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bubbl.us - Kirill Edelman and Levon Amelyan
Grades
K to 12
15 Favorites
1 Comments
This simple and free online tool allows you to brainstorm ideas and create concept maps with no special software! Bubble.us offers several highly interactive features: saving your mind...more
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This simple and free online tool allows you to brainstorm ideas and create concept maps with no special software! Bubble.us offers several highly interactive features: saving your mind map as an image, sharing (emailing) your work with a friend, printing your organizer, creating colorful mind map organizers, embedding your work on a website or blog, and collaborating with friends. You can "play" on this site without registering; however, registration is required to save, embed, email, and use other features. NOTE: The free version only allows you to SAVE three maps, so you will want to save your completed maps as images, then delete them from your membership to make room for more freebies.
tag(s): brainstorming (17), graphic organizers (57), mind map (31), noregistration (74)
In the Classroom
Click "Start Here" to type the subject of your concept map. Hitting your Enter key creates a new level (branch) within the map. Tab creates an additional branch on the same level as the current topic. Experiment with the small icons on each "element" to change colors, drag, make new connections, etc. Save and set sharing (read-only or open access) in the area at the right. You can "send" a read-only link via email or copy the embed code from the Menu at lower right), but you cannot find the URL directly from your map. "Send" it to yourself via email to copy the actual URL.There are countless possibilities at this mental mapping site. Demonstrate the tool 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 subject. Have students organize 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. To minimize the number of maps on a free account, have students screenshot or print their results to turn them in. See more ideas in the linked example above!
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Map Collections Home Page - Library of Congress
Grades
6 to 12
0 Favorites
0 Comments
The Library of Congress offers this searchable database of historical maps, which includes a large collection of city maps, maps of military battles and campaigns, maps related to transportation...more
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The Library of Congress offers this searchable database of historical maps, which includes a large collection of city maps, maps of military battles and campaigns, maps related to transportation and communication, and maps focused on exploration and discovery. Within each category, you can search geographically or by time period. Each map accessed can be navigated using a zoom feature for better viewing. Maps cover a wide range of national and international subjects.
tag(s): battles (19), environment (250), maps (221), transportation (31)
In the Classroom
Teachers with interactive whiteboards or projectors will find these maps a natural companion to lessons involving history, geography, and cultural changes. Sometimes seeing a map drawn at the same time as the event under discussion can lend a whole new understanding of the culture of the people being studied. It's far more dramatic to imagine sailing into the unknown on a voyage of discovery while you look at the only maps available to those aboard.Be sure to have students use the whiteboard tools to draw in their own "corrections" or annotations showing the movement of people or strategies used in battles. Since these resources are in the public domain, you are allowed to copy them into your whiteboard software and keep the student annotations atop the maps, as well. The maps also make good visuals for "mock" blog entries by historical figures!
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Google Mars - Google
Grades
1 to 12
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Experience past missions to Mars, including landings of probes and pictures collected in the missions. Choose layers based upon elevations of the Mars surface, infrared imaging, and...more
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Experience past missions to Mars, including landings of probes and pictures collected in the missions. Choose layers based upon elevations of the Mars surface, infrared imaging, and visible pictures. Click on points of landings to learn about the past missions. Search the structures of the surface of Mars: mountains, canyons, dunes, plains, ridges, and craters. Search through regions, spacecraft, and stories.
tag(s): mars (25), plants (145), solar system (127)
In the Classroom
This is a great site to share on a projector or interactive whiteboard, especially if your school's limited bandwidth prevents you from having multiple computers using it at once. As the new Mars probe generates scientific data, view the past failed and successful Mars missions in detail. Compare landforms and elevations between Mars and the Earth. Use the mission dates and data to create a time line of space explorations. Even young ones can "see" Mars and write space stories imagining visits to another planet.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Google Moon - Google
Grades
K to 12
1 Favorites
0 Comments
Use Google Moon to explore the Apollo moon landings. Explore the lunar maps and charts from past missions that include visible images and lunar terrain maps that show elevations. Find...more
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Use Google Moon to explore the Apollo moon landings. Explore the lunar maps and charts from past missions that include visible images and lunar terrain maps that show elevations. Find the placemarks of the Apollo landings that include stories, quotes, images, panoramas, audio clips, and links to videos of past mission adventures on the moon. Click on a landing mission to access the many placemarks in each mission.
tag(s): moon (88), solar system (127), space (252)
In the Classroom
Google Moon is a great way to show what we understand about the moon even though it has been decades since the last moon missions. Even younger students can share the experience on an interactive whiteboard or projector. Discussions of changing technologies and advancements in space missions can easily occur following viewing of the missions. Students can create a time line using conventional or multimedia resources to show the different Apollo missions. Google Moon can be used in history classes as well as literature classes by creating or reading poems and stories about the Moon. Students can generate art and writing to showcase information learned.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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TeachersFirst Wiki Walk-Through - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12
6 Favorites
0 Comments
There is nothing twicky about a wiki. Learn about this online collaboration tool: what a wiki is, how you might use it in your classroom, how to explain it to ...more
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There is nothing twicky about a wiki. Learn about this online collaboration tool: what a wiki is, how you might use it in your classroom, how to explain it to parents and administration, and how to get started. There are over 50 examples of activities you can do with a wiki and links to a free tool to get started. A fresh revision of the Walk-Through in 2008 includes comparison reviews of the top three wiki tools for education. We even give you the downloadable handout to send home.
tag(s): wikis (15)
In the Classroom
This is listed as a TeachersFirst "edge" entry, but our step-by-step walk-through takes the edge off and makes your wiki a walk in the park. Check it out now, while there is still FREE classroom wiki space available from the three wiki tools we review in detail.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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CEOP Education - Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre
Grades
K to 12
1 Favorites
0 Comments
CEOP Education provides a wide range of free online safety resources for children, teens, teachers, and families. The site features age-appropriate activities, videos, games, and interactive...more
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CEOP Education provides a wide range of free online safety resources for children, teens, teachers, and families. The site features age-appropriate activities, videos, games, and interactive lessons that help students learn about topics such as online privacy, cyberbullying, digital relationships, social media safety, gaming, and recognizing online risks. Resources are organized by age group, making it easy for educators to find materials suited to their students' developmental levels. Teachers can access lesson plans, classroom activities, assemblies, and discussion guides that support digital citizenship and online safety instruction. Parents and caregivers will also find helpful resources for starting conversations about safe and responsible technology use at home.
tag(s): chat (41), internet safety (121), safety (63)
In the Classroom
Click on Parent and Teachers resources to access lesson plans and resources that teach alongside the Cyber Cafe. You must register to access these, but it is painless. Interact with the content of this site on an interactive whiteboard or projector with your entire class to generate a class discussion on this important topic.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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American Airlines: CR Smith Museum - learningbox.com
Grades
4 to 10
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Use this site to learn about Cyrus Rowlett Smith, a pioneer aviator and patriarch of American Airlines. See this website, ...more
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Use this site to learn about Cyrus Rowlett Smith, a pioneer aviator and patriarch of American Airlines. See this website, here, that offers a simple timeline of his life and accomplishments. The time line stretches from 1899 - 1990. There are graphics, historical and scientific information, information about World War II, and biographic information about C. R. Smith. The site and timeline are very simple to use and offer some little known information.
tag(s): air (28), aviation (51), world war 2 (168)
In the Classroom
Use this website as a resource for a research project about inventors. Share the timeline on an interactive whiteboard or projector during a unit about inventors, engineers, or aviation.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Interactive Mathematics Miscellany and Puzzles - Alexander Bogomolny
Grades
3 to 12
1 Favorites
0 Comments
Although we don't usually highlight a site thatis just a list, this one is worth mentioning. There are literally hundreds of math activities at this site (all Java applets). The ...more
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Although we don't usually highlight a site thatis just a list, this one is worth mentioning. There are literally hundreds of math activities at this site (all Java applets). The activities are divided up into the following categories: Arithmetic, Math Games & Puzzles, Logic, Fractals & Chaos, Fallacies, Calculus, Combinatorial Games, Algebra, Visual Illusions, Computer Math Magic, Combinatorics, Geometry, Eye Opener Series, Social Science, Mathematical Droodles, and Analog Devices. Each category includes numerous interactive activities. The site is frequently updated. There are some small advertisements at the site. This site is simple to use and offers a wealth of options for students of all grade levels. The activities are not time-consuming and provide simple explanations with the applets.
tag(s): angles (51), logic (170), money (114), puzzles (171)
In the Classroom
Use these applets on an interactive whiteboard or projector as an anticipatory set for a math lesson. Have students work independently on the logic and puzzle activities. These activities are ideal for gifted students (for advancement and/or enrichment) or extra practice for struggling students. Provide this link on your class website, so students can explore at home or as a review.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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ecology center - Ecology Center
Grades
5 to 12
3 Favorites
0 Comments
Find information about building a sustainable environment for the future of your community. Though this site is geared toward the East Bay Area in California, many of the tips and ...more
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Find information about building a sustainable environment for the future of your community. Though this site is geared toward the East Bay Area in California, many of the tips and fact sheets are helpful in any area of the world. Get articles and fact sheets (PDF) about plastics, climate change, recipes for healthy living, seed saving, and more. Type Lesson Plans in the Search box to find 16 lesson plans on a variety of topics from How to Grow a School Garden to Global Oneness Project. For those who have used the Terrain lesson plans, the site says they will be archived and available soon. Until then, type Terrain into the search; the second entry will take you to their blog about Terrain.
Notes: Links on the site ask for donations to the organization and suggest places to volunteer. A store link is also included. This site is best suited for teachers, as it contains lesson plans. Links to articles can be provided directly from your class web page.
This site includes advertising.
Notes: Links on the site ask for donations to the organization and suggest places to volunteer. A store link is also included. This site is best suited for teachers, as it contains lesson plans. Links to articles can be provided directly from your class web page.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): consumers (15), earth (191), earth day (62), ecology (116), molecules (44), Project Based Learning (29)
In the Classroom
Use the information on the site to enhance lessons on sustainable topics. The background information is extensive and easy to follow. The following idea would work perfectly for a project-based learning unit: Form students into small groups based on their interests to learn about one of the sustainable concepts. Students can create a multimedia presentation of their concept to improve awareness in the community. Great tools for creating a multimedia project are Venngage, an infographic tool, reviewed here, Padlet, a poster tool, reviewed here. Use these in conjunction with Earth Day to create local change.
This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.
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Teachers' Guide: internet Field Trips - Scholastic, Inc.
Grades
K to 12
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0 Comments
This is a great site for teachers with limited experience working with students on the internet. It simply walks teachers through the step of taking an "internet field trip" with ...more
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This is a great site for teachers with limited experience working with students on the internet. It simply walks teachers through the step of taking an "internet field trip" with students, advising on the best way to set one up, giving tips for evaluating the site, and sharing it with students.
tag(s): field trips (6), virtual field trips (147)
In the Classroom
This is a good practice site for working with students, particularly younger ones; and it advises you on how to accommodate the different skill levels students have with the Internet.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Test Maker - Help Teaching
Grades
K to 12
2 Favorites
0 Comments
Test Designer allows teachers to quickly and easily create multiple-choice, true or false, fill-in-the-blank, and open-ended questions for tests and worksheets. Browse through thousands...more
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Test Designer allows teachers to quickly and easily create multiple-choice, true or false, fill-in-the-blank, and open-ended questions for tests and worksheets. Browse through thousands of previously-created tests in subject areas such as Algebra, Earth Science, Geography, U.S. History, and Vocabulary. Test Designer also provides simple graphics that can easily be added. Teachers can e-mail tests and worksheets to students, teachers, and parents. Make sure to allow plenty of time to read directions and maneuver the site prior to creating tests. There are some minor unobtrusive advertisements at this site. The required membership is free!
tag(s): quiz (59), quizzes (83), vocabulary (252)
In the Classroom
Use this website to create personalized quizzes and tests for your students. You could also ask students to design their own tests for each other to review using your teacher log-in or appoint a student "quizmaker" each week for the content your class has covered, making this an assignment that each student does once per semester.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Seashell Identification Guide - Seashells.com
Grades
2 to 10
5 Favorites
0 Comments
If students ever wonder exactly what seashells they managed to collect at the beach last summer, this is the site to use. Clear photos click to an even larger and ...more
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If students ever wonder exactly what seashells they managed to collect at the beach last summer, this is the site to use. Clear photos click to an even larger and distinct picture of many varieties. Along with the larger picture are the common name, scientific name, region found, and maximum size. Links on the page include more information about identifying shells, cleaning, preserving, and using as decorations.
In the Classroom
Use this site as a kick-off when students return to write their "What I Did on my Summer Vacation" papers. If you're teaching research skills, this site is a good place to start, since it is highly visual but definitive. ESL and ELL students can independently use this site since the vocabulary is limited to names, regions, and sizes. Biology teachers can use this site as a reference when teaching about classification.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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AstroViewer - Dirk Matussek
Grades
3 to 12
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AstroViewer is an interactive night sky map that allows you to pinpoint constellations and planets. The online interactive sky map is free. You can also download the trial version of...more
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AstroViewer is an interactive night sky map that allows you to pinpoint constellations and planets. The online interactive sky map is free. You can also download the trial version of the sky map for free or purchase the license key to unlock a full download. The free online sky map uses controls for time of night, month, or year, or position on the globe to easily find objects in the night sky. A 3-dimensional view of the night sky provides details even for beginners of Astronomy to find stars, constellations, and planets. View constellations see from other parts of the globe. Forecast constellations that will be seen months from now or those from past months. The frequently asked questions answer the most common questions when using sky maps or looking at celestial objects. Download a PDF manual for using AstroViewer. Other functions available include a mini-night sky button or night sky view that can be added to your existing class website. The site requires Java.
tag(s): planets (125), solar system (127), stars (80)
In the Classroom
Use an interactive whiteboard or projection screen to share this interactive "sky map" with your class. Identify the changes in constellation location through the months of the year. Track motions of planets across the sky as well as the differences between Southern and Northern Hemispheres. Use these in a presentation about the mythology or significance behind constellation names. Or turn down the lights and use the "night sky" as a writing prompt during a poetry unit.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Ozone Resource page - National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Grades
8 to 12
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Use this site to understand the ozone and how it affects our air quality and life here on Earth. Satellite imagery of ozone holes includes an updated daily picture and ...more
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Use this site to understand the ozone and how it affects our air quality and life here on Earth. Satellite imagery of ozone holes includes an updated daily picture and comparison over the last decades. NASA facts listed on the side include an opportunity to learn more about the information presented, watch satellite images from the last 7 days, view animations, compare year-to-date, and look at the annual records since 1979 using "Ozone Hole Watch." Information about the ozone and how it is measured is explained in detail here. "Explore the ozone with NASA" by viewing a short video that outlines the ozone and discusses new research and climate change. Use the "Resources for News Media" to view the Multimedia gallery for pictures of the largest ozone hole on record, the Arctic vortex, and Earth's Atmospheric Layers. Information about ozone depleting chemicals and ozone chemistry is also found here. View video of the ozone missions from NASA. "Ozone Hole 101" provides basic content about the ozone that is easy to understand for students. Read interesting information such as "Ozone levels drop when hurricanes are strengthening" and "Ozone hole is a double record breaker."
tag(s): earth (191), earth day (62), environment (250), ozone (6)
In the Classroom
Students can use the resources in "Ozone Hole Watch" to determine the trends in the ozone either daily or over the years. Further research involving political, consumer, and environmental trends can bring insights into effects on the ozone layer. Using the wealth of material on the site, students can use the information to create a "Handbook of the Earth" (as an example) to understand how the ozone affects us in our current and future lives. Students can also work in groups and be assigned portions of the content to study. They can then present their findings to the rest of the class (using a multi-media presentation). Students can use this information in conjunction with environmental or Earth Day activities in or out of class.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Footprints Science - Footprints Science
Grades
4 to 12
10 Favorites
0 Comments
Footprints Science consists of simulations and interactives on many key concepts that are difficult to visualize and understand in Science. The site offers purchase of different modules...more
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Footprints Science consists of simulations and interactives on many key concepts that are difficult to visualize and understand in Science. The site offers purchase of different modules or the complete collection. Samples, however, are free to use. Biology samples include "DNA drag and drop," "Kidney animation," "Fertilisation animation," and "Breathing animation." Chemistry samples include "Periodic Table interactive activity," "States of matter animation," and "Atomic structure activity."Physics samples include "Forces animation," "Power Station animation," and "Phases of Moon animation." Coursework includes "Variables," "Planning," "Graph," and "Line of best fit." More animations and interactives for each subject are available. The items are designed to be used with instruction to make the concepts more engaging. Interactives use drag and drop labeling with immediate feedback and allow pausing to stop the animation. Quizzes and games are also available. Graphics are very well done and easy to see, making difficult concepts much easier to understand. Interactives can be viewed as a large screen.
tag(s): charts and graphs (184), dna (53), forces (48), matter (52), moon (88), periodic table (47), variables (21)
In the Classroom
The resource is an exciting add-on to teacher lessons and exceptional when used on an interactive whiteboard or projector. The samples can be used as a pre-lesson for students to obtain the general gist of the concept and brainstorm key points that they recognize from the simulation or interactive. Teachers can then use the student insights to discuss the content being presented and piece together the information. Teachers can also use the samples after original discussion of the content to reinforce material that students should learn and offer a visual representation of the topic. The simulation can also be used as reinforcement. Students can watch the simulation and then "explain the experiment" by putting the concept into their own words to demonstrate understanding.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Biography Maker - Jamie McKenzie and the Bellingham Public Schools.
Grades
4 to 12
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Writing biographies is a staple of English and history classes. This site takes students through the process in a way that will make reading them more palatable. It will also ...more
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Writing biographies is a staple of English and history classes. This site takes students through the process in a way that will make reading them more palatable. It will also help students delve deeper into a person's life , making it memorable for them. Divided into four groups (Questioning, Learning, Synthesis, and Storytelling), it helps students understand how to take facts and apply them to a real live person. It wraps up with the six effective traits of writing, reminding students that biography writing shouldn't just be a recitation of facts. The "learning" section does link students to Yahoo encyclopedias and Google (with search hints included), so be aware of that feature. This site serves as a guide for writing a biography of anyone (including students themselves).
tag(s): questioning (37), writing (309)
In the Classroom
All material at this site is copyrighted, so it must be viewed online. For students who do best with step-by-step instructions, this site is a gem! You might have one group research authors from a particular country while others do artists, musicians, scientists, etc. A class report from each of these groups would do a good job of encapsulating a country or area of the world within any given time period. Teachers seeking independent projects for students who "test out" of a unit can assign this site's step-by-step instructions as a meaningful alternate activity.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Building Big - PBS
Grades
6 to 12
4 Favorites
0 Comments
From PBS, this site is associated with the series "Building Big." Unlike many sites that relate to a TV program, however, this site contains a number of excellent "stand-alone" features...more
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From PBS, this site is associated with the series "Building Big." Unlike many sites that relate to a TV program, however, this site contains a number of excellent "stand-alone" features that can be integrated into more general lessons, and do not require students to have seen the series. The site is generally organized around five types of super sized engineering projects: bridges, domes, skyscrapers, tunnels, and dams. There are lesson plans tied to national standards, a neat searchable database of structures, some career-development content related to engineering, and information about the related television series. The highlights of this site are the flash-enabled interactive labs. They are outstanding. Illustrating basic principles of physics and engineering, students can experiment with building materials and see the impact of their choices on virtual buildings. Some activities at this site require Flash; however there is a lot to learn from the features that don't require Flash.
tag(s): bridges (9), engineering (141)
In the Classroom
Use the database of structures to search out local engineering masterpieces, or to get information about important buildings that are associated with historical or geographic areas that the class is studying. For students considering a career in engineering, there is good information about the real lives of professionals in the field. The labs are perfect for an interactive whiteboard, and can illustrate physical properties in a visually powerful way. The short simulations could be used by students individually, or by teams of students investigating the principles of "building big."Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Scratch - Lifelong Kindergarten Group, MIT Media Lab
Grades
1 to 12
12 Favorites
0 Comments
Want to get in touch with your inner child? Get Scratch! Warning: The use of this application is quite fun and engaging! Scratch is a downloadable program that creates interactive ...more
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Want to get in touch with your inner child? Get Scratch! Warning: The use of this application is quite fun and engaging! Scratch is a downloadable program that creates interactive stories, animations, games, music, and art. This application can be used for bringing simple ideas and projects to life. It has great use as a paint program without using the animations. Download/install files are available for Mac or PC. Menu tabs include an Idea tab where you will find a Getting Started Tutorial, Activity Guides, Coding Cards, and Starter Projects. FAQs and support pages are also available for help in using the application.
Material created can only be viewed within the program. Drawings are not saved as a JPG or pic file. However, a "snapshot" of the screen can be created by using these keys in Mac: apple, shift, and 4 and click/drag to surround the portion to save. In PC use: control/print screen. These snapshots can be uploaded or used as a picture in other applications.
Material created can only be viewed within the program. Drawings are not saved as a JPG or pic file. However, a "snapshot" of the screen can be created by using these keys in Mac: apple, shift, and 4 and click/drag to surround the portion to save. In PC use: control/print screen. These snapshots can be uploaded or used as a picture in other applications.
tag(s): animation (71), coding (111), computational thinking (45), critical thinking (189), design (77), drawing (57), problem solving (283), STEM (380)
In the Classroom
Be sure to "play" with this program before you present it to students; or, you could have computer savy students in your class pair up with not so savy students to investigate together. There are many tabs, folders; and icons to investigate. You (or students) could click Create and in the center pane, click on the tutorial. To begin your creation follow the steps in the tutorial. Once you have the idea, choose your own features from the menu on the left, and on the bottom right are two more menus; Look for the cat icon and the backdrops. Different colors, pens, and materials can be used to create the background or an image can be brought in from your computer. Objects in Scratch are called a Sprite and can be added in by choosing the folders below the screen. By clicking the script tab, blocks can be moved in to create motion, add sounds (even record your own message), and change the look of the Sprite. Blocks are linked on to each other to create a series of events. A control block dragged to the top of the blocks control which key starts the event. Advanced options include adding variables and other controls.Be sure to check with your Technology Department, as many districts require authorization to download or install new applications. Projects can be shared online; however an account is required.
Work is saved to the computer itself and only shared online via an account. To avoid problems concerning content made by outsiders or issues with sharing, save the work locally and either create your own gallery on a supervised class website/wiki or set up a single account where you share the "best" projects online via your own log-in. Remind students of the school's Acceptable Use Policy and consequences of violations, if you do allow them to join/share. Images used should adhere to all copyright rules. Use pictures taken in class or those with Creative Commons licensing (and provide attribution!).
Practical tips: Students quickly catch on to this program when allowed to play and easily see what they can make from it. Provide a simple assignment with defined rules/tasks to learn the tools. Younger students may familiarize themselves more easily working with a partner. Have students use a storyboard to write down what they will do/draw/say in their creation in order to keep tabs on what students and their creations.
Possible uses: For the lower grades, Scratch provides unlimited possibilities. Use as a new way to show vocabulary usage. Use the paint program to add information to a picture from your class field trip or science experiment. Use Scratch to help in storytelling a concept in a new and unique way, such as how rocks are formed. In the upper grades, use Scratch to show complex material in a new way. For example, students can draw DNA and show replication, etc. through their drawings and storytelling. Draw the different movements of landforms in plate tectonics. Draw or illustrate solutions to Math problems.
Edge Features:
Includes an education-only area for teachers and students
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
Requires download/installation of software
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Science of Baseball - Exploratorium
Grades
4 to 10
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This Exploratorium Science of Baseball website uses interactive activities, articles, and features to explore the science behind baseball. Students can investigate why curveballs...more
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This Exploratorium Science of Baseball website uses interactive activities, articles, and features to explore the science behind baseball. Students can investigate why curveballs curve, what makes the "sweet spot" on a bat, test their reaction time to a fastball, and try hands-on experiments like comparing ball bounces. Alongside engaging science content on the game's physics, biology, and tools, the site also includes historical and contextual articles that connect key concepts to the real sport.
In the Classroom
After reading about the bat's sweet spot, students can design a simple hands-on experiment with rulers or dowels to test vibration and energy transfer, then connect findings back to the website. Have students test their reaction time using the site's interactive activities and record their results on Padlet, reviewed here to determine if they can see a pattern. Have students explore why curveballs curve and create a short diagram or explanation using Google Drawings, reviewed here connecting air pressure, spin, and motion using information from the site.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Physics of Baseball and Softball - The Sweet Spot - The University of Sydney
Grades
6 to 12
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This website provides a detailed activity that focuses on the "sweet spot." Batters know from experience that this is the special spot found on the bat, where the shock of ...more
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This website provides a detailed activity that focuses on the "sweet spot." Batters know from experience that this is the special spot found on the bat, where the shock of the impact felt by the hands, is reduced so much that the batter is almost unaware of the contact with the ball. Find out more about the "sweet spot" at this Australian site. There is a lot of text information and diagrams to learn from on this site. However, the video clips and some links require QuickTime. Those will not be viewable.
tag(s): baseball (29)
In the Classroom
Use this "ready to go" resource to teach your students about the physics behind the "sweet spot."Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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