Tips for Parent on Finding the Most Helpful Primary & Secondary School Resources

How do you choose appropriate learning resources?

If you’re a parent, you can use the following tips to find the most helpful primary resources for your child. Ask your child’s teacher what resources they recommend. Most teachers will have long lists of websites and apps that they find useful in their classrooms. If you don’t know who your child’s teacher is, you can ask your principal or another school staff member.There are many primary school materials that can help children learn. 

1. Textbooks: Textbooks are a great resource for learning maths. They often provide clear explanations, examples, and practice problems to reinforce learning.

2. Workbooks: Workbooks are a great way for children to practise maths skills. They often include a variety of problems that increase in difficulty as children progress through the book.

3. Manipulatives: Manipulatives are physical objects that children can use to help them understand mathematical concepts. Examples include blocks, counting beads, and fraction bars.

4. Online resources: There are many online resources available that can help children learn maths. These may include videos, interactive games, and practice problems.

5. Flashcards: Flashcards are a useful tool for memorising maths facts such as multiplication tables, addition and subtraction facts, and more.

6. Apps: There are many educational apps available that can help children learn maths. These may include games, quizzes, and interactive lessons.

Apps for Primary and Secondary Students

There are so many books, toys and apps out there that it’s hard to know what’s worth your money.Here  are some helpful websites and apps recommended on this website. We’ve listed some of our favourite resources here: 

1. Khan Academy Kids
2. Google Classroom
3. ClassDojo
4. School App for Parents
5. Nearpod
6. Seesaw
7. ScratchJr
8. Teach Your Monster to Read
9. Book Creator for iPad
10. Explain Everything Whiteboard
11. Epic
12. Swift Playgrounds
13. DoodleMaths
14. BrainPop
15. TheSchoolApp
16. IXL
17. Kodable
18. Marble Math Junior
19. School Jotter
20. ParentSquare
21. Shadow Puppet Edu
22. 1-Minute Maths
23. codeSpark – Coding for Kids
24. Classting
25. Human Resource Machine
26. Code Karts – Pre-coding logic
27. Lightbot
28. K-5 Science for Kids – Tappity
29. Math Kids: Math Games For Kids
30. Slice Fractions School Edition
31. Toca Life World
32. ChatterPix Kids

Resources for Special Needs Students:

1. Communication aids
2. Sensory integration tools
3. Adaptive seating
4. Visual aids
5. Assistive technology
6. Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices
7. Tactile aids
8. Social stories
9. Behaviour charts
10. Specialised reading materials
11. Sensory rooms
12. Specialised instruction
13. Occupational therapy tools
14. Music therapy
15. Personalised learning plans
16. Life skills training
17. Speech therapy
18. Positive reinforcement tools
19. Peer support programs
20. Parent education and support

Subject Based Resources for Primary and Secondary Students

We’ve put together a list of resources that we think are worth checking out. Not all will apply to your child depending on the grade and type of curriculum being used in their school. Most of these items can be purchased in your local bookstore, amazon or tts-international. Here are some suggestions: 

Maths Resources:

1. Textbooks
2. Workbooks
3. Manipulatives (e.g. blocks, counting beads, fraction bars, etc.)
4. Calculators
5. Geometric shapes and models
6. Graph paper
7. Rulers and protractors
8. Flashcards
9. Math games (e.g. board games, card games, online games, etc.)
10. Math puzzles (e.g. Sudoku, crossword puzzles, logic puzzles, etc.)
11. Educational videos
12. Apps (e.g. math games, flashcards, interactive lessons, etc.)
13. Whiteboards and markers
14. Interactive whiteboards
15. Math posters and charts
16. Timers and stopwatches
17. Fraction tiles
18. Number lines
19. Dice and playing cards
20. Abacus

Language/Literacy Resources:

1. Books (fiction and non-fiction)
2. Workbooks (e.g. spelling, grammar, reading comprehension)
3. Flashcards (e.g. sight words, vocabulary words)
4. Writing prompts
5. Alphabet charts and posters
6. Letter tiles and magnets
7. Word games (e.g. Scrabble, Boggle, word searches)
8. Educational videos
9. Interactive websites (e.g. Reading Eggs, Starfall)
10. Reading logs
11. Classroom library
12. Graphic organizers (e.g. Venn diagrams, story maps, KWL charts)
13. Thesaurus and dictionary
14. Writing journals and notebooks
15. Handwriting worksheets
16. Sentence strips
17. Phonics books and worksheets
18. Post-it notes
19. Interactive whiteboards
20. Spelling quizzes

Science Resources:

1. Microscopes
2. Magnifying glasses
3. Beakers and test tubes
4. Science kits (e.g. crystal growing, volcano making, etc.)
5. Thermometers
6. Weather instruments (e.g. barometers, anemometers, etc.)
7. Fossils and rocks
8. Magnets
9. Balances and scales
10. Interactive whiteboards
11. Science textbooks
12. Science workbooks
13. Science videos and documentaries
14. Virtual field trips
15. Charts and posters (e.g. periodic table, life cycle of a butterfly, etc.)
16. Animal specimens (e.g. preserved insects, fish, etc.)
17. Planetary models and maps
18. Science experiments and projects
19. Force and motion kits (e.g. simple machines, pulleys, etc.)
20. Solar system models and resources

Geography that may be helpful:

1. Maps (world, country, regional, and local maps)
2. Globes
3. Atlases
4. Compasses
5. GPS devices
6. Landforms and terrain models
7. Cultural artefacts and items from different regions
8. Country or regional flags
9. Posters and charts (e.g. climate zones, landforms, population density, etc.)
10. National Geographic magazines and books
11. Travel guides and brochures
12. Interactive whiteboards
13. Geography textbooks
14. Geography workbooks
15. Geography games and puzzles (e.g. map puzzles, geography board games, etc.)
16. Virtual field trips
17. Weather instruments (e.g. barometers, thermometers, etc.)
18. Elevation models and topographical maps
19. Historical maps and atlases
20. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software

PE Resources:

1. Balls (e.g. basketballs, soccer balls, volleyballs, etc.)
2. Cones and markers
3. Jump ropes
4. Hula hoops
5. Agility ladders
6. Mats and padding
7. Resistance bands
8. Exercise balls
9. Gymnastics equipment (e.g. balance beams, vaults, etc.)
10. Pedometers and fitness trackers
11. Stopwatch and timers
12. Whistles
13. Yoga mats
14. Stretching bands and straps
15. Dumbbells and weights
16. Treadmills and exercise bikes
17. Sport-specific equipment (e.g. racquets, goals, etc.)
18. Heart rate monitors
19. Water bottles and hydration packs

History Resources:

1. History textbooks
2. History workbooks
3. Historical fiction books
4. Primary source documents (e.g. letters, diaries, speeches, etc.)
5. Historical maps and atlases
6. Biographies and autobiographies
7. Timeline charts and posters
8. Historical photographs and images
9. Virtual field trips to historical sites
10. Historical reenactment clothing and props
11. Videos and documentaries
12. Artefacts and replicas from different time periods
13. Historical games and puzzles (e.g. crossword puzzles, word searches, etc.)
14. Interactive whiteboards
15. Historical newspapers and articles
16. Historical songs and music
17. History podcasts
18. Historical drama productions and plays
19. History teacher resource guides
20. Museums and exhibits

Computing & ICT Resources:

1. Computers and laptops
2. Interactive whiteboards
3. Projectors and screens
4. Tablets and smartphones
5. Digital cameras and video cameras
6. Coding and programming software
7. Graphics and animation software
8. Productivity software (e.g. Microsoft Office, Google Suite, etc.)
9. Learning management systems (LMS)
10. Educational apps and games
11. Educational websites and online resources
12. Keyboarding software and typing tutors
13. Digital art tools (e.g. drawing tablets, styluses, etc.)
14. Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) tools
15. 3D printers and modeling software
16. Robotics and coding kits
17. Internet safety and digital citizenship resources
18. Cybersecurity tools and software
19. Online collaboration and communication tools
20. Technology teacher resource guides

Music Resources:

1. Musical instruments (e.g. keyboard, guitar, drums, recorder, etc.)
2. Sheet music and songbooks
3. Music theory workbooks
4. Musical notation software
5. Music listening software and online resources
6. Music production software and digital audio workstations
7. Audio recording equipment and software
8. Musical games and apps
9. Music teaching aids (e.g. staff paper, metronomes, tuners, etc.)
10. Music stand and accessories
11. Music history books and resources
12. Musical performances and concerts
13. Music teacher resource guides
14. Music curriculum materials
15. Karaoke machines and tracks
16. Musical toys and instruments for young children
17. Sound effects and sample libraries
18. Podcasting and audio storytelling tools
19. Music composition and arranging software
20. Online music lessons and tutorials

PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic education) Resources:

1. PSHE curriculum materials
2. PSHE textbooks and workbooks
3. Interactive whiteboards
4. Classroom posters and charts
5. Teaching aids (e.g. hand puppets, emotion cards, etc.)
6. Videos and documentaries
7. Online resources and websites
8. Books and literature related to PSHE topics
9. Mindfulness exercises and resources
10. Group activities and role-playing scenarios
11. Guest speakers and workshops
12. Teacher resource guides
13. Health and wellness resources (e.g. healthy eating guides, exercise plans, etc.)
14. Financial literacy resources (e.g. budgeting guides, saving tips, etc.)
15. Anti-bullying and anti-discrimination resources
16. Internet safety and digital citizenship resources
17. Substance abuse prevention resources
18. Mental health resources (e.g. anxiety and depression guides, coping strategies, etc.)
19. Relationship and sex education resources
20. Citizenship education resources

RE (Religious Education) Resources:

1. Religious texts (e.g. Bible, Quran, Torah, etc.)
2. Religious stories and parables
3. Prayer books and liturgical texts
4. Religious art and artefacts
5. Religious music and hymnals
6. Maps and atlases of religious sites and landmarks
7. Religious history books and resources
8. Biographies of religious figures
9. Videos and documentaries on religious topics
10. Interactive whiteboards
11. Classroom posters and charts
12. Teaching aids (e.g. religious costumes, prayer beads, etc.)
13. Guest speakers and workshops
14. Online resources and websites
15. Teacher resource guides
16. Cross-cultural religious education resources
17. Comparative religion resources
18. Ethics and morality education resources
19. Philosophy and theology resources
20. Field trips to religious sites or events

Music Resources:

1. Musical instruments (e.g. keyboard, guitar, drums, recorder, etc.)
2. Sheet music and songbooks
3. Music theory workbooks
4. Musical notation software
5. Music listening software and online resources
6. Music production software and digital audio workstations
7. Audio recording equipment and software
8. Musical games and apps
9. Music teaching aids (e.g. staff paper, metronomes, tuners, etc.)
10. Music stand and accessories
11. Music history books and resources
12. Musical performances and concerts
13. Music teacher resource guides
14. Music curriculum materials
15. Karaoke machines and tracks
16. Musical toys and instruments for young children
17. Sound effects and sample libraries
18. Podcasting and audio storytelling tools
19. Music composition and arranging software
20. Online music lessons and tutorials

Stickers and rewardsResources:

1. Stickers with positive messages and images
2. Reward charts and goal-setting worksheets
3. Certificates and diplomas for academic achievements
4. Small prizes and toys for good behaviour or accomplishments
5. Classroom incentive programs and point systems
6. Classroom behaviour management systems (e.g. Class Dojo)
7. Praise and positive reinforcement
8. Privileges and special privileges (e.g. extra recess time, choosing a class activity, etc.)
9. Tokens or tokens for good behaviour
10. Classroom recognition boards and displays
11. Class-wide or school-wide reward systems
12. Individual or group challenges with rewards
13. Classroom raffle or lottery systems
14. Fun class activities and games
15. Positive notes and feedback to parents
16. Personalised gifts or rewards (e.g. custom-made bookmarks, posters, etc.)
17. Brag tags or badges
18. Class celebrations or parties
19. Class mascot or class pet
20. Social media or digital recognition systems (e.g. shoutouts on classroom social media pages)

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Resources:

1. Science experiment kits and lab equipment
2. STEM-based toys and games
3. Robotics and coding kits
4. Microscopes and telescopes
5. 3D printers and modeling software
6. Engineering and construction sets (e.g. Legos, K’NEX, etc.)
7. Circuitry and electronics kits
8. Renewable energy kits (e.g. solar, wind, etc.)
9. Science project displays and presentation boards
10. Math workbooks and textbooks
11. Math manipulatives (e.g. blocks, tangrams, etc.)
12. Graphing calculators and other math tools
13. Math puzzles and games
14. Virtual and augmented reality resources
15. Online STEM courses and tutorials
16. Educational apps and software
17. Interactive whiteboards and other classroom technology
18. Professional development workshops for teachers
19. STEM-focused field trips and guest speakers
20. STEM-focused competitions and challenges

Overall, finding helpful primary school materials requires some research, consultation, and consideration of your child’s needs and preferences. By taking the time to find the right materials, you can help your child achieve academic success and develop a love of learning.