I Need Help With My Homework!
With a lot of schools going digital, it might be hard to get help with homework when you need it. I have compiled a list of reliable sources for kids of all ages. I have also included a brief explanation of WHY they’re reliable, so kids can learn what to look for when they need to find their own sources. In general, I look for sources that:
Are NOT trying to sell you something - if they are trying to sell you something, their goal is to sell you something, not teach you
Are written and/or reviewed by experts in content and/or education - this information should be easy to find, often on an “About” page linked at the bottom of every page
Are current - sometimes pages have dates, but sometimes you have to make a judgment call: does the page look like it was designed in 1997 or 2020?
Are accurate - while I have not read every single page on every site I have recommended, I have looked through a lot of them
Are geared towards kids - it can be easier to learn from a page that prioritizes teaching, rather than reporting (or marketing, of course)
Are free - nobody wants to be spending extra money right now
Tips for finding sources:
Be SPECIFIC - you’ll have a lot less work to do if you search for terms like “algebra 1solving systems of equations”, rather than searching for “algebra 1” and trying to click through sites to find the right page
Read the ABOUT page - Who is writing the content and what are their credentials? Who is funding the page?
Use your JUDGMENT - Does the page feel like a textbook? Does it seem like a source your teacher would recommend? Or does it feel like an advertisement?
Science
Khan Academy | Free Online Courses, Lessons & Practice (All grades plus an app for preschool) - lessons, examples, and videos on many topics, often aligned to curriculum standards; edited by experts in math, science, and education, many with career experience in the content; non-profit funded by private donations and volunteers
Live Science: The Most Interesting Articles, Mysteries & Discoveries (Middle and High School) - explanations for many common science topics, with an emphasis on current events in science; writers and editors have degrees in writing and science; funded by advertisements on page
PhET: Free online physics, chemistry, biology, earth science and math simulations (High School) - simulations on many different science topics; founded by a Nobel Laureate; developers have degrees in education and science; funded by private donations and the Royal Society of Chemistry; requires you to download bits of software that may not work on a Chromebook
Youtube channels of individual science teachers sharing lessons and examples, often funded by private donors or not at all:
Math
Khan Academy | Free Online Courses, Lessons & Practice (All grades plus an app for preschool) - lessons, examples, and videos on many topics, often aligned to curriculum standards; edited by experts in math, science, and education, many with career experience in the content; non-profit funded by private donations and volunteers
Math is Fun (Middle and High School) - great lessons, examples, and explanations for much of high school and middle school math; reviewed by experts with post-graduate degrees in math and education; funded by advertisements on page
Youtube channels of individual math teachers sharing lessons and examples, often funded by private donors or not at all:
Do you know any resources I should add to my list? Comment below!