The game I've found is called Animal Safari!
In this game, students get to spell, identify, and label different animals.
This website can be connected to Grade 1 Science: Animals.
I would use this website for students to work in pairs. I think they would like to do this in pairs so that they can communicate with each other about the animals and figure out what they are. Afterwards, I would get them to pick their favourite animal and present some information about it to the class. The teacher could provide a list of appropriate and fun websites for them to use. This information would include the type of habitat it lives in, its characteristics (what it looks like, is it big or small), and whether or not they think this animal would be a good pet to have.
This website would enhance student's learning because it will get the students to create a dialogue about the animals. They will get to share what they think about know about them, as well as looking for more information on an animal that interests them.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
The Great Balloon Race!
The website I've found is called The Great Balloon Race!
In this game, you have to either use the burner to let heat in or vent the balloon to let air out in order to suspend the hot air balloon through a scenery until the end. If you hit something or the ground, it pretends to hit it, but it gives you another chance to keep going. However, it's timed throughout the whole thing.
This website can be connected to Grade 7 Science: Optional Unit - Temperature & Heat.
I would use this site with my students by getting them all to experience playing with it first and then to research the reason why heat makes the balloon go up and by letting air out, the balloon goes down. They would first hypothesize what they think the answer is and then find the actual answer and hand it in.
This site can enhance student's learning because they get to experience an actual activity and then they can attempt to figure out the reasoning themselves while backing up their thoughts with research. This site is fun for student's to experiment with and it can get them thinking logically about why the balloon works in a certain way.
In this game, you have to either use the burner to let heat in or vent the balloon to let air out in order to suspend the hot air balloon through a scenery until the end. If you hit something or the ground, it pretends to hit it, but it gives you another chance to keep going. However, it's timed throughout the whole thing.
This website can be connected to Grade 7 Science: Optional Unit - Temperature & Heat.
I would use this site with my students by getting them all to experience playing with it first and then to research the reason why heat makes the balloon go up and by letting air out, the balloon goes down. They would first hypothesize what they think the answer is and then find the actual answer and hand it in.
This site can enhance student's learning because they get to experience an actual activity and then they can attempt to figure out the reasoning themselves while backing up their thoughts with research. This site is fun for student's to experiment with and it can get them thinking logically about why the balloon works in a certain way.
The Stock Market!
The website I've found today is called Wally's Stock Ticker!
This is a very interesting game that I think student's would like. They will get a chance to learn all about the Stock Market but in a very simple and clear way. It explains what the symbols mean, what the highs and lows are, what the prices are, the volume of shares, and times & dates of last trades. The neat feature is that students get to choose which stock they would like to learn about or keep track of (such as Apple Computers, Boeing, Coca-Cola, Nike, etc.) As well, they include real time information.
Although this website can be connected to many grades and areas, I think it would suit quite well in Grade 7 Mathematics: Data Management Strand - Organizing and Displaying.
I would use this site in my classroom by getting students to sign up to keep track of a certain stock so that in the end we have a wide variety of information. Over a period of one week, for example, students would track down (using a spreadsheet perhaps) the highs, lows, or last trade value each day. They would chart it to keep track of the date and value of shares. At the end of the week, students could use this information to graph their information. The teacher could then put together a sort of graphic organizer to display the various graphs of our information.
This site would enhance student's learning because it allows them to become active participants in a real life situation. Perhaps their parents are involved with the stock market, this could give them something to talk about. They would get a chance to learn a lot about how the economy works in North America. I think it would be a very empowering and thought provoking website that could interest students into learning about the economy and certain trends.
This is a very interesting game that I think student's would like. They will get a chance to learn all about the Stock Market but in a very simple and clear way. It explains what the symbols mean, what the highs and lows are, what the prices are, the volume of shares, and times & dates of last trades. The neat feature is that students get to choose which stock they would like to learn about or keep track of (such as Apple Computers, Boeing, Coca-Cola, Nike, etc.) As well, they include real time information.
Although this website can be connected to many grades and areas, I think it would suit quite well in Grade 7 Mathematics: Data Management Strand - Organizing and Displaying.
I would use this site in my classroom by getting students to sign up to keep track of a certain stock so that in the end we have a wide variety of information. Over a period of one week, for example, students would track down (using a spreadsheet perhaps) the highs, lows, or last trade value each day. They would chart it to keep track of the date and value of shares. At the end of the week, students could use this information to graph their information. The teacher could then put together a sort of graphic organizer to display the various graphs of our information.
This site would enhance student's learning because it allows them to become active participants in a real life situation. Perhaps their parents are involved with the stock market, this could give them something to talk about. They would get a chance to learn a lot about how the economy works in North America. I think it would be a very empowering and thought provoking website that could interest students into learning about the economy and certain trends.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Lemonade Larry!
The website I've found today is called Lemonade Larry!
This game is similar to the traditional Lemonade Stand except not as in depth. Students are pretending to be Larry who sells lemonade. People then come by and ask for any number of cups and the price also changes so the students have to multiply them together to get the total. It's quite fun and cute to play, however the game could've been more complicated.
This website can be connected to Grade 5 Mathematics: Numbers & Operations Strand - Whole Number Multiplication.
I would use this site in a classroom by projecting it onto a bigger screen or using it on a SmartBoard as a whole class activity at the end of a multiplication unit. We could all play the game together by calling out the correct answer or students could come up one at a time to fill in the answer. Basically, although this site isn't the greatest it could be used as a number refresher.
This site can enhance student's learning because students would be drawn to play with it because it's got neat graphics and pictures. I think they can quickly practice their skills while not incorporating the site to be a main component of the lesson.
This game is similar to the traditional Lemonade Stand except not as in depth. Students are pretending to be Larry who sells lemonade. People then come by and ask for any number of cups and the price also changes so the students have to multiply them together to get the total. It's quite fun and cute to play, however the game could've been more complicated.
This website can be connected to Grade 5 Mathematics: Numbers & Operations Strand - Whole Number Multiplication.
I would use this site in a classroom by projecting it onto a bigger screen or using it on a SmartBoard as a whole class activity at the end of a multiplication unit. We could all play the game together by calling out the correct answer or students could come up one at a time to fill in the answer. Basically, although this site isn't the greatest it could be used as a number refresher.
This site can enhance student's learning because students would be drawn to play with it because it's got neat graphics and pictures. I think they can quickly practice their skills while not incorporating the site to be a main component of the lesson.
Friday, March 28, 2008
*Weather*
Today I would like to blog about a website called EdHeads. I've found an activity simply just called "Weather".
This interactive activity can be geared towards Grade 4 Science: Core Unit - Predicting Weather. It's a very fun site that I think students would love!
This site gives you two options: first, you can report the weather and second, you can predict the weather (exactly hitting on what students need to know in this grade)!
How I would use this site in my class is first to go through each option once with the whole class so they know how to do it. (This website I think would be useful near the beginning of the unit!) If we had a smartboard, it could be more interactive by getting volunteers to come help the teacher figure out how to report and predict accurately! We would just do Level 1 as a class and they could do Levels 2 & 3 on their own. After they are finished, they would print out their statistics to hand in. We would discuss as a class the things they learned, perhaps using the Rapidfire technique in Inspiration! There would be follow-up information by the teacher if need be.
This site can enhance student learning because it is very hands-on and individualistic in terms of learning. Students get to figure out on their own how to do certain things with weather. They get to experience what it would be like to perhaps be a meteorologist or weather reporter. Basically, I thought it was fun and easy to understand.
This interactive activity can be geared towards Grade 4 Science: Core Unit - Predicting Weather. It's a very fun site that I think students would love!
This site gives you two options: first, you can report the weather and second, you can predict the weather (exactly hitting on what students need to know in this grade)!
How I would use this site in my class is first to go through each option once with the whole class so they know how to do it. (This website I think would be useful near the beginning of the unit!) If we had a smartboard, it could be more interactive by getting volunteers to come help the teacher figure out how to report and predict accurately! We would just do Level 1 as a class and they could do Levels 2 & 3 on their own. After they are finished, they would print out their statistics to hand in. We would discuss as a class the things they learned, perhaps using the Rapidfire technique in Inspiration! There would be follow-up information by the teacher if need be.
This site can enhance student learning because it is very hands-on and individualistic in terms of learning. Students get to figure out on their own how to do certain things with weather. They get to experience what it would be like to perhaps be a meteorologist or weather reporter. Basically, I thought it was fun and easy to understand.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Scavenger Hunt!
The website I've found today is a Solar System Scavenger Hunt!
In this activity, students are introduced to items found scattered within our solar system. It's up to the students to figure out which planet, moon, etc. it is found on. This requires students to perhaps have some background knowledge or to search the internet for the answers. The site also provides a hint to the answer if they need it. However, they cannot move onto the next question until they get the right answer.
This site can be linked to the Grade 6 Unit on Exploring Space.
This site can enhance student's learning because it gets them introduced to new and interesting facts about various bodies in the solar system. The only thing I would do as a teacher is to provide students with another set of a few websites that would be helpful in searching the information.
In this activity, students are introduced to items found scattered within our solar system. It's up to the students to figure out which planet, moon, etc. it is found on. This requires students to perhaps have some background knowledge or to search the internet for the answers. The site also provides a hint to the answer if they need it. However, they cannot move onto the next question until they get the right answer.
This site can be linked to the Grade 6 Unit on Exploring Space.
This site can enhance student's learning because it gets them introduced to new and interesting facts about various bodies in the solar system. The only thing I would do as a teacher is to provide students with another set of a few websites that would be helpful in searching the information.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Another One!?
Okay, so I know I've already posted a link to a site for the Underground Railroad but I'm afraid I'm going to post about another so here goes.
This one is from the National Geographic website (let it be known that I absolutely love national geographic!) and once more it's about slavery that occurred in North America and the Underground Railroad that some of them were able to use to escape to freedom.
I could use this website in a different way than the last. I would attempt to connect this to Grade 6 Social Studies: Unit One - Location (particularly Location and Grid and Maps). As the students completed this online activity, I would get them to jot down all of the places that they went, following Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad. Then, I would have them mark down on a map ( that I'd give them) the coordinates of the places they passed through. This would get them to practice their mapping and grid skills. They would create a legend as well for the places. If I wanted to, I could get them to research one fact about the town or landscape they passed through.
I think this website would enhance student's learning because they would get an idea of the proportionality between the cities of the Underground Railroad, as well as the distance these people had to travel to get to freedom.
This one is from the National Geographic website (let it be known that I absolutely love national geographic!) and once more it's about slavery that occurred in North America and the Underground Railroad that some of them were able to use to escape to freedom.
I could use this website in a different way than the last. I would attempt to connect this to Grade 6 Social Studies: Unit One - Location (particularly Location and Grid and Maps). As the students completed this online activity, I would get them to jot down all of the places that they went, following Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad. Then, I would have them mark down on a map ( that I'd give them) the coordinates of the places they passed through. This would get them to practice their mapping and grid skills. They would create a legend as well for the places. If I wanted to, I could get them to research one fact about the town or landscape they passed through.
I think this website would enhance student's learning because they would get an idea of the proportionality between the cities of the Underground Railroad, as well as the distance these people had to travel to get to freedom.
Monday, March 10, 2008
What's It Like Where You Live?
The website What's it like where you live? is an interactive website that has tons of possibilities.
It can be connected to Grade 6 Science - Core Unit: Ecosystems.
This website introduces Biomes of the World, Freshwater Ecosystems and Marine Ecosystems. Although it includes indepth information that students at this level may find overwhelming, I believe I have found a way that its use could be modified into grade 6.
What I would have my students do is to choose one of the topics. It could be the tundra, rainforest, desert, or wetlands. They would put together a presentation for the rest of the class. They would include a poster with information such as where this ecosystem might be located, what the characteristics would be, and the possible impacts humans could have on this ecosystem.
I think that in this manner of researching, presenting and learning, students will develop an array of different spectrums ecosystems can take in the world. There are many opportunities here to learn about different areas of the world, and also to possibly bring in the discussion locally to focus on aspects of our own ecosystem and the effects we have on it.
It can be connected to Grade 6 Science - Core Unit: Ecosystems.
This website introduces Biomes of the World, Freshwater Ecosystems and Marine Ecosystems. Although it includes indepth information that students at this level may find overwhelming, I believe I have found a way that its use could be modified into grade 6.
What I would have my students do is to choose one of the topics. It could be the tundra, rainforest, desert, or wetlands. They would put together a presentation for the rest of the class. They would include a poster with information such as where this ecosystem might be located, what the characteristics would be, and the possible impacts humans could have on this ecosystem.
I think that in this manner of researching, presenting and learning, students will develop an array of different spectrums ecosystems can take in the world. There are many opportunities here to learn about different areas of the world, and also to possibly bring in the discussion locally to focus on aspects of our own ecosystem and the effects we have on it.
Volcano Explorer!
The website I have chosen to speak about today is called Volcano Explorer!
This interactive website can be connected to the Evergreen Curriculum in Grade 6 Science - Core Unit: Earthquakes & Volcanoes.
This site explores many concepts surrounding the formation, classification, causes, effects, plate tectonics, etc. about volcanoes.
Students get to explore and discover on their own this information pertaining to volcanoes as well as getting a virtual visual of what is being talked about, where it may be located and what it might look like. It's a great site for them to actually see what's going on. They also get a chance to "create their own volcano" and determining the type it will become.
So, in light of the last activity, my assignment for the students would be not only to look through all the information presented on the background of types, etc., but to hypothesize why their volcano turned out to be the type it was (strato, for example). Was it due to the amount of gas built up underneath the crust, or did it perhaps have something to do with where it was located on the ring of fire? It is up to them to produce a theory as to how and why these formations occur.
As well, students could also be asked to look up the particular volcano that is mentioned as an example after they've "created" on and find more information and pictures on it to produce a sort of mini-report.
I feel that this website is beneficial for students because it is very visual and allows students to play around with different information and features. It includes a lot of the concepts they have to know as well but makes it more fun for them to find out.
This interactive website can be connected to the Evergreen Curriculum in Grade 6 Science - Core Unit: Earthquakes & Volcanoes.
This site explores many concepts surrounding the formation, classification, causes, effects, plate tectonics, etc. about volcanoes.
Students get to explore and discover on their own this information pertaining to volcanoes as well as getting a virtual visual of what is being talked about, where it may be located and what it might look like. It's a great site for them to actually see what's going on. They also get a chance to "create their own volcano" and determining the type it will become.
So, in light of the last activity, my assignment for the students would be not only to look through all the information presented on the background of types, etc., but to hypothesize why their volcano turned out to be the type it was (strato, for example). Was it due to the amount of gas built up underneath the crust, or did it perhaps have something to do with where it was located on the ring of fire? It is up to them to produce a theory as to how and why these formations occur.
As well, students could also be asked to look up the particular volcano that is mentioned as an example after they've "created" on and find more information and pictures on it to produce a sort of mini-report.
I feel that this website is beneficial for students because it is very visual and allows students to play around with different information and features. It includes a lot of the concepts they have to know as well but makes it more fun for them to find out.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Travel Back In Time Through the Underground Railroad
The website I would like to blog about today is not a website per se, but is rather a WebQuest which I believe will be of use in any middle year's classroom.
It is called "Travel Back In Time Through The Underground Railroad". (Click on the name to go to it!)
This WebQuest can be connected to many different subject areas; however, I would like to specifically talk about it in terms of ELA in grade 6/7 (which happens to be the grades I interned in!)
If you are in the middle of a novel study on the book Roots or The Underground Railroad, for example, this WebQuest can help bring students to a better understanding of what actually occurred during that time period. They will begin to develop a relationship and interest in the novel and events when accompanying it with opportunities for them to engage in deeper understanding and thinking.
What this webquest is able to do is to bring students to experience the topic in a first-hand way. It can benefit their learning by allowing them to think deeper (according to Bloom's taxonomy let's say). They will be able to not only research and explore the event on their own, but develop compassion and empathy for what actually occurred. As well, of course, they will be completing ELA objectives.
I think WebQuests in general are an excellent teaching and learning tool to incorporate through every classrooms. They provide many opportunities and challenges for the students that they may not be used to.
It is called "Travel Back In Time Through The Underground Railroad". (Click on the name to go to it!)
This WebQuest can be connected to many different subject areas; however, I would like to specifically talk about it in terms of ELA in grade 6/7 (which happens to be the grades I interned in!)
If you are in the middle of a novel study on the book Roots or The Underground Railroad, for example, this WebQuest can help bring students to a better understanding of what actually occurred during that time period. They will begin to develop a relationship and interest in the novel and events when accompanying it with opportunities for them to engage in deeper understanding and thinking.
What this webquest is able to do is to bring students to experience the topic in a first-hand way. It can benefit their learning by allowing them to think deeper (according to Bloom's taxonomy let's say). They will be able to not only research and explore the event on their own, but develop compassion and empathy for what actually occurred. As well, of course, they will be completing ELA objectives.
I think WebQuests in general are an excellent teaching and learning tool to incorporate through every classrooms. They provide many opportunities and challenges for the students that they may not be used to.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Digital Imaging
Digital Imaging could be used within the classroom to enhance student's learning in many ways.
I will connect the use of digital imaging to the Grade 6 Arts Education curriculum, focusing on Unit Three: Traditions & Innovations. This unit focuses on the roles visual images play in the community, and the many connections between visual art and daily life.
If I were teaching this unit, I would have students go outside during art class or on the weekend and take some close-up pictures of everyday objects in nature. We would get these pictures developed and students will attempt to continue the scene on their own. This will help them to visualize what they saw outside and to get them to interact with nature in a more intensive way than they otherwise would have.
I will connect the use of digital imaging to the Grade 6 Arts Education curriculum, focusing on Unit Three: Traditions & Innovations. This unit focuses on the roles visual images play in the community, and the many connections between visual art and daily life.
If I were teaching this unit, I would have students go outside during art class or on the weekend and take some close-up pictures of everyday objects in nature. We would get these pictures developed and students will attempt to continue the scene on their own. This will help them to visualize what they saw outside and to get them to interact with nature in a more intensive way than they otherwise would have.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Web 2.0 Service
The Web 2.0 Service I would like to comment on that I think would enhance learning for my students is Flickr. This is a website that allows anyone to view or share photos.
This website could be linked to the curriculum in Grade 7 English Language Arts - Viewing Strand.
I think that this website could be a very useful tool for students to use if they are participating in a particular unit of study. They could asked to find a picture that could describe the scene, how the people are feeling, etc. They could create a response with the picture and describe how it applies to what they are learning. Also, a teacher could use Flickr to do some research on their own and find a few pictures that would apply to a particular unit of study in ELA. The teacher could post these pictures up around the classroom and get students to pick their favourite one. They would then have to study that picture and attempt to describe what is going on in it and how it applies to their unit. Students could benefit greatly from using real life photos to attempt to guide them and add to what they are already learning.
This website could be linked to the curriculum in Grade 7 English Language Arts - Viewing Strand.
I think that this website could be a very useful tool for students to use if they are participating in a particular unit of study. They could asked to find a picture that could describe the scene, how the people are feeling, etc. They could create a response with the picture and describe how it applies to what they are learning. Also, a teacher could use Flickr to do some research on their own and find a few pictures that would apply to a particular unit of study in ELA. The teacher could post these pictures up around the classroom and get students to pick their favourite one. They would then have to study that picture and attempt to describe what is going on in it and how it applies to their unit. Students could benefit greatly from using real life photos to attempt to guide them and add to what they are already learning.
*Lemonade Stand/Coffee Shop*
The interactive website I've chosen to write about today is Lemonade Stand or Coffee Shop (in the end, they are basically relying on the same methods and principles but you can decide whether you'd like to work with lemonade or coffee! - Personally, I would pick coffee:) )
This website can connect to Grade 9 Career Guidance: Career Awareness, Exploration, and Planning (specifically, the Life of an Entrepreneur).
How I would use this website in my classroom is to get students to experience what it would be like to own their own business and to make decisions based on many variables in order to ensure their success. I would get them to go through a week's worth of running the business, while documenting on a sheet the proportions of supplies they used each day, a few comments customers had about the products & service, and how well they did at the end of each day. At the end of that week, students will determine what they need to do and change in order for them to gain more business. We would hold a classroom discussion on the successes, failures, and obstacles that everyone has been having during that pretend week. Then, students would complete another week's worth of business and compare that to their first week, determining what was different and whether they think they were doing well!
It's a very fun and interactive learning tool, and I think every teacher should try to incorporate this site!
This website can connect to Grade 9 Career Guidance: Career Awareness, Exploration, and Planning (specifically, the Life of an Entrepreneur).
How I would use this website in my classroom is to get students to experience what it would be like to own their own business and to make decisions based on many variables in order to ensure their success. I would get them to go through a week's worth of running the business, while documenting on a sheet the proportions of supplies they used each day, a few comments customers had about the products & service, and how well they did at the end of each day. At the end of that week, students will determine what they need to do and change in order for them to gain more business. We would hold a classroom discussion on the successes, failures, and obstacles that everyone has been having during that pretend week. Then, students would complete another week's worth of business and compare that to their first week, determining what was different and whether they think they were doing well!
It's a very fun and interactive learning tool, and I think every teacher should try to incorporate this site!
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Quick Math
The website I have found is called Quick Math. In this game, students are selecting the proper symbol to complete the equation. It requires much thought and focus!
It can be connected to Grade 4 Mathematics: Numbers & Operations. In the site, they focus on addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
This site can enhance student's learning because it can be used as a practice tool. Students can see how many they've got right while they play. There are also many other games on the original website that can relate to a few areas of the curriculum.
How I would use this website in a classroom would be to get students into partners and for them to work together on the equations. I find that this website is better to use in partners because it could become challenging and repetitive so allowing students to work with each other might make it more fun and useful. At the end, I would like them to tell me which equation they found the easiest to pick out and the hardest. This way, I could gauge where the students are now and which equations to spend more time on. It could be used as a sort of assessment guide.
It can be connected to Grade 4 Mathematics: Numbers & Operations. In the site, they focus on addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
This site can enhance student's learning because it can be used as a practice tool. Students can see how many they've got right while they play. There are also many other games on the original website that can relate to a few areas of the curriculum.
How I would use this website in a classroom would be to get students into partners and for them to work together on the equations. I find that this website is better to use in partners because it could become challenging and repetitive so allowing students to work with each other might make it more fun and useful. At the end, I would like them to tell me which equation they found the easiest to pick out and the hardest. This way, I could gauge where the students are now and which equations to spend more time on. It could be used as a sort of assessment guide.
~Billy Bug & His Quest for Grub!~
I have found a very funny website that includes many fun and interactive math games. However, I have picked one called Billy Bug & his Quest for Grub!
This website can be connected to Grade 6 Mathematics: Geometry/Measurement.
In this website, students are helping Billy Bug who is stuck on a grid to locate the correct coordinates in order to feed him!
This site can enhance student's learning because not only is it very fun and entertaining, students will begin to practice these grid skills on their own. I think they will want to come onto this site just because it is so interesting.
How I would specifically use this site in a classroom would be to allow each student to log on with their own computer and to complete the game, then tell me how many they got right and how long it took them. This way I could judge which students are having difficulty with the topic.
This website can be connected to Grade 6 Mathematics: Geometry/Measurement.
In this website, students are helping Billy Bug who is stuck on a grid to locate the correct coordinates in order to feed him!
This site can enhance student's learning because not only is it very fun and entertaining, students will begin to practice these grid skills on their own. I think they will want to come onto this site just because it is so interesting.
How I would specifically use this site in a classroom would be to allow each student to log on with their own computer and to complete the game, then tell me how many they got right and how long it took them. This way I could judge which students are having difficulty with the topic.
Medieval Castles!
The website I've decided to write about is called Ghosts in a Castle!
In this site, students can explore all aspects of a castle from the middle ages and learn about what various parts were for.!
This can be connected to Grade 9 Social Studies: Unit 2 Change. Students are asked to discover some of the changes that have occurred over time through changes caused by the medieval civilization.
This website can enhance student's learning because they will be enjoying their time deciding where to search in the castle, while learning many aspects of medieval life.
How I would use this website in a classroom would be to ask the students to write down in a report or presentation why the castle was so important and a main function of medieval society.
In this site, students can explore all aspects of a castle from the middle ages and learn about what various parts were for.!
This can be connected to Grade 9 Social Studies: Unit 2 Change. Students are asked to discover some of the changes that have occurred over time through changes caused by the medieval civilization.
This website can enhance student's learning because they will be enjoying their time deciding where to search in the castle, while learning many aspects of medieval life.
How I would use this website in a classroom would be to ask the students to write down in a report or presentation why the castle was so important and a main function of medieval society.
*Oxfam's Cool Planet*
I've decided to post about a website and group that I absolutely love and support, called Oxfam. There are many links and activities, etc. included on the original Oxfam website, but I've reached a place called Cool Planet for Kids!
This site could be connected to the curriculum in Grade 8 Social Studies: Interdependence. Through the website, students will develop an appreciation for the amount of effort and number of people involved in creating the products we use daily, and explore the interdependence of organizations and nations.
Students could use this site specifically to read about stories from various countries around the world. Not only will they be introduced to many different countries, students will get to hear how the Oxfam organization is using their resources and power to help them out. They could possibly research and put together a poster and presentation on how this organization has helped out a particular place with particular issues.
This site could be connected to the curriculum in Grade 8 Social Studies: Interdependence. Through the website, students will develop an appreciation for the amount of effort and number of people involved in creating the products we use daily, and explore the interdependence of organizations and nations.
Students could use this site specifically to read about stories from various countries around the world. Not only will they be introduced to many different countries, students will get to hear how the Oxfam organization is using their resources and power to help them out. They could possibly research and put together a poster and presentation on how this organization has helped out a particular place with particular issues.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Calling all Cells!
A website that I've found today is called CELLS ALIVE! This is an interactive site with lots of information on it. For instance, they have many examples of different kinds of cells and bacteria. They explain what it is, what it does (how it affects other things), and have very detailed pictures of it. I think the students will like this site!
This website can be connected to the Saskatchewan Curriculum in Grade 7's Optional Unit on Microorganisms. It can be related to the foundational and learning objectives 2.1 Appreciate the beneficial roles of some microorganisms - Describe how microorganisms and fungi are essential in the nutrient cycles.
I think this site can enhance student's learning because they can go on to it and each time they do, it displays a new bacteria or organism and explains something about it, which I find very interesting.
How I would use this website in a classroom would be for students to look at and read up on certain organisms of their choice (or I would assign them one, depending on the class), such as penicillin. After looking into a specific organism I would get the students to create a presentation on it to explain to the class how their organism affects daily life. This brings microorganisms into a more relative form for them because they can better understand what they look like and broaden their exposure to many different kinds.
This website can be connected to the Saskatchewan Curriculum in Grade 7's Optional Unit on Microorganisms. It can be related to the foundational and learning objectives 2.1 Appreciate the beneficial roles of some microorganisms - Describe how microorganisms and fungi are essential in the nutrient cycles.
I think this site can enhance student's learning because they can go on to it and each time they do, it displays a new bacteria or organism and explains something about it, which I find very interesting.
How I would use this website in a classroom would be for students to look at and read up on certain organisms of their choice (or I would assign them one, depending on the class), such as penicillin. After looking into a specific organism I would get the students to create a presentation on it to explain to the class how their organism affects daily life. This brings microorganisms into a more relative form for them because they can better understand what they look like and broaden their exposure to many different kinds.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Elements!
A site that I've found this week is one that's got lots of games on it that can connect to a few different subjects. However, I am going to focus on one to do with the Periodic Table of Elements. It's called "Proton Don". In this game, students are brought to a Periodic Table of Elements. The computer asks them to click on a certain element and each time they get it right, they will keep score for them.
This site can be connected to Grade 6 Science in the Unit Chemicals and Reactions. In this unit, the foundational and learning objective is to Investigate the characteristics of elements and to identify the names and symbols of elements.
This site can enhance students' learning because it is an easy tool to use for them to log on and practice beating their personal best score. It will help them to review and become familiar with some elements.
How I would use this website in a classroom would be for the students to complete the activity and get them familiar with some elements then to choose one that they find intriguing and to research about it using student-friendly search-engines.
This site can be connected to Grade 6 Science in the Unit Chemicals and Reactions. In this unit, the foundational and learning objective is to Investigate the characteristics of elements and to identify the names and symbols of elements.
This site can enhance students' learning because it is an easy tool to use for them to log on and practice beating their personal best score. It will help them to review and become familiar with some elements.
How I would use this website in a classroom would be for the students to complete the activity and get them familiar with some elements then to choose one that they find intriguing and to research about it using student-friendly search-engines.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Mapping Skills
The website I have found this week is a site based out of Saskatoon (even if it is not Regina, we may end up teaching there and this is a great resource for Saskatchewan). There are 3 lessons that have to do with reading maps and working with grids. It is important to note that the website is interactive so little direction from a teacher is needed, the student can simply go onto the site themselves and work through the activities. You can find the website here.
This website can be connected to the Grade 6 Social Studies Curriculum and the topic of Location. Students will be able to find particular points on a grid, understand Northern and Southern hemispheres, the equator, the prime meridian, etc.
This site will improve students' learning and assist them by relating content to Saskatchewan. Instead of the teacher reading out what the points on a grid mean or what the definition of equator is, the students get a chance to go online and find out by themselves by participating in various activities.
How I would use this website in a classroom would be to get the students to complete the grid activity and to keep in mind a specific fact about a place that they find interesting or did not know beforehand. I would like them to present this fact to the other students and see if they can guess in which area of the grid it was found.
This website can be connected to the Grade 6 Social Studies Curriculum and the topic of Location. Students will be able to find particular points on a grid, understand Northern and Southern hemispheres, the equator, the prime meridian, etc.
This site will improve students' learning and assist them by relating content to Saskatchewan. Instead of the teacher reading out what the points on a grid mean or what the definition of equator is, the students get a chance to go online and find out by themselves by participating in various activities.
How I would use this website in a classroom would be to get the students to complete the grid activity and to keep in mind a specific fact about a place that they find interesting or did not know beforehand. I would like them to present this fact to the other students and see if they can guess in which area of the grid it was found.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
The Environment
Hello everyone!
As I was searching through a David Suzuki website, I came upon a really interesting site to do with the environment called Forest Adventures.
In this website, students get to pretend they are given a deed to a forest and have to decide what they should do with it. In the end, they get to learn that clearcutting sometimes takes place and is not what we want to do with all of the Earth's forests (especially just for profit).
As I was searching through a David Suzuki website, I came upon a really interesting site to do with the environment called Forest Adventures.
In this website, students get to pretend they are given a deed to a forest and have to decide what they should do with it. In the end, they get to learn that clearcutting sometimes takes place and is not what we want to do with all of the Earth's forests (especially just for profit).
This can be connected to Grade 6 Science - Ecosystems (in relation to effects of change on an ecosystem and a sense of responsibility for the preservation of ecosystems) and also Grade 6 Science - Earth's Climate (you can compare characteristics of different climates and use this as an example of B.C. perhaps).
I think this website would be a fun and interactive introduction for the students to use to begin thinking about what sort of effects clear cutting this forest would have and the reasons why they would or would not do it. This site could be a starting point for students to begin thinking critically together and on their own what results their own actions may have in certain areas of the environment.
How I would use this website in a classroom would be to go through the activity and then create a paragraph response about the reasons why clear cutting forests might be bad and to also tell me some effects that might have on the environment.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
First Website Link
The first website I've found which could be very useful in a classroom is a game called "Fling the Teacher".
In this game, students get a chance to answer questions (with four possible answers, a-d) about a particular topic. They first get to pick a "victim" and dress them up with hilarious features, such as really crazy hair or teeth. When they get a question right, they build up a medieval times catapult piece by piece. If they are able to get all the questions right, the catapult is completely built and they are able to literally fling the cartoon character they created.
There could be many curriculum links for this site. Although it is a site based out of the UK, there are still topics that can relate to our learning here in Canada. It does rely mostly on topics relating to Social Studies, such as Grade 6 Social Studies Interaction (it can focus on African peoples as slaves and many cultures within the Atlantic region to do with the World Wars). It could relate to Grade 8 Social Studies on Interdependence as it talks about many revolutionary changes. Lastly, this could even relate to Grade 7 Health if you are learning about HIV/AIDS because there are some games to do with infectious diseases and the Plague, so you could talk about how the immune system is affected, etc.
I would have students use this in possibly three different ways. The first way would be for them to have a period to just play it and see how far they get (using it as a study guide, perhaps) individually. They could also use it in partners to work together and if they don't know the answer to a question, they could take turns looking it up and researching it. Thirdly, if a unit is almost complete, I would even play this game with the whole class on a data projector so we could work together to review what we had learned and have some fun while doing it.
I think this site would improve students' learning because it provides motivation for students to want to play the game and to find/know the correct answers. It is a good tool for the students to use for studying and reviewing content. I think that by incorporating some fun components into an activity, students will have a great time learning what they need to know.
I hope you enjoy this site as much as I did. There are also other games on this site, but keep in mind most of them are to do with Social Studies and history.
In this game, students get a chance to answer questions (with four possible answers, a-d) about a particular topic. They first get to pick a "victim" and dress them up with hilarious features, such as really crazy hair or teeth. When they get a question right, they build up a medieval times catapult piece by piece. If they are able to get all the questions right, the catapult is completely built and they are able to literally fling the cartoon character they created.
There could be many curriculum links for this site. Although it is a site based out of the UK, there are still topics that can relate to our learning here in Canada. It does rely mostly on topics relating to Social Studies, such as Grade 6 Social Studies Interaction (it can focus on African peoples as slaves and many cultures within the Atlantic region to do with the World Wars). It could relate to Grade 8 Social Studies on Interdependence as it talks about many revolutionary changes. Lastly, this could even relate to Grade 7 Health if you are learning about HIV/AIDS because there are some games to do with infectious diseases and the Plague, so you could talk about how the immune system is affected, etc.
I would have students use this in possibly three different ways. The first way would be for them to have a period to just play it and see how far they get (using it as a study guide, perhaps) individually. They could also use it in partners to work together and if they don't know the answer to a question, they could take turns looking it up and researching it. Thirdly, if a unit is almost complete, I would even play this game with the whole class on a data projector so we could work together to review what we had learned and have some fun while doing it.
I think this site would improve students' learning because it provides motivation for students to want to play the game and to find/know the correct answers. It is a good tool for the students to use for studying and reviewing content. I think that by incorporating some fun components into an activity, students will have a great time learning what they need to know.
I hope you enjoy this site as much as I did. There are also other games on this site, but keep in mind most of them are to do with Social Studies and history.
Newcomer to Bloggin'
So this is my very first blog website! I really hope that I can find some neat websites I'll be able to use in the future. I'm pretty excited to be able to share what I've learned with others, as well.
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