Spin & Spell

Spin and Spell is an interactive, animated spelling game for children ages 4-8.  Users choose words from one of the seven categories- in and around the home, what we wear, what we eat, how we get there, and the animal kingdom.  Then, users click on a picture to hear the word.  They then use their mouse to click on the letters to spell the word.  Users can also click on the "Pick a word for me" button to hear a random word on the page. 

NASA PlanetQuest Historic Timeline

NASA has numerous resources for educators including the PlanetQuest Historic Timeline.  This interactive, multimedia timline begins in 500 BC and traces the search for extrasolar planets from philosophical beliefs to modern discoveries.  The timeline can be autoplayed or users can explore on their own.  Users can also browse through the timeline using three different categories - technology, discoveries, and thought/ culture.

Graphic Organizers

Need a graphic organizer?  Check out these sites for downloadable organizers and interactive web tools.

• Houghton Mifflin English: Graphic Organizers - This site includes several graphic organizers that can be downloaded as PDF files and printed out.  Graphic organizers include Persuasion Map, Inverted Triangle, and Sense Chart.
• Scholastic Graphic Organizers for Reading Comprehension
• Freeology: Printable Graphic Organizers - Over 60 different graphic organizers that can be downloaded as PDF files and printed out.
• Holt Interactive Graphic Organizers - These graphic organizers can be printed out or downloaded as fillable PDF files.
• teAchnology Graphic Organizers
• Think Technology: Graphic Organizers - Users can download and print these graphic organizers in three different formats (HTML, PDF, or Word).  If the file is dowloaded as a Word document, users can type their ideas into the graphic organizer.
• ReadWriteThink Student Interactives: Organizing and Summarizing - 18 different interactive tools for organizing information including a Circle Plot Diagram, Essay Map, Story Map, and Venn Diagrams.

Related post: Bubbl.us Brainstorming Tool

Our Courts

Our Courts is a web-based education project to help students learn more about civics and inspire them to become more active participants in our government.  It was developed to carry out Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor's vision for improving civics education.

Our Courts has resources for teachers including lessons about the Constitution, foundations of the government, and persuasive writing. There are also videos, lesson plans, and information about the Supreme Court, state governments, and tribal governments. 

There are also three interactive games on the site.  These are simulation games and require users to analyze parts of the Constitution, determine the best argument, and apply these concepts to real world situations. 

• Do I Have a Right? - In this game users run their own law firm.  Clients come into the firm and users must listen to their case, determine if they have a right to go to court, and then match them up with a lawyer that best understands their issue and the Constitutional amendment that gives them that protection or right.  Teachers can download a game guide (.pdf) as well as a lesson plan about interpreting the Constitution.
• Argument Wars - Users debate historical Supreme Court Cases by determining which argument is best and supporting them.  The cases you can choose from include New Jersey v. TLO, Brown v. Board, Miranda v. Arizona, Gideon v. Wainwright, and Texas v. Johnson.  Teachers can also download a game guide (.pdf) and lesson plan (.pdf)  for this game.
• Supreme Decision - In this game users assume the role of a law clerk and must listen to the judges' deliberations, learn about the issues, and determine which side of the issue they agree with.  This game helps users to learn more about how the Supreme Court works.  Teachers can download a game guide (.pdf) and lesson plan for this game as well.

Exploratorium Snacks

Exploratorium Science Snacks are different science experiments that are similar to exhibits at the Exploratorium Museum.  They can be used to explore many different science topics such as convection currents, momentum, circuits, and molecules. 

 

The Exploratorium Museum website also has over 500 online activities, exhibits, photo essays, and videos to explore.  These resources are divided into different categories - astronomy and space, culture, earth, everyday science, human body, listening, living things, material world, mind, and seeing. 

The Portrait - George Washington

The Portrait - George Washington: A National Treasure is interactive online exhibit by the National Portrait Gallery. This site allows users to explore different portions of the Lansdowne portrait of George Washington.  Users can explore the portrait using three different filters: symbolic, artistic, and biographic.  Each filter contains different information about twelve parts of the portrait.  Macromedia Flash Player 5 must be installed for the interactive portrait. 

There is also a Kids Portrait page.  The interactive portrait on this page is geared toward kids and is set up as a mystery for users to solve.  Users get clues to uncover hidden parts of the portrait and learn more about the symbolism and meaning of each part.

Also included on this website are lessons and guides for teachers about George Washington's life.