August Features from Internet 4 Classrooms

August Blog | App of The Month | What's Happening |
New- Online Practice | New- Printables | New- Answer Keys |
Teacher Resources | Parent Resources | Technology Tips |
Other Areas of Interest | Common Core |
SAT and ACT Test Preparation

August brings National Back to School Month, National Immunization Awareness Month, National Aviation Day, Dream Day, and much more.

August Blog: Back to School: Setting Your Kids Up for a Great Year

Back to School: Setting Your Kids Up for a Great Year

This month's blog is Back to School: Setting Your Kids Up for a Great Year .

Last month we set off fireworks and celebrated America's 250th birthday together as families. Now the calendar has turned to August, the summer is winding down, and a new school year is right around the corner. If the thought of backpacks, bus schedules, and early alarm clocks brings a little flutter of stress — for you and your kids — take a breath. The last few weeks of summer are the perfect runway for a smooth, confident landing into the new year. You don't need to buy a thing or be a teacher yourself. With a handful of free, trustworthy online resources, a few smart apps, and some simple at-home routines, you can help your child walk through the classroom door feeling ready, organized, and excited. Below you'll find ideas grouped by what matters most this month — from resetting sleep and getting organized to brushing up on reading and math and calming those first-day nerves — with tips tailored for elementary, middle, and high schoolers along the way.

Guest Blogger Bill Franklin, the CEO of Internet4Classrooms, is our guest blogger this month. He has been on the faculty at The George Washington University, has years of platform instructional experience, was a career Army Special Operations officer and also has decades of experience as a youth sports coach.

App of the Month

Every month we are going to feature a different, and hopefully FREE, iPad/iPod/iPhone/Android educational application. Visit our ever-changing app page.

The App of the Month for August is Khan Academy Kids by Khan Academy ( iOS and Android ).

Make screen time more meaningful with Khan Academy Kids—the award-winning, educational app for kids ages 2–8. Packed with fun, standards-aligned reading games, math games, phonics lessons, and interactive storybooks, the app has helped over 21 million preschool and elementary students learn at home, at school, and on the go. Join Kodi the Bear and friends on exciting educational adventures that spark curiosity, build confidence, and inspire a lifelong love of learning.

PLAY-BASED READING, MATH & MORE:

From ABC games and phonics practice to counting, addition, and shapes, kids can explore over 5,000 educational games and activities with Kodi’s friends:

• Ollo the Elephant – phonics and letter sounds
  
  
• Reya the Red Panda – storytime and writing
  
  
• Peck the Hummingbird – numbers and counting
  
  
• Sandy the Dingo – puzzles, memory, and problem-solving
  

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION:

With more than 180,000 5-star reviews, Khan Academy Kids has won the hearts of families and educators worldwide.

• “Best kids app EVER”
  
  
• “It’s 100% free and my kids learn so much!”
  
  
• “If you’re looking for a HIGH quality app for your kids, this is it!”
  

Recognition includes:

• Common Sense Media – Top Rated Educational App
  
  
• Children’s Technology Review – Editor’s Choice
  
  
• Parents’ Choice – Gold Award Winner
  
  
• Apple App Store – Editor’s Choice
  

A LIBRARY OF STORYBOOKS AND VIDEOS:

• Discover hundreds of kids’ books and videos for preschool, kindergarten and early elementary.
  
  
• Explore animals, dinosaurs, science, and more with non-fiction books from National Geographic and Bellwether Media.
  
  
• Choose “Read To Me” for read-aloud storybooks in English or Spanish.
  
  
• Dance and sing-along with videos from Super Simple Songs!
  

FROM PRESCHOOL TO 2ND GRADE:

Khan Academy Kids grows with your child, from age 2 through 8 and beyond:

• Preschool learning games build foundational reading, math, and life skills.
  
  
• Kindergarten activities cover phonics, sight words, writing, and early math.
  
  
• 1st and 2nd grade lessons strengthen reading comprehension, problem-solving, and confidence.
  

SAFE, TRUSTED, AND ALWAYS FREE:

Created in partnership with the Stanford Graduate School of Education by education experts, aligned with Head Start and Common Core Standards, COPPA-compliant, and 100% free—no ads, no subscriptions. Khan Academy is a nonprofit with the mission to provide a free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere.

LEARN ANYWHERE—AT HOME, AT SCHOOL, EVEN OFFLINE:

• At home: Khan Academy Kids is the perfect learning app for families at home. From sleepy mornings to road trips, kids and families love learning with Khan Kids.
  

For homeschool: Families that homeschool also enjoy our standards-aligned, educational kids games and lessons for kids.

• At school: In-app Teacher Tools help preschool and elementary school teachers create assignments, track student progress, and make the most of small-group and whole-group learning.
  
  
• On the go: No wifi? No problem! Download books and games for learning on the go. Perfect for car trips, waiting rooms, or cozy mornings at home.
  

START YOUR LEARNING ADVENTURE TODAY

Download Khan Academy Kids and watch your child discover, play, and grow.

JOIN OUR COMMUNITIES FOR FAMILIES AND TEACHERS

Follow @khankids on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

KHAN ACADEMY:

Khan Academy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with the mission to provide a free, world-class education to anyone, anywhere. Khan Academy Kids was created by early learning experts from Duck Duck Moose who created 22 preschool games and won 22 Parents’ Choice Awards, 19 Children’s Technology Review Awards and a KAPi award for Best Children’s App. Khan Academy Kids is 100% free with no ads or subscriptions.

Khan Academy Kids is available for Apple and Android devices.

Compatibility: Requires iOS 12.0 or later on Apple iPhone and Android version 6.0 and up on your Android device.

WHAT'S HAPPENING THIS MONTH?

Here are some of the August events that you can celebrate or make note of this month:

1. National Back to School Month
   
   The summer has flown by, and it's time to head back to school! Whether you're a teacher getting ready to meet your new students, or a parent preparing to send your child(ren) back to school we have resources to help transition back into the swing of the school year. Check out our Teacher resource page and our Parent resource page


2. Natural Immunization Awareness Month
   
   August is National Immunization Awareness Month! Find resources, vaccination schedules, and a parents' guide. Make sure to explain to your kids why shots are important!




3. The 19th Amendment was Ratified, Granting Women the Right to Vote (8-18-1920)
   
   The movement for women's rights was elevated to the national level when the 19th Amendment was proposed to Congress in 1878. It took roughly 70 years of suffrage before the Amendment was ratified. Explore lesson plans, and historic information, and classroom resources on Women's Suffrage.




4. Francis Scott Key's Birthday (8/1/1779)
   
   Today is the birthday of the writer of our national anthem! Read about Francis Scott Key and learn about the flag the national anthem was written about. Check out these great lesson plans about Francis Scott Key, Ft. McHenry, and the War of 1812.




5. Dollar Day (8/8)
   
   Did you know that the US dollar bill was created in 1786? Learn about the current $1 bill and the history of currency in the United States. Check out I4C's pages on how to introduce money counting skills to your students or child(ren).


6. International Left-Hander's Day (8/13)
   
   Did you know that Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Albert Einstein, and Bill Gates are all left handed? Roughly 10-15% of Americans are left handed. 1 in 4 Apollo astronauts were left handed. 5 out of the last 8 presidents have been left handed. You can find all sorts of fun, yet, conflicting, left-handed trivia online. But one thing is for sure, there are quite a few famous left-handers! Find out about other famous left handers and tips for teaching left handed children here!


7. National Aviation Day (8/19)
   
   Celebrate the Wright Brothers, Amelia Earhart, and other aviation pioneers today! Look at a great timeline about aviation and find crafts and activities here.




8. Dream Day (8/28)
   
   On this day in in 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King stood at the Lincoln Memorial and said his famous "I Have a Dream" speech. Learn about Dr. King, read his speech, and learn about the Civil Rights Movement.

New- ONLINE PRACTICE AT I4C

Internet4Classrooms now offers Online Practice and Interactives, covering Kindergarten to Eighth Grade Common Core Mathematics. Look for a rapidly growing variety of thousands of practice quizzes tied to the Common Core State Standards, School Subjects, Activities, and Holidays.

Check out our Online Practice Quizzes. More grades and subjects coming soon.

New Online Practice Quizzes Made Available in August

We have released many new online quizzes during the last months supporting the Common Core Standards.

Try them out, and then use them with your students as:

• Bell Ringers,
• In Class Assignments,
• Homework or
• Extra Credit.

Here is a list of the newest quizzes by grade.

New- COMMON CORE MATHEMATICS PRINTABLES AT I4C

Internet4Classrooms offers Printables, covering Kindergarten to Sixth Grade Mathematics. Look for a rapidly growing variety of thousands of practice worksheets tied to the Common Core State Standards, School Subjects, Activities, and Holidays.

Check out our Common Core Printables. More grades and subjects coming soon.

New Printables Worksheets Made Available in August

We have released thousands of new printables worksheets during the last months supporting the Common Core Standards.

Try them out, and then use them with your students as:

• Bell Ringers,
• In Class Assignments,
• Homework or
• Extra Credit.

Here is a list of the newest worksheet sets by grade.

New- Answer Keys




New Worksheet Answer Keys Made Available in August

We have released thousands of new answer keys for our printables worksheets during the last months supporting the Common Core Standards.

Remember that you can sign up for answer key access here: https://i4c.xyz/n89msyv.

Here is a list of the newest answer key sets by grade.





TEACHER RESOURCES



1. Many historical events happened this month which you can cover in your classroom. Check outI4C's History page for lesson plans, videos, activities, and other resources to supplement your lessons!


2. Back to School we go! Check out all of our great resources - including Classroom Organization, Classroom Management, Lesson Planning, and Making the Most Out of Technology.


3. Our Teacher Resource page has everything from Exceptional Children needs, to Project Ideas, Character Education, Lesson Plans, Instructional Information, Reference Sites, and all of our Teacher Tools. Please take advantage of these FREE services!


4. Here are a few quick links to get you started:
   Lesson Plans page
   Elementary and Middle School Lessons
   High School Lessons
   Classroom and workstation set up by grade
   Planning Tools
   Bulletin Board Ideas
   Classroom Forms
   Discipline Techniques and Classroom Management
   Grade Level Help
   Resources by School Subject
   Guidance Resources


5. Check out our Pinterest and especially our Back to School board to find fun classroom tips for the new school year!


6. Be sure to check out our Common Core Math Printables and Common Core State Standards Resources when planning your lessons this year. These are great additional supplements to use in your classroom!


7. Frustrated with the lack of access to technology in your classroom? Take a look at these 8 creative classroom tech tips—from a teacher who had very little of it.
8. Are you a first time teacher this fall? Scholastic shares 10 tips for thriving during your first year of teaching, with practical advice from experienced educators to help make your first year a success!


9. Looking for a great book to read to your classroom on the first day of school? Browse back-to-school read-aloud lists from Scholastic and We Are Teachers for plenty of great first-day picks!


10. Be sure to check out I4C's collection of free educational iPhone and iPad apps.


11. Remember to visit our Teacher Tools section. This home page contains all the topics you need to use during the school year.


12. Go to our grade level help for lesson plans, activities, instructionals, and tools organized by grade and subject.



PARENT RESOURCES




1. It's that time - time to get our kids motivated to hit the books. Visit our Back to School Guide for Parents and Parent Zone. Learn how to get involved at your child's school. Find tips for getting your house back into a routine. Stay informed with our bullying and character education resources. Here are a few disciplining techniques to help along the way.


2. Homework is always a struggle, isn't it? Browse these links for homework help ideas.


3. August is National Immunization Month! Make sure your children are up to date on their shots before the school year starts. Find a Parent's Guide to Immunization here.


4. Nutrition is an important factor in academic performance! Find tips for healthy eating here. Here are some great ideas to make a healthy school lunch for your kids and be sure check out our Nutrition page.


5. Be sure to check out I4C's collection of free educational iPhone and iPad apps for you and your child.


6. You can always visit our Parent Resources page to get grade level practice sites, find online sources, and information pertaining to homework, special needs, reading help, and more.


7. Don't forget our Technology Tutorial section in case you need refresher courses in your computer skills.





TECHNOLOGY TIPS



1. Teaching Students to Manage Their Digital Assignments:
   This Edutopia article gives teachers concrete, repeatable routines for helping students organize and actually submit digital work in tools like Google Classroom, Google Calendar, and other learning-management systems. It recommends committing to one LMS plus a few consistent apps to avoid "app fatigue," color-coding files, posting log-in directions, and keeping a living table-of-contents and end-of-class calendar routine. It also shows teachers how to model executive-function strategies such as saving, syncing across devices, and prioritizing tasks.
   
   Learn more by visiting: HERE


2. Free Back-to-School Templates for Teachers and Families:
   Common Sense Education offers a free, customizable set of back-to-school templates to help teachers and families start the year organized. The collection includes a K–5 Digital Learning Pledge and a 6–12 Digital Learning Agreement for setting device-use and online-safety expectations, plus Daily Routines, Devices for Learning, a Dinner Discussion guide, and an FAQ Cheat Sheet for families, several offered in both English and Spanish. Teachers edit and share them to communicate daily routines, device logistics, and how families can support learning at home.
   
   Learn more by visiting: HERE


3. How Things Fly (Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum):
   How Things Fly, from the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum, is a free interactive website where students explore the science of flight through sections on Forces of Flight, Gravity & Air, Aerodynamics, Propulsion, Structures & Materials, and Flight Dynamics. Hands-on Activities, multimedia webisodes, and an "Ask an Explainer" feature—answered by trained high-school and college student Explainers—let learners investigate how aircraft and spacecraft actually get off the ground. It's an engaging digital resource for connecting a science lesson to aviation history.
   
   Learn more by visiting: HERE






We also have other basic instruction in Microsoft Office, including Word 2007, Excel 2007, Powerpoint 2007.





OTHER AREAS OF INTEREST



1. Resources for Educators - In this section you can find classroom resources for Exceptional Children, Smartboards, Character Education, Web 2.0 Resources and other topics.
2. Resources for Parents - Parents can find resources
   on assisting their children with homework, time management, Internet Safety, subject area resources, grade level resources and more.




Common Core State Standards at I4C




Our Common Core State Standards are full of resources for every individual standard. Students can take control of their own learning by clicking on the page with the standard number, and choosing their own resource to practice that skill.




Check out our Common Core Math High School Algebra Standards, Common Core Math Standards, and Common Core ELA Standards.




SAT and ACT Test Preparation

Free Online Practice Resources for ACT Tests and SAT Tests. I4C now offers free SAT and ACT vocabulary and math quizzes. Join our SAT and ACT Test Preparation program and log in as much as you'd like. Students can take practice tests on 5000 vocabulary words or over 1000 math problems. Parents and Mentors can log in to monitor your scores - including seeing which vocabulary words that were missed. Interactive quizzes allow the test taker to retake and study as much as they want.




Sign Up Here for ACT Test & SAT Test Preparation.