World Explorers

The PBS site World Explorers contains brief five-minute videos on a host of major explorers (starting with Eric the Red and concluding with Alan Sheppard).  I like the openings (which features a timeline- something I think would help our students put the video in perspective). You can download or stream the videos.  This would be appropriate for grades 4-8.  For the complete post from TeachersFirst, please click here.

Paint by Pixels

Alice Keeler shared a spreadsheet in a recent blog post that reminded me of the paint by number kits.  She’s used conditional formatting to replace a number with a color.  Here’s my garden sample. I think this could be fun for learners of all ages and is a nice introduction to Google spreadsheets.

Math strategies in a minute

Here’s a new Youtube channel (Origo One) which provides one minute math strategies.  Richard Byrne shares it here on his blog.  

Voices from the past

The above newspaper stories were shared with me by Jessica Blier.  They were completed by her advanced ELL class at the Middle School.  The students used a Google Slide template to create their work!

Persuasive writing in K-5

Help K-5 students write persuasively with audience and multiple perspectives in mind. https://t.co/XeFmPljQyr pic.twitter.com/o33RLyVNjI

— ReadWriteThink.org (@RWTnow) March 13, 2016

Science videos for Young Learners

Fun Science Demos has a variety of brief YouTube videos to help you make science come alive for your students. These demonstrations are related to the Next Generation Science Standards.

For the complete post from TeachersFirst, please click here.

THE election site

If you only bookmark one website for the upcoming election, I would select PBS Election Central. From updated maps of the current location of the candidates, input on the debates, and interactive activities (not to mention the virtual field trips), this site has it all!  Use the videos (and related lessons) to help your students understand the election process.

For the complete post from TeachersFirst, please click here.

So what is a hero?

Heroes! (a virtual display of Olympic heroes) is not something just for a unit about the Olympics.  From ancient times to today, watch the changes in heroes (body type, personna, equipment, and more).  This infographic like displace gives students a chance to compare heroes across the centuries.  It would be great as a station or on an interactive whiteboard.

For the complete post from TeachersFirst, please click here.

The Smart Farm- Virtual Field Trip 4/5

From Discovery Education- join the virtual field trip! The Smart Farm: Where Technology and Innovation Meet Join the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance and Discovery Education on a Virtual Field Trip to Deere & Company World Headquarters and learn how innovative technologies aid today's farmers & ranchers as they produce America's food. Irrigation systems managed from iPads, animal diets tracked by computer chips, and tractors that drive using GPS are only a few examples of the ways farmers and ranchers are using technology on their farms and ranches to produce food in a sustainable manner. Conversations with leaders in agriculture will allow you to explore new techniques that have revolutionized the industry and the career opportunities that these advancements have brought to the field. April 5 at 1PM EST/10 AM PST

What was your favorite part of

kindergarten?  My friends at Truman shared their thoughts in this ChatterPIX.  We're thinking of doing another one closer to the end of the school year so they can share what they want to learn in first grade!  I had a great time and look forward to returning to their class.

Make a Map with BrainPOP Jr!

Yesterday, BrainPOPJr. announced the Make a Map feature (this have been in regular BrainPOP for about a year).  Annie explains the process in a movie (search for Concept Map) and in a two minute overview (located under help on the Make-A-Map screen).  I would suggest (after you view the video) to do one of the activities ( I think I would print out the Talk ABout It and let the students fill in the blanks on paper before doing it online).  There are many teaching suggestions in BrainPOP educators (search for Concept Map).

If you need information on single sign in for BrainPOP (both regular and Jr), please see my tech site here.  Using single sign in will allow the students to access our BrainPOP subscription without a username and password- they will also be able to turn in their work to you!

Educational Informagraphics

Find more education infographics on e-Learning Infographics

Elearnings has a variety of educational information you can share with your students or embed in your site.  I think this would be useful as students create their own material. Perhaps it might be a way to begin or sum up a lesson?

For the complete post from TeachersFirst, please click here.

Refining your Google search

Richard Byrne recently posted this video (in this post) demonstrating the advanced search feature in Google.  I think it worth sharing with your students.

Teacher at the Iditarod

Here are two websites to help your students follow the Iditarod.  The first is written by Laura Wright, the 2016 Teacher on the Trail.  Learn how she was selected and follow the race with her posts.  The second one is from the Discovery Channel and includes a collect of 31 videos.

For the complete post from TeachersFirst, please click here.

Make that robot dance!

Robo Boogie gives you the chance to make your robot dance!  You can start with the slides and then switch to code mode.  Younger students can use the sliders while older students will probably want to experiment with the code.

For the complete post from TeachersFirst, please click here.

Timeline comparison

Richard Byrne (Free Technology for Teachers) recently updated his comparison of free timeline sites.  Please click here for the Google Doc.

His complete blog post is here.

Google Forms- the new look!

Google recently updated Forms.  Here’s a nice overview from ShakeUpLearning that covers the highlights.

Women and Black History on Storyboardthat!

Nina Obryk and her fifth grade social studies students recently researched a topic from either Black or Women’s history.  Storyboardthat spider map allowed them to share their results.  The students created the spider map and then presented them in class.  Nina shared a few samples with me.

Ideas for Google Classroom

I love Matt Miller’s Ditch the Textbook- and here he shares suggestions for improving class using classroom.   Just a comment- because educators are not using gMail, suggestion #2 will not work in Sayreville.

How youth learn (Nate’s Great 8)

I first saw this video this morning in a blog post on reluctant learners.  When I went to see if on YouTube, I realized it’s been out for several years.  A nice brief (and to the point) video on what kids (really all of us) need to become effective learners.

Looking for computing resources?

Teaching London Computing Resources for Teachers has a wide range of classroom projects.  Most come with complete directions and handouts and could really be used to broaded your students understanding of basic computing functions.

For the complete post from TeachersFirst, please click here.

Want to visit coastal Peru?

Then check out this free virtual field trip on Wednesday, March 16 at noon.  This is sponsored by Nature Works Everywhere and is geared for grades 3-8 with a focus on science and geography.

Everything you ever wanted to know about

investments- but were afraid to ask!  This collection of YouTube videos from Fidelity cover the scope of investment basics from definitions to IRAs and managed accounts.  The videos are generally less than two minutes and are geared to 8th grade and up.I’ve embedded a sample here.

For the complete post from TeachersFirst, please click here.

Soft Circuits

Doesn’t sound familiar?  Think LEDs and batteries- along with conductive thread and felt.  What I liked about this PDF is the straightforward directions and numerous illustrations.  It sure beats the circuits I made in elementary school!  This might be a great hands on project for your students.

For the complete post from TeachersFirst, please click here.

Kids Discover

I remember Kids Discover from their print days- it was a well written (and ad free) periodical I purchased for my children.  Now they have  web resources.  While you can purchase a subscription for total access, I’ve been looking at the free content- and it seems to match the same quality as the old magazine.  Once you sign up for an account, you will also get weekly emails of free material for that week.  It is a great resource for both science and social studies.

Thinking of a maker space?

You might want to check out Maker Camp.  This site has video tutorials ( I watched the one where they created gears and made a fun lamp) as well as archived projects.  

For the complete post from TeachersFirst, please click here.

See the chicks on the farm

Calling all K-5 students!  Join Discovery Education for a virtual field trip to the egg farm on Monday, March 14 at 1 pm. Register here and find extension activities for your students.

PD (Saturday during Spring Break)

While I would probably not normal be able to attend a Saturday PD in Boston, the timing of this event makes it work! Here’s the invitation I got this morning ( I will also be presenting one session on formative assessment).  Day of Discovery  is open to all Discovery Education users.

Discovery Education is hosting a FREE Professional Development Event on Saturday, April 2, 2016. We would like to invite you and your Curriculum, Instructional Technology staff, turn-key trainers, and educators to attend.   The goal of this event is to provide area districts the opportunity to learn how to maximize your current Discovery Education Streaming service through a conference style event in which participants will choose from multiple session topics.

Details:

Date: Saturday, April 2, 2016

Time: 8:30AM – 3:30PM

Location: Natick High School

15 West St

Natick, MA 01760

Cost: FREE! Breakfast and Lunch will also be provided

Click Here to Register

March for Women!

Many of you are celebrating Women’s History month in March.  If you need resources on the women’s movement, check out the resources from PBS  here.  You will find resources on voting rights as well as more contemporary themes.

Seen my Fakebook?

Alysse DellaFave's class at the SUES recently used Fakebook.  They wrote research papers on the life of an author of their choice and then created these pages.  Here are two samples.  Special thanks to Mary Desmond for sharing.

Click here for link.

Click here for link.

Online Crossword Puzzles

While spelling isn’t my strong point, I do love crossword puzzles.  Crossword Labs give you the chance to create a puzzle (via entering the clues) and then solve online.

For the complete post from TeachersFirst, please click here.

Pixar

In a box.  This interactive site helps explore the issues confronting animators as they deal with a host of STEM issues.  There are short videos as well as educator guides.

For the complete post from TeachersFirst, please click here.