You Could Learn Alot From a Cat

If I told you that Garfield and friends make good teachers, you would probably think I was crazy.  However, you kids really could learn alot from a cartoon cat.  I recently came across an educational website by the makers of Garfield and found that it had a lot to offer. 

Professor Garfield is a learning portal chock-full of fun and interactive educational resources geared for elementary students. The website is a collaboration between Paws, Inc. (world headquarters of Garfield the Cat) and Ball State University. 

Jim Davis, the creator of Garfield, is the brain-child behind Professor Garfield.  The vision for the learning portal came to him over the years, as he received tons of mail from parents telling him how the Garfield cartoons helped their child to read.  Recognizing that cartoons could serve as educational tools, the idea for Professor Garfield was hatched. 

Professor Garfield is primarily targeted for kids between the ages of 5-12. However, even I had fun checking out all the goodies the website has to offer.  My favorite area was the Music Bot, which provides some really fun songs for learning.  I just loved Red Grammer's "Music of the World" song.  I think it has to be one the catchiest geography songs I've ever heard.

Here is just some of the educational content that Professor Garfield has to offer:

• Music Bot - Kids have fun with music
• Art Bot - Learn to draw cartoons the Garfield way
• Brain Busters - Word games to challenge  your brain
• Toon Book Reader - Cartoon books read outloud (in 5 different languages)
• Comics Lab - Create your own comic strips
• Transport to Reading - Fun with sounds and letters
• The Reading Ring - Reading comprehension games
• G-Cubed - Multi-player trivia game

You can really tell that Jim Davis cares about kids, because of the add-on link to the related website of Learning Lab, which provides educational cartoon videos.  On that site are two animated videos that I think every homeschooling family with younger kids (grades K-8) should watch.  These videos, which are starring Garfield and friends, cover the basics of internet safety.

Professor Garfield on Online Safety
Garfield and Friends share information about Online Safety - Who is the mysterious message-board poster trying to get his paws on Nermal’s special comic book?

Professor Garfield on Cyberbullying
Garfield and Friends share information about Cyberbullying - Who is anonymously posting bad reviews about “Animal Idol” contestant Nermal?

I think that Professor Garfield is a really good resource for homeschooling families with younger children.  Since the price is right - FREE - it is well worth a good look.  Professor Garfield is the 2010 winner of the AASL (American Association of School Librarians) as a "Landmark Website - For Teaching and Learning".