Web Resources – SEARK Coop
Teach your students to make paper snowflakes for use as room decorations, and then extend the activity with this website. http://snowflakes.barkleyus.com/
Add biographical information on a scientist- Snowflake Bentley. http://snowflakebentley.com/
Download printed snowflake patterns here: http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/dstredulinsky/home.html
Add math and literacy plus games with the many links on this page: http://www.mathwire.com/seasonal/winter05.html
Lesson- Edible Glass (Chemistry/Biology)
This lab provides an introduction to organic molecules and condensation reactions. Instructions include measurements and making “edible glass (sugar)” with simple materials and equipment. (pdf file)
Middle School-High School http://www.ccmr.cornell.edu/education/modules/documents/EdibleGlass.pdf
Great website! Check the other lessons: Earth, Physical, etc http://www.ccmr.cornell.edu/education/modules/
Lesson- Edible Glass (Chemistry/Biology)
This lab provides an introduction to organic molecules and condensation reactions. Instructions include measurements and making “edible glass (sugar)” with simple materials and equipment. (pdf file)
Middle School-High School http://www.ccmr.cornell.edu/education/modules/documents/EdibleGlass.pdf
Great website! Check the other lessons: Earth, Physical, etc http://www.ccmr.cornell.edu/education/modules/
Topical List of Earth Science Websites
Links to various resources for Rocks, Minerals, Pollution, Plate Tectonics, Glaciers, Soil, Energy, etc. etc. http://webs.cmich.edu/resgi/
Irreverent Physical Science
Very funny Periodic Table at this website. http://www.besse.at/sms/matter.html
Teach with Movies
Many teachers use video to enhance instruction. Teach with Movies has lesson plans for hundreds of movies useful in all content areas. Membership is $1 per month, but you might be able to talk your librarian into purchasing a subscription.
Check the sample plan for October Sky at: http://www.teachwithmovies.org/
Microscopy Website
This site contains links to various items related to the use of microscopes. Check out the Microscope Primer, a downloadable guide to using a microscope, a Pond Life Identification Kit (relates to primary frameworks), Pond Dip- a virtual pond with information about all the critters found there, MicScape a magazine devoted to microscopy plus over 2000 previously printed articles, and links to the best microscopic image galleries. http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/full_menu.html
Brain and Nervous System Links
Dozens of links to materials useful when teaching about the nervous system for all levels. Lots of kewl stuff! http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/works.html
Living with Disabilities
Most teachers have students in their classrooms with challenges such as ADD, dyslexia, or other learning disabilities. What we need to remember is that everyone is challenged in some way; strange but true, we are all living with some type of disability. Whether it is mental or physical, clearly visible or not so apparent, it’s there. Think about your own special needs when you learn something new, do you review material repeatedly, read it aloud, take notes? Many of your students don’t realize what modality is the most effective way for them to learn. Do you? If not, introduce your students to learning styles and how the brain processes information. The better we understand our learning needs, and disabilities, the easier they are to address. http://www.adl.org/education/curriculum_connections/fall_2005/fall_lesson_4_2005.asp?cc_section=lesson_4
Tech Tip: Handheld Digital USB Microscopes
Recent innovations in the field of microscopy include digital configurations that may be compatible with the needs of the primary/middle grades for demonstration purposes. One such product is ProScope, sometimes called “Scope on a Rope”. This microscope attaches to a computer and can be used to capture video, time lapse, and stills of magnified objects. It comes in several magnifications, is purported to be easy to use, and portable. http://www.proscopehr.com/
Celestron also makes a similar item: http://www.adorama.com/CNMSD.html
If you already have good quality microscopes at your school, a flexible camera can be attached to the ocular and interfaced with a television. Prior to doing lab work, magnified objects can be viewed by all students as the teacher points out specific areas of interest. This is an excellent teaching tool when students are faced with trying to identify cells in various stages of mitosis, the difference between xylem and phloem in plants, or differentiating cells in any tissue etc. Flex cams can also be used to focus on the gross structure of larger objects i.e. organs in dissected specimens. http://www.schooltr.com/Products/Ken_A_Vision_Analog_Gooseneck/Ken_A_Vision_Analog_Gooseneck.php
Demonstrations for Science Classes
This website has links to resources on science demonstrations for all levels from simple ones for
primary teachers to complex chemistry demos. Some have photos of the demonstrations.
Chem-mystery, Twinkies Project, Mole Day, Take-Home Science and more:
http://sciencedemonstrations101.com/sciencedemonstrationslinks.html
“Take-home Science”. These simple activities are used to involve parents/kids in doing science with household items. Try the Science Demonstrations at Elmhurst
http://www.elmhurst.edu/~chm/demos/
from the link above, there are dozens of simple science activities that can be copied into a document and modified for student use. Leave off the explanations of course! After students complete the experiments at home, ask them to explain
the results. Follow up with a scientific explanation. Several of the
demonstrations involve the same concepts (density and air pressure for
example) so you can reinforce student ideas with your own demos in class.
Ecology, Growth and Carbon Cycle – Middle School (These looked very useful!)
Formative assessments can be used before or during the teaching cycle to determine your
student’s preconceptions or to evaluate the effectiveness of teaching. These links have
assessments that include open response items in a format similar to the Science Benchmark.
Topics covered include, growth, science experiments, ecology and the carbon cycle. Students
will also be required to think critically in order to formulate answers.
Elementary: http://edr1.educ.msu.edu/EnvironmentalLit/publicsite/html/cc_assess_e.html
Middle School:
http://edr1.educ.msu.edu/EnvironmentalLit/publicsite/html/cc_assess_m.html
High School: http://edr1.educ.msu.edu/EnvironmentalLit/publicsite/html/cc_assess_h.html
Topic- Water Cycle:
http://edr1.educ.msu.edu/EnvironmentalLit/publicsite/files/WaterCycle/WC%20Assessment/
Water_ItemPool_2007.pdf
Biodiversity: http://edr1.educ.msu.edu/EnvironmentalLit/publicsite/html/be_assess.html
High School- Lessons on Ecology, food webs and nature of science that include activities,
PowerPoint presentations, and questions. http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/contaminantsonline/
pages/ToolsTeachers/TTintro.htm
Lesson on Carbon Cycle- 5-9th grade
This lesson has printed information for students, diagrams and questions.
http://www.planetconnecticut.org/teachersadministrators/pdfs/lesson2.pdf
Links to diagrams and animated cycles:
http://educationcooperative.wikispaces.com/Carbon+Cycle
NSDL Middle School Lesson Portal
Searchable database of lessons on genetics, ecology, environmental issues and many topics.
http://msteacher.org/science.aspx
Cassini K-4 Literacy Program: Grades 3
& 4
Welcome to a spectacular journey of learning -
the Cassini-Huygens Mission to Saturn and
Titan!
This set of lessons brings together reading, writing and science in ways that underscore the belief that scientific thinking and use of language go hand-in-hand. All files are in PDF form and can be downloaded to your computer. http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/education/edu-k4-
34a.cfm
Paper Models
Download these 3-D paper model patterns of insects/dinosaurs/sundials/planes/earth
layers/animals/pop-up cards and others for students (or you!) to make. The patterns are in color, some are simple and others are very intricate. http://cp.cij.com/europe/papercraft/uk/science/index.html
Paper Fractal Geometric Model http://www.ss42.com/pt/fractle/fractle-fidgets.html
Links to dozens of different kinds:
http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/artscraftsideaskids/3dfoldingmodelspapercraft
s.html
Pounding out a Print
One of my favorite activities for students during the fall is making leaf prints (after teaching about pigments and leaf classification of course). There are many ways to do this, most people coat the backs of leaves with paint and make a print on paper, or lay paper over the leaf and use crayons to transfer the print. This leaf printing activity uses the natural pigments of the leaves themselves. Take a nature walk to collect a pile of colorful fall leaves, gather some metal flat-head hammers, and muslin or thick art paper. Lay the leaves on the paper/cloth veins up and pound away! This is a great activity for those energetic middle school kids. Just be sure to wear eye protection and do the pounding outside on the parking lot or sidewalk where you won’t disturb others. Try berries and fall flowers also, and layer the leaves for an interesting effect, green leaves will work too. Post the prints or frame them when they are finished. If you are into dyeing fabric this technique is called “leaf whapping”. Here is a link to a description that includes Native American History.
http://educators.btnep.org/client_files/editor_files/Spirit%20Lesson%20
2-6.pdf
Jeopardy PowerPoint Games
Students love games and this site has 6 Jeopardy Games you can download
and save on your computer.
http://apps.caes.uga.edu/sbof/main/tpltExperiments.cfm?subject=Games
%20and%20Slides&index=1
• Right click the “PPT slides button”
• Click “Save Target As” choose a location and save it to your hard drive
• View the game on a computer projector
• Topics: Atoms, Force, Phases of Matter, Photosynthesis and Respiration etc.
Upper Level Teachers- If these seem too simple to be used as review, use
them as an introductory Formative Assessment before you begin a unit to
find out how much your students remember from previous classes.
Chemistry- Calculate Average Atomic Mass of fictional “Legumium” Isotopes
This simple activity uses dried beans to illustrate how average mass is calculated.
A good warm-up for a chemistry class! Student worksheet and instructions included.
http://apps.caes.uga.edu/sbof/main/lessonPlan/BagOIsotopes.pdf
Science of Food and Agriculture-Lessons
This website (which is also referenced above) has hundreds of lessons with student worksheets and PowerPoint presentations. They cover many areas, not just food and agriculture! I found lessons on Gel Electrophoresis for example.
http://apps.caes.uga.edu/sbof/main/tpltExperiments.cfm?subject=All&i
ndex=1
Fetal Pig Dissection
These worksheets are student-ready and can be downloaded to your computer.
http://sps.k12.ar.us/massengale/fetal_pig_dissection.htm
Virtual Pig Dissection link:
http://www.whitman.edu/biology/vpd/main.html
All Teachers:
PBS TeacherLine now offers WGBH/Teachers'
Domain professional development courses in Physical, Life, and Earth and Space Sciences for elementary, middle, and high school educators, as a special collection within PBS TeacherLine. You may be eligible for a complimentary PBS TeacherLine Course through the Arkansas IDEAS Learn Now initiative. To learn more, please visit http://ideas.aetn.org/.
Fall national courses begin Wednesday, October 24, 2007, and courses in your local area may have additional start dates.
“Text Messaging”
Your students, and your children, speak a new language….…it’s called “Text Messaging”. For many of us it is completely incomprehensible, but it saves them time as they try to send quick messages using the tiny key pads on their cell phones. I haven’t ventured into text messaging since I CRS (can’t remember stuff) as easily I could years ago and TSNF (that’s so not fair!). If we want to understand this generation PLU (people like us) should know something about their “culture”. Here is a link to a Text Messaging Dictionary, maybe you will find it useful.
I may try learning a little of it myself, just as soon as I can find the text messaging button on my phone.
http://www.webopedia.com/quick_ref/textmessageabbreviations.asp
US Mint Lesson Plans
Downloadable lessons on the state quarter series and other recently issued coins. These would work well for those of you teaching social studies in addition to science. http://www.usmint.gov/KIDS/teachers/lessonPlans/
Lesson- Fermentation with Yeast
This activity uses easily obtained materials to illustrate that yeasts release gases during fermentation.
http://www.wetheteachers.com/files/18641182834113.html
Lesson- Extracting DNA
This requires simple items you have on hand, or can find at local businesses. Students from Middle School up can easily complete this DNA extraction activity and it works with a variety of plant materials. .
http://www.lessonplanspage.com/ScienceDNAExtraction912.htm
Chemistry- Mole Day (October 23)
Chemists observe Mole Day to celebrate Avogadro's number, also known as the Avogadro constant, which represents the number of particles in a mole- approximately 6.022 × 10 to the 23rd power. Annenberg Media presents: “The Mole," Program 11 of "The World of Chemistry"
http://learner.org/redirect/october/chem45.html. The program covers Avogadro's number and related concepts.
Lunar Plank Growth Project
Register online to participate in the NASA Engineering Design Challenge: Lunar Plant Growth Chamber. During the 2007-2008 school years K-12 students will design, analyze, build and assess plant growth chambers that could be used on the moon. Registrants will receive a packet of cinnamon basil seeds that flew on the STS-118 space shuttle mission and a control packet of seeds that have not flown. The two sets of seeds will be used to evaluate the student-designed plant growth chamber. Sign up for the NASA Express listserv to receive e-mail messages about the challenge, updates to the challenge Web site and announcements about NASA education activities.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/plantgrowth/joinchallenge/index.html#Register
$120,000 in reading software programs and training
Grant Title: Schools in Need Competition Organization: Knowledge Adventure Eligibility: K-8 schools Value: 10 awards of $12,000 each Deadline: December 15, 2007 Contact:
http://www.knowledgeadventure.com/school/
The Schools in Need Competition will launch on July 1, and is open to schools that need to raise reading scores by at least 30 percent among a population of students between grades K-8. Schools must also show a need to have supplemental reading materials that address specific reading deficiencies and to use the technological investments the school has made for reading instruction. Winning schools will receive the new Knowledge Adventure Academy line of products for early literacy, reading comprehension, and vocabulary, along with training and support.
PD in your PJ’s
The latest issue of eSchool News Online presents descriptions of online professional development available to teachers including the Arkansas Ideas Program:
http://www.eschoolnews.com/resources/reports/professionaldevelopment/
Tech Tip
Watch a short video at Atomic Learning to learn how to browse with tabs in Explorer 2007.
http://movies.atomiclearning.com/movie/k12/26542/play
Jefferson County Tn Schools
Great web site for power points- lesson plans
http://jc-schools.net/PPTs-la.html
Elementary power point presentations
http://www.graves.k12.ky.us/powerpoints/elementary/
EduHound, A wonderful site for education lessons
http://www.eduhound.com/SiteSets/
Heather Carter, Math Specialist
Lori Cingolani, Science SpecialistPage 6