WebQuests

"A WebQuest is an inquiry-oriented activity in which most or all of the information used by learners is drawn from the Web. WebQuests are designed to use learners' time well, to focus on using information rather than looking for it, and to support learners' thinking at the levels of analysis, synthesis, and evaluation." --Bernie Dodge



Best WebQuests.com

http://www.bestwebquests.com/

Use Tom March's content matrix to select WebQuests for early to adult learners.



A Rubric for Evaluating WebQuests

http://webquest.sdsu.edu/webquestrubric.html

This page will help you to evaluate the effectiveness of your own WebQuest.



The WebQuest Page

http://webquest.sdsu.edu/webquest.html

Explore the details of successful WebQuests. Bernie Dodge has compiled articles, templates, and training materials. Be sure to link to WebQuestNews for current views of this learning model from around the world.



WebQuests for Kids

http://www.kathimitchell.com/quests.htm

Kathi Mitchell has compiled a useful selection of links to Social Studies and Science WebQuests.



SESCD WebQuests: Math

http://sesd.sk.ca/teacherresource/webquest/math.htm

A school division from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, had organized a list of math WebQuests for elementary through high school students.

Using Laptops in the Classroom

If your students are fortunate and have access to laptops, or you are interested in establishing a laptop program, check out the sites below for more information.



Teaching Today: Making the Most of Laptops in the Classroom

http://www.glencoe.com/sec/teachingtoday/educationupclose.phtml/38

Laptop training is the key to success. These tips tell you how to track your progress and help students organize their files.



Learning With Laptops

http://www.learningwithlaptops.org/

Click Why Laptops? to find ten reasons why laptops promote a positive shift toward more project based, hands-on learning. Guidelines for a Successful Student Laptop Program and Third Year Laptop Program Reflections provide implementation guidelines.



TechLearning: Observations, Reflections, and Research of a Laptop Classroom

http://www.techlearning.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=22101400

Switzerland Point Middle School in St. Augustine, Florida, reviews their commitment to their laptop program. The teachers feel it "creates new possibilities for every student that go beyond what even the best test can measure."



Edutopia: Laptops for All

http://glef.org/php/article.php?id=Art_895

http://glef.org/php/radio.php?id=R123#

The introduction of laptops to The Mott Hall School gave teachers "a wonderful opportunity to reexamine our curriculum and confront the digital divide."



The Electronic Classroom: Integrating Laptops Into Multiple Subject Areas

http://www.readingonline.org/electronic/elec_index.asp?HREF=/electronic/colburn2/index.html

Read the student and teacher testimonies about the organizational benefits of laptops. Learn how these users were able to perform research and find resources for their assignments. Discover the speed at which work was completed, and how easily the laptop can display data.



BONUS:

Laptops and Learning Resources

http://www.stager.org/laptops.html

Teaching Resources

Begin your school year with a review of these dynamic Web sites that may be used to meet your professional development needs as well as give you access to valuable lesson plans.



LINKS Learning

http://www.linkslearning.org/Home/_index.html

"LINKS Learning began in 1998 as a multi-state project to develop electronic resources that support states in their efforts to implement educational reform." Teachers can view multimedia lessons that demonstrate reading, math, and science strategies. Students can download interactive math games that teach decimals, fractions, angles, and more. Superintendents and principals can tap into leadership and management resources. Parents can also find methods to help kids learn.



Scholastic: Teachers Free Tools and Resources

http://teacher.scholastic.com/

Scholastic offers online activities, lesson plans, teaching strategies, and tools.



The Teachers.Net: Lesson Bank

http://www.teachers.net/lessons/

Here are a variety of tested lessons across the curriculum. Search, browse, request, or submit your own!



ALFY: Teacher Resources

http://www.alfy.com/teachers

Pre-K through 5th grade teachers will enjoy these lesson plans and creative ideas for the classroom.



Center for Digital Education: Converge Online

http://www.centerdigitaled.com/converge/

This digital magazine offers feature articles and news about education policy and technology. Click Converge Past Issues for their archived articles.

Weather Wonders

Summer weather can be hot, humid, rainy, windy, or even a time for hailstorms or tornadoes. Check out the weather for your vacation destination, or find out the temperature in your own backyard!



Weather Forecast Page

http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/wrhq/nwspage.html

Get information on weather specific to your area using this National Weather Service map.



Reading Weather Maps

http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/guides/maps/home.rxml

How do you read a weather map? Take a look at this site to learn the basics of weather forecasting.



The Weather Classroom

http://www.weather.com/education/

The Weather Classroom is a comprehensive exploration of the hows, whys, and wonders of weather.



World Weather Watch

http://www.youth.net/weather/welcome.html

This interactive weather project pairs up your class with another to record and share weather data.



Weather Dude

http://www.wxdude.com/

This friendly site includes weather terms, information on today's weather, satellite images, weather phenomena, and songs about weather.

Physical Education Highlights

P.E. Central: Integrated Lesson Ideas

http://www.pecentral.org/lessonideas/pelessonplans.html

Physical Education isn't just for the gym teacher anymore! This extensive collection of activities and lesson plans integrates physical movement into lessons in the content areas of social studies, science, math, and health.



National Association for Sport and Physical Education

http://www.aahperd.org/naspe/template.cfm

This organization "seeks to enhance knowledge and professional practice in sport and physical activity through scientific study and dissemination of research-based and experiential knowledge to members and the public."



PELinks4U

http://www.pelinks4u.org/

What's new in physical education? Find the latest in fitness, health, and nutrition.



Frank and Mike's Physical Education Page

http://www.geocities.com/sissio/physical_education.html

This comprehensive collection of physical education links is sorted by sport.



Health and P.E.

http://www.awesomelibrary.org/health.html

The dozens of lessons at this site are grade-level specific, and include traditional health and P.E. topics such as nutrition, hygiene, fitness, and safety.

Summer Gardens

How To Be A Gardener

http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/htbg2/virtual_garden/

Create your own virtual garden! Select trees, shrubs, bulbs, grasses, and flowers to plant in your personally designed landscape. Then view it in 3-dimensional splendor. Shockwave plug-in required.



My First Garden

http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/firstgarden/index.html

Kids, learn all about starting your first garden! Gardening FUNdamentals tells you when and what to plant. There's a Teacher's Guide with objectives and strategies as well.



School Gardens

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/nutrition/schoolgardens/schgard.html

School Gardens is a complete guide for planting a school garden. Discover planning considerations, step-by-step procedures, ideas and curricula, and rich links to other garden sites. Get growing!



Garden In Every School

http://www.kidsgardening.com/School/register.asp

If you have a school garden, or are thinking of establishing one, then this site is an excellent resource.



Kid's Valley Garden

http://www.raw-connections.com/garden/maint/maint.htm

How can you make sure the plants grow well? Topics include Soil, Watering Your Plants, Fertilizing Plants, Lots of Mulch, Supporting Plants, Thinning Your Plants, and Bugs, Bugs, Bugs!

Narrative Writing

Using Picture Books to Teach Characterization in Writing Workshop

http://www.readwritethink.org/lessons/lesson_view.asp?id=101

Need a great picture book to stimulate better narrative writing among your students? Learn some different ways to develop story characters with this lesson and bibliography.



Tracy's Ten Prewriting Exercises for Personal Narratives

http://www.tengrrl.com/tens/006.shtml

Use these exercises with the traditional journalist's questions before beginning writing.



Composition Patterns: Narrative and Descriptive

http://webster.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/narrative.htm

Study descriptive elements in narrative writing and then read examples by well-known authors.



Standards for Evaluating Composing, Skills for Narrative Writing

http://io.uwinnipeg.ca/~hkatz/Courses/3101/wrtngb.html

Use this rubric to assess the structure of students' writing.



The Five-Paragraph Essay

http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Atrium/1437/

The Five Paragraph Essay, an online writing tutorial for high school students, provides the following sections: Getting Started; How to Write the Essay; Editing, Revising, and Evaluating; and Writing Prompts.

Internet Safety

Student Safety On the Internet

http://www.4j.lane.edu/safety/

This site has tutorials for teens, parents, and teachers concerning student safety.



Internet Safety for Schools

http://www.4j.lane.edu/safety/

Here's a quick guide to finding the solution that's right for your school's Internet safety needs.



Stay Safe Online

http://www.msn.staysafeonline.com/

MSN provides tips for all ages on Internet safety. You can access additional links for detailed information about online security and privacy.



Safety On the Information Highway

http://www.safekids.com/safeteens/safeteens.htm

From Safeteens.com, this site suggests important things for teenagers to know about the Internet.



Iggey and Rasper's Internet Safety Game

http://www.kidscomjr.com/games/safety/safety.html

Younger kids can use this site to find tips, advice, and suggestions to make their online experience fun and productive.

Ocean Explorations

Oceana

http://www.oceana.org/

What is the role of the ocean in weather? Visit Ocean World and learn about El Niño, fisheries, waves, icebergs, currents, and much more! Lessons and classroom activities are included.



NOAA Ocean Explorer

http://www.oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/

Let the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration take you on a tour of important ocean environments. Review ocean exploration technology.



Oceans

http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/information/oceans/index.shtml

What is oceanography? What tools to oceanographers use? Learn the role the Antarctic Ocean plays in the circulation and health of all the Earth's oceans.

Summer Professional Development

Classroom Connect's Connected University

http://corporate.classroom.com/cu.html

Browse the course catalog for Summer 2004. Integrate technology and improve student learning in your school. Learners can choose from software tutorials, how-to-tips, and dozens of guide-led and self-paced courses. Many courses are available for graduate credit and Continuing Education Units (CEUs).



Scholastic Summer Workshops

http://teacher.scholastic.com/professional/summer/

Enjoy free online summer workshops on topics such as Rubrics, Readers for a Lifetime, and Supporting Emergent Literacy. Or, plan to attend the Literacy Leaders Institute!



ASCD: Professional Development Online

http://pdonline.ascd.org/pd_online/new/course_catagory2.cfm?catid=999

Check out this impressive sampling of online learning courses.



Writing Classes.com

http://www.writingclasses.com/online/index.html

Classes focus on fundamental principles such as plot, structure, character, voice, dialogue, description, and point of view. Class size is 18 or fewer students in order to receive personal feedback from your instructor.



Instructional Design for Integrating Technologies

http://netche.unl.edu/idit/reg.cfm

This free online course introduces instructional design models and assists you through developing your own instructional design plan. Learn to integrate technology into instruction, and compare traditional testing with authentic assessment.

Summer Olympics

Athens 2004

http://www.athens2004.com/athens2004/

This August 13 through August 29, the Olympic Games will be held in Athens, Greece. Site of the ancient Olympics and the first modern Olympics in 1896, Athens promises to be a spectacular host city! Click Olympic Games for history and events. Click Athens Guide for city treasures. Follow the international route of the torch relay!



Official Web Site of the Olympic Movement

http://www.olympic.org/uk/index_uk.asp

Click Athletes for biographies of Olympic competitors. Click Olympic Games for facts about the past winter and summer Olympics.



Olympics Through Time

http://sunsite.informatik.rwth-aachen.de/olympics/preview/

This site discusses the origin of the Olympic Games, their importance, and how they emerged into the modern Olympics.



Olympic Curriculum Guide

http://www.aafla.com/6oic/curric_frmst.htm

The Amateur Athletic Foundation of Los Angeles has created a resource for teachers with Olympic-themed lesson plans in health and physical education; social studies and geography; mathematics and science; and language arts.



The Ancient Olympics

http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/Olympics/

Take a tour of ancient Olympia and learn about some of the ancient games and the requirements athletes needed to meet in order to participate.

Learn a Language

Language Guide.org

http://www.languageguide.org/index.jsp

Are you learning English, Español, Français, Deutsch, Mandarin Chinese, Russian, Hebrew, or Hindi? Place your cursor over any of the images and hear their names pronounced and see them spelled out.



Learn Spanish

http://www.lingolex.com/spanish.htm

Check out the vocabulary lists, including 50 useful expressions, 100 of the most frequently used verbs, and almost all the things you can find in a house!



Language Dictionaries and Translators

http://www.word2word.com/dictionary.html

Whether you're a student studying for a vocabulary test, or a foreign language teacher looking for some online translations, this site has many useful language references.



American Sign Language Browser

http://commtechlab.msu.edu/sites/aslweb

Click on Take Me to the ASL Browser. Select the first letter of your word. Each sign includes a QuickTime video and explanation.



French Language Course

http://www.jump-gate.com/languages/french/

This French course will help you understand written French newspapers, articles, magazines, signs on the road in France, and to write a letter to a French friend.



Say Hello to the World

http://www.ipl.org/div/kidspace/hello/

Guess how many languages you'd have to know to say "Hello" to everyone in the world? Visit this page to find out. Choose a language and say "Aloha!"

Bloom's Taxonomy

Learning Domains or Bloom's Taxonomy

http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/hrd/bloom.html

Here's an outline of Bloom's Taxonomy that provides a useful structure in which to categorize test questions: Knowledge, Comprehension, Application, Analysis, Synthesis, and Evaluation.



Learning Skills Program: Bloom's Taxonomy

http://www.coun.uvic.ca/learn/program/hndouts/bloom.html

This chart will help you understand the ins and outs of Bloom's Taxonomy.



The Taxonomy of Educational Objectives

http://www.humboldt.edu/~tha1/bloomtax.html

This is a revised version of Benjamin Bloom's work with the addition of the Psychomotor Domain as developed by Anita Harrow (1972). Questions and examples are also included to make the Taxonomy more useful for beginning teachers as a tool to facilitate appropriate questioning.



Teacher Education: Bloom's Taxonomy

http://www.teachers.ash.org.au/teachereduc/Bloom.html

Study an example of how Bloom's Taxonomy may be used in developing a science unit on ecosystems.



Bloom's Taxonomy

http://chiron.valdosta.edu/whuitt/col/cogsys/bloom.html

Learn the history of Bloom, and the process behind his Taxonomy that highlights the kinds of behavior that lead to learning.

Timelines

Environmental History Timeline

http://www.runet.edu/~wkovarik/hist1/timeline.new.html

The timeline begins with environmental problems that have plagued cultures from ancient times. Click on the links to trace environmental concerns and the steps people have taken to meet them from ancient times to the recent past.



Black History Month Timeline

http://www.blackvoices.com/feature/bhm_00/timeline.htm

February is Black history month. This timeline shows major events in African American history. Check out the links at the bottom of the page for additional articles, quizzes, and resources.



Revolutionary War Timeline

http://www.kidport.com/RefLib/UsaHistory/AmericanRevolution/AmerRevolution.htm#Timeline

Study a clickable timeline of the American Revolution.



Timeline of Computer History

http://www.computerhistory.org/timeline/timeline.php?timeline_year=1990

This timeline explores the history of computing from 1945 to 1990.



Moon Exploration Timeline

http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/lunar/lunartimeline.html

Study the missions and spacecraft sent to study the moon by viewing this clickable timeline



World History Chronology

http://campus.northpark.edu/history/WebChron

Discover regional chronologies like Africa and India as well as cross-cultural chronologies such as Christianity and Buddhism.

Student Motivation

Student Motivation To Learn

http://learn2study.org/teachers/motivation.htm

Review how the motivation to learn can be fostered in school. Find out how to help unmotivated students with attribution retraining.



Tools for Teaching: Motivating Students

http://teaching.berkeley.edu/bgd/motivate.html

This article lists key features that enhance student motivation. They include making students active participants in learning as they set achievable goals for themselves, giving students feedback as quickly as possible, and emphasizing mastery and learning rather than grades.



Seizing the Days: Engaging All Learners

http://edservices.aea7.k12.ia.us/motivation/index.html

K-12 teachers can learn new instructional skills as they study the science of learning and how the brain works. Create the conditions for your learners to find motivation within themselves.



Dimensions of Learning: Teacher's Manual

http://www.ascd.org/cms/index.cfm?TheViewID=983&topnav=1

This overview challenges readers to rethink conventional views on such matters as student motivation and reward systems, and the relationship between thinking skills and content knowledge.



The Jigsaw Classroom

http://www.jigsaw.org/

Visit the Jigsaw Classroom, a cooperative learning technique that claims to reduce racial conflict among school children, promote better learning, improve student motivation, and increase enjoyment of the learning experience.

Mentoring

Creating a Teacher Mentoring Program

http://www.nfie.org/publications/mentoring.htm

The NEA Foundation for the Improvement of Education offers advice on developing new or improving existing mentor programs. Contents include Creating the Climate, Context, and Structure for Effective Mentoring; Selecting, Training, and Supporting Mentors; and What Protégés Need from Mentors.



Teachers Network: New Teachers Online

http://teachersnetwork.org/ntol/index.htm

Meet the Web Mentors, veteran teachers that guide discussions on a variety of topics. Click New Teacher Helpline or How To, and find information on classroom management, working with students' families, literacy instruction, as well as implementing standards, curriculum, and assessment.



Edutopia Online: The Big List on Mentoring

http://glef.org/php/biglist.php?id=228

Scroll down this excellent compilation of articles, including The Good Mentor; Mentoring: Recent Research Highlights; Reflections: What Constitutes a Good Mentoring Relationship; Perspectives on Mentoring; and Teachers Supporting Teachers.



Program Design: Collaboration Through Mentoring and Peer Coaching

http://www.mentors.net/03program/cover.html

This site defines mentoring and provides tips for, and characteristics of, effective mentors.



Mentoring the Mentor: A Challenge for Staff Development

http://www.nsdc.org/library/publications/jsd/janas174.cfm

Find detailed information on the challenges that schools face in implementing a mentoring program for novice teachers.

Women's History Month

National Women's History Project

http://www.nwhp.org/whm/themes/themes.html

The theme this year is "Women Inspiring Hope and Possibility." Read about the eight 2004 nominees, including Marian Wright Edelman and Dr. Susan Love. Review the checklist for promoting and celebrating National Women's History Month in your community.



Women's History Month

http://www.historychannel.com/exhibits/womenhist/main.html

Historychannel.com celebrates each day in March with the life story of a different remarkable woman.



Gifts of Speech: Women's Speeches From Around the World

http://gos.sbc.edu/browse.html

This Sweet Briar College site allows you to browse important speeches made by women chronologically or alphabetically, from 1848 (Elizabeth Cady Stanton) to 2001 (Ingrid Newkirk).



Women's History In America

http://www.wic.org/

This site traces the history of women's struggle for equality throughout history. Click History of Women in America or Biographies for an alphabetical listing. Check the Living Legacy Awards for recipients from 1984-2003.



Women's History Month

http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/specials/whm/0,8805,101044,00.html

Review a list of Women's History Milestones. Take the Get the Picture History Challenge. Submit an email to Time for Kids about your female role models and read what other kids are writing.



Children's Encyclopedia of Women

http://www2.lhric.org/pocantico/womenenc/womenenc.htm

Enjoy reading these brief biographies, researched and written by third and fourth grade students from Pocantico Hills School, Sleepy Hollow, New York.

Citizenship

Facing History and Ourselves

http://www.facinghistory.org/

The developers of this site believe "Civic education encourages the skills, promotes the values, and fosters the ideals needed to sustain a democratic society." Click resources for study guides on America and the Holocaust, Ghetto Life 101, and Participating in Democracy.



Citizenship Test

http://www.heraldsun.com/votebook/citizenship/citstart.html

Answer the 100 questions used to test applicants applying for citizenship.



Ben's Guide to U.S. Government: Grades 6-8 (also link to grades K-2, 3-5, 9-12)

http://bensguide.gpo.gov/6-8/index.html

Middle school students will find information on Historical Documents, Branches of Government, How Laws Are Made, Election Process, and Citizenship.



The Headbone Derby Teacher's Guide: Izzie and Auggie Go to the Polls

http://www.headbone.com/derby/polls/teachersguide/toolkit/polls/

Your class can learn about concepts such as democracy, politics, and citizenship as they follow Izzie and Auggie to the fictional country of Kohlrabi to set up a fair government.



Let's Go To City Hall

http://www.hud.gov/kids/ch/ch3s_intro.html

Primary students take a field trip to city hall and study the jobs of the mayor and the city council. They can read about city offices and visit the library to link to their own city hall.

News for Kids

Science News for Kids

http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org

Find out kids' views of current events in this special version of the popular news magazine. Click on Archive for reports from 1995 to today.



Scholastic News for Kids

http://teacher.scholastic.com/scholasticnews/

Investigate special reports, top story of the day, write captions for news pictures, and vote on the question of the day.



Yahooligans! News

http://yahooligans.yahoo.com/content/news/

Yahooligans compiles topic-related stories from other resources such as the Discovery Channel and CBBC. View slideshows on sports, entertainment, U.S. elections, animals, science and nature.



Talking With Kids About the News

http://www.childrennow.org/television/twk-news.htm

Learn how to create an open dialogue with students about topics such as crime, race, drugs, sickness, and disasters.

Problem Solving

Fifty Problem-Solving Strategies Explained

http://www.une.edu.au/psychology/staff/malouff/problem.htm

This site features 50 problem-solving strategies using categories and examples.



Assessment Model for a Design Approach to Technological Problem Solving

http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/JTE/v12n2/custer.html

With problem solving a major theme in education, this study (reported in the Journal of Technology Education) sought to develop a model for assessing problem solving using a design approach to the study of technology.



Solving Problems

http://www.classroom.com/community/neighborhoods/problem-solving.htm

This article on Problem Solving delves into just one of the Five Applications of Learning.



Headroom Cubby House: Problem Solving

http://www.headroom.net.au/cubby/framejamming_prob.html?prob_solve_steps.html~prob_cubby

Find a variety of solution strategies to use on this site.



Brain Teasers

http://www.eduplace.com/math/brain/index.html

Whether you solve them at home or in the classroom, individually or as a group, Brain Teasers are both entertaining and mentally challenging.

Characteristics of Effective Schools

California Center for Effective Schools

http://effectiveschools.education.ucsb.edu/correlates.html

The Effective Schools Correlates comprise a research-based and data-model to improve student performance and learning.



Jefferson Middle School

http://www.schoolstowatch.org/jefferson/jabout.htm

Visit Jefferson Middle School for an example of a school that successfully implemented the characteristics of effective schools.



Characteristics of Effective Schools

http://www.dpi.state.wi.us/dpi/dlsea/sit/cssovrvw1.html

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction's Web site provides guidelines on writing a school vision statement.



The Effective Teacher

http://oz.plymouth.edu/~lsandy/effective.html

This article discusses the characteristics of an effective teacher, which in the author's point of view include genuineness, optimism, and enthusiasm.



Profiles of Successful School-wide Programs

http://www.ed.gov/pubs/idea_profiles/

Study profiles of several public schools that have implemented the characteristics of effective schools.

Parent Collaboration

Epstein's Six Types of Parent Involvement

http://www.ssta.sk.ca/partnership/types/types.htm

The framework of six types of involvement helps educators develop more comprehensive programs of school-family-community partnerships.



Parent-Teacher Conferences: Suggestions for Parents

http://www.ericfacility.net/ericdigests/ed433965.html

This Web page from ERIC is a concise guide to conferencing for parents. Check it out for ideas on creating a conferencing handout for parents.



Parent and Family Involvement

http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/pa0cont.htm

NCREL's Parent and Family Involvement discusses such topics as Constructing School Partnerships with Families and Community Groups; Supporting Ways Parents and Families Can Become Involved in Schools; and Creating the School Climate and Structures to Support Parent and Family Involvement.



Tips Parents Can Use To Help Their Children

http://www.par-inst.com/educator/resources/tips/tips.php?PHPSESSID=2f6abd8083784c433f14808c1cbd2907

Developed by the Parent Institute, these short tips can assist parents in getting the most out of their interactions with their child's school.



The Benefits of Family, School Partnerships

http://www.ncpie.org/AboutNCPIE/AboutPartnerships.html

National Coalition for Parent Involvement in Education presents information and resources for parents and schools.

Student Achievement

Student Achievement

http://www.naesp.org/ContentLoad.do?contentId=71

Topics on this site from the National Association of Elementary School Principals include: Turning Around the Lowest Achievers, Enhancing Students' Social and Psychological Development, and Teaching Students to Be Efficient Learners.



Enhancing Student Achievement with Technology in the Classroom

http://www.sabine.k12.la.us/zhs/new/Enhancing%20Student%20Achievement%20With%20Technology%20In%20The%20Classroom.html

The lesson presented here is an example of how technology using simple, conventional, and readily available software can be used to facilitate learner success.



Key Building Blocks for Student Achievement in the 21st Century

http://www.ceoforum.org/downloads/report4.pdf

Read the fourth School Technology and Readiness Report (STaR) from the CEO Forum.



Technology Plan: Independence Middle School

http://exit3.i-55.com/~ims0/tp.htm

The goal of this plan is that "All students and teachers will have access to technologies that will enable them to improve student achievement and teacher performance."



Preparing Students To Take Standardized Achievement Tests

http://pareonline.net/getvn.asp?v=1&n=11

William A. Mehrens states, "Many people assume that the best data about students' levels of achievement come from standardized achievement tests. The inferences you typically wish to draw from test scores are general in nature and will be inaccurate...if you "teach to the test."

Technology Planning Guides

Education Technology Planning Guide

http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/et/rd/edtechguide.asp

This guide features plan components, budgeting, hardware, technical support, software, monitoring, and evaluation.



National Center for Technology Planning (NCTP)

http://www.nctp.com

Here is an in-depth site of interest to school staffers involved in any aspect of technology planning.



Technology Planning and Policies

http://www.aasa.org/issues_and_insights/technology/planning.htm

Read the sample Internet AUPs, Technology Plans, and other practical technology resources to help school leaders address the issues involved in bringing technology to school districts.



Technology Planning Articles

http://www.nctp.com/links.cfm

This collection of useful links can be used to develop a technology strategy.



Technology Planning Resources

http://www.rmcdenver.com/eetnet/tem.htm

Plan for learning with technology with these resources. Link to glossaries of technical terms, success stories, and grant information.

Spring Online Projects

Down the Drain

http://k12science.ati.stevens-tech.edu/curriculum/drainproj/index.html

How much water do you use in one day? Join other classes in compiling and submitting the data. Check out the student area for photos and student work.



Celebrate World Ocean Day

http://www.theoceanproject.org/news/oceanday.html

June 8th is the 12th annual World Ocean Day. The Ocean Project is helping to coordinate events and activities worldwide with aquariums, zoos, museums, and the World Ocean Network. Use the sample letter to the editor to express your concerns about ocean health in your local newspapers.



Journey North: Signs of Spring

http://www.learner.org/jnorth/spring2004/

Robins, monarch butterflies, and hummingbirds are being tracked in the month of May. Students make observations and report their sightings to create a digital map. They also communicate with scientists who answer questions about the different migrations.



Rainforest Action Network: Action Alerts

http://action.ran.org/action/

Help protect the world's forests and get involved in campaigns to protect the environment. "Digital activism is reviving democracy, changing corporate behavior, and shaping public policy." Urge companies to improve by sending emails.



Signals of Spring

http://www.signalsofspring.net/

This curriculum-based project uses satellites to track migrating animals. Research links, maps, and data are available. Teachers are trained onsite or via live Webcasts.

Summer Reading

One Hundred Favorite Children's Books

http://kids.nypl.org/reading/recommended2.cfm?ListID=60

Check out the New York Public Library's list of children's 100 favorite books.



Texas Bluebonnet Award

http://www.txla.org/groups/tba/

"The Texas Bluebonnet Award (TBA) reading program was established in 1979 to encourage Texas children to read more books, explore a variety of current books, develop powers of discrimination, and identify their favorite books."



KidsReads.com

http://www.kidsreads.com/

KidsReads describes kids favorite books, series, and authors.



Reading Zone

http://www.ipl.org/div/kidspace/browse/rzn0000/

Link to stories and learn more about the authors of favorite books.



Association for Library Service to Children 2004 Award Winners

http://www.ala.org/ala/alsc/awardsscholarships/literaryawds/2004mediaaward.htm

The ALSC provides a list of literary winners as well as links to Children's Notable Lists from past years.



Kids@Random

http://www.randomhouse.com/kids/

Click Books for a drop-down list of New, Favorite, and Series books. Meet the Authors has links to biographies and interviews.

Fair Use and Citing Sources

Copyright and Fair Use Guidelines for Teachers

http://i.cmpnet.com/techlearning/pdf/db_area/archives/TL/2002/10/copyright_chart.pdf This handy chart is a concise reference tool that summarizes the fine print.



Copyright Law and Fair Use

http://www-sul.stanford.edu/cpyright.html

Stanford University Libraries provides a general description of copyright law and the fair-use exemptions to the law. This site also describes guidelines applicable to classroom copying.



Citation Styles

http://www.bedfordstmartins.com/online/citex.html

Study the MLA, APA, Chicago, and CBE styles of citing Web sites, Email messages, Web discussion forum posting, Listserv message, Newsgroup message, and Real-time communication.



Copyright Kids

http://www.copyrightkids.org

Learn copyright basics and register your own copyright. Click Sample Permission Letters and learn how to contact Music Publishers and Record Companies. Obtain Film and Television Clip clearances as well as and Books, Articles, Photos, and Illustrations clearances.



Citation Machine

http://landmark-project.com/citation_machine/cm.php

Simply type in the information on the article or book you are citing and the correct MLA and APA format appears!