Useful Information In and Out of the Classroom 4/24/15

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

Discovery Education Virtual Field Trips – “Don’t miss an opportunity to transport your students into exciting places featuring fascinating people and careers.  Take a look below for some of our upcoming events, or browse our archived events by following the directions below.”  (L:M, H; SA:G)

In Pieces – “IN PIECES IS AN INTERACTIVE EXHIBITION TURNED STUDY INTO 30 OF THE WORLD’S MOST INTERESTING BUT UNFORTUNATELY ENDANGERED SPECIES — THEIR SURVIVALS LAYING LITERALLY, IN PIECES.Each species has a common struggle and is represented by one of 30 pieces which come together to form one another. The collection is a celebration of genic diversity and an attempting reminder of the beauty we are on the verge of losing as every moment passes. These 30 animals have been chosen for their differences, so that we can learn about species we didn't know about previously as well as the struggles they have surviving. Many of them evolved in a particular way which makes them evolutionarily distinct.” (L:G; SA:S)

Project Noah – “Project Noah was created to provide people of all ages with a simple, easy-to-use way to share their experiences with wildlife. By encouraging your students to share their observations and contribute to Project Noah missions, you not only help students to reconnect with nature, you provide them with real opportunities to make a difference.”

(L:G; SA:S)

Math Playground – “Give your brain a workout with our fun math games and puzzles.” (L:G; SA:M)

Common Core Lesson Plans – I was sent an email from Jamie Smith, “ I am a part of the FormSwift team, a project dedicated to creating personal and legal templates that are customizable, easy to use, and highly professional, and I wanted to let you know about our new, fillable Common Core-aligned lesson plan templates, which we have made completely free… With our three lesson plan templates, educators can create and fill out a lesson plan with a professional design for their math, science and language arts courses, and download them in PDF or MS Word format with a single click. In addition, although our lesson plans are optimized for the Common Core State Standards, they have been used by teachers in states that do not subscribe to the Common Core. Why free? We are a small team, trying to get our name out, and are providing our services free to teachers and educational professionals across the country.” (L:T; SA:M, S, LA)

Original photo by Pat Hensley