Ideas and resources for parent conferences
These reviewed resources offer information so share with parents at conferences or suggested activities to share at conference time. Read "In the Classroom" ideas to display and other creative approaches for parent conferences. Parents will appreciate your sharing of educator-reviewed resources at conferences and on your TeachersFirst public page so you can work as a team in support of their child's learning.
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Vokle - Robert Kiraz
Grades
6 to 12
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Vokle allows you and others to connect through an interactive video conference format. There are three main components to the program: text chat, audio, and video. Registration is required...more
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Vokle allows you and others to connect through an interactive video conference format. There are three main components to the program: text chat, audio, and video. Registration is required to host an "event" but isn't necessary for viewing recorded events available on the site. After registering, create an event (or series) by providing a title, description, and category. Schedule an event for a future time or go live immediately. Invite others to the event by embedding the code on your website, Facebook page, Twitter link, or by sharing the url. Encourage participation through viewer comments and questions that can be screened and chosen by the host. Sessions are recorded and can be viewed at a later time making this very useful for the classroom. Search for sessions by browsing events and viewing available categories. The learning category may be a useful starting point.
In the Classroom
This site would be perfect to use when collaborating with other classrooms, for holding an author visit, or for professional collaboration. After hosting an event, share the link with students (or parents) who could not attend or who want to watch it over again. Encourage students to host their own event with topics such as book talks, interactive discussions on solving difficult math problems, or discussions of current events. Create a Vokle for parents to view, sharing your educational philosophy, classroom procedures and expectations, and other school-related information. Create a Vokle for students who were absent from class or who may want to watch the lesson again. Even elementary classes can make a vokle under teacher supervision for special events such as Earth Day or the 100th day of school.Edge Features:
Parent permission advised before posting student work created using this tool
Includes Interaction w general public/ public galleries with unmoderated content
Includes social features, such as "friends," comments, ratings by others
Requires registration/log-in (WITH email)
Products can be embedded
Products can be shared by URL
Multiple users can collaborate on the same project
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KikuText - kikutext.com
Grades
K to 12
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Kikutext is a safe and easy way to send reminders to parents via text message. The site is set up so that students do not see the teachers' phone numbers ...more
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Kikutext is a safe and easy way to send reminders to parents via text message. The site is set up so that students do not see the teachers' phone numbers nor do the teachers see the students' or parents' phone numbers. Create an account easily with basic contact information, then share the class code with parents. Parents text the code to be added and begin receiving updates and to respond to text messages. Communication through this site is safe and secure. This service is free; however, standard text messaging fees apply.
tag(s): classroom management (15), parents (18)
In the Classroom
Send out whole-class reminders to parents of upcoming tests, project due dates, school events, and more. Use this site as an alternative to conference reminder slips (and save paper). Keep parents "in the loop" about students' behavior, achievement, and more with this tool. Imagine sending a text as you discover missing homework. Suddenly, accountability steps up a notch!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Samsung Super Hero - SAMSUNG TECHWIN AMERICA
Grades
2 to 12
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Be a superhero by having your students create digital videos portraying their favorite historical character and possibly win new technology equipment for your classroom. (Or simply...more
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Be a superhero by having your students create digital videos portraying their favorite historical character and possibly win new technology equipment for your classroom. (Or simply have a great learning activity). Simply choose your favorite historical character and create digital video presentations to be done in front of the class. Upload to the site to enter your best student work in the annual contest (usually held in June) or simply watch the "local" learning through great projects. Find previous entries and examples from previous years.
tag(s): famous people (12), grants (14)
In the Classroom
Explore the many examples on Samsungs Superheroes to begin presentations, autobiographical sketches, or living history museums. Sharpen the language arts skills of research, creating an organized presentation, effectively communicating, and listening while bringing in content from other subject areas. Analyze and uncover the traits of a great presentation. Introduce outlining, storyboarding, or written autobiographies in an interesting and attention catching student made video. Brainstorm with your class to uncover the important components necessary for learning goals and assessment while creating a rubric. In social studies, discover superheroes/leaders from different times or geographic areas. Include in your math classes to feature famous mathematicians. In language arts, the world of authors and speakers come alive with literary contributions. Have groups collaborate to portray the ways the character influenced the world. As a competition, choose the best in your class, grade level, or school. Share the videotaped presentations on your website, on student DVDs, or as examples of great student work at parent conferences, open houses, or PTO meetings.Edge Features:
Parent permission advised before posting student work created using this tool
Includes Interaction w general public/ public galleries with unmoderated content
Includes social features, such as "friends," comments, ratings by others
Requires registration/log-in (WITH email)
Products can be embedded
Products can be shared by URL
Includes teacher tools for registering and/or monitoring students
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Get Ready to Read - National Center for Learning Disabilities
Grades
K to 2
1 Favorites
0 Comments
Get Ready to Read is designed to help educators and parents in the development of early literacy skills before kindergarten. Resources include educational games, webinars, literacy...more
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Get Ready to Read is designed to help educators and parents in the development of early literacy skills before kindergarten. Resources include educational games, webinars, literacy checklists, and screening tools. There are also skill building activities: printable activity cards, online games, and articles with tips and suggestions for early childhood learning. Be sure to check out the "Transitioning to Kindergarten Toolkit" which contains many resources for teachers and parents. Another great feature of the site is the literacy checklists for home, school, and childcare providers that are available to print in PDF format in either English or Spanish.
tag(s): alphabet (56), assessment (30), literacy (101), phonics (43), preK (99), reading strategies (15), rhymes (23), sounds (52)
In the Classroom
Use the Get Ready to Read Program to screen your students' reading skills. Use this assessment to guide your reading program and help individualize instruction based on your students needs. Print out and use the 36 offline activity cards with your students as reading centers, for individual learning, or for whole class instruction. Set up your classroom computers with the Get Ready to Read online activities. Share literacy checklists and suggestions with parents during conferences, kindergarten screening, or on your classroom website.
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Eyejot - Eyejot, inc.
Grades
K to 12
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Send email messages as video with this easy to use tool. Sometimes information is just too hard to convey in an email. Perhaps the information is too complicated to type ...more
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Send email messages as video with this easy to use tool. Sometimes information is just too hard to convey in an email. Perhaps the information is too complicated to type out or it is hard to relay the tone in a message. Sending an email with a video message helps to take care of these problems. To use the site you will need to create a free account. Once the account is created, just login, record or upload your video message, and send. Your recipient will receive an email letting them know they have a new video message. Just one click will get them to the message for viewing.
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This site includes advertising.
tag(s): organizational skills (32), video (67)
In the Classroom
Have fun with this website, and make classwork more interesting for students! Create a classroom email account, and have students send short summaries of reading passages instead of writing reports. If your students have school email accounts, send a short video message each week including reminders of upcoming activities and reminders for items to bring to class. Teacher mentors can send encouraging videos to mentees with suggestions and classroom tips. Administrators can send videos to staff with reminders of staff meetings or upcoming due dates. Send a short video to parents with upcoming class information such as conferences, field trips, and testing dates. Appoint a new video master each week to record the homework reminders for the class. That is one classroom "job" elementary students will love to have, especially those who like being the center of attention.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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CurriConnects Book List: Books for Tough Situationa - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12
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Use this CurriConnects list to find independent reading books to help students facing difficult circumstances such as divorce, loss, bullying, deployed parents, friendship issues, eating...more
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Use this CurriConnects list to find independent reading books to help students facing difficult circumstances such as divorce, loss, bullying, deployed parents, friendship issues, eating disorders, and more. CurriConnects thematic book lists include ISBN numbers for ordering or searching, interest grade levels, ESL levels and Lexiles'''® to match with student independent reading levels to challenge, not frustrate. Don't miss other CurriConnects themes being added regularly.
tag(s): divorce (8), eating disorders (6), emotions (20), social skills (6)
In the Classroom
Build student literacy skills and help students facing personal challenges. Reading about personally meaningful topics will help students work through them. It will also build the important reading strategy of connecting what they read to what they already know. Keep this list handy in your Favorites to suggest options when a student seems to need them. Since the list includes topics for all levels of maturity, you might want to share portions of it rather than the entire list. You may also wan to tell parents about it during parent conferences or when situations arise. as always, allow students to self- select independent reading books from a list of options. Don't forget to share the list with the school and local libraries so they can bring in some of the books on interlibrary loan, if needed. Your school counselor will also appreciate this list. CurriConnects are a great help for teachers and parents who have lost school library/media specialists due to budget cuts.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Remind 101 - Remind 101
Grades
K to 12
3 Favorites
0 Comments
Remind 101 is a safe and easy way to send reminders to students via text message. The site is set up so that students do not see the teachers' phone ...more
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Remind 101 is a safe and easy way to send reminders to students via text message. The site is set up so that students do not see the teachers' phone numbers nor do the teachers see the students' phone numbers. Create an account. Any phone that can receive text messages will receive these. Communication through this site is safe and secure. You only see the names of your students, not their phone number, and they only see your name -- not your cell phone number. Be sure to obtain parental permission FIRST, as standard messaging rates apply. .
In the Classroom
Set up accounts for all your classes, and even your extracurricular activities, to send homework, project, and supply reminders. Remind students of upcoming events, practices, or things they need to bring to class or practice. You could also use this to communicate with parents (allow them to sign up for text message updates at back to school night). Remind parents of big tests, report cards, field trips, deadlines, back to school night, sneaker days, conferences, and more. Set up a faculty reminder group within your school for emergency closures and more.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Education.com - Education.com
Grades
K to 12
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Find parent information and the ideas to help their kids reach their full potential and make learning fun. There are also many resources for classroom teachers, making the site worthwhile...more
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Find parent information and the ideas to help their kids reach their full potential and make learning fun. There are also many resources for classroom teachers, making the site worthwhile for both. The site is very large, and there is much to explore (articles, lesson activities, worksheets, and more). Find grade-level specific links on the left-hand side, from before Pre-School all the way to High School. Search by topic or browse by age, topic, or featured information. Other methods to browse include menus for Just Ask, Activities, Worksheets, Video, and more. Featured topics each month include back to school information, kindergarten readiness, what to expect in various grade levels, bullying, and other topics relevant to school-age children. There is also a free smartphone app. You can also sign up for the weekly newsletter including a new activity each week.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): back to school (12), black history (33), bullying (41), child development (16), crafts (25), parent conferences (17), parents (18), psychology (28), science fairs (12)
In the Classroom
Find information on current education topics such as bullying, creative arts, and more to use in the classroom or share with parents during conferences or in classroom newsletters. Share this site with parents as a resource to help them understand academic, social, and developmental benchmarks expected with each grade level and as a resource for additional activities and worksheets to help support classroom learning. Peruse the many articles related to everything education (for both parents and teachers).Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Behavior Doctor Forms and Tools - Laura A. Riffel, PHD
Grades
K to 12
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This portion of Behavior Doctor Seminars offers resources to be used in schoolwide "Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports." The site offers paid seminars; instead you can start...more
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This portion of Behavior Doctor Seminars offers resources to be used in schoolwide "Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports." The site offers paid seminars; instead you can start positive behavioral interventions in the classroom or even schoolwide. Try these positive behavior interventions at home as well. The interventions are powerful and may sound a little too "happy" at times. But you get more with sugar than vinegar! The topics vary greatly and include parenting articles such as "100 Free Ways Parents Can Reward Their Children" and teaching articles such as "Desk Fairy Coupon for Neat Desks." There is something here for all grade levels.
tag(s): behavior (31), classroom management (15), organizational skills (32), parent conferences (17), parents (18)
In the Classroom
Read about positive behavior interventions and use this site as a resource for implementing the practices that you are comfortable with. If nothing else, try some of the "100 free ways to reward children." These simple ideas can mean a lot to your students. Check out the list of Character Education books. Educate yourself using some of the special education information available here. Be sure to share useful ideas with parents by sharing this link on you class web page or i newsletters. You may want to suggest specific ideas to individual parents at conferences.
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Caffein - Caffein Team, Nota, Inc.
Grades
7 to 12
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Create a video chat room site quickly and easily. Choose the name of your room and invite others through the sharing of a link. Video chat rooms are private by ...more
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Create a video chat room site quickly and easily. Choose the name of your room and invite others through the sharing of a link. Video chat rooms are private by default and can be changed easily. Share your chat room easily by link, embedding, or sharing on Twitter or Facebook. Controls for the chat room are easy to find and use.
In the Classroom
Some schools may block this tool. If you set up a room for currculum use, you may be able to request that specific url be unblocked. Use this tool as an easy video chat when collaborating with other students in different schools. Set up a chat space to interview older people about events in history. (You may need to have someone tech-savvy help set up the webcam at their end.) This resource would also be beneficial for students who are home for an extended illness or on vacation when discussion with group members may be necessary. Use this tool in any subject that requires collaboration and video chats. Save this link for snow days when you would like to set up a quick update chat with your students. You might even have webcam parent conferences!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Sign up genius - Skylark Productions
Grades
K to 12
3 Favorites
0 Comments
Create private or public sign ups for easy creation of snack lists, volunteer sheets, party planners, parent/teacher conference planning, or project preparation. Sign up for free using...more
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Create private or public sign ups for easy creation of snack lists, volunteer sheets, party planners, parent/teacher conference planning, or project preparation. Sign up for free using an email address (email verification not required.) View your created sign ups under "My Account." Be sure to view the Frequently Asked Questions for help in using this simple resource. Find complete guides for an even smoother sign up process under the "Planning Resources" tab. Follow the directions for creating your sign up including all the details. "Invite" and "Publish" to set your privacy options as well as enter the email information to send to others. Add a web button to your site to take users directly to your home page to find active sign ups (find this function under "My Account").
tag(s): charts and graphs (129)
In the Classroom
The possibilities are endless. Use this for planning parties, bringing in materials for projects, and any other activity that requires coordination. If you have limited technology availability, this is a great way for teachers or students to sign up for time slots to use laptops, iPads, video cameras, or a podcast recording station. Go paperless with your signups! Organize your parent/teacher conferences. Plan student research of class projects using this resource. Help students build organizational skills by having them "plan" a mythical event such as a museum opening for their Famous Americans exhibit.
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My Young Child - Early Parenting Foundation
Grades
K to 3
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Find online stories to read with young children and help build values. Each title states the value taught: honesty, patience, self-esteem, respect, forgiveness, and fairness. Stories...more
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Find online stories to read with young children and help build values. Each title states the value taught: honesty, patience, self-esteem, respect, forgiveness, and fairness. Stories can be read together or children can watch a video and follow along with the story. The site includes a section for parents with tips on reading with children and promoting good values. The educators section of the site has tips for using the site in the classroom and includes more ideas for parents.
tag(s): bullying (41), child development (16), literacy (101), parent conferences (17), parents (18)
In the Classroom
These short videos/audio books are perfect to share on your interactive whiteboard or projector during class meeting or lesson on honesty or other character values. Share this site on your classroom website or newsletters for students to access at home and to share reading tips with parents. Videos can be embedded on your website or blog for review. This is a winner to share at parent conferences in primary grades!
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Jotform - Interlogy, LLC
Grades
K to 12
1 Favorites
1 Comments
Use JotForm to quickly build a professional online form. Build contact forms, surveys, and many other forms in a matter of minutes. Customize to meet your needs. Use the large, ...more
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Use JotForm to quickly build a professional online form. Build contact forms, surveys, and many other forms in a matter of minutes. Customize to meet your needs. Use the large, empty canvas by dragging and dropping elements. Generate and post your form online and receive an email for every survey response.
tag(s): polls and surveys (12)
In the Classroom
Use in the classroom for a survey, collecting student information, or any time you are looking for feedback. Use this site for checking student knowledge quickly and easily. Use in projects, including graduation projects. Students can collect data for analysis. Teachers can collect input from parents or students, including conference concerns to know about in advance or questions students have about current curriculum topics. Students who might never speak up in class may be willing to share their questions online, especially if it is anonymous.Comments
Jotform is really easy to use! But there are some limits regarding how long and often you can use it without paying. I also use Google forms/ spreadsheets in my class to make forms. Google spreadsheets also have gadgets that let you graph the results!Elise, CO, Grades: 0 - 12
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The Explorers' Graveyard - TeachersFirst
Grades
3 to 6
2 Favorites
0 Comments
Combine writing, an explorers' study, and fall celebrations using this activity which asks students to compose an epitaph for an explorer of their choice. Writing and art opportunities...more
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Combine writing, an explorers' study, and fall celebrations using this activity which asks students to compose an epitaph for an explorer of their choice. Writing and art opportunities abound, and the end product makes a great display for parent-teacher conferences.
In the Classroom
Take advantage of this free and interactive lesson plan! Just be sure to save it as a favorite to allow for easy retrieval later on!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Volunteer Spot - Volunteer Spot
Grades
K to 12
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0 Comments
Manage classroom helpers, conference nights, and much more with this easy to use web service. This is a real time saver since everyone schedules their own time online - no ...more
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Manage classroom helpers, conference nights, and much more with this easy to use web service. This is a real time saver since everyone schedules their own time online - no more gathering and sorting papers, and preparing schedules! After signing up for free at the site, teachers can create items and add to a calendar along with different length time spots, as needed. Once the event has been set up, share the url with parents and others via a web page link, email, or school newsletter. Once a participant has signed up for a time spot they receive email confirmation, and an email reminder close before their assigned time. (WOW!) They can also go in and cancel their assigned time completely or choose another time. This feature can be locked if you don't want changes close to the event. Schedules are printable so that they can be posted and used during the event period. For a quick overview of how to use the site, be sure to watch the short video tour included on the home page.
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This site includes advertising.
tag(s): calendars (17), parent conferences (17)
In the Classroom
Teachers can use this for conference night sign-ups; parents can see time slots available immediately and choose what is best for them. This is also great to use for classroom volunteer schedules, class snack sign-ups, and more. School organizations such as PTO's can use this to schedule volunteers for fundraisers, library helpers, and any other activities requiring a volunteer pool. After creating an event, be sure to post the link to the sign up on your class webpage, blog, and in class newsletters. Teachers will also love using this to organize faculty events and more.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Cycles vs. Checklists: Fostering Creative Process in an Accountability World - TeachersFirst/Candace Hackett Shively
Grades
6 to 12
3 Favorites
0 Comments
Accountability for curriculum creates a tug-of-war with creativity in the data-driven world of education. Find ideas and examples for respecting and incorporating students' creative...more
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Accountability for curriculum creates a tug-of-war with creativity in the data-driven world of education. Find ideas and examples for respecting and incorporating students' creative process as an overlay to even the most restrictive curriculum in these pages, originally part of a presentation by Candace Hackett Shively at the ISTE 2011 conference. Take a high-level look at what theorists and practicing "creative people" say about creative process, and find practical ways to make that process a habit in your classroom. Download customizable assignments and rubrics as examples to use with middle and high school students. This resource is a "macro" overview of creative process, companion to the "micro" (skills based) analysis offered in our Dimensions of Creativity pages.
tag(s): creativity (66)
In the Classroom
Teachers in any subject will find ideas for fostering creativity in their classroom, especially with students developmentally ready to talk about their own creative process (usually middle school and up). Make this professional information a discussion item among your teaching peers and with parents. Share it with colleagues for an informal inservice session. Use the many resources to help students discover their own creative process just as you would help them discover their learning styles. Make creative process a habit in your class assignments through electronic idea bins and more.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Invention at Play - Smithsonian Museum of National History
Grades
K to 6
3 Favorites
0 Comments
The Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation offers this site as a way to explore and learn how to play. The site includes opportunities for play that ...more
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The Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation offers this site as a way to explore and learn how to play. The site includes opportunities for play that develops visual thinking, problem solving, exploration, and collaboration. You can also create your own doodles to help develop creative thinking and invention. There is a link to inventor's stories, including stories from little known and well known inventors such as Stephanie Kwolek (Kevlar) and Alexander Bell (telephone). Each story includes background on the inventor and information on how their idea developed. Teachers may find the section entitled "Does Play Matter" useful as a resource to back up using play in the classroom. Several videos are included demonstrating play activities and skills developed through play and the use of common toys.
tag(s): biographies (24), inventors and inventions (89), problem solving (123)
In the Classroom
Create a link to the site on classroom computers for students to explore the games. Share the site with parents on your classroom website or blog as a resource for using play as a learning tool. Share the site at conferences or parent meetings as a resource for developing learning skills through play. Include the inventor biographies as a resource for students when researching inventors.
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Plugged In Parent - Sharon Miller Cindrich
Grades
K to 12
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0 Comments
This site offers many resources and links to information about internet safety for both parents and teachers. Each month there is a discussion of a Hot Topic concerning the internet....more
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This site offers many resources and links to information about internet safety for both parents and teachers. Each month there is a discussion of a Hot Topic concerning the internet. One recent topic was a site called Chat Roulette that many teenagers are now using. The resource page provides links to other sites about internet safety as well as safe sites for children to use as a resource for class work. There is also a blog by the site's author about internet issues; however, it is rarely updated.
tag(s): internet safety (67), safety (99)
In the Classroom
Share this site on your class website as a resource for parents to find internet safety information as well as links to academic resources. Include information from the site as short informational tidbits for parents on your weekly newsletter or with peers during staff meetings or conferences.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Togetherville - Mandeep Singh Dhillon & Rajveer
Grades
K to 5
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Togetherville is a safe social networking site for parents and their children (age 6- to 10). This site provides the perfect opportunity for parents to teach their children how to ...more
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Togetherville is a safe social networking site for parents and their children (age 6- to 10). This site provides the perfect opportunity for parents to teach their children how to interact safely and appropriately on-line. Sign up for a free account through Facebook. Parents create their child's profile, decide who they can communicate with, supervise all on-line conversations, and -- most importantly -- have fun playing on-line with their child. There are kid friendly activities such as games, badges for good on-line behavior, virtual gifts, videos, and even a chance to create art. Since parents pre-approve all on-line "friends," children use their real names and pictures. The connection to Facebook makes it easy to link children to family and friends but all interactions occur only on Togetherville.
tag(s): social networking (50)
In the Classroom
Have your school sponsor a parent education night about online safety. Recommend this site to parents as way to develop digital citizenship skills with supervision. Together parent and students can practice how to communicate online with respect, interact responsibly, and enjoy the benefits of social networking. Encourage parents to use Togetherville before allowing their child to use the more popular social networking sites. As the topic of online behavior comes up during parent conferences, you may want to share this link with them in person or on your class web page.
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Speed Grid Subtraction
Grades
2 to 6
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Speed Grid Subtraction challenges students to use two numbers on the grid to reach the given answer. Detailed instructions are provided at the website homepage. ...more
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Speed Grid Subtraction challenges students to use two numbers on the grid to reach the given answer. Detailed instructions are provided at the website homepage.
tag(s): subtraction (114)
In the Classroom
Have students try this activity as a warm up for skills practice. A great opportunity for informal assessment when used in a conference setting. Have student record the number of problems completed within the time frame given. Have students graph improvement over a set amount of time. Students can share graphs with parents. Create an online book using a tool such as Bookemon, reviewed here to share the class graphs.
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