Microsoft Surface
After reading the article Craig sent us on the new Microsoft surface I was really intrigued and interested in finding out more. Surface looks like a black coffee table and does not use a keyboard or mouse. It is truly unlike anything I or perhaps most people have ever seen before. People can work individually or collectively work using Surface. You use touch to navigate and move documents etc.
The article got me thinking about how Surface could be used in the educational field. It’s obvious that it will take years for Surface to catch on and be included in schools. However, the impact could be great. The fact that surface is made like a table makes it easy for people to gather around and watch what is going on. As we all know children are usually very visual learners and also enjoy learning and learn best by actually doing things themselves. Surface would allow students to get a real hands on approach to learning.
One area that I think would be really beneficial for students is working with digital content like pictures and music. Working with pictures looks so effortless on the presentation in the Microsoft website. Using their fingers students could just touch and drag pictures to resize them, watch videos and place them into folders. “Surface computing breaks down those traditional barriers to technology so that people can interact with all kinds of digital content in a more intuitive, engaging and efficient manner. It’s about technology adapting to the user, rather than the user adapting to the technology. Bringing this kind of natural user interface innovation to the computing space is what Microsoft is all about.” (
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2007/may07/05-29Surface.mspx)
Although there is a lot to still be learned about Surface, I am excited to see what happens.
* The Microsoft website has a fantastic website where you can actually see demonstrations…I would definitely recommend checking it out: http://www.microsoft.com/surface/
Microsoft Press Page, Look What’s Surfacing at Microsoft, 29 May, 2007, <http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2007/may07/05-29Surface.mspx > (2 June, 2007)
Microsoft Surface homepage, 5 May, 2007, <http://www.microsoft.com/surface/> , (2 June, 2007)
Monday, June 4, 2007
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Site of the Week: 5/28
www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing
This website is for elementary school students who are learning to touch type. There are four levels and twelve stages for students to pass. This is the only free online typing website that I’ve found to be effective and hold my student’s attention. My students especially loved the characters they get to meet for each level. There is a goat that speaks with a Scottish accent, a belly dancing hippo, a Greek cat with a moustache and more!
NETS for Students
Technology Foundation Standards for Students
1 Technology productivity tools
Students use technology tools to enhance learning, increase productivity, and promote creativity.
This website is for elementary school students who are learning to touch type. There are four levels and twelve stages for students to pass. This is the only free online typing website that I’ve found to be effective and hold my student’s attention. My students especially loved the characters they get to meet for each level. There is a goat that speaks with a Scottish accent, a belly dancing hippo, a Greek cat with a moustache and more!
NETS for Students
Technology Foundation Standards for Students
1 Technology productivity tools
Students use technology tools to enhance learning, increase productivity, and promote creativity.
Monday, May 21, 2007
Evidence Based Posting: May 21, 2007
The Need for Cyber Bullying Prevention Legislation
During the course of this class, cyber bullying has come up several times throughout our discussions through email and in Second Life. In our relatively small class it came up that two families have had to move and/or switch schools because a child was being cyber bullied. I do not have kids yet but I teach middle school age children and wanted to do some research on what could be done to protect them.
Cyber bullying tends to happen most often through instant messages, although it can also occur through e-mails, my space pages, texts etc. Fight Crime ( an anti-crime organization made up of police chiefs, sheriffs, prosecutors other law enforcement leaders and violence survivors ) commissioned a poll where it was found that 13 million kids in the United States ages 6-17 have been cyber bullied. That number is astounding to me. One teacher at my school told me that at her child’s school a student made a myspace page and was claiming to be another student. They put up pictures and horrible comments on this page and the victim couldn’t really do anything about it.
Gone are the days when children would have to deal with the occasional bully at school and then go to the safety of their home. These days the bullying doesn’t stop. Kids are getting bullied 24 hours a day because of the accessibility of electronic devices that are used to cyber bully. Because of the extreme toll this takes on the child families are having to move, children are becoming depressed and some even commit suicide. Therefore, I believe there should be legislation set in place in every state to help prevent cyber bullying.
Schools must address cyber bullying if it takes place on campus. Is that enough? I don’t think it is. It raises the question of how far can schools go to prevent cyber bullying. Most likely the impact of cyber bullying off campus is being felt at school. Even though the actual bullying is taking place off campus, interactions between the bully and the victim are happening at school as well. Some school boards have added electronic harassment into the anti-harassment policy which is a good start. However, I believe that there needs to be legislation set in place to help prevent cyber bullying.
Nancy Willard, Cyber bullying legislation and school policies, March 2007,, (19 May 2007)
Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, Cyber Bullying, 4 January 2007, (20 May 2007)
Tony Mauro, Justices may take centrist view of 'Bong Hits' case, 3 March 2007, (21 May 2007)
During the course of this class, cyber bullying has come up several times throughout our discussions through email and in Second Life. In our relatively small class it came up that two families have had to move and/or switch schools because a child was being cyber bullied. I do not have kids yet but I teach middle school age children and wanted to do some research on what could be done to protect them.
Cyber bullying tends to happen most often through instant messages, although it can also occur through e-mails, my space pages, texts etc. Fight Crime ( an anti-crime organization made up of police chiefs, sheriffs, prosecutors other law enforcement leaders and violence survivors ) commissioned a poll where it was found that 13 million kids in the United States ages 6-17 have been cyber bullied. That number is astounding to me. One teacher at my school told me that at her child’s school a student made a myspace page and was claiming to be another student. They put up pictures and horrible comments on this page and the victim couldn’t really do anything about it.
Gone are the days when children would have to deal with the occasional bully at school and then go to the safety of their home. These days the bullying doesn’t stop. Kids are getting bullied 24 hours a day because of the accessibility of electronic devices that are used to cyber bully. Because of the extreme toll this takes on the child families are having to move, children are becoming depressed and some even commit suicide. Therefore, I believe there should be legislation set in place in every state to help prevent cyber bullying.
Schools must address cyber bullying if it takes place on campus. Is that enough? I don’t think it is. It raises the question of how far can schools go to prevent cyber bullying. Most likely the impact of cyber bullying off campus is being felt at school. Even though the actual bullying is taking place off campus, interactions between the bully and the victim are happening at school as well. Some school boards have added electronic harassment into the anti-harassment policy which is a good start. However, I believe that there needs to be legislation set in place to help prevent cyber bullying.
Nancy Willard, Cyber bullying legislation and school policies, March 2007,
Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, Cyber Bullying, 4 January 2007,
Tony Mauro, Justices may take centrist view of 'Bong Hits' case, 3 March 2007,
Monday, May 14, 2007
Site of the Week 5/14
A truly amazing website that has actual letters to and from soldiers at war over 200 years ago. Students can choose from letters on enlisting, comforts of home, love, combat and the end of war. Letters are written from friends, family members and loved ones. There is one set of letters from old friends who were fighting against each other in the Civil War.
The letters are shown with the original handwriting and all. A great feature of this website is that when you scroll over each sentence the handwriting turns to print making it easier to read.
My students couldn't believe how long it took someone to get a letter back then since the dates are included.
STATE GOAL 2: Read and understand literature representative of various societies, eras and ideas.
B. Read and interpret a variety of literary works.
2.B.1a Respond to literary materials by connecting them to their own experience and communicate those responses to others.
STATE GOAL 16: Understand events, trends, individuals and movements shaping the history of Illinois, the United States and other nations.
A. Apply the skills of historical analysis and interpretation.
16.A.1a Explain the difference between past, present and future time; place themselves in time.
16.A.2a Read historical stories and determine events which influenced their writing.
16.A.1b Ask historical questions and seek out answers from historical sources (e.g., myths, biographies, stories, old photographs, artwork, other visual or electronic sources).
16.A.1c Describe how people in different times and places viewed the world in different ways.
Saturday, May 5, 2007
Evidence Based Posting: 5/7
Importance of Classroom Websites and Parental Involvement
Classroom homepages can provide a variety benefits for students and the classroom teacher. Above all, classroom websites can teach students the importance of technology in education and motivate them to take an active approach in their learning.
Perhaps one of the most important reason for creating a classroom homepage is because classroom websites can help communication with teachers, parents, students, the community and even the world. From my experience, most teachers find it extremely important to build a link between home and school. I believe that parental involvement is vital to a students success. Classroom websites do a great deal to strengthen that link between home and school. Classroom websites can also be used as a tool for communicating with parents through an email link.
Homework assignments, exams and school events can be accessed by the click of a mouse.
It's a great way for parents to see what is going on in their child's class and even see their work published.
Something that many people may not think about is that classroom websites are also great tools for those students who have some learning disabilities like ADHD or dyslexia. These disabilities can prevent students from accurately copying down assignments. In these situations students and parents need not worry, as they can double check the assignments while at home on the classroom website.
Parents also need not worry about their child's safety on the Internet. Steps should be taken to make sure that every student is safe. For example, a password for students and parents could be set up and teachers should know that students first and last names should never be next to the child's picture.
Classroom websites are excellent for so many reasons, but I think one of the most beneficial is that they can really help bridge a link between home and school.
Leu, Donald, Leu, Deborah, and Coiro, Julie. "Teaching with the Internet K-12: New Literacies for New Times" Norwood: Christopher Gordon Publishers Inc., 2004.
Classroom homepages can provide a variety benefits for students and the classroom teacher. Above all, classroom websites can teach students the importance of technology in education and motivate them to take an active approach in their learning.
Perhaps one of the most important reason for creating a classroom homepage is because classroom websites can help communication with teachers, parents, students, the community and even the world. From my experience, most teachers find it extremely important to build a link between home and school. I believe that parental involvement is vital to a students success. Classroom websites do a great deal to strengthen that link between home and school. Classroom websites can also be used as a tool for communicating with parents through an email link.
Homework assignments, exams and school events can be accessed by the click of a mouse.
It's a great way for parents to see what is going on in their child's class and even see their work published.
Something that many people may not think about is that classroom websites are also great tools for those students who have some learning disabilities like ADHD or dyslexia. These disabilities can prevent students from accurately copying down assignments. In these situations students and parents need not worry, as they can double check the assignments while at home on the classroom website.
Parents also need not worry about their child's safety on the Internet. Steps should be taken to make sure that every student is safe. For example, a password for students and parents could be set up and teachers should know that students first and last names should never be next to the child's picture.
Classroom websites are excellent for so many reasons, but I think one of the most beneficial is that they can really help bridge a link between home and school.
Leu, Donald, Leu, Deborah, and Coiro, Julie. "Teaching with the Internet K-12: New Literacies for New Times" Norwood: Christopher Gordon Publishers Inc., 2004.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Site of the Week: April 30th
Site of the Week 4/30
http://www.yourchildlearns.com/map-puzzles.htm
This website helps students with developing map skills. Students can choose online map puzzles to complete for the following countries/ continents: United States, Europe, Africa, Asia, Canada, Southeast Asia and Australia and North, South and Central America.
One of the biggest benefits to using this websites is that the difficulty level can be changed. For example, if students choose to do the United States map they will be given three options: states with outlines, states without outlines and/or capitals. I would say about 90% of my 5th and 6th graders need to use the states with out lines category. In this game students are given a map of the United States with each state being outlined but not filled in. They are then given just the outline of a state and its name where they are supposed to drag and drop it in the correct spot on the map.
STATE GOAL 17: Understand world geography and the effects of geography on society, with an emphasis on the United States.
A. Locate, describe and explain places, regions and features on the Earth.
17.A.1b Identify the characteristics and purposes of geographic representations including maps, globes, graphs, photographs, software, digital images and be able to locate specific places using each.
17.A.2b Use maps and other geographic representations and instruments to gather information about people, places and environments.
http://www.yourchildlearns.com/map-puzzles.htm
This website helps students with developing map skills. Students can choose online map puzzles to complete for the following countries/ continents: United States, Europe, Africa, Asia, Canada, Southeast Asia and Australia and North, South and Central America.
One of the biggest benefits to using this websites is that the difficulty level can be changed. For example, if students choose to do the United States map they will be given three options: states with outlines, states without outlines and/or capitals. I would say about 90% of my 5th and 6th graders need to use the states with out lines category. In this game students are given a map of the United States with each state being outlined but not filled in. They are then given just the outline of a state and its name where they are supposed to drag and drop it in the correct spot on the map.
STATE GOAL 17: Understand world geography and the effects of geography on society, with an emphasis on the United States.
A. Locate, describe and explain places, regions and features on the Earth.
17.A.1b Identify the characteristics and purposes of geographic representations including maps, globes, graphs, photographs, software, digital images and be able to locate specific places using each.
17.A.2b Use maps and other geographic representations and instruments to gather information about people, places and environments.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Evidence Based Posting 4/23
Evidence Based Posting 4/23
I believe that virtual worlds such as Second Life will create a new world of opportunity for companies and retailers to advertise and in turn, build profit. Think about this: in October, 2006, Second Life welcomed its millionth resident. Now there are almost 6,000,000 users with 1,683,013 logging in, in just the last 60 days. The increase is astounding! If the amount of users logging in stayed the same, in one year there would be over 15,000,000 users.
As I walked through Second Life I’m astounded by the possibilities and opportunities businesses and individuals have to market towards avatars. For example, did anyone notice the Barack Obama sign outside of Dewey’s house? With the national election coming up I expect to see many more individuals promoting the candidate of their choice for president. And why not? There are over 5,000,000 people you can reach at the present time.
Right now in Second Life there are several companies making a presence there including: Nisson, Toyota, IBM, Adidas, Sun Microsystems etc. Dell even has its own island where avatars can purchase PCs for their real life or virtual PCs for their Second Life. Businesses can create quite a nice place in second life for practically no money at all. Making it a wise business decision, in terms of budget. Getting your message across to possibly millions of people for very little money at all seems like a no-brainer to me.
I am anxious to see what the future holds for marketing in Second Life.
Evidence:
Tom Krazit “Dell Opens Virtual Outpost in Second Life” 15 November 2006, <http://hardware.silicon.com/desktops/0,39024645,39164083,00.htm?r=1> (16 April, 2007)
Jo Best “How Second Life changes Customer Service” 10 April, 2007,
<http://businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/apr2007/gb20070410_481047.htm?chan=top+news_top+news+index_global+business> (17 April, 2007)
I believe that virtual worlds such as Second Life will create a new world of opportunity for companies and retailers to advertise and in turn, build profit. Think about this: in October, 2006, Second Life welcomed its millionth resident. Now there are almost 6,000,000 users with 1,683,013 logging in, in just the last 60 days. The increase is astounding! If the amount of users logging in stayed the same, in one year there would be over 15,000,000 users.
As I walked through Second Life I’m astounded by the possibilities and opportunities businesses and individuals have to market towards avatars. For example, did anyone notice the Barack Obama sign outside of Dewey’s house? With the national election coming up I expect to see many more individuals promoting the candidate of their choice for president. And why not? There are over 5,000,000 people you can reach at the present time.
Right now in Second Life there are several companies making a presence there including: Nisson, Toyota, IBM, Adidas, Sun Microsystems etc. Dell even has its own island where avatars can purchase PCs for their real life or virtual PCs for their Second Life. Businesses can create quite a nice place in second life for practically no money at all. Making it a wise business decision, in terms of budget. Getting your message across to possibly millions of people for very little money at all seems like a no-brainer to me.
I am anxious to see what the future holds for marketing in Second Life.
Evidence:
Tom Krazit “Dell Opens Virtual Outpost in Second Life” 15 November 2006, <http://hardware.silicon.com/desktops/0,39024645,39164083,00.htm?r=1> (16 April, 2007)
Jo Best “How Second Life changes Customer Service” 10 April, 2007,
<http://businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/apr2007/gb20070410_481047.htm?chan=top+news_top+news+index_global+business> (17 April, 2007)
Thursday, April 12, 2007
HOTLIST
Hotlist of useful Internet Websites
For the Teacher:
http://school.discovery.com/teachingtools/teachingtools.html Filled with tools for teachers to create their own materials such as worksheets, puzzles and quizzes.
http://rubistar.4teachers.org/index.php An excellent tool for creating rubrics quickly and efficiently. You decide the subject and wording for your rubric.
http://www.education-world.com/tools_templates/index.shtml Tons of resources for teachers that include: awards and certificates, posters, holiday worksheets, bulletin board resources, etc.
http://suelebeau.com/freetools.htm A teacher names Sue Lebeau was kind enough to create this website to share and organize the internet resources she uses often. This website has many links to different useful websites. Resources on this website include: quiz generators, worksheets, flashcards, certificates, etc.
http://42explore.com/ This website has many different subject areas, from health and fitness to calligraphy! 4 websites are given for you to explore (hence the name of the website) to gather information.
http://home.att.net/~teaching/filecab.htm This is a website created by teacher, Laura Candler. She gathered many of the teaching materials that she’s created in all subject areas and shared them on this website. You can find worksheets, quizzes, center ideas etc.
http://www.busyteacherscafe.com Offers tips on successful classroom management, many unit, theme and lesson ideas, school graphics, free worksheets, etc.
For the Student:
Geography
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/geospy The student is an “agent in training” for the Geospy Agency. They can choose from different games: continents, countries and/or states and provinces. Students are timed for each game and are given a place to find depending on the game.
http://www.yourchildlearns.com/map-puzzles.htm Free online map puzzles. I especially love the United States puzzle. It’s excellent for children learning the location of each state and their capitals.
http://www.mapquest.com We all know mapquest by now. I find it useful for my students as well when discussing locations and distance.
http://earth.google.com My students are amazed that they can pin point any place with an address on the planet using google earth.
http://wildernessclassroom.com/amazon A small team of explorers travel to South America on an educational journey down the Amazon River. The explorers keep students informed on their journey throughout the entire trip by updating their website. The explorers post a daily dilemma that students will help them solve. There are mystery photos and a rainforest library with an abundance of information.
STATE GOAL 17: Understand world geography and the effects of geography on society, with an emphasis on the United States.
A. Locate, describe and explain places, regions and features on the Earth.
17.A.1a Identify physical characteristics of places, both local and global (e.g., locations, roads, regions, bodies of water).
17.A.1b Identify the characteristics and purposes of geographic representations including maps, globes, graphs, photographs, software, digital images and be able to locate specific places using each.
17.A.2b Use maps and other geographic representations and instruments to gather information about people, places and environments.
Kid Friendly Search Engines
http://www.kids.ithaki.net A meta-search engine for kids.
http://www.factmonster.com Tons of facts on almost any topic you can think of.
http://www.kidsclick.org Created by librarians, there are many topic and subtopics that make it extremely easy for students to find what they are looking for.
http://www.ipl.org/youth A wealth of information for students.
Health/Nutrition
http://www.nutritionexplorations.org/kids/activities-main.asp A favorite of my students. This website has 9 nutrition games that students absolutely love. One of them includes a game with Mungo the monster. You need to throw healthy food in his mouth and then answer a bonus question on nutrition for more time to be added so that your game will not be over.
http://exhibits.pacsci.org/nutrition/sleuth/sleuth.html There are seven “victims” that are each missing an important nutrient. The student has to read that victims case book and then guess the missing nutrient.
http://www.sp.uconn.edu/~cthompso You choose what food goes on your plate. You then rate it based on the food pyramid and dietary guidelines.
STATE GOAL 22: Understand principles of health promotion and the prevention and treatment of illness and injury.
B. Describe and explain the factors that influence health among individuals, groups and communities.
22.B.1 Encourage and support others in making positive health choices (e.g., eating practices, cleanliness, safety practices).
Math
http://www.funbrain.com/brain/MathBrain/MathBrain.html My first site of the week website! This website has 25 math games for students to play that include addition, subtraction, multiplication, division etc.
http://education.jlab.org/smdeluxe/index.html The computer gives you 4 digits and it’s up to the student to create an equation as quickly as possible. Can be played with a single player or against others.
http://www.shodor.org/interactivate/activities/ArithmeticFour/?version=1.5.0_06&browser=MSIE&vendor=Sun_Microsystems_Inc. Based on the classic board game Connect Four except played with math problems against an opponent. The object is to get four circles in a row while blocking your opponent from doing the same.
www.lexington1.net/Technology/instruct/ppts/mathppts/geometry/Geometry-Grade4.ppt A great interactive geometry Powerpoint that is actually a game played like jeopardy. This would be great for the teacher to use with the entire class as a review.
http://www.rainforestmaths.com Interactive math activities. You pick the grade level. Grade 6 has over 200 activities!
http://www.thinkingblocks.com/TryIt.html Gives word problems and base 10 blocks to help you solve. There is even a math tutor that helps you with every movement of the blocks.
STATE Goal 6: Demonstrate and apply a knowledge and sense of numbers, including numeration and operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division), patterns, ratios and proportions.
B. Investigate, represent and solve problems using number facts, operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) and their properties, algorithms and relationships.
6.B.1 Solve one- and two-step problems with whole numbers using addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
6.B.2 Solve one- and two-step problems involving whole numbers, fractions and decimals using addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
C. Compute and estimate using mental mathematics, paper-and-pencil methods, calculators and computers.
6.C.1a Select and perform computational procedures to solve problems with whole numbers.
6.C.2a Select and perform computational procedures to solve problems with whole numbers, fractions and decimals.
Reading/Language Arts
http://www.starfall.com Excellent for young students learning to read. Focus is on phonics and it is interactive!
http://www.tumblebooks.com Although you do need a membership, this is a great resource. There are many of stories that are read aloud. It’s great for a listening center. I actually use one of the stories “Little Red in Cyber Space” as an introduction to the Internet for my students.
http://bookadventure.org This is a FREE motivational reading program for students. It’s run by Sylvan Learning. Students can create their own book lists, there are quizzes already made and students get sent FREE prizes upon completion of their book list!
http://www.seminolecountyfl.gov/lls/library/kids/kids_booklists.html Kids reviews on all different genres of books.
http://pbskids.org/stopandgo A Fantastic websites for primary students. Students look at pictures of their favorite characters from Arthur and help to write a story based on the pictures. They can even choose to get help from one of their favorite characters.
http://www.storylineonline.net One of my personal favorites! This website has real actors and actresses such as Jason Alexander and Camryn Manheim read popular stories aloud to students.
STATE GOAL 1: Read with understanding and fluency.
A. Apply word analysis and vocabulary skills to comprehend selections.
1.A.1a Apply word analysis skills (e.g., phonics, word patterns) to recognize new words.
1.A.2a Read and comprehend unfamiliar words using root words, synonyms, antonyms, word origins and derivations.
1.A.1b Comprehend unfamiliar words using context clues and prior knowledge; verify meanings with resource materials.
1.A.2b Clarify word meaning using context clues and a variety of resources including glossaries, dictionaries and thesauruses.
B. Apply reading strategies to improve understanding and fluency.
1.B.1a Establish purposes for reading, make predictions, connect important ideas, and link text to previous experiences and knowledge.
1.B.2a Establish purposes for reading; survey materials; ask questions; make predictions; connect, clarify and extend ideas.
1.B.1b Identify genres (forms and purposes) of fiction, nonfiction, poetry and electronic literary forms.
1.B.1d Read age-appropriate material aloud with fluency and accuracy.
C. Comprehend a broad range of reading materials.
1.C.1b Identify important themes and topics.
STATE GOAL 3: Write to communicate for a variety of purposes.
A. Use correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization and structure.
3.A.1 Construct complete sentences which demonstrate subject/verb agreement; appropriate capitalization and punctuation; correct spelling of appropriate, high-frequency words; and appropriate use of the eight parts of speech.
Social Studies/ History
http://www.gilderlehrman.org/collection/battlelines/index_good.html A truly amazing website that has actual letters to and from soldiers at war over 200 years ago. Students can choose from letters on enlisting, comforts of home, love, combat and the end of war. The letters are shown with the original handwriting and all. A great feature of this website is that when you scroll over each sentence the handwriting turns to print making it easier to read.
http://www2.wwnorton.com/college/history/inventing/interface/ch18/ch18_features.htm This website has stories from immigrants who traveled through Ellis Island. There is audio documents, posters, maps and video.
http://www.bl.uk/learning/histcitizen/voices/holocaust.html Holocaust survivors tell their stories about life before the holocaust, deportation, the camps, resistance and liberation.
STATE GOAL 2: Read and understand literature representative of various societies, eras and ideas.
B. Read and interpret a variety of literary works.
2.B.1a Respond to literary materials by connecting them to their own experience and communicate those responses to others.
STATE GOAL 16: Understand events, trends, individuals and movements shaping the history of Illinois, the United States and other nations.
A. Apply the skills of historical analysis and interpretation.
16.A.1a Explain the difference between past, present and future time; place themselves in time.
16.A.2a Read historical stories and determine events which influenced their writing.
16.A.1b Ask historical questions and seek out answers from historical sources (e.g., myths, biographies, stories, old photographs, artwork, other visual or electronic sources).
16.A.1c Describe how people in different times and places viewed the world in different ways.
Current Events
http://www.nytimes.com/learning Current events for grades 3-12.
http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK Kids love to read their weekly Time for Kids. Now they can view it online if their teacher doesn’t have a subscription. There is also a teacher section with graphic organizers, worksheets and mini-lessons.
http://kidsnewsroom.org My favorite section on this website is elections in the U.S. It has great information for kids on all of the elections going on in our country.
STATE GOAL 1: Read with understanding and fluency.
B. Apply reading strategies to improve understanding and fluency.
1.B.1d Read age-appropriate material aloud with fluency and accuracy.
Miscellaneous
http://www.unitedstreaming.com A subscription based website that has the largest K-12 video clip library available today. You can find a video on virtually any topic you can think of. My favorite part of this website is that you can show an entire video or choose to show a clip of a video.
http://www.jigzone.com Online jigsaw puzzles where you can choose the level of difficulty and the puzzle you’d like to make. I used this website when my school had a family game night. Students were showing their parents and brothers and sisters how to play. It was a definite success as it is appropriate for all age levels.
http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/wwatch/investigate/weather_maker.htm Students can investigate how weather is made. Kids can make a blizzard or a thunder storm.
http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/states_of_matter Students can explore liquids, solids and gases and get information on each state of matter.
http://www.eduweb.com/portfolio/adventure.php Students can go on virtual fieldtrips. You can choose where you’d like to go based on grade or subject area. Many of the fieldtrips even have games to go along with them.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing An introduction to typing. Kids love this website! There are funny characters that guide students along their way that the kids really enjoy.
http://askanexpert.com There are hundreds of real world experts in all different careers that will answer your questions.
http://pbskids.org/license Teaches kids Internet safety and gives students a “web license”.STATE GOAL 1: Read with understanding and fluency.
C. Apply reading strategies to improve understanding and fluency.
1.B.1d Read age-appropriate material aloud with fluency and accuracy.
For the Teacher:
http://school.discovery.com/teachingtools/teachingtools.html Filled with tools for teachers to create their own materials such as worksheets, puzzles and quizzes.
http://rubistar.4teachers.org/index.php An excellent tool for creating rubrics quickly and efficiently. You decide the subject and wording for your rubric.
http://www.education-world.com/tools_templates/index.shtml Tons of resources for teachers that include: awards and certificates, posters, holiday worksheets, bulletin board resources, etc.
http://suelebeau.com/freetools.htm A teacher names Sue Lebeau was kind enough to create this website to share and organize the internet resources she uses often. This website has many links to different useful websites. Resources on this website include: quiz generators, worksheets, flashcards, certificates, etc.
http://42explore.com/ This website has many different subject areas, from health and fitness to calligraphy! 4 websites are given for you to explore (hence the name of the website) to gather information.
http://home.att.net/~teaching/filecab.htm This is a website created by teacher, Laura Candler. She gathered many of the teaching materials that she’s created in all subject areas and shared them on this website. You can find worksheets, quizzes, center ideas etc.
http://www.busyteacherscafe.com Offers tips on successful classroom management, many unit, theme and lesson ideas, school graphics, free worksheets, etc.
For the Student:
Geography
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/geospy The student is an “agent in training” for the Geospy Agency. They can choose from different games: continents, countries and/or states and provinces. Students are timed for each game and are given a place to find depending on the game.
http://www.yourchildlearns.com/map-puzzles.htm Free online map puzzles. I especially love the United States puzzle. It’s excellent for children learning the location of each state and their capitals.
http://www.mapquest.com We all know mapquest by now. I find it useful for my students as well when discussing locations and distance.
http://earth.google.com My students are amazed that they can pin point any place with an address on the planet using google earth.
http://wildernessclassroom.com/amazon A small team of explorers travel to South America on an educational journey down the Amazon River. The explorers keep students informed on their journey throughout the entire trip by updating their website. The explorers post a daily dilemma that students will help them solve. There are mystery photos and a rainforest library with an abundance of information.
STATE GOAL 17: Understand world geography and the effects of geography on society, with an emphasis on the United States.
A. Locate, describe and explain places, regions and features on the Earth.
17.A.1a Identify physical characteristics of places, both local and global (e.g., locations, roads, regions, bodies of water).
17.A.1b Identify the characteristics and purposes of geographic representations including maps, globes, graphs, photographs, software, digital images and be able to locate specific places using each.
17.A.2b Use maps and other geographic representations and instruments to gather information about people, places and environments.
Kid Friendly Search Engines
http://www.kids.ithaki.net A meta-search engine for kids.
http://www.factmonster.com Tons of facts on almost any topic you can think of.
http://www.kidsclick.org Created by librarians, there are many topic and subtopics that make it extremely easy for students to find what they are looking for.
http://www.ipl.org/youth A wealth of information for students.
Health/Nutrition
http://www.nutritionexplorations.org/kids/activities-main.asp A favorite of my students. This website has 9 nutrition games that students absolutely love. One of them includes a game with Mungo the monster. You need to throw healthy food in his mouth and then answer a bonus question on nutrition for more time to be added so that your game will not be over.
http://exhibits.pacsci.org/nutrition/sleuth/sleuth.html There are seven “victims” that are each missing an important nutrient. The student has to read that victims case book and then guess the missing nutrient.
http://www.sp.uconn.edu/~cthompso You choose what food goes on your plate. You then rate it based on the food pyramid and dietary guidelines.
STATE GOAL 22: Understand principles of health promotion and the prevention and treatment of illness and injury.
B. Describe and explain the factors that influence health among individuals, groups and communities.
22.B.1 Encourage and support others in making positive health choices (e.g., eating practices, cleanliness, safety practices).
Math
http://www.funbrain.com/brain/MathBrain/MathBrain.html My first site of the week website! This website has 25 math games for students to play that include addition, subtraction, multiplication, division etc.
http://education.jlab.org/smdeluxe/index.html The computer gives you 4 digits and it’s up to the student to create an equation as quickly as possible. Can be played with a single player or against others.
http://www.shodor.org/interactivate/activities/ArithmeticFour/?version=1.5.0_06&browser=MSIE&vendor=Sun_Microsystems_Inc. Based on the classic board game Connect Four except played with math problems against an opponent. The object is to get four circles in a row while blocking your opponent from doing the same.
www.lexington1.net/Technology/instruct/ppts/mathppts/geometry/Geometry-Grade4.ppt A great interactive geometry Powerpoint that is actually a game played like jeopardy. This would be great for the teacher to use with the entire class as a review.
http://www.rainforestmaths.com Interactive math activities. You pick the grade level. Grade 6 has over 200 activities!
http://www.thinkingblocks.com/TryIt.html Gives word problems and base 10 blocks to help you solve. There is even a math tutor that helps you with every movement of the blocks.
STATE Goal 6: Demonstrate and apply a knowledge and sense of numbers, including numeration and operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division), patterns, ratios and proportions.
B. Investigate, represent and solve problems using number facts, operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) and their properties, algorithms and relationships.
6.B.1 Solve one- and two-step problems with whole numbers using addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
6.B.2 Solve one- and two-step problems involving whole numbers, fractions and decimals using addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
C. Compute and estimate using mental mathematics, paper-and-pencil methods, calculators and computers.
6.C.1a Select and perform computational procedures to solve problems with whole numbers.
6.C.2a Select and perform computational procedures to solve problems with whole numbers, fractions and decimals.
Reading/Language Arts
http://www.starfall.com Excellent for young students learning to read. Focus is on phonics and it is interactive!
http://www.tumblebooks.com Although you do need a membership, this is a great resource. There are many of stories that are read aloud. It’s great for a listening center. I actually use one of the stories “Little Red in Cyber Space” as an introduction to the Internet for my students.
http://bookadventure.org This is a FREE motivational reading program for students. It’s run by Sylvan Learning. Students can create their own book lists, there are quizzes already made and students get sent FREE prizes upon completion of their book list!
http://www.seminolecountyfl.gov/lls/library/kids/kids_booklists.html Kids reviews on all different genres of books.
http://pbskids.org/stopandgo A Fantastic websites for primary students. Students look at pictures of their favorite characters from Arthur and help to write a story based on the pictures. They can even choose to get help from one of their favorite characters.
http://www.storylineonline.net One of my personal favorites! This website has real actors and actresses such as Jason Alexander and Camryn Manheim read popular stories aloud to students.
STATE GOAL 1: Read with understanding and fluency.
A. Apply word analysis and vocabulary skills to comprehend selections.
1.A.1a Apply word analysis skills (e.g., phonics, word patterns) to recognize new words.
1.A.2a Read and comprehend unfamiliar words using root words, synonyms, antonyms, word origins and derivations.
1.A.1b Comprehend unfamiliar words using context clues and prior knowledge; verify meanings with resource materials.
1.A.2b Clarify word meaning using context clues and a variety of resources including glossaries, dictionaries and thesauruses.
B. Apply reading strategies to improve understanding and fluency.
1.B.1a Establish purposes for reading, make predictions, connect important ideas, and link text to previous experiences and knowledge.
1.B.2a Establish purposes for reading; survey materials; ask questions; make predictions; connect, clarify and extend ideas.
1.B.1b Identify genres (forms and purposes) of fiction, nonfiction, poetry and electronic literary forms.
1.B.1d Read age-appropriate material aloud with fluency and accuracy.
C. Comprehend a broad range of reading materials.
1.C.1b Identify important themes and topics.
STATE GOAL 3: Write to communicate for a variety of purposes.
A. Use correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization and structure.
3.A.1 Construct complete sentences which demonstrate subject/verb agreement; appropriate capitalization and punctuation; correct spelling of appropriate, high-frequency words; and appropriate use of the eight parts of speech.
Social Studies/ History
http://www.gilderlehrman.org/collection/battlelines/index_good.html A truly amazing website that has actual letters to and from soldiers at war over 200 years ago. Students can choose from letters on enlisting, comforts of home, love, combat and the end of war. The letters are shown with the original handwriting and all. A great feature of this website is that when you scroll over each sentence the handwriting turns to print making it easier to read.
http://www2.wwnorton.com/college/history/inventing/interface/ch18/ch18_features.htm This website has stories from immigrants who traveled through Ellis Island. There is audio documents, posters, maps and video.
http://www.bl.uk/learning/histcitizen/voices/holocaust.html Holocaust survivors tell their stories about life before the holocaust, deportation, the camps, resistance and liberation.
STATE GOAL 2: Read and understand literature representative of various societies, eras and ideas.
B. Read and interpret a variety of literary works.
2.B.1a Respond to literary materials by connecting them to their own experience and communicate those responses to others.
STATE GOAL 16: Understand events, trends, individuals and movements shaping the history of Illinois, the United States and other nations.
A. Apply the skills of historical analysis and interpretation.
16.A.1a Explain the difference between past, present and future time; place themselves in time.
16.A.2a Read historical stories and determine events which influenced their writing.
16.A.1b Ask historical questions and seek out answers from historical sources (e.g., myths, biographies, stories, old photographs, artwork, other visual or electronic sources).
16.A.1c Describe how people in different times and places viewed the world in different ways.
Current Events
http://www.nytimes.com/learning Current events for grades 3-12.
http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK Kids love to read their weekly Time for Kids. Now they can view it online if their teacher doesn’t have a subscription. There is also a teacher section with graphic organizers, worksheets and mini-lessons.
http://kidsnewsroom.org My favorite section on this website is elections in the U.S. It has great information for kids on all of the elections going on in our country.
STATE GOAL 1: Read with understanding and fluency.
B. Apply reading strategies to improve understanding and fluency.
1.B.1d Read age-appropriate material aloud with fluency and accuracy.
Miscellaneous
http://www.unitedstreaming.com A subscription based website that has the largest K-12 video clip library available today. You can find a video on virtually any topic you can think of. My favorite part of this website is that you can show an entire video or choose to show a clip of a video.
http://www.jigzone.com Online jigsaw puzzles where you can choose the level of difficulty and the puzzle you’d like to make. I used this website when my school had a family game night. Students were showing their parents and brothers and sisters how to play. It was a definite success as it is appropriate for all age levels.
http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/wwatch/investigate/weather_maker.htm Students can investigate how weather is made. Kids can make a blizzard or a thunder storm.
http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/states_of_matter Students can explore liquids, solids and gases and get information on each state of matter.
http://www.eduweb.com/portfolio/adventure.php Students can go on virtual fieldtrips. You can choose where you’d like to go based on grade or subject area. Many of the fieldtrips even have games to go along with them.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing An introduction to typing. Kids love this website! There are funny characters that guide students along their way that the kids really enjoy.
http://askanexpert.com There are hundreds of real world experts in all different careers that will answer your questions.
http://pbskids.org/license Teaches kids Internet safety and gives students a “web license”.STATE GOAL 1: Read with understanding and fluency.
C. Apply reading strategies to improve understanding and fluency.
1.B.1d Read age-appropriate material aloud with fluency and accuracy.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
April 16th, Site of the Week: http://www.funbrain.com/brain/MathBrain/MathBrain.html
http://www.funbrain.com/brain/MathBrain/MathBrain.html
This website has fantastic math games for children grades 1-8. There are 25 games that focus on a variety of areas including: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, etc.
Students need to play the games in order unless they they have passwords to move ahead. The math arcade has great graphics for kids and the games are actually fun to play.
I like to have my kids use this website in the computer lab when they finish a project.
Illinois Learning Standards
Math
State Goal 6: Demonstrate and apply a knowledge and sense of numbers, including numeration and operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division), patterns, ratios and proportions.
B: Investigate, represent and solve problems using number facts, operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division) and their properties, algorithms and relationships.
6.B.2: Solve one and two step problems involving whole numbers, fractions and decimals using fractions and decimals using addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
This website has fantastic math games for children grades 1-8. There are 25 games that focus on a variety of areas including: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, etc.
Students need to play the games in order unless they they have passwords to move ahead. The math arcade has great graphics for kids and the games are actually fun to play.
I like to have my kids use this website in the computer lab when they finish a project.
Illinois Learning Standards
Math
State Goal 6: Demonstrate and apply a knowledge and sense of numbers, including numeration and operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division), patterns, ratios and proportions.
B: Investigate, represent and solve problems using number facts, operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division) and their properties, algorithms and relationships.
6.B.2: Solve one and two step problems involving whole numbers, fractions and decimals using fractions and decimals using addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
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