Resources: Website of the Month

Doing What Works
The U.S. Department of Education's newly launched "Doing What Works" Web site added a feature that will empower educators and administrators with research-based strategies to help boost the achievement levels of girls in math and science. The Doing What Works site offers a user-friendly interface to quickly locate teaching practices that are supported by research evidence identified by the Institute of Education Sciences.

Starfall Reading Program
The Starfall reading program is designed to be fun, exciting, and to instill confidence in young children as they learn to read. Primarily designed for first grade students, Starfall is also useful for pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and second grade students. Starfall is recognized and highly rated by experts. The Reading Teacher named Starfall.com one of "Five Internet sites too good to miss" (May 2006, and again in 2008)

Dr. Seuss's Biography
A person's a person, no matter how small," Theodor Geisel, a.k.a. Dr. Seuss, would say. "Children want the same things we want. To laugh, to be challenged, to be entertained and delighted." Learn More.

dww.ed.gov

The U.S. Department of Education has launched a new web site aimed at giving educators advice about effective teaching practices and examples of ways to implement these practices to improve student achievement.

FreeRice.com

FreeRice has two goals:

  1. Provide English vocabulary to everyone for free.
  2. Help end world hunger by providing rice to hungry people for free.

FreeRice has a custom database containing thousands of words at varying degrees of difficulty. There are words appropriate for people just learning English and words that will challenge the most scholarly professors. In between are thousands of words for students, business people, homemakers, doctors, truck drivers, retired people… everyone!

Everyday Mysteries
Did you ever wonder why a camel has a hump? If you can really tell the weather by listening to the chirp of a cricket? Or why our joints make popping sounds? These questions deal with everyday phenomena that we often take for granted, but each can be explained scientifically.
Everyday Mysteries will help you get the answers to these and many other of life's most interesting questions through scientific inquiry. In addition, we will introduce you to the Library of Congress' rich collections in science and technology. All of the questions presented on this Web site were asked by researchers and answered by librarians from the Library's Science Reference Services.

Carolhurst.com
The Carol Hurst’s Children’s Literature site provides reviewed book lists, activities related to the award winning books and professional development readings related to teaching practices.

Teacherplanet.com
A great website with a theme based calendar full of ideas and resources.

School-clip-art.com
A great site for free clip art for educators and students.

Waslinfo.org
The site containing an overview of the WASL and latest testing news from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction for Washington State. Visit the site.

Readwritethink.org
A site for practices and resources in reading and language arts instruction.  Includes: lessons, student materials & web resources. Visit the site

Literacymatters.org
A terrific website to find information about books, series, and authors.  Includes trivia games, word scrambles, and contests.  Check out the character website links. Visit the site

Kidsreads.com
A terrific website to find information about books, series, and authors.  Includes trivia games, word scrambles, and contests.  Check out the character website links. Visit the site

Mathplayground.com
An educational math site for K-6 students that features math games, word problems, logic activities and much more.  Check out ‘Math Millionaire’, use your ‘phone a friend’ and ‘50:50’ options. Visit the site

Ilovethatteachingidea.com
Get inspired with creative, ready-to-use teaching ideas. Visit the site.

Educationworld.com
A website full of great ideas for educators! This site has great resources, ideas, and activities. Visit the site.

Ed.gov
A source for the latest information and updates from the Department of Education. This is a great site to get current information about the No Child Left Behind Act. Visit the site.

Highlights.com
Remember how much fun it was to read “Highlights” and do the activities? Check out this website that includes all your old favorites, such as “What’s Wrong With This Picture?” and Hidden Pictures. Visit the site.

Reading is Fundamental Reading Planet
Have some fun with these reading and writing games. Site also includes an Activity Lab, Book Zone and an area to "Express Yourself." Visit the site.

ReadingRockets.org
The "Questions Parents and Educators Ask" section includes real questions from parents and educators on learning disabilities and reading issues ranging from learning styles to assistive technology.   The answers to these questions include helpful resources and professional advice to support children in reaching their learning potential. Visit the site.

Busyteacherscafe.com
A website that offers free worksheets and reproducibles to educators.  A variety of subject areas are addressed including: reading, language arts, writing, and math. Visit the site.

Library of Congress
Offers a wide range of resources and information for educators, students and families. Check out the "poetry" section that includes a poem a day for High School students and "Today in History", a daily learning opportunity. Visit the site.

Colorín Colorado
Colorín Colorado is a web-based service that provides information, activities, and advice for Spanish-speaking parents and educators of English language learners (ELLs). Visit the site.

Ladders to Success: A Student's Guide to School After High School
A resource to help students with disabilities be successful with education and training after high school. Download the publication (PDF)

The National Resource Center for Paraprofessionals: The NRCP address policy questions and other needs of the field, provide technical assistance and share information about policy questions, management practices, regulatory procedures, and training models that will enable administrators and staff-developers to improve the recruitment, deployment, supervision, and career development of paraprofessionals.

The ESD 189 Autism Out Reach Project: A State-Needs Project through the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction in collaboration with the Department of Social and Health Services and Northwest ESD 189. Look for training opportunities in your area!

Washington Online Virtual Campus is the best place to find online courses from all of the fully accredited community and technical colleges in Washington State. Experienced online faculty who understands the special needs of online learners teaches each of our courses.

Internet Resources: Links to para-related websites.

Community and Technical Colleges with Paraeducator Programs

View Updated Information of Community and Technical Colleges in Washington State that offer paraeducator programs (PDF format).

Paraeducator.com Articles

Paraeducator.com News