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Website review by Erin Brereton, Common Sense Education | Updated August 2014
Ele

Ele

Useful pre-K learning resources help both teachers and parents

Learning rating
Editorial review by Common Sense Education
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Grades
Pre-K This grade range is based on learning appropriateness and doesn't take into account privacy. It's determined by Common Sense Education, not the product's publisher.
Subjects & Skills
English Language Arts, Math
Great for
Lesson Planning, Differentiation
Platforms:  Website
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Take a look inside

5 images
Teachers can create and share playlists of their favorite activities.
Playlists can be sorted by age, intended skill, or media type.
Search for activities by age.
Ele also provides helpful resources for adults, including professional development and technical support.

Pros: Helpful information comes in a format that makes it easy for adults to find pre-K videos, lessons, ebooks, and more.

Cons: Adults need to register to create and share activity lists, but minimal information is required.

Bottom Line: Educators can access helpful interactive activities and create customized learning plans for students or suggest at-home activities for parents.

How Can I Teach with This Tool?

The site's activities focus on early education and pre-kindergarten skills through the use of fun activities, such as learning literacy through singing, talking, and other actions. Teachers can share video clips, electronic books, games, songs, and videos with young children to help them learn about the alphabet, writing, socialization, and more. Other videos touch on art, counting, and science and math. Educators can find activities for specific ages, skills, or media types, and create playlists to keep them organized and ready for quick access.

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Standards:

The Fred Rogers Center Early Learning Environment, also known as Ele, provides videos, electronic books, and other learning-based activities for educators, parents, and other adults who work with pre-K children. The variety of materials, which come from such sources as the National Center for Family Literacy and the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, are labeled by age, intended skill (such as reading or writing), or media type.

Ele's system of organization for its learning materials should make it easy for educators to find what they need -- relevant resources that address their students' needs. To help organize things further, teachers can create playlists of their favorite activities and share them on the site.

The engaging, mostly interactive learning exercises cover a wide variety of subjects, including core content areas like math, science, writing, and reading, plus such topics as listening, talking, and the arts. Notably, the site includes activities that adults and kids can do together; each includes a brief description of what kids will learn, while user reviews help identify how adults can utilize the lesson. With this handy mix of adult instruction, fun activities, and practical lessons, Ele's resources are great for helping kids get ready for the transition to school.

Overall Rating
Engagement Would it motivate students and hold their interest? Is it visually appealing? Would it inspire teachers to try something new or change their instruction?

Features a diverse set of materials, including ebooks, videos, games, and songs, which should hold kids' interest. Parents and teachers can choose materials to create their own learning program.

 

Pedagogy Does the tool help teachers promote a more student-centered experience? Will students gain conceptual understanding or think critically? Does it deepen teachers’ pedagogical thinking?

Early education subjects include reading, writing, playing, math, science, and the arts. Each is illustrated and practiced in different ways using various media types, including videos, online storybooks, and games.

 

Support Can students and teachers get assistance when they need it? Is it created with people of different abilities and backgrounds in mind? Is learning reinforced and extended beyond the digital experience?

Parents and teachers can share ideas on message boards. Videos in Spanish are available for some ELL students. Some of the linked sites contain additional information and tips for adults.

Common Sense reviewer
Erin Brereton
See how we rate and review

Key Standards Supported

Language

  • L.K.1

    Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.

  • L.K.2c

    Write a letter or letters for most consonant and short-vowel sounds (phonemes).

  • L.K.2d

    Spell simple words phonetically, drawing on knowledge of sound-letter relationships.

  • L.K.6

    Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, reading and being read to, and responding to texts.

Reading Foundational Skills

  • RF.K.3

    Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.

  • RF.K.3a

    Demonstrate basic knowledge of one-to-one letter-sound correspondences by producing the primary or many of the most frequent sound for each consonant.

  • RF.K.2

    Demonstrate understanding of spoken words, syllables, and sounds (phonemes).

  • RF.K.2a

    Recognize and produce rhyming words.

Reading Literature

  • RL.K.10

    Actively engage in group reading activities with purpose and understanding.

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