Wolfram Alpha

I've shared this site before but I think you will appreciate this 14 minute video which explains this knowledge engine. Wolfram Alpha is not the typical search engine. Instead of giving you tons of links for continued research, it actually gives you the information. The site developer shares how to use the site in the video. All you have to do is click on the title of this post to go to the video. It will start automatically but you can go to the bottom to stop and start the video. Just for fun, after you watch the video, go here to the site. Type in your birth date and see what information you get. Check back soon to learn more about Wolfram Alpha and their education site.

Teacher Zone

Now this is exciting for grades 3-10 teachers of math. This site has a huge collection of videos which teach math skills. Here's what is so exciting. The YouTube videos listed on the site may be viewed in an alternate program. So with YouTube blocked at our school, we have no worries about being able to use them. There is a simple button to click right above the screen. Now that is EXCITING...well at least it is to me!!

You have to register for the site however that took me less than 1 minute. They sent me a password and I was searching for videos and watching one on elapsed time in less than 5 minutes!

Click on the title to sign up or go here for Teacher Zone and get started today!!

10 Tiny Turtles

Watch this neat animation and then check out the link at the bottom to see more videos.



Watch more cool animation and creative cartoons at Aniboom

Happy Holidays from Edinburgh

I hope you are all enjoying a spring holiday. Kip and I are having a great time in Scotland and you can follow our travels at http://mountaintoptechie.blogspot.com/ I won't be adding much content here but I will be busy with the Travels with the Boones' blog. Join me there for the next week!

Comic Maker

I just love Read, Write, Think! Have I ever mentioned that??? Here's an interactive to use for making comics. Just click right here! It even starts off with a giggle. Try it and let me know what you think.

More Poetry Sites

Enjoy writing poetry with your students using these sites.

Poetry Splatter is simple to use. First you choose a poem title from the list. When the poem opens, you will have to fill in the blanks with words that are splattered onto the screen. All age groups are included.

Acrostic Poem is from Read, Write, Think. Keep in mind that you have to complete this in one sitting. You are not given the option to save but you may print it. Looks like there will be space for students to draw a picture after it is printed.

Diamante Poem is also from Read, Write, Think. Same info as above pertains to this interactive.

Another resource from Read, Write, Think is Shape Poem. Use this link here for tips and more information about how to use the Shape Poem interactive.

Off the Charts is a neat site from PBS. It allows you to write a poem and turn it into a song. PBS provides the music. Looks like fun to me!

Poetry

Grade 6-8 have finished the WestTest On-Line writing. Please keep writing with the students though! Have a little fun with poetry now and head over to these two sites to help you and your students write poems.

Poetry4Kids
Giggle Poetry

Don't forget that WestTest Language always has a lengthy poem for students to read and then questions about the selection. Students have difficulty understanding poetry and a little review within the classroom will go a long way to helping them on their tests. Here are several sites to find poems to use.

Famous Poets and Poems
Poets.org allows you to search for poems but you may also sign up for a poem a day (in April) to be sent to your email.

In honor of the vernal equinoz, here's a short poem to share.

Daffodowndilly
by A.A. Milne

She wore her yellow sun-bonnet,
She wore her greenest gown;
She turned to the south wind
And curtsied up and down.
She turned to the sunlight
And shook her yellow head,
And whispered to her neighbour:
"Winter is dead."

I found this poem at DLTK. You can follow the link by clicking on DLTK. Go to Spring on the left side and scroll down to the poetry section. When you find this partciular poem, you may listen to it and print out a coloring sheet. Some of the other poems have activity sheets to go with them.