Posted March 6, 2007
MATH
Math in Daily Life
When you buy a car, follow a recipe, or decorate your home,you're using math principles. People have been using these same principles across the world for thousands of years. This website bases itself on the uses of math in everyday life and really helps kids make the connections to when and where they will use these mathematical concepts as they grow up.
http://www.learner.org/exhibits/dailymath/
Teachers’ Domain
This free resource site is an online educational service with two related components — collections and courses — that help teachers enhance their students' learning experiences and advance their own teaching skills. The Teachers' Domain collections include classroom-ready multimedia resources for use in lessons or independent study, and the Teachers' Domain Professional Development courses provide many of the same resources, along with videos of exemplary classroom practice.
http://www.teachersdomain.org/
SCIENCE
Frogland
This site contains a wide variety of interesting and weird frog facts and information. There is a frog of the month site with pictures of children’s frogs and they also have links for teachers and parents to gather more information related to these croaky creatures. It’s a fun and informative site.
http://www.allaboutfrogs.org/froglnd.shtml
Exploring Planets in the Classroom
More than 25 hands-on science activities are provided in classroom-ready format for both teachers and students for exploring Earth, the planets, geology, and space sciences.
http://www.spacegrant.hawaii.edu/class_acts/index.html
LANGUAGE ARTS
Animals, Myths and Legends
Explore a collection of myths and legends, read post cards and stories from animals and have some fun playing related games and puzzles. This is a good site to gather information on endangered animals and environments, biomes and to read amazing animal facts. The author has added more Native American legends and Aesop fables to this collection of myths and legends, so the site continues to grow.
http://www.planetozkids.com/oban/
Citation Machine
Teachers or students can cite any resource via the MLA or APA format using this ‘machine’. David Warlick, well known educator and big thinker, provides this and many other easy-to-use teacher tools on his website.
http://citationmachine.net/?resize=1
SOCIAL STUDIES
Rubric Maker
Similar to ‘Rubistar 4 Teachers’, this website contains a wealth of rubrics produced by hundreds of teachers on hundreds of subjects. You also have the ability to create your own and share it via this site with other teachers who may be looking for the specific rubric you have created. Another handy tool from David Warlick.
http://landmark-project.com/rubric_builder/index.php
Places Teach!
Teaching with Historic Places (TwHP) uses properties listed in the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places to enliven history, social studies, geography, civics, and other subjects. TwHP has created a variety of products and activities that help teachers bring historic places into the classroom.
http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/twhp/
Posted February 20, 2007
MATH
Factoring
The Math Forum @ Drexel provides easy-to-understand explanations of factoring. There are multiple opportunities for students to practice and experience success with factoring, and that is the main focus of this website. There is also an “Ask Dr. Math: FAQ” portion that explores many other mathematical concepts as well.
http://mathforum.org/dr.math/faq/faq.learn.factor.html
Prescribed Learning Outcomes
This website presents the background knowledge that middle school students should have before grappling with new math concepts. A great resource for analyzing the sequence in which mathematical concepts should be taught, this site covers all of the Colorado state standards for math.
http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/irp/math89/ma9lo.htm
SCIENCE
Volcanoworld
This site provides excellent information about volcanoes and is K-16, and public outreach project of the North Dakota Space Grant Consortium.
http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/
Endangered Species
Endangered Specie.com is a good source for endangered species information, links,books, and publications regarding rare and endangered species. The site also includes information about conservation efforts and endangered species organizations dedicated to saving and preserving the world's most endangered wildlife and plant life.
http://www.endangeredspecie.com/
LANGUAGE ARTS
Animals, Myths and Legends
Explore this collection of myths and legends, read postcards and stories from animals and enjoy planning some related games and puzzles. Learn about endangered animals, environments and biomes and read interesting animal facts. They have also added some more Native American legends and Aesop fables to this collection.
http://www.planetozkids.com/oban/
English Teacher
“Teaching English and Language Arts with technology” is the motto of this site. Web English Teacher presents the best of K-12 English / Language Arts teaching resources: lesson plans, WebQuests, videos, biography, e-texts,criticism, jokes, puzzles, and classroom activities.
http://www.webenglishteacher.com/
SOCIAL STUDIES
Today in History
The Library of Congress provides this web page where students can discover what historical events took place on a particular day in history. Bookmark the site and visit it daily to discover events in history, or search the archive by date or subject to find other historical events. This is an excellent way to make connections to cultural and historical events.
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/ammem/today/today.html
Geographia
Geographia is a great guidebook to countries and places all over the world. The Sinai Peninsula, Gunung Mula National Park in Borneo, or the Bahamas, are buta few. The site gives basic facts, history and attractions. It’s fun and easy to use.
http://www.geographia.com/
Posted February 6, 2007
MATH
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Market your strengths to parents with the help of Teacher Vision’s parent communication handouts. They have information on child development, helping parents respond to report cards, and many printables to help you organize parent conferences. Be sure to click “Go Directly to my Link” in the top right hand corner of the page after linking to the URL below. Also note that you may view up to 10 free articles/resources and then the website will require you to subscribe for $30 annual fee if you want to continue use.
http://www.teachervision.fen.com/parent-teacher-conferences/teaching-methods/3713.html?wtlAC=GS_2007-02-05,email-gs_5
Middle School Algebra
This site, which concentrates on the fundamentals of mathematics, contains archives of multiple math resources for middle school aged students, as well as a math forum, a math library and a quick reference guide.
http://mathforum.org/library/drmath/sets/mid_algebra.html
SCIENCE
Personalizing the Secondary Classroom
These excellent resources from Educators for Social Responsibility (ESR)will provide you with ideas and activities for back to school, as well as the rest of the school year. Adapted from ESR's resource: Partners in Learning: From Conflict to Collaboration by Carol Miller Lieber. Be sure to click “Go Directly to my Link” in the top right hand corner of the page after linking to the below URL. Also note that you may view up to 10 free articles / resources and then the website will require you to subscribe for $30 a year.
http://www.teachervision.fen.com/teaching-methods/classroom-management/6711.html?detoured=1
The Nine Planets
This website is an overview of the history, mythology, and current scientific knowledge of the planets, moons and other objects in our solar system. Each page has informational text and NASA's images. Some have sounds and movies and most provide references to additional related information.
http://nineplanets.org/
LANGUAGE ARTS
MythWeb
MythWeb is devoted to the heroes, gods and monsters of Greek mythology.The site does not pretend to cover all the characters of Greek mythology, but includes helpful links to other web resources if you cannot find what you are looking for on their site.
http://www.mythweb.com/
Quizlet
This is the “about” page for a website founded by a high school student motivated to approach vocabulary comprehension in a new and unique way. Quizlet is a study site that allows students in grades 5 and up to create and manage vocabulary lists and their definitions and then the students can quiz themselves on the information. After reading how Quizlet was founded, click on the “Home” button to go through a tutorial on how to use this site to its full potential.
http://quizlet.com/about.php
SOCIAL STUDIES
Educator’s Guide to Literature
Teacher Vision is dedicated to helping teachers save time. Find 12,000+ pages of classroom-ready lesson plans, printables, and resources at this site. Select one of the titles listed in Educator Guides to Intermediate / Middle Literature to view great supplemental material that will assist students in enjoying and understanding literature. Be sure to click “Go Directly to my Link” in the top right hand corner of the page after linking to the below URL. Also note that you may view up to 10 free articles / resources and then the website will require you to subscribe for $30 a year.
http://www.teachervision.fen.com/literature/reading-instruction/5832.html?wtlAC=GS_2007-02-05,email-gs_5
Explorers on the Web
Cyber Sleuth Kids is well-rounded website with resources for all subjects. This link provides access to extensive information about famous explorers, hooking directly into the DPS social studies curriculum.
http://www.cybersleuth-kids.com/sleuth/History/Explorers/index1.htm
Posted January 16, 2007
Math
Countdown
This professional development web site is devoted to the demonstration and support of effective mathematics instruction. Through the use of indexed video clips and related support materials, viewers can explore specific math concepts at their own pace. Whether you’re an educator brushing up on formulas, a fifth grader figuring out equivalent fractions, a grad student completing a methods assignment or a concerned parent seeking an "electronic" math tutor for your child...this site is a rich math resource available for your repeated use. The video clips found on this site have been edited from hour-long COUNTDOWN shows originally broadcast on Channel 21, the interactive cable access television network in Chicago. Includes section on using graphing calculators.
http://countdown.luc.edu/
FunBrain Math
This website provides students the opportunity to try out the mathematical concepts they are learning, be they equivalents, angel and velocity or mental math. These games are interactive and fun and kids can choose their level, which aids them in tackling math where they are most comfortable.
http://www.funbrain.com/brain/MathBrain/MathBrain.html
Science
PBS Teacher Source
PBS just keeps on giving! Take a quick gander at this extensive list of hands-on authentic science projects and activities, each with matching National Standards, many coming from NOVA direct to your classroom, complete with video.
http://www.pbs.org/teachersource/science_tech/high-humanbiology.html
Cloud Appreciation Society
Beyond Cirrus, Nimbus, and Cumulus there are the lesser-known Fall streak Holes, Kevin Helm-Holtz Wave Clouds, and Lenticularis clouds. This website provides a plethora of top-notch photos of a variety of cloud types to supplement weather studies in your science curriculum. http://www.cloudappreciationsociety.org/gallery/?x=browse&;category=16
Language Arts
The Biography Maker
Site with information on creating biographies, as well as a template for writing a biography
http://www.bham.wednet.edu/bio/biomaker.htm
In Search of Shakespeare
Shakespeare comes alive in this website with Professional Development tools, lesson plans and a multimedia library. Clicking on the “For Educators” section provides links to “Teaching Shakespeare to Elementary” which can be helpful even for middle school students, “Teaching Shakespeare with Technology” and “Primary Sources”. The “Playwright Game” is a high-interest activity challenging students to write their own 17th century plays!
http://www.pbs.org/shakespeare/
Social Studies
Best of History Websites
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/
American History
New York Times on the Web is a site full of authentic resources for teachers. This American History page provides links under “Issues in Depth”, “Lesson Plans”, “and News by subject” as well as the opportunity to “Ask A Reporter”. There are “Slideshows” and “Crossword Puzzles” to peak student’s interest and keep them motivated about learning our national history.
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/subjects/ushistory_index.html
Posted January 9, 2007
Math
The Geometry Junkyard
This website has a collection of URLs relating to fractals. Each referenced site approaches fractals in a different way and includes materials such as the Mandelbrot Set, the artwork of Wolter Schraa and the analysis of Curlicue Fractals.
http://www.ics.uci.edu/~eppstein/junkyard/fractal.html
John Davidson High School
Yes, this is a high school (though it’s probably not that John Davidson), and their math department offers an outstanding website. They post “problems of the week” (with answers and archives to former problems), a solid collection of lesson plans, interactive puzzles and games, and a VERY clever Math Humor link.
http://www.pen.k12.va.us/Div/Winchester/jhhs/math/mathhome.html
Science
What is it?
This website is actually a blog (web log) offering a wide variety of photos of tools and mechanisms used throughout the centuries for various purposes. You may want to offer these up for students to make predictions orally or in writing and then everybody can see what these contraptions were REALLY used for in the ‘answers’ section.Very interesting, indeed.
http://puzphotos.blogspot.com/
The National Science Digital Library
The NSDL has resources and information organized fit the interests of teachers,media specialists, and others working with K-12 students.
http://nsdl.org/resources_for/k12_teachers/index.php
Language Arts
Scholastic News Online
America’s leading news source for kids comes to you online in an attractive and easy-to-navigate format. There is also a teacher and parent section that provides loads of background information, graphic organizers and “thinking questions” to help you get your students thinking out-of-the-box.
http://teacher.scholastic.com/scholasticnews/
TeacherWeb
Search for WebQuests by grade level and subject matter. Teachers can also create their own WebQuests and post them on this site.
http://teacherweb.com/WQindexSrch2.htm
Social Studies
Professional Cartoonists Index
This is the Teachers' Guide for using the Professional Cartoonists Index website in your classes. Daryl Cagel has developed lesson plans for using the editorial cartoons as a teaching tool in Social Sciences, Art, Journalism and English at all levels.
http://www.cagle.com/teacher/
Teacher’s Domain
Teachers' Domain is an online educational service with two related components — collections and courses — that help teachers enhance their students' learning experiences and to advance their own teaching skills. The Teachers' Domain collections include classroom-ready multimedia resources for use in lessons or independent study,and the Teachers Domain Professional Development courses utilize many of the same resources, along with videos of exemplary classroom practice.
http://www.teachersdomain.org/
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-12history lesson plans, history teacher guides, history activities, history games, history quizzes, and more.
http://besthistorysites.net/
Posted December 12, 2006
Math
King’s List of Math Activities
This website contains links to graphing and data collection sites. It also carries links to activities dedicated to: facts, whole numbers, number lines,factors,multiples, primes, powers, triangular numbers, fractions and many, many more.Some activities may require a download of the free Flash Player browser plug in.
http://www.k111.k12.il.us/king/math.htm#Graphing/%20Data%20Collections
Shodor’s Curricular Activities
This site is a national resource for computational science education. You can search this by grade level, subject matter or you can view a list of all of Shodor's curriculum materials projects. Some of the more interesting geometrical activities include, “Fractal Dimensions”, “Flake Maker” and “Tesselations”.
http://www.shodor.org/curriculum/
Science
Science Friday
This site offers a variety of resources that focus on all aspects of science; from anthropology to technology and from entomology to paleontology. It also provides book titles, transcripts and podcasts in its vast inventory.
http://www.sciencefriday.com/kids/
NOVA
No surprise, the NOVA website provides high quality scientific resources and includes a ‘teacher’ category where you can find classroom tools, classroom activities, TV program descriptions, related NOVA resources, and interactives for students.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/programs/int_disa.html
Language Arts
Tools for Teachers
The “Teacher Tools” website provides a host of general purpose resources for teachers. It includes: Quiz Generators, Worksheets and Flashcards, Certificates,Awards, Charts, Forms, Surveys, Calendar Generators, Templates for Classrooms, Places to Post Homework, Free or Inexpensive Webpage Builders, and Places to Store Bookmarks and Documents Online.
http://www.suelebeau.com/freetools.htm
Words of Human Kind
Words of Humankind is a compilation of many primary sources of historical literature and documents. Hosted and compiled by David Warlick, the site includes: The Bill of Rights, 19th Century Advertising, Samuel Beckett, Aesop's Fables Online Collection,and much more.
http://davidwarlick.com/landmark/page.php?stamp=&;pn=3&psn=&cat=17
Social Studies
A Three Hour Tour by Kathy Schrock
Ever wonder where to find great primary sources on the Internet for your students to use in their research? Well, here is a place called “Primary Source Super Sites”.Scroll down to the middle of the page to find internet links to: The Library of Congress, The University of Virginia Library, The U.S.Patent and Trademark Office and many more.
http://kathyschrock.net/navigating/
Digital History
This web site was designed and developed to support the teaching of American History in K-12 schools and colleges and is supported by the University of Houston. The materials on this site include: a U.S. history textbook, 400+ annotated documents on slavery, Mexican American, Asian American, and Native American history’ and U.S. political, social, and legal history; short essays on the history of film, ethnicity, private life, and technology; multimedia exhibitions; and other great historical resources. The site's Ask the Hyper Historian feature also allows users to pose questions to professional historians.
http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/
Posted December 4, 2006
Math
Illuminations
From the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Illuminations is designed to (1) provide standards-based resources that improve the teaching and learning of mathematics for all students; (2) provide materials that illuminate the vision for school mathematics.
http://illuminations.nctm.org/
Word Problems For Kids
Can we ever give students enough word problems? From our northern neighbor, Canada, the answer is a resounding “NO” and this site is a wonderful tool. The site lets you select the grade level, then provides you with a long list of word problems, complete with “hints” and, of course, the answer.
http://www.stfx.ca/special/mathproblems/welcome.html
Science
Science Netlinks
Science NetLinks provides a wealth of standards-based resources for K-12 science educators, including lesson plans, interactive 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/
Serendip - Hands-on Biology
These hands-on activities cover a broad range of biological topics, including genetics, natural selection, micro organisms, and human physiology. These activities are designedto: help students understand important biological principles and concepts, develop student understanding of the scientific process, and improve students' writing and math skills.
http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/sci_edu/waldron/
Language Arts
Literacy Net
This is a collection of weekly online interactive lessons using CNN news stories edited for students in Grades 6-12. The interactive lessons for each news story include curriculum exercises to test comprehension.
http://literacynet.org/
Meet Authors & Illustrators at Children'sLit
Here’s a powerful resource that includes information on thousands of authors and illustrators with links to their home pages and/or biographies.
http://www.childrenslit.com/f_mai.htm
Social Studies
Meet Mr. Donn
Once you do, you will visit his website again and again. Still a practicing teaching, Mr. Donn offers a wealth of lesson plans and resources — all with the teacher and students in mind.
http://members.aol.com/donnandlee/SiteIndex.html
Archiving Early America
Here at Archiving Early America, you will discover a unique array of primary source materials from 18th Century America. Scenes and portraits from original newspapers are provided and maps and writings come to life on your screen, just as they appeared to America’s forebears more than two centuries ago.
http://www.earlyamerica.com/
Posted May 2006
Math
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-12 lesson 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/
John Davidson High School Math Department
This is a high school, but it this math department offers an outstanding website. They post “problems of the week” (with answers and archives to former problems), a solid collection of lesson plans, interactive puzzles and games, and a VERY clever Math Humor link.
http://www.pen.k12.va.us/Div/Winchester/jhhs/math/mathhome.html
National Library of Virtual Manipulatives
Utah State University offers this amazing collection of virtual manipulatives. Easily searchable by Numbers, Algebra, Geometry, Measurement, and Data Analysis and Probability, you can flip coins, graph functions, generate fractals or any of a huge collection of easy-to-use visual representations of math concepts.
http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/vlibrary.html
Canada’s SchoolNet
Can we ever give students have enough word problems? From our Northern Neighbor, Canada, the answer is a resounding “NO” and this site is a wonderful tool. The site lets your select the grade level, then provides you with a long list of word problems, complete with “hints” and, of course, the answer.
http://www.stfx.ca/special/mathproblems/welcome.htm
Social Studies
All About Presidents American Presidents: Life Portraits
From CSPAN comes this easy to navigate link to learning more about any one of our amazing Presidents!
http://www.americanpresidents.org/
American President
The University of Virginia hosts this extensive collection of information on the Presidents, includes a biography, listing of advisors and cabinet members, and a timeline of pertinent events in their administrations.
http://www.americanpresident.org
History Central Biographies
These history makers include generals, presidents, first ladies, and important peopleof the 20th century. Wonderful resource!
http://www.historycentral.com/bio/index.html
Presidential Libraries
In Thanks to the Discovery Channel for another fabulous teaching resource, this site includes virtual tours of the Presidential libraries, links to websites on the presidents and First Ladies.
http://www.ibiblio.org/lia/president
Presidents of the United States
This is a “don’t miss” as it offers the standard Presidential information by biography, birth or death date, etc., but also includes information about books, campaigns, Cabinet, speeches, coins, genealogy and much more.
http://www.presidentsusa.net
Lesson Plans for Teaching About the Presidents
Looking for some good, fun lesson plans on teaching about Presidents?
http://www.teach-nology.com/teachers/lesson_plans/history/government/presidents/