Useful Information In and Out of the Classroom 08/14/2020

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

Digital Design Challenge – “To help educators across the globe cope with the changing and uncertain scenario, this two-week course is made available on the YouTube playlist above. Videos will be updated and added regularly. For easier access and detailed updates, make sure to register below!” (L:G;SA:A)

Authors Who Skype with Classes & Book Clubs (for free!) – “Welcome to the Authors Who Skype with Classes & Book Clubs List! I’m Kate Messner, the children’s author and educator who maintains this site. I started it because I’ve found that virtual author visits are a great way to connect authors and readers, and I realize that many schools facing budget troubles don’t have the option of paid author visits. With that in mind, this is a list of authors who offer free 15-20-minute Q and A sessions with classes and book clubs that have finished reading one of their books. As an author, I offer Skype chats for all of my titles – check out the “Books” tab above for a list!” (L:T;SA:A)

X-Stream Sundays - Welcome to STREAM Central! This document will bring you a different STREAM lesson each Sunday. The table below will link you to FlipGrids for each lesson. Remember to come back each week for a new activity! (L:E;SA:A)

Night Zookeeper – “Night Zookeeper is an amazing writing intervention that will boost attainment levels of even the most reluctant writers.:” (L:E,M;SA:LA)

Biblionasium – “Part kids social network, part parent’s guide, part educator's tool, Biblionasium blends technology with personal connection to create a supportive, engaging space for reading success. We use the metaphor of a gymnasium because we believe in and foster through our website, the importance of Discipline, Practice, Goal Setting, and Rewards in achieving success. Experts agree that community and consistency can be powerful in helping children become better, more passionate readers. Our mission is to instill good reading habits at a young age; to promote reading as a social activity, and to connect kids, parents and teachers to create a virtual “reading village.” We invite you to explore the site. And hope you’ll join us in a great book.” (L:E;SA:LA)

Original photo by Pat Hensley