Spelling & Vocabulary Website: SpellingCity
This site is a resourced used in classrooms for spelling instruction. The site requires each student to have an account to access the class spelling list and engages students in matching games, word searches, and practice tests. I do not particularly like this site because it is very hard to use in a classroom on a regular basis. Each student would have to have access to their own computer (this is becoming more practical but some students still do not have home computer access), and the ability to log on daily. I also do not like this website because it is difficult to navigate for many students. It is sometimes so confusing that students give up and do not complete their assignments for the week. In addition, the accountability to complete and pass all assignments is diminished. Without printing the results of each assignment or having a teacher view the report immediately after the assignment is completed, a teacher does not know how students are doing with the spelling words for the week.
more from www.spellingcity.com
Wikipedia
Wikipedia is a controversial source. I like the source for quick information for personal use, but I do not like it as an educational website. The main complaint for the site is that anyone can change it. That is not why I do not like it. I do not like it because I think it leaves out critical information on many topics. It is a good tool for getting quick easy questions answered but not for in depth answers to tough questions.
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Gameaquarium
This site is a collection of educational games for students. The main complaint I have with this site is that it is hard to navigate and the games are not always as in depth and clear as a teacher would hope. It is difficult for students to navigate Independently.
more from www.gamequarium.com
Wikibooks
more from en.wikibooks.org
Scholastic News Online, America's Leading News Source for Kids | Scholastic.com
Although I love their print publications, this site is a hard site for students to work through on their own. Its a great supplement but if we are picking out education websites for students to use, this isn't my top choice.
more from www2.scholastic.com/browse/scholasticNews.jsp?FromBrowseMod=true&Ns=Pub_Date_Sort|1&CurrPage=scholasticNews.jsp&TopicValue=Scholastic%20News

Kids' Games - Animals - Photos - Stories - Videos - and Countries -- National Geographic Kids
This website is a great source for independent investigation of science and social studies concepts in the elementary classroom. The website covers many aspects of science and can be used to accompany many lessons. The pictures and graphics really add to this site. Students can be engaged with the visuals while still being interested in the content of the webpage.
Fact Monster
This site is a great educational resource for almost everything. I find it very easy to use almost as a search engine for kids. Most every major topic is covered in the supplemental materials that pop up when you use the site to search, enhance many lessons taught in upper grades of elementary school and middle grades.
more from www.factmonster.com
Star Fall
This website is a great internet tool for emerging readers and struggling readers. Students are able to listen and view tutorials to learn letter sounds, how to use letters in words and how to build sentences. This phonics tool is helpful to students that struggle with traditional instruction but are able to engage with web 2.0 tools to help further their understanding. This website also has additional tutorials and interactive games for holidays, seasons, and more advanced readers.
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Learn NC
This site, set up by the University of North Carolina, gives North Carolina teachers resources for creating lesson plans, assessments and keeping track of the North Carolina Standard Course of Study. This site also organizes multimedia resources for classrooms, as well as resources for professional development.
By using the search, teachers are able to gather ideas about different topics in the NCSCOS as well as topics for lesson plans within the SCOS.

This website is very well organized with a wealth of information. It is very easy to use and although prolific, not overwhelming. A great source if you are stumped to find a good idea on how to get a lesson across.
more from www.learnnc.org

Culture Grams
This site gives world fact information based on states, provinces, world and kids. Buy clicking and navigating each segment of this site, you are able to get general research information about each country in the world and a visual representation of their culture. This site is an encyclopedia for each nation in the world.

This site is easy to navigate and use independently (if used for classroom purposes). Students will be able to research and investigate many aspects of geography, culture, and other national information.
more from online.culturegrams.com

Wikipedia is a controversial source. I like the source for quick information for personal use, but I do not like it as an educational website. The main complaint for the site is that anyone can change it. That is not why I do not like it. I do not like it because I think it leaves out critical information on many topics. It is a good tool for getting quick easy questions answered but not for in depth answers to tough questions.

This website is a great internet tool for emerging readers and struggling readers. Students are able to listen and view tutorials to learn letter sounds, how to use letters in words and how to build sentences. This phonics tool is helpful to students that struggle with traditional instruction but are able to engage with web 2.0 tools to help further their understanding. This website also has additional tutorials and interactive games for holidays, seasons, and more advanced readers.