Parent Connection

1. Words and Pictures
   The games and activities in this site are designed to help children develop their knowledge of phonics (sounds within words) and how these are represented in written form.
   http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/wordsandpictures/teachers/
   
   
2. A Compact for Reading
   This website contains a collection of research-based activities designed to help families reinforce the reading and language arts skills that their children are learning at school.
   http://www.ed.gov/pubs/CompactforReading/
   
   
3. Vowel Take Home Cards
   This selection has cards of various vowel sounds to help students practice words with vowel patterns. Click on a link for the item you would like to print out.
   http://www.createdbyteachers.com/vowelhomecardsmain.html
   
   
4. Rebus Rhymes
   The Rebus Rhymes website is designed for children who are learning how to read. Preschoolers and Kindergartners will enjoy picking out the words they can read in their favorite nursery rhymes.
   http://www.enchantedlearning.com/Rhymes.html
   
   
5. Fantastic Phonics
   Each story is short, with large print and black and white drawings. Children can color, paint and play with the drawings, and each story has comprehension questions and a writing exercise.
   http://www.early-reading.com
   
   
6. Reading A-Z
   30 free books to download. The printable-leveled readers are perfect for take-home books to be read with parents and other family members.
   http://www.readinga-z.com/newfiles/preview.html
   
   
7. Phonics and Word Study The Phonics and Word Study web page has free online games for students to assist in learning phonics and word study skills.  The resources are leveled for PreK to 6^th grade.
   http://www.sadlier-oxford.com/phonics/index.cfm
   
   

Building Comprehension Through Sight Words and Background Knowledge

1. Working With Words
   Interactive game presenting a Core List of Sight Words. Here are the directions for playing the game:
   

   Select a Word List.
   
   Click "Start".
   
   Click on the letter tile and drag it to the white workspace to make a word. Note: Place tiles close together. The only letters you should have on your workspace are the letters you need to make the word.
   
   Click on the + sign to create the word. If you make a mistake click on
   the - sign to delete the last word.
   
   Click on the word you just made and drag to another area in the workspace. You will form groups with your words according to spelling patterns or sounds.
   
   Continue to create words. Make as many words as you can.
   
   Using all of the letters, find the mystery word and type it in the white box at the bottom. Click on "check" to see if you are correct.

   http://www.oswego.org/testprep/ela4/wwwords2.html
   
   
2. Created By Teachers Sight Word Materials
   This selection has various materials for Dolch sight words. All the Dolch materials have a key made of dots to distinguish between each level of words.
   http://www.createdbyteachers.com/sightfreemain.html
   
   
3. Sight Word Lists:
   Hear the Sight Words - On this practice page you can hear the word by moving your mouse over the word.
   http://www.netrover.com/~jjrose/dolch/intro.html
   Dolch Word Cards - Use these cards from abcteach.com for flash cards, games, or individual word walls. You will find the cards about halfway down the page.
   http://www.abcteach.com/directory/basics/abc_activities/dolch_word_cards/
   Dolch Wordbook - Download a 39-page wordbook. It includes an introductory letter for parents, a list of each set of Dolch words, and a sentence using each Dolch word.
   http://www.msrossbec.com/dolchwb.pdf
   
   
4. Sight Word Flashcards:
   Visit these sites to practice the Dolch sight words or make your own flash cards.
   http://www.iscweb.com/personal/kweb/sightwords.html
   http://www.msrossbec.com/sightwords.shtml
   http://www.janbrett.com/games/flash_card_dolch_word_list_main.htm
   
   
5. Sight Word Bingo Games:
   Visit the Jan Brett site featuring Dolch sight words that can be printed to use for Bingo Games.
   http://www.janbrett.com/games/jan_brett_dolch_word_list_main.htm
   
   

Reading for Meaning and Fluency

1. Book Adventure - Parent's Place
   Parent's Place is a service provided by Book Adventure. Parents can monitor their child's reading activities, track their quiz results and approve their prize selection. There are resources to help motivate children to read longer, more frequently and with greater comprehension.
   http://www.bookadventure.com/pa/index.asp
   
   
2. Between the Lions - Parent Resources
   This selection has literacy resources for parents and teachers.
   http://pbskids.org/lions/parents.html
   
   
3. Children's Reading Room
   Here you'll find a selection of stories to print out and read to children.
   http://unmuseum.mus.pa.us/crr/
   
   
4. The National Council of Teachers of English - Parent Resources
   NCTE provides a resource page for parents with news on education, book lists, and student writing contests.
   http://www.ncte.org/parents
   
   
5. Children's Literature - Resources for Parents
   This site provides links to other children’s literature sites.
   http://www.acs.ucalgary.ca/~dkbrown/rparent.html
   
   
6. Put Reading First:  Helping Your Child Learn to Read
   This brochure, designed for parents of young children, describes early literacy activities to help children learn to read successfully. It is based on the findings of the National Reading Panel.
   http://www.nifl.gov/partnershipforreading/publications/reading_first2.html
   
   

Writing to Construct Meaning

1. Young Writer's Clubhouse
   This website provides ideas and suggestions for your child’s writing.
   http://www.realkids.com/club.shtml
   
   
2. Stone Soup Writing By Children
   This website contains stories, poems, book reviews, and author readings. There are writing projects and a place to submit your child’s writing.
   http://www.stonesoup.com/main2/writing.html
   
   
3. Guide to Grammar and Writing
   This guide provides tips on writing correct and effective sentences, paragraphs, and essays.
   http://cctc.commnet.edu/grammar/index.htm
   
   
4. Page By Page: Creating a Children's Book
   This site provides a step-by-step tour of the bookmaking process.
   http://www.nlc-bnc.ca/pagebypage/index-e.html
   
   
5. Book Page
   This is a book review site. Click the hyperlinked BookPage Reviews to read reviews and interviews with authors of Children’s Books.
   http://www.bookpage.com/