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
ReadWorks eBooks
– “ReadWorks is creating richly illustrated eBooks from our collection of
high-quality reading passages! The research is clear that readers, including
new and struggling readers, need to build background knowledge and vocabulary
in order to comprehend what they read. For many, read-aloud and visual
supports are helpful tools to grant access to that background knowledge and
vocabulary, and to support comprehension. With ReadWorks eBooks'
read-aloud function, readers can listen to real humans reading superb texts
aloud with expression and prosody, providing a model for fluency. Rich
illustrations accompany the texts, engaging and supporting comprehension for
readers at all levels.” (L:E;SA:LA)
Planet
Nutshell – cyber safety lessons (L:G;SA:A)
Eat & Move-o-matic
– free iPhone app; “Learn about the foods you eat and how they help fuel your
body for your favorite activities. Use the Eat & Move-O-Matic to make new
discoveries about your favorite foods and get interesting tips on how small
changes can make big differences.” (L:G;SA:PE)
Trading
Card Creator – “The Trading Card tool gives students an alternative way
to demonstrate their literacy knowledge and skill when writing about popular
culture texts or real world examples. This interactive allows students to
create their own trading card about a real or fictional person, place, object,
event, or abstract concept. These cards are can be used with any type of book
students are reading or subjects that they are studying, and make for an
excellent prewriting exercise for students who are writing narrative stories
and need to consider characters, setting, and plot. Specific prompts guide
student through the various types of cards, expanding students' thinking from
the basic information and description of the topic to making personal
connections to the subject.” (L:G;SA:A)
A
Brief History of Dogs – a TED-ed lesson; “Since their emergence over
200,000 years ago, modern humans have established communities all over the
planet. But they didn’t do it alone. Whatever corner of the globe you find
humans in today, you’re likely to find another species as well: dogs. So how
did one of our oldest rivals, the wolf, evolve into man’s best friend? David
Ian Howe traces the history of humanity’s first domesticated animal.” (L:G;SA:S)
Original photo by Pat Hensley
