XP Math - Sharing Math Wheel of Fortune

XP Math is a resource that I really like.  The site is very robust but I want to focus on the Math Games Arcade. 
Here is a a screen shot from Geometry Edition Wheel of Fortune.  You can begin playing the game, with no log in, from this link.  The look, sounds and feel of the game are wonderful.  Once you play the game, check out the other useful math resources and games.  There is a free registration but you do not need to register in order to play the arcade games.  That's Keeping It Simple.

Share a comment if you think your students would benefit from playing these games or if you like the resources that you find on the site.  Please share the site with a colleague.  Enjoy!

Wild Wednesday - A wacky tool for wonderful creativity and more...

Build Your Wild Self

                                   By the New York Zoos and Aquarium 

If you follow children's movies, you may have heard of
The Incredibles, about a family of super-heroes living in the
suburbs or Spiderman.  There is even a new TV show about a family with super powers.
The connection - Build Your Wild Self is a tool that allows children (of all ages) to build a "wild" picture of themselves adding human and animal body parts. 

While it could be a cute tool that allows children to explore their creativity, I think it could be much more for teachers.  The website definitely meets my "keeping it simple" as it is clear and easy for young children to navigate. 

When I first came across this site, my first thoughts were using it to support a writing prompt and using it to promote speaking and creativity.

• Creative writing linked to why they chose the body parts.
• What would it be like to have arms and legs like a tiger?
• Would they have "super ability" based on their choices?

• This tool could be used with the Interactive White Board as a class activity.
• How are animals different from humans?
• Students narrate "why" they are making body part choices.  This supports ELA standards, would be an engaging exercise.  You could video tape the wild self development and explanation. 

The site allows you to email your wild self to a friend too.  My last thought, go wild and check out the site.  I would love to hear your comments and thoughts on how to use this resource.  Care to share your ideas?
Note-there are links to all the NYC zoos and the aquarium.  These pages offer additional resources you can explore. 

Digital History - Wow!

"Using new technologies to enhance teaching and research."  This is what the Digital History website says and the site does have extensive resources for teaching history.
http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/resource_guides/default.cfm

Keeping it simple.

This screen shot of the website shows how uncluttered the site is.  The navigation bar on the left side offers "for teachers" with links to exploration, handouts, learning modules, lesson plans, and resource guides.

•  You can also explore resources by period.

• History lovers and teachers will like the extensive resources.

Some parts of the site are still under construction but I think you will find an abundance of quality information here.  Click through the site.  There is so much more than I have mentioned.

One thing teachers struggle with is getting students to properly cite internet resources.  This site shares the proper way to site the website.
  Citing This Website Please use the following reference when citing this website:

To cite the entire website use this form:Mintz, S. (2007). Digital History. Retrieved (insert the date your retrieved the information here without parentheses) from
http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu

To cite a specific document on the website use this form:
Mintz, S. (2007). Change this text to the title of the section. Digital History. Retrieved (insert the date your retrieved the information here without parentheses) from
http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu (add the complete URL for the specific page)

 Happy history searching with Digital History.

Teacher PD Online

Have you tried learning online?  The K-12 Online Conference is an easy way to dip your toes in the online learning water.

There are only a few more days of the conference but past sessions can be accessed.  Many have video presentations and the site calendar table is easy to navigate.  You can see the type of sessions that educators are presenting.  There is something for teachers at all levels.  The blue hyperlinks on the schedule will bring you to the session.

You can sit with your feet up or relaxing in a way that works for you and learn about ways teachers are using technology with their students, learn about new tools, research that is being done on technology integration, and much more.  Participating in online training is one way to expand your personal learning network. 

I encourage you to see what this special conference has to offer.  Post a comment if you like what you see.

Easy Spelling Web 2.0 Tool - Spelling City

If you are looking for a great way to engage your students in learning to spell, check out Spelling City.

You enter your words in the boxes or you can batch enter by copy/paste into the text box.

Once you enter the words, your students can "learn" the words, play "games" with the words, and "test" themselves.

The best part of the site is that the audio that accompanies the tools.  Spelling City even speaks a sentence with your word.






 Keeping It Simple

• You can play without a log in
• The site would work well using an Interactive White Board
• Includes many games using your words.
• The audio feature is excellent.
• Includes featured word lists you can use.

 Check out Spelling City and see how it could work for your class.  Share your ideas or thoughts in a comment.