Discovery Kids is an educational site that encourages discovering all the world has to offer. Articles cover topics about natural disasters, growing up, machines, continents, space, and much more. An activities page provides interactive ideas for recipes, making crafts, designing clothes, and experimenting with science. Games are age appropriate, challenging, and educational, and the online puzzles are fun and entertaining. Parents should know that some games ask for a user name and email address. Also, the site does include a link to shopping and banner ads advertise more Discovery Kids shows.
Age: Tweens
FunBrain is an educational browser game website for children and adults. It was on this site that Diary of a Wimpy Kid was first published before being turned into a successful book series and movie franchise.
Grades K-8.
(Review taken from Education World)
Content: Pottermore is a unique online experience from J.K. Rowling, built around the Harry Potter book series.
Design: Given the source material, one would expect a gorgeous site that offers dynamic and rich imagery, coupled with more than a few surprises. Users will not be disappointed. Taking its cues from the book and film series, Pottermore succeeds in creating a vibrant online universe that is equal parts reading experience and interactive community.
Review: Pottermore is a place to explore the magical world of Harry Potter and discover exclusive new content from author J.K. Rowling. The site uses the Potter stories as the backdrop for an interactive experience that places visitors into the narrative as characters. As they navigate through the stories, users encounter challenges and puzzles and are rewarded with never-before-released Potter tidbits.
In addition to its literary and interactive content, Pottermore features an online shop where teachers may purchase Harry Potter digital audio books and, for the first time, Harry Potter eBooks.
Another major feature is “Pottermore Insider,” a blog that keeps users abreast of the site’s ever-evolving interactive components.
Bottom Line: The Pottermore site is a tremendous resource for engaging kids in the classic literary series and getting them excited about reading.
Age: Older children who love this series. A parent must register any child under the age of 18.
storylineonline.net --an award-winning children’s literacy website.
Storyline Online features accomplished actors and actresses reading some of their favorite children’s books. Each story comes with a free Activity Guide and can be viewed on YouTube or SchoolTube.