Useful Information In and Out of the Classroom 10/5/12

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

Tree Planet - “If you plant a virtual tree through a smartphone App, we will plant a real tree. The application is, of course, free. Then how will the costs of planting trees be covered? To grow a tree, one needs to give the water and fertilizer with Sponsor's advertisement. The items in the App have company logos. We receive money from the advertising and give the money to NGOs. The NGOs then take the funds and build a forest in a desert. Plant a tree in the desert from where you are.” (L: T ; SA: A )

Earthquakes 101 - “Earthquakes happen all the time, and can be barely noticeable or terribly devastating. What causes them? What can we do to be prepared?” (L: G ; SA: S )

Problem-Attic - “45,000+ New York Regents Exam Questions. Search by topic or exam. Select, arrange, and format questions the way you like. Create beautiful classroom materials in just minutes!” (L: T ; SA: A )

Historical Thinking Matters - “a website focused on key topics in U.S. history, that is designed to teach students how to critically read primary sources and how to critique and construct historical narratives.” (L: H; SA: SS )

Study Champs - “ an educational website for learning Math, English, Science and Social Studies. Study Champs provides high quality educational material in the form of printable worksheets, online games and quizzes, flipbook lessons, fun activities and story books for kids." (L: E, M ; SA: M, S, SS)

Original Image: Tools by Pat Hensley