Monday, January 21, 2013

26 Great Sites for Physics Teachers

In an effort to cover all areas of the sciences, this post for physics has been added to the Science page. (Tab at the top)  Please add your suggestions or feel free to request any future postings.

SITES
100 Amazing Videos for Teaching and Studying Physics

Amusement Park Physics- provided by the Annenberg Project

Center for History and Physics: Niels Bohr Library and Archives- history of modern physics, astronomy, and geophysics

Khan Academy Physics Videos-

NASA's Amusement Park Physics Days

Newton's Laws

The Physics of Angry Birds- neat article from Wired Magazine

The Physics of Archery

Physics Animations- 10 listed from KScience

The Physics of Baseball

Physics Central- includes a physics blog, podcasts, physics in action, physics in pictures, physics @home and much more

Physics Flash Animations- FLASH required to view

Physics Games- around 90 games here

Physics Interactive Simulations- close to 100 from the University of Colorado at Boulder

Physics Lessons, Tutorials, Help- from the Physics Zone

The Physics of Skateboarding

Physics.org- your guide to physics on the Internet

Popular Physics Resources- from TeacherVision

Roller Coasters and Amusement Park Physics 

Science Central Physics Resources- loads of subcategories

LESSON PLANS
50 Physics Lesson Plans for Middle School Students- from Edgalaxy
 
Lesson Planet Physics Lesson Plans
- by grade level

Links to Physics and Astronomy Lesson Plans -by grade level; maintained by the Experimental High Energy Physics Group at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey.

Mrs. Carder's Downloadable Physics Lesson Plans and Labs

Physics Inquiry Lesson Plans

Physics Lesson Plan Links- from the Science Spot 

TeAchnology Physics Lesson Plans

What a List!! 136 Interactive Educational Games By Subject Area


What kid doesn't like a game? Here's a great way to support your lesson plans without losing your audience. Interactive games allow students to play, learn and interact with the game while having fun. Can't beat that, right?

CIVICS
Are They Watching You?- 4 quizzes from the Bill of Rights Institute
Bill of Rights Institute- interactive learning games
iCivics- 20 games include Argument Wars, Represent Me, Win the White House and Immigrant Nation, to name a few.
Sunnylands Civics Games- includes Branches of Power, Court Quest, Executive Command, First Amendment

GEOGRAPHY/HISTORY
Coast to Coast- make a coast-to-coast road trip
Conquer the Continents- identify as many as you can in one minute!
Conquer the United States- find the state on the map
Elections- "your adventure in politics"
GeoGame- interactive geography game
Geography Games- with 14 categories, including: cities of the United States, France, Mexico and Austria, you can have fun learning!
Geography IQ-online world atlas "packed with geographic, economic, political, historical & cultural information".
HyperHistory Online- over 2,000 files covering 3,000 years of world history
InfoPlease Interactive Atlas- from Fact Monster
Lewis & Clark- from National Geographic
The Oregon Trail- interactive site produced by History Globe.com
Place the State- test your geography skills
Playing History- 126 games
Presidents & First Ladies Game- interactive online
Salem Witch Hunt- interactive from National Geographic
States Web Games- locate the state, place the state, state postal abbreviations, state capitals etc. Different levels.
Timeline-rearrange the events so that they are in chronological order
United States Presidents Trivia Game- interactive online game
United States Quiz Game- select your level of difficulty
Vector Kids- state capitols

Correct or Incorrect?- check your grammar
English Zone- the BEST English-Learner's site on the Net!
SpellBee.org- for grades 2-6; compete with your peers in an online spelling bee
Word Game of the Day- from Merriam-Webster; word games, downloads

LIBRARY SKILLS
Becoming Familiar With Dewey- print a certificate when you are done
Dewey Decimal Hangman
DDS- timed game
Dewey Decimal System- match books with their Dewey number (easy)
Dewey Decimal System- match books with their Dewey number (medium)
Dewey Decimal System- match books with their Dewey number (hard)
Dewey Decimal Interactive Quiz
Order in the Library- a great interactive game to practice shelving!


BasketMath Interactive- exponents (in Spanish and English)
Billy Bug- helps middle school kids learn coordinates
Billy Bug 2- a new quest for middle schoolers
Fish Tank-probability
Manga High- number and algebra games
MathCar Racing- integers
MathDork- view 10 of 24 lessons for free
Math Playground- for middle school
Online Graphing Calculator- Java mathematical graphing system
The Ruler Game- learn how to measure using a ruler
Virtual Coin Toss-probability

MIND GAMES
Brainbashers-brainteasers, puzzles, riddles, games & optical illusions
Braingle- brain teasers, trivia, games
Fit Brains- brain games, brain fitness
Mindcipher- challenge yourself to brain teasers and logic puzzles
Play With Your Mind-collection of original mind games and IQ tests

Anatomy Arcade-games are sorted by body system
The Atoms Family- from the Museum of Science in Miami, FL
Bronx Zoo's Online Interactive Activities- for middle school age students
Comets and Meteors- from National Geographic
CSI:Web Adventures- learn about forensic science
Ecokids-games and activities; waste, energy, wildlife, climate change
Edheads- great games for your brain!!
Gadget Anatomy- site has an Inventor's Toolbox
Game for Science- they claim to be the "first virtual world for science"
Hitting the Target- learning angles through sports
Human Body- for Middle School (6th,7th)
NASA Space Place- word puzzles, scrambled pictures, quizzes and a board game
Periodic Table Quiz Questions- choose your grade level...
Playing Science- 23 games for biology and physics
Science Review Games- choose from astronomy, biology, chemistry, earth science, geology, physics.
Science Stumpers- play against your classmates
Space Flight in 60 Seconds- choose from these 60 second videos from NASA
Stop Disasters Game- disaster simulation
Tiger Adventure Games- from the Minnesota Zoo

VARIOUS EDUCATIONAL GAMESABC Ya- for younger kids
Nobel Prize.org- includes the Blood Tying Game

VIRTUAL LABS
Edheads- virtual knee surgery, weather, machine
The Virtual Body- site is in English or Spanish
Virtual Open Heart Surgery- from the Australian Broadcasting Network; very cool!

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

6th Annual Doodle 4 Google Contest

Students in grades K-12 have the opportunity to win a $30,000 college scholarship and a $50,000 technology grant for their school. The Doodle 4 Google Contest began 5 years ago, and entries have come from all over the United States. Here is a collection of Google's own doodles which commemorate various events and holidays. This year's theme is "My Best Day Ever.." 

More Information
Application
For Educators
Judging and Prizes

Thursday, January 10, 2013

120+ Resources for Your Parents: From Bullying to Special Needs Children

I recently put together a listing of resources for our parents, which covers everything from Bullying to Special Needs Children. I would have liked to add this as another page (tab at the top) but I have reached Blogger's limit of 20 pages. In order to properly bookmark this page, click on the title of the post first. If you have any resources to add, please comment below the post.





BULLYING
Beatbullying- site is for grades K-7
Bullying Prevention Tips- from Edutopia 
The Bully Roundup- interactive game
Bullying-WEBMD's website
Cybersafety Pathfinder- on this webpage
Dealing with Bullying- Teen Health's site
Dr. Phil: Bullied to Death- the psychologist speaks about the recent teenage suicides
How to Spot a Bully- take the quiz
It's My Life- from PBS
Jared High's Story- thirteen year old boy who committed suicide after he was bullied.
Nineline- Covenant House's website offers a hotline to assist kids in crisis
No Bully- information includes statistics
Stop a Bully- the 3 R's to stop bullying
The Student Pledge to Stop Bullying- your child can sign and submit the pledge
Teens Against Bullying- see how much you really know about bullying
 
COMMUNICATING WITH YOUR KIDS
25 Ways to Talk So Children will Listen
Comunicating with Children

Talking with Kids About Tough Issues- covers drugs, divorce, terrorism, HIV/AIDS, sex

DIVORCE
DivorceCare- locate local support groups to deal with divorce
DivorceNet- more than 20,000 downloadable documents, divorce library, chat and a daily answer desk
Divorce Source- search by state for information on all issues
Hiring a Lawyer- Martindale-Hubbell Lawyer Locator lists each attorney's areas of practice, work experience, education and contact info


DRUGS
The Anti Drug.com - English online service from the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign
Drug Facts-from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Drug-Free America- from the Partnership for a Drug-Free America
La Anti Droga- Spanish online service from the National Youth Anti-DrugMedia Campaign.
National Institute On Drug Abuse- information for parents, teachers and health professionals
Su Familia- National Hispanic Family Health Helpline (1-866-783-2645)

FACT SHEETS
The Brady Center-guns in our nations schools
Kids' Planet Species Fact Sheets- over 50 species covered
Open Doors 2004- country fact sheets
Reading Fact Sheets- from the Department of Education


HEALTH ISSUES
Allergy and Asthma
Audiology & Speech Language Pathology Programs (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association)
Eating Disorders and Pre-Teens & Teens- this site covers anorexia, bulimia & binge eating disorders
Evaluating Health Web Sites- from the Highland Regional Library Cooperative
Find a Dentist (NJ Dental Association)
Find a Family Doctor (American Academy of Family Physicians)
Genetic Counseling Resources (National Society of Genetic Counselors)
Search for Eating Disorder Treatment Providers (National eating Disorders Association)


INTERNET SAFETY
CyberAngels- world's oldest & largest Internet safety organization
Cybersafety-a page dedicated to safe Internet practices
Cybersmart! -Internet safety tips for elementary school students
Get Netwise- how to steer clear of spammers, hackers, identity theft; keep kids safe online
NetMom- Internet safe house; newsletter, message boards
Parents' Guide to the Internet- U.S. Dept. of Education


PARENTING
About Our Kids- information on mental health for children; resources for parents & professionals, this site is sponsored by the NYU Child Study Center
EmTech- extensive listing of resources for parents
Family Education Network- contains news and articles on all topics; also includes an Idea Exchange area
Family Fun- articles on crafts, cooking, planning parties, traveling etc.
Help and Hope for Single Parents
Help for Parents of Teenagers
Inside the Teenager's Brain- from the PBS program Frontline
Making Lemonade: The Single Parent Network
Mothering Magazine- the magazine of natural family living
New Jersey Cares About Bullying- how to end bullying & how adults can help
ParenTalk Newsletter (pre-teen years)- many issues covered here, from mental development to school issues, physical development, behavior and emotion
Parenthood- online encyclopedia of parenting topics
Parenting Adolescents- award winning site; ask a social worker questions
Parents and Teens- from a Christian perspective
Parents Without Partners- international, non-profit organization
What Works- ideas from parents
 

SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN
Arc of the United States- works through education, research & advocacy to "improve the quality of life for children & adults with mental retardation & related developmental disabilities".
Autism: Intervention and Strategies for Success- written by Autism consultant and author Susan Stokes; articles on effective strategies to use with autistic learners, including assistive technology, Asperger’s Syndrome, early childhood interventions, and communication skills.
The Center for New Discoveries in Learning- find solutions for ADD, ADHD, dyslexia correction
CHADD.org- information on ADD
Exceptional Parent Magazine- information, support, outreach, ideas, encouragement for parents of children with disabilities
Gallaudet University Library- research site contains resources for the deaf
Inside the Autism Treatment Maze- see the latest treatment options available for autism and new ways of helping autistic children connect with the world.
New Guides for ADHD Treatment
Our Kids- list of 800 people representing children with varying diagnoses
Room 5 Autism-  helps parents and teachers of students with autistic spectrum disorders; contains photos of materials and activities used with autistic children in the classroom.
Special Education News- help with behavior management, conflict resolution; information state by state
Understanding the Student with Asperger's Syndrome- Karen Williams provides the seven defining characteristics of Asperger's syndrome, as well as suggestions and strategies for addressing these symptoms in the classroom.
United Cerebral Palsy

 

LIKE WHAT YOU SEE? Why not subscribe to this blog or follow me on TWITTER. 

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Most Popular Posts in 2012

Thank you to everyone who has followed the blog and shared posts I have made in the past year. With over 230 posts in 2012, I am amazed at all the great people I have met via the Internet. Please let me know if there are any resources you are looking for and I will gladly provide them. These are posts from 2012 that received the most hits:

30 Resources to Help Our Children Cope with Tragedies

60 Titles for Reluctant Readers K-4

18 Places Where You Can Find Free Kindle and Nook Downloads

Study Skills for Your Students: 57 Sites and Apps

340+ Sites with Tips, Tricks and Shortcuts for the iPad

22 Great Places It You Teach Research Skills

Friday, January 4, 2013

56 Books for Reluctant High School Readers

This is the last installment of my books for reluctant readers. Today's list is for high school students. All three lists are available under the tab "Books for Reluctant Readers" at the top of this page. You can download a PDF copy of the high school list here.


11/22/63- Stephen King

Blank Confession- Pete Hautman

Bluford High Series- (various authors)

The Book Thief- Marcus Zusak

Box Out- John Coy

Breathing Underwater- Alex Finn

Chasing Lincoln's Killer- James L. Swanson

Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul- Jack Canfield

The Chocolate War- Robert Cormier

Cirque du Freak Series- Darren Shan

City of Glass Series- Cassandra Clare

The Coldest Winter Ever- Sister Souljah

Dairy Queen- Catherine Gilbert Murdock

Dope Sick- Walter Dean Myers

The Duff (Designated Ugly Fat Friend)- Kody Keplinger

Fat Kid Rules the World- K.L. Going

The Fault in Our Stars- John Green

Feed- M.T. Anderson

The First Part Last- Angela Johnson

The Giver- Lois Lowry

Glimpse- Carol Lynch Williams

Gone Series- Michael Grant

Gossip Girl Series-Cecily von Ziegesar

Guinness Book of World Records- any year, any book

Hunger Games Trilogy- Suzanne Collins

I'd Tell you I Love you, But Then I'd Have to Kill You- Ally Carter

Just Listen- Sarah Dessen

King Dork- Frank Portman

The Kite Runner- Khaled Hosseini

Life of Pi- Yann Martel

Looking for Alaska- John Green

Monster- Walter Dean Myers

My Sister's Keeper- Jodi Picoult

One Hundred Young Americans- Michael Franzini

Paper Towns- John Green

Payback Time-Carl Deuker

The Perks of Being a Wallflower- Stephen Chbosky

Push- Sapphire

Rikers High- Paul Volponi

Ripley's Believe it or Not- any year, any issue

Rooftop- Paul Volponi

Scars- Cheryl Rainfield

Seventeen Ultimate Guide to Style: How to Find Your Perfect Look- Ann Shoket

Shiver Trilogy- Maggie Stiefvater

Someone Like You- Sarah Dessen

Star Wars Character Encyclopedia- DK Publishing

Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes- Chris Crutcher

Stuck in Neutral- Terry Trueman

Ten Things We Did (and Probably Shouldn't Have)- Sarah Mylnokski

The Top Ten of Everything- Caroline Ash

The Truth About Forever- Sarah Dessen

Twilight Series- Stephenie Meyer

Uglies Trilogy- Scott Westerfeld

Vampire Academy Series- Richelle Mead

What I Saw and How I Lied- Judy Blundell

Zombie High Yearbook '64- Jeff Busch

Being Green: Try the CleanPrint Browser Tool

CleanPrint  works with all browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer and Safari, by allowing you to delete, images, text (You can change the font size as well) and ads before printing. Less printing means less ink and less paper. NOTE: You most likely will need your school tech person to download the add-on for Firefox and Internet Explorer. I was able to get the bookmarklet for Chrome. (Couldn't see about Safari because my school has all PCs)

 
Thanks to Free Technology for Teachers for posting.