Google Earth is a terrific resource for your science classroom, even when you’re studying space rather than Earth. Start by downloading Google Earth. It’s fast and free. Once it’s installed on your computer (fairly automatic — you might have to give permission, but otherwise it’ll install itself), just open… Continue reading
There are so many ways to use video in the classroom! It’s easier than ever to make video recordings and to share them, so much so that video can now be part of your standard repertoire for assessment and instruction. film student projects correspond with video pen pals write… Continue reading
My first day of class had some unusual moments. For example, when I arrived in my classroom, it had apparently been having a party over the weekend. There were stacks of cardboard, folders, CD players and CDs, and enormous canvases strewn hither and yon. The tables had gouges in their… Continue reading
Reading online is different from reading physical books. Note how these students interact with mouse and keyboard immediately. Continue reading
For Halloween, for a new way to get reluctant readers to enjoy the classics, or just for fun, try some vampire lessons. English Start with vampire literature: Vunce Upon a Time is a heartwarming story from the illustrator of Olive, the Other Reindeer. Vampires Don’t Wear Polka Dots is part… Continue reading
Google Earth is a wonderful free tool for the classroom. Use it for studying your community. Click on the link to download it. A couple of years ago I asked Josepha how she used Google Earth and she said that she looked at stuff and said, “Ooooh!” This is… Continue reading
Monkeys make a fun classroom theme, or a fun element of your jungle, zoo, or wild animal classroom theme. Get your room ready for monkey lessons with the Monkey Mischief Bulletin Board Set. CTP does a similar set. Both companies have full assortments of related designs with all the classroom accessories… Continue reading
Logic is important, and can be hard to teach. I spend a lot of time with my writing students trying to get across to them the importance of logical reasoning, support for one’s claims, and providing evidence for things we say, but for many of them, it’s a new idea.… Continue reading
Sir Ken Robinson said, discussing creativity, “I don’t mean to say that being wrong is the same thing as being creative. But if you’re not prepared to be wrong, you’ll never come up with anything original.” It is an inspiring speech. You can also read Sir Ken’s book, Out of Our… Continue reading
I love graphic organizers! I hope you do too. Here are some of the reasons that I love them: For many people, graphic organizers provide the fastest way to grasp information. You can expect that at least some of the kids in your classroom will fall into that category. Everyone… Continue reading
