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!

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.

Daily Buzzword

Click on Buzzword below for meaning and usage:

plaid

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.

Vocabulary Principles & Effective Vocabulary Instruction

Teachers, just a short post to disseminate some good information I came across and to alert you to a great resource. As we continue our concentration on vocabulary, I thought that I would provide you with this brief excerpt from Laura Robb’s text Easy Mini-Lessons for Building Vocabulary: Practical Strategies that Boost Word Knowledge and Reading Comprehension. If ever you get the time, stop by the media center and take a look, and you can also purchase it online. I got my copy from Amazon.

Key Teaching Principles of a Rich Vocabulary Program

1. Make explicit vocabulary instruction at least a three-times-a-week tradition.

2. Give students a voice by allowing them to pick words.

3. Present vocabulary mini-lessons.


Guidelines for Effective Vocabulary Instructions

1. READ! READ! And then READ MORE!

2. Avoid new word overload (four or five new words are plenty).

3. Allow students to choose words too.

4. Reserve class time for vocabulary building.

5. Creatively link words to students’ experiences.

6. Point out the clues that writers leave.

7. Slow Down, new word coming through! Words in English have multiple meanings; repeatedly use target words in reading, writing, speaking and thinking, so students can absorb variations in meaning.

8. Exchange experiences with words.

Adapted from Easy Mini-Lessons for Building Vocabulary by Laura Robb.