Educational Websites and Apps for Children

I though I'd start a post of our favorite educational websites or places where you can order educational material.  I would love everyone to please add to this post so we can learn from each other!  Please post a description of your site above the link.

Below the websites, please post your favorite Mac APPS!!!  I don't have any because I am just getting my Mac up and running, but I'd love to hear what you use! 


ABCs, READING

My preschoolers like this website to learn / reinforce letters:

http://www.starfall.com/


MATH

This one one is free:
http://www.arcademicskillbuilders.com/

IXL is the best math website I have found!  It costs $70 per year.  I recommend buying a subscription when your oldest is in 1st grade or when they start learning math facts.  I make each of my children in 1st grade and older do 10 minutes a day until they can get 100% quickly, then we move on to the next number.

http://www.ixl.com/


GAMES / GENERAL ED

Lots of fun games for all ages:

http://pbskids.org/

Playground is really fun for preschoolers.  My older kids love Poptropica the best:


http://www.funbrain.com/


HANDWRITING

I am using and have used the kindergarten version with two kids and am using the cursive book with my oldest child.  I love these books.

http://www.hwtears.com/hwt



KEYBOARDING


This is what my 3rd grader uses at school.  He can now type 13-20 words a minute and puts his hands in the correct place (no finger typing).

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing/


HOME SCHOOL SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS

For math, the top three courses are Saxon, Singapore, and Horizon Math.  Saxon is best for grades 3 and upper grades because it is very practice-intense, but no pictures.  Horizon uses lots of pictures and presents things clearly for grades 1 - 4.  I used Horizon last summer with my 1 and 2 grader to give them a little extra math practice.  I don't know much about Singapore.  I ordered Horizon from Amazon and don't know about the others.

For reading, the best course I have found is Sonlight (http://www.sonlight.com/)  It is very pricey, but you can look at their book lists for free.  They have wonderful lists of children's literature broken down by age.  I'm going to do another post of my favorite children's books, but this website is a good start.

FAVORITE APPS