PreK - 3 Science

For Virginia Teachers --

Virginia Standards of Learning: Instruction, Training,and Assessment Resources

TECH TIP: Many websites for children are very graphic intense. To save instructional time, you can download the website into your cache prior to using the site with the students. Many sites also require plugins such as Shockwave, RealOnePlayer, or Quicktime, as well as needing JavaScript and ActiveX. Previewing a site before using it with students is always a good idea.

Links to Other Sites

Animal Bytes: SeaWorld and Busch Gardens sponsor this animal database. The animals are categorized by class. A picture is available for most animals. This is a very good, uncluttered research site for younger children. However, those reading below the third grade level will probably require some reading help.
Animal Printouts: Part of the Enchanted Learning site, these illustrated printouts offer information that can be handled by younger children.
Animal Sounds Matching Game: This site takes a bit of time to download all the sounds.
Billy Bear & Clarence's Animal Scoop: There is a wealth of information and activities at this site, but you will probably want to set a policy for downloading with your students before using the site. The browser must be set to accept Java Applets to use some of the activities.
Bing and Bong's Tiny Planets: Students can play and learn about light and color, nature, and technology at this very creative Flash site. A second grade reader should be able to do most of the reading independently, including the help directions. Younger children will enjoy this site, too, but they will need some reading help with game directions. There is a continuous loop of music throughout all the activities; headphones are suggested or turn off the sound which is not necessary to the activities. (This probably won't bother the kids, but any adult in the room is going to climb the walls after hearing it forty or fifty times.)
Cool Science for Curious Kids: This graphic intense site is sponsored by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
Ducks Unlimited Greenwings Games: The subject of these games is wetland wildlife. Some require reading, but there is something for all reading levels.
DynaMo's Lab: You will need the Flash and Shockwave players for this site. Most of the activities involve picture matching. There are lots of loud sound effects. The Lab is part of the BBC Education site called DynaMo. You may want to check out the math, history, and language sections of DynaMo, but the differences between British and American vocabulary and money systems will be apparent in many activities.
FEMA for Kids: Learn about natural disasters, how to protect yourself, and how the Federal Emergency Management Agency helps those affected. Younger students may need reading help.
Have a Cow Dude: Take a virtual field trip! This family runs a fifth generation dairy farm and lets anyone choose one of their Holstein cows. Through their newsletter you can follow her progress. You can ask the farmer questions and learn about life on a dairy farm.
Hurricane Name Storybook: NASA provides a very simple explanation of how hurricanes form. Flash is required for the version with pictures.
KidsCom: Animals of the World: Find out how much you know about animals with these games. This is a commercial site, but these games can be played without registering. Most third grade students could read this site, but the answers must be typed out. (Suggestion: If you think the students will have trouble with spelling, provide a word list.)
Kid's Valley Webgarden: Lots of useful information for a beginning gardener can be found here. Younger children will need reading help.
My First Garden: Designed by the University of Illinois Extension to meet fourth grade Illinois standards, this site presents the concepts in a simple format that could easily be used with younger students if given reading help.
National Zoo: This is the official website of the National Zoological Park in Washington, D.C.
Nature: Alien Empire - Enter the Hive: Flash Player is needed to view this PBS Online site which explains the life of a honeybee. The reading level would be beyond that of all except the strongest third grade readers for independent reading, but it would make a good whole class activity.
PrimaryGames.com - Science: These Java games provide practice in some basic learning skills.
Smokey Bear: This is the official Smokey Bear website. Younger children will need reading help with this site. Flash Player is needed for some games.
Space Place: This site was created by NASA, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the International Technology Education Association, and others. Teacher resources are available.
Volcano World Kids' Door: This is the children's section of the University of North Dakota's Volcano World website. Younger students may need reading help.

Article by the Teachers' Mentor

Using Webquests