Alabama Virtual Library
Great for students to research topics such as weather or biographies. Safe for students. Free access. I can’t say enough about why parents and students should start here for research first before using google. I also love the image section for printing photos and pictures for a project. No worries about a child seeing an inappropriate image!
Common Sense Media
This website is one to bookmark! I love to use this as a guide on parent reviews, grade level suggestions, etc. Parents really need to check this one out.
Educational activities that promote reading
Hoover Public Library offers a lot of free events monthly. Check out their calendar.
Funbrain
Kids will find loads of arcade-type games, math games, comics, and web versions of popular books such Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Games are grouped by type and grade.
Scholastic Book Wizard
This is a tool for finding grade level equivalent and their guided reading levels. I like the featured author section and videos to get kids excited about books.