8.8 Grade-Level Web Sites

What can grade-level web sites add to teaching and learning?

When searching for information on the Web, it is often helpful to use sites that allow you to narrow your search of lesson plans by grade level. Many educational portals allow this kind of searching, and some sites are completely targeted at specific grade levels.

The differences between a science project or English assignment for kindergarten versus that for a high school senior are obvious. By narrowing your search with sites that allow you to pick a specific grade level, you increase your chances of finding usable resources.

Activity:

Do a web search for online resources using just your preferred subject area as a keyword (for example, “science education”). Examine the first 5 sites that are returned in your search. Then repeat the search adding your preferred grade level (“second grade science”). Examine the first five returns on this search. Lastly, use one of the web sites below to search for resources by using their search engine, again comparing the first five returns. Compare your results and be prepared to share your findings with your peers.

Want to know more? Check out these sites:

Google Education Sites Grade Level

http://www.aolatschool.com/educators/lesson-plans

http://www.refdesk.com/homework.html

http://www.lessonplanspage.com/

http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/bluewebn/#table

http://www.knowitall.org/grade/index.cfm

http://dir.yahoo.com/Education/k_12/