TeachersFirst - Featured Sites: Week of Oct 9, 2011
Here are this week's features. Clicking the tags in the description area of each listing will present a list of other resources with this topic. | Click here to return to the Featured Sites Archive
Blog Divided - Dickinson College
Grades
7 to 12
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This blog was created and is maintained by Dickinson College (in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, just north of Gettysburg and the Mason-Dixon Line) for those teaching about the American Civil...more
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This blog was created and is maintained by Dickinson College (in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, just north of Gettysburg and the Mason-Dixon Line) for those teaching about the American Civil War era. The site is indexed by theme and category, making it easy to search for information and resources related to topics from slavery to science and technology to religion. Not limited to information about battles, soldiers or generals, the site offers commentary about the culture and social issues of the mid-nineteenth century. There are links to other resources and projects maintained by Dickinson College and others.
In the Classroom
While the site might be useful to students doing higher level research or working on a National History project, teachers are the principal audience. If this is a passion of yours, add it to your RSS feed or bookmark it and add to your own knowledge base on this important topic. Share relevant blog entries with your class on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Challenge cooperative learning groups to read one of the blogs and share the information with the class by creating online posters on paper using a tool such as Web Poster Wizard (reviewed here) or PicLits (reviewed here).You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Mathway - Bagatrix
Grades
7 to 12
3 Favorites
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Enter algebra problems and receive the solutions! Also included are many sample problems. Choose sample problems using the options on the right of the screen, from categories such as...more
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Enter algebra problems and receive the solutions! Also included are many sample problems. Choose sample problems using the options on the right of the screen, from categories such as algebra concepts and expressions, simplifying or factoring polynomials, vectors, and much more. After creating a problem, select "solve" to find an answer. One major downfall of the site is that the option to see the steps needed to answer the problem leads to a pay site. However, the site is still worthwhile for students to check problem solutions.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): factoring (25), homework (32), polynomials (20), vectors (16)
In the Classroom
Share the site with students as a resource for checking homework. Provide this link on your class website. At the beginning of a unit, display the site on your interactive whiteboard or projector showing the solution to a new problem, and then allow students to investigate and discover how to find the answer. When they complain that the site does not explain how it "got" the answer, you have the perfect teaching moment to point out why you require students to "show their work" to remove such mystery.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Mother Goose Club - Sockeye Media, LLC
Grades
K to 1
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Join the fun of rhymes and music in the Mother Goose Club. Energize over 78 popular Mother Goose rhymes with song and music. Videos, songs, and/or coloring pages accompany the ...more
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Join the fun of rhymes and music in the Mother Goose Club. Energize over 78 popular Mother Goose rhymes with song and music. Videos, songs, and/or coloring pages accompany the rhymes. Activities and tips for teachers and parents are included. Additional curriculum items are advertised for a fee. However, the FREE items make this site a must-see!
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): nursery rhymes (9), phonics (50), preK (263)
In the Classroom
Promote early literacy in a new way. Use this site on your projector or interactive whiteboard. Have students view the activities on laptops. (Don't forget the headsets.) Create a learning center that is sure to keep students intrigued. Use this site to promote early phonemic awareness in a colorful and engaging way. While teaching about Mother Goose rhymes in class, be sure to list this site in your class newsletter or on your class website for students to revisit the classics at home. You would be surprised how many parents do not even know these rhymes!
This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.
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Road to Grammar - Road to Grammar
Grades
5 to 12
6 Favorites
0 Comments
This site provides quizzes, interactives, and extra grammar help for older learners. Students can choose from over 300 grammar quizzes. Topics range from "Adjectives and Prepositions"...more
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This site provides quizzes, interactives, and extra grammar help for older learners. Students can choose from over 300 grammar quizzes. Topics range from "Adjectives and Prepositions" to "AM, IS, or ARE" to "Currencies of the World" to "Zero Infinitive" to hundreds of other topics! Whatever grammar topic you are learning about or teaching, chances are very good that it is here. Though originally meant for ESL/ELL learners, this site is appropriate for all learners. The site also includes downloadable resources for teacher and student use.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): grammar (134), grammar review (32), parts of speech (40), prefixes (10), sentences (22), suffixes (9), synonyms (15), verbs (26), writing (323)
In the Classroom
Use this site on a projector or interactive whiteboard as a fun way to introduce students to different types of grammar. In addition, use this as a way to discuss and informally assess prior knowledge as you start your study of a particular grammar topic. Post this on your class webpage for students to use at home or use it in the lab or classroom when students finish an assignment early. Be sure to check out the downloads section. Provide students with the confusing words handout and have them paste it into their writing notebooks. They will never confuse affect and effect again.
This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.
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Visual Fractions - Richard Rand
Grades
3 to 9
2 Favorites
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This site is a tutorial that models fractions with number lines or circles through several different options. Applets are divided into categories such as identify fractions, rename...more
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This site is a tutorial that models fractions with number lines or circles through several different options. Applets are divided into categories such as identify fractions, rename fractions, compare fractions, investigate fractions, and much more. Each category contains different options for exploration with flash applets to practice that skill. The "investigate" option offers step-by-step explanations of the different categories and would be very useful to offer students when reviewing skills such as comparing fractions and using order of operations. Some of the slide shows are also available in PDF form along with practice worksheets. Another component of the site allows you to input your own fractions to practice your own examples.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): decimals (85), fractions (158), percent (58), test prep (69)
In the Classroom
Introduce this site on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Have the students open the site and use the whiteboard tools to explore and practice different aspects of fractions. Then have students explore this site independently or in small groups. Use this site on a projector or interactive whiteboard to discuss and informally assess prior knowledge as you start your study of fractions. Create a link to this site on classroom computers, and your classroom website or blog for students to explore.
This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.
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Scale of Universe - Cary Huang
Grades
4 to 12
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Discover better perspective on the size of the universe using this interactive. Use the slider at the bottom to move from the atomic, cellular, and human perspective all the way ...more
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Discover better perspective on the size of the universe using this interactive. Use the slider at the bottom to move from the atomic, cellular, and human perspective all the way to the size of the galaxy. Units are displayed alongside images. Warning: underneath the interactive, there is a public comment area. You may want to preview this area if allowing students to navigate on their own.
tag(s): atoms (44), cells (83), measurement (124), space (217)
In the Classroom
Use as an introductory unit to measurement, or when discussing atoms or cellular parts. Allow students time to roam the site in groups and notice the units given. Ask them to determine the relationships between the units as they move through the slider from the smallest to the largest. Use this to frame the size of microscopic items observed in class. Create a measurement unit scale for display in the room.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Interactive 100 Number Chart - ABCya
Grades
K to 5
3 Favorites
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This online interactive 100 chart is more than just a static chart. You can click and drag counters onto the chart to display patterns, multiples, odd and even numbers, and ...more
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This online interactive 100 chart is more than just a static chart. You can click and drag counters onto the chart to display patterns, multiples, odd and even numbers, and much more. Color code patterns with counters to use in demonstrating math concepts.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): 100thday (9), multiplication (121), number sense (70)
In the Classroom
Have students add up sums of counters placed onto the 100 chart. Use this site to teach younger students HOW to count to 100 and the value/idea of 100. Demonstrate multiples of factors when teaching multiplication facts. Use on the interactive whiteboard or projector when teaching number sense to highlight odd and even numbers. Highlight prime numbers when learning prime and composite. Make this an interactive whiteboard center for students to practice or challenge each other with multiples questions. Visual and tactile learners can get "in touch" with numbers!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Wisemapping - Wisemapping Corporation
Grades
6 to 12
2 Favorites
1 Comments
Sign up for a free account and you're on your way to creating a diagram (concept map, graphic organizer) to represent words, ideas, or tasks to aid in studying, organizing, ...more
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Sign up for a free account and you're on your way to creating a diagram (concept map, graphic organizer) to represent words, ideas, or tasks to aid in studying, organizing, or problem solving. Link documents to a wise map and share or embed diagrams with other maps.
tag(s): concept mapping (15), graphic organizers (49), mind map (28)
In the Classroom
Users must be able to navigate the icons for editing and creating a mindmap. Icons and commands are the same as in any office and free applications that most people use. View the free demo for an introduction of using Wisemapping. Use the demo editor to play with the tools and learn what they do. Note: the demo function does not allow you to save your creation as it is a sandbox area for learning. Allow students an opportunity to learn to play first without teacher direction as each person will find different ways to use wisemapping for their best benefit. Click on a set of words to edit the words, color, font, etc. in the bubble. Drag items easily around the screen by clicking and dragging the icon to drop into a new configuration. Add "icons" and flags anywhere on your mindmap. Add a "note" to a bubble anywhere. The note appears like a little sticky note on the bubble and expands when clicked on. Add a "link" to any of the text on the wisemap that leads to any link on the web you specify. Export as a scalable vector graphic (svg), PDF document, or image file. "Share" to work collaboratively with others. Users must have a login in order to share and publish. Click on the "history" of a wisemap to view the contributions of others.Assign sections of current curriculum topic to groups of students to map out and explain in detail. Link to outside web pages and pictures and create notes with additional study hints and information. Assign a different group to review information for accuracy and add additional information and explanations. Using this process, a wisemap of a chapter or unit can be created easily and efficiently while benefiting all learners.
There are countless possibilities at this mental mapping site. Demonstrate the activity on an interactive whiteboard or projector, and then allow students to try to create their own graphic organizers. Use this site for literature activities, research projects, social studies, or science topics of study. Use this site to create family trees. Have students collaborate together (online) to create group mind maps or review charts before tests on a given topic. Have students organize any concepts you study; color-code concepts to show what they understand, wonder, question; map out a story, plotline, or LIFETIME; map out a step-by-step process (life cycle); map a real historical event as a choose-your-own-adventure with alternate endings based on pivotal points; plan a "tour" for a "thought museum." Use this mapping website as an alternative to a traditional test, quiz, or homework assignment in literature or social studies: have students demonstrate their understanding by completing a graphic organizer about the main points. Be sure that they RENAME it before they start work to an individual name so you know who did it (they could EMAIL it to you!) or have them print their results to turn in.
Edge Features:
Parent permission advised before posting student work created using this tool
Requires registration/log-in (WITH email)
Products can be embedded
Products can be shared by URL
Comments
david, TX, Grades: 9 - 12
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