Learning for tomorrow, today / ICTTALK consultant - adviser / Education Technology
Resources for parents
Updated 24/05/2021
I will be adding a resource every day. These are for parents whose children do not have work from school to do and would like some learning to happen without having to turn themselves into teachers. It would be great to see anything children produce to show their learning.
The latest resource will be at the bottom of the page. Check the growing reource list here.
One of the first things on a parent's mind is safety. The website below from the UK's Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command and Parent Zone is an excellent source of support and information.
Let's start easy. It might not be the most exciting idea but this site will generate all the worksheets for maths that you need (and it gives the answers on a serpate sheet too!)
This is a great site for children to explore with a lot of information about our planet.
Although download costs money (sadly the days when schools could do so for free are gone) British Pathe has the most remarkable collection of news film that you can watch online.
Something here for all ages. I've included their climate change pages.
This site is massive and the images and videos alone are worth a visit.
This remarkable interactive map illustrates the extent of the blitz in London. Delving into it reveals facinating information and photographs.
NRICH from the University of Cambridge is offering parents help with mathematics at home during the crisis.
The activities and games are of a very high standard and offer learning in an exciting way.
(Update) See the NRICH Maths Fair resources.
Bitesize from the BBC will be bringing forward support across the subject range for all ages and curriculum versions wherever you are in the UK.
(Update) Daily lessons are here.
This page has been created to support parents during COVID-19 and the closure of schools. Each fortnight, ThinkUKnow (CEOP) will be releasing new home activity packs with simple 15 minute activities you can do with your child to support their online safety at a time when they will spending more time online at home.
Learn some javascript, the language that allows webpages to do more complex things. At first sight this tutorial looks rather straightforward but I've seen children very taken with it. It's also hard to make a mess of it.
Code Monster (and Code Maven for older learners) from Crunchzilla.
Parental controls and privacy settings guides. This is from a respected provider and is something parents really want to know about.
The National Archives. There's something here for all ages. This is a fascinating site.
If you like film this learning website will be very useful.
Free activities to do at home.
(Updated) See more here.
Khan Academy was set up when its creator was aked to help a relative with maths. It has blossomed into a huge site and demonstration videos accompany each topic. Ideal if you want to repeat a lesson or pause it. The are lots of exercises to track progress too.
The Film Space say:
“We are pleased to advise that all our online educational resources will continue to be available, free of charge, for use in or out of schools and colleges, during the enforced shutdowns. The resources include interesting activities, worksheets involving analysis, research and critical thinking.”
From St. John’s College School, written by Graham Hastings. Fundamental programming skills mostly for newcomers but later for the more experienced.
A personal favourite. Visit African wildlife where they should be, in the wild.
Find an amazing collection of videos and images.
Go to the live channels where the live streams from the webcams are. Of course the animals do not appear to order so you might have to wait and listen to the sounds. When you first go to a webcam expect adverts but I've never seen anything other than normal TV ads. If concerned give yourself 30 seconds before letting the children watch.
Some great Scratch programming resources from Sheffield eLearning Service. If your child uses Scratch at school these resources cover all the key concepts of the KS2 national curriculum with regard to programming.
With no chance to go on a school trip what about a virtual one?
Have a look at Google Earth. Maybe you could make your own! A personal favourite is to visit Pompeii.
If not here are a couple of interesting ones. The Great Wall of China and The Louvre.
A great resource for learning about graphs. At its easiest plot graphs like f(x)= 2x+4 and f(x)= 3x-1. Which is steeper? where do they cut the y axis? Do it for several pairs (or more). What can you tell about graphs? does it help you sketch them? Now on to f(x)= x^2 and f(x)= x^2+5x-3 and so on...
Python for beginners.
Click here for activities to get started.
If the idea of a download and installation of Python is too daunting you can do some of the work online. Click here.
Quizzes on just about everything.
Young People's Trust for the Environment
This site aims to develop awareness of vital environmental issues.
This is a really interesting site. It requires a bit of investigation of the icons at the top of the page (pictured left) to find out how it works but when you do put an OS map of your area on one side of the screen and one from the 1930s on the other side. As you zoom in and out they will both adjust. How has your area changed?
NB: ThinkUKnow have added to their online safety resources for parents of children of all ages. (See above) These are to be used at home.
Another virtual field trip, this time to the Houses of Parliament.
(Updated) See more here.
Third Space Maths have a great array of activities for parents to do with their children.
Daily literacy lessons from litfilmfest.
Update: daily lessons planned out for the next seven weeks (download the schedule here) on an array of different text types and writing skills.
(Updated) See also The Quick-Fire Write activities.
Scouts – The Great Indoors.
The scouts have come up with a wide range of interesting activities to do at home.
Isle of Wight Rifles
This regiment of friends fought in Gallipoli in World War 1. The site includes diary entries, images and love letters in a tragic romance. Have the tissues ready!
Tate Kids.
I've rather neglected art so this is an attempt to put that right. Here are quizzes, games and things to make as well as a chance to explore.
A vast number of free activities and printables on this page.
Barefoot Computing have come up with “Enjoyable activities, designed by teaching professionals for families to do at home with their children.”
(Updated)
Tree educational resources from the Association of teachers of Mathematics (ATM).
A new set of activities and quizzes etc across all subjects from The Royal Mint.
Received today 25/06/20. This is not a resource I have used but now it is free.!
Click here to sign up with Blutick and check it out if your 11-16 year old needs maths help.
Interested in coding? Learn Python. Recommended for Y8 - Y12
Click here and scroll down to see the lessons so far all supported by TouTube videos.
Take a virtual 3D tour of parliament. Click here.
Interactive mathematics games for Reception and KS1. Click here.