Good-to-Go Projects for 2014
Image credit: iStockphoto When teachers ask how to get started with project-based learning, I acknowledge the "front-loading" that's part of project planning. Before students enter the picture, teachers need to consider the learning goals of a project, develop an assessment plan, and map out at least a rough calendar of the learning activities that will support the inquiry process. Those details may change once students dig in, but having a plan provides a roadmap for the student-directed learning ahead.
Visual Writing Prompts
Prompt by John T. Spencer – Original Article at The Atlantic Cities Prompt by John T. Spencer
Free Tycoon Games
Play free, interactive & educational business simulation games, cool money management games, diner/food service activities, airport management games, awesome virtual farm games, and more.. for children, teens, high school students in the classroom or to play at home with family and friends. Test your time management skills, and learn how to run a successful business or operation, while solving problems under pressure. From simple fun on your computer to more challenging educational games. Go Tycoon!
Web Tools Blog Series: Tools to Help Students Collaborate
In previous blogs, we focused on web tools to collect and organize content and tools to help students create and present ideas. In this module, we focus on how to use web tools to foster collaboration. Randy Nelson (Pixar University) provides a brilliant definition of collaboration by using two principles of improv.
When Grading Harms Student Learning
There are so many forces at work that make educators grade, and grade frequently. For sports eligibility, coaches constantly look at grades to see if a student is at an academic level that will allow him or her to play. Colleges review transcripts to examine what type of courses students took and their corresponding grades. Teachers must follow policy that demands them to enter a certain amount of grades every week, month, or marking period. There's no stopping it.
idioms
Unless you’ve been living in a separate galaxy in the last few weeks, you will have noticed that many people, including English Language Trainers, have been preparing for Halloween. So not wanting to feel left out I thought I would join the crowd and make my own contribution towards this pagan feast. What better way than to share with you 10 idioms with a Halloween theme!
Let's Get Physical: Reading and Movement
We often assume that by the time they walk through our doors, middle school students know how to read well. Yet, that’s not always the case. And with the complex text requirements of the Common Core State Standards, middle school students need frequent instruction and practice in their reading comprehension skills. A variety of teaching strategies can engage students in the reading process by incorporating movement and activities. Just the Highlights Using a road construction analogy, have students highlight text using a variety of colors to help identify areas of strengths and weaknesses.
Thorp’s E-Books
Below you will find the links to all of the textbooks and textbook resources that are available on-line. If you have lost your username and password see Mrs. Montemayor CPS Virtual Library
Technology and Teaching: Finding a Balance
There is no doubt that finding the time to integrate technology is an overwhelming task for anyone. Throughout the course of a day, teachers find themselves pulled in many directions. However, technology is already integrated in nearly everything we do and nearly every job our students will encounter.
Pixar In A Box Teaches Math Through Real Animation Challenges
Pixar senior scientist Tony DeRose was faced with a problem that animators had never solved — how to make the hand of an old man look lifelike. It was 1998 and he was working on the experimental short film “Geri’s Game.” DeRose needed to figure out how to make a sculpture hand model with many angular planes look smooth and skin-like on the screen.
33 ways to speak better English
If you’re reading this, I imagine you want to speak better English and communicate in a more confident and competent way. When we communicate effectively we are able to express our ideas and opinions, share experiences, and build relationships with others. When we struggle to express ourselves, we feel unvalued and insecure. As human beings, we want to participate in group discussions and have an impact on the society around us. In the modern world, we communicate across borders. English is the closest thing we have to an international language.
Five iPad Apps That Help Students Start Creative Stories
In the year that I taught language arts before moving into the social studies department one of the challenges that my students faced in writing short stories was coming up with ideas to get started. I held a lot of brainstorming sessions with those students. Today, there are lots of apps that can help students generate creative story ideas.
Interactive 3D Educational Simulations - ForgeFX Simulations
ForgeFX has been a proud content development partner for Pearson Education for over 10 years. Developing over 100 simulation-based training programs and applications, across a number of different subjects and curricula, ForgeFX helps Pearson Education deliver digital learning products that transform students from passive audience members, to active participants in the learning process. 3D Wave Simulator This real-time 3D wave simulator demonstrates the connection between wind speed and ocean particle motion depth. The application helps students visualize how waves are the forward movement of water, due to the oscillation of water particles by the frictional drag of wind over the surface. Water motion simulator helps students visualize how ocean waves work.
