Online Word Searches

 Looking for word searches that you can use on your Interactive Whiteboard?  Here's a couple:

Online Word Search has a few hundred pre-made word searches that you can complete online.  Choose from different categories to match what you are doing in your curriculum.  I like how the words are sometimes a little challenging...making for a great vocabulary-expanding teachable moment.

Freeology offers a Make Your Own Word Search tool that creates a simple word search, perfect for use on your Interactive Board.  Simply list the words you would like to include and then use the tabs above the gadget to customize further, if so desired.  Once you create a puzzle, it appears in a new window or tab and you use the cross hairs to locate and highlight words.  Once found, the question mark by the word in the list disappears.  The only downfall is that the puzzles cannot be saved.  So, make sure you print them out if you would like to keep them before you reload the page or close your browser. 

Happy searching!

Scale of the Universe - Wow. Just wow.

Do you ever get the feeling that you're like a speck of dust compared to all that's out there?  Maybe you get the feeling that you're a giant walking among all the tiny bits of existence?  Either way, the website for today will amaze you!  You're both, really!  Check out The Scale of the Universe to give you and your students a look at how small and how large we really are.

I can't help but love the mystical sounding music that comes with the site too.  I think it really sets the atmosphere for "scientific wonderment".


NOTE:  As long as you don't scroll down the page, you should be alright, but just so you all know, there are comments below the Scale and not all are exactly appropriate.  Again though, they will not be visible unless you scroll down.

Project Gutenberg - Free eBooks and audio books online

I would like to share the Project Gutenberg site today.  This is a site where you can download thousands of free eBooks, and some audiobooks.  While the site does not house the most recent, NY Times bestsellers, there are thousands of classics for your perusal. 

Some examples of the content that I found on the site are:
The works of authors such as; William Shakespeare, Edgar Allen Poe, Dostoevsky, Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, and Mark Twain.  There are also such classics as; The Odyssey, The Scarlet Letter, Turn of the Screw, The Bible, Wuthering Heights, Heart of Darkness, The Sherlock Holmes tales, Beowulf, Frankenstein, Jane Eyre,and hundreds more.

Project Gutenberg is also available to download the books to your PC, iPad, Kindle, Sony Reader, iPhone, Android, iPod, or other portable device!  Read them at home or on the go!  I'll be starting Jane Eyre soon!

Youngzine - News for kids

 

Looking for a current events site for kids?  Check out Youngzine.  Using this site, students are able to read current events articles, comment on those articles, and even submit some of their own writing  to the site.  The comments are moderated by the staff at the site, as are any submitted articles.  If you sign up as a teacher, you are even able to create a "classroom" where students use a unique code to join your class.  Once the students are associated with you, you are able to see what they commented on and all their site activity.

A unique defining feature of Youngzine is the students' ability to earn points as they use the site.  As they read articles, comment, rate, and take quizzes (yes there are even pre-made quizzes!) they earn points that go towards earning them a spot on the Hall of Fame!

The news is split up into World News, Science and Tech, Our Earth, Society and Arts, and Sports.  There is also a games section where users can read comic strips and play games (to be used if a student has finished their work). So, check out this kid-friendly, Slide-approved current events site!

Snag Films: Documentaries To-Go

Hello everyone.  A while ago I posted about a site where you could find documentaries online (freedocumentaries.org).  Today I wanted to share with you another one I have come across: Snag Films.  This site also hosts a bunch of documentaries that you can search through and play online.

In the words of the site creators themselves,
"SnagFilms.com is a website where you can watch full-length documentary films for free, but we’re also a platform that lets you “snag” a film and put it anywhere on the web. With a library of over 1500 films, and rapidly growing, you’re bound to find films that resonate with your interests. We make it easy for you to find a film that shines a light on a cause you care about. You can then open a virtual movie theater on any web site, so any one can watch your favorite SnagFilms for free."

I think documentaries are a great way to spark discussion in the classroom and raise awareness of topics that may or may not be covered in the typical "nightly newscasts".  Plus, you are able to embed previews of the movies from the site on your blog or website (but you must be on the actual site to watch it in it's entirety).  You can also save your spot to come back to later (without an account!) if you run out of time watching the movie...most of them are an hour at least so you will need to do this!

Here's one I found:

Watch more free documentaries

Check it out and see what you can find. :)

Dropbox

Ever get sick of carrying around jump drives?  How about when you constantly have to email things to yourself?   I can get tedious!  Believe me, I know!  I have found a solution though!  Dropbox is a free online resource and download-able program that allows you to keep your files on the web where you can get to them whenever you want...even without an Internet connection.  To use Dropbox, simply go to the site, and create an account.  There are several videos and documents that will help you get adjusted to using Dropbox right there for you.  You can then download the Dropbox folder to keep on your desktop.  This feature allows you to access your files without Internet (once the files have synced).

Why would you want to do this again?  What's so bad about a jump drive you ask?  Let me give you a scenario:

You have your computer at school and your computer at home.  To be able to work on documents on both, you have to carry them back and forth on a jump drive, or email them to yourself.  Well, since jump drives are such small devices, who knows what can happen to them!  Washing machine, car tires, Rover, garbage disposal, static electricity, you name it!  When using Dropbox, you can upload a file online at school.  Then, you travel home (where you have downloaded the desktop version of Dropbox).  Your files will be there waiting for you!  Edit them at home, save them, and when you go back to school the next morning, there are your finished files, either online or in the desktop version you have downloaded on your school computer.

For an even better explanation, check out the Dropbox Tour Video

Basically, it's an online storage area.  You can even share files that you want with other Dropbox users!  You get 2GB for free, with room for more space free if you convince a friend (or 12) to sign up! Check it out and you will instantly love this life-saver!

Learning about Tsunamis

**UPDATED 3/16** (see below)

A terrible tragedy has struck Japan.  As we hope and pray for the people dealing with this disaster, done justice in the video below (seems to work best in Firefox), we can learn about the science behind the tsunami.

Here are some sites that I have found to provide information on tsunamis, earthquakes, and dealing with natural disasters:

• Tsunamis explained, 9-12
• http://www.livescience.com/13187-japan-earthquake-tsunami-science-faq.html
• Lesson ideas, information, and more, K-12
• http://www.thinkfinity.org/tsunami
• Tsunamis explained, 3-8
• http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/what-is-a-tsunami/ 
• Also, be sure to check out the "Let's Make Waves" activity to learn more about how waves work:  
• http://www.eduplace.com/rdg/gen_act/ocean/wave.html
• Interactive map of affected areas  
• http://www.nytimes.com/packages/flash/newsgraphics/2011/0311-japan-earthquake-map/index.html 

**NEW***
A teacher I work with shared this site from ABC Australia that is a shocking Before & After glimpse of Japan's devastation.

 

Want to help?  Donate to the Red Cross.

Happy Pi Day!

Hello all! Math geeks, rejoice, it is Pi Day.  Want to know more about this day based upon 3.14?  Check out piday.org to learn all about that famous, mysterious, infinite number that we all love so dearly.

PS. This post was posted at exactly 1:59 pm, according to my computer ;)

3.1415926535897932384626433832795028841971693993751058209749445923078164062862089986280348253421170679821480865132823066470938446095505822317253594081284811174502841027019385211055596446229489549303819644288109756659334461284756482337867831652712019091456485669234603486104543266482133936072602491412737245870066063155881748815209209628292540917153643678925903600113305305488204665213841469519415116094330572703657595919530921861173819326117931051185480744623799627495673518857527248912279381830119491298336733624406566430860213949463952247371907021798609437027705392171762931767523846748184676694051320005681271452635608277857713427577896091736371787214684409012249534301465495853710507922796892589235420199561121290219608640344181598136297747713099605187072113499999983729780499510597317328160963185950244594553469083026425223082533446850352619311881710100031378387528865875332083814206171776691473035982534904287554687311595628638823537875937519577818577805321712268066130019278766111959092164201989380952572010654858632788659361533818279682303019520353018529689957736225994138912497217752834791315155748572424541506959508295331168617278558890750983817546374649393...

My Fake Wall - A compromise?

Today's site is My Fake Wall.  I'm really excited about this site because I think it will get your students excited.  Basically, My Fake Wall is a site that imitates a Facebook wall.  There are no ties to Facebook and the "social interaction" like that of a real Facebook wall is removed.

The site can be used to create personalized Facebook walls for literary characters, historical figures, or even elements, scientists, inventors, mathematicians, and more!  Just use your imagination!  Believe me, this is more work than it sounds like.  Students who are tasked with creating a Fake Wall have to find pictures, think of the appropriate friends to add, find pictures for the friends, and then make comments and posts that would be relevant to the person and their friends.  I truly believe that this would be a worthwhile project....and one that the students would enjoy!

I spent a little time creating the beginning of a wall for one of my favorite characters: here.  Also, here are some other examples: Hermes, Ben Franklin, Cinderella.  Check it out and leave any comments telling me about any ideas you are having for how to use this with your students!

**NOTE** - This site may be blocked in your district.  If so, I would like to inform you that it was designed to be an educational site only.  There is no inappropriate content on the site.  I think that this is a great way to meet the students halfway and it would be an excellent tool to get them to analyze the important information surrounding a real or fictitious person.  To unblock the site, simply write an email to your principal, and explain that the site is educational.  They should then be able to speak to a tech and unblock the site.

NCES Kids' Zone - Awesome Graphing Tool

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) has a section of their site called Kids' Zone.  It drew my attention the other day when I was shown (by a wonderful teacher) the graphing tool from the site, called Create a Graph.  I was blown away with how easy to use the tool is as well as what great graphs you are able to print from it. 

Create a Graph allows you to create bar graphs, line graphs (both of which can be turned into multiple bar or line graphs), area graphs, pie graphs, and xy coordinate graphs.  It is a simple process of working through simple tabs to set up the design, enter the data, and preview your graph.  Once it has been created, you can print it, download it as a picture file, or email it to yourself so you are able to edit it in the future.

The tool would be a great way to integrate graphing into your lessons; an important piece for students to gain an understanding of data.  Try collecting data from your own classroom and plot out the results!  How do the heights of boys vs. girls compare?  What have the temperatures been for the past week?  How many students in the class prefer pepperoni pizza over cheese?  Try it out as a class or have your students make their own!

Super Teacher Tools, games made easy and so much more!

Hello everyone!  My day was just made when my good friend Mr. Tom Place, over at The Giga Bite shared a wonderful site with me.

Super Teacher Tools is a fantastic site where you can go to find FREE, easy to use, customizable review games and teacher resources.  You can download them, play them online, or customize and download your very own game.  I tried the Who Wants to Be a Millionaire game (in honor of Regis' retirement, of course) and it was very easy to fill in the questions and answers!  The game even comes complete with sound effects and lifelines!  Also check out Jeopardy!

There are also teacher resources available such as the seating chart and random group maker.

I also loved the world population counter; watch the population rise right in front of your eyes!

Go check it out!

***NOTE*** Please note that the Who Wants to be a Millionaire game library has been attacked by spammers.  Please do not click on any of the games currently listed.  Tom has emailed the site administrators for Super Teacher Tools and they should fix the issue soon.

Get those brains warmed up, it's time to go to Archimedes' Lab!

It's time to shake ourselves out of this mid-winter slump!  Maybe it's just me, but I've been starving for some good brain exercises lately and I've found just the site to help me out.  Archimedes' Lab has an amazing collection of math puzzles and mental activities that can get steam coming out of your students' ears.  Look at the puzzle of the month or the online magic card trick (can you figure out how they do it??) in the Puzzles and Tests Section.  Check out reality-bending illusions in the Illusions and Paradoxes tab....

Which way is the man facing?

Try your reaction time with the infamous Stroop Test.  Solve the Droodle of the month... what's a Droodle, you ask?  Here's an example...

What are these?

 1. A shark returning from Disney World.  hehe

2. A koala climbing the other side of a tree. See him?

There is so much to explore!  Check it out and get your students thinking in different ways!

Embedit.in, Now Anything Can Be On Your Webpage!

Have you ever wanted to put something on your website, but didn't want to bother with making an attachment?  Or maybe you have a blog or wiki that won't allow attachments.  Well, so I have a solution for you!  Try using the free service of Embedit.in! 

With this site, you simply upload a file, for example, a Word document or a pdf.  Change the size and background color if you wish, change permissions on printing and sharing...all with the click of your mouse, I might add!  Then click to copy the embed code to your computer's clipboard and you're ready to put your document in your website.  (All you do is paste the code in the html code section of your website or blog and you will see it on your page!)

Here's one I did.  It was originally a Word document, OH and did I mention that Embedit.in also allows you to draw over your file?  This can help you point out the important details....or draw a smiley face of course!

Free Documentaries - Inspire Knowledge, Debate, and more.

I wanted to share today's site because I think it can be the source of fuel for a great many debates in a high school classroom.  Have your students watch one of these documentaries on Free Documentaries.org and shake them out of their "blissfully unaware" status quo.

This site offers free steaming (and promised future download capabilities) of a couple hundred documentaries.  There are several topics including history, popular culture, politics, and more.  I have previewed several of the videos and I found that I only had to watch one advertisement at the beginning.  I was unable to watch the movies in their entirety, but I assume that they are uninterrupted by ads for the rest of their duration. 

I was excited to see that well-known documentarian Michael Moore also had some of his films listed on the site, but I was unable to get them to play.  However, that does not mean that the others are of a lesser quality.  Why not use the film Santa's Workshop in your economics class to provoke discussion on cheap labor and it's moral costs.  Maybe you would use the 6-part mini series Hitler's Holocaust to give your students a chilling story of what happened during that terrible time.  Or have your health class take a look at The Tobacco Conspiracy and have a debate over business vs. general good.

What's great about documentaries, is you can use them to show first hand facts.  If you are using them to spark a debate, you can show how not all issues are black and white, or the news you hear at 7:00 each night might not be the whole truth.  Share these with your students and see what you can spark within them.

Get Your Kids Interested in Government with iCivics!

Today is the big day!  Time to vote!  In celebration of our nation's finest quality, I want to highlight a great site that will help your students understand the different branches of our government and see that the jobs of politicians are not always easy!

Check out iCivics and go to the game section where your students can be immersed in the life of a lawyer in the Supreme Court, a legislator, or even the president!  These are real eye-openers!