How Can Teachers Use It?
The site also offers teaching resources for a half-dozen articles, plus a lesson on critical thinking and a few other items. The TFK Extra section offers some additional materials, produced with organizations like the History Channel, that can be used to teach kids about community service and other subjects.
The reading-intensive site probably isn't ideal for low-literacy or early-level ESL students. However, the publisher says TIME for Kids' content was designed around Common Core literacy and informational reading requirements, which could make it a beneficial grade school resource. To access most teaching materials, though -- including a digital magazine with narration and highlighted vocabulary words -- you'll need a classroom print magazine subscription.
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What's It Like?
TIME for Kids is a companion site to TIME for Kids magazine, featuring news items on science, entertainment, current events, and other topics. Grade school-age kids write some articles, while various mini-sites within TIME for Kids provide info on topics like the London Olympics and summer movies. Articles can teach kids about current events and social studies, civics, history, science, and other topics. Online tools provide some math, geography, and grammar practice, and guidelines can help kids strengthen their writing skills. The Homework Helper section offers online study tools like math and state capital flashcards. Kids can also create their own flashcards, take a punctuation quiz, and get help on essays, papers, news stories, and other writing assignments.
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Is It Good For Learning?
Kids learn about current events by reading articles that are often shorter, simpler, and less graphic than ones on other news sites. A piece on the November 2013 Philippines typhoon, for example, mentions casualties but focuses on the meterological causes and relief efforts. Articles are written in an admirable tone; they manage to be informative and easy to understand without sounding oversimplified. And there's plenty to read here: The site covers both world and national news and reports on a number of other topics, including health and entertainment. A few new articles are posted each school day, which should encourage kids to keep coming to the site.
In addition to solid content, the site also provides a healthy dose of inspiration. Its newswriting tips and young reporters serve as an empowering example of how kids can write about the world around them. Kid-penned articles receive highlighted billing, and content focuses on youth-centric topics, such as the Kids Fit Foundation's role in setting up competitions for kids aged 4 to 13. Teachers will also find a few lesson plan suggestions, printable activities, and other materials to help them use the site as a learning resource in class.
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The TIME for Kids homepage features global and U.S. news.
Teachers can view worksheets and other materials associated with about a half-dozen articles.
Young reporters write some of the articles.
Kids can also take punctuation quizzes, use flashcards, and get writing tips on the site.
Teachers can also use several resources co-produced with nonprofits and other organizations.
