My top 10 List From the ACTEM Conference
1. Scratch- Scratch is a really cool math application that I learned about. It is downloadable through http://scratch.mit.edu/download and compatible for Mac and Windows based computers. What it is a cartoon character that is a cat and you can make it move, and draw shapes. This application would be very helpful when teaching basic geometry, or reinforcing geometric principles.
2. Using the Internet in Schools- Bob’s Best of the Web was truly influential. We talked for the most part about how to use the Internet and time on the Internet most efficiently. The most important concept I learned from this was to not rely on the Internet solely but to incorporate it regularly into lessons, so that students can learn to use this tool properly.
3. Free High school and College courses online- One of the workshop sessions I attended was the Online Bargain Basement. After hurricane Katrina two teachers gathered the materials for college and high school courses that students could take for free to keep up with school to help them graduate on time. http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/online_hs.htm
4. Curriki- Curriki is a program that was created by Google. Through this you can view different parts of the world in a snapshot via satellite. This can be a great tool for teaching students about geography.
5. Smartboards- Smartboard’s can be used very effectively in classrooms. Everything is at the click of a button. A teacher can put up pictures websites notes and use them all without having to move about the room and interrupt the learning that should be going on. Using Smartboards will allow students to learn more in a shorter amount of time when used properly. I think they will be great to have in all of today’s modern classrooms!
6. Jing- Jing is an awesome program that allows people to make videos, take pictures, as well as take screenshots. This program can help teachers evaluate students work that is done on the computer. Jing can be downloaded for free from this site: http://www.jingproject.com
GGeogebra- This is another math program that can be downloaded online. This software allows students to create shapes, graphs, and learn about number value. It is easy to use and very accessible because it is free. It would be suitable to use even in third grade. Can be found at:
Importance of Science based projects- Science is a leads to the future. In order to stay ahead in the world. I learned about how important including engineering and physics is due to the fact that very few students in the U.S. take it anymore. Perhaps starting these types of projects younger will raise interest and keep us ahead as a country. http://www.geogebra.org/cms/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=71<emid=55
NLVM- NLVM stands for the National Library of Virtual Manipulative. It is a great resource for teachers to use in the math subject. This website has resources for students in pre-k to grade twelve. http://nlvm.usu.edu/
GMath Dictionaries- One thing I didn't know much about, but know about now is math dictionaries that can be found online. These can be good resources for students as well as teachers. I found this one to be particularly informative: http://www.teachers.ash.org.au/jeather/maths/dictionary.html
The purpose of this web quest is to give students a reason to think about and incorporate animal kingdoms into their daily lives. It is to teach them about the world around them that consists of more than humans.
1. Animals, Playgrounds, and Magicians
a. Topic: Students explore, learn about, and relate themselves to animals in the animal kingdom. They learn about the food chain, as well as what makes animal hierarchy up.
b. Grade Level: 5
c. Task: You and your friends have always been great animal lovers. One day as you wonder through the park you run into a mysterious magician who tells you he can transform you into an animal which is found in one of the animal kingdoms. This does sound a bit bizarre to you, but as a whole the group is interested. You decide to research it and decide which kingdom you would all like to be in. After all he only has enough magic to transform you all one time.
2. The Zoo of SanFrantino
a. Topic: Students will learn about animal kingdoms as well as the geography of specific animals by continent.
b. Grade Level: 5
c. Task: On a field trip to the zoo your teacher assigns you into groups. She says no matter what you need to stick together! As you walk around the zoo you notice something, there are no employee’s anywhere!? Something odder is that 6 different animals (one from each kingdom) are walking about! You know they belong somewhere! You and your classmates decide to take the reins and put them back where they belong, the only trouble is you don’t know where they belong or what kind of environment they need to live in! Lucky you have your trusty laptop on hand! Research the animals and get them into a place that would feel just like home to them.
3. Halloween!!
a. Topic: Students learn about animal kingdom traits, environments and distinguishments.
b. Grade Level: 5
c. Task: You and six friends decide to dress up as animals from the animal kingdoms. None of you want to be from the same kingdom. As a group you decide to do some research! Each of you will take on a role: Bird Specialist, Fish Specialist, Reptile Specialist, Mammal Specialist, and Amphibian Specialist. Your groups goal is to learn as much about each kingdom and present your findings to each other so that you may chose which animal to be before Halloween!
4. Writing a play
a. Topic: Student will write a play about the animal kingdoms and how they differ from each other.
b. Grade Level: 5
c. Task: Students in groups will take on roles as a specific animal kingdom in a scene of a play that they will write based off of information they get off of the internet. Each group will have to include what makes animal kingdoms different and similar.
Teacher Websites
http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1995/5/95.05.08.x.html
http://www.lessonplanet.com/directory/Science/Biology/Taxonomy/Kingdom
https://www.adobe.com/education/instruction/teach/studio/akde_tguide_c4.pdf
http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/docs/elemsci/gr3uaesc.html
http://www.schoolspecialtypublishing.com/store/default.aspx?DepartmentId=192
Student Websites
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/
http://www.kidport.com/RefLib/Science/Animals/Animals.htm
http://www.zephyrus.co.uk/vertebrates.html
ttp://kids.yahoo.com/animals
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