parenting 

Other fun programs to entertain your children

Are your children watching too much YouTube? How about introducing them to this site that has lots of fun videos on the eccentricities of mathematics. www.youtube.com/channel/UCOGeU-1Fig3rrDjhm9Zs_wg

Check out this website: www.planetmaker.wthr.us

Greek language learning

For my Greek following, here are some interesting sites:

Interested in your child learning Greek, then check out this website. Also introduces the student to Greek culture and heritage:  www.Elinopoula.com and for Facebook: www.facebook.com/ellinopoula

Great learning book series that are meant for Greeks in Diaspora: Greek 123 and they also have a developing online program to support their book series: www.greek123.com

Biblioagora is a great website to purchase all things Greek and also Greek language material for adults and children. www.bibliagora.net