Learn what Happy New Year looks like in languages from Bengahli to Zulu. The expression is written in the alphabet of the language, but you will also see the words transliterated into the Latin alphabet so it will look more approachable. Happy New Year to you all. http://www.merpy.com/newyear/
This five day theme unit for the Gingerbread Man is full of great ideas. It is suitable for children in preschool, kindergarten, and early elementary. From Language Arts to Math, this site has it all! Bake gingerbread cookies, make chains of gingerbread men, use gingerbread men as a measurement tool, and tell the story on [...]
If you are interested in civil engineering, this site will be very interesting. Building a skyscraper requires attention to many different forces. Of particular focus is whether the skyscraper can withstand lateral shaking from an earthquake. Not only can you read about skyscrapers, you can build your own shaking table to test skyscrapers you build [...]
Picture Match, an interactive from ReadWriteThink, engages new readers as they practice matching pictures with beginning-letter sounds and short- and long-vowel sounds. The players choose the letters to begin with and the computer generates the pictures. Words of encouragement accompany a correct match and the students can print out their progress when they are finished. [...]
A wonderful group of activities for middle school and high school students that uses music to introduce different cultures. Explore the Mexican “corrido,” which extols local Mexican heros. Research how music has been used to support social goals. Use Icelandic bands to see a relation between nature and music. Included are many hyperlinks that add [...]
What a great way to get a “jump” on the new year. Learn lots of jumping rope routines and amaze your friends with the stunts you’ve practiced. After watching stick figures demonstrate nine different jump rope moves, try them yourself. This site also includes jump rope rhymes and games, and suggestions for healthy snacks. Clearly [...]
Learn about the Mexican Christmas tradition, La Posada, in this activity. Provided are the music and lyrics to a traditional posada song. The lyrics are available in both Spanish and English. The posada traditionally reenacts the search by Mary and Joseph to find a place to stay in Bethlehem. The procession of children who act [...]
On this first day of winter this is a great activity from National Geographic to learn about seasons and why they change. Learn the scientific reasons for seasons and test your knowledge on the cosmic map. In addition, there are activities for both young learners and older learners to use their understanding of seasons throughout [...]
With the first day of winter coming tomorrow, it’s a good time to review some precautions to keep you safe when you spend time outdoors. Be sure to dress warmly, watch out for frostbite, and avoid injuries by using good sense when sledding or ice-skating. Read about ways to stay safe and healthy during the [...]
This brief page from a larger British educational site helps elementary students use non-standard measurements. A poem tells how to use a hand span to measure all sorts of things and suggests how to involve a friend or an adult in this exercise. This encourages students to think about the reasonableness of their answers. [...]
The Age of Flight begins with the Wright brothers’ first successful controlled flight at Kittyhawk, South Carolina, on Dec. 17, 1903. Learn the inspiration behind Orville and Wilbur Wright’s research and success in powered flight. Pictures of the brothers and their work, as well as a reasonably detailed essay, commemorate this world-changing event. It’s interesting [...]
Join the Sons of Liberty in dumping tea in Boston Harbor. They gathered on the night of December 16, 1773, to show the British just how far they would go in protesting a tax and a monopoly they thought was unfair. This brief video makes clear that the cost of the tea was not a [...]
Take this opportunity to watch Patrick Stewart and Kate Fleetwood in this award-winning performance of Macbeth, presented by PBS’ Great Performances. Stewart gives another stunning interpretation of one of Shakespeare’s flawed characters, and Fleetwood presents Lady Macbeth as the schemer she was. This site also offers an educator’s guide to the movie and play, and [...]
Reading Aloud – Riding the Sound Waves to Success Did you know that netTrekker offers text-to-speech support for all of the content and information in our interface? How does adding auditory support to text-based information benefit learners? The benefits of bringing flat, text-based content to life for learners are numerous… Personalize a student’s experience by [...]
So much to do, so very much time. Begin your tour through time on our planet Earth with this look at the Precambrian. This extensive site from the Field Museum in Chicago takes you back 4.5 billion years ago to the beginning of life. A brief overview talks about the single-celled organisms that evolved during [...]
Give your students real world practice with mathematics by using the interactives section of this extensive look at game theory. This site includes a video that explains game theory, a transcript of the the video, a textbook that covers the field of game theory and how it relates to human interaction, as well as several [...]
Engage your older elementary students with this multimedia look at the moon and its influence on the tides. There is text that explains the concepts of apogee and perigee, many pictures of phases of the moon and tides in many different locales, and a multiple-choice quiz to check comprehension. The site also offers the choice [...]
Commemorate the playing of the first college basketball game on this date in 1896. This short video from Ira Flatow’s Science Friday shows how physics affects your game. Listen to a physicist explain how to use the physics of spin to your advantage as you make foul shots, throw passes, and go for the [...]
As part of BBC Learning, this Bitesize math review is great for students age 7-11. This interactive activity has students practicing all sorts of measurements including 2 dimensional shapes, 3 dimensional shapes. angles, time, and symmetry. Included is a short video for each topic, a way to read about it, and a brief quiz. The [...]
On the seventieth anniversary of this day that will live in infamy, take a visit to the Imperial War Museum to see photographs pertaining to Pearl Harbor. This online exhibition gives the historical background as well as the strategic background of Japan’s bombing of the Hawaiian base of the US Pacific Fleet, which resulted in [...]
Celebrate the completion of the Washington Monument in 1884, almost 90 years after the death of George Washington. This extensive lesson plan presents a great deal of information about the architectural ideas for the monument to honor Washington and the reasons it took so long to decide exactly what to build. Using drawings, readings, political [...]
Time Infographic: How the Brain Reads Words This graphic from Time Magazine breaks down the process of reading and explains briefly what happens in the brain that results in dyslexia. Use your mouse to roll over parts of the left hemisphere of the brain to find out about the three-part process that our brains use [...]
Watch a presentation about the Monroe Doctrine, which was announced on Dec. 2, 1823. Filled with drawings, maps, and portraits this site gives the background of the development of this doctrine presented by the young United States. Listen to the information or read the text. Included is a portion of the Monroe Doctrine and a [...]
Follow along the Trail of Tears with the Cherokee as they were forced from their ancestral lands in the southeast United States beginning in 1835. This teaching unit from the National Park Service, designed for students in grades 5-12, includes photos, maps, and primary source readings along with questions and activities geared toward developing higher [...]
Physics for kids ages 7-11. This site covers a wide range of topics in physics and explains them in a way that younger students can readily understand. Study electricity, sound, light, friction, and magnets. Each section includes the essential idea accompanied by an illustration. There are also experiments for home or school, vocabulary, a quiz, [...]
Watch a brief video from National Geographic which celebrates the anniversary of Admiral Richard Byrd’s historic flight over the South Pole on November 29, 1929. He and his crew made aviation history as Byrd navigated over the largely unmapped continent of Antarctica. Byrd and his men established a base on the Ross Ice Shelf, which [...]
On November 28, 1520, Ferdinand Magellan and three of his ships finally entered the Pacific Ocean after a horrendous thirty-eight days of trying to sail through the South American strait that eventually bore his name. The calm of the Pacific contrasted greatly with the conditions the crews had just survived. Two researchers, Scott M. Fitzpatrick [...]
Teacher Power! Plug in to Teacher Only Resources To provide teachers with more power to use digital content from netTrekker, we have customized the resources and tools based on whether your username is set up as a teacher or a student. When is the last time a student needed a lesson plan or ideas about [...]
I Don’t Have Time For That! – Spend Less Time Searching For Resources and More Time Teaching So, school has likely started for you by now…are you still stuck in summer break mode and thinking to yourself, “How in the world am I going to have enough time to get this all accomplished?” As a teacher, [...]
Batteries Not Included – More Effectively Utilize Educator Resources & Tools With Powerful Content Don’t you hate the feeling of getting a new tool and not being sure how to make it work? Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a way to quickly get to content that would give new technologies you have [...]
Why It’s Important to Know, Trust and Think Critically About the Resources I Use Teachers are telling us that helping students use online resources effectively is really important to them. Those 21st Century skills that are needed to be ready for college and careers are often not addressed in the classroom curriculum, so teachers are [...]
This multi-media rich site explores the voyage made by James Cook on the Endeavour across the Pacific between 1768 and 1771. This voyage, marked as one of the most influential in history, made major nautical, geographical, natural history, and medical discoveries along the way. The website details the history of the voyage, the ship’s plans, [...]
A truly tragic, historic event, the assassination of President John Kennedy, occurred on November 22, 1963. EyeWitness to History gives a brief overview of the motorcade through Dallas and its horrific consequences. Following that is a transcription of Lady Bird Johnson’s recollection of what happened in her car as part of the motorcade and what [...]
Lisa Chatman, MPS, Lynn Ochs, netTrekker By Lynn Ochs, netTrekker Professional Learning Director One week in early October it was my honor to be in the presence of an amazing group of dedicated library media specialists in Milwaukee Public Schools. Despite severe budget cuts and increased responsibilities, with some managing up to 4 and 5 [...]
Get a head start on your celebration of Thanksgiving Day by checking out this interactive site. This site, developed by Plimoth Plantation, offers visitors the chance to use the skills of historians to peel away the layers of myth and misconception surrounding “The First Thanksgiving” and discover what might really have happened during the autumn [...]
In Nanoland, students navigate different amusement park rides before zooming onto the rides at the nano-scale. The properties of nano-scale are discussed as students try to overcome Brownian motion, particle attraction, lack of gravity, and different water properties. See how the principles of nanotechnology apply to these games. Watching how things work on a molecular [...]
Pages and pages of math games will test your skills and give you hours of entertainment. Try your hand at chess, checkers, “Connect Four,” memory games, and hangman using math vocabulary. In some games you can practice your math facts, such as Memory Match Game. In others you will use logic or your knowledge of [...]
More than sixty free audio or video files from renowned scholars which provide some in-depth literary criticism as well as the scope of literary history. Many of these are university lectures while others are interviews from C-SPAN’s Book Beat program. Speakers include such well-known scholars as Harold Bloom and Andrei Codrescu, and writers such as [...]
School Districts are as varied as the students they serve….running the gamut from large organizations serving hundreds of thousands to small entities working with student numbers in the thousands. Change – the kind that really makes a difference to kids – doesn’t come easy to districts, large or small. One organization demonstrating how to accomplish [...]
When Ellis Island closed in November of 1954, twelve million immigrants had been processed by the Bureau of Immigration through the inspection station housed there. This engaging interactive site invites you to share the experiences of immigrants in 1916 as they make the decision to leave their homes and move to America. The guide [...]
Men have been building tunnels through dirt and rock for centuries. In November, 1927, Calvin Coolidge presided over the opening of the Holland Tunnel under the Hudson River. Recently a major breakthrough at the Gotthard Base Tunnel through the Alps in Switzerland opened the way for the completion of the longest railway tunnel in the [...]
On this Veterans Day it is fitting to read stories of veterans who served in every major war from World War I to the present relate their own unique narratives. This site from the Library of Congress’ vast Veterans History Project is a companion web site for the book, Forever a Soldier, and contains the [...]
The pictures now seem so old to us. Different cuts of clothes, different hairstyles; yet these were the people that gave of themselves during wartime. The Library of Congress has gathered multiple stories from veterans of American Wars, including World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the First Iraq War, and the War on Terror. Photos, audio [...]
This surely is a boring title to an exciting website. Who thought studying the concepts of probability could be so much fun! Probability looks at the likelihood of an event happening in comparison to the number of possibilities of outcomes. This site explains probability, how permutations can affect probability, and how one event can affect [...]
This interactive Library of Congress site helps students learn the history of our election system. There are explorations of candidates, how the voting franchise was broadened, a description of the party system, how the electoral system works, and sketches of many important political issues over the history of the United States. Links are provided to [...]
On the anniversary of the collapse in 1940 of “Galloping Gertie,” the Tacoma Narrows suspension bridge that connected Tacoma, Washington and Gig Harbor, you can use this site to explore the basics of the beam bridge, arch bridge, and suspension bridge. Easy-to-understand vocabulary definitions are accompanied by pictures of various types of bridges throughout the [...]
“Fall back” on Sunday, November 6, as Daylight Saving Time ends for 2011. A retired member of the California Energy Commission explains the history of Daylight Saving Time and why we “spring forward, fall back.” There is lots of trivia included about time, a chart giving the start and end dates through 2015, and links [...]
Middle school teachers will find lesson plans for a long list of adolescent literature, and middle school students can use the list to find books of interest based on the descriptions provided. Incorporate the descriptions of the books in your book talks to introduce new books to your students. Use the lesson plans to help [...]
StarChild from NASA defines and describes astronomy topics in a simple and easy-to-understand manner. The website is presented in two levels which cover the same topics, Solar System, Universe, Space Stuff, and Glossary. There is also a link to the NASA astronomy site for high school students. This site is extensive and offers many ways [...]
Visit the Sistine Chapel displayed in all its beauty on your computer monitor while you listen to the ethereal voices of a choir singing sacred music of the day. Use your mouse to examine every part of the Sistine Chapel, and zoom in to appreciate the artistry of the acclaimed painter, Michelangelo, in addition to [...]
Happy Halloween! The charming illustrators at the British Council have outdone themselves this time. Listen to and read along with an animated story about Bob, a dog that gets lost in a haunted house. Story begins with a jigsaw puzzle that lets readers build an illustration from the story before they begin reading. http://learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/sites/kids/files/short-stories-the-haunted-house.swf
Is the White House haunted? Some say the ghosts of Lincoln, Grant, Jackson, and Dolley Madison all roam the premises of the executive mansion. Is it true? We’re so glad that the researchers at the White House Historical Association have decided to lay to rest, so to speak, any and all lingering doubts about White [...]
Mess-free pumpkin carving? Who knew? Technology teacher Kevin Jarrett, of Northfield Community School in Northfield, New Jersey, pointed us to this fun-to-do and fun-to-see pumpkin-carving interactive just in time for the spookiest night of the year. Thanks, Kevin! http://www.ncs-tech.org/pub/carve_pumpkin.swf
Over the years, the Smithsonian folklorists have developed guidelines for collecting folklife and oral history from people in the community, families, friends, and veterans in order to preserve living history. They have called these people bearers of tradition. Details of the day-to-day life of men and women in all walks of life take on a [...]
It’s Picasso’s birthday! A fitting remembrance of one of the most influential artists of the twentieth century, Themes and Variations reminds us that Picasso’s many gifts were realized in many different media. Follow this link to an interactive analysis of Picasso as printmaker, which explains the printmaking techniques that he put to inventive use over [...]
Commemorate October 24, 1945, the anniversary of the official first day for the United Nations. Jump on the cyberschoolbus to discover global resources such as an introduction to the UN, Country at a Glance where users can view statistics about all UN members, and InfoNation where users can compare country data. Many other features like [...]
Learn about Thomas Paine through text that accompanies selections from an exhibition of portraits of Paine and artifacts from his writings. The biography written here shows more than just Thomas Paine, the voice of “Common Sense” during the American Revolution. Here we learn of other writings and actions that gained Paine the reputation of “radical” not [...]
Utilizing real data collected by NASA, the Eyes on the Solar System 3-D environment takes students on an interactive exploration of the cosmos, through which they can hitch a ride on an asteroid, fly alongside NASA’s Voyager 2 spacecraft, and view the Solar System moving in real time. Featured mission allows users to explore Jupiter [...]
Is there a water crisis? The United Nations states that “water use has grown at more than twice the rate of population increase in the last century”. This thorough site provides plenty of information on the use and conservation of fresh water, including a way to calculate an individual’s fresh water foot print and a [...]
The Habsburg dynasty reigned in various countries throughout Europe from the middle of the 13th century until the end of World War I. This impressive site offers information, analysis, insight, and an exhaustive collection of rare images about their six hundred year reign and the imperial palace in Vienna that was the center of their [...]
Built especially for children, My LEGO Network is a safe environment that lets kids create and control their own webpage and interact with one another through buying, collecting, and trading virtual items and sending mail messages. While using “blueprints” and LEGO pieces to construct virtual trading items, students practice following directions, collecting and organizing objects, [...]
President Abraham Lincoln had a difficult time finding the best general to lead the Army of the Potomac during the Civil War. The slides here show the progression of generals and battles that culminated in Lincoln’s choice of Ulysses S. Grant, the general whose willingness to fight echoed Lincoln’s determination to bring an end to [...]
Online exhibition from the Mariners’ Museum chronicles the plight of African slaves. Follow their journey from the beginning when they are torn from their homeland. Once captured, their survival was uncertain. Chained in crowded ships, they would start the dangerous Middle Passage. Caught up in the lucrative triangular slave trade, many of them would die on [...]
I was really excited to see the recent release of a new book for early readers and grades by ISTE (the International Society for Technology in Education). The book is intended for educators and parents wanting to introduce the concepts of digital citizenship for children aged 5 to 9, with the first book focused on acceptable, [...]
See how root word meanings can be used to understand the meaning of unfamiliar words within the context of eight different sentences. This series of exercises is part of a larger set of reading tutorials accessible from this page. While they were designed for use by college students for who English is not their first [...]
Looking for a clever way to teach or learn important science and math concepts or facts? Here’s a great place to start. Search the Sing About Science database by keyword, phrase, performer or songwriter, title, and other options to find songs and lyrics to enhance learning of biology, chemistry, Earth science, engineering, math, medicine, and [...]
Remembrance of the discovery of the New World by Columbus takes on a different significance as the author delves deep into the vast array of implications due to the three tiny ships that sailed the ocean in 1492. Author Alfred W. Crosby explains the many unintended consequences of this world-shaping exchange. The Columbian Exchange is [...]
Among the principles of liberty held so dear to Americans is the freedom of expression, and what better place to demonstrate that freedom than just across from the White House. Follow this on-line tour of Lafayette Park, a site for First Amendment activities. Demonstrations by the suffragists, activities during the civil rights movement, anti-war protests [...]
Masters of Disaster, presented by Eight, Arizona PBS, offers three collections of printable activities that teach students about home and personal safety. Level 1 activities ask early elementary students to identify safe and unsafe situations, to recognize things in the house that may be hot or dangerous to touch, and to understand what household items [...]
How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice. This animated film, with an accompanying who-am-I game, conveys the rich history of New York’s Carnegie Hall and commemorates many of the famous musicians who have performed there over the years. http://listeningadventures.carnegiehall.org/animatedhistory/Carnegie.html
Start a creative journey by first relaxing and having some tea. That is just Tip #1. Proceed through this easy, colorful book for sixteen more ways to live a creative life. Some tips may be designed for teachers such as Tip #6, “Imagine your classroom as a studio, as a research center, as a publishing [...]
A four-part documentary takes viewers on an exploratory expedition of the sea, from the tropical coasts, to the dark depths, to the strange marine flora and fauna that call the ocean home. Students will learn how an ocean is “born” and how it is constantly changing, and how changes in the ocean’s chemistry are affecting [...]
Do you want to play? Do you want to invent? This mind challenging and creative site will demonstrate how play and inventiveness are related. Hear from inventors how the abilities of curiosity, persistence, imagination, communication, and problem solving developed through playing as children. Set inventive thinking in motion through features on the site such as [...]
This timeline presents the history of beliefs about the human brain and the development of brain science with topics organized in the following categories: ancient beliefs, anatomy, psychology, disorders, and neuroscience. It is amazing to learn how little was actually known about the brain and its functions until the last 150 years. http://www.time.com/time/2007/understanding_brain/brain.swf
Time Warner sponsors this searchable database of activities and resources found in your community that promote the learning of science, technology, engineering, and math in response to President Obama’s “Educate to Innovate” campaign. It’s simple to search by locale or topic to find extracurricular activities to stimulate the minds of young scientists, engineers and mathematicians. [...]
Self-described as being “dedicated to introducing physics topics in a fun and accessible way,” this online magazine covers much of what would be covered in any physics curriculum. Worthwhile for the photographs alone, you’ll find links to games, webcasts, and activities, as well. Not only can you browse for topics and search through the archives; [...]
Prepared for a televised version of the work which aired on PBS stations, this site offers useful background information on Jane Austen’s classic novel, Pride and Prejudice.Included are a plot synopsis, a biographical sketch of Austen, comments on characters, and a clip from the production. Don’t miss the delightful and informative interview with screenwriter Andrew [...]
Looking forward to a great year of great reading? The Big Read is ready for you. Follow this link to an insightful guide to F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, with historical information about the novel’s Jazz Age setting, an author biography, and access to a radio program (audio plus transcript) of excerpts from the [...]
The first in a four-part PBS series, hour-long video defines “strength” of materials, with examples ranging from steel cables to mollusk shells. Insight from research and experts offers a look into the process of “re-engineering” nature’s materials “to create the next generation of strong stuff.” Other videos in the Making Stuff series focus on making [...]
High school girls explore different engineering fields and meet women who chose to become engineers. The site offers advice for students interested in entering engineering as well firsthand experiences and reflections on the challenges and rewards of this career. http://www.girlscouts.org/imagineengineering/
This is an informational website that should be in any teacher’s arsenal when events or the conversation turns to bullying. Full of media resources for learning about bullying–games, polls, webisodes, petitions, and contests–the PACER Center’s Kids Against Bullying site will help your students gain the skills and confidence to speak up, reach out, and be [...]
Designed primarily for students in grades 4 through 8, ShakespeareKIDS offers students and teachers a variety of ways to introduce young people to the works and world of William Shakespeare. A list of activities for getting kids up and ready to act, suggested steps for planning a project and a “Do Your Own Shakespeare” section [...]
An extensive resource of illustrated articles and explanations of all things nano, with many useful extras for high-school students of nanoscience (glossary, image gallery, profiles of nanoscientists, and links to university programs in the field). From explaining the science of nanotechnology to demonstrating practical applications, and posing possibilities for the future, this site has much [...]
The World Food Programme continues to fight hunger around the globe. In particular, the situation is dire in the Horn of Africa at this particular time due to drought conditions and the conflict in Somalia. Millions of people are experiencing extreme malnutrition and are in need of immediate help. World relief organizations are mobilizing quickly, delivering [...]
Set the tone, in your classroom, for achievement and for making productive life choices by introducing your students to The Black List Project, where they’ll find interviews, films, profiles, and photographs of prominent of African Americans of various professions, disciplines, and backgrounds, whose stories and insights about black life are useful meditations on both the [...]
A variety of materials are available from the National September 11 Memorial and Museum to help teachers address issues surrounding 9/11 with students of different ages, including teaching guides on Tribute Art and volunteerism, as well as a list of FAQs and answers that can inform lessons or be shared with students. For students, there [...]
In a website designed for use by students and teachers in grades five through twelve, eight people who were directly affected by the attacks on September 11, 2001 tell their stories of how the events of that day changed their lives. Each of their videos is accompanied by an activity to help students connect and [...]
Learn about the World Trade Center through sounds, interviews, personal story audios, and pictures. While there is a focus on the events and aftermath of September 11, 2001, many of the stories speak about life in and around the World Trade Center throughout its history. There are stories from people who built the complex, from [...]
Tribute site for posting ideas, in writing, with pictures, or with videos, of ways to observe the anniversary of the September 11 attacks. Intended to spur students, classes, schools, and the community at large to embrace a spirit of service, 9/11 Day asks everyone to make a public promise to do something meaningful in honor [...]
Sometimes the title is enough. Art of the American Soldier, an exhibition of diverse works of art created by American soldiers of their wartime experiences, reminds us that service to country has its price. With striking visuals and voice-overs of popular music and of famous speeches of the time, Art of the American Soldier explores [...]
Part of a plan to move poetry more firmly into the public sphere, the Poetry Everywhere project offers readings of sixteen poems and animated interpretations of a dozen others. Some poems are read by their authors; others are read by other poets. You’ll find Emily Dickinson here, and Walt Whitman as well. You’ll also find [...]
We’re fans of California and would never miss a chance to prove it. That’s why we can’t help bragging about our solid C+ score on the California Trivia Challenge. Top that! Hosted by the oh-so-fine California Museum, the California Trivia Challenge has twenty-five exacting questions to test your California savvy. It’s time to show what [...]
Saving energy helps the planet and also saves money. Start with the energy assessment to determine where you are losing energy. Then, find information on everything from buying energy efficient products to using proper lighting choices and windows. Of particular interest is the information on using landscaping strategies for a particular climate such as shading [...]
The U.S. Government’s official resource for sound nutritional information points out that eating right can be as simple as increasing some categories of foods while reducing others. Basic information on food groups combined with interactive planning tools makes it easy to choose a plate that leads to a healthier life. Find dietary guidelines for general [...]
Whether you are getting ready to teach American Literature this school year, or will be a student in an American Literature class, especially an Advanced Placement class, linking into this New York University course can prove invaluable. You’ll find video lectures on various topics and titles in American literature between the early colonial period and [...]
While touring the central nervous system, students navigate the parts of the brain to understand the different jobs they do and what they control. [Flash required] http://www.childrensuniversity.manchester.ac.uk/interactives/science/brainandsenses/brain.swf
Based on “The Big Green Rabbit,” a public television children’s show that encourages children to make connections between their own lives and the larger world around them, these catchy songs from a group of animated animals teach about those animals, and encourage kids to get up and move. Check out other sections of the site [...]
A collection of scenarios in which saliva samples may be analyzed to diagnose disease, investigate crime, determine drug abuse, and test fertility. Tutorial presents testing process for each scenario, and then students analyze data and choose correct results when prompted. http://www.dentalmuseum.org/flash/activities/saliva.html
While teachers and students are gearing up to begin a new school year, we at netTrekker are getting excited to be back in the classroom too! For the second year, netTrekker is partnering with a local school in Cincinnati, Ohio, called Princeton High School. Once a week, netTrekker employees head off to Princeton High School [...]
When I taught in SC, we had to go through Earthquake preparations with our students. They’d often grumble about they WHY. I can’t remember ever living through an Earthquake in the 20 years I lived in SC, so I understood their questions. Didn’t matter that Charleston, SC is on a major fault line that showed [...]
Authors invite students to explore this site in order to gather information about a future engineering career. Information is provided on various fields such as chemical and biomedical. Site also lists important classes related to the field of engineering to take while still in high school. There is even a section for parents to help [...]
Guide to Julia Alvarez’s In the Time of the Butterflies provides historical context, author biography, questions, and a collection of resources for teachers, including a ten-day lesson schedule, project ideas, and essay topics. A radio show, accompanied by transcript, discusses the reality of this historical fiction, in particular the heroes who rose against Rafael Trujillo, [...]
An interactive experience showcases environmental and economic benefits of a green roof. Take a virtual tour of a real green roof and learn about a career in landscape architecture. Downloadable workbook is available for students, while teachers are provided with information for leading lessons, activities, and field trips. http://www.asla.org/greenroof/
This interactive exposition of three of Lincoln’s best-known and well-loved speeches presents his two inaugurals and the Gettysburg Address. Not only can you hear these three addresses; you also get context for each of them in words, pictures, and interactive maps. These words have tremendous impact on their own; the added resources demonstrate why they [...]
This full-featured, media-rich online companion for major exhibitions marks the four-hundredth anniversary of the publication, in 1611, of the King James Bible. Learn about the translators, the making of the book, other versions of the Bible (including historic American Bibles), its literary influences, and every other significant aspect of the work and its continuing legacy. [...]
Do you need Interactive tutorials and quizzes on human anatomy and physiology? This site, created by a retired college anatomy and physiology teacher, demonstrates the major body systems including the skeletal, muscular, nervous, circulatory, respiratory, and urinary systems. Click on a system and then explore each individual part via tutorial and pictures. http://www.getbodysmart.com/
Extensive curatorial notes accompany selections from the diaries of a cross section of people from the seventeenth through twentieth centuries, including those of writers Charlotte Brontë, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Sir Walter Scott, and Tennessee Williams. http://www.themorgan.org/exhibitions/online/TheDiary/
These animations offer a look at how the Moon’s position, in relationship to both the Earth and Sun, not only causes high tide but also affects the size and direction of the tidal bulge. [Flash required] http://www.wiley.com/college/strahler/0471480533/animations/ch19_animations/page5.swf
The Adobe Museum of Digital Media showcases innovative work produced in digital media. This fascinating virtual museum is created “to illustrate how digital media shapes and impacts today’s society.” Currently the museum holds one exhibit and one lecture, both of which are designed to challenge the audience’s ideas about the relationship between the real and [...]
Teachers are life long learners, that’s a given. Finding time to learn is another. netTrekker therefore has created a series of webinars to help you stay current with netTrekker and learn new ways to use it throughout the school year. On the 25th of August we kick the learning off with a “Gearing Up for [...]
Take a virtual tour through the human heart, beginning with the oxygen-poor blood in the right atrium and ending with the oxygen-rich blood going out to different parts of the body. Along the way, you can learn the anatomy of the heart, as well as some quick facts about the heart’s function. While you are [...]
The following post was written by guest blogger and recent NT101 Alumni, Sharlene Paxton, Teacher Librarian from Sierra Sands School District in California. Sharlene complied this amazing resource folder for high school students as one of her NT101 course projects. Since I taught high school English for several years, I went ahead and based my [...]
The signs of global climate change are becoming more and more evident. The EPA provides an excellent guide for students that acquaints them with the basic causes, effects on people and the environment, and solutions that they can engage in. Here is an informative site that will prepare the student to make a difference. http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/kids/index.html
This nine-part workshop is designed so that it can be used for professional development by individuals, groups of teachers, or as a course for graduate credit. It features videos of eight elementary teachers practicing and discussing their methods and philosophies of teaching literature so that students become excited and engaged with it. Each section of [...]
Kids Health offers tips and words of encouragement for kids going back to school, especially those who are shy. Click on “Feelings” for lots of ideas on learning to deal with a variety of emotions and situations relating to school and family. In addition, links within the article lead to additional information on the importance [...]
Those who have attended a training session with me, or just know me personally, know I am scared of math, then science. Well last week, I encountered my scariest group yet, health and PE teachers! (I was the slowest runner, couldn’t shoot a basketball, had teeth knocked out while being a catcher with a mask [...]
Meet your planet. Rich and varied photographs and video compiled by the BBC from its stable of natural history and nature programming on the human, animal, and plant life of our planet. You can choose to search the images and videos by a variety of characteristics, including environment, color, and theme. Themes change every couple [...]
Meet Ed Said, a nine-year-old purple-haired hard-core fruit-and-veggie rapper. Ed encourages children to learn nutrition facts by watching and playing his videos and songs. The site also includes many print-and-color activities about eating healthy fruit- and vegetable-filled meals. http://edsaid.org/
This virtual microscope is ideal for learning how to properly use a microscope. Users can turn knobs and dials, throw switches, move levers, change lenses, select a specimen, and adjust oculars. Watch the seven minute video for an introduction. There are also some activities to try. http://www.udel.edu/biology/ketcham/microscope/
Dreams of Edgar Allan Poe is an essay, formatted as a PDF which can be printed and displayed as a poster, which offers an illustrated exploration of Edgar Allan Poe’s life and writing. The website ccompanies this text with audio and text excerpts of Poe’s well-known works, “The Masque of the Red Death,” “The Black [...]
Following a brief introduction to how the right and left brains process visual information, students, after witnessing a crime, must compile an accurate illustration of the suspect, employing their memory of the event, visual images, visual vocabulary, and “rules” of portraiture. http://www.eduweb.com/portfolio/artofcrimedetection/
The Architect of the Capitol is “the builder and steward of America’s Capitol” and is responsible, not only for the Capitol Building, but for many other important buildings in Washington D.C. This media-rich tour of the U.S. Capitol offers an overview of each building, along with a look at the art and architecture, and history [...]
Explore the universe through a variety of colorful activities, engaging videos, and captivating photographs. NASA Kids includes student-created art, stories, songs, and articles. There is also a teacher resource section, as well as links to other related sites. http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forkids/kidsclub/flash/index.html
Explore Earth’s coral reefs and learn how this under-the-sea habitat is affected by climate change, pollution, and fishing. Includes an interactive reef, in which you can explore the reef’s inhabitants, a “Coral 101″ course that introduces learners to the reef’s structure, habits, and systems, and an archive of related news stemming back nearly ten years, [...]
This series of videos and interactive activities provide an excellent set of resources for teaching or learning eight research based reading strategies provided here. After receiving your “key” you can investigate the features inside and even pick up where you left off later. The section for Kids has lessons that allow them to learn and [...]
Enjoy this interactive storybook in which readers help an African king get dressed for a special meeting with Olokun, the ruler of the sea. Once the story is finished, there are other options, to design a similar piece of art or to play matching games which feature artworks from various museum galleries. Information about each [...]
On Monday, July 18th, we made some exciting changes to netTrekker’s Admin Tools to help you better manage your netTrekker subscription and users throughout your organization. Previously, netTrekker Administrators had to move their usernames from school to school in their Profiles, then go to the Admin Tools to view or use those tools for each [...]
A woman wrapped in the mysterious lore of the past makes for an unforgettable character. That, plus the mystique of incredible bravery gives Amelia Earhart a lasting place in history. To this day, her death is unsolved and her character an enigma. This official site includes photos as well as her life story. http://www.ameliaearhart.com/
A peek into the life of a school-aged child provides useful tools on test taking, time management, peer relations, cheating, and more. Listen to testimonials, take real-time surveys, and participate in multiple-ending stories on current adolescent issues. http://pbskids.org/itsmylife/school/index.html
This collection of old radio dramas, comedies, westerns, and science fiction offers over 12,000 programs. The programs come from more than 160 series, mostly ranging from the early 1930s through the 1950s, but some from as early as 1929 and as late as the early 1960s. The programs are interesting for their dramatic or comedic [...]
This timeline from British news source, The Guardian, begins on December, 2010 and will expand as Middle East and African countries continue to experience unrest and revolutions. A key is provided which identifies a political move, a regime change, an international response and a protest/government response to the protest. Drag the timeline slider to understand [...]
Tip cards suitable for printing teach how kids can stay safe in different contexts, such as at home, on the Internet, and when doing sports. There is even a quiz kids can take on safety concepts. Submitting the completed quiz gives kids suggestions about which tip cards they ought to pay a bit more attention [...]
The online version of an exhibition created to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first successful ascent of Mt. Everest in 1953. The photographs, maps, and artifacts in the exhibition trace Everest from its early exploration in the middle of the 19th century through the 1953 expedition. http://imagingeverest.rgs.org/Concepts/Virtual_Everest/-1.html
After practicing counting pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters, this activity prompts students to make exact change using a combination of coins provided. Additional activities on stamp values, using vending machines, and counting money back are also available. http://www.gcflearnfree.org/everydaylife/countchange
Happy Bastille Day! This detailed analysis of the French Revolution ranges from the social and political causes that preceded it by a hundred or more years, through the Revolution itself, to the many and varied consequences. Every step of the way, the analysis is supported by primary source documents, images, maps, even songs from the [...]
Visa provides a site that teachers, parents, and students will all enjoy using. There are lesson plans here for all ages, as well as information about spending decisions, budgeting, and money management. Print your own play money, take a quiz about spending, make a budget, or learn about buying a home. And you can practice [...]
The sidebar of this site reads “Understand the War Through People Then and Now.” That is the mission of the site, and when you click on each word or phrase, you open up a world of information about the Civil War. Complied resources help us understand the war from the viewpoint of Pennsylvanians who lived [...]
This virtual museum (using Flash) of the history and technologies used by the Agency in its efforts to protect the United States from foreign enemies will interest anyone interested in the global political scene or in spycraft. Click “Enter” to start the tour. https://www.cia.gov/about-cia/cia-museum/cia-museum-tour/index.html
I’ll admit, my second favorite thing about ISTE 2011 was the chance to do a poster presentation with Dr. Kari Stubbs of BrainPOP on the topic ”In the News”. I love showing the integration and how to to take netTrekker to the next step. for Awhile ago we did a webinar on BrainPOP and netTrekker “Staying [...]
A comprehensive museum-mounted exhibition on Leonardo da Vinci looks at all his intellectual and creative pursuits: artistic, scientific, mathematic, and technological. Includes an array of stunning images and video presentations, along with informative descriptions that clearly demonstrate the relationship of art to other disciplines. http://brunelleschi.imss.fi.it/menteleonardo/
Organized Information at Your Fingertips! Having just returned from iste 2011 in Philadelphia I am excited about the possibilities for transforming learning in my classroom with the help of technology. I lead a 1:1 wireless science classroom in what, until very recently, was a rural middle school in Blythewood, South Carolina. Being a member of [...]
Through three animated activities, students create, explore, and print patterns using spinning circles, ripples, and kaleidoscopes. For many more fun and educational activities from the museum, just click http://www.cdm.org/children.html. http://www.cdm.org/kids_activities/circles/
The Sunday before ISTE 2011, I attended the Constructivist Consortium Workshop. I chose this workshop with recommendations from several friends who attended the first one in Atlanta. I had been wanting to attend for the last 4 years, so I was excited when this one was possible. For those of you who are unaware of [...]
This specially designed website companion to the PBS ecology series The Greens helps kids explore ideas about making smart environmental choices. Find animated videos, activity suggestions, projects to do, and solid advice for putting your best ecological foot forward. http://www.meetthegreens.org
This Smithsonian exhibit on Ernest Hemingway includes images and detailed information on his early years, relationships with other authors, the Paris years, middle and later years, and his writings. The photographs in the exhibit underscore the many facets of Hemingway’s personality and career, not only as a major 20th century writer of fiction, but as [...]
Happy Fourth of July! Before you go to the parade, picnic, or fireworks, think a bit about how to incorporate the founding concepts of the Fourth of July into lessons during the school year. This unit plan is a good place to start. Using the concept that a class has become an independent country, students [...]
We are currently in the middle of hurricane season and we don’t know yet whether it will be a mild or harsh season. Whether you live in an area prone to hurricanes or somewhere they never touch, this site lets you experience the effects of a hurricane at each of the five intensity levels on [...]
This colorful, narrated animation that shows the process of the immune response in the body. The action of various types of cells as they develop responses to antigens becomes as you see it happen. The text can also be displayed under the animation. [Flash] http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/dl/free/0072507470/291136/immResponse.swf
This interactive air pollution simulator allows students to control the smog in an imaginary city by adjusting several environmental factors. By manipulating ozone sources and creators of particle pollution, students can identify major causes of air pollution and ways to decrease pollution. http://www.smogcity2.org/index.html
A simple introduction to earthquakes answers questions about the epicenter and focus of earthquakes, and kinds of fault, seismic waves, and aftershocks. With free registration, teachers may download a coloring activity and worksheet, as well as accessing other features of the Science With Me site.In addition to pages on Earth Science, there are tabs at [...]
Today is the anniversary of the birth of Helen Keller. This site from the American Foundation for the Blind provides a fascinating look at the life of Helen Keller through her biography, pictures, video, audio, and more. The text is geared toward children, with vivid descriptions of the photographs in the exhibit. The site does [...]
The famed Stratford (Ontario) Shakespeare Festival offers this Stratford Study Guide for the viewing and/or study of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. If you will be studying or teaching Hamlet in the coming school year, this is a good place to start your preparation. You’ll find a history of the Stratford Shakespeare Theatre and its productions of Hamlet, [...]
This role-playing activity allows students to see how choices that are made by the human community impact the health and stability of a coral reef community. It offers a look at how making informed decisions can reduce the threat to the environment while supporting the local economy. http://www.mnh.si.edu/exhibits/ocean_hall/reef_interactive/reef_interactive.html
This site from Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars presents new information and perspectives on the history of the Cold War, including new findings, views and activities. Be sure to click on the “Virtual Archive” to view all the documents by subject area. Also check the link to the “Cold War Files” website. The scope [...]
The companion website to the textbook, this online study guide provides chapter overviews, summaries, supplemental documents, web connections, maps, teacher resources, and many other features which can be used with Making A Nation or, in many cases, as additional resources for any United States History survey. http://wps.prenhall.com/hss_boydston_makinganat_1/1/422/108040.cw/index.html
Since June is National Dairy Month, it’s a good time to learn why cows can eat grass and people can’t. This click-through animation helps learners visualize the ruminant digestive system of a cow in a process that is accompanied by colorful sound effects. http://www.mnzoo.com/education/cowDigestive.asp
This exhibition from the Philadelphia Museum of Art considers the art and life of Paul Cézanne in terms of the impact he has had on other artists. Special features of this online exhibit include a 3-part podcast by Joseph Rishel, who curated the exhibit, some teaching material, and a detailed chronology that spans from Cézanne’s [...]
This IdeaLab allows users to do a virtual analysis of prehistoric leaves to explore climate change that happened millions of years ago. By examining the leaves and performing based on formulas that are provided, users can determine the average temperature of the time at which the plants lived, and compare the temperatures of various times [...]
Here’s an opportunity to relive your past or to learn some music history. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame presents comprehensive biographical details on one of the most popular music groups of all time, the Beatles, who were inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988. The site includes a timeline of key events [...]
Enjoy this fun-to-listen-to narrated film of a young raccoon who strays far from home to explore his habitat. [10 mins, 8 secs]. On this site, you also can access over a thousand other short films that have been produced by the National Film Board of Canada. http://www.nfb.ca/film/adventures
View a series of small-scale sculptures of late medieval mourners sculpted in alabaster for the tomb of the Burgundian duke John the Fearless. Masterpieces in fifteenth-century French art, each mourner is a wonderfully particularized manifestation of medieval piety. One feature of this site is that you can view these sculptures from all sides and zoom [...]
View panoramas and photos of Jamestown in the Virginia Colony to learn about the life and struggles of the colonists and Indians that lived there. These panoramas, and the extra photographs and quotations which accompany them, allow you to glimpse how both the colonists and the Indians interacted with their environment and with each other. [...]
This Nova timeline allows students to explore humans’ pursuit of a longer and healthier life. It includes major events from the fourteenth through the twentieth centuries. Some of the related links carry the subject into ethical grounds, asking how much is enough, too much in the pursuit of physical immortality. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/body/pursuit-immortality.html
Last Friday was Amy’s daughter’s last day of school in South Carolina for the year. It was also my son’s award ceremony day here in Florida. His last day was yesterday. All across Twitter and Facebook, my PLN and friends are shouting out the number of days left, or that they already started, the most [...]
This media-rich site presents a thematic overview of 1920s America that considers the shifts that took place in American society after World War I. It focuses on changing perspectives toward labor, capitalism, women, and immigration as well as on the American reaction to and embrace of the modern. http://www.hrc.utexas.edu/educator/modules/teachingthetwenties/
How do you maximize the value of your netTrekker Search subscription? Professional Development of course! And now is the time to make plans for next year – with netTrekker’s 2011 PD Promotion. For a limited time, we are offering a BOGO opportunity. Order must be received by August 15, 2011 and training scheduled during 2011-12 [...]
Summertime’s a great time for kids to play in the dirt. Now that playtime can be a learning time, too, ask kids find out just what’s so special about that dirt they’re covered with. Younger students will find this engaging site about soil very easy to understand and filled with quick facts. Cartoon graphics and [...]
Today is the 67th anniversary of D-Day. The U.S. Army’s captivating site details the historic D-Day invasion with videos and first-hand accounts from soldiers who participated in the invasion of Normandy, General Dwight D. Eisenhower’s address to the soldiers, maps, posters, and more. http://www.army.mil/d-day/
This comprehensive site teaches all about energy, including the different forms, the periodic table, history of human energy use and production, and energy units. It contains an interactive energy calculator, games and activities, and teacher directed lesson plans to help you learn what energy is. http://www.eia.gov/kids
Einztein provides a way to augment learning for both high school and college students, and for adults. Whether you love learning for learning’s sake, or want to brush up on some subject you will be studying or teaching soon, you’ll find what you are looking for here. This is a searchable catalog of freely available [...]
Get ready to sing “My Old Kentucky Home” today, on the anniversary of Kentucky becoming a state in 1792. Then, celebrate the day by studying this collection of personal stories, illustrated with artifacts, documents, and photographs, that exemplifies the military experiences of Kentuckians in America’s wars, beginning with the War of 1812. http://history.ky.gov/military/
Even though the Empire State Building is no longer the tallest building in the world, it is still one of the most recognizable ones. The building’s official site offers a wide range of information, from the history of the construction to stories from visitors. A proud claim of the modern Empire State Building is the [...]
To support or supplement a course in earth science or geography, Annenberg Media offers twenty-six Videos on Demand (VoDs). The topics coverd range from why Earth can sustain life, to plate tectonics, to rock types and landscape evolution. Each free video is one-half hour long. The site also includes links to interactives on volcanoes, the [...]
This virtual tour from the Salem Witch Museum highlights the historical sites of the Salem Witch Trials and provides an overview and an FAQ section concerning the events of 1692.This site, interesting on its own, would also be a useful addition to a study of Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible, or of the McCarthy era [...]
Take a journey through the regions of Brazil with the characters from Monica’s Gang, a popular Brazilian cartoon. As you click on a representative from each region, a new window opens with interesting information and pictures of that region. This is a good first step for children who are researching information about Brazil. http://www.monica.com.br/viajando/
Going to an art museum can be quite an adventure. Just ask Aaron. Follow him as he makes a series of trips to different wings of the Metropolitan Museum of Art to view its awesome artwork and learn what makes Aaron appreciate all that he finds there. After reading Aaron’s story, examine the individual artworks [...]
The British Library presents a series of illustrated essays on the different ways that the human body has been represented in art and science across history considers medieval astrology, the ancient Chinese practice of acupuncture, Vitruvius’s notion of body symmetry, Renaissance anatomy drawings, Victorian circus curiosities, X-rays, and Kundalini Yoga.
Students learn what insects are, how they live, how they find food, how they defend themselves, and how they affect humans. Organized into several articles accompanied by high-quality photos and video, this online exhibit provides teacher materials, including downloadable worksheets and a glossary. http://museumvictoria.com.au/bugs/index.aspx
A series of where-do-you-stand scenarios weighs the rights of citizens alongside issues of online censorship, freedom from want, the monarchy, voting restrictions for prisoners, and a host of contentious contemporary concerns among the British. While the specific circumstances all come from Britain, because U.S. and Canadian law have their basis in British law, there are [...]
Bill Nye walks students through a series of missions through which they learn to conserve energy and water. utilize renewable resources, reduce C02 emissions, and be an advocate for the planet. Though not required to complete each mission, logging into this site allows students to record their work in a virtual lab notebook. http://billsclimatelab.org/
A year after the Gulf Coast oil well disaster, what is happening in the region so affected by the oil spill? This official federal government site shows how attention has turned to the restoration of the Gulf with regard to wildlife, the impact on the sea and coastal areas, and travel and tourism. This site [...]
Enter this interactive exploration of the Haupt Conservatory, a Victorian-era glasshouse on the grounds of the New York Botanical Garden. The conservatory is home to a world of plants, including palm trees, rain forest plants, desert plants, carnivorous plants, and aquatic plants. With seven challenges designed to inform and instruct players about all manner of [...]
netTrekker is proud to present this week’s Spotlight User, Diane Mentzer! Diane is a Library Media Specialist at Bester Elementary School in Hagerstown, Maryland. Diane shares her positive experiences with nT101 for us! I am finishing your current NT101 course and I am very thrilled to have participated in this last project about ELL resources, [...]
Visit this exhibition of the life and career of writer and early feminist Charlotte Gilman, with details of the publication and impact of her often-anthologized short story, “The Yellow Wall-Paper.” In the exhibition, you can learn more about the late 19th century attitudes toward women and how those attitudes led to “the rest cure,” which [...]
Celebrate Spring with this media-rich retrospective of the life and career of French impressionist Claude Monet. Monet’s artwork blooms on the page in the Journey section and the Gallery allows you to view all of the artwork in the exposition. http://www.monet2010.com/
The Adjective Detective offers a collection of animated lessons on adjectives, followed by a simple quiz and detective game. The lessons include learning what adjectives are, learning about comparative and superlative adjectives and learning the rules for forming comparatives and superlatives. The game reinforces the lessons and has several levels. http://www.childrensuniversity.manchester.ac.uk/interactives/literacy/wordclasses/adjective_detective.swf
To commemorate the sesquicentennial observances of the American Civil War, the National Park Service has provided information on the legacy of the War: Then and Now. Each date of the War has supporting documents and is compared to the legacy or the activity of today. Other features include a search for soldiers and sailors of [...]
“I told my students, ‘See this bar with the information to cite your work? I did that for you!’” shared an Orange County Media Specialist in Florida. Orange County is one of our highest usage, large districts in the nation, and the winner of the 2010 Highest Usage Honor. I was blessed to work with [...]
This collection of stories describes different acts of cyberbullying and possible consequences. The stories are accompanied by statistics, poll questions and results, and tips to help children talk to adults when they are threatened or hurt by cyberbullies. While the site doesn’t make this point explicitly, many of the suggestions made on the site to [...]
The following article was written by Kylene Lichucki, Instructional Technology Facilitator from Jonesboro Public School District, AR. Read about how Kylene uses Fairy Tales, Interactive Media and more to explore cultures, teach standards, and meet the needs of diverse learners. Want a creative way to teach your students about other cultures? Oh, and still get [...]
Designed for elementary students, this site teaches some basic concepts about weather. As students complete the three levels of this animated interactive, they will learn what weather is and how it is different during each of the four seasons. Students also learn about thermometers and how they are used to measure temperature. http://e-learningforkids.org/Courses/EN/Weather/launch.html
Six-year-old Laura Jernegan, who kept a journal of her three-year voyage aboard a whaling ship (1868-71), left an enduring legacy of her time. Intertwined with the larger narrative of an important American industry attempting to reestablish itself after the Civil War, Laura’s journal follows the experiences of her family’s journey and draws many memorable portraits [...]
Teachers all over the world are using bin Laden’s death as a teachable moment. News’ sources have pointed to teachers who are leading important discussions in classrooms about the complex issues involved: is this a time to celebrate or is this a time to reflect on the deeper issues of terrorism and justice served. Due [...]
This portal of the University of California Museum of Paleontology provides access to the museum’s research resources and fossil holdings. It includes career preparation advice for future paleontologists and a series of links to informational sources aimed at K-12 students interested in the history of life on our planet. http://www.paleoportal.org/
Students help a family conserve water while gardening, bathing, laundering clothes, and doing other household tasks that require water. In the process, students solve puzzles and learn about global warming, personal hygiene, and appliance efficiency. http://www.thewaterfamily.co.uk
This site is the companion to a new PBS documentary which will first air on May 16. Through the site, students can experience the amazing stories of the Freedom Riders who challenged segregation in the American South in 1961. Learn about the original rides through interactive maps that show key locations and events, the people [...]
Last night, I was preparing to go to bed when the news came on that Osama Bin Laden, the number one terrorist on the United States Terrorist Wanted list, was killed. The Navy Seals acted on intelligence and brought down the master mind of the 9/11 attacks, and other terrors around the world. My children [...]
The Anne Frank House is a museum in Amsterdam devoted to all aspects of Anne Frank’s life and her famous diary. It makes available an online recreation of the annex where Anne hid from the Nazis. It also includes an interactive timeline filled with wrenching details of the Frank family’s persecution, as well as a [...]
This exhibit introduces Charles Darwin’s life and ties to the scientific community, and then explores his theory of evolution. It includes evidence in support of inheritance, variation, and selection, reactions to The Origin of Species, and an overview of Darwin’s influence on both science and society at large. You’ll find several audios and videos as [...]
Page through one of Leonardo da Vinci’s notebooks, in which he works out his observations about weights, measures, reflections, and similar material matters. Interesting examples of the master’s characteristic “mirror writing” and of his cross-hatched illustrations. The site includes written and audio commentary on each spread of pages in the notebook and a magnifying device [...]
This interactive website from the Adult Media Literacy Alliance will help you improve your reading skills by providing strategies for “Reading between the lines,” making predictions, and identifying main ideas. Examples and activities give clear explanations and immediate feedback. http://www.tv411.org/lessons/cfm/reading.cfm?str=reading&num=11&act=1
Are you attending ISTE this year? Do you have a great classroom idea, ELL lesson, initiative, or methods for differentiated instruction? netTrekker would love to spotlight a few customers who are interested in giving 15 minute presentations at ISTE! Please contact Melissa Knollman at mknollman@nettrekker.com if you are interested in presenting at ISTE. Some past [...]
These games are the vision of retired Justice Sandra Day O’Connor and are designed to encourage students to become actively involved in our democracy. Concerned that students are not getting tools to make civic participation an engaging subject, Judge O’Connor has provided excellent information on the branches of government, voting, being president, constitutional law, Supreme [...]
This online exhibition draws on the collections of the National Library of Ireland to tell the story of Easter week 1916, when seven Irishmen proclaimed themselves the provisional government of the Republic of Ireland and attempted to throw off British rule. While the events of the Rising are detailed, the focus of the site is [...]
William Shakespeare was born on or about this date in 1564. Expand your knowledge of the Bard – his life, times, and writings – through Finding Shakespeare, presented by the curators at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. The blog carves out new insights of interest to any student of Shakespeare. Many of the entries are written [...]
Thousands of professional photos and films offer a visual exploration of the Earth’s endangered species and biodiversity. Accompanying learning exercises on Darwin, evolution, natural selection, and adaptation are appropriate for middle and high school students, while games introduce younger learners to topics such as habitat and animal survival. Include a blog with wildlife news, a [...]
Are you attending ISTE this year? Do you have a great classroom idea, ELL lesson, initiative, or methods for differentiated instruction? netTrekker would love to spotlight a few customers who are interested in giving 15 minute presentations at ISTE! Please contact Melissa Knollman at mknollman@nettrekker.com if you are interested in presenting at ISTE. Some past [...]
Students will work with primary resources such as diary entries to investigate a historical situation: the starving time in Jamestown. This interactive site raises questions that will enable students to use 21st century skills to determine a conclusion. Students will also realize that there may still be some unanswered questions concerning this important time in [...]
A virtual journey through space offers photos and facts about Earth and its neighboring planets, comets, other celestial bodies of the Solar System, and the Milky Way and Andromeda galaxies. Also available on the page is a “Facts About the Universe” interactive with more images, information and videos. http://www.history.com/topics/space-race/interactives/interactive-universe
In the middle of the 20th century, the number of cases of polio was growing each summer. While President Franklin D. Roosevelt was probably its most famous victim, more often it struck otherwime-healthy children. No one knew what caused it, how to prevent it, or how to cure it. *This documentary mixes the personal accounts [...]
The DNA Discovery Center presents this fascinating exhibit answering many frequently asked questions about DNA and includes interactive activities. From the What, Where, How, and Why of DNA to information on current research in the field, users can get a clear understanding of the basics of up-to-date DNA knowledge. http://archive.fieldmuseum.org/dna/
To appreciate the contributions Benjamin Franklin made both to his own time and to ours, it is necessary to see all aspects of his public life, not just his role as a revolutionary, a diplomat, or a scientist. Each of the four sections of this site highlights five different aspects of Franklin’s life, from firefighter [...]
This government program has a mandate to support research efforts, gather research findings on climate change, and communicate those findings to governmental agencies and the public. The agency offers many resources regarding global as well as American climate change. For example, by clicking on the section of the country, readers can learn about key issues, [...]
Information is presented in the manner of media during World War II which makes for a very engaging site. There are a number of routes to take: the Darkroom highlights WWII-related artifacts. The Timeline takes students on a journey of technology advances that led to the atomic bomb and the surrender of Japan. Activities, Ask [...]
Three problem-solving detective games involve players in investigations of the effect of alcohol on the body’s digestive, circulatory, and nervous systems. The games are accompanied by “Cool Links” which access sites on alcohol use and the body’s responses to alcohol, as well as sites on forensic science. http://n-squad.rice.edu/
Find a menu of animated tales and interactive games at the Curious Corner, where learners go to uncover curiosities about art. Play with shapes, textures, and sounds, make masks, portraits, and found-object assemblages, or read stories about dragons, Hindu gods, and birds.
The Girls, Math & Science Partnership provides news items, resources, activities and event listings aimed toward girls interested in STEM education and engineering careers. Students can read about the experiences of current engineers at “She’s Livin It” and be linked with a mentor in the field. Use the “Feed Your Head” section to find games and [...]
Social Media may have started out as a fun way to connect with friends, but it has evolved into a powerful tool for learning. New tools are being developed each day to connect students to new and exciting learning opportunities. To get started, check out netTrekker’s Social Networking links. Try out these inspirational ways [...]
The Council on Foreign Affairs is both a news source and a non-partisan think tank with a long history (since 1921) of offering in-depth coverage of U.S. foreign policy and world affairs. Authors provide daily analysis on current world events as well as news by region and issue. Blogs and reports on major news stories [...]
Highlights of Western styles of clothing, in timeline format, inspire us with the vastness and novelty of human creation. Examples span 250 years of changing styles in fashion, with the earliest articles dating from the eighteenth century. Many of the styles might make modern women ask, “What on earth were they thinking?” but it might [...]
April is Heart Health Awareness Month. The American Heart Association wants to help create a new generation of life savers – teens who know how to perform CPR and use AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) to save lives. Be The Beat! teaches teens about heart health and what to do in case of cardiac arrest. With [...]
Today is the first day of National Poetry Month. The two websites I offer will give you inspiration and ideas to last you all month (and beyond). *The Scholastic site has a wealth of great poetry resources and lessons! Each lesson lists grade appropriateness. Although this site was created with national poetry month in mind, [...]
As spring progresses, birds are returning to their summer habitats. Watch them as they build their nests and raise their young. Cameras mounted near nests capture images and live video of birds in their natural habitat. Current cams, as well as archived video reaching back to 2000, provide a close-up look at the lives of [...]
Several years ago I had the pleasure of working with an amazing first-year teacher. She had come back to teach Kindergarten at the school where she grew up and immediately, I recognized her passion and potential for being a stellar educator. This creative, innovative young lady, Whitney Lyman is now a leader in so many [...]
Complete with music from Aaron Copland, the Center for Jewish History provides an interactive website that traces the history of Jews in the United States from 1654 until today. Authors provide a searchable gallery of photographs, documents and artifacts as well as links to other resources on the internet. http://www.jewsinamerica.org/
Do you have too much stuff in your life? How do you know? What is the story behind the production and disposal of all your stuff? Take a look at these videos and decide if all of your stuff is making you happy. These are great mini videos to get you thinking! http://pbskids.org/loopscoops/
A gateway to the vast resources of the Canadian museum community, the Virtual Museum of Canada is a showcase of rich-media content that both educates and entertains. Interactive exhibitions, subject-specific image galleries, games, and a teachers’ center (with lesson plans and advice for learning with museums) are just a few of the features that give [...]
Today is the 100th anniversary of the tragic Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in New York City. As horrible as this fire was, though, it did much to bring about positive changes in laws regarding workplace safety. Many events are being held this year to commemorate the event, including this “special edition” extra Site of the [...]
A collection of content, activity and assessment ideas, printable resources, links, and research-based articles geared toward teachers of Earth science but suitable for all elementary science educators. In addition to offering materials and ideas for classroom instruction, K-5 GeoSource provides links to professional development opportunities, such as online courses and workshops, as well as links [...]
Northern Illinois University provides audio, visual, and text documents about Abraham Lincoln’s Illinois years. You can search historical themes that relate to Lincoln and a biography of Lincoln. The site offers both primary and secondary resources as well as lesson plans that cover many of the important political and military issues of Lincoln’s era (prior [...]
This week my training travels took me to Alexandria, VA with a fantastic group of technology specialists for the K-5 grades. The morning was spent looking at the changes in netTrekker since our last training over a year ago, looking at resources for multimedia purposes, and the various community connections available in netTrekker. We also [...]
Multimedia course focuses on thirteen literary classics from many different times and many different cultures. Each lesson centers on a half-hour video offering multiple perspectives on a particular work. Read excerpts from each work and find dozens of rich and varied sidebars, slideshows, timelines, maps, and expert commentaries. Key points for discussion, glossaries, notes on [...]
A retrospective on the career of award-winning American composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim. Because you can learn about all of Sondheim’s works in a single place, it is easy to trace his prevailing themes and character types. Read reviews of his musicals and view video clips of many songs from them. http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/04/23/theater/20100423-sondheim-timeline.html
netTrekker is proud to present this week’s spotlight user, Jill Hanson. Jill is a Media Specialist at Neighborhood Charter School in Atlanta, Georgia. Jill explains why she is happy to have netTrekker in her school. We have completely integrated the use of netTrekker into as much of the research completed by students at our school [...]
Yesterday was the first day of spring. In celebration of all the new life and growth that comes with the season, use this community-sharing site which lets all the world’s sharp-eyed naturalists, including school-age students, record their observations of the outdoor world. When entering observations, users can search the site’s taxonomy list for a species [...]
Welcome our guest blogger, Melissa Edwards! Melissa is an instructional technologist for Winston Salem/Forsyth County Schools in Winston Salem, North Carolina. She has mentioned netTrekker’s ebook series on her blog! Below is her post about netTrekker eBooks. You can check out the entire netTrekker eBook collection here. Be sure to check out Melissa’s blog, Technology: [...]
This media-sharing site consists of only educator-approved videos, organized by audience and grade level. It includes videos created by teachers, students, and educational organizations. Videos are organized by subject and grade range, covering the core subjects of language arts, math, science and social studies, as well as the fine arts, technology, and even career planning. [...]
I am still glued to the media outlets as the crisis in Japan unfolds. An earthquake, a tsunami, the nuclear meltdown threats, and the many losses Japan is enduring. I started to create a folder for our Global Portfolio on all three of these topics – earthquakes, nuclear power, and tsunamis to help with current lessons on these [...]
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Get into the spirit of the day with this archive, in English and Irish, of the sounds, images, and documents of traditional Irish music and song. Guest users may listen to or view 30-second audio or video clips. To access full-length clips of archived material, users can register for a free [...]
Lots of news and information on drug abuse and what it can do to the human body. You can click on each individual drug to find out more about it, read questions and answers, test your knowledge, and finally find out the truth about harmful substances. The Create section makes it possible to download anti-drug images [...]
Players attempt to dress King Henry VIII in his royal armor for a tournament at Whitehall Palace by interpreting a series of hints about which pieces of armor to put on first. Learn why pieces of armor were created as they were as you put them in place in the proper order. Be precise. Remember, [...]
netTrekker is proud to announce this week’s Spotlight User, Sharon Kaffen. Sharon is a teacher at Akron Early College High School in Akron, Ohio. She explains how netTrekker’s professional development solutions helped her maximize the value of her school’s netTrekker subscription! I have used netTrekker as a tool for finding resources and, during my netTrekker [...]
Addressed with questions about relative speed and the speed of light, students begin to “think like Einstein” while exploring the science behind the mystery of time travel. By following the questions and equations, you’ll learn (theoretically) how to travel forward through time and space, but you’ll find there are no answers about getting back. (Of [...]
Kids’ Vid provides students and teachers with the tools and instruction necessary to plan, script, create, edit, and show videos in the classroom. It includes lessons, example video clips, pre- and post-production tips, and advice from other kids. Following the steps and stages that are recommended can insure that the videos students produce are not [...]
I am delighted to post Sharon Kaffen’s article about how she uses netTrekker to help students augment English skills while learning to write college level research papers. Sharon teaches 9th graders at Akron Early College High School in Akron, Ohio. I teach 9th Grade Physical Science in the Akron Early College High School. For any [...]
When you think of going to college, where do you see yourself? Welcome to College is a great tool to help you plan just that. Follow the steps on the site to start a free account where you can choose and keep track of the colleges you are interested in. Then, start planning your visits. [...]
The Gettysburg National Military Park provides a very complete “virtual tour” of the Battle of Gettysburg. Each day of the battle is fully described through narrative, maps, and pictures. Of particular interest is the description of the aftermatch of the battle wherein 22,000 wounded soldiers poured into the town and surrounding area and 5,500 soldiers [...]
The Barbican fine arts center presents this award winning site of four lessons to inspire creative writing. “Changing Voices” focuses on life in South Africa, “The Elements” examines earth, wind, fire and water in the arts, “The Human Body” uses the body to inspire poetry, and “The Odyssey” traces the story of Odysseus as a [...]
Both historic and up-to-the-minute news regarding the Mars Rover mission. There are activities for children, student projects and other classroom resources. From the “more videos” link you can find a series of animations will take you from Earth to the Red Planet in less than 10 minutes. The animation begins with the initial launch and [...]
netTrekker is now partnering with Defined Learning to bring you a seamless integration of netTrekker and Defined STEM resources! All netTrekker subscribers will have FREE ACCESS to Defined STEM resources during the month of March! DefinedSTEM offers a collection of resources including videos and interactive tools to help students make connections and understand real world [...]
Part of a teacher workshop called “Making Civics Real,” this section explains how to use questioning, especially Socratic questioning, in problem-based learning. For those not used to employing the Socratic method, the “Taxonomy of Socratic Questions” would be especially helpful. It gives a clear, practical list of questions, in an approximate order of progression, that [...]
Use this inviting site to introduce the concept of “copyright” by answering common questions, defining related terms, and providing sample permission letters. Highlighting the planning and work of school yearbook club, this site shows a variety of ways copyright plays a role in creating a single publication. http://www.copyrightkids.org/
netTrekker is the Internet search engine for students and teachers, helping you find the resources you need that match your teaching style and your student’s learning style. But what do you do with those resources and all of that great information? You need to a way to show what you know, and in the 21st [...]
A second Women’s History Month site, this one features multimedia profiles of fifteen famous women who were born in California or who made California their home. For each of these remarkable women, there is an overview of her life and contributions, a timeline, an album of photos, and a video. The list of women includes [...]
Wednesday, March 2nd is Read Across America Day, NEA’s annual reading motivation and awareness program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading on the birthday of beloved children’s author Dr. Seuss. By this point, you probably have plans in place for your own reading event, but in case you’re looking for [...]
Today marks the beginning of Women’s History Month. These online exhibits of the National Women’s History Museum celebrate women in a wide variety of venues and roles. These include exhibits such as “Women in Early Film,” “First But Not the Last: Women Who Ran for President,” and “Young and Brave: Girls Changing History,” among many [...]
netTrekker is proud to present this week’s Spotlight User, Karry Simmel. Karry is the Assistant Principal at The Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School in Beaver, Pennsylvania.Karry explains why netTrekker’s readability feature is perfect for what she’s been trying to accomplish at her school! I went to the middle school level in netTrekker and was looking to [...]
In a little over 50 years we have learned a great deal about DNA and its role in our development. From Watson and Crick to the future of DNA, this site examines the focal points in the time line of modern day genetics. There is information from five episodes: The Secret of Life; Playing God; [...]
In this online filmmaking community, you can learn how to make your own films, watch films created for CBBC competitions, download sound effects, make a mashup, and rate the work of your filmmaking peers. Making a film is simple with the tools provided, and creating a film based on your knowledge or research is an [...]
Last night my son had to read a passage about water vapor, fronts and clouds and then answer questions. He did not want to do it. Our conversation went something like this: Joey: I don’t want to read this stupid worksheet. Can’t I just find it in netTrekker? Me: they don’t have this worksheet in [...]
The National Center for Education Statistics offers math, history, and geography quizzes for grades 4, 8 and 12, civics quizzes for grades 4, 8, and 9, science quizzes for grades 4 and 8, and economics quizzes for grade 12. Along with the quizzes are some very interesting results comparisons. First take a quiz of 5-20 [...]
Over 3000 free audio and video texts are available in the following categories: Arts and Entertainment, Biography, Business, Education and Professional, History, Languages, Literature, Philosophy, Politics, Religion and Spirituality, Science, Self Development, Social Sciences, Sports and Hobbies, Technology, Travel. The files include audio versions of books, audio and/or video interviews, lectures, and even TED Talks. [...]
Stop–don’t cross that picket line! In this BrainPOP movie, Tim and Moby introduce you to the life and work of the great Mexican-American labor leader César Chávez. You’ll learn about the difficult lives of migrant workers, as well as how Chávez’s childhood experiences shaped his politics. You’ll discover what labor unions are and why Chávez [...]
Are you new to netTrekker Search? Do you want to connect with other netTrekker teachers? Are you looking to deepen your understanding of netTrekker Search? Do you have limited time to devote to professional development? If you answered YES to any of these questions, consider enrolling in NT101. NT101 is one of the Online Learning [...]
Just in time to enjoy for Presidents’ Day, here are humorous portraits, so to speak, of forty-four American presidents, from George Washington to Barack Obama. There is even a link to a related graphic of the hairstyles of America’s first ladies. You can trace the changes of hair styles or perhaps even make some political [...]
Written by math educator Cynthia Lanius and hosted by Rice University, these lessons offer games, activities, and practice on a number of math concepts for students in grades K-4, 5-8, and 9-12. Topics range from counting to calculus, from fractions to graphing. Some lessons are in Spanish as well as English, and larger sections contain [...]
This content-rich site and Library of Congress “Featured Presentation” looks at the immigration experiences of Americans from many backgrounds and countries. The site includes lesson suggestions and resources, online immigration vocabulary games (including one on the origin of English words), interviews, and a collection of recipes from around the world. You can also use the [...]
Offering a collection of photos, videos, and lesson plans, this presentation explores the Grand Canyon in light of its environmental, cultural, and historical contexts, providing information on its discovery, trails, flora and fauna, and the views enjoyed by this national park’s visitors. Be sure to take advantage of all the navigational tools to get the [...]
This collection of over fifty works by African American women writers of the 19th century ranges from slave narratives to collections of poetry to essays and biographies. A project of the Schomburg Center of the New York Public Library, this collection makes works written by an under-recognized group of writers easily available. A biography of [...]
netTrekker is proud to present this week’s Spotlight User, Giselle! Giselle is a 4th grade student at a school with access to netTrekker. She describes why she loves having access to netTrekker at her school! “This year our class has had the opportunity to use netTrekker in our classroom. We really love netTrekker because we [...]
Happy Valentine’s Day to all who love netTrekker! Here is a comprehensive and entertaining look at “love and romance” tied to the history and traditions of Valentine’s Day. The site delves into the life of the saint and martyr for whom the day is named and recounts the stories of some of history’s most famous [...]
February 12 is Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. The Smithsonian National Museum of American History presents an impressive overview of the life of Lincoln’s life from his early years through his assassination. Explore this historical collection of facts, photos, quotes, and more. The artifacts not only provide insight into Lincoln’s life beyond the basic facts, but also [...]
Learn about the cost of maintaining a maritime empire in America by considering the wreck of the British sloop Industry, which sank off the coast of Saint Augustine in 1764. The loss of the ship along with her cargo demonstrates that British control of the seas was never cheap, either in peace or in war. [...]
Remember when students just had to remember? Did you memorize the five longest rivers of the world? Did you memorize the chief exports of South America? Can you recite the Gettysburg Address? While it’s good to keep that particular skill sharp, the 21st Century Classroom has turned its attention to incorporating higher level thinking skills [...]
As we enter a new decade this year, you may find it enlightening to compare our arts and history with a significant decade in the past. Does the decade of the 1940s have anything to teach us about what we might look forward to in the next decade, as we work our way out of [...]
Last week I was fortunate enough to attend FETC in Orlando, FL as an attendee. I enjoyed so many great sessions and learned so much from the experts - teachers, and other professionals in the field. I attended a session from one of my favorite leaders in the world of visual literacy, Lynell Burmark. She shared [...]
Fantastic short animation feature about the life of Charles Dickens. The commentary is factual and the animation is entertaining and brightens up the presentation considerably. Use the Scene Selector to click on “hot spots” in the film to learn more, and to have access to the text of the commentary. Once you have learned all [...]
Literacy Education Online (or LEO) is a great place to start if you need help with your writing. The homepage is organized around kinds of problems or questions you might have concerning your writing. Find your problem, click on the link, and find answers that will help you write more clearly, accurately and effectively. Subjects [...]
Geocaching is a unique online treasure hunt game. Players ‘hide’ a cache anywhere on the globe and other players must follow the clues to locate the cache. Great for getting practice using GPS. There is plenty of guidance to playing, as well as a history of geocaching, information about buying a GPS unit for geocaching [...]
Begin your celeration of the Chinese New Year with this site which includes both astronomy and astrology. Using the early Dunhuang Star Atlas, an important historical and scientific document of the sky seen from China dating from before AD 700, learn about astronomical history from the perspective of China. Find resources and analysis that explain [...]
This is a great tool for students, teachers, and parents to use to understand the math vocabulary used today. Choose the grade level desired, then choose the math word you want defined. The word will be read aloud and defined through words as well as through examples and images. The site covers math vocabulary from [...]
As you know, February is Black History Month. Begin your commemoration with this Site of the Day. The History Channel presents a video on the history behind Black History Month with numerous links to videos of key events, biographies of famous African Americans, the history of Civil Rights, and much more. The audio and video [...]
netTrekker is proud to present this week’s spotlight user, Pauletta Stines. Pauletta is the Technology Integration Specialist for Buffalo City School District in Buffalo, New York. Pauletta describes why netTrekker’s features are so valuable to her students. My students love using the Refinement Menus that categorize websites according to what is found at the site. [...]
This multimedia-rich exhibition documents the race, in 1911, to be the first to reach the South Pole. Two teams undertook the perilous journey, one British, led by Robert Scott, and one Norwegian, led by Roald Amundsen. The exhibition allows you to feel a part of the race with digital dioramas, period details, photographs, paintings, historical [...]
This week I have two great examples of how the Famous Person Search and Timeline Features are bringing excitement to classrooms. Traci May is the Library Media Specialist at Innes CLC in Akron, Ohio. She is also currently participating in NT101 Online. Traci posted to the course discussion board about how she is using the [...]
A comprehensive website with activities for all age groups to help in understanding how grains are grown and why they are such an important part of our diet. Included are interactive games, activity sheets, and lesson plans. http://www.grainchain.com/
I remember clearly a paper I had to write in college about a novel, Night by Elie Wiesel. It was probably my favorite book that I was required to read. It was the most touching story I think I have ever read. Night definitely brought the horrors of the Holocaust vividly alive in my mind, [...]
In honor of Holocaust Remembrance Day, here is a collection of materials for learning about The Holocaust, including lessons on genocide, tolerance, hatred, and human rights. Lessons are paired with New York Times’ articles, as well as supplemental materials, including videos, blogs, slideshows, and websites. http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/09/the-holocaust/
This visually rich record of the milestones in human history shows you one image of one significant event which happened on this day. Today’s event will spiral back to yesterday’s, and keep moving back as long as you stay on the site. [Owing to time-zone differences, the date displayed may be a day before or [...]
This site is the homepage of a speech data base sponsored by Sweet Briar College. It includes links to speeches by influential women, mostly contemporary, but with a growing inclusion of speeches from as early as 1848. “Almost all of these speeches come from the authors of the speeches or from organizations representing them.” The [...]
netTrekker is proud to present this week’s Spotlight User, Deb Falk! Deb is the computer lab instructor for grades K-5 at Onsted Elementary in Onsted, Michigan. Deb describes how netTrekker has helped her students with research. netTrekker is the best research tool to hit the net for our students! We have completed many searches for [...]
Weekday news bulletins for children, updated daily. UK and international headlines are listed separately and there are links to four-minute audio bulletins and their scripts. Bulletins are retained for one week. Learning resources can be accessed from a menu on the right, while the left menu has resources for international school twinning and stories about [...]
Who invented the automobile? That’s not as easy a question to answer as you might expect! Many people contributed to the invention of the automobile as there were many different types of automobiles and many different types of parts that went into them. Here’s a good summary of the inventors and their contributions. http://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/mysteries/auto.html
This is an extremely well-researched and detailed site about the Amazon Rainforest, with a significant emphasis on conservation. Sections include wildlife, conservation, people, deforestation, news, photos, charts and countries. You’ll be drawn in by the beautiful photography throughout the site, as well as by the depth of information available. The full site is available in [...]
Akron Public Schools’ Department of Instructional Technology (DoIT) hosted a professional development session on netTrekker for members of the Connect Your Community Corps. A member of DoIT led CYC members in an instructional session about the benefits of using netTrekker and how to utilize its features. For the next 18 months, parents and grandparents of [...]
A riveting eyewitness account of an RAF pilot describing his participation in a dogfight over Britain when the Germans were attempting to bomb Great Britain into surrender at the beginning of World War II. Included is an audio of Winston Churchill’s praise for the RAF, and a hyperlink to the various aircraft of both the [...]
Perfect Pitch is an interactive learning environment that lets you form orchestras and create your own orchestral arrangements of music from the baroque, classical, romantic, and modern periods. Clever game design, including a run-scoring assessment module, mimics action on a baseball diamond. Improve your chance of scoring runs by first taking a tour of the [...]
netTrekker is proud to present this week’s spotlight user, Kelly Knudsen. Kelly is the Library Media Specialist at Delta Woods Middle School in Blue Springs, Missouri. Kelly shares how students are achieving more with netTrekker! Teaching students to use a search engine is part of my curriculum, but finding the right, safe search engine has [...]
An excellent database of over three hundred dinosaurs from around the world. They are organized by country, continent, time period, and by alphabetical order, and each dinosaur has pictures and facts about it. When you click on a dinosaur, you’ll learn its size and its diet. You will also learn where and what kind of [...]
Do you have netTrekker Search and Tech4Learning’s Wixie? Now you can get the most out of your subscriptions by integrating Wixie with netTrekker Search for FREE! Wixie is an online authoring tool students can use to construct knowledge and communicate ideas. Students can use Wixie’s paint tools, text options, clip art, and voice recording to [...]
“The Phoenix and The Pelican: Two Portraits of Elizabeth I, c. 1575″ describes two remarkable portraits by Nicholas Hilliard. You will learn how the portraits are related and some of the ways the portraits were changed from their original sketches. By studying these paintings, you can learn about Elizabeth I and her reign as well [...]
I was supposed to fly out on Monday to conduct our Teach to Inspire Integration Workshop for our top small district user, Morehouse Parish School District in Louisiana. This is one of my favorite trainings, so of course I was seriously disappointed when my flight was grounded due to weather. All across Facebook and Twitter [...]
Launch an activity in which learners consider options to halt the spread of a deadly new flu virus.Then check other information on this site to learn more about how and why illnesses like flu viruses spread so quickly, and how scientists are addressing the problem even before new flu viruses develop. Centre of the Cell: [...]
Join a class preparing for a field trip to the Art Institute of Chicago and take a virtual trip to the museum with them, where they begin to learn ways to talk about what they see in meaningful ways. Even if you never have the opportunity to visit this particular museum, this site will help [...]
By now, I believe everyone is back to school from Christmas Break. Some of the south might be back home thanks to the snow storm. I personally started off the new year with a trip to Houston, TX and enjoyed an afternoon of professional development about challenging the challenged. I overheard a couple of teachers talking [...]
This brief biography of Amelia Earhart includes a great bibliography of other sources for further reading on the famous aviator. Incidentally, today is the anniversary of one of Earhart’s important flights. She was the first person ever to fly across the Pacific ocean. Gale: Women’s History Biographies: Amelia Earhart
netTrekker is proud to present this week’s Spotlight User, Karry Simmel. Karry is the Assistant Principal at The Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School in Beaver, Pennsylvania. Karry describes why netTrekker is the perfect solution for educational obstacles faced by The Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School! The Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School is an online K-12 educational provider that [...]
This exhibition from the National Portrait Gallery of the Smithsonian Exhibition explores the many depictions of rock ‘n’ roll legend Elvis Presley. The variety of representations of The King are fascinating. In addition, there is a link to another Elvis exhibition called “Elvis at 21: Photographs by Alfred Wertheimer. National Portrait Gallery: Echoes of Elvis
netTrekker has played an active role in Richland School District Two’s professional development initiatives for over a decade. This year Richland Two opened it’s 17th elementary school, Langford Elementary. With 1:1 wireless laptops in grades 3-5 and interactive whiteboards school-wide, faculty and staff jumped at the opportunity to participate in a netTrekker staff development pilot. [...]
This is an engaging video that provides the origins of the dispute to establish a deep understanding of the continuing crisis. The video includes an overview, The Mandate Period, The Arab-Israeli Wars, Diplomacy and Intifada, and Diplomacy and Radicalization. Also find a slide show that presents a timeline and historical information as well. Council on [...]
DINOSAURS! by Marcia Williamson Marcia Williamson is a Teacher Evaluator for netTrekker. She is a Canadian teacher with over twenty years’ experience teaching from Kindergarten to Grade 6. She has an M.Ed. in Computers in Education and a specialty in Mathematics. If your class is studying dinosaurs, you’ll find lots of great resources in [...]
This interactive guide to the art of ancient Egypt includes information and exploration activities about hieroglyphics, tomb architecture, the Egyptian concept of the afterlife, gods and goddesses, Egyptian pictorial motifs, and many, many more topics related to Egyptian society and culture. Ancient Egypt
netTrekker is proud to announce Melissa Edwards as a guest blogger. Melissa is the District Instructional Technologist for Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Check out Melissa’s Blog for more great posts! Love, love, love the resource, Google Templates for Student Projects shared by Steven Anderson (@web20classroom on twitter). There are so many great [...]
Everyone can become an author now using Storybird. Pick illustrations and start writing! The illustrations are beautiful and inspiring; use them to write a story yourself or join with friends and family to write a book about, well, anything! A Sign In is needed to keep track of your stories. Imagination is needed to create [...]
This week I was invited to share with Houston Independent School District media specialists and special education teachers how to use netTrekker to prepare for the state test and with their learning challenged. I had about 40 minutes to do this in, which was a challenge for me! This was all part of their afternoon [...]
Today, Isaac Newton’s birthday, is a good day to discover what was right and wrong about his theory of gravity.This video segment from NOVA chronicles Newton’s theory of gravity and Einstein’s discovery that contradicted it. This inaccuracy is demonstrated in an animation accompanied by explicit narration. Teachers’ Domain: String Theory: Newton’s Embarrassing Secret
What makes science fiction so exciting? The American Museum of Natural History encourages you to read some examples of the genre and then create your own science fiction story about space travel. Use the supplied “travel guide” to generate ideas and structure your plot. American Museum of Natural History: OLogy: Space Travel Guide