http://www.techlearning.com/blogs/33954
Many teachers know about Wordle—a word cloud generator. This article provides a unique way to use the word cloud generator tools. Some clouds help students analyze a group of text using more than just the generated cloud, another allows students to be creative with the cloud shape, and another connects the words in the cloud to web pages.
Connections to 6-8 Technology Literacy Iowa Core Essential Concepts and/or Skills:
• Demonstrate creative thinking in the design and development of innovative technology products and problem solving.
• Collaborate with peers, experts, and others using interactive technology.
• Plan strategies utilizing digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information.
• Use critical thinking skills to conduct research, solve problems, and make informed decision using appropriate technological tools and resources.
Word Clouds, K-12
Primary Sources and Lesson Plans, K-12
http://www.primaryaccess.org/
PrimaryAccess is a suite of free online tools for using primary sources to make meaningful learning activities with digital movies, storyboards, and rebus stories. It’s a great way to enhance lessons. Students can use MovieMaker to combine text, audio, and images into personal narratives and digital stories. Students can use StoryBoard to create comic strips and slideshows by combining images, thought bubbles, props, and actors. Rebus makes it easy to create a written story that uses pictures as parts of the text.
Connections to 6-8 Technology Literacy Iowa Core Essential Concepts and/or Skills:
• Demonstrate creative thinking in the design and development of innovative technology products and problem solving.
• Collaborate with peers, experts, and others using interactive technology.
• Plan strategies utilizing digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information.
• Use critical thinking skills to conduct research, solve problems, and make informed decision using appropriate technological tools and resources.
100 Ways to Use Social Media, K-12
http://bit.ly/d4hJ3Q
Social media (Facebook, Twitter, Skype, etc.) can be a powerful tool for teaching and learning. Whether you teach an elementary or high school class, a traditional college class, or online, you will find inspirational ways to incorporate social media in your classroom with this list. Examples:
--use Twitter to teach probability
--follow a famous person via Twitter in the context of a current or global event
--conference with parents
--create a web page (i.e.a day in the life of a student at school)
--have students attend a class remotely via streaming (school across town, university, etc.)
Connections to 9-12 Technology Literacy Iowa Core Essential Concepts and/or Skills:
• Demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology.
• Use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others.
• Apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information.
• Demonstrate critical thinking skills using appropriate tools and resources to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions.
• Understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical behavior.
• Demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems and operations.
National Technology Education Plan, K-12
http://www.ed.gov/technology/netp-2010
The new National Education Technology Plan (NETP) might make for an interesting study group as districts assess how instructional technology can support learning, and the infrastructure that must be in place. The plan calls for applying the technologies we use in our daily personal and professional lives to the entire educational system. It contains five goals with recommendations for states, districts, the federal government, and other stakeholders. Each goal addresses one of the five essential components of learning powered by technology: Learning, Assessment, Teaching, Infrastructure, and Productivity.
The full plan and executive summary are online.
Connections to 6-8 Technology Literacy Iowa Core Essential Concepts and/or Skills:
• Demonstrate creative thinking in the design and development of innovative technology products and problem solving.
• Collaborate with peers, experts, and others using interactive technology.
• Plan strategies utilizing digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information.
• Use critical thinking skills to conduct research, solve problems, and make informed decision using appropriate technological tools and resources.
Iowa Law, 7-12
http://library.booksite.com/7168/nl/?list=CNL10
There are lots of opportunities to today’s news to bring civics education into the classroom. The State of Iowa Law Library has some excellent resources about the Constitution, how to go to small claims court, and other legal topics. Iowans can check out the materials. To search for more legal information, both general and specific to the state of Iowa, go to the online catalog at http://iowa.ipac.dynixasp.com/.
Connections to 9-12 Iowa Core Essential Concepts and/or Skills:
• Understand the rights and responsibilities of each citizen and demonstrate the value of lifelong civic action.
• Understand how the government established by the Constitution embodies the enduring values and principles of democracy and republicanism.
• Understand the purpose and function of each of the three branches of government established by the Constitution.
• Understand the differences among the complex levels of local, state and national government and their inherent, expressed, and implied powers.
• Understand strategies for effective political action that impacts local, state, and national governance.
Posters on Racism & Injustice, 9-12
http://www.sites.si.edu/choosingtoparticipate/
Facing History and Ourselves has partnered with the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES) to develop a special poster set. The 11 full-color posters are designed to encourage dialogue, engagement, respect and participation in the classroom and beyond. The poster sets are available online for free download and highlight the four stories featured in the traveling exhibition currently on national tour. This exhibition examines the impact and history of racism and injustice, and looks at the courageous choices people have made to build strong and inclusive communities. Heartland AEA can print the posters. The production order form is online at http://www.aea11.k12.ia.us/print/Graphics.html.
8.5x11 color, regular or heavy paper = $.25 each
14x20 color, poster weight paper = $.30 each
18x24 color, medium weight paper = $3.30
Connections to 9-12 Iowa Core Essential Concepts and/or Skills:
• Understand the rights and responsibilities of each citizen and demonstrate the value of lifelong civic action.
• Understand how the government established by the Constitution embodies the enduring values and principles of democracy and republicanism.
• Understand the purpose and function of each of the three branches of government established by the Constitution.
• Understand the differences among the complex levels of local, state and national government and their inherent, expressed, and implied powers.
• Understand strategies for effective political action that impacts local, state, and national governance.
Iowa Heritage Digital Collections, 5-12
http://www.iowaheritage.org
Photos, postcards, letters, newspaper articles, etc. help Iowa history and culture come alive. The State Library of Iowa has collections on Iowa governors, Drake Relays, Iowa county histories, Civil War letters, and children's diaries. More than 45 different digital collections contain hundreds of thousands of items and include the ability to browse through the images or to search for specific items.
Connections to 9-12 Iowa Core Essential Concepts and/or Skills:
• Understand the rights and responsibilities of each citizen and demonstrate the value of lifelong civic action.
• Understand how the government established by the Constitution embodies the enduring values and principles of democracy and republicanism.
• Understand the purpose and function of each of the three branches of government established by the Constitution.
• Understand the differences among the complex levels of local, state and national government and their inherent, expressed, and implied powers.
• Understand strategies for effective political action that impacts local, state, and national governance.
Landmark Supreme Court Cases, 6-12
http://www.landmarkcases.org/
This site features activities related to key Supreme Court cases and concepts that are mandated by social studies standards. Students will find background summaries and excerpts of opinions on such cases as Marbury vs. Madison, Dred Scott vs. Sandford, and Brown vs. Board of Education. Online activities and lessons and link to the full text of the Supreme Court decisions. The materials are available in three reading levels, one of which is geared to the vocabulary of ELL students. Teachers will want to use the section of instructions for general teaching strategies such as case study, moot court, role play, continuum, community resources, evaluating web sites, political cartoon analysis, and scored discussion. All of the materials can be downloaded in pdf format.
Connections to 9-12 Iowa Core Essential Concepts and/or Skills:
• Understand the rights and responsibilities of each citizen and demonstrate the value of lifelong civic action.
• Understand how the government established by the Constitution embodies the enduring values and principles of democracy and republicanism.
• Understand the purpose and function of each of the three branches of government established by the Constitution.
• Understand the differences among the complex levels of local, state and national government and their inherent, expressed, and implied powers.
• Understand strategies for effective political action that impacts local, state, and national governance.
Making Web Page Layout Readable, K-12
http://lab.arc90.com/experiments/readability/
Readability™ Arc is a simple tool that removes the clutter around what you are reading on a web page. Change text and margin size, and style. Just add the link to your browser’s bookmark toolbar and click it when you need to make the page more reader-friendly for students.
Reading and Iowa Core, K-12
http://www.teachingbooks.net/home/
TeachingBooks is an online database with thousands of resources about K-12 fiction and nonfiction books. More information is coming in mid-January 2011.
Visual Dictionary, 3-12
http://www.infovisual.info/
This web site uses images to explain objects. It can be a helpful tool for visual learners or English language learners. The terms are categorized into six thematic topics: vegetal biology, animal biology, human body, music, transport, and clothing. The site uses images to explain objects and each of the objects defined on the site provides annotations that identify details of the object and a short description of each part. Teachers and students will find information on everything from the detailed structure of a tree to the description of a police officer’s uniform.
Earth from Space: An Online Exhibition, 5-12
http://www.earthfromspace.si.edu/
This online exhibition features images, lesson plans, and classroom activities that explain how satellite imagery is gathered and used. It includes satellite images of conditions and events on the Earth. Sections: Living Planet, Water and Air; Structure of the Land; The Human Presence; and Satellite Technology.
Over 40 detailed satellite images of the planet are available. Especially fascinating are the images found in the Water and Air section. These include everything from typhoons to dust storms to changing seasons to rising flood waters. The technology that is used to gather the images is also discussed in the Satellite Technology section. Lesson plans and classroom activities are correlated to national standards.
Connections to 6-8 Iowa Core Essential Concepts and/or Skills:
• Understand and apply knowledge of the structure and processes of the earth system and the processes that change the earth and its surface.
• Understand and apply knowledge of earth history based on physical evidence.
• Understand and apply knowledge of the earth’s atmospheric properties and how they influence weather and climate.
• Understand and apply knowledge of the components of our solar system.
• Understand and demonstrate knowledge of the social and personal implications of environmental issues.
U. S. South Pole Station, 6-12
http://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/livingsouthpole/index.jsp
The U.S. South Station site is a special report on the research underway at the NSF’s Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station. Students will learn why the South Pole is a unique place for studying astronomy, air and ozone, seismic science, off-world simulations and life sciences. It includes photographs, diagrams, and videos of the new station and how it was constructed. The video tour provides a look at the challenges of living and working in that environment and how the challenges are overcome. Included are photographs, videos, illustrations, stories about the station and its crew, a fact sheet of information on the instruments used, a timeline of important dates in South Pole exploration. A live webcam is also online.
Connections to 6-8 Iowa Core Essential Concepts and/or Skills:
• Understand and apply knowledge of the structure and processes of the earth system and the processes that change the earth and its surface.
• Understand and apply knowledge of earth history based on physical evidence.
• Understand and apply knowledge of the earth’s atmospheric properties and how they influence weather and climate.
• Understand and apply knowledge of the components of our solar system.
• Understand and demonstrate knowledge of the social and personal implications of environmental issues.
Amazing Human Body DVDs, 7-12
Visual Learning produced these DVDs. Each DVD is 20 minutes in length and is available for checkout. They are also available for streaming or download on Learn360 at http://www.learn360.com. Use the online database username/password assigned to your school.
Essential nutrition #810132
Investigating the immune system #810129
Maintaining a healthy body #810131
Reproduction and development #810130
Senses #810128
The amazing nervous system #810127
Connections to 9-12 Iowa Core Essential Concepts and/or Skills:
• Understand and apply knowledge of the basic components and functions of cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems.
• Understand and apply knowledge of the complementary nature of structure and function and the commonalities among organisms.
• Understand and apply knowledge of the functions and interconnections of the major human body systems including the breakdown in structure or function that disease causes.
Biology of Plants DVDs, 7-12
Visual Learning produced these DVDs. Each DVD is 20 minutes in length and is available for checkout. They are also available for streaming or download on Learn360 at http://www.learn360.com. Use the online database username/password assigned to your school.
Exploring plant reproduction #810136
Gymnosperms and angiosperms #810135
Investigating plant structure and function #810137
Investigating simple plants #810134
Origin and diversity of plants #810133
Photosynthesis #810139
Plant growth, development, and response #810138
Connections to 9-12 Iowa Core Essential Concepts and/or Skills:
• Understand and apply knowledge of matter, energy, and organization in living systems.
• Understand and apply knowledge of the inter-dependence of organisms.
• Understand and apply knowledge of biological evolution.
Green Matters DVDs, 7-12
The Green Matters: What In the World Is Going On? series looks at global and personal ways to reduce our carbon footprint. Each program includes information from governments, corporations, environmental agencies and individuals who are finding ways to improve our planet. Each DVD includes several programs. Click on the titles below for summaries and the link to reserve the DVDs. Duplication rights have been purchased and copies can be made for $2.40 each.
Green matters: what in the world is going on? episodes 101-104 #073674
Green matters: what in the world is going on? episodes 105-108 #073675
Green matters: what in the world is going on? episodes 109-112 #073676
Green matters: what in the world is going on? episodes 113-115 #073677
Connections to 9-12 Iowa Core Essential Concepts and/or Skills:
• Understand how physical and human processes shape the Earth’s surface and major ecosystems.
• Understand how human actions modify the environment and how the environment affects humans.
ShowPeace Conflict Resolution DVD, 7-12
This DVD includes several shorter programs. It features quirky animated characters with no spoken dialogue. Each program draws out an important conflict resolution lesson. Preview the DVD at http://films.nfb.ca/showpeace/. The DVD is available for checkout from Heartland AEA. Duplication rights have been purchased and copies can be ordered for $2.40.
ShowPeace, episodes 101-106 #073683
Managing Anger – When the Dust Settles
Bullying – Bully Dance
Conflict Styles and Negotiation – Elbow Room
Diversity – Dominoes
Tolerance – Tête à Tête à Tête
Mediation – Dinner for Two
Assessment & Grading, K-12
http://www.stenhouse.com/fiaenl
Rick Wormeli has created a collection of resources that teachers and administrators can use to tap into the principles and strategies in his best-selling book Fair Isn't Always Equal. This book is available for check out in the professional library.
The site features two extensive chapter-by-chapter study guides for Fair Isn't Always Equal. One is for book study facilitators and includes tips on how to handle difficult conversations about controversial topics; the other is for teachers to use independently or in small groups.
There are also videos and articles in which Rick addresses key issues such as late work and collaborating with other teachers who have different views about assessment and grading. There are three videos currently available:
--Affecting Change: Offers advice for leaders on managing change with their staff.
--Standards-Based Grading: Argues against the practice of assigning a zero as the lowest F on a hundred-point scale.
--On Late Work: Explains why assigning a failing grade for a missed deadline is not the most constructive way of helping students improve their work habits.
The Q&A section shares real questions about assessment and grading that Rick has received from educators all over the world. More videos, articles, and podcasts will be added in the coming weeks.
YouTube Educational Channels, K-12
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/educational-youtube-channels
There are a surprising number of educational channels on YouTube. Examples:
--Research Channel on hard science
--University lectures from across the country
--ForaTV with clips on politics and economics
--MIT channel with lectures
--Bad Astronomy explains complex issues often misunderstood by the public
New Professional Books, K-12
http://books.google.com/books?uid=9803068123542125569&as_coll=1006&source=gbs_lp_bookshelf_list
This is a link to a bibliography of the new professional books available from Heartland. It was created with Google Books and includes the jacket art, summary, table of contents, and a preview of some chapters. Topics: differentiated instruction, teaching strategies, teaching science, teaching math, classroom management, middle school teaching, reading and literacy, brain research, autism, children in poverty.
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