Website to Promote Student Interest

One of the most valuable websites for lesson planning and capturing students' attention is www.unitedstreaming.com. This is the place to find short introductry videos to any topic under the sun-science, history, art, math... Students are so visually stimulated now a days with computers and television, the short videos really help students to become excited and interested in the new subject matter. Also helpful for the visual learners. The videos can range from a few minutes to lengthy features. The website also provides extensive lesson plans on any subject. This site is both beneficial to teachers and to students.

Most schools have a subscription but individuals can become a member for a fee. There is also a 30 day trail for those interested.

ALA's Best Websites for Teaching and Learning

The American Association of School Librarians has just put out their recommendations for the top 25 websites for teaching and learning. Their criteria? Free websites that "foster the qualities of innovation, creativity, active participation, and collaboration."

web site for 1st graders

This is a web site I use frequently when in the computer lab with my students. It has many levels and is terrific for ELL students. Once I've taught my class how to get to this site, it's a place they can go after their computer assignment is finished.

www.starfall.com

You can also check out my class website that has many links to terrific sites for students and parents.

http://teacherweb.com/CA/TonyTobinElementarySchool/Han/

Go Back in Time "Underground Railroad"

Hey Nutty Nine.... I wanted to share a GREAT teacher friendly website that allows you and your students to go back in time and experience what life was like for a slave in the 1800's. The website is:
http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/bhistory/underground_railroad/
Students will follow a young slave as he flees a Kentucky plantation for Canada along the Underground Railroad. Along the way, they can read or listen to the runaway slave describe his terrifying journey from slavery to freedom. They'll discover what life was like as a slave, encounter the dangers of the Underground Railroad, meet brave abolitionists who took great risks to help runaways, and compare life in the North and South. It is a wonderful resource to use when you are teaching a unit about slavery. This website is really interactive and the kids will enjoy clicking on the various icons that will allow them to explore other areas of interest. There is also a teacher's corner that helps you with lesson plan ideas to help you teach this unit. Having technology such as a mimio system set up in my classroom has allowed me to project this website on my classroom whiteboard and take the virtual tour of the escape with the whole class. We were all able to experience it together and we clicked on each icon and discussed all the topics that were brought up such as: "Slave masters", "Big house", "Conductors", and "Stations". This website REALLY brought my lesson to LIFE and I highly recommend it to any teacher! :)

Hello From Your "Blog Manager"

Hi Gals,

Don't worry. You HAVE arrived at The Nutty Nine. I've added a new layout for the upcoming holiday. I can change it again once we get rolling.

I've sent our group members an email with instructions on how to sign in and comment on the blog. Hopefully everything works. If it doesn't, don't hesitate to send me a question.

Happy blogging!

Dawn

Hello World!

This is the first test post of the Nutty Nine from Temecula, California!