Knovation

ReadWriteThink: You Can’t Spell the Word Prefix Without a Prefix

Becca Gilman — Tue, 21 May 2013 08:00:43 +0000

Recognizing and using word prefixes helps with reading comprehension and specificity in writing. ReadWriteThink presents a great lesson plan for middle schoolers that not only reaffirms and increases their understanding of prefixes, it gives ideas for helping students with common misspelling problems that can be encountered when using prefixes. As with all ReadWriteThink lesson plans, this one includes an overview of the lesson, correlation with standards, the resources necessary for implementation of the plan, and the plan itself. There is also a link to a printout of common root words and affixes. Give your students the tools they need to make their writing much clearer and their reading comprehension much more precise.http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/spell-word-prefix-without-399.html

Dositey: Math Challenge

Becca Gilman — Mon, 20 May 2013 08:00:45 +0000

Challenge your younger students to use their problem-solving skills with these short problems. Although this site requires paid registration to access many of the Math Challenge problems, there are several that you can use for free. Review understanding of time, addition, subtraction, and, most importantly, an understanding of how to attack a word problem. Some of the problems have solutions submitted by young mathematicians. Show your students the real world application of the abstract mathematic skills they are learning with these short exercises. These would be good as a whole class activity or small group instruction.http://www.dositey.com/problems/mathchallk2.htm

Exploring Earth: Is It Safe to Live Near a Volcano?

Becca Gilman — Fri, 17 May 2013 08:00:35 +0000

You might not remember what you were doing on May 18, 1980, but I remember hearing on the radio that morning that Mount. St. Helens had erupted, wondering what that would mean for my family and me, and watching ash falling like rain from the sky just six hours later. We live 300 miles east of the volcano, and the fine ash from that eruption covered our city and shut it down for a week. The primary focus of this excellent interactive site is for you to decide how to plan for evacuation when a volcanic eruption is imminent. You can examine volcanic deposits from prior eruptions, see an interesting time-lapse video of the eruption alongside a cross-section of the volcano showing what was happening inside the mountain, and find out what the actual area affected by the eruption. As you go step by step through the scenarios, there are questions posed for you to consider for potential evacuation plans.http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/investigations/es0907/es0907page01.cfm?chapter_no=investigation

New York Times Book Review: A Literary Map of Manhattan

Becca Gilman — Thu, 16 May 2013 08:00:14 +0000

What an interesting way to explore Manhattan and its place in American literary history. Scroll down the map of the island or click on the book icons to find quotations from nearly one hundred authors that relate to specific addresses on Manhattan. You’ll find the quotation, citation to the work that contains the quotation, and, often, a portrait of the author. You can also access an index of the authors and titles if you are looking for a specific book. References from early 19th century to contemporary fiction, children’s books, and poetry dot the landscape. http://www.nytimes.com/packages/khtml/2005/06/05/books/20050605_BOOKMAP_GRAPHIC.html

Money As You Grow: Kids and Money

Becca Gilman — Wed, 15 May 2013 08:00:10 +0000

We all can use all the financial savvy we can get. This site, divided into information for five different age groups, provides lessons and activities that teach important information about saving, spending, and ways to avoid debt. Milestones for financial understanding are provided for children from ages 3 through 20 and activities are suggested to help kids reach each milestone. Children learn about choices on how to spend money, compare prices, use credit cards and inherent dangers therein, and invest. They can also learn about taxes and IRAs. It’s never to early to teach kids about responsible handling of money and how to achieve financial independence.http://moneyasyougrow.org

Evolution: Survival: Microbe Clock

Becca Gilman — Tue, 14 May 2013 08:00:28 +0000

One of the daunting battles scientists are fighting right now is how to stave off antibiotic resistance of certain bacteria that cause lethal diseases. Some bacteria have evolved resistance to almost all antibiotics that are in use today. Use the microbe clock to see how the bacteria develop antibiotic resistance and read about why it has the potential to be such a worldwide problem. After watching the microbes replicate on the microbe clock, read the discussion with four experts about how to reduce the threat of more bacteria developing a resistance to antibiotics and what corrective measures we can make in our own lives to perhaps slow the bacterial resistance.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/survival/clock/

Memorial Hall Museum: American Centuries: Kids’ Home Page

Becca Gilman — Mon, 13 May 2013 08:00:52 +0000

Settle down and make yourself comfortable as you visit this online museum that is filled with interactive learning. Exploring everyday American historical artifacts from the lives of everyday people brings history to life and it’s fun to compare your life with what life was like a few centuries ago. Investigate the clothing worn in the 18th, 19th, and early 20th centuries with Flash Player, then read about the individual pieces of clothing in the printable version. Watch brief Quicktime movies of old tools in action, see objects in the round, and find out what kids did years ago at school and at home.
http://memorialhall.mass.edu/kids_home.html

Discrete Mathematics Project: Counting Techniques Activity

Becca Gilman — Fri, 10 May 2013 08:00:23 +0000

Venn diagrams are valuable for so many disciplines. This lesson plan shows students how to use a Venn diagram to represent events and information that are not mutually exclusive. Use this plan as an introduction to studying probability and counting techniques. Included in the plan are the goals, problem statement, and suggestions on how to use this activity. The activity sheet includes the specific instructions on what to explore via the Venn diagram. You can use this as an activity for groups of two, who then present their diagrams to the entire class for discussion.

www.colorado.edu/education/DMP/activities/counting/jplact06.html

National Fire Protection Association: Welcome to Sparkyville

Becca Gilman — Thu, 09 May 2013 08:00:59 +0000

Thwart Danger Dog’s attempts to wreak havoc in Sparkyville by fixing the messes he’s created at Sparky’s house in this interactive game . There are safety lapses inside and outside Sparky’s place. You’ll need to look throughout the house, the car, the pool, and around Sparky’s bike not only to find the problems, but also to find clues to ways to make his life safer. Sparky is always standing by with some sage advice of where to look and what to do if you get stuck. Along the way you’ll find many ways to make your own home and life safer.http://www.sparky.org/games/SVILLE/sville.html

Grammar Tips: More on When to Use “Who” and “Whom”

Becca Gilman — Wed, 08 May 2013 08:00:48 +0000

Recently an article commented on the possible demise of the use of “whom” in speech and writing. What a shame! When writing, you want to show that you have the greatest command of your language possible and that includes knowing how various parts of a sentence affect each other. The problem with “who” and “whom” is that a little knowledge can be dangerous. You might think it erudite to use “whom” because it sounds more formal, but you can’t just throw it into your sentences willy-nilly. You need to know how “who” or “whom” is being used in its clause. This explanation will make everything clear to you and, even if hoi polloi are using the pronouns incorrectly, you can feel proud of your understanding. Just be sure to apply the same rules when using “whoever” and “whomever.” grammartips.homestead.com/who.html