I Play Math Games

Here's a math site for printing out games AND it is FREE!!! Check the site for specific skill areas, print out the game, pull out the dice, cards or other manipulatives and get going! This is great for small group activities and differentiation. Enjoy!!

The Write-n-ator!

MrsD shared this site on Twitter. Although it is aligned with CSOs from New Hampshire, it would still work for us. Take a minute to look at the NH objectives to see how that aligns with WV CSOs. You'll find a "mission", a video and a writing challenge. There are several pages of projects so make sure you check all of them to align to the skill you are teaching. I noticed one on synonyms, another on alliteration and another on vocabulary development. Lots of neat ideas to use to supplement your writing lessons! I would suggest using the program on the whiteboard and have students write their document on word (or paper) to share with you.

The Story Starter

Here's an interesting site with over 370,000 story starters. You click the bar and get a random story starter. Some are odd but really push for creative ideas! Keep in mind this is not an education site and it is a random generator so use this with caution. I might just use it to help me with an idea but not neccessarily have students use the site. It's plain and to the point. No need to even look at directions for using it! Easy, peasy! Thanks to Larry Ferlazzo for sharing this on Twitter! Let me know what you think about this site!

Childtopia

Here's a great site for beginning readers. You can find lots of great resources here...worksheets,crafts, but my favorite is Tales. Click on that link and you will find audio stories! The site is from Spain however you will see that English is the default language. I did notice a very slight accent as a story was read but nothing to distract students. The site has ads and some are in Spanish. To get rid of those ads and to show with full screen, you have to subscribe to premium services and PAY!!! The small screen works for me!

Grimm Fairy Tales

Thanks to Reader Reviews: Surfing the Net With Kids for sharing this site! Grimm Fairy Tales is dedicated to the Brothers Grimm and their stories. You can read stories, listen to stories, play games, and get some info about the Brothers. After esploring this site, head to the bottom of the page to check out some other fables and fairy tales.

September - Constitution Day

Thursday September 17, 2009

The National Constitution Center
The site includes many resources. Most are free. Check out the lesson plans on the right side of the site. Here's something neat to do with your class:

Virtual Field Trip: Signing the Constitution
September 17, 2009, at 9 a.m.

Classrooms around the country can join the National Constitution Center via live webcast for a special demonstration in Signers’ Hall about the signing of the Constitution. Participants will also learn more about the Center’s new virtual field trip program. Educators can register to join the event on the Constitution Center’s website.

If you are interested in doing this, please let me know no later than Tuesday so I can do a quick PD with a laptop and projector so you can do this in your classroom.

Thanks to AnneMarie of Talking Smartboards & Much More
Constitution Relay Game
This is a neat game you could project and do as a large group. Questions are asked about the Constitution and you would type in the answer.

The Bill of Rights Game
This game review the Bill of Rights and has an elementary and secondary level.

American SymbolsThis game is so simple to use. A question is asked about an American symbol and students drag the symbol to the appropriate box.

Vickie Blackwell always has lots of great resources for all curriculum areas. Check out her Constitution resources at

You can always find great ideas and resources from Thinkfinity. I did a search and found hundreds of lessons. You can check them out at Thinkfinity. Refine your search by putting in your grade level and the specific type of resource.

If you need help with Thinkfinity, please just ask. It is a great resource that will make your life easier!

Constitution Day
It's a bit lat however you may order one free copy of the Constitution from this site. Don't stop at the free booklet. Keep scrolling down to find oodles of resources including lessons, links and a poster contest!

Keyboard Climber

Students always need to practice their keyboarding skills. Check out this neat game for help with those typing skills! The goal is to have the monkey climb higher and higher. If a student types the wrong letter, a cocnut drops on the monkey's head and he falls down. This would be a great site for students to practice at home! Share the address with the students. Just click on the title to go to the site.