Web Resource

For ELA and reading teachers and parents, I have located a web resource that appears very promising. English-Zone.com contains resources for both reading and ELA. It covers skills from grammar to vocabulary and contains a number of lesson plans and activities that can be used in the classroom or in the home. Take a look at this site the first chance you get.

Internet Resource

Math people, don't say that I don't ever think of you. I have two neat sites for your. I was peeking over my wife's shoulder as she searched for math resources and discovered these sites. Take a look at it and see what you think. coolmath-games.com features about twenty or so math games.

coolmath.com appears to be the parent site for coolmath-games.com. It advertises itself as "An amusement park of math and more." The ages it services are listed at 13-100. Not only does it feature games, but it appears to contain lesson plans and activities as well. I also see an online math dictionary, a math practice area, and an area for parents. It covers pre-algebra, algegra, and geometry. This is certainly a site you should check out!

Study Resource: studybulb

I found yet another resource! This time I found something that might be useful for students to study. It's called studybulb. It allows you to create web-based flashcards and matching and multiple choice quizzes. To see how it works simply click on the link above or the logo to your right. Also, I have created three simple sets of flashcards and quizzes on the prefixes, roots, and suffixes we have been studying.

Grading Resource: Engrade

I know that some of you are using Micrograde and some of you are still using the old-school grade books, but I have located a grading program, or more truthfully, Mr. Fortune alerted me to a grading program, that is worth you taking time to check-out.

Engrade is a free set of web-based tools for educators allowing them to manage their classes online while providing parents and students with 24/7 real-time online class information. It's private, secure, truly free, and unbelievably easy to use.

The feature I like best is that it allows parents to log on at any time and see their student's grades. If the student is missing an assignment or is just not doing his or her best, the parents can be apprised of this immediately. So, to check it out just click on the logo or the underlined link above.

Book Resource for Math Instructors

Some math instructors have inquired of me concerning a book of math stories or a book of math read-alouds. I think I've found the perfect book. I haven't had a chance to read Number stories of Long Ago by David E. Smith, however, I've been advised that it contains a number of stories that introduce students to complicated math theories by simplifying them through a story telling format. I haven't had the opportunity to review this book yet, and you know I am a mathaphobe, so could someone review this book for me and let me know what you think?

Excellent Web Resources

Are you looking for a site with ready to use standards-based lesson plans and activities? Are you looking for a site which allows you access to the highest quality practices and resources in reading and language arts instruction? Then I've got just what you need. Check out ReadWriteThink. ReadWriteThink is a site operated by the International Reading Association (IRA) and the National Council of Teachers of English (NTCE). It contains a plethora of standards-based plans and activities and a number of different resources for all grade levels. If you are serious about teaching reading or language arts, then you must view this site.

Also, worth mentioning is wordcentral.com. The vocabulary oriented website includes daily buzzwords and games as well as a section for educators. In addition, this site contains a wide range of etymology information plus an online dictionary, thesaurus, and rhyming dictionary.

Another Excellent Book Resource

This morning as I was preparing lesson plans, I came across another excellent book resource that you might want to consider. Chris Kensler’s The Word Whiz’s Guide to Florida Middle School Vocabulary for Grades 6-8 contains more than 600 words important for middle school students taking the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT). The book contains words germane to every discipline—ELA, social studies, math, science—as well as words important for understanding test instructions and all purpose words. In addition, the book features an easy to read and understand format. Check it out!