The web sites listed below will help all of my students complete the assignments for Language Arts.
You will probably find that some of them will help you in your other classes, too!
To go to a web site, simply double-click on the link.
ONLINE DICTIONARIES:
http://dictionary.reference.com
Dictionary.com is a “no-frills” online dictionary and thesaurus that is easy to use.
Merriam-Webster Online is a free dictionary and thesaurus. Also check out the “Word of the Day,” “Word for the Wise,” and the word games.
STUDY AIDS:
Once you set up your free account, you can type up your flashcards and save them online. Making flashcards is a great way to study vocabulary, Notorious Confusables, and grammar rules. You can use this tool to help you study for tests in your other classes, too.
http://www.factmonster.com/homework/t1termpaper1.html
This is a helpful list of tips for writing research papers.
http://www.english.uiuc.edu/cws/wworkshop/writer_resources/citation_styles/mla/mla.htm
This online guide will show you how to cite sources in a research paper and create a bibliography.
Click on NoodleBib after you open this web site. NoodleBib Express will help you to format each type of entry in your bibliography. Then you can simply copy and paste the formatted entry into your bibliography page!
http://www.funbrain.com/roots/index.html
When you play Rooting Out Words, you have to find the meanings of new words based on common word roots.
http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/athens_games/game.htm
Scholastic’s It’s Greek to Me tests your knowledge of Greek roots and prefixes.
http://teacher.scholastic.com/products/Instructor/Mar05_prefixessuffixes.htm
Scholastic’s “Get to the Root” (Offline) Activities will definitely help increase your knowledge of vocabulary!
GRAPHIC ORGANIZERS:
http://www.eduplace.com/graphicorganizer/index.html
Every type of graphic organizer can be found on this web site to help you plan your ideas before you start writing. They are PDF files that need to be opened with Adobe Acrobat or Reader and printed.
The graphic organizers on this web site are interactive, so you can type your ideas online and then print your completed map. You cannot save your work, so be careful to not close your browser before you finish! My favorite graphic organizer on this web site is the persuasion map for persuasive essays.
SPELLING:
http://www.yourdictionary.com/fun.html
Playing these games is sure to help you come a better speller (and they are fun, too).
PARTS OF SPEECH:
http://www.quia.com/cb/28126.html
This is a Quia noun review game.
http://www.quia.com/jg/333551.html
These games review singular and plural nouns.
http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/basketball/index.html
Noun Dunk gives an awesome and fun review of common and proper nouns!
http://www.addictinggames.com/grammarninja.html
Find nouns and verbs in sentences when you play Grammar Ninja!
http://www.english-online.org.uk/games/verbnounboth.htm
This game will help you find nouns and verbs in sentences, too.
http://depts.gallaudet.edu/englishworks/exercises/exgrammar/verb01.htm
http://depts.gallaudet.edu/englishworks/exercises/exgrammar/verb02.htm
Can you identify the verbs in these sentences?
http://depts.gallaudet.edu/englishworks/exercises/exgrammar/ballverbtense.htm
This exercise will help you review verb tenses.
EDITING:
http://www.eduplace.com/kids/hme/k_5/proofread/proof.htm
After the game loads, click on grade 6, 7, or 8 and pick your proofreading challenge!
BOOK LISTS:
http://www.ala.org/ala/yalsa/booklistsawards/bestbooksya/bestbooksyoung.htm
YALSA (the Young Adult Library Services Association) compiled these lists of best books for young adults.
http://www.clpgh.org/kids/booknook/gradedbooklists/middleschool.html
This list of new classics was compiled by the Carnegie Library in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
http://www.education-world.com/summer_reading
Education World lists books by grade. Ignore that it says it’s a summer reading list – these books can be read all year long!
http://www.springfieldlibrary.org/reading/baseball.html
If you’re a baseball fan, then you’ll love this list of books!
http://springfieldlibrary.org/reading/yahistory.html
Travel to another time and place. Explore this list of fictional novels about history (historical fiction).
http://berkeleypubliclibrary.org/booklist/mystery_booklist.html
It’s fun to get into a good mystery, so take a look at the books on this list.
http://berkeleypubliclibrary.org/booklist/multicultural_booklist.html
You will learn about interesting people from other cultures if you check out and read one of the books on this list.
This is a great web site to find science fiction and fantasy books.