Advice on better parental support for development

[racingheart]

Can anyone recommend their favourite websites for maths and literacy (especially spelling) for boys going into yr 4. They are bright but falling behind a bit and I realise I've been rather lazy and need to give them a lot more focused support at home to help them develop, but am unsure where to start.

Any recommendations for fun literacy (especially spellings) and maths strategy books, games or websites would be really appreciated. Both boys have very good reading ages and excellent general knowledge but weak core skills (e.g. multiplication tables.) They love maths but it's my weakest subject and I haven't a clue where to start making algebra or square roots interesting, even though they keep asking about them as other kids higher up in the class are being given these subjects. I don't want to squash their enthusiasm with my own ignorance!

They also can't tell the time from a clock face AT ALL despite my trying to teach them. Again, this is something I struggled to do well into my 20s (possible mild dyscalculia which wasn't diagnosed in those days.)

Over this summer i really want to help them get on a par with the other children in their class. they are bright but they are also summer born and in a school with some very smart kids who get extra tuition after school. We don't want to go down that route yet (they're only yr 3 going into yr 4, but they are starting to make comments about being left behind.

Sorry - long post. Thanks for reading.

[kayah]

have quick look at this thread

[racingheart]

Thank you Kayah, that's just the sort of thing I was looking for.

I found some good spelling games on an advice sheet here in case anyone else is interested.

I've heard of so many maths sites - not sure which to pick, especially as you have to pay for most - but will get the kids to mess about on them and see which they prefer.

[kayah]

I am sure there are many websites where you don't have to pay anything.