Bret's Education Links

Smart Mouth!

2008-04-09T12:42:00.001-07:00

Smart Mouth is a website that makes students aware of the types of foods that they are eating. On this website, students can select many different types of food (Fast Food, desserts, snacks, etc.). When students select these foods, the website calculates how many grams of fat and how many calories are in that food choice. Students can enter in a particular meal that they usually eat at McDonald's and see exactly what they are putting in their mouths.

Curriculum Connections:
Grade: Seven
Subject: Health
Unit: Healthy Eating

How Would I Use This Website?
I would have students explore this website individually. Prior to using the website, I would have each student write down their three favorite meals from different Fast Food restaurants, making sure to include EVERYTHING that they would actually order (drink, meal, dessert?). Students would then use the website to see just what they are putting in their mouths when they order these meals. Students will record the number of calories and the amount of fat in each of their meal choices. After finding out the nutritional value in their meal choices, students would then have to think a way that they could make better food choices for each of the meals listed above. This does not necessarily mean that, if their favorite restaurant is McDonalds, then they cannot eat at McDonalds. Instead, students must look for healthier choices on the menu. Following this activity, students will discuss the idea of "eating out" and "fast food". Is it healthy to eat fast food often? Do we make wiser food choices when we eat at home?

Following this activity, students would look at Canada's Food Guide and create a 3-day meal plan in which they made healthy food choices and ate the recommended servings from each food group. Students would then try to complete their meal plan over the course of 3 days.

Benefits for Students:
Most students will have eaten at Fast Food restaurants before, probably regularly. It is beneficial for students to realize that these are often quite unhealthy food choices, and that there are ways to make better choices to stay healthy. This website is relateable for students because most will have eaten many of the foods listed. As well, I think students would be quite engaged in an activity like this, because it is bringing student interests into the classroom. Overall, I think this website offers a lot of valuable information and other teaching tools.

Supplementary Website:
I also found the website "Drive Through Diet" which again provided data relating to Fast Food. This website could be used in a way similar to that described above.

Kitchen Chemistry - The Virtual Kitchen

2008-04-04T11:58:00.000-07:00

The Virtual Kitchen website offers the opportunity for students to experiment with chemicals and reactions. Students are given the task of working with acids, bases, and neutrals, trying to find the similarities between each group. As students progress through the interactive activity, they must decide whether each substance produced is either an acid, base, or neutral. In order to decide this, students are given different clues, such as the color the substance turns when mixed with another substance, or the type of reaction that occurs when mixed with baking soda. It is a really neat interactive website, and it also emphasizes the importance of keeping a "lab journal". In this interactive journal, students' observations are recorded. This will help to emphasize the importance of keeping detailed records and notes when performing 'real' experiments.

Curriculum Connections:
Grade: Six
Subject: Science
Unit: Chemicals and Reactions

How Would I Use This Website?
I would use this website as a review tool at the end of the Chemicals and Reactions unit. I really love doing hands-on experiments in science, but I also think that there is a place for these virtual experiments. With this activity, I would divide students up into pairs. Each pair would complete the activities on the website. Following the completion of the activity, the pair would sign up for one of the experiments. The pair would be responsible for presenting the "real thing" to the rest of the class, and explaining what happened and why. Students would also have to model the "lab journal" that is used on the website to keep track of their trial experiments. I think this would serve as a good review tool because the interactive and hands-on experiments reach out to many different learning styles in the classroom.

Benefits for Students:
As mentioned above, this activity could be used to reach multiple learning styles, such as visual and kinaesthetic learners. I think it would be a good review tool before the end of the unit. I also think this website highlights the importance of organization, with the use of the lab journal to record all results. In addition, the attractive design and layout make this site easy to use. Finally, I think students would benefit from being able to see all of the demonstrations and work through them at their own pace. With hands-on experiments involving the whole class, it is difficult to progress at a pace that is appropriate for everyone. By using the interactive website, students can work at their own speed and really develop a better understanding of the concept.

Ecological Footprint Calculator

2008-04-01T19:49:00.000-07:00

The Ecological Footprint Calculater is a part of the Earth Day website.

How Would I Use This Website?
Curriculum Connections:
Grade: Seven
Subject: Social Studies
Unit: Resources

As a part of the unit on Resources, students will have the opportunity to consider the distribution and use of resources around the world. As a lead-in activity to this study, students will visit the Earth Day website and complete the Footprint Quiz. This quiz asks students about their lifestyle and their use of resources by asking about their housing, food, transportation, etc. After students answer all of the questions, the footprint calculator tells students how big their ecological footprint is - that is, how many hectares of land does it take for that student to live. In addition, the website compares each student's ecological footprint with the average for the country that they live in. Perhaps the neatest thing of all is that the website tells students how many 'earths' there would need to be if everyone lived the way that they do. Following this activity, students will participate in a large class discussion in which they identify how different people around the world live compared to Canadians. Students will then consider and create a personal action plan outlining what they plan to do to reduce their ecological footprints.

Benefits for Students:
By using this website, students will be able to see their own personal impact on the environment. Often, it is difficult to see the big picture when talking about things like recycling, saving energy, etc. This website, however, shows students how the way they live directly impacts the earth. I think some of the statistics might be quite shocking for students, perhaps motivating them to change certain aspects of their lifestlyes. Overall, I think this interactive activity could have a big impact on students because they have the opportunity to look outside their own "bubble" and consider the greater impact that humans have on the environment. I think this activity would produce some excellent discussion and possibly some great action from students.

Froguts: Online Frog Dissection

2008-03-28T19:27:00.000-07:00

The website I am blogging about today is one that was mentioned in our ECMP 355 class on Thursday regarding Smart Boards. I really liked the Froguts website, and thought that the online frog dissection could really help to enhance students' learning, so thanks to whichever group discussed it!

Curriculum Connections:
Grade: 7
Subject: Science
Unit: The Basics of Life

How Would I Use this Website in My Classroom?
I would use this website as a supplement to a hands-on frog dissection. I would divide the students into groups of 2-3 and each group would be given a frog to dissect. I would use this activity after students had learned about some of the basics of life (what characterizes something as living, different types of living things (mammals, reptiles, etc.), different systems in living things (digestive system, circulatory system, etc.). Students would definitely need to have some background knowledge prior to completing the dissection. As students proceeded through the frog dissection, this website (preferably on a smart board) would be used to help guide students along. The teacher would have a large visual aid so that students would be able to see what is going on and would have a better idea about the steps in the dissection. With dissections, it is often difficult to tell which part is which, and I think that the visual aids on this website would help students to complete their individual dissections. In addition, if some students were particularly squeamish about touching the frog, they would still be able to participate in the activity, through a virtual dissection. In this way, the needs of diverse learners are being met and adaptations are being made.

Benefits for Students:
During my pre-internship, my grade seven students had the opportunity to dissect frogs as a part of the science unit: The Basics of Life. I found that they REALLY enjoyed this activity and were very engaged in finding out about the different parts of the frog's body and the different systems that they could locate inside the body.
I would love to do this same activity with my future students, however, I really think that the use of this website would help to enhance students learning. This website will help to provide a visual aid and guide for students during this difficult task. When my grade 7 students did this activity previously, there were TONS of questions, and LOTS of clarification was needed. Students were unsure about what was what, and what they needed to do next. I really think this website would be a valuable supplement to the actual hands-on activity. It would help clarify instructions, provide visual pictures, and also, it would offer students who may not want to touch the frog or "get their hands dirty" a chance to participate in the activity. I would allow these students to use the virtual frog dissection instead of using a real frog. I think this website would be a lot of fun for students and it provides an awesome visual tool to help out with a complex and difficult activity.

Escape From Knab

2008-03-18T22:46:00.000-07:00

Escape From Knab is a cool interactive website that sends students on an interplanetary journey to the planet of KNAB. While on Knab, students are required to make and save enough money to be able to afford a plane ticket back to earth. In order to do this, students learn about wages, taxes, budgeting, expenses, bank accounts, housing, etc. It even allows students to write virtual checks to pay for bills! Overall, this is a really cool website that teaches students some essential life skills!

Curriculum Connections:
Grade: Eight
Subject: Health
Unit: Family Structures, Roles, & Responsibilities

In the Classroom:
I would use this website with my students after we have discussed the different roles that family members take on. Students will brainstorm the things that they will be responsible for as they get older, and will look at some of the things that their parents look after on a daily basis in order to make ends meet. Students will gain an appreciation and understanding about the important life skills of budgeting, expenses, saving, etc. All of these things are important tools, even for Grade 8 students. After students have brainstormed examples of some of the responsibilities they will have when they get older, students will proceed through several learning centres. Each of these learning centres will have a specific topic, such as wages, budgeting, taxes, bank accounts, etc. At each of these learning centres, students will read and learn about what each of these things is, and they will have to make important decisions at each learning centre. (I.E. Each centre will have a task that the students must perform, such as budgeting enough money for food, paying bills, etc.) (A possible option would be to assign students' specific roles before beginning this activity - Each student will be assigned a job, a wage, a role in a family, # of kids, etc.)
Once students have learned about all of these different aspects of life as an adult, they will proceed through the online activity on KNAB. Students will use the knowledge they have gained to make decisions to allow them to return to Earth! It is a neat, fun, and interactive way to learn about important issues!

Benefits for Students:
With this website, students learn very important life skills. They also gain an understanding of all of the planning/budgeting that is needed to live on their own. In addition, this website offers many interdisciplinary options, especially relating to the MATH curriculum. We are often told that math should relate to real life, and give students the opportunity to use math to solve real-life problems. While this website involves an imaginary world, it still gives students the opportunity to solve real life problems using mathematics in a FUN way!

Historica Minutes - The Underground Railroad

2008-03-12T22:41:00.000-07:00

Overview of Website:
The Historica Minutes website is a Canadian website which offers a wide variety of short video clips that discuss aspects of our nation's history. To supplement these clips, there are activity guides and lesson ideas that can be accessed by either teachers or students. I really like this website because it is a Canadian resource - something that is not that easy to find on the web!

How Would I Use This in My Classroom?
During a previous blog entry, I have made reference to a Language Arts unit on the Underground Railroad for Grade 7 students. I would use the Historica Minutes website to supplement this study. Specifically, I would have students view the "Underground Railroad" video clip which depicts American slaves arriving in Canada and some of the immediate challenges that they faced upon arrival, such as "slave catchers". The video clip is full of emotion and I think that this could help create a "hook" to catch students' interest. I would have students view this clip as the first activity in the study of the Underground Railroad. I would then have students read the accompanying text explaining a little bit about what the underground railroad was - to give them a little background. Students would then complete the accompanying activity in groups. They would be required to consider the feelings/emotions of the characters in the clip, and try to imagine what it would be like to be in this position. Students would then create an "emotion web" in which they describe the feelings of the characters in the video clip using words, phrases, colors, pictures, etc. Following this activity, students would begin the activities outlined in the previous underground railroad blog posting, and then begin the novel study on "Underground to Canada". Following the completion of this novel, students would relate the underground railroad to the current situation of refugees who arrive in Canada today.

Curriculum Connections:
Grade 7: English Language Arts
Unit: Finding the Courage

Benefits for Students:
As mentioned previously, this website is a Canadian resource which is awesome for students. The use of this video clip would provide an effective 'hook' for students and help to get them interested in a new topic. In addition, this website really provides TONS of other video clips on various topics, which could come in handy in many different situations.

Media Awareness

2008-03-09T21:14:00.000-07:00

Learning to Surf the Internet with "Jo Fool and Jo Cool"

Description of Website:
This website is an online activity for students in which they take a look at several different websites, and evaluate them. When viewing the websites, students ask such critical questions as:
1. What kind of website is this?
2. What decisions do they have to make?
3. What should they be looking out for?
It is a neat website to teach students how to look critically at the information and websites that they find on the internet, and to evaluate whether they are accurate sources of information.

Curriculum Connections:
Grade: Six
Subject: English Language Arts
Unit: Media Messages
As a part of this unit, students will learn how to make positive decisions and choices when looking at a critical part of our society - the internet. Students will learn how to look critically at websites to evaluate them, learning to become critical thinkers and problem solvers.

How would I use this site?
I would have students complete this online activity in pairs. Prior to the lesson, students would have begun "Media Journals". As we progress through the unit on Media Messages, students will have many opportunities to write thoughts, answers, opinions, etc. in their media journals. In this particular activity, students will use their media journals to record their observations as they progress through the online activity. Following the activity, I would have students get into discussion groups, where they could discuss their findings, and talk about personal experiences are stories with the internet, as well as why it is important to learn to evaluate websites. Students will also discuss the dangers associated with "unsafe" internet surfing.

How would this website benefit students?
As media/internet is playing a bigger and bigger role in students' lives every day, it is so crucial that students become "media literate" and learn how to use the internet. There are many dangers associated with the internet, especially when students are not aware of some of the unreliable websites that are out there. By completing this online activity and discussing with their fellow classmates, I feel students will gain a better understanding of why it is so important for them to be careful on the internet, as well as give them the critical thinking tools so they know 'how' to be careful. I think learning to use the internet is a skill that is often overlooked by both teachers and parents. Students need to be critical of what they are viewing on the internet, and realize that not all information is accurate just because it is online! This is an important media literacy tool. In addition, what better way to deal with this topic than by using an online activity?

Climate Change Webquest

2008-03-01T20:04:00.000-08:00

Climate Change: A Webquest for Students

In this webquest, students explore the topic of Climate Change, and the effects that each individual has on the environment. As I was searching for a good example of a webquest, I couldn't help but notice that most webquests are designed in the United States, and thus, the research sites and such may not be as relevant to Canadian citizens. What particularly drew me to this webquest was that it is not only a Canadian webquest, but it was developed right here in Saskatchewan - something that is not easy to find!

Curriculum Connections:
Grade: 7
Subject: Science
Unit: Saskatchewan: The Land
Within this unit, students look at the landforms in Saskatchewan and develop an understanding of the cause-and-effect nature of our landscape and climate. By exploring this, students will gain a deeper understanding that each individual contributes to some aspects of climate change, and that each individual can do their part to reduce threats of global warming and climate change, by doing really simple things!

How Would I use this Webquest in My Classroom?
As mentioned previously, this webquest is great because it was created and designed specifically for Saskatchewan students, making the resources, activities, and research more relevant to students. I would first have students participate in several different activities and lessons to give them a bit of an understanding of the landforms in Saskatchewan and the whole idea of climate change and global warming. I would then break students in to groups and have them work through the webquests. Webquests are great because the whole process is really outlined online, and it really gives the teacher a change to see how students become independent problem solvers.

How will this Webquest Benefit Students?
This webquest really helps students to gain a better understanding of a highly publicized, somewhat controversial topic: global warming and climate change. By participating in this webquest, students look at this complex issue from different angles and really get to see different perspectives. I believe that in doing this webquest, learning will become a lot more meaningful. Also, students will benefit because they have to work more independently from the teacher, as they try to solve meaningful, real life problems. This webquest applies to everyday life, and is thus very immediate and important. I think students would be quite engaged in this webquest, and would really strive to further their knowledge, as well as learn how to take action to prevent climate change. In addition, by participating in this webquest, students work on cooperative group work skills, persuasive skills, and develop a better understanding and responsibility for the world around them. Often, school is separated from the real world, but with this webquest, the real world is brought right into the classroom. I think it is so critical for students to learn to become active problem solvers who are capable of contributing to society - this webquest is a step in that direction!

Web 2.0

2008-02-18T19:45:00.000-08:00

Google Docs

I was intrigued by the idea that some of the Web 2.0 programs include online word processors. We have been having a number of issues with our current word processor, and I was surprised to find that we had other options without purchasing a whole new program.

Google Docs is an online word processor that lets you do basically all of the same things as Microsoft Word or Works, with many enhanced features. Besides basic word processing, Google Docs allows you to edit your files online, and to allow others to have access to them as well (by invitation). In this way, students working in groups could all easily access their work and edit it online, without all the hassle of attaching files in emails, saving them to each individual computer, and sometimes having them get lost in the process. I know, in the past, I have had a lot of frustration when I tried to send a file I had been working on at school to my computer at home, only to find that when I got home, my file had somehow not arrived. Google docs eliminates this frustration, because it is online, and thus accessible anywhere. You can also upload your own Word documents to this program and then have them available online. One feature that I thought was really neat was that Google Docs saves all revisions of a document, so if you make changes to a document, and then decide that you want your original document, you can go back and access it at any point.

The best part about Google Docs is that it is FREE! Many people are currently running on outdated versions of Microsoft Word (I know I am), because they do not want to keep purchasing updated versions. With Google Docs, you do not have to worry about the cost at all. This will also help families who may not have access to expensive programs at home. In general, Google Docs will help students to stay organized, because they do not have to worry about emailing documents, or presentations to school, they can simply access them by logging on to Google Docs. Also, people who cannot afford expensive word processing software can have FREE access to this online. As well, students can benefit by being able to work on group projects online, with everyone in the group able to edit a single document.

In general, Google Docs could be used all of the time in place of Microsoft Word. Once I became more familiar with the program, I would encourage my students to complete most of their assignments using this tool. More specifically, however, I would have students use Google Docs as a tool for Writer's Workshop in a Grade 8 English Language Arts Classroom. Students would have the opportunity to type out their rough drafts of writing pieces on Google Docs, and would then be able to have other students or the teacher edit their piece online. This would allow students to get opinions and advice from other students, even when they are not at school (for example, if they are working on a piece for homework, they can still get feedback from peers). In addition, students would type out their final drafts on Google Docs, which could act as a way of publishing student work. Students could invite the parents of themselves and their classmates to view the work they have been doing, thus creating a greater sense of purpose for writing as there is going to be an audience. Students will definetly benefit from the collaborative and interactive nature of Google Docs.

Curriculum Connections:
Grade 8: English Language Arts: Writing

Wacky Web Tales

2008-02-12T13:35:00.000-08:00

Mad Libs!! Everyone loves mad libs!

I would use Wacky Web Tales in a Grade 8 Language Arts Class as a "mini-lesson" for Writer's Workshop. This "mini-lesson" would be a review of nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, etc. Students would review what each of these things are and then create their own "wacky web tale" online. Students could print off a copy of their web tale and keep it in their writing portfolio to remind them of the importance of using strong adjectives/adverbs, etc. in their writing.

I would use this website to reinforce the idea that students should think carefully about their word choices in order to make their writing interesting. A challenge activity for some students could be that when creating their wacky web tale, they could ONLY use words that related to a current writing piece that they are developing. Another challenge would be to have students use only words that relate to say, Valentine's Day. This would give them a place to start when thinking of effective word choice.

Students will benefit from this website because it is a fun and interactive way to review a sometimes boring topic (grammar). While a lot of students find grammar boring, it is still important to learn, and this website can help to spice it up a little bit! In addition, this website can help students with their writing skills as they learn about effective word choice and share their interesting stories with others!

Curriculum Connections:

Grade 8 Language Arts: Writing

Cool Math 4 Kids

2008-02-12T13:26:00.000-08:00

I would use Cool Math 4 Kids in a Grade 7 Math Class when learning about FRACTIONS. From my experiences in the classroom, a lot of students struggle with the concept of fractions. This website breaks it down and provides a lot of visuals for students who need some extra practice.

I would use this website as a tool to review before an exam. I would divide students up into different groups and assign each group a different section of the Fractions Activity. For example, one group would be responsible for "What are Fractions", another would be "Mixed Fractions", etc. Within their groups, students would have time to review their particular topic and would then have to (re)teach this concept to the rest of the students. By teaching the concept, students would learn and understand better themselves. After the brief lessons, students would be allowed to choose the areas that they need more practice at, and complete the different activities under that particular section. A great review tool!

Students will benefit from this website because it allows them to review topics that they have learned in class. It will help students as they study, because they can choose the individual areas that they need more practice at, and they can even use the website at home to study. Many students often get home and find they have questions that they can't answer, and yet there is a test tomorrow! This website might help students when they are having difficulties at home. This website is also beneficial because it provides clear descriptions, explanations, examples, and visuals.

Curriculum Connections:
Grade 7 Math: Number Strand

Inside Art

2008-02-12T13:01:00.000-08:00

I would use Inside Art in a Middle Years art class. This website would benefit students because it provides a neat simulation activity which helps students learn how to view art in new ways. Students can explore different artists, paintings, styles, etc. Students also learn how to examine the reasons that the artist created the work, and thus, become critical viewers.

I would use this website as an introduction (set) into viewing and creating artwork. After completing the simulation, students would participate in an activity in which they used different colours and lines to express emotions. The teacher would give each student a piece of paper and some paint, and tell them to use colour and line to express the emotion or word that she said. For example, what do you think about when you hear the word friend? What colour is it? Is it a straight, rigid line, or a curvy, flexible one? Students would draw a variety of words/emotions and would then compare their interpretations with other students to determine how colour/line can be used to express oneself.

Finally, I would have students create their own works of art by painting a particular landscape that is important to them. Students would have to consider the use of colour, line, brushstrokes, etc. within their artwork.

Students will benefit from this website because it is a fun, interactive way to look at some different examples of artwork, and to learn more about different styles and techniques. In my middle school art class, I remember copying boards and boards of notes about these topics, but this website provides a WAY more interesting alternative, and will hopefully also get students inspired to create their own works of art!

Curriculum Connections: Grade 7 Arts Education: Visual Art

The Underground Railroad

2008-02-12T09:37:00.000-08:00

This is a website on the Underground Railroad that I would use in a Grade 7 classroom to supplement a novel study on "Underground to Canada". This fits into the Grade 7 English Language Arts Curriculum Unit: Finding the Courage.

I would use this website to introduce slavery and the underground railroad, before actually beginning the novel. Students would first write a "quick-write" about what they already know about slavery and the underground railroad. Students would then have a chance to use the website to participate in a simulation of the underground railroad - they would have the opportunity to imagine themselves as a slave trying to escape to freedom. Through this simulation, students would be faced with difficult choices that slaves had to make, such as whether to risk their lives for freedom. While obviously it is artificial, I still think students would benefit. After students had finished the simulation activity, I would have students write a brief journal entry about how the activity made them feel. Following this journal entry, students would break off into small groups and discuss whether they feel they would have helped people to escape from slavery. By doing this, students will have to "put themselves in someone else's shoes" and realize what the people of the underground railroad risked to help others. Students will then share times when they found the courage to help others, even when it was not easy.

Students would then begin reading the novel. Following the completion of the novel, students would come back and repeat the same simulation activity and see if their thoughts/feelings changed since they would now know more about the underground railroad.

Students will benefit from this website because the simulation activity allows them to get a glimpse into what life might have been like for a runaway slave. It is a great supplement to the novel "Underground to Canada" and allows students to view some very powerful images, as well as to read about the influential people involved in the underground railroad. It is written at an appropriate age level for middle years students and provides an interesting introduction to a very important and interesting topic. I definitely think it will get students talking and thinking about freedom, equality, courage, and history.

Holocaust Education

2008-02-10T21:31:00.001-08:00

Virtual Tour of Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp

This website offers pictures of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp that served as a forced labour/death camp during the Holocaust (WWII). The website provides you with a virtual tour of how the camp looks today. It is a difficult and emotional website to view, but it provides a lot of information and allows students to see visual images of the places that they read and hear about.

The Holocaust can be taught at a variety of grade levels, but I would suggest using this website with older students, probably from grades 10-12.

Specifically, I would use this website to supplement a novel study on "Night" by Elie Wiesel in a Grade 10 English Language Arts class. As the students read through the novel, they will have the chance to see visuals of what the places they are reading about actually look like. I know when I was learning about the Holocaust, I always wanted to visit Germany and see the concentration camps to get a better understanding of what they were actually like. This website would allow students to make these connections. I would use this website as a whole-class viewing activity because I think these issues are very important to talk about with others. As the students completed reading the novel, we would all view the pictures on the websites and then students would write a "quick write" about how the images made them feel and engage in classroom discussion.

Students will benefit from this website because they will get to see some of the images that they are reading about in "Night". For many visual learners, as well as 'struggling' readers, this will help bring meaning to the novel and to the Holocaust as a whole. Students will actually be able to see these historic places, without having to make a trip to Germany, which is not very probable. The website allows students to travel across the ocean with the click of a mouse. In addition, the website makes the comparison between what the concentration camps looked like in the past, compared to what they look like now.

Curriculum Connections:

English Language Arts B10: Equality: Pain and Pride

Scholastic Online

2008-02-10T20:17:00.001-08:00

There are tons of ideas on the Scholastic Website. In particular, I was looking for ideas for Language Arts for Middle Years students. I came across a lot of neat stuff.

I would use this website in conjunction with a "Writer's Workshop" in my Language Arts classroom. During Writer's Workshop, teachers begin by doing a "status of the class". During this time, the teacher asks what each student is going to be working on during that particular time period. Students can be working on first drafts, second drafts, final drafts, proof-reading and editing, peer editing, teacher conferencing, etc. I would use this website as one option for what students could work on during writer's workshop. Students could log on to the website and get ideas for topics to write about (since writer's workshop is about giving students choice in their work), or to practice different writing skills, such as developing topic sentences, creating setting or mood, creating strong characters, or even grammar and spelling. Students could assess their own needs (based on peer and teacher conferencing) and could then work on them within this website. Students would need to keep records (in their writing folder) of what they had worked on and what they had learned from the website, and how this will help them with their writing. In addition, students would have to rotate through turns using this website (they also need to spend time on writing, editing, etc., not just browsing the website!)

Students will benefit from this website because they can work independently on their writing skills. It will give students ownership to improve their writing, and make them responsible for determining the areas that they need to work on. In addition, the website will help to give students ideas for creative writing pieces and enhancing the effectiveness of these pieces.

Curriculum Links:

English Language Arts : Writing

Oxfam Education - Water For All

2008-02-06T12:54:00.000-08:00

I would use the "Oxfam: Water for All" website in a Grade 7 Social Studies classroom, while looking at the unit on Resources.

To begin with, I would have students look at the "Online Slide Show" which shows pictures of water resources (or lack thereof) around the world. One stunning image in particular is the 'lock' on the water tap in a village in Kenya. I would ask students to look through the pictures (in small groups). With each picture, there is either a question or an explanation. Students would need to answer the questions with their group members as they viewed the pictures. After students had viewed the slide show, I would give them 4-5 minutes to write down their thoughts.

Next, I would ask students to think of all of the things that they use water for in a day. In what ways would their lives change if they had limited access to water (like the village in Kenya). How can we conserve our water supply? (These questions would be the basis for a classroom discussion).

The next activity I would have students complete is the online quiz about reasons for water shortage. Following the quiz, each group will choose ONE case study on the website to read and learn more about, and will present this case study to the rest of their classmates in a brief (5 min) presentation (problem and solutions as identified on the website).

Finally, I would use the video "Ryan's Well" (not on website) which tells the story of a little boy whose dream was to build a well in Africa. This would help students to realize that there ARE solutions, and that they too can help!

I think students will benefit from this website because of some of the amazing images. Students can look into the lives of others who do not have access to resources like we do, making the study of 'Resources' more real for them. By putting faces to the problem of water shortage, it will help build empathy in students (hopefully). I think this website is a great tool to allow students to see what life is like for people around the world and also to realize that we take our water supply for granted - but it is not something that everyone has access to.

Curriculum Connections:

Grade 7 Social Studies
- Resources

If you are interested in talking about water resources with your students, a good video to supplement this website is:
"Ryan's Well"

The Oxfam Education website is an awesome one to look for activities and lesson ideas. Check it out.

Campaign For Real Beauty

2008-02-01T14:58:00.000-08:00

One website that I love is the Dove: Campaign for Real Beauty. Being in the middle year's program, my students will be facing tons of pressures to look a certain way and will probably be dealing with a lot of self-esteem issues. I think that this website is an excellent resource for students. This website IS geared more towards females than males but I think it can also be used with males in your classrooms. Teachers need to address the fact that males also face pressures to look a certain way and may also have body image issues. This website has some neat quizzes, and of course, some awesome video clips.

Specifically, I would use this website in a Grade 6 Health Class, within the unit Body Image and Nutrition. I would use this site to discuss health body image and to get students talking about body image, peer pressure, media representation of males/females, etc.
To begin with, I would have students simply do a google search of a certain celebrity that they idolize or like. Then, I would have students share which celebrity they chose, and what they like about him/her. This would lead into a discussion about how the media represents males and females. We are bombarded with images in the media of super skinny females, and muscular, toned males. How does this affect students' feelings about themselves? Does it put pressure on them to look a certain way? Does it make them unhappy with the way they look? These questions would all be the basis for a classroom discussion.
After some discussion, students will participate in a quickwrite activity in which they brainstorm what they think the word "beauty" means. What does it mean to be beautiful and what characteristics in others do they find beautiful or attractive? Is it all about looking a certain way?
Following the quickwrite, students will begin working with the Dove: Campaign for Real Beauty website. In pairs, students will view the "Evolution" video and will write a joint journal entry in which they discuss their feelings about the film. Students will then complete the "Are You Media Smart" quiz. This activity goes through a variety of different images from the media (such as billboard ads, weight loss drugs, etc. After viewing the images, students talk with their partner about how it makes them feel (possible answers are found on the quiz followed by brief explanations). Finally, students would complete the activity entitled "My Body: Facts and Fiction" which discusses how everyone is unique and should celebrate the way they look. Being beautiful is about being healthy - we are all different and are never going to look the same, so just enjoy being healthy and being YOU. It definitely gets across an important message.

Next class: Students will complete the "Image Manipulation" section on this website. This shows how images in the media (movies, t.v., magazines) are not what they seem. They have been manipulated to achieve a sort of "perfection" that does not exist, and yet, these are the images that people compare themselves to everyday. Students will complete this activity, and will then be given time to work on their final assignment. This assignment is a sort of collage in which students outline the difference between "Real Beauty" and "Fake Beauty". Students will divide their large paper into these two sections and will use different images found in magazines, taken by cameras, etc. to illustrate these two different concepts of beauty. Students will also use different words or phrases that help to illustrate their point. In addition, students will complete a 1/2 page write-up in which they explain the difference between "real" and "fake" beauty.

I think this website will benefit students because it has a lot of powerful images and videos (such as the "Evolution" film that has become quite popular). This website also has a lot of interactive quizzes and activities in which students can learn about body image and the media. I think this website is an excellent tool for talking about and hopefully enhancing students' self esteem. It will help to get students conversing about this topic and to realize that they are not the only one who is dealing with pressure to look a certain way. I think this topic is so important, especially for middle years students, and this website can help students to talk about how they are feeling with one another. It can help students learn to be "media literate" and learn to not trust everything that they see in the media.

Curriculum Connections:
Grade 6 Health: Body Image and Nutrition

Building Big Bridges

2008-01-28T20:01:00.000-08:00

Website: Building Big
Grade: Seven
Subject: Science
Unit: Structures and Design

Within the Structures and Design unit in Grade 7 Science I would like to have my students examine different structures around the world. In this way, students can see the ways that science and technology relate to real life. The website Building Big provides basic information about different types of structures such as bridges, dams, skyscrapers, domes, and tunnels, and why/how each structure is built and used. In addition, the site provides tons of links so students can explore different structures around the world. Each link has a photo of the structure as well as information such as where it is, how it was built, why it is important, etc. I think it would be neat for students to explore some of these structures on their own.

Specifically, I would use this website as a sort of "peer-teaching" activity. Students will be divided into pairs and will each be assigned a particular structure (bridge, skyscraper, etc.). Each pair will research their particular structure on the website, finding out what it is, what it is used for, how it works, how it is built, etc. They will become the "experts". Next, each group will choose a SPECIFIC example of this type of structure (for example, the bridge known as "galloping gertie"). They will research this example on the Building Big website, but can also use outside sources such as other websites, books, or videos. Finally, students will complete the interactive activity that tests their knowledge on what they have researched. Activities include: The Bridge Challenge, The Skyscraper Challenge, The Dome Challenge, The Dam Challenge, and The Tunnel Challenge. These activities allow the students to become "engineers" responsible for building strong and safe structures for their city, giving them the opportunity to apply what they have learned.

Once this research phase is completed, students will get the opportunity to create a real-life model of a structure. Students could choose to replicate the specific structure they researched (such as the "galloping gertie") using materials available in class, or they could also choose to make a replica of a local structure. Finally, students could also choose to create their own structure from scratch, describing what it would be used for, how it would be built, etc. Students will then become the teachers as they present their structures from the class, along with a poster that describes the basic features of their structures (from the research phase). This can be turned into a mini engineer fair!

I think this website would be beneficial for students because it has a lot of visual images for students to look at. It also has real life examples of structures which makes student learning more relevant. In addition, the website has activities which require application of knowledge, rather than just regurgitation. Students actually get to build their own structures online, relating to the principles of effective structures. By having students become the experts, they will be more focused on learning and engaging with the website, so they are not just focused on "playing the games". They will need to know what they are talking about if they are going to teach others! If used effectively, this website has the potential to be an awesome resource!

If you're interested in some other ideas or resources for this unit on Structure and Design, check out my Hotlist.

National Library of Virtual Manipulatives

2008-01-21T21:44:00.000-08:00

I just found this really neat website for Math. It has interactive applets for K-12 students in 5 different areas of mathematics: Numbers & Operations, Geometry, Algebra, Measurement, and Data Analysis and Probability. This website allows students to see visual representations of mathematical problems which I feel would really benefit students who are visual learners. Mathematics is often very abstract and the activities on this website would be really beneficial for students because they can visually see what is happening as they work through math problems. The website offers a very diverse range of activities and a person could spend days exploring all of the options! I feel that the activities on this website would be a great supplement to any mathematics classroom. However, sometimes the instructions are not that clear so it would be important to go over the activities with students and make sure they are making the connections to what they are working on in math class, rather than just clicking around, trying to find the answer that fits. If used as a supplemental tool with instruction, rather than just free time to mess around on the computer, I think this website could really benefit students. It also makes it easier for teachers because they do not need to find all the manipulatives themselves - they are right there on the website for easy access and use!

More specifically, I would use this website for teaching Fractions in a Grade 6 classroom. As I taught Fractions during my internship, I have found that it really helps students to have a visual representation of fractions. In particular, some students struggled with the concept of equivalent fractions. By using the activity entitle Fractions - Equivalent, students can work with a visual representation of equivalent fractions, hopefully increasing their understanding. In this activity, student are given a picture of a fraction, and then must find an equivalent fraction by either increasing or decreasing the number of parts the the whole is divided into. In this way, the teacher does not have to spend time drawing out example after example on the board, and can spend more time with individual students. As well, you can increase or decrease the difficulty of the problem to allow students to work at their own individual level and pace.

Assuming that I am teaching in a classroom with limited computer access (about 4 computers per classroom), I would have students rotate through this particular activity. Some students could be working with actual fraction blocks, while others could be doing practice questions on paper, and others could be completing the virtual activity on the computer. I would obviously start the lessson with instruction about equivalent fractions, and then give students time to work independently as I circulated to provide individual assistance.

Curriculum Connections
Grade 6: Numbers and Operations

Science World

2008-01-13T20:04:00.000-08:00

Science World is a really neat website that is based out of British Columbia. There are several different games that students can play on this website, dealing with different sorts of things.

The game that I thought was really neat is called "Nutrient Round-Up" in which students look at different food choices and determine what they get from these kinds of foods. For example, if you choose a menu of spaghetti and meatballs and ice cream for dessert, you are required to "catch" enough fats, proteins, etc. It shows how some foods are high in fats but lack real nutritional value and it also breaks down how these food choices affect your body! For example, when I played the game, I chose chips, ice cream, and cake for lunch, but I did not get any protein to grow or maintain my body and I lacked the energy needed to run in Phys. Ed. The website helps to show IMMEDIATE effects of the foods that we eat. Students (and people in general) often think that as long as they are not overweight, they are healthy, but this is definitely not the case for all people.

I would use the interactive activity described above in a Grade 5 Health class, within the unit "A Healthy Body". After learning about the 4 food groups, and the recommended daily servings for each food group, students would play "Nutrient Round-Up" as a way to simulate the importance of getting the nutrients your body needs from healthy foods. This activity would help students to see the importance of making healthy food choices. Those desserts might taste good, but they are really not helping your body to stay healthy! The activity allows students to see exactly what they are getting out of certain foods.

This activity could be followed up by having students create their own "meals for a day" in which they choose healthy foods to eat and stick to this plan for at least one day!

As mentioned above, students will benefit from this website because it is interactive and provides an effective simulation of how the body takes nutrients from the foods that we eat. It shows the consequences of making unhealthy food choices and also shows the effects that our choices have on our bodies. I think it will make students more aware of the importance of healthy eating and taking care of their bodies.

Evergreen Health Curriculum.
Grade 5: A Healthy Body

New Blog!

2008-01-10T10:04:00.001-08:00

Yea! I figured out how to set up my first blog! Wow, I am so technologically advanced. I am going to be using this blog to post cool educational links and websites to use with students in the classroom (particularly in the Middle Years).