By:

TOP

 

I keep updating and adding to these lists.  So you can try your grade level, but don't forget to check in other areas, also.

Click on name to bring you down to each subject.  Do the reverse when you review the subject area to bring you back to the top.

Middle School and High School Teachers ...In the math section you'll find things just for you!  I have divided up middle school.  Grades 4-6 will be featured and Grades 7-12.  You might find things you are looking for in other categories that might an easier way to start with lower children.  Have fun since I am adding many new links weekly.  Please let me know if you find this useful!

Activity Units

Book Activities

Graphic Orgainizers

Reading/Language

Science

Poetry

Social Studies

Spelling

Writing

Miscellaneous

Math   Middle/High

Themes

Zoo Animal Theme

Back To School

Professional Resources

Everything on First Grade

Grade 2

Grade Three

Kindergarten

Grade Five

Grades 4-6

Middle and High School  Grades 7-12

Newly added sites

 

 

Click pencil to return to Teacher's Page.

 

       I am featured in the sites below.  Please click on the graphics for many different and exciting sites.

                  

  Skewl Sites Quality Symbol (Read a review of this site)

Spelling

pad

SPICE UP YOUR SPELLING LESSONS: http://www.teachnet.com/lesson/langarts/spellingwds040299.html Students can spell out their spelling words with a flash- light in a darkened room, write their entire list in Popsicle stick letters or with modeling clay--find several unique suggestions to give those tired old spelling lessons a boost. 
pad

Books  

 

BOOKWORMS:

 http://www.homeschoolzone.com/pp/crafts/bookworm.htm 

 BROWN BEAR: http://www.kinderart.com/littles/brownbear2.htm 

Another Eric Carle book provides the backdrop for this art lesson--whereby children will get to paint their bear printable art  with chocolate pudding. 

MAKE WAY FOR DUCKLINGS AND ART: http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/curriculum/socialstd/grade1/Make_Way.html 

The activities in this lesson plan complement "Make Way For Ducklings", and teach children cardinal directions as they make and illustrate a map and a picture of their own community. 

CAPS FOR SALE LESSON: 

http://www.teachers.net/lessons/posts/527.html 

Elementary students will be crafting their own version of individual hats to have a Cap Day--let them have a parade as well. Other activities to accompany the book are also included here. 

I AM THE WORDS AND THE PICTURES I CREATE: http://www.youthfirst.org/winners/pappas.htm 

Through a pass-it-on process, fourth grade students write a paragraph about themselves or their neighbor- hood, revise their writing according to the correct writing process, and then illustrate it. They will pass this illustration on to a fifth grade class, who must then write their own paragraphs about the illustrations. Class presentations will compare the original to the later writings, with the illustrations as the facilitators. 

PAGE BY PAGE: 

http://www.nlc-bnc.ca/pagebypage/ 

This site takes students through the process of creating a children's book, from the perspectives of both the auth- or and the illustrator. Have them write and illustrate their own books when finished.

 

If You Give A Moose A Muffin: Lesson Plans

http://cs.uop.edu/kidline/karen/moose.html

Arthur Tricks The Tooth Fairy:  Many activities to do with this book.

http://hometown.aol.com/title1scott/TrickstheToothFairy.html

ACCORDION BOOKS: http://www.makingbooks.com/accordion.html 

Find directions for making a stand-up accordion book with your class... you decide what should comprise the contents.

MAKE A PAPER BAG BOOK: http://www.arts.ufl.edu/art/rt_room/sparkers/artist_book/make_a_book.html

 How easy can it get? Your students can bring in their own paper bags from home for a special project. You can create a poetry book, an interview book, a memory book-- the choice is wide open. 

MORE IDEAS THAN YOU'LL EVER USE FOR BOOK REPORTS: http://www.teachnet.com/lesson/langarts/bookrepts101498.html 

If your students' book reports are getting a little stale by this time of the year, spice them up with some of the ideas given here--create a character sculpture, pantomime a setting, create a diary for a character... very creative.

 TOP

Everything On First Grade:

FIRST GRADE SITES: 

http://www.fraziermtn.com/fpschool/firstgrd.htm http://www.pbs.org/plweb-cgi/teachersourcemediaseek?query=firstgrade&template=newteachersource  

 http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/1133/2teach.html http://www.ezlink.com/~edu/AIndex.htm 

GO FISH: http://learningpage.com/free_pages/galleries/go_fish1/go_fish_color01.html First grade emergent readers can click on the arrows and read this colorful and easy book by themselves. A printable version is also available. Teacher Notes are only available for registered site users (simple registration required), but the eight page book is accessible to both students and teachers without registering.

Find grade-relevant sites to use across the curriculum. 

FIRST GRADE LESSON PLANS AND UNITS: http://www.coreknowledge.org/CKproto2/resrcs/lessons/1.htm 

1st Grade - Online Stories and More: http://www.geocities.com/EnchantedForest/Tower/1217/reading.html

Form Core Knowledge Curriculum, here are an excellent set of lessons to consider for your first grade curriculum.

COLLECTIONS OF FIRST GRADE LESSONS & RESOURCES: http://www.enchantedlearning.com http://viking.stark.k12.oh.us/%7Egreentown/grtheme.htm  http://faldo.atmos.uiuc.edu/CLA/LESSONS/first.html http://204.184.214.251/coop/1main.html                       http://www.mrsperkins.com/testing.htm 

FIRST GRADE TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION: http://www.mtnbrook.k12.al.us/tech/1st.htm 

 FIRST GRADE CLASSROOM PAGES: 

 http://www.dentonisd.org/rayzor/lattaya/lattaya.htm                          http://www.msrossbec.com/                           http://www.homestead.com/mrsflanagan/index.html                       http://www.mrsperkins.com/ 

TOP

Professional Resources

 

PREVENTING READING DIFFICULTIES IN YOUNG CHILDREN: http://www.ed.gov/inits/americareads/ReadDiff/ 

From the America Reads Challenge, an intensive, 400 page document (downloadable pdf) addresses the great reading debate, with attention on reading difficulties in emergent readers, and proposes its findings as much-needed reform. 

 

CREATING HIGH-ACHIEVING LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS: 

http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/educatrs/leadrshp/le400.htm 

Several experts have come together to assess high-expectation, high-achieving learning environments for students. Link to articles on special projects, authentic assessments and instruction, instructional uses of technology, and more. Also review case study samples.

 

BASIC EARLY ELEMENTARY WORKSHEETS: http://learningpage.com/free_pages/galleries/basics.html#cal/mon 

Available to download and print--several worksheets across all subjects for early elementary learning, including numbers and letters (Zaner-Bloser or D'Neal- ian), money, days of week, time, and measuring.

ONLINE TEACHER TOOLS: 

The sites below all offer varying aspects of online teacher tools, including posting homework assignments, grade books, etc. Very often the free version has limited access to the full complex of teacher tools that are provided in the paid version.

 SCHOOL NOTES:  http://www.schoolnotes.com/ 

HOMEWORK NOW: http://www.homeworknow.com/ 

HOMEWORK STATION: http://www.waveside.com/homework/index.htm

 HOMEWORK HERO: http://www.homeworkhero.com/index.htm 

MY SCHOOL ONLINE: http://www.myschoolonline.com/golocal/

 CLASS BUILDER: http://classbuilder.com/ 

MY GRADE BOOK: http://www.mygradebook.com/ 

ONLINE GRADE AND ATTENDANCE: http://www.mygradebook.com/

 

Reading/Language Arts Links:

Instructors Web -Teaching tools, lesson plans, worksheets, and interactive lessons for teaching basic skills. Topics include telling time, basic math, reading, writing, and more. For kindergarten through third grade.

KWL -- A READING COMPREHENSION STRATEGY: http://www.eduref.org/

Use this lesson plan to use the KWL approach to reading comprehension. 

BATTLE OF THE BOOKS: http://www.teachers.net/lessons/posts/834.html 

Pizza party incentives might just motivate your student teams to this challenge, whereby from a list of 100 re- commended books, the students try to read more books than the other team. They must then match quotes to the book, with the team correctly identifying the most winning a pizza party. 

CALDECOTT AND NEWBERY AWARD WINNING BOOKS: http://edservices.aea7.k12.ia.us/edtech/teacherpages/bjohnson/index.html 

Students will select a book to review, determine why it should be on the short list for either a Newberry or a Caldecott award, design a poster for their chosen book, and then read it to an age-appropriate class.

Ready to Print Resources to Accompany Mosaic and Strategies That Work!

http://www.geocities.com/smilecdg/comprehe.html

CREATE A MULTI-AUTHORED STORY: http://www.col-ed.org/cur/lang/lang03.txt   

In some multi-authored projects, it's the case of the never-ending story. Not so in this particular lesson plan; each section has its own development and purpose, culminating in resolution and conclusion. Publish a copy of the finished product for each of the students involved in this project.

A wealth of Reading Support Materials:   Print language arts pages for kids ages 4 – 8. Be sure to check out the phonics songs while you are there. 

 http://www.tampareads.com/

SCORE Cyberguides - links to cyberguides to many literature books used in the classroom. Click on the grade level at the left to see a list of books.

http://www.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/SCORE/cyberguide.html

Children's Literature Web Guide - David Brown at the University of Calgary has put together one of the premier websites on all areas of children's literature.

http://www.acs.ucalgary.ca/~dkbrown/index.html

General/Mixed Sites: Core Knowledge Lesson Plans - many lesson plans and units developed by teachers for teachers. Click on the grade level to view the titles. You'll need Adobe Acrobat to view the lessons .

http://www.coreknowledge.org/CKproto2/resrcs/index.htm

SYNONYMS AND ANTONYMS: http://www.teachnet.com/lesson/langarts/terminology/synandant.html 

Students will take sports headlines and stories from a newspaper and working in groups, they will write as many synonyms and antonyms for sports terminology as they can think of. Sports headlines are already colorful-- be prepared for a hilarious lesson plan.

 SUBJECT/PREDICATE SONG: http://www.knownet.net/users/Ackley/sub_pred_song.html 

If some of your students are still having problems recognizing subjects and predicates in their sentences, try having them memorizing this song and see if it helps.

Primary CyberGuides (Grades K-3) http://www.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/score/cyk3.html Supplement your lessons with CyberGuides. These standards- based Web units correspond to popular works of literature such as "Charlotte's Web" or the "Velveteen Rabbit." Each guide contains a student and teacher edition complete with standards, activities, and suggested links. The guides are based on California Language Arts Content Standards. 

S.C.O.R.E. Phonics Link http://www.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/score/Phonics_Link/phonics.html The Phonics Link provides resources to help you build your background knowledge about linguistics, phoneme awareness, and the process by which students learn to read.

 Literacy Center http://www.literacycenter.net/lessonview_en.htm 

Help build strong readers by using these online literacy lessons with your pre-K through second-grade students. This simply designed site offers an area where young children can learn early reading skills in a safe, structured format. The site requires the Flash Player 5 plug-in. 

Elementary: CyberGuides (Grades 4-5) http://www.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/score/cy45.html  

CyberGuides aren't just for primary students! Upper elementary educators will find these online, units helpful in adding depth to their studies of core works of literature. The guides are based on California Language Arts Content Standards. 

CYBERGUIDES GRADES 4-5: http://www.sdcoe.K12.CA.US/score/cy45.html

 Cyberguides offer literary resources and activities on many of the popular literature choices for 4-5, with related links, recommended reading, and literature units connected to content and performance standards. 

VOCABULARY BUILDER: http://www.superkids.com/aweb/tools/words/middle/ 

With word lists chosen specifically for 4th through 6th grades, these words of the day include a definition, an example sentence, and a synonym. 

READING LIST FOR GRADES 4-8: http://www.teachnet.com/lesson/langarts/literaturelist052699.html 

Choose from a wide variety of age-appropriate books for classroom study, reading challenges, book reports, etc.

 

Grammar Blast by Houghton Mifflin http://www.eduplace.com/kids/hme/quizzes/index.htm Add energy to your everyday grammar lessons using these online, interactive games for grades two through eight. Students can practice sentences, parts of speech, punctuation, and more.

 Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee http://www.spellingbee.com/ 

The 2001 Spelling Bee is underway and the judges have already selected a set of local champions. In just a few weeks, these 248 super spellers will meet in Washington, D.C., for Bee Week 2001 and the 74th Annual Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee. Learn about these successful students and test your own skill with the "Word of the Day." 

Middle School: ALA: Best Practices: Junior High/Middle School http://www.ala.org/aasl/learning/mspractices.html 

This list from the American Library Association contains "best practices" for grades six through eight. Once you take a look at these excellent lessons and activities, you're sure to think of great opportunities to include them in your classroom. 

Cyber Guides (Grades 6-8) http://www.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/score/cy68.html These middle-school CyberGuides contain supplementary lessons, activities, and Web sites to complement your class's study of classic works of literature. Guides are based on California Language Arts Content Standards. 

Middle Web Language Arts Resources http://www.middleweb.com/CurrLangArt.html Looking for middle-school language arts resources? Stop right here for lots of links to language arts for the middle grades.

TOP

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Math

Maths File Game Room

Instructors Web -Teaching tools, lesson plans, worksheets, and interactive lessons for teaching basic skills. Topics include telling time, basic math, reading, writing, and more. For kindergarten through third grade.
 

Seventh Grade Math Page

Cool Math Site

Magical Chalkboard

Middle School Math Forum Middle School Teachers' Place 

Visit this site to find ideas and links for your students and tips and advice for your teaching. 

Mathematics History 

This South Korean student ThinkQuest project recounts an extensive history of mathematics. The excellent site includes, among other items, biographical information about a number of important mathematicians. 

NCTM Illuminations 

The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Web site includes activities, resources, and lesson links for the middle-school math teacher. 

High School

 ExploreMath.com: Multimedia Activities 

Add excitement to your math class using educational activities for algebra through pre-calculus. Help students investigate and experiment with math equations using a real-time, interactive graphing program. The Shockwave plug-in is required. 

Math for Morons Like Us http://library.thinkquest.org/20991/home.html 

This good-natured site simplifies math concepts that may be confusing to many students. Handling topics from pre-algebra to calculus, this interactive Think Quest Web site makes math less intimidating and more interesting. 

Math Forum High School Teachers' Place http://forum.swarthmore.edu/teachers/high/

 Improve your classroom teaching with the links and lessons on this site, or improve your teaching techniques by browsing the list of "Career" resources. 

NCTM Illuminations: Grades 9-12: 

http://illuminations.nctm.org/pages/912.html Similar to the middle-school site, this National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Web site includes activities, resources, and lesson links for the high-school math teacher.

MegaMath - a website with challenging problem solving activities. http://www.c3.lanl.gov/mega-math/welcome.html  

EXACT CHANGE PLEASE: http://www.elm.maine.edu/assessments/change8/index.stm 

Students will imitate grocery store shopping with empty food boxes, play money and coins, and a cash register (you can improvise and make your own if you don't have the learning variety, even using a shoebox) to practice money addition and subtraction. This activity is very appealing to children, especially if they all get a chance at buying and selling, as well as supplying the empty boxes for the store contents. 

BANKING ON MATH: http://www.successlink.org/great/g239.html 

This grades 1-3 unit on money examines why we have money in the first place, then explores money production with students designing their own coins and dollars, and leads them into understanding how money is used and how it can be saved.

Brain Teasers - a weekly problem to solve, broken down by grade level, as well as an archive of past problems. http://www.eduplace.com/math/brain/index.html

Math Flash - an online flashcard game written by a parent at Thurgood Marshall ES in Gaithersburg, MD.

http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/schools/thurgoodmarshalles/java-applets/about-mathflash.html

Elementary School Teachers Place - math links to math lessons and activities broken down K-2 and 3-5 as well as links for professional development. http://forum.swarthmore.edu/teachers/elem/ 

TOP

Science Links

Why Is The Mona Lisa Smiling? This is a multidisciplinary science driven web-based Think Quest project developed by computer graphics students at high schools in the Bronx and Sweden, exploring the mystery of the Mona Lisa through scientific inquiry and presenting original music composed by Leonardo da Vinci. Leonardo's Portrait of an unknown Musician has also been identified!  There is an interactive quiz and reward, multilingual musical postcards in 23 languages and a dozen Da Vinci diversions to explore.  

This site is accessible to the hearing impaired, Click on the signing hand for Special needs Resources.

http://library.thinkquest.org/13681/data/davin2.shtml?tqskip=1

EAT YOUR FRUITS AND VEGETABLES PLEASE: http://www.nevada.edu/~darlenec/FruitandVegetableQuest.html 

Fourth and fifth grade classes will become cultural anthropologists/nutritionists as they take on the case of a malnourished island. Learning the food pyramid is a good place to start for solving their dilemma, as they will have to have solid nutritional information behind them in order to get these fictional islanders back on the road to healthy eating habits.

INSECTS: http://www.cstone.net/~bcp/2/2MSci.htm 

What is the relationship between the bee and the flower? How does a bee communicate with its hive, and how is honey made? What do grasshoppers and termites eat, and how do silkworms make silk? Children are fascinated with these questions, and they will learn these answers and much more in this second grade unit on insects. 

Chemistry in the Kitchen - several experiments such as mapping your taste buds and test pH.

http://www.owu.edu/~mggrote/pp/chemistry/kitchen/f_kitchen.html

Kitchen Chemistry - experiments dealing with foods such as popcorn, vegetables, ice cream, etc.

http://personal.cfw.com/~rollinso/SciFood.html

Cool Science for Kids - the Howard Hughes Medical Institute designed this website to help children explore biology.

http://www.hhmi.org/coolscience/

Students Index - 11 student activities on the study of whales with a separate teacher's guide with activity notes; put together by the International Wildlife Coalition.

http://www.webcom.com/~iwcwww/teachers_kit/tksix.html

Marine Lesson Plans - list of links to lesson plans dealing with marine biology for all ages; put together by the Marine Institute.

 http://www.ifmt.nf.ca/mi-net/activity/lessonpl.htm

Aeronautics Classroom Activities - NASA-developed experiments to explore aeronautics and aerodynamics in the classroom.

http://www.lerc.nasa.gov/Other_Groups/K-12/TRC/Aeronautics/AeronauticActivitiesHome.html

Flight Experiments - the Children's Museum of Indianapolis has developed several experiments to help young children understand some of the concepts of flight.

http://www.childrensmuseum.org/experime.htm

K-8 Aerodynamics Internet Textbook - WOW! NASA has developed a complete textbook on aerodynamics with three reading levels and text in Spanish. Site also includes curriculum links, experiments, activities, etc. A must see if you are teaching aerodynamics to your class!

http://wings.ucdavis.edu/

Science Lessons by Subject - links to astronomy, biology, chemistry, earth science, physical science, and technology lessons and activities broken down by early elementary, late elementary, middle, and high school.

http://www.eecs.umich.edu/mathscience/funexperiments/agesubject/subject.html

Hands On Earth Science - fifteen earth science experiments to enhance your curriculum.

http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/odnr/geo_survey/edu/handson.htm 

Students Index - 11 student activities on the study of whales with a separate teacher's guide with activity notes; put together by the International Wildlife Coalition.

http://www.webcom.com/~iwcwww/teachers_kit/tksix.html

Marine Lesson Plans - list of links to lesson plans dealing with marine biology for all ages; put together by the Marine Institute.

 http://www.ifmt.nf.ca/mi-net/activity/lessonpl.htm 

 

Aeronautics Classroom Activities - NASA-developed experiments to explore aeronautics and aerodynamics in the classroom.

http://www.lerc.nasa.gov/Other_Groups/K-12/TRC/Aeronautics/AeronauticActivitiesHome.html

K-8 Aerodynamics Internet Textbook - WOW! NASA has developed a complete textbook on aerodynamics with three reading levels and text in Spanish. Site also includes curriculum links, experiments, activities, etc. A must see if you are teaching aerodynamics to your class!

http://wings.ucdavis.edu/ 

TOP

Elementary Writing Lesson

 

Earth Day: http://www.teachers.net/lessons/posts/404.html

My Favorite Toy: http://www.teachers.net/lessons/posts/383.html

Re-Writing Fairy Tales: http://www.teachers.net/lessons/posts/448.html

Delicious Descriptive Adjectives: http://www.teachers.net/lessons/posts/461.html

Literacy Circles: http://www.teachers.net/lessons/posts/466.html

Vowel/Phonogram Match: http://www.teachers.net/lessons/posts/436.html

Rubric for Elementary Writing: http://www.rr.gmcs.k12.nm.us/eslrubric.htm

Elementary Writing Ideas

http://schools.worldweb.net/foxmill/reyes5/writing.html

http://www.teachers.net/lessons/posts/1067.html

http://www.teachers.net/lessons/posts/513.html (an interesting lesson plan that could incorporate a writing activity at the end)

 

Writing Activities

CREATIVE WRITING ACTIVITIES: http://www.ncte.org/traci/tens/017.shtml  

If you need to fill in those last days of school with some fun--though still educational--exercises, try these creative writing activities. They will serve to inspire your students at any time of the year.

Free Writing Activities: http://www.zaner-bloser.com/html/writ_free.html

Interactive Writing Activities: http://www.aca.vt.edu/cowl/interact.htm

Introduction to Writing Activities: http://www.johnco.cc.ks.us/~jmcward/activity7.htm

Ocean Writing Activities: http://www.fi.edu/fellows/fellow8/dec98/writ.html

Integrating Web-based Technologies: http://www.baxter508.k12.ks.us/cook/onlineprojects.html

Web-based Curriculum Projects: http://ousdmail.ousd.k12.ca.us/~cashley/classes/utilities/webprojects.html

WRITING PROMPTS AND JOURNAL TOPICS: http://www.track0.com/canteach/elementary/prompts.html If your students' journal topics are getting somewhat stale, try the many starters offered on this page.

THE WRITING TREE: http://www.knownet.net/users/Ackley/writtree.html Creative story starters at this site, as well as the tree and shape suggestions, could be used for writing lessons all year round--plan ahead for next year. You will still find appropriate suggestions to round out your writing program this year.


Writing Improvement


Creative Writing on the Internet: http://www.mcn.org/ed/cur/liv/Units/Creative.htm

Language Arts Lesson Plans (6-8): http://yn.la.ca.us/cec/ceclang/ceclang-interm.html

Grammar and Writing Improvement: http://cctc.commnet.edu/HP/pages/darling/grammar.htm

Purdue Online Writing Lab: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/writers/by-topic.html#Punctuation

Michigan State Language Arts Lesson Plans: http://commtechlab.msu.edu/sites/letsnet/NoFrames/Subjects/la/index.html

TeachNet Writing Ideas: http://www.teachnet.com/lesson/langarts/lanwri.html

TOP

Poetry

 

POETRY PALS ACTIVITIES: 

Poetry and Writing:

Get ideas from my class by visiting and reading poems written by my Second Graders. http://www.tooter4kids.com/Classroom/poetry_and_writing.htm

Forms of Poetry:  http://www.tooter4kids.com/forms_of_poetry.htm

Songs and Poems which are seasonal: http://www.track0.com/canteach/elementary/songspoems.html

Theme Poems: http://www.tooter4kids.com/Classroom/theme_poetry.htm

Poetry for Children:  http://falcon.jmu.edu/~ramseyil/poechild.htm

 

A list of Poetry Sites:

http://members.aol.com/Bvsangl/poetrycorner.html

 http://www.poetry4kids.com/links.html

 http://www.berkeleyprep.org/lower/fourth/writing/poetry_patterns.htm

 http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Thebes/9893/sing.html

 http://edtech.kennesaw.edu/web/poetry.html

http://www.poetryteachers.com/

 http://www.enchantedlearning.com/Rhymes.html

 

TOP


Social Studies

AFRICA -- TOUR THE CONTINENT:  http://teacher.scholastic.com/fieldtrp/socstu/africa.htm

 Your tour itinerary includes stops in Mali and Ghana, with a closer look at African art. Lots of resources to match topics. 

EXPLORING AFRICA: http://www.sc.edu/library/spcoll/sccoll/africa/africa.html This time take a trip back in time to explore facets of African history. 

AFRICAN ART LESSON PLANS: http://members.aol.com/TWard64340/Africa.htm Try making masks, Kente cloth, or shields, and learn of the cultures behind these projects. Links available. 

AFRICA: http://www.kent.wednet.edu/curriculum/soc_studies/kenya/africa_front.html Explore the continent with the help of these resources, including integrated lesson plans and information pages on Swahili and the Masai. Also take a Kenyan safari... 

AFRICA -- AN INTRODUCTORY LOOK: http://multimedia2.freac.fsu.edu/fga/academy/africa.htm 

Geography and economy provide the key focal points in these lesson plans. 

KENYA UNIT: http://www.coe.wayne.edu/~mpettap/lesson/kenya.htm 

Here is a good unit to explore with Gifted 3rd graders; loads of hands-on activities culminate in a traditional African festival, with student-created pamphlets and passports displaying their knowledge.

 RIVERS OF AFRICA: http://multimedia2.freac.fsu.edu/fga/academy/afrivers.htm 

A full unit on the rivers of Africa, all with tales to tell on place, people, and culture. Might be geared a bit high, but adjustable, and a unique approach to learning all about African history, geography, and civilization. 

http://www.studyweb.com/links/1355.html

China There is so much good information here, geared toward younger children but presented in a way to keep any age group interested. You can navigate this attractive site by starting with the 'Ancient China' page and clicking the 'NEXT' button at the bottom of each page, or choose a specific page from the title links on the home page. Topics include holidays, animals, and folk tales; you'll find a map, a list of suggested activities related to the study of China, and a quiz to test your knowledge. This is definitely a site you, your parents, and your teachers won't want to miss.
http://www.tooter4kids.com/china/chinalinks/ChinaHomePaage.htm
[Visual Content:  | Approx. Grade Level: K+ | Contributor: Brenda Latham]

RIVERS OF THE WORLD: http://www.cstone.net/~bcp/3/3MGeo.htm 

Third grade students will explore geographical terms and features associated with rivers, and learn the major rivers of the world.

THIS LAND IS OUR LAND: http://geocities.com/crgoudie/ourland.html [Students follow a map quest to locate mystery spots and answer questions about their journeys.]

Colonial Websites: Http://www.williamsburg.com

50 States:  It has links to many sites about the states as well as links to games to learn the geography of the states and states/capitals.

Http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/1133/50states.html

Web quests/Think quests 

http://www.macomb.k12.mi.us/wq/WebQ97/COLAMER2.HTM http://teacher.scholastic.com/webquest/ushist/coltowns.htm http://www.davidson.k12.nc.us/webquests/colonial/colonial.htm http://209.7.14.133/cq/cq5/hurtwbqst.htm http://www.people.virginia.edu/~jlb4p/Webquest/teacherpage.html http://www.richmond.edu/~ed344/samplers/colonialkids.html http://www.hfmgv.org/smartfun/colonial/intro/intro.html http://www.ih.k12.oh.us/es/5/michael/colonial.htm http://americanhistory.si.edu/hohr/springer/00clues.htm http://www.birdville.k12.tx.us/ele/101/colonies.htm http://www.people.virginia.edu/~khv2d/ColonialWebquest.html http://209.7.14.133/cq/cq5/hurtwbqst.htm

ENDANGERED SPECIES WEBQUEST: http://www.davidson.k12.nc.us/webquests/endanger/endstart/endstart.htm 

Students will work through a Species Listing and a Glossary Worksheet in order to understand totals of endangered and threatened species, both in the United States and abroad. 

REINTRODUCTION OF WOLVES: http://www.esc20.net/etprojects/formats/webquests/fall99/wolf/default.html 

Should the wolf be reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park? Students will take sides in a lawsuit to argue for or against after careful online research about the wolf habitats and habits.

 WHERE HAVE ALL THE FROGS GONE: http://www.esc20.net/etprojects/formats/webquests/misc99/frogs/frogs.html

 Do we have an amphibian crisis? Students must become familiar with frog anatomy and habitats to best answer this question, creating a multimedia presentation for the class in order to present their findings. 

CREATE A HABITAT: 

http://www.biopoint.com/WebQuests/dist204/Welcome.html 

Students will choose to be a plant biologist, an animal biologist, a purchasing agent, or an accountant to create either a tropical or a coldwater aquarium, or a woodland or desert viaticum. Teams will be given an empty container in which to create their habitat, research their choices and create a habitat and a data chart, and then present their project to the class. The class will vote on the best project and then complete that habitat in a larger setting.

 DOLPHIN SAFE TUNA: 

http://www.richmond.edu/~ed344/webquests/dolphins/ 

A lesson in word processing skills, online research, and debate... Students must choose roles of legislators, tuna fishermen, and dolphin activists. They will become experts in their chosen field, and present their arguments to the class in PowerPoint of HyperStudio format. Extensions include real-world feedback and follow up. 

EXTINCT AUSTRALIAN MARSUPIALS: http://curry.edschool.virginia.edu/go/edis771/webquest2000/ student/sbillwingard/home.html  Why have several mammals become extinct in Australia? Your student World Wildlife experts will determine the answers, chart and graph their findings, and present their projects to the class. 

SAVE THE SHARKS: http://www.esc20.net/etprojects/formats/webquests/misc99/sharks/Default.htm 

Creative presentation formats for student negotiators include commercials, posters, educational videos, profiles, or games. To determine the influence and degree of shark poaching, students will conduct online research and then create a Save the Sharks campaign.

 SEA TURTLES: 

http://www.esc20.net/etprojects/formats/webquests/summer99/ northside/turtle/default.html  

Student research will focus on what can be done to protect sea turtle populations. Their presentations must be persuasive and include multimedia technology, and reference their research findings. 

 

School/Kids:

http://www.education-world.com/a_lesson/lesson166.shtml http://library.thinkquest.org/J002611F/ http://www.cedu.niu.edu/blackwell/books.html http://www.osv.org/education/ChildrenEverywhere/ http://www.stratfordhall.org/ed-boysgirls.htm

 Resources :

http://falcon.jmu.edu/~ramseyil/colonial.htm http://bvsd.k12.co.us/schools/coalc/early/index.html http://members.aol.com/TeacherNet/Colonial.html http://www.connectingstudents.com/themes/colonies.htm http://www7.bcity.com/history/ http://www.mec.edu/westwood/CurrCon/ss4colonialhtm.htm

TOP

 

Miscellaneous

NINE TYPES OF ADAPTATION: http://www.uni.edu/coe/inclusion/strategies/types_adaptation.html 

Find nine different teaching strategies for adapting your curriculum to the inclusion classroom. 

TECHNIQUES: http://www.nea.org/helpfrom/growing/works4me/manage/incluson.html#techniqe Direct from teachers dealing with inclusion classrooms, here are some tips for managing your curriculum in regards to your special ed. students.

 

CHILDREN'S SONGS . . . http://www.antenna.nl/wwwcisv/songs/layout/allsongs.html ...from around the world, in different languages. Have fun singing these wonderful children's songs. Many you already know, but be sure to explore those from different lands and cultures as well. 

Acheivement Award Certificates for School, Clubs and Fun!

http://www.successcertificates.com/
Hundreds of Free award certificates ready to print and present from the web.

MOJO'S MUSICAL MUSEUM: http://www.kididdles.com/mouseum/index.html 

Sing your hearts out with lyrics to hundreds of children's songs listed at this site. 

THE CHILDREN'S MUSIC ARCHIVE: http://judyanddavid.com/cma.html 

Subtitled, "An Online Songbook", and it certainly delivers... Singing suggestions, coloring pages, and related activities are also included here.

KIDZSING GARDEN OF SONGS: http://members.home.com/veeceet/index.html 

Nursery rhymes and holiday songs are featured at this site--perfect for preschool and early elementary grades. 

MAMA LISA'S WORLD: http://www.mamalisa.com/world/ 

"Children's Songs and Rhymes of All Nations"... The only continent you won't find here is Antarctica. Unfortunately not all lyrics are accompanied by audio files, but don't let that stop you bring in a guest (try your students' families) to help show your students how to sing these songs.

 

FORMS AND LETTERS FOR TEACHERS: http://www.teachertools.org/index.html   (Go to forms and letters on the sidebar.)

From behavior documentation, to referrals, to tardy warnings, assignment sheets, progress reports, homework coupons, class lists, project planning guides--you name it, you'll find many many useful forms to download here. Great for new and experienced teachers alike.

REPORT CARD COMMENTS: http://www.teachnet.com/how-to/endofyear/personalcomments061400.html That time of the year is quickly approaching again, and the reports must be written before the holidays begin. Find a list of almost 300 potential comments to include in your final report cards.

100 IDEAS FOR CHARACTER EDUCATION: http://www.resource2000.org/100ideas.htm 

From simple things you can do in your classroom, such as hanging up posters of appropriate heroes, to lesson ideas, to instituting a school ethics code--here are one hundred excellent ideas to begin your own character education program. Share it with your whole school. 

THE STORY OF FAIRNESS: http://www.charactercounts.org/ideas/newidea4_6.htm This summary lesson plan applies discussion and extension activities to themes of quarrelling, fairness, and being kind. A story is read online (Senor Coyote Settles a Quarrel) before class discussion. PreK-1. 

BULLYING: http://www.goodcharacter.com/GROARK/Bullying.html

While this website is meant to accompany a commercial video, the discussion questions, student activities, and writing projects can all be independently directed in your classroom without any additional support. Also included are take-home suggestions. 

RESPECT: http://info.csd.org/staffdev/chared/Connections/elementary/elem.html 

Student activity worksheets provide the backbone of these various activities in which students will examine and come to understand respect--for each other as well as for themselves. Activities are creative and geared toward students in Kindergarten through fifth grade. 

DEALING WITH DISAPPOINTMENT: http://www.goodcharacter.com/YCC/Disappointment.html 

Instead of acting out, students will learn effective techniques for dealing with their disappointments in life. Student activities and writing assignments follow class discussions. 

GARDEN PARTY:   http://info.csd.org/staffdev/chared/Connections/elementary/elem2.html

  Through two excellent activities connecting science, environment, and art, students in kindergarten through second grade will examine cooperation, patience, respect, and differences.

ArtiFAQ 2100: This project is art history centered. Tour Art History's past to predict preferable Art Trends. Take the quiz to see the Future Art Gallery.

 http://library.thinkquest.org/13681/data/nyc 

You should note that families can do the following on both sites: Share together an exploration of Art History, evaluate from multigenerational perspectives key theories, experience with each family member, taking away information and excitement on his/her own maturation level, morphing, interactive quizzes, rewards; win the key of knowledge, contribute to a narrative reflective guest book, respond to other comments, etc.

TOP

Activity Units

 

Scholastic's Magic School Bus: http://www.scholastic.com/magicschoolbus/games/home.htm

PETER PAN UNIT: http://www.trinity.edu/departments/education/tckc/summer%20writing%20institute.htm

Following Core Knowledge Curriculum guidelines, this wonderful unit on Peter Pan gives lesson selections and activities for each chapter of the book.

Receive one FREE Thematic Unit every week. http://www.schoolexpress.com/

Use these Units for extra learning when your child or class is studying the given subject. These Units help children learn to do some research, to find answers to questions, and to write about what they are studying. Activity pages accompany each Thematic Unit. 

WIZARD OF OZ LESSON PLANS: http://www.eskimo.com/~tiktok/ozteach.html 

Ideas and lesson activities abound at this page to accompany L. Frank Baum's, "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz". Find suggestions to explore across the curriculum.

TOP

Zoo Animal Theme:

 Adopt A Bird: http://www.chycor.co.uk/paradise-park/page1.htm 

Bengal Tiger: http://www.oak-ridge.leon.k12.fl.us/jalisa.html 

African   Lions:    Beautiful pictures and some information:  

 http://www.birminghamzoo.com/ao/mammal/aflion.htm

http://www.netcolony.com/members/tuffydog/lion.html

Mountain Lions: http://www.primenet.com/~brendel/puma.html

Bear Cam: http://www.discovery.com/cams/bear/bear.html 

Cheetah Cam: http://www.discovery.com/cams/cheetah/cheetahmain.html 

Gorilla Cam: http://www.discovery.com/cams/gorillas/gorillas.html

 Orangutan Cam: http://www.discovery.com/cams/orang/orangmain.html

Tiger Cam: http://www.discovery.com/cams/tiger/tiger.html 

African Lion: http://www.seaworld.org/animal_bytes/lionab.html 

Animal Alphabet: 

Bengal Tiger: http://www.seaworld.org/animal_bytes/tigerab.html 

Birmingham Zoo Real Animal Videos: http://www.birminghamzoo.com/real/index.html 

Flamingo Webcam: http://www.liveonthenet.com/zoocam/checkin.cgi

Zoo Coloring Book: http://www.birminghamzoo.com/kids/index.htm

Adopt An Animal: http://www.demon.co.uk/chesterzoo/adopt/adopt.html 

African Elephant: http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/animals/wildfacts/elephants/fact_files/177.shtml

                         Fact Sheet : http://nature-wildlife.com/eletxt.htm

Forest Park Zoo: http://www.the-spa.com/zoo/exhibits.htm

Kamala's Art: http://www.calgaryzoo.ab.ca/

Virtual Zoo Tour: http://www.web-classified.com/zoo/STANDARD.HTM 

Los Angeles Zoo: http://www.lazoo.org/

Henry Vilas Zoo: http://www.vilaszoo.org/

Lincoln Park Zoo: http://www.lpzoo.com/tour/tour.html

 Zoo Postcards: http://www.memphiszoo.org/cards/card.html

Zoo Safari: http://www.zoo.org.au/kids/zoosafari/welcome.html 

EdZOOcation: http://www.vilaszoo.org/edzoocation.htm

EdZOOcation Virtual Tour: http://www.vilaszoo.org/virtual_tour.htm 

Fur, Fin, and Feathers, A Teacher's Resource Guide: http://www.kidszoo.com/Zaps/finfurfeathers.pdf 

Learn About Our Animals: http://www.kidszoo.com/facts/exhibitfact.htm

 Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten Zoo Packets: http://www.kidszoo.com/Zaps/prekzap1.pdf http://www.kidszoo.com/Zaps/prekzap2.pdf http://www.kidszoo.com/Zaps/prekzap3.pdf 

Zoo Coloring Pages: http://www.vilaszoo.org/coloring.htm 

Animal Photo Gallery: http://www.si.edu/natzoo/photos/phoset.htm

 Animal Scramble: http://www.oaklandzoo.org/zoo/cool/scramble.html 

Animal Tales: http://www.oaklandzoo.org/zoo/cool/doyouknow.html 

Animal Talk Cards: http://www.zooregon.org/cards/index.htm 

National Zoo: http://www.si.edu/natzoo/ 

Oakland Zoo Animals From A To Z: http://www.oaklandzoo.org/atoz/atoz.html 

Golden Bellied Mangabey: http://www.zooscope.oregonzoo.org/Mangebeys/zsq3_Mangebeys.html 

Memphis Zoo Multimedia: http://www.midsouth.rr.com/zoo/ 

Montgomery Zoo Gallery: http://www.mindspring.com/~zoonet/montgome/pictures/gallery.html 

Rhino Cam: http://www.zooregon.org/cam/main.htm

 Savanna Exhibit: http://www.zooscope.oregonzoo.org/Savanna/zsq4_savanna.html 

Zoo Games: http://www.memphiszoo.org/games.htm 

Animal Facts: http://www.okczoo.com/anifacts.html 

Animal Of The Month: http://www.oaklandzoo.org/aom/index.html 

Baby Gorilla Cam: http://www.discovery.com/cams/gorillas/gorilla.html?ct=37a2fe59

Cheetah Cam: http://www.discovery.com/cams/cheetah/cheetahmain.html 

Lion Cam: http://www.connectok.com/zoocam/ 

World Safari: http://www.oaklandzoo.org/atoz/worldsafari.html 

Dot to Dot: http://www.mnzoo.com/partners/mnzoo/coldot1.gif 

Hidden Pictures: http://www.mnzoo.com/partners/mnzoo/whatsit2.gif

 http://www.mnzoo.com/partners/mnzoo/coltapir.gif 

Minnesota Zoo Tour: http://www.mnzoo.com/partners/mnzoo/tour.html 

Tiger Adventures: http://www.5tigers.org/adventures.htm

 Tiger Screen savers: http://www.5tigers.org/reward.htm 

Which Tail Is Mine? http://www.mnzoo.com/partners/mnzoo/coltail.gif 

Baby Elephant Slide Show: http://zoo.pgh.pa.us/babyelephantslide1.html 

Cheetah Coloring Book: http://www.cheetah.org/savannah/coloring-book/index.htm 

Philadelphia Zoo Animals: http://www.phillyzoo.org/pz-alist.htm 

Tiger Basics: http://www.5tigers.org/KidsStuff/kids2.htm 

Tigers In Trouble: http://www.5tigers.org/KidsStuff/kids4.htm

 Zoonet Image Archives: http://www.mindspring.com/~zoonet/gallery.html 

Build A Beast: http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wildideas/kids/games/babsplash.html

 Jungle Bridge: http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wildideas/kids/games/junglesplash.html 

Panda Cam: http://www.sandiegozoo.org/special/pandas/pandacam/index.html 

San Diego Zoo: http://www.sandiegozoo.org/cgi-bin/animals.cgi?cat=mammals 

Send A Postcard: http://www.sandiegozoo.org/postcards/send.php3 

Tour Of The San Antonio Zoo: http://www.sazoo-aq.org/zootour.html 

Animal Bytes: http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wildideas/animal/index.html 

Baby Page: http://www.sandiegozoo.org/special/babies/index.html 

Saint Louis Zoo site: http://www.stlzoo.org/content.asp?page_name=VirtualChildrensZoo1 

Star Tracks: http://www.sandiegozoo.org/special/animalfacts/tv_index.html 

Virtual Zoo: http://www.southwickszoo.com/vzoo/vzoo.htm 

Zoo Postcards: http://www.viptx.net/texaszoo/postcards/

 Animal Facts: http://www.torontozoo.com/kids/zoo_kidskorner_animalfacts.htm 

Animal Game: http://www.zooatlanta.org/edu_act_kinds_game.html 

Animal Jokes: http://www.torontozoo.com/kids/zoo_kidskorner_jokes.htm 

Bear Cam: http://www.wpz.org/ 

Who Am I Game: http://www.zooatlanta.org/edu_act_adapt_game.html 

Woodland Park Zoo: Virtual Tour: http://www.zoo.org/tour.htm

Animal Characteristics: http://www.zooatlanta.org/edu_act_kinds.html 

Animal Facts: http://www.zooatlanta.org/edu_act_facts.html 

Animal Photos: http://www.si.edu/organiza/museums/zoo/photos/phoset.htm 

Animal Quiz: http://www.zooatlanta.org/edu_kids_corner_game.html 

Dot To Dot: http://www.scz.org/fun/dotdot.html

 Zoo Animal Word Scramble: http://www.scz.org/fun/wrdscr.html 

Animals: http://www.scz.org/animals/home.html 

Jungle Adventure: http://www.scz.org/fun/jungadv/ja001.html

Jungle Jukebox: http://www.scz.org/mmedia/jukebox/juke.html 

Many Faces of the Sedgwick County Zoo: http://www.scz.org/mmedia/faces/faces.html 

Swinging With The Apes: http://www.scz.org/mmedia/swing/swing.html 

Zoo Coloring Book: http://www.clemetzoo.com/ 

Animal Photo Library: http://web2.si.edu/organiza/museums/zoo/photos/phoset.htm

 Heart Of Africa: http://www.sandiegozoo.org/special/heartofafrica/home.html 

Lincoln Park Zoo: http://www.lpzoo.com/ 

National Zoo: http://web2.si.edu/natzoo/ 

Zoo Friends: http://members.mintcity.com/countrykidschildcare/da09028.htm 

Animal Cams: http://www.toledo.com/zoocams/ 

Animals You Can See At The Zoo: http://www.pacificnet.net/~cmoore/zoo/index.htm 

Herds Of Information About Zebras: http://www.alumni.caltech.edu/~kantner/zebras/ 

Jaguar Exhibit: http://zoo.chattanooga.org/jag-exb.htm

Penguin Cam: http://www.buschgardens.org/Penguins/embeddedcam.htm 

Zoboomafoo: http://www.pbs.org/zoboo/

VIRTUAL WHALE WATCHING: 

http://www.princeofwhales.com/virtual/intro.htm 

Land-locked students will love this chance to visit Orcas, Gray Whales, Sea Lions, Bald Eagles, and Dall Porpoises. Click on "Next" to begin your tour and to continue on each page. The tour is from San Juan de Fuca Strait, in between Victoria, British Columbia, and the San Juan Islands. Informative and interactive text rounds out the tour; have your students conduct metric to standard conversions (this is a Canadian tour, with metric measurements) on a chart for each of the sea animals they encounter and to create an accompanying internet activity. 

BUILD THE VIRTUAL FROG:

 http://www-itg.lbl.gov/vfrog/builder.html 

Students will build a virtual frog with all organs by correctly placing them on a skeleton. They can proceed with or without hints, and enlarge the main working area. Click on the guide for further game instructions.

Big Cats

 

Themes

Welcome To Sunshine On Line- Fabulous Themes for Teachers and Projects and Games for Children   http://www.sunshine.co.nz/nz/index.html

Alphabet Theme

Circus Theme

Themes On Line

Welcome to TeacherFeatures.com - themes, activities, ideas, lesson plans, links---   http://www.teacherfeatures.com/theme_bank.htm

The Ultimate Halloween Resource for Teachers and Parents

http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Thebes/9893/halloweenindex.html

TOP

Graphic Organizers

Graphic Organizer Generator

Try to reinforce the who, what, when, where and how of a concept. This can help.
This generator can be used to make time lines of up to 14 events of your choice.
Getting students to reflect on their learning is a difficult task. KWL's can help.
Venn diagrams are a powerful way to graphically organize information.
Using an SQ3R chart is very helpful when reading long reading passages.
 

http://curry.edschool.virginia.edu/go/edis771/notes/graphicorganizers/graphic/ http://www.teachervision.com/tv/curriculum/printables/graphics.html http://www.eduplace.com/rdg/hme/graphorg/index.html  http://www.macropress.com/1grorg.htm 

http://www.readinglady.com/graphic_organizerslink.htm

http://www.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/score/actbank/torganiz.htm
http://www.smcps.k12.md.us/mbms/writing/graphorg.html

http://www.graphic.org/goindex.html http://www.teach-nology.com/web_tools/graphic_org/ http://ksi.cpsc.ucalgary.ca/articles/ConceptMaps/

 

http://www.eduplace.com/rdg/hme/graphorg/index.html

http://curry.edschool.virginia.edu/go/edis771/notes/graphicorganizers/graphic/



http://www.teachervision.com/tv/curriculum/printables/grahpics.html

http://www.macropress.com/1grorg.html

http://www.graphic.org/goindex.html

http://www.teach-nology.com/web_tools/graphic_org/

http://ksi.cpsc.ucalgary.ca/articles/ConceptMaps/

http://www.teachervision.com/lesson-plans/lesson-2276.html

http://www.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/score/actbank/sorganiz.htm
http://www.blocks4reading.com/graphic_organizers.htm

http://www.geocities.com/teachingwithheart/rubrics.html

http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Thebes/9893/pgraphic.html

 http://www.smcps.k12.md.us/mbms/writing/graphorg.html

 http://www.readinglady.com/graphic_organizerslink.htm

 http://www.region15.org/curriculum/graphicorg.html



http://www.graphic.org/goindex.html



http://www.graphic.org/goindex.htm

l
http://www.k111.k12.il.us/lafayette/fourblocks/graphic_organizers.htm

 
http://www.teachervision.com/lesson-plans/lesson-6293.html

 
http://www.region15.org/curriculum/graphicorg.html

 http://www.chapman.edu/soe/faculty/piper/resource/venn.htm

 http://www.abcteach.com/GraphicOrganizers/Venn.htm
 

 http://www.graphic.org/goindex.html

 

KWHLTechnique Fishbone Spider Map

 

 

GRAPHIC ORGANIZERS FOR READING: http://www.k111.k12.il.us/lafayette/fourblocks/graphic _organizers.htm    

 Based on the 4 Blocks Literacy Model, these graphic organizers can be used for both pre and post reading exercises. They include character maps, story boards, response journals, KWL Charts, prediction charts, and more.

 

TOP

Back To School

TIPS FOR TAPPING STUDENTS' READING STYLES: http://www.creativeclassroom.com/jf00ttt/13tips.html 

Not all students will learn to read at the same pace or with the same degree of enthusiasm; this site offers several tips for matching strategy with different reader styles. 

ELEMENTARY CLASSROOM RULES: http://www.teach-nology.com/worksheets/misc/back/rules/elem/ 

Find several sets of class rules to consider printing out for use in your own classroom.

 TEACHER'S WEEKLY SCHEDULE GENERATOR: http://www.teachnology.com/web_tools/materials/week_teach/

 Enter your criteria online, or print out this template to assist you in planning your own weekly schedule.


BACK TO SCHOOL ACTIVITIES: http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/back_to_school.htm 

Activity Village has started adding pages to their Back to School activities for elementary classes. Available so far are puzzles, coloring pages, stationery, writ- ing paper, and Bingo cards, all with a Back to School theme. 

BACK TO SCHOOL CRAFTS: http://www.makingfriends.com/backtoschool_crafts.htm 

Frames, pins, pens, backpacks--lots here to make back to school a fun time. 

SCHOOL PRINTS: http://www.canonprintplanet.com/kids/school/index.html 

Print out these designs for book covers and general classroom and/or locker decoration. 

MAKE A SCHULETUTE: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/1465/schultute.html

The Germans introduced the Christmas tree, so how about a new back to school tradition from Germany as well? A large, decorated paper cone is given to school children on the first day back, filled with little treats (erasers, name tags, pencils?). Instructions are given for creating the paper cones. 

PAPER BAG STORIES: 

http://www.kinderart.com/littles/bagstory.htm 

This activity can be adapted to a Back to School ice- breaker, where students will tell a story with the objects they find in their paper bag. For another version, have a pass-the-bag class story--one student starts the story by picking an object out of the bag and creating a few sentences. The next student picks another object out (have them keep their eyes closed) and then must continue the story with that item, etc. 

 

First Day Checklist - There are lots of things to think about for the first day of school! This checklist will help sort out all the little things. source

Fourteen Great Activities for the First Days of School - Activities and lessons for those important first days. These ideas are submitted by classroom teachers source

Planning for the First Day of School - Elementary - Detailed plans for a successful first day of school. New teachers will appreciate the planning, even those who have had several first days may pick up some ideas source

Setting Up Your Classroom - Several suggestions here about what kinds of learning areas you should consider for your classroom. Ideas for making each of the areas special. source

Structuring the Class for Learning - Information for getting the school year off to a vigorous, business-like start. Ideas as well as explanations are provided source

Tammy's Bumper Sticker - Fancy, educational desk "bumper stickers" for several grade levels. Many options, including, alphabets, shapes, maps and print or cursive lettering source

Activities for the First Day of School - Ideas, games, activities and ideas for a successful first day source

Back to School - A few ideas for getting the year off to a successful start from The Teacher's Desk source

Back to School - Check lists, helpful hints and activities for those first days of kindergarten source

Back to School - Advice and ideas for those first days in kindergarten. Includes organization, activities and reassurance (for kids and teachers) source

Back to School Word Search Puzzle - Printable word search puzzle all about school. Great for a first week time filler. source

Before School Starts - Things to think about and plan for even before that first day! Room arrangements, rules and routines, early assessment and record keeping. source

Beginning School Packet - Ideas and projects to help the new school year off to a good start. Games, icebreakers and tips to help you get to know and manage your students source

Bulletin Boards for Fall - First of school and Fall theme bulletin boards. Some ideas have pictures with them. Helpful hints on lettering of bulletin boards also source

Classroom Management - This is a quick list of tips for the first day of school and for general classroom management. Great reminders source

First Day Activities - Ideas here to make that first day of school run smoothly. Activities and assignments help students and teachers be productive right form the start! source

First Day of School Activities - Here is a collection of great, simple ideas for the first day or days of school! source

Getting Ready for the First Day - That First Day of School will be here before you know it! Use these helpful ideas to plan a great year source

Getting To Know Your Students - Lesson Plans and ideas for many ways to get to know your students source

Icebreakers - Get-to-know-you games for the first of school. These can help you create a positive atmosphere in your classroom source

Icebreakers - Directions for several games and activities to warm up a group. Great for first day icebreakers source

Icebreakers/Mixers - Lots and lots of ideas for icebreakers and games. Ideas range from child to adult. Get to know your group source

It's Time For Back to School - Clipart, calendar templates and back to school poetry help make the start of the school year pleasant. source

Planning Your Second to Fifth Days - You made it through the first day, here are some plans and activities to keep the rest of your school days running smoothly source

Providing Structure: Rules and Routines Checklist - Here is a great checklist to help you remember all the things you need to think about in planning you classroom routines. Part of the checklist helps you to determine how you set up your rules and consequences source

Rule Making in the Classroom - This article goes into detail about having children construct classroom rules, how to involve them in the process and what pitfalls to avoid source

School Bus Safety - The beginning of school is a great time to review bus safety. This page provides rules and some printable color pages to help students remember to be safe source

Setting Up Your Room - A very thorough explanation about what one teacher goes through to make sure the classroom is a warm, inviting place for students. This is written for a Kindergarten classroom, but many of the ideas will work well in other grades source

The Classroom Community--Promoting the 5 "R's" - Back to school time is a time to plan your classroom rules and to think about how to create a classroom community. This page gives several strategies and things to consider as the new year approaches source

The First Six Weeks of School - The foundation of the school year is so important. This page will get you thinking about those first six weeks and all you can do to help the school year get off to a successful start source

The Ice Breakers--Warming Up Your Classroom - Several ideas here for getting to know your students and getting the year off on a friendly start. These were written for 7-12 grades, but upper elementary will appreciate some of them and some can be adapted for lower grades source

Top 10 Must Do Items Before School Starts - Getting ready for a new school year takes lots of planning. Here is a list of important items so you don't forget something. source

TOP


Grade 3

LESSON PLANS FOR 3RD GRADE: http://www.coreknowledge.org/CKproto2/resrcs/lessons/3.htm 

One of the best collections specifically targeted to third grade curriculum--from Core Knowledge. GRADE THREE SCIENCE CURRICULUM:

 http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/docs/elemsci/gr3tcesc.html 

This Canadian curriculum for third grade includes activities and lesson plans for each of the units. OTHER SUBJECTS -- LESSON PLANS FOR 3RD GRADE: http://www.ezlink.com/~edu/BMathOth.htm http://www.arthur.k12.il.us/arthurgs/a3lilelo.htm http://pen6.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/Instruction/wmstds/math3.shtml http://www.fairfield.k12.ct.us/tresources/pd/g3oct5th.html 

THIRD GRADE VOCABULARY ACTIVITIES: http://www.ed.gov/pubs/CompactforReading/table3.html 

You can print out most of these pdf home to school work- sheets for student homework and vocabulary enrichment, all appropriately leveled to third grade.

 SPELLING AND VOCABULARY PLANS: http://www.knownet.net/users/Ackley/spell_plans.html 

Find loads of vocabulary games and activities to increase student word knowledge and use. Also try: -- Vocabulary Charades--each student has to look up a new word at home, and bring back a pictorial or dramatic representation of the word for next day.

 Crazy Sentencing--With a pre-made grab-bag of appropriate 3rd grade vocabulary words, choose 4 students to close their eyes and randomly pick a word. They must read their selection to the class, and then each student will quickly create a sentence or very short story using all four word choices. 

Individual Dictionaries--Using Kid Pix, students create their own personalized and illustrated dictionaries to accompany their reading selections. Kid Pix is available at: http://www.learningcompanyschool.com 

Dress The Word Game--Give students a basic root word and 5 minutes to come up with as many prefix and suffix additions--new words--as they can. The one with the most must then create a silly sentence using all of his/her words in some combination.

3RD GRADE CURRICULUM, SKILLS GUIDELINES (SAMPLES):

 http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/docs/grade3.html http://www.howard.k12.md.us/connections/elementary/gradethree.html http://www.windham.k12.me.us/thirdgrd/ http://arthur.k12.il.us/arthurgs/AESTHIRD.htm http://www.fwsd.wednet.edu/FW/Schools/panther/3rd.html http://www.parentpatch.com/third_grader_should_know.htm http://www.san-marino.k12.ca.us/~valentine/third/thirdcu.html http://www.tea.state.tx.us/teks/grade/grade_3.htm 

RECOMMENDED BOOKLISTS FOR 3RD GRADE: http://www.carolhurst.com/titles/onceuponadark.html (This one includes reviews of the books listed.) http://www.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/score/cyk3.html (With Teacher Cyberguides.) 

RESOURCES FOR MULTIAGE CLASSROOMS: http://www.chimacum.wednet.edu/multiage/ Loads of relevant resources here to sift through, including a literature program for 2nd/3rd grade classes. 

MULTIAGE LINKS: http://www.chimacum.wednet.edu/multiage/multiage-links.html --With links to several multiage classroom pages.

TOP

Grade 2

 

GENERAL LESSONS, CURRICULUM, & RESOURCES: http://www.arthur.k12.il.us/arthurgs/aes2nd.htm http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/docs/grade2.html http://www.coreknowledge.org/CKproto2/resrcs/lessons/2.htm http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/docs/elemsci/gr2tcesc.html http://faldo.atmos.uiuc.edu/CLA/LESSONS/second.html http://www.cstone.net/~bcp/BCPIntro2.htm 

Find collections of lesson plans and internet resources appropriate for your grade level across all subject areas. 

INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGY IN GRADE 2: http://perrynet.sparcc.org/webunits/Grade2/Resources/ http://www.mtnbrook.k12.al.us/tech/2nd.htm 

Across-the-curriculum internet activities and suggestions for incorporating technology in to your second grade lessons. 

GRADE 2 MATH:

 http://www.edhelper.com/math_grade2.htm       http://www.col-ed.org/cur/math.html 

Collections of activities for teaching second grade math.

 2ND GRADE LANGUAGE ARTS & BOOKLIST RESOURCES: 

 http://www.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/SCORE/cyk3.html 

Excellent resources for grade two language arts skills, along with recommended literature lists and reading and activity guides. 

GRADE 2 SCIENCE RESOURCES: http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/docs/elemsci/gr2tcesc.html http://www.uen.org/cgi-bin/websql/lessons/query_lp.hts?corearea=3&area=2 http://198.111.244.2/~pes/secgrade.html http://pilgrims.net/plymouth/schools/Science/grade2/unit10.htm http://www.EnchantedLearning.com/Home.html

Topics appropriate for second grade science curriculum, along with activities and experiments to support your lesson plans. 

GRADE 2 SOCIAL SCIENCES: 

http://www.libsci.sc.edu/miller/grade2ss.htm 

Grade-appropriate topics for social studies lessons. 

SECOND GRADE CURRICULUM SAMPLES: http://www.san-marino.k12.ca.us/~valentine/second/secondcu.html http://cs1.mcm.edu/~awyatt/csc3315/TEKS/math/grade2.htm http://cs1.mcm.edu/~awyatt/csc3315/TEKS/english/grade2.htm http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/curriculum/dap/outlines/grade2_curric.html http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/docs/ela/ela_foun2.html 

What to cover in second grade? Try these sample curricula to make sure you're on track. 

 

Grade 5

5TH GRADE LESSON PLANS: http://www.coreknowledge.org/CKproto2/resrcs/lessons/5.htm 

A great collection of themed units for fifth grade topics, from Core Knowledge. 

5TH GRADE SOCIAL STUDIES: 

http://falcon.jmu.edu/~ramseyil/fifth.htm http://www.uen.org/cgi-bin/websql/lessons/l3.hts?corearea=4&course_num=6050 

FIFTH GRADE MATH:

 http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/Instruction/wmstds/math5.shtml http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/docs/rubrics/math/mathrubs.html 

GRADE FIVE ART: http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/docs/artsed/g5arts_ed/index.html

 FIFTH GRADE SCIENCE: http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/docs/elemsci/gr5tcesc.html http://www.fcps.edu/FlorisES/fifth/gr5sci.htm 

FIFTH GRADE CURRICULUM, LESSON PLANS, AND RESOURCES: http://www.uen.org/cgi-bin/websql/lessons/query_lp.hts?grade=5&area=3 http://www.uen.org/cgi-bin/websql/lessons/query_lp.hts?grade=5&area=4 http://www.fzschools.org/5th.html                    http://www.hillcrestacademy.net/fifth.htm               http://sgucandcs.org/curriculum_5.html   http://www.csanews.org/gr5curriculum.html

 5TH GRADE RECOMMENDED BOOK LISTS: http://www.uen.org/curriculum/html/booksfifthsixth.html http://www.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/score/cy45.html (This site with Teacher CyberGuides)

GO TO THE TOP

 

Kindergarten

BACK TO SCHOOL FOR KINDERGARTEN: http://geocities.com/Heartland/Hollow/1213/back.html 

If you want a one-stop site for back to school resources at the kindergarten level, this site might very well pro- vide it. Find themes for starting off your school year, along with poems, author studies, and month-by-month schedules. Also offered are daily schedules, setting up your classroom, a first day checklist, an assessment plan... packed with valuable resources for the early elementary new teacher.

 

ALPHABET DIG: 

http://www.kinderart.com/littles/alphabetdig.htm 

Children will learn to match letters to sounds and words in this action-packed activity--use it both for an early start to reading or for students having some difficulties with phonics.

MYSELF AND OTHERS: http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/curriculum/littlekids/lesson_myselfandothers.htm

 Kindergarten students will create a classroom slideshow book on the All About Me theme, using Kid Pix to design their self-portraits. (Kid Pix is available at: http://www.learningcompanyschool.com) 

MAGNIFICENT ME: 

http://www.henry.k12.ga.us/cur/Kinder.htm 

Targeting Kindergarten level and offering activities across the entire curriculum, plot in this integrated project for one of your first back-to-school units.

 

Grades 4-6

 

SOUND UNIT: http://www.mcs.brandonu.ca/~education/collarle/sound.htm 

Here's a 4th grade unit with numerous activities, lesson plans, and student explorations to learn about the properties of sound--including the movement of vibrations, identifying that sound has pitch, and how we hear sound. Quite comprehensive. 

THE SOUNDRY: http://library.thinkquest.org/19537/ 

This interactive tour of sound investigates how we perceive sound, the physics of sound, and sound applications. Then pop into the interactive sound lab to experiment online with harmonics and synthesizers, sound mixing, wave changing . . . 

WIRES AND WAVES: http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/nstw/teach/activity/english.htm 

Six units and loads of activities explore the science of communication, through senses, signals, how sound travels, connecting networks, and decoding images from space.

 FOOLING AROUND WITH OUR MINDS: http://www.spartechsoftware.com/reeko/Experiments/ExpFoolingMind.htm 

How do we see? This experiment demonstrates how our brains provide a good deal of interpretation about what we "see"...

INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGY WORLD SURFARI:   http://www.supersurf.com/ 

Join the surfari adventure, where students will visit one location per month and learn about its peoples, culture, history, and more. This month's location is Gibraltar. 

 PROFESSIONAL RESOURCES SPACE RACE TO GREAT GROUP BEHAVIOR: http://www.teachnet.com/how-to/manage/spacerace031300.html

 Encourage group cooperation and team efforts with this idea. While used in a solar system study, you could adapt your "race" to any relevant theme. 

BANANA BUCKS: http://www.teachnet.com/how-to/manage/banana011999.html 

Download and print this file for setting up your very own "banana bucks" system in your classroom. Suggestions are included for utilizing this reward system to your best advantage.

THE FIFTY STATES: http://faculty.acu.edu/~armstrongl/geography/states.htm

 Students will plan a vacation, create a parade float, learn state mottos, birds, and flowers, and more. 

THE NEW ENGLAND STATES: http://faculty.acu.edu/~armstrongl/geography/state.htm 

Ten days of student activities will help your class learn the 50 states and their capitals, as well as more specific information about a New England state of their choice. 

THE STATES -- HIGHEST AND LOWEST: http://teachers.net/lessons/posts/458.html 

In this online scavenger hunt, students will learn internet search skills, find lowest and highest elevations in each state, and create bar graphs to show and compare their results. I

INTERNET STATE RESEARCH: http://www.teachers-connect.net/TNT/mlp0045.htm 

Students will learn internet skills, create a data- base for their research, email tourism offices for relevant data, and design and create an informative booklet using Print Shop Deluxe. (Find Print Shop software at: http://www.learningcompanyschool.com)

 SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES OF 5TH GRADERS AROUND THE US: http://www.stark.k12.oh.us/Docs/units/1996/sim.ls/ 

In this pen pal or epal project (we can run a request for penpals/epals for your class if you wish), students interact with other fifth graders to discuss regional similarities and differences. They will create a life-size poster depicting what they see as the typical fifth-grader, as well as brochures, questionnaires, and graphs. 

CREATE AN EDIBLE MAP: http://www.track0.com/canteach/elementary/wenviron1.html 

Here's yet another recipe for mapmaking a la mode-- make this one as elaborate as you wish with the selected ingredients, and focus on the fifty states or your own state, emphasizing its physical features.

For commonly-used literature by grade level, try: SCORE CYBERGUIDES:

 http://www.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/score/cyberguide.html

 

GO TO THE TOP

Middle and High School Sites

INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGY 

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAP MACHINE: http://plasma.nationalgeographic.com/mapmachine/ 

Choose your location, zoom in, zoom out, and create a map. Population, physical, climate, and historical features are all available.

PROFESSIONAL RESOURCES

 RULES FOR MAKING RULES THAT WORK FOR YOU: http://ss.uno.edu/ss/New/CMRules.html 

Rules to judge the rules you make--it sounds rather complicated, but really it isn't... these guidelines will actually help you create sound rules in the first place and gain a strong foothold in classroom management. 

MANAGING TROUBLEMAKERS: http://www.teachnet.com/how-to/manage/follansbee000912.html 

Turn the tables with this approach to problem behaviors; see if it will work for you.

 DISCIPLINE TIPS FROM A TEACHER SURVIVOR: http://www.middleweb.com/INCASEdiscsteps.html 

Five steps are outlined to help enforce your own class- room discipline policies at the commencement of the school year. 

MAKING A GOOD START: http://www.ascd.org/readingroom/edupdate/1997/1sep.html 

This article discusses how best to approach classroom management and connecting with students and parents for getting the year off to a sound start. 

THE FILE CABINET:  http://home.att.net/~teaching/oddsends.htm 

Lots of useful printables offered here, including classroom money, homework passes, daily contracts, lined paper, progress charts... and more.

CREATING CLASSROOM CONSTITUTIONS: http://garnet.col-ed.org/cur/sst/sst148.txt 

An excellent beginning of year exercise here to effectively demonstrate the usefulness of rules and government. Your class can create its own class constitution after completing the activities. The lesson plan was written for a government class, but can be adapted to other subjects as well. 

50 STATES IN 50 HOURS: 

http://www.nashville-schools.davidson.k12.tn.us/CurriculumAwards/50states/50States.html

 Students will use media center resources such as Where in the U.S.A. is Carmen Sandiego? (available at: http://www.learningcompanyschool.com) to create their own state trivia cards with HyperStudio (or Kid Pix or Print Shop Deluxe). Take this general lesson plan further by having students create a state trivia game using the info on their state cards. 

STATE REPORTS -- CAN YOU CONVINCE: http://www.learningspace.org/teach_learn/lplan/library/Pirog.html 

You, the teacher, just inherited a windfall, and you wish to buy a vacation property... your students must research locations within an assigned state and put together a persuasive, glossy brochure to attract your money to their hot spot.

 MAKE YOUR MARK AS U.S. PRESIDENT: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/whitehouse/whhome.html 

Look over the faces in your classroom--somewhere in the country, one teacher is looking at a future American President... Prepare the way by letting your students participate in this interactive chief executive role-playing, where students learn the functions of their expected position before getting there (even down to selecting the items that will sit on their desk... ). 

FREEDOM OF THE PRESS LESSON PLAN: http://youth.net/cec/cecsst/cecsst.155.txt 

The role of the press in American society is examined in this lesson plan. Students will become familiar with the Watergate story, and discuss issues of freedom of speech, information sources and gathering, and restraints. 

FAMOUS AMERICAN WOMEN RESEARCH GUIDE: http://frank.mtsu.edu/~kmiddlet/history/women/wh-state.html 

This bibliography of resources presents a guide for data collection on serious studies of women in American history.. 

EXPLORE 

IDENTIFICATION AND MAPPING OF WORLD WAR II: http://ofcn.org/cyber.serv/academy/ace/soc/cecsst/cecsst142.html 

High school students will create a large floor map and a dialogue between countries involved in World War II. With dramatization and debate, teams will posit outcomes if actions had taken a different course. 

TEACHER'S GUIDE TO THE MIDDLE EAST: http://www.worldtrek.org/odyssey/teachers/mideastguide.html 

As well as resources on the middle east, also find lesson plans on Zimbabwe, Peru, Guatemala, and Youth and Society. 

LESSONS AROUND THE WORLD: 

http://fga.freac.fsu.edu/academy/index.html 

For Middle School level, Africa, Australia, North America, and Asia are explored in detail. Resources and activities are especially plentiful for Africa, with diverse topics covering animals, deforestation, and desertification.

GO TO THE TOP

RESPONSE TO LITERATURE: http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/docs/mla/response/intro.html

 Written especially for middle school teachers and students, these wide resources at this site encourage visual, oral, dramatic, and written responses through many different venues. 

BOOK REPORT IDEAS: http://www.teachnet.com/lesson/langarts/reading/bookrepts1.html 

Dozens of these ideas make for exciting, hands-on literary projects--give your students the list and see what they come up with. 

LITERATURE CIRCLES:

 http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/docs/mla/circle/intro.html 

These motivators for literature responses include creating cartoons, scrapbooks, a reader's theater script and production, a gossip magazine, a mural... put the control in to your students' hands for creating unique responses and projects. If they are enjoying themselves, importance issues may no longer be relevant. 

LANGUAGE ARTS CURRICULUM RESOURCE AND GUIDE: http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/docs/mla/index.html 

Specifically written for middle school English teachers--a huge resource for implementing and maintaining an effective instruction strategy.

 

GO TO THE TOP

 

[email protected]

As of May 12, 2001