Interactivate Activities November 16, 2007
Posted by Gareth in : Maths/Numeracy , add a commenthttp://www.shodor.org/interactivate/activities/
There are some great Java powered activities on this free US-based website. Although they cover mathematics topics for all ages of student, there are quite a lot of games that would be suitable for use in primary settings. Some examples include the shape builder (where you can explore the area and perimeter of shapes), the tessellating tile maker and the simple coordinates game.
There are really a lot of useful activities here and if you go to the main Interactivate page you can also access some planning, teaching tools and other useful resources.
Literacy Activity Builder November 15, 2007
Posted by Gareth in : English/Literacy , 1 comment so farhttp://www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/vtc/ngfl/cross_curr/lab/
I’ve mentioned the Vitual Teacher Centre at the Welsh NGFL before and it just keeps on going from strength to strength. It’s so refreshing to see a government project taking such a strong lead in developing resources that give their teachers the tools they need to deliver learning electronically.
This particular resource, the Literacy Activity Builder, is a collection of downloadable Literacy programs linked not just to English but also to other curriculum subjects. I’d recommend that teachers of all ages, Early Years to Year 6, take a look at what’s on offer.
Quintura for Kids November 14, 2007
Posted by Gareth in : ICT , 1 comment so farhttp://kids.quintura.com/
Quintura takes Yahoo! Kids‘ (presumably) filtered directory of websites and presents it in an easily searchable form for children. The tag cloud at the top of the page shows terms that are linked to your keywords. You can use these words to refine your search simply by clicking on them. It should be a really useful tool for your students’ Internet research. Give it a go and see what you think.
Classroom Displays Blog November 13, 2007
Posted by Gareth in : Blogs & Communities , add a commenthttp://usefulwiki.com/displays/
Linda Hartley’s excellent classroom display blog is linked to her Flickr group where teachers and teaching assistants post photographs of their displays. The blog regularly includes images of displays from all over the web together with helpful commentary by Linda. There are some really super photos on show at the site as well as some interesting links. I loved this link to the ‘Homeworkopoly’ display on Teachnet.
ICT in my Classroom November 12, 2007
Posted by Gareth in : Blogs & Communities , add a commenthttp://tbarrett.edublogs.org
Nottinghamshire teacher Tom Barrett produces this excellent blog about the ways in which he’s using new technologies in the classroom. His posts provide really practical examples on how you can get incorporate ICT in lessons. He’s also not afraid to post about things when they go wrong either. Tom has created some useful Wikis on blogging with your class and using Google Earth in lessons. This blog is definitely one to bookmark and to subscribe to.
Silent Kimbly November 8, 2007
Posted by Gareth in : English/Literacy, Fun (Teacher) , add a commenthttp://silentkimbly.com/
This webcomic from Ryan Sias brings visual puns and wordplay to life three times a week. As a teacher there are several strips that would provide really fun springboards into discussions on homonyms, spelling strategies and idiomatic phrases. I love Ryan’s art style as well.
Here’s my pick of some of the cartoons that would be really great to use with primary students: Mountaineers / Photograph / Swim Suit / Tank Top / Step Sisters / Chain Restaurant / Traffic Jam / Teacher & Pupils / Taking Notes / Airplane Hanger / Pane in the Neck / New Coat of Paint / Pen Pals / Card Board / Gripping Book
Moving Here November 7, 2007
Posted by Gareth in : Geography, History, P.S.H.E. , add a commenthttp://www.movinghere.org.uk/
There is a huge amount of interesting material on this site. As the blurb says…
Moving Here explores, records and illustrates why people came to England over the last 200 years and what their experiences were and continue to be. It offers free access, for personal and educational use, to an online catalogue of versions of original material related to migration history from local, regional and national archives, libraries and museums.
Primary teachers will find the sections linked to topics The Victorians and Britain Since 1948 very useful for incorporating the theme of migration into history lessons.
Pete Wells’ Website November 6, 2007
Posted by Gareth in : SEN, Various Subjects , 1 comment so farhttp://www.petewells.co.uk/
There are some absolutely superb sensory story powerpoints on this website from teacher Pete Wells. I love his version of Dickens’ Christmas Carol! There are also a selection of program downloads including an interactive weather map and a “drag and plop” version of There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly.
On Your Marks! (London 2012) November 2, 2007
Posted by Gareth in : Various Subjects , add a commenthttp://onyourmarks.london2012.com/
Factsheets, photographs and lesson resources are included on this Olympic 2012 website. Some of the teaching ideas include designing a mascot, making medals, graphing Olympic facts and writing a code of conduct. If 2012 seems a long time away then you could adapt many of the ideas and base them on other major sporting events.
Sacred Texts November 1, 2007
Posted by Gareth in : Religious Education , add a commenthttp://www.bl.uk/learning/cult/sacred/
Although this site, from the British Library, has been designed to be used with Key Stage 3 students you could probably use many of the interactive stories with Key Stage 2 pupils. Just play through each one yourself first to check they are suitable for your class. There are two animations for each religion (Islam, Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism, Sikhism and Hinduism) featuring stories including ‘David and Goliath’, ‘Rama and Sita’ and ‘Baby Isa Speaks’.
