Useful Information In and Out of the Classroom 2/24/12

Here are some interesting sites that I’ve found this week, thanks to my PLN. As a teacher, I feel we have to keep up to date concerning research in our field and current issues in the education system. I hope some of these inspire you, inform you, and even have you asking questions. Thank you for coming by and visiting!

Note: Each resource is labeled with a level and subject area to make it easier to use.

Levels: E: Elementary; M: Middle; H: High; G: General, all levels; SN: Special Needs; T: Teachers

Subject Areas: LA: Language Arts, English, Reading, Writing; M: Math; S: Science; Health; SS: Social Studies, Current Events; FA: Fine Arts; Music, Art, Drama; FL: Foreign Language; PE: Physical Ed; C: Career; A: All

Comic Master - Create your own short graphic novel (L: G; SA: A)

The Human Heart - “This interactive infographic explains the anatomy and function of the human heart. Find out how the blood flows through the different chambers and valves, and visualize the blood flow using the scroll bar.” (L: G; SA: S)

Lawrence Hall of Science - “In these interactives, use your hands, feet, eyes, ears, brain, imagination and cool tools to experiment, design, test and discover amazing things about the world around you. It's science and it's fun!” (L: E,M; SA: S)

Video Game Design - “Welcome to this online resource for video game design in the classroom. My hope is that my own sharing out of our science-based video game design project will inspire you to consider doing the same for your students, moving them from the role of "player" into the role of "creator."  The main project overview for our gaming unit available for download, if you need inspiration. (see below). There is also a resource page with links and more downloads.” (L: H; SA: A)

Weather Games - from NOAA (L: E, SA: S)

Original Image: Tools by Pat Hensley