Websites for you and your child

Here is a list of useful websites which are helpful for homework, research or just to have some fun.

Websites for Primary School pupils

Brainboxx
www.brainboxx.co.uk
Do you and your child enjoy a challenge? Then have a look at this website's "Problem Page" where there is a huge array of brilliant puzzles and games aimed at 8-12 year olds. Grab a pencil and some paper first - you might need them!

Storybook
www.LTScotland.org.uk/storybook
The Storybook website is hosted by Learning and Teaching Scotland in partnership with Lomond Productions. It is an online resource containing a captivating collection of activities for children aged 5-8 years. The site is based on popular children's stories by authors Scoular Anderson, Debi Gliori, Mairi Hedderwick and Frank Rodgers.
In addition to the range of interactive activities, you can watch and listen to the authors reading excerpts from their stories and answering some questions about how they get their ideas for writing.

Kiddiesville
www.kiddiesvillefc.com
This site is aimed at primary school children with bright graphics and plenty of music, stories, games and competitions with a football theme.

Kids on the Net
www.kidsonthenet.com
This site is for children from 7 to 11 years old who are into words and writing. They can do everything from solving riddles to writing book reviews; you can "write" a poem by dragging words onto a virtual fridge door and even create your own monster at the Monster Motel.

Websites for Secondary School pupils

Turning the Pages
www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/ttp/ttpbooks.html
This British Library site allows you to virtually flick through some of the most significant books in history. These include such wonders as the oldest printed book, the first atlas of Europe and the original Alice in Wonderland.

Texts in Context
http://bllearning.co.uk/live/text
Another gem from the British Library - a rich and unusual collection of digitised texts. They range from shipwrecks and smuggling (a ship's log book from 1771) to British tourist destinations such as Lyme Regis and the 1661 Glossographia and Dictionary of Hard Words!

Higher Still Notes
www.hsn.uk.net
This site was specially designed by two school students for those studying National Courses at Higher. On the site you will find specimen questions and free course notes to download for Higher Chemistry, Mathematics, Business Management, Economics, Information Systems and Computing.

Making the Modern World
www.makingthemodernworld.org.uk
This is a wonderful site with powerful stories about science and invention from the eighteenth century to today. It explains the development of modern industrial society and the effects on all our lives.

The Geography Site
www.geography-site.co.uk
This site has resources for teachers and students in physical and human geography. OK, the revision notes are based on England's curriculum but they could be adapted for National Qualifications. You can also access some images, online lessons, quizzes and crosswords.

"Naxos" means Music
www.naxos.com
This site is a useful educational resource for Higher and Advanced Higher Music students with plenty of information and musical examples.

Parents' guide to a career in chemistry
www.rsc.org
In March 2006 the Royal Society of Chemistry produced a guidance booklet aimed at parents whose children are thinking about applying to study chemistry. It contains information on the range of chemistry courses available, choosing where to study, career prospects for chemistry graduates, and sources of financial support. The guide is available to download from the Royal Society of Chemistry website (go to the above link). You can also order a print copy from the website.

Ordnance Survey Mapzone
www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk
How would you like to take an interactive journey in the world of mapping? All you have to do is go to the website of the Ordnance Survey, click on the "education" section and then go to "Mapzone". As well as navigating your way there you can also have a go at the quizzes, competitions and games. This site will help with homework for 11-14-year-olds, guidance for parents and you could even get free resources for your school.

Websites for All Ages

Count On
www.counton.org
This website has lots of interactive maths activities to keep all age groups absorbed for hours. The Games Section includes: online solitaire, puzzles and "Who Wants to be a Mathonaire?" Numberland has a choice of 100 number with poems, riddles and interesting facts about each one. Matrix has several interactive challenges.
There's plenty to explore on this site such as puzzles, origami, morphing tiles and anamorphic art (whatever that is!)

"NRich" your maths
www.nrich.maths.org
This fantastic maths site comes from Cambridge University and caters for children from 5 to 19 years. The articles, games, notes and hints will encourage the development of mathematical thinking and problem-solving skills.

BBC Interactive Body
www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/body/index_interactivebody.shtml
This site provides intereactive games from the BBC about the structure of the human body. The challenge is to see if you can put the bones, organs, muscles and senses in the right place! Each activity takes from 5-10 minutes. Good luck!

Poetry Archive
www.poetryarchive.org
As the name suggests, this is a great site to explore and learn more about poetry. Amongst other things you can listen to well-known poets, such as Seamus Heaney and John Betjeman, reading their own work.

More Poetry Please!
www.poetryzone.ndirect.co.uk
This site has been produced by poet Roger Stevens for students aged 5 - 16 years. They can write their own poems, explore the poem galleries, take part in competitions and read the interviews with poets. A great site that shows that poetry doesn't always have to be grand or pompous, but can also be funny.

Britkid
www.britkid.org
This is a website about race, racism and life as seen through the eyes of a diverse group of teenagers growing up in Britain. There are quotes, lyrics, famous people, sport and music.

Embassy of Brazil in London
www.brazil.org.uk
This site contains factual information about the country, including climate, population, economy, culture, environmental and social issues.

Planet Science
www.planet-science.com
This site aims to make science appealing and interesting to young people and there is lots of stuff for parents too. There is help for parents with ideas for activities and experiments which aren't a bit "schooly" and even a survival guide to explain everything you need to know about how science is taught in schools.

How Stuff Works
www.howstuffworks.com
"Mum, can water go bad?" "Dad, how does lightening work?" If you are being bombarded by your children with dozens of those sorts of questions, then this is the website for you! This American site is packed full of information on all sorts of subjects and will be of interest for children from seven to seventeen.

Languages Online
www.languagesonline.org.uk
I wish I'd had access to resources like when I was studying languages at school. This is a school-based site, (English, but still relevant for Scottish pupils) for both primary and secondary students of French, German, Italian and Spanish. It has a massive amount of learning and revision material as well as interactive exercises, crosswords and quizzes with instant on-screen feedback.

10 Downing Street
www.youngpeople.gov.uk
Go to the 10 Downing Street website for young people - your guide to the historic home and office of Gordon Brown, the Prime Minister.
Keep in touch with the latest developments at Number 10, find out what the PM is working on at the moment. You could even email questions for Mr Brown.
Find out what the Prime Minister, his Cabinet and the Government actually do - and how this affects all our lives. Meet Prime Ministers from the past and discover the fascinating history of 10 Downing Street.

Know the Score
www.knowthescore.info
This website includes information for both parents and young people on drugs and alcohol. You can read the basic facts about drugs, browse the A-Z of Drugs, find out what you need know, why people become involved in drugs, as well as the law relating to drugs. There are also contact details of where to get help and first aid tips. Thye also have a free, confidential information and advice line on drugs and alcohol on 0800 587 587

Computer Tutor
www.bbc.co.uk/computertutor
Brilliant site for all ages - including adults! The BBC's guide to using a computer is definitely the simplest one I've seen.

Eco-Friendly Kids
www.ecofriendlykids.co.uk
Did you know that on average every person in the UK throws away their own body weight in rubbish every 7 weeks? Would you like you and your family to be more "environmentally friendly"? Well, this is the site for you. This site offers a unique reference point on helping the environment with useful tips, activities and loads of information.

The Good Food Village Trust
www.thegoodfoodvillagetrust.org
The Good Food Village Trust is a charity which is dedicated to promoting palate training. We’re here to help parents get the most into their kid’s diets. The Trust has grants of up to £5,000 for groups or individuals who come up with innovative ideas on how to establish good eating habits. The Good Food Village Trust is not here to lecture or dictate. By giving funding to FUN, EXCITING projects we aim to make palate training something that parents and children can do, and enjoy, together.

Alien Language
www.alienlanguage.co.uk
This site is designed to support the teaching of modern foreign languages to children aged 11-14 years. It currently has activities in four languages: English, French, Spanish and German. If a learner needs help, they can receive a translation of the instructions. The site has lots of activities: The Body Museum - you have to type the labels for the "specimens" in the body part museum; The Hospital - drag words to form sentences, to say what is wrong with each patient; Who Wants to be a Winner? - join in the gameshow on the spaceship's interactive TV. And don't worry, there is a visual dictionary with pronunciation available at all times!

Topmarks
www.topmarks.co.uk
This site holds a huge bank of links to other educational sites which provide free resources; it is for teachers and parents who want to help their child and is aimed at children right through from the earliest years to higher education. The site is organised into subject areas.