Reading Comprehension Blog

Here is a bunch of reading comprehension online activities and promethean flipcharts that you can use in your classroom for whole group lessons, small groups, center work, or for independent remediation or challenge work.  Skills addressed are character analysis, story elements, cause and effect, problem and solution (goes with story elements), main idea, sequencing, inferencing, using context clues, predicting, summarizing, etc.    Enjoy!   As always, let me know if there is anything I can do to help you integrate technology into your daily lessons.  J

Online Activities

 Grades Suggested 1-5 – Numerous Skills - http://mrnussbaum.com/readingpassageindex/ - Mr. Nussbaum is the man.   Check out his website for TONS of other academic activities, not just these reading ones.   These passages are broken up by grade level and by skill.   Put them on a projector or on the Promethean board and complete them together, as a center, or have the children complete them independently.

 Grades Suggested 1- 4 - Author’s Purpose http://www.woodland.k12.mo.us/faculty/rgarner/Reading/Authors%20puropse.htm – Anything you could want concerning Author’s Purpose!  Videos, passages, games, and more!

 Grades Suggested 1 – 3 – Cause and Effect- http://www.quia.com/mc/94601.html - Simple activity of matching to illustrate cause and effect

 Grades Suggested K – 5 - http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/scrapbook/ - Character Analysis – Use this fun activity to analyze any character from any book! J

 Grades K-3 – Fact and Opinion - http://pbskids.org/arthur/games/factsopinions/ - Great interactive activity to help students realize the difference between a fact and an opinion.

 Grades 2-5 – Inferencing -  Students of all ages have a hard time referencing their background knowledge and combining that with detail from the story in order to make a good guess of what a character is thinking or what is happening in a story.   This fun game can help students in a fun way.

 Grades 2-5 – Main Idea -http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/book_buddy/rosie/skill_pre.html -   Fun activity to find the main idea of a short passage.

 Grades 2-4 – Main Idea - http://www.manatee.k12.fl.us/sites/elementary/samoset/mainideaprac.htm - Display passages on the overhead and have students write down clues on paper or a mini whiteboard to find the main idea of the passages.

 Grades 1-4 – Plot, Theme, and Setting – http://www.studyzone.org/testprep/ela4/h/plotp.cfm -  Simple Activity to help students understand what the plot, theme, and setting are of a story.

 Grades 2-4 – Predictions – http://teach.fcps.net/talk/activities/sniffy_fluffy/MakingPredictions/activity1makingpredictions.htm - Simple Activity to help students understand a great strategy to predict what will happen in a story.   Picture Walks! J

 Grades 2-4 – Predictions –  http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity_collections_preview/predict_outcomes/3_predict.html - Short Passages to help students learn strategies to make educated predictions of what might happen next in a story.

 K-2 – Sequencing – http://pbskids.org/arthur/games/storyscramble/scramble.html - Simple Story Sequencing Activity for the younger grades from PBS Kids and Arthur.

 K-2 – Sequencing and “How To” Activities – http://www.quia.com/pages/sequencingfun.html - Print out Tons of “How To” activities for students to work on their sequencing skills.

 K-3 – Short Story Videos - http://pbskids.org/lions/stories/  Tons and tons of short video stories divided into Genre for easy access.  From our friends at Between the Lions.

 2-4 – Story Elements - http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/test_tutor/build19/grade3/skill14/index.htm - Great activity that provides passages concerning characters, setting, and plot. 

 Promethean Activities – Remember even though many of you do not have a Promethean Boar, many of you do have the promethean software on your computers which will allow you to view these lessons and interact with them using your mouse.    You will just not be able to have students interact with the lesson by having them go to the white board.

 Using Pictures to Understand a Story

 K-1 – Picture Clues - http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/81028/using-pictures-for-reading-comprehension - Having students use picture clues to understand a story is a great strategy to use at a young age.

 Characters

 1-5 – Character Analysis - http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/44168/guess-who-character-analysis-edition - Based on the game “Guess Who” students can analyize characters from many of their favorite books and stories.

 1-5 – Character Analysis - http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/29312/what-a-character - This flipchart discusses ways that authors reveal character traits. Students learn to find examples in the literature to demonstrate those character traits. A sample assessment, graphic organizer and web links are included.

Cause and Effect 

 K-3 – Cause and Effect - http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/39758/cause-and-effect#.Un-2WIwo7xM –  Favorite Promethean activity on cause and effect.

 K-3 – Cause and Effect - http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/28895/cause-and-effect#.Un-5Z4wo7xM

 Problem and Solution

 K-2 – Problem and Solution - http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/35666/problem-and-solution

 Main Idea

 2-4 – Main Idea - http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/39483/main-idea-and-supporting-details#.Un-6UIwo7xM – Explains about main idea, supporting details, and provides practice passages.

 2-4 – Main Idea - http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/92680/main-idea-practice#.Un-68Iwo7xM – Find the main idea of these passages.

 2-4 – Main Idea - http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/29511/main-idea#.Un-7W4wo7xM – Provides passages and online activities for finding the main idea of a passage.

 

Sequencing

 1 - 4 – Sequencing a Story - http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/30749/sequencing-a-story - Sample Stories to explain sequencing the events of a story. 

 2 - 5 – Sequencing a Story - http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/41592/sequencing  - Provides key words to look for in a passage or a story and sample passages for practice.

 2 - 4 – Sequencing a Story and Retelling/Summariing http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/166817/sequencing-and-retelling-practice - Students interact with the flipchart to hear a story and sequence the events of the story. Additionally, students are able to practice identifying the main components of a story to work on summarizing skills.

 Story Elements

 K-3 – Story Elements - http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/39487/story-elements#.Un-8IYwo7xM – Simple explanation about story elements. 

 K-3 – Story Elements - http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/26334/story-elements#.Un-8sYwo7xM – Same as the flipchart above.

 K-2 – Story Elements - http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/30260/setting#.Un-9KYwo7xM – Explains about what setting is and why it is important.

 K – Setting - http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/76611/setting-preview#.Un--WYwo7xM – Simple Setting activity for Kindergarten.

 

Inferencing 

 1 – 5 – Making Conclusions and Inferences – Making Inferences while reading is a hard skill to master for most, if not all, students.   Here are a number of promethean activities to help teach or reinforce this skill.

 http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/135956/inferencing#.Un_AHIwo7xM

 http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/141547/drawing-conclusion-making-inferences#.Un_AK4wo7xM

 5^th Grade - http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/39888/making-inferences-story-adventure#.Un_BgIwo7xM

 5^th grade - http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/28944/what-is-an-inference#.Un_Buowo7xM

 http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/41734/inferencing#.Un_B7owo7xM

 5^th Grade - http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/30652/making-inferences-with-students#.Un_Cd4wo7xM -

 http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/60119/making-inferences#.Un_DVYwo7xM

 http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/159313/this-resource-teaches-the-skill-of-making-inferences-through-the-use-of-pictures#.Un_Daowo7xM – Making inferences through the use of pictures.  Great Strategy, especially for younger children.

 

Using Context Clues

 3 -5 – Context Clues -  http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/92357/context-clues-review-questioning - Students are given the definitions for various context clue examples and then asked the put it in practice by using the ActivExpression devices. After students vote, a student can come up to the Promethean board to click on the correct answer. Answers are hyperlinked to "Correct" and "Incorrect" Slides.

3 -5 – Context Clues -  http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/30598/using-context-clues - This flipchart can be used to help students use context clues to figure out the meaning of unfamiliar words.

 5^th Grade – Context Clues -  http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/25467/context-clues - This flipchart gives students practice using context to determine the meaning of an unfamiliar word.  Included are practice activities and assessment pages.

3 -5 – Context Clues -  http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/77685/understanding-the-meaning-of-unknown-words-trough-the-use-of-context-clues - An interactive flipchart teaching on the concept of how to use context clues to find the meaning of unknown words. All of the vocabulary used is taken from the novel, Charlotte's Web.

1-3 – Context Clues -  http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/27591/context-clues - The flipchart focuses on context clues. The students read several passages. They have to figure out a word that is covered up by using context clues and picture clues. Erase the shaded part to reveal the word.
3 -5 – Context Clues -   http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/41591/context-clues - e this lesson on context clues to teach the different types of context clues and practice finding the meaning of words.  Sample Testing passages.  

 

Summarizing

2-4 –Summarizing Text -  http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/42872/learn-to-summarize

2-4 –Summarizing Text -  http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/78454/learn-to-summarize - Students review and learn how to summarize a nonfiction piece of text by example and using the gradual release of instruction method.

3-5 –Summarizing Text - http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/36249/summarizing - Use to reduce information to essential ideas in order to understand and learn important information.

3-5 –Summarizing Text -  http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/81566/summary - This flipchart is a lesson on summarizing. It takes kids from doing a quick synopsis into doing an all-out summary - including a rubric that you can easily modify.

 

Social Studies Resources for K-5

I was looking over the K-5 standards for Social Studies in PA.     I have attached numerous online activities and promethean flip charts for everyone to utilize in your classrooms.    I kind of went  a little nuts on this blog but there are so many online activities and flipcharts to use for your Social Studies’ lessons, I couldn’t help myself! J

 A Fun Idea for Kids:

We had similar standards in North Carolina and each 9 weeks my grade level team would have a “rotation” for an entire day where each homeroom teacher would teach a 35-45 minute Social Studies Lesson.   The classes would rotate from teacher to teacher throughout the day.   One year we had 1-2 teachers do lessons on Civics and Government,  1-2 teachers do lessons on Economics, 1-2 teachers do lessons on History, and 1-2 teachers do lessons on Geography.    One year my team decided to do a whole day on one particular topic that we focused on that nine weeks, such as a 2^nd 9 weeks “Civics and Government Rotation Day”.  You could even have the kids get into the theme of the Social Studies rotation day by having them dress up in costume.  For example, students could dress up as their favorite political figure or president. 

Civics and Government

 Online Activities-

 Suggested Grades - K -5 -  http://bensguide.gpo.gov/ - Ben’s Guide to US Government for Kids – Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful website for all grades about US symbols, election procedures, local, state, and federal government, etc.  Includes links to games and activities.

 Suggested Grades - K -5  http://bensguide.gpo.gov/files/Ben_Activity_webversion.pdf - From the above Ben’s Guide to US government site, print off activities and worksheets about American symbols and their meanings.

 Suggested Grades - K-5 - http://kids.usa.gov/government/government-jobs/index.shtml - Numerous sites describing the duties and purposes on many different government jobs.

 Suggested Grades - K-5 - http://kids.usa.gov/play-games/government/index.shtml - Mostly geared toward 3-5 students, but there are really fun games about our government, American history, and civics. 

 Suggested Grades - K-5 - http://kids.usa.gov/watch-videos/government/index.shtml - Videos about our government, American history, and civics. 

 Suggested Grades - 3-5 - http://kids.clerk.house.gov/grade-school/lesson.html?intID=17 – How Bills Are Made – Click on one of the two compasses in the blue box to access a tutorial on how bills work their way through the governmental system and the class can even create its own bill!

 Suggested Grades - 3-5 - http://kids.usa.gov/three-branches-of-government/index.shtml -  Poster describing the 3 branches of government. J

 

Promethean Activities - Remember many of you have the promethean software on your computers which will allow you to view these lessons and interact with them using your mouse.  You will just not be able to have students interact with the lesson by having them go to the white board.

 Suggested Grades - K -2 http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/43848/u-s-pledge-of-allegiance - 1 page flipchart showing the words for the pledge for morning routine.

 Suggested Grades – 3-5 - http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/25755/branches-of-government - Lesson on the three branches of government and the roles they play.

 Suggested Grades – 3-5 - http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/33018/the-3-branches-of-government - Lesson on the three branches of government and the roles they play.

 Suggested Grades – 3-5 - http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/33221/3-branches-of-government - Lesson on the three branches of government and the roles they play.

Suggested Grades – 4-5 - http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/25868/a-new-government - This flipchart discusses the events following the American Revolution and how the new government developed. The Articles of Confederation and their replacement by the US Constitution are explained. Student assessment items are included.

Suggested Grades – 3-5 http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/26231/united-states-of-america-symbols-of-government - Identify & research symbols used to depict Americans' shared values, principles and beliefs, and explain their meaning.

Suggested Grades – 4-5 - http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/29544/challenges-faced-by-the-new-nation - This unit covers the content area featuring the challenges faced by the new nation including the writing of the Constitution, government powers, the Bill of Rights and the War of 1812.

Suggested Grades – 4-5 - http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/166710/the-constitution-and-the-bill-of-rights - Lesson on the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.   Change the New Mexico info to PA.

Suggested Grades – 4-5 - http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/56271/declaration-of-independence-the-constitution - Supposed to be taught over several lessons.  Lessons and videos on the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and the 3 Branches of Government.

Suggested Grades – 4-5 - http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/45704/types-of-governments-interactive - Lesson on different types of governments; authoritarian, oligarchy, democracy.

Economics

 Online Activities and Lessons

 Suggested Grades - K-2- http://www.econedlink.org/lessons/economic-lesson-search.php?type=educator&gid=1 – Awesome Lessons for K-2.

 Suggested Grades – 3-5- http://www.econedlink.org/lessons/economic-lesson-search.php?type=educator&gid=2  – Awesome Lessons for 3-5.

 Suggested Grades - K-2 - http://www.econedlink.org/interactives/economic-interactive-search.php?type=educator&gid=1-  Awesome Online Activities for K-2.

 Suggested Grades – 3-5 - http://www.econedlink.org/interactives/economic-interactive-search.php?type=educator&gid=2 - Awesome Online Activities for 3-5.

 http://www.kidseconposters.com/activites-and-games/sing-a-longs/ - Great website that includes many songs about Economics. For example, Goods and Services
Tune: Mary Had a Little Lamb  Concepts: Goods & Services

 http://www.kidseconposters.com/literature-connection/ - AWESOME!!-  Same website as about but this link allows you to look up books that can be used to connect literature to economical concepts.  Many provide activities and are available in a Highlands school library. J

 http://pbskids.org/rogers/picpic.html - How Things are Made Videos – Allows students to see that good and services that are used to create more goods used to provide additional services.    

http://www.columbia.k12.mo.us/showmeeconomics/index.html - This website is a GOLDMINE!  K-5 lessons for teachers and K-5 activities for students that can be easily accessed by clicking on the appropriate grade level links.  You could plan your entire economics unit through this site!   Example, Title: Goods & Services Sort

Promethean Activities – Remember many of you have the promethean software on your computers which will allow you to view these lessons and interact with them using your mouse.  You will just not be able to have students interact with the lesson by having them go to the white board.

 Suggested Grades K-1 - http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/146257/needs-and-wants - Lesson on Needs and Wants

 Suggested Grades K-3 -  http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/54883/needs-vs-wants - Lesson on Needs and Wants

 Suggested Grades K-3 - http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/54893/goods-vs-services - Lesson on Good and Services

 Suggested Grades – K-3 - http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/137905/goods-or-services - Lesson on Good and Services

 Suggested Grades K-3 - http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/142751/first-grade-economics-goods-and-services - Lesson on Good and Services

 Suggested Grades K-3 - http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/142753/first-grade-economics-consumers-and-producers - Lesson on Consumers and Producers

 Suggested Grades – K-3 -  http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/142761/first-grade-economics-bartering-vs-money - Lesson on Bartering and Money

 Suggested Grades – K-3 - http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/142757/first-grade-economics-spending-habits-and-money-choices - Lesson on spending, saving, and money choices.

 Suggested Grades 2-5 - http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/56140/three-types-of-resources - Lesson on three types of resources – Natural, Human, Capital resources

 Suggested Grades 2-4 - http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/45488/elementary-economics - Economics Lesson - Flipchart that teaches concepts of elementary economics. Includes web video links.   Good and Serices, Wants and Needs, Trading/Barting, Saving.

 Suggested Grade 5- http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/34013/economic-systems - Compares and contrasts different types of economic systems

Suggested Grade 5 - http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/111294/economic-systems - Compares and contrasts different types of economic systems

 

History

 Online Activities and Lessons

 Suggested Grades K-5 -http://www.americancenturies.mass.edu/activities/dressup/index.html - See how people in the 17^th, 18^th, 19^th , and early 20^th  centuries dressed.  Cool stuff.

 Suggested Grades K-5 - http://kids.usa.gov/grown-ups/activities-and-worksheets/history/index.shtml - A gold mine of online activities and worksheets about US history.

 Suggested Grades K-5 - http://kids.usa.gov/grown-ups/lesson-plans/history/index.shtml - Numerous lesson plans about US history.  

 Suggested Grades K-5 - http://www.clevelandfed.org/learning_center/online_activities/ - Cleveland finally did something right!   Cool online activities presented by the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland about the history of money and it’s relevance in society.

 Suggested Grades 3-5 - http://www.postalmuseum.si.edu/mmw/lounge/lounge.html - History of the US Postal Service – Lessons and Worksheets

 Suggested Grades 3-5 - http://www.postalmuseum.si.edu/mmw/game/game.html This flash-based game is designed to showcase the active role a student can play in the history he or she is studying. But in order to be an active historian, the student must learn the skills to discern what information is valuable, usable, and couched within its context.

 Suggested Grades K-5 - http://kids.usa.gov/grown-ups/activities-and-worksheets/history/index.shtml - A gold mine of online activities and worksheets about US history.

 

Promethean Activities - Remember many of you have the promethean software on your computers which will allow you to view these lessons and interact with them using your mouse.  You will just not be able to have students interact with the lesson by having them go to the white board.

 Suggested Grades 3-5 - http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/168724/history-channel-videos-pair-think-share - History of Why the United States celebrates Thanksgiving.

 Suggested Grades 3-5 - http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/41874/celebrating-black-history - Black History Flipchart- Information on 20 influential African Americans.   Made by a teacher in the McKeesport SD.

 Suggested Grade 5 - http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/34479/the-civil-war-the-nation-divided-1860-1865- Civil War Lesson

 

Geography

 Online Activities and Lessons

 Suggested Grades K-1 -  http://www.zoodles.com/free-online-kids-games/kindergarten_geography - Some cool activities, lessons, and games.  Hopefully this site works, I accessed it at home.

 Suggested Grades 2-5 - http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/web_games.htm - Cool US Geography games. J

 Suggested Grades 3-5- http://www.kidsgeo.com/geography-games/ - More Map games and activities.

 Suggested Grades 3-5 - http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/games/geographygames/ - Cool games from National Geographic

 Promethean Activities - Remember many of you have the promethean software on your computers which will allow you to view these lessons and interact with them using your mouse.  You will just not be able to have students interact with the lesson by having them go to the white board.

Suggested Grades 1-5 - http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/26168/maps-globe-skills - Great lesson on the purpose of maps and skills needed to utilize them.

Suggested Grades 2-5  http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/28913/introduction-to-maps - Students are expected to: explain the purpose of a map; identify and use a compass rose; use a grid to locate objects on maps; and use a map key.

Suggested Grades 1-5  - http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/25825/states-game - Fun Game you could play with students to help learn names of all 50 states.

Suggested Grades 1-5  - http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/168892/all-about-maps-guided-practice - Use this flipchart with students to introduce and practice basic map skills. Encourage students to find and explore the basic parts of a map including the compass rose, map key, and map title.

Suggested Grades 2-5  - http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/55954/geographic-features - A simple introduction to identifying nine types of geographic features (ocean, bay, island, peninsula, lake, river, plain, mountain, volcano).

Suggested Grades 2-5  - http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/93693/landforms - Great picture of lanforms, could add more to the flipchart, I could help you if you need it . J

Suggested Grades 2-5  - http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/30718/landforms-are-beautiful - Wonderful flipchart on landforms.  Explains each landform and show pictures.

Suggested Grades 2-5  - http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/45210/landforms-review - Great review/assessment piece to use concerning landforms. 

Physical Education Online Websites and Activities

Inspired by Grandview’s Bill Heasley, I decided to provide some websites that Luke, Bill, and all our teachers could use to promote physical fitness and healthy living.   These links are through www.pecentral.org.  PE Central also provides great lessons for K-2 and 3-5.  Click on the highlighted links to access these resources.

 K-2 PE Lessons - http://www.pecentral.org/lessonideas/elementary/k2lessonideas.asp

 3-5 PE Lessons -  http://www.pecentral.org/lessonideas/elementary/3_5lessonideas.asp

 

PE Central's LOG IT Program

Log It invites students, teachers, schools, classes, and parents to record their physical activity steps, miles, or kilometers online! Features include a virtual hike across the United States; feedback about daily goals; compare your progress to others; and you can view your weekly and monthly progress. Teachers must register their school and class first and then they can offer it to their students.

PE Central's Kids Quiz

The Kids Quiz is a daily online quiz which challenges kids under the age of 18 and tests their knowledge about nutrition, fitness, health, physical education, sports, and a host of other topics and trivia. Features include answering a question each day with the chance for both the students and the teacher at the school to win weekly prizes in a drawing. Come register now teachers so your kids can enjoy this fun and educational program.

Kid's Running Online (The K-12 Running Site)

The Kid's Running site for kids is an excellent page for kids (and parents/teachers) who are interested in running. Not only can kids see photos, learn about kids running events, answer questions, they can also read stories about running that other kids have contributed. The site is maintained by Carol Goodrow who is a first grade classroom teacher in Connecticut.

NCAA Basketball Kids Site

The NCAA has launched a new basketball site geared toward middle school students and teachers.

Junior Links

JuniorLinks.com is a site built for kids, their parents, and the dedicated people who facilitate, coordinate and sponsor programs for junior golf and the future of the game. Check out their cool Golf Trivia Game! Lots of fun.

BAM!

Aimed at youth ages 9 - 13, BAM! was created to answer kids' questions on health issues and recommend ways to make their bodies and minds healthier, tronger, and safer. BAM! also provides middle school health and science teachers with interactive activities that are educational and fun.

Kidnetic

Kidnetic.com is a Web site that communicates healthy eating and active living information in meaningful and relevant ways to kids aged 9-12 and their families. Kidnetic.com is intended to encourage kids and their families to begin the process of behavior change toward healthy lifestyles. Kidnetic.com is the first component of ACTIVATE, a healthy eating and active living initiative. ACTIVATE is committed to promoting healthy family lifestyles to help prevent kids from becoming significantly overweight and to reduce their risk of suffering from obesity-related chronic diseases as adults.

Exploratorium: Sport Science

Learn how different sports really work from the scientific point of view. Included are baseball, surfing, skateboarding, etc. Lots of really cool stuff located at the Exploratorium Site. Have fun!

Powerful Bones, Powerful Girls

This colorful Centers for Disease Control site encourages young girls to take steps to promotes skeletal health. The site helps young girls understand the important contribution weight bearing physical activity makes to their health. Facts about bones and the importance of calcium to their development are given. There are interactive activities, such as a skeleton that shows the names of bones when the mouse is rolled over the words. Quizzes, interactive games, and relevant web sites are given to help girls learn the facts and test their ability to use the information to make informed decisions.

KidsHealth

This site helps parents, children, and professionals find answers to commonly asked health questions. Topics include the benefits of different types of vitamins, the food pyramid, healthy children's recipes, how to read food labels, and keeping fit. Children can also submit their own questions. Check out the "Childhood Infections" section under "Parents" for information about appendicitis, meningitis, mumps, and more. For a good laugh, be sure to read the entry for that most common of all childhood afflictions, cooties. A great site but be patient this site may take a little longer to download.

Dole 5 a Day

Based on the popular Dole 5 a Day CD Rom, this Web site, appropriate for elementary age children, uses fruit and vegetable characters to help children learn about the importance of eating at least 5 fruits and vegetables a day.

Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids

The National Center for Tobacco-Free Kids has a wonderful web site geared to protect children from tobacco addiction. There are abbreviated articles and current events that deal with smoking issues with the bibliographies included. In the Kid's Corner, there is the opportunity for the children to learn the ABC's of what tobacco use can do to the body. It offers nice graphics and descriptions of the possible complications that can be caused by cigarette smoking. There is also a section of the current CDC Research, Data, and Reports.

 

Science Website, Activities, and Resources

I was reviewing everyone's Science curriculum and the ASSET schedule for this 9 weeks.   I have attached a bunch of online activities that I think that would be helpful to use in your classroom.    The activities could be used on a projector as a class lesson or done on 3-4 individual computers for a science rotation (if the computers are working :).    Let me know if you would like to use any of these activities with your students during computer class.   As always, let me know if I can help you integrate technology in the classroom in anyway. 


Solids, Liquids, Gases also relating to Changes - 1st Grade and 2^nd Grade

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/8_9/science_8_9.shtml  - Great activity that shows that different solids melt at different temperatures.  Cool quiz at the end too.

http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/gamesactivities/gases.html - Categorize different states of matter into solids, liquids, and gases.

http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/gamesactivities/materialproperties.html - Shows that different solids can hold different properties even though they are all considered the same state of matter

http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/science/matter/solids-liquids-gases.htm - Great site that shows student a video about the states of matter, includes a fun song about states of matter, and has a quiz assessing student knowledge.  Great resource!

 http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/gamesactivities/reversiblechanges.html - Reversible and Irreversible changes -   Learn about reversible & irreversible changes by testing what happens to different substances as you experiment with them in this fun, interactive activity for kids. Find out what substances dissolve in water and lots of other interesting chemistry related facts.

 http://www.neok12.com/States-of-Matter.htm - Some educational videos on states of matter and their changes.   Scroll down the page to view videos.
 

 Sound - 3rd Grade

 http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/education/decibel/pages/decibel.aspx - Use the sound ruler to discover which sounds are too loud and can damage your hearing

 http://www.lawrencehallofscience.org/kidsite/portfolio/whale-sounds/  Whale Sounds - Try to identify which whale makes which sound, then match the oscilloscope pattern to the sounds.

 http://www.exploratorium.edu/listen/online_activities.php  - Great sound activities that can be done online and at home!

 http://www.questacon.edu.au/outreach/programs/science-circus/activities/humming-hangers - Musical Coathanger - Discover how sound travels through solids and liquids with these two experiments.

 http://www.tryscience.org/experiments/experiments_japan_online.html - What’s in a Wave? -  Learn how sound helps submarines see underwater and helps doctors study the heart. Then try controlling a submarine using sonar to see.

 http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/9_10/changing_sounds.shtml  - Changing Sounds - Experiment with the different instruments, pitch, and volume.

http://www.dangerousdecibels.org/virtualexhibit/ - Dangerous Decibels
Have fun exploring sound!  Find out what sound is and what happens when ears are exposed to loud decibels for too long.

http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sound.html - Tons!!! of sound activities and wonderful information on sound. 

 Magnetism and Electricity - 4th Grade

 http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/7_8/magnets_springs.shtml  - Discover which materials are magnetic and which are not with this fun, online experiment.

 http://www.quia.com/cb/54471.html -  A jeopardy-type online game.   Great for instruction or review. 

 http://www.ndt-ed.org/EducationResources/HighSchool/Magnetism/magneticproperties.htm -  An interactive demonstration.  Questions to help guide instruction.

 http://www.ndt-ed.org/EducationResources/HighSchool/Magnetism/magneticbehavior.htm -  Magnet Behavior – Let students see what types of objects are affected by magnets.   Has questions to spark discussion.

 Motion and Design - 5th Grade

 http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/energy-skate-park -   Students love skateboards! Now they can design their own and see how well it works. The name of this learning tool is called Skate Park and comes to us from the great web site Phet. You need Java and then just click RUN NOW in the lower right to get started. Learn about conservation of energy with a skater dude! Build tracks, ramps and jumps for the skater and view the kinetic energy, potential energy and friction as he moves. You can also take the skater to different planets or even space!

 http://www.funderstanding.com/educators/coaster/ - Funderstanding Roller Coaster is the name of this learning tool. This simulator is designed for kids who want to design their own thrilling coaster and educators who want to use a cool activity to simulate the application of physics by using an exciting interactive tool. This site comes to us from Funderstanding.

 http://phet.colorado.edu/sims/projectile-motion/projectile-motion_en.html - The name of this elegant and effective "learning tool" is called Projectile Motion. Blast a Buick out of a cannon! Learn about projectile motion by firing various objects. Set the angle, initial speed, and mass. Add air resistance.

Make a game out of this simulation by trying to hit a target. This tool is brought to us by The PhET Project and made possible by the Kavli Operating Institute.

 http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/10_11/forces_action.shtml - The name of this "learning tool" is called Forces in Action. Use the blue arrows in the upper right hand corner to go through the simulation. This tool has been developed by the bbc.co.uk and their Science Clips program. These are very clear, concise, and effective lessons for young students. Flash is required.

 http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/6_7/forces_movement.shtml - The name of this "learning tool" is called Forces and Movement.  Use the blue arrows in the upper right hand corner to go through the simulation. Students can see the effect of varying weight and the gradient of a ramp. This tool has been developed by the bbc.co.uk and their Science Clips program. These are very clear, concise, and effective lessons for young students. Flash is required.

http://www.planetseed.com/laboratory/galileo-drops-ball-virtual-experiment - The unique & clever "learning tool" is called Galileo Drops the Ball. Around 1590 Galileo Galilei climbed up the Leaning Tower of Pisa and dropped some balls to the ground. Two balls of different masses, but of similar shape & density that were released together hit the ground at the same time.  Find out for yourself what a happens. This interactive was developed by the Schlumberger Excellence in Educational Development group. Be sure to visit their other interactives at their Science Lab. 

 http://www.planetseed.com/flash/science/features/people/archery/en/game.htm?width=720&height=500&popup=true&terms=archery  - Students learn to shoot a bow and arrow by varying the forces and paying close attention to wind speed. It is challenging and well designed. The name of this "learning tool" is called Archery Game. This interactive was developed by the Schlumberger Excellence in Educational Development group. Be sure to visit their other interactive at their Science Lab.   

http://www.tryscience.org/experiments/experiments_newtonseggs_online.html - The name of this clever "learning tool" is called Speed, Eggs and Slam. In this interactive lesson students find a way, through trial and error, to stop an egg from breaking in the back of a pick up truck. The truck is on an inclined plane ready to foil the student efforts. This is brought to us by the tremendous site called TryScience.

Place Value Online Resources, Printables, and Promethean Flipcharts

I know many of you are probably teaching place value activities now and throughout the year.   I know students always can use refreshers and reinforcement on these strategies and skills.   Enjoy!  As always let me know if I can help you in anyway.  :)

 

Promethean Flipcharts

http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/35791/place-value-hotel  - Fourth and Fifth Grade- Great place value flipchart to teach and reinforce place value skills up to the millionths place.    Includes videos, activities, and activote assessments.

http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/95683/scooby-doo-place-value-fun - First Second and Third Grade (Review) – Scooby Doo themed three digit place value flipchart.   Fun activities and links ot online games at the end.

http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/161630/counting-tens-and-ones - First Grade - Promethean Activity on place value utilizing rods and cubes (tens and ones). 

http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/95766/what-is-place-value - Fourth and Fifth Grade – Promethean Activity on place value – Great review tool to explain what place value is with warm-up activities.    Place value up to the millionths place.

http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/158411/place-value-with-base-10-blocks - First Grade - Utilizes place value blocks to represent numerical numbers.  Great for practice.

http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/29316/number-fun-place-value - First, Second and Third Grade (Review) - Three digit place value flipchart.   Fun activities and links to online game.

http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/67072/place-value-part-1 - Advanced Third and Fourth Grade – Place Value Activities up to 100,000.

http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/62043/2nd-grade-number-concepts-and-place-value - Second Grade or Third Grade (Review) – Promethean Activity providing explanations and many activities.

http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/60497/1st-grade-number-concepts-and-place-value-unit -  First Grade or Second Grade (Review) - Promethean Activity providing explanations and many activities.

http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/32974/place-value - Fourth and Fifth Grade – Place Value activities up to one million.

http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/31745/different-ways-to-show-numbers - Second Grade or Third Grade- Shows the different ways to represent numbers – expanded notation, standard form, place value, word form.

http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/33605/interactive-place-value -  Third and Fourth Grade - Promethean Flipchart - Many different  place value activities.  Great flipchart.

Online Resources for the Video Projector and Classroom Computer

http://www.ictgames.com/sharkNumbers_v2.html - Kindergarten to First Grade – Place Value Activity with Sharks!  What more do the kids want! J

http://www.learningbox.com/Base10/BaseTen.html - Second and Third Grade – Drag the Base Ten Blocks over to the play mat.  Hundreds, Tens, and Ones.  Fun Game!

http://www.abcya.com/place_value_hockey.htm - Second through Fifth Grade – Great Place Value Game the kids will love.   The more answers they get right, the more shots the students get!

http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/math.htm -  Kindergarten through Fifth Grade - Scroll Down to Place Value Games.   There is also TONS of other awesome games and activities for the children.

http://mrnussbaum.com/placevaluepirates1/ -  Great Pirate Game – Fourth and Fifth Grade – Decimals

Printable Worksheets

Lesson Plans for 4-5 grade : http://mrnussbaum.com/place-value-pirates-lesson-plan/

Place Value Pirates Worksheet – 0 -999 - http://mrnussbaum.com/placevaluepirates1/

Place Value Pirates Worksheet – 0 -999 - Base Ten Blocks - http://mrnussbaum.com/practicing-place-value-2/

Place Value Pirates Worksheet – 0 -999 - Riddles to Challenge students  http://mrnussbaum.com/practicing-place-value-3/ 

 

Super Teacher Worksheets - First through Fifth - WS you have to be a member of the website to access but there are some great worksheets that you can obtain for free  http://www.superteacherworksheets.com/place-value.html

 

Place Value WS - Second Through Fifth - http://www.math-aids.com/Place_Value/

Place Value WS - Kindergarten Through Fifth - http://www.mathblaster.com/teachers/math-worksheets/place-value

Place Value WS - Kindergarten Through Fifth -  Great tool to create WS based on numbers you choose.  Different activities and WS generators for place value linked below on page  http://www.softschools.com/math/worksheets/placevalue_worksheets.jsp