Posted March 6, 2007
MATH
Math Mayhem
Math Mayhem is a math review site for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. What makes this different from other similar sites is that here students compete with the scores of other students.
http://www.learningplanet.com/act/mayhem/index.asp?contentid=193
Math Practice Test
Provided by A. J. Berghuis, this site provides a simple online practice math quiz. This site is British and uses some British terminology. Suitable for 2nd through 5th grades.
http://www.berghuis.co.nz/abiator/maths/mc/intermcmathsvar.html
SCIENCE
Brain POP Jr. Science
Brain POP Jr. features short videos that explore topics such as animals, habitats, plants, science skills, and matter. More videos are coming, as well as additional sections Lesson ideas are linked at the bottom of the main page. This site is the junior/elementary version of the popular Brain Pop site.
http://www.brainpopjr.com/science/
Views of the Solar System
This site presents a multimedia presentation of the Sun, planets, moons, comets, asteroids, and more. Use it to discover the latest scientific information, or study the history of space exploration, rocketry, early astronauts, space missions, or spacecraft; all through a vast archive of photographs, scientific facts, text, graphics and videos. Views of the Solar System is also available in Spanish. Appropriate for upper elementary grades.
http://www.solarviews.com/
LANGUAGE ARTS
Kiz Club Story Patterns
Kiz Club offers a selection of language resources for younger students. Resource sections include ABCs, Phonics, Crafts, Story Patterns, Nursery Rhymes, and more. Suitable for primary grades.
http://kizclub.com/
Caldecott Award Wining Books
The Caldecott Medal, named in honor of nineteenth-century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott, is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the artist deemed to have published the most distinguished American picture book for children. This site lists descriptions for all of the Caldecott honors and winners.
http://www.ala.org/ala/alsc/awardsscholarships/literaryawds/caldecottmedal/caldecottmedal.htm
SOCIAL STUDIES
Scholastic News
Daily news stories are provided by Scholastic News. Teachers have the option to select a different reading level when they customize the view by selecting a different edition of Scholastic News under the option to “Choose your magazine.” Stories and activities are updated daily.
http://teacher.scholastic.com/scholasticnews/
Post-News Education.com Geography Quiz
Upper grade elementary students are presented with a weekly geography quiz by the Denver Post and Rocky Mt. News. Quizzes can be completed online and also come in a print-friendly format. Quiz questions cover identifying locations on a map and multiple-choice; there is also an archive of older quizzes.
http://nieonline.com/denver/mapper.cfm
Posted February 20, 2007
MATH
Perimeter and Area
Very simple review site for perimeter and area. Click on either the perimeter or area links for a quick review and then proceed on to different examples to try your hand at calculating either one. Suitable for 3rd through 4th grades.
http://www.bgfl.org/bgfl/custom/resources_ftp/client_ftp/ks2/maths/perimeter_and_area/index.html
Perimeter Extra Practice
This Houghton Mifflin site, Eduplace, offers extra practice for math skills. In this link, 2nd graders are provided with practice opportunities for calculating the perimeter of different shapes.
http://www.eduplace.com/cgi-bin/template/kids/hmm/practice/templates/rules.thtml?ID=hmm07_ep/gr2/1706&;GRADE=2&UNIT=7&CHAPTER=17&LESSON=6&UNIT_TITLE=Measurement&
SCIENCE
Welcome to Electricity!This TechTopics resource, as the title implies, is dedicated to exploring electricity. Simple explanations with diagrams (requires the free Shockwave browser plug in) demonstrate how electricity is used to generate heat, light, or motion. Examples, resources,and simple class experiments are also included. Sponsored by the Tech Museum of Innovation (http://www.thetech.org/). Appropriate for 4th and 5th graders.
http://www.thetech.org/exhibits/online/topics/10a.html
Welcome to Matter!
Also from the Tech Museum of Innovation, this Tech Topic covers the structure of matter, the states of matter, compounds and mixtures, and more. Examples,resources, and simple class experiments are included. Appropriate for 4th and5th graders.
http://www.thetech.org/exhibits/online/topics/50a.html ;
LANGUAGE ARTS
CursiveThis web site is a great place to go for basic cursive writing resources. Printable resources available include blank lined paper of various sizes, alphabet, number tracing guides, "make your own" traceable worksheets, and more. There are even simple animations that show how to form all the letters and numbers.
http://www.handwritingforkids.com/handwrite/cursive.htm
Basic Skills for Handwriting
Offering basic handwriting help for students, this site includes a section with expert advice on handwriting basics, the components of legible writing,teacher tips, and down loadable worksheets.
http://www.handwritinghelpforkids.com/worksheets.html ;
SOCIAL STUDIES
Build a Neighborhood From PBS Kids, this Mister Rogers Neighborhood resource provides younger students the opportunity to explore a farm, a neighborhood, a construction site, or a make-believe land. Students select the type of location, and then drag objects onto a background to create a neighborhood.
http://pbskids.org/rogers/R_house/build.htm#hold
Mi ciudad
Similar to the PBS Kids Build a Neighborhood, this Spanish language activity allows students to drag objects like houses, apartments, and supermarkets onto blank city square, similar to city blocks. Younger students can also color the buildings, blocks, and streets. This activity is provided by Harcourt School Publishers.
http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/town/index_es.html
Posted February 6, 2007
MATH
Venn Diagrams
This is an online Venn diagram generator. Start by entering your project title and the labels for the two circles. Next, enter your concepts or items.Items are then dragged to the correct location on the diagram. Finished diagram scan be printed out. For grades 3 through 5
http://www.readwritethink.org/materials/venn/index.html
Online Clock
This online clock starts with the current time and lets students change the clock in increments of 1, 15, 30 minutes, or 1 hour. Students can also display the time in digital, and reset the clock to the current time. The back ground displays the concurrent sky to match the time on the clock.
http://www.time-for-time.com/swf/myclox.swf
SCIENCE
BSCS Science Tracks eCOMMUNITY
BSCS, the publisher of the science enquiry program, Tracks currently in DPS elementary schools, publishes a newsletter 3 to 4 times a year. The Natural Selection newsletter can be accessed online, or subscribed to via email. The Natural Selection supports the classroom use of enquiry-based science. Click on the link below to subscribe.
http://www.bscs.org/page.asp?pageid=0|28
Elementary Science Program Packet
From the DPS Curriculum Department, the link below downloads a PDF document that includes information about the BSCS Science Tracks program, connections for science and literacy, and a copy of the science program matrix.
http://csss.dpsk12.org/scien/Elem_BSCS_Science_Tracks.pdf
LANGUAGE ARTS
Jan Brett
With dozens of book titles to her credit, author/illustrator Jan Brett also has a terrific web site. With nearly 4000 activities pages, there are many supportive materials ranging from holiday events, handwriting, writing cards and filling out envelopes, to high frequency word lists. Many of the activities are directly connected to Jan Brett’s wonderful characters or illustrated in her easily recognized style.
http://www.janbrett.com/index.html
Literacy Center Education Network
Presented in English, Spanish, German, and French, this set of activities for early learners focuses on recognition of letters (both upper and lower case), numbers, colors, and simple words, Requires the free Flash Player plug in.
http://www.literacycenter.net/play_learn/index.htm
SOCIAL STUDIES
State Maps
50States.com provides blank maps of all 50 states, which include major cities and the state capitals.
http://www.50states.com/maps/
Blackline Maps
This collection of blackline maps includes continents, countries, and US states. Click and Learn presents these free blank maps of the world, continents, various countries, and regions.
http://www.clickandlearn.com/documents2/BlankMaps.htm ;
Posted January 16, 2007
Math
NCTM Standards for School Mathematics
Published by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, this site includes Mathematics standards from early childhood through grade 12. The standards describe the mathematical understanding, knowledge, and skills students should acquire.
http://standards.nctm.org/document/chapter3/index.htm
Discovery School Brain Boosters
Brain Boosters is a collection of word problems, logic puzzles, and more. Categories include Reasoning, Categorization, Spatial Awareness, and Number and Math Play. Each section links to several examples, and each one has both the question and the answer. There are over 200 brain boosters to choose from.
http://school.discovery.com/brainboosters/
Science
Science Experiments for School Science Fairs
Reeko’s Mad Scientist Lab is a collection of simple science experiments that students can use in school science fairs. The experiments are sorted into a variety of subjects, such as Chemistry, Light, and Sound. Each section has detailed stepson conducting the experiment.
http://www.spartechsoftware.com/reeko/MoreExperimentsSortCategory.htm
Science Fair Primer
Interested in hosting a science fair? Not sure where to start? Take a look at this science fair primer by Ted Rowan. It includes step-by-step procedures for developing a purpose, choosing a topic, designing an experiment, recording results, analyzing the data, writing the report, and preparing an exhibit. This site is intended for teachers who are conducting (or considering conducting) a school science fair.
http://users.rcn.com/tedrowan/primer.html
Language Arts
Make a Word
This interactive learning game starring Clifford, the Big Red Dog invites early readers to drag vowels to complete as many words as they can. Finished words are then read out loud. Requires Flash Plug-In (a free download) for your Internet browser.
http://teacher.scholastic.com/clifford1/flash/vowels/index.htm
Vowel Practice
From Studyzone, sponsored by the Oswego City School District, this very simple practice page is intended for early readers. Students can listen to the instructions read out loud to them on the page. Students click on the vowel in a row of three letters. Instant feedback is provided on their selection.
http://www.studyzone.org/testprep/ela4/i/vowelp.cfm
Social Studies
The American Presidency
From the American History Museum, this site features information about all of the presidents of the United States. Each president is listed in chronological order. Information includes: the years of service, significant events, and links to objects related to each president.
http://americanhistory.si.edu/presidency/home.html
Smithsonian Kids - Collecting
Smithsonian Kids presents information about collecting. This Flash presentation shows students amazing examples of collections, gives the rational behind collecting, and how to get started. Collecting can be a powerful tool for students to connect with the objects from their own lives to tell their own history.
http://kids.si.edu/collecting/
Posted January 9, 2007
Math
KidsZone Learning with NCES Crete A Graph
Create a graph allows you to enter data and create a graph. Options include bar,line, area, pie, and XY. The site is fairly easy to use if you are familiar with making charts in a spreadsheet. If you are not, there is also a tutorial.
http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/graphing
Interactivate Arithmetic Four
This site can be used for computation practice, covering addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division for whole numbers and integers. Two players take turns answering problems to earn pieces to play a connect four game.
http://www.shodor.org/interactivate/activities/ArithmeticFour/
Science
Bones: An Exhibit Inside You
Sponsored by the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, this exhibit includes online activities. Boney or Boneless test your knowledge of which species have bones and which do not. Students examine the evidence in The Bone Detective to identify a mystery animal. Build Your Bones shows how to keep your bones strong. These activities and more can be found in this fun exhibit for grades 3 to 5. Look for the link labeled “Bones: An Exhibit Inside You” on the page listed below.
http://www.childrensmuseum.org/games/grades_3-5.htm
Earth and Moon Viewer
This site has links to view the Earth from different perspectives. Using satellite imagery you see spectacular views of current day and night regions as they exist at the current time. This is a great way to explain how the Earth rotates, and the effects of the positions of the Earth, Moon, and Sun.
http://fourmilab.ch/earthview/vplanet.html
Language Arts
Sesame Street
Structured much like the TV show, this site has sections for games, stories, and more In the game section click on the A,B,C button for games such as “Big Bird Gets a Letter” and “Grover of Arabia”. In the stories section, students can read or create their own stories. Appropriate for ECE through grade 1.
http://www.sesameworkshop.org/sesamestreet/
Aesop’s Fables
Presented by the University of Massachusetts Amherst, this collection of Aesop’s Fables contains college student created animated version of familiar fables. Students from grades K through 5 will enjoy exploring such fables as “The Ant and the Grasshopper”, “The Fox and the Grapes”, and “The Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing”.
http://www.umass.edu/aesop/
Social Studies
National Geographic Kids
This online magazine from National Geographic provides animal information, videos, activities, stories, and more. Grades 3 and up.
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/
This site contains movies based on the 'Famous Moments' series, which highlight a true story of historical significance, providing students of early America with a better understanding of the people, places and events of this important era. Of added interest for viewers, each short film tells its story using scenes and portraits from the Early American Digital Library. Many of the images are primary source documents - engravings, woodcuts, and drawings that date back to the early to mid-1800s. Requires Flash. Grades3-8.
http://www.earlyamerica.com/series.html
Posted December 19, 2006
Math
FunBrain Math problems
This site includes 17 original games based on soccer, car racing and much more. Other games include Math Baseball, where a child can score runs with correct answers, and Operation Order, where students can build pyramids with their knowledge of algebra.
http://www.funbrain.com/numbers.html
Fractions
This lesson (included on site) will allow students to learn, through the hands-on use of virtual fraction bars, the following concepts: a good understanding of fractions, equivalent fractions, ordering and comparing fractions, basic addition and subtraction of fractions, and fraction size notation.
http://arcytech.org/java/fractions/
Science
Exploratorium Ten Cool Sites
This is a site sponsored by the Exploratorium of San Francisco. It has links to many really cool science web sites, more than 10 actually. There is a subject index archive on the left side. You can find out info on astronomy, general science, environmental science, science literature, and many other subjects.
http://www.exploratorium.edu/learning_studio/sciencesites.html
Science Songs
Science Songs This site has all the lyrics and MP3 files of songs from a series of albums from the late 50s and early 60s: Space Songs, Energy and Motion Songs,Weather Songs, Experiment Songs, Nature Songs, and More Nature Songs.
http://www.acme.com/jef/singing_science/
Language Arts
Database of Award Winning Children's Literature
The purpose of this database is to create a tailored reading list of quality children's literature or to find out if a book has won one of the indexed awards. Designed for use teacher librarians or a teachers intervening for a child-reader.It may also be used by anyone to find the best in children's literature including parents, book store personnel, and children and young adults themselves.
http://www.dawcl.com/
Children’s Picture Book Database
Provided by the University of Miami, the Children’s Picture Book Database includes a keyword-searchable database of over 5000 picture books; includes abstracts, subject classification, and Web links.
http://www.lib.muohio.edu/pictbks/
Social Studies
The Library of Congress presents America’s Library
The Library of Congress presents this site which includes these topics: Meet Amazing Americans (features biographies), Jump Back in Time, Explore the States, Join America at Play (includes baseball history, as well as American celebrations from parades to county fairs), and See, Hear and Sing.
http://www.americaslibrary.gov/cgi-bin/page.cgi
Best of History Web Sites
Best of History Web Sites is an award-winning portal that contains annotated links to over 1000 history web sites as well links to hundreds of quality K-12 history lesson plans, history teacher guides, history activities, history games, history quizzes, and more.
http://besthistorysites.net/
Posted December 12, 2006
Math
Math Forum: Ask Dr. Math
Sponsored by Drexel University, ask Dr. Math is a question and answer service for math students and their teachers. A searchable archive is available by level (K-12) and topic, as well as summaries of Frequently Asked Questions.
http://mathforum.org/dr.math/
Free Online Graph Paper
Hosted by incompetech.com, this is a collection of a large variety of different graph and grid lined PDFs. Ranging from dots, to different sized graphs, to number lines. Many are customizable to meet your needs. Each type can be downloaded as a PDF (you'll need Adobe Reader, http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html, or some other application that can open PDF documents) which can be saved and printed when needed.
http://www.incompetech.com/beta/plainGraphPaper/
Science
HowStuffWorks.com
This is an excellent website which has in-depth articles, complete with pictures, animations, Q&A, forums, etc., dealing with - you'll never guess - how stuff works. Everything is at this site - from automotive, electronics, Internet, money, weapons, and more. You want to know how it works? This site will tell/show you. Check it out.
http://HowStuffWorks.com
NASA - Office of Education
This is a government sponsored website that connects the public to the latest research, resources, projects, and outreach of astronomers. Included in the domain of NASA's research are the areas of Aerospace Technology, Biological and Physical Research, Earth Science, Human Exploration, Development of Space, and General Space Science. There are numerous education projects including mars exploration projects for kids as well as interactive sites corresponding to launches and missions.
NASACAST - http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/podcasting/index.html, provides video and audio access online to the latest projects and missions.
Educational resources can be found for students at http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forkids/home/index.html.
Teacher resources are split up for
K-4 - http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/k-4/features/index.html
5-8 - http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/5-8/features/index.html.
http://education.nasa.gov/home/index.html
Language Arts
Dictionary.com's Word of the Day
The Word of the Day provides a pronunciation guide, definition, uses the word in context,and the word origins. This is a simple way to encourage vocabulary development. You can also sign up to receive the word of the day through email.
http://dictionary.reference.com/wordoftheday/
Wikijunior - Wikibooks, collection of open-contenttextbooks
The aim of this project is to produce a series of full-color booklets for children aged 8 t o11. The subjects will be appealing to kids, and the writing will be light and friendly. These booklets will be richly illustrated with photographs, diagrams, sketches, and original drawings. The texts will also follow a format, so that each booklet, while different, will also have certain common features. Currently only a small collection, covering topics such as the solar system and dinosaurs, it has the potential to develop into a wider collection of quality non-fiction material for elementary age students.
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Wikijunior
Social Studies
The World Factbook
Did you ever need a single place where students could find current information about countries from around the world that included maps, historical background,statistics,and flags?The World Fact book has all that and more!
https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html
National Council for the Social Studies
Social studies educators teach students the content knowledge, intellectual skills, and civic values necessary for fulfilling the duties of citizenship in a participatory democracy. The mission of National Council for the Social Studies is to provide leadership, service, and support for all social studies educators. The site includes sections on advocacy, publications, and resources for your classroom.
http://www.socialstudies.org/
Posted December 4, 2006
Math
National Library of Virtual Manipulatives
A plethora of virtual manipulatives related to the NCTM standards for grades Pre-K-2.
http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/grade_g_1.html
Illuminations
The Illuminations website is designed by The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics to bring NCTM's Principles and Standards for School Mathematics to life through engaging interactive student applets, comprehensive Internet-based lesson plans, and teacher resources, such as "Reflections on Teaching." Explore and use any of these 68 online activities that help make math come alive in the classroom. Peruse the collection of 492 K-12 lesson plans (sortable by standard, grade level, or math topic), or check out their extensive and current links to other math sites.
http://illuminations.nctm.org/
Science
A to Z Teacher Stuff
Looking for some clever ideas on teaching science? The teacher contributions at this site are varied and excellent!
http://www.atozteacherstuff.com/Lesson_Plans/Science/index.shtml
Science NetLinks
provides a wealth of standards-based resources for K-12 science educators including lesson plans, interactives, and reviewed Internet resources. Science NetLinks is a dynamic site with new content being added on a regular basis, so check back often.
http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/
Language Arts
Starfall
The Starfall learn-to-read website is offered free and as a public service. Teachers from around the country are using Starfall materials as an inexpensive way to energize their classrooms and to inspire a love of reading and writing in their students. Primarily designed for first grade, Starfall.com is also useful for pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and second grade.
http://www.starfall.com/
Cyberguides
Teacher Guides and Student Activities - CyberGuides are supplementary, standards-based, web-delivered units of instruction centered on core works of literature. Each CyberGuide contains a student and teacher edition,standards, a task and a process by which the lesson may be completed, teacher-selected websites, and a rubric based on California Language Arts Content Standards. In the guides, the magenta text indicates the language (or context-appropriate equivalent to the language) of the content standards.
http://www.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/score/cyberguide.html
Social Studies
The Teachers Corner
WOW, thematic units everywhere—and all written and implemented by practicing teachers. Searchable, easy to read, and very clever!
http://www.theteacherscorner.net/thematicunits/
National Geographic
Xpeditions is home to the U.S. National Geography Standards—and to thousands of ideas, tools, and interactive adventures that bring them to life. And lots of great downloadable maps!
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/
Posted May 2006
K-2 Reading/Literacy
Starfall.com
The Starfall learn-to-read website is offered free as a public service. Teachers around the country are using Starfall materials as an inexpensive way to make the classroom more fun and to inspire a love of reading and writing. Primarily designed for first grade, Starfall.com is also useful for pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and second grade.
http://www.starfall.com/
Cyberguides
Teacher Guides and Student Activities - CyberGuides are supplementary, standards-based,web-delivered units of instruction centered on core works of literature. Each CyberGuide contains a student and teacher edition, standards, a task and a process by which it maybe completed, teacher-selected websites, and a rubric, based on California Language Arts Content Standards. In the guides,the magenta text indicates the language (or context-appropriate equivalent to the language) of the content standards.
http://www.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/score/cyberguide.html
Carol Hurst's Children's Literature Web Site
This is a collection of reviews of great books for kids, ideas of ways to use them in the classroom, and collections of books and activities about particular subjects, curriculum areas, themes and professional topics.
http://www.carolhurst.com/
DPS Authors Web Site
Web links to authors and illustrators including DPS author studies.
http://dots.dpsk12.org/stories/storyReader$15
3-5 Reading/Literacy
ReadWriteThink
Providing Educators and Students access to the highest quality practices and resources in reading and language arts instruction.
http://www.readwritethink.org/
The Biography Maker
These online lessons explain what a biography should be and walk writers through questioning, learning, synthesis, and story-telling. The site includes embedded links to relevant Internet resources and tips for effective writing.
http://www.bham.wednet.edu/bio/biomaker.htm
Aesop and Ananse: Animal Fables and TricksterTales
Students will become familiar with fables and trickster tales from different cultural traditions and will see how stories change when transferred orally between generations and cultures.
http://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp?id=240
DPS Authors Website
Web links to authors and illustrators including DPS author studies.
http://dots.dpsk12.org/stories/storyReader$15
K-2 Math
AAA Math
Links for grade levels and skills. Hundreds of pages of basic math skills, interactive practice on every page, an explanation of the math topic on each page, and several challenge games on every page.
http://www.aaamath.com/
King’s List of On-line Math Activities
Basic Facts – List of activities and web sites for basic facts.
http://www.k111.k12.il.us/king/math.htm#Facts
Macaroni Math Mania
This is a math activity where students use macaroni as math manipulatives to help understand addition and subtraction.
http://comp.uark.edu/~athomps/
National Library of Virtual Manipulatives
Virtual manipulatives related to the NCTM standards for grades Pre-K - 2.
http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/grade_g_1.html
3-5 Math
National Library of Virtual Manipulatives – Mathand Geometry
Virtual manipulatives related to the NCTM Geometry standard for grades 3 - 5.
http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/category_g_2_t_3.htm
National Library of Virtual Manipulatives -Math-Numberand Operations
Virtual manipulatives related to the NCTM Number and Operations standard forgrades3-5.
http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/category_g_2_t_1.html
Illuminations
The Illuminations website is designed by The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics to bring NCTM's Principles and Standards for School Mathematics to life through engaging interactive student applets, comprehensive Internet-based lesson plans, and teacher resources such as "Reflections on Teaching." Explore and use any of the 68 online activities that help make math come alive in the classroom, peruse the collection of 492 K-12lesson plans (sortable by standard, grade level, or math topic), or check out their extensive up-to-date links to other math sites.
http://illuminations.nctm.org/
King's List of On-Line Math Activities – Fractions
Lists of web sites and activities for fractions.
http://www.k111.k12.il.us/king/math.htm#Fractions