Sometimes we (and the students) need a break from the constant academic work we do. Sometimes the students earn some free time. Either way, I like to have some websites on hand for moments like this where students can work independently and I can be hands-off. Introducing my favorite free sites to use in the computer lab.
Sites that need an account
Tips for the teacher: if you’re a computer lab teacher and you have hundreds of students, making them all accounts on these sites can be time consuming. My advice is to bribe the school data manager with chocolate or something nice so she will format the data in the way that you need it and give it to you on a flash drive. You can bulk import the class lists into the programs. Then, all you have to do is add new students as they join the school.
Tips for the teacher: Give your students some guidance when they access these sites. An example of this would be to ask them to do 10 minutes of ELA, 10 of Math, and then 10 of their choice, etc. Set a timer in the room and let them know when it is time to switch. This cuts down on classroom management issues when it is a free day. interactivesites.weebly.com
Here are New Years themed activities for the elementary computer lab to keep your students working on technology skills in the computer lab after the New Years holiday.