6th Grade

6

But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids

— Vermont Public Radio

-6 0 favorites 0 promising practices https://www.vpr.org/programs/why-podcast-curious-kids#stream/0 Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:50 share

How It Works

But Why? Kids have lots of questions, and this podcast is all about answering them. Some of the diverse questions answered at the time of this review were - Why Do We Poop and Fart? Why Don’t Spiders Get Stuck in Their Webs? Why Do We Celebrate Halloween? Why Do People Get Cancer? Kids are encouraged to send in an audio of their questions through an adult to get it answered. Most podcasts run in length between 20 and 30 minutes, and many will recommend additional resources about the topic. Don’t have the time to listen to a podcast? Not to worry, there is a summary right under the audio.

In the Classroom

Listen to several podcasts together as a class. Enhance learning by challenging students to reflect on their learning and what they would like to learn more about using a tool such as Flipgrid, <a href="/single.cfm?id=17677">reviewed here</a>. Then have students come up with their own questions to be answered and submit them on a tool such as Dotstorming, <a href="/single.cfm?id=16997">reviewed here</a>, and then to vote on their 3 favorite questions to submit.

Technology Heads-up!
  • Find interactive ABC's, colors, etc.
  • Donec rutrum congue leo eget malesuada. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a. Curabitur aliquet quam id dui posuere blandit. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a.
  • Donec rutrum congue leo eget malesuada. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a. Curabitur aliquet quam id dui posuere blandit. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a.
  • Donec rutrum congue leo eget malesuada. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a. Curabitur aliquet quam id dui posuere blandit. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a.
Tag(s): podcasts,

NorthPole.com

— Northpole Productions, LLC

-6 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.northpole.com Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:50 share

How It Works

Enjoy a colorful look at Santa’s Village. NorthPole has interactives (concentration, word searches, counting money, telling time, mazes, and more), and you can even play checkers with Santa. Attend the Elf Academy, read stories about your elf, send animated Christmas postcards, write Santa a letter and get a reply! For those into the maker movement, there are holiday crafts to make with directions and free templates. Create an account and register your students at the same time. Students will be assigned a user ID and password.

In the Classroom

Introduce the NorthPole to students by projecting it for all to see the different areas to explore. Add a link to classroom computers for the entire site or specific areas. Post a link on your class web page or newsletter for parents and students to use at home. With younger students, consider demonstrating how to write a letter to Santa or send a postcard to a relative from this site. Take photos, or have older students take photos, of the crafts and recipes the students make and post them on your website for parents to see. Engage older students by having them post the photos with and explanation using a portfolio tool such as Pathbrite, <a href="/single.cfm?id=14067">reviewed here</a>. Alternatively, students could enhance their learning by annotating images taken of their activities with text, URL’s, or videos using ThingLink, <a href="/single.cfm?id=13216">reviewed here</a>.

Technology Heads-up!
  • Find interactive ABC's, colors, etc.
  • Donec rutrum congue leo eget malesuada. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a. Curabitur aliquet quam id dui posuere blandit. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a.
  • Donec rutrum congue leo eget malesuada. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a. Curabitur aliquet quam id dui posuere blandit. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a.
  • Donec rutrum congue leo eget malesuada. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a. Curabitur aliquet quam id dui posuere blandit. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a.
Tag(s): holidays, christmas,

eMathHelp

— eMathHelp

6-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.emathhelp.net/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:50 share

How It Works

eMathHelp offers help and resources for high school and college students. Select Math Notes to find over 2000 notes with explanations and examples for Pre-Algebra through Calculus 2. eMathHelp also offers a large variety of calculators in various subject areas featuring step-by-step answers. Browse through the Homework Help section to find answers to previously solved problems or post your own. Be aware, this site will point you in the right direction to finding answers, they don’t just give answers!!

In the Classroom

Take advantage of the many free calculators for use in your math class; display on your interactive whiteboard or with a projector as you work through problems and see how to solve them. Share a link to this site on your class website for students to use as a resource for homework help. Challenge cooperative learning groups to create math explanation videos using Powtoons, <a href="/single.cfm?id=13954">reviewed here</a>, and share them on a site such as TeacherTube, <a href="/single.cfm?id=9419">reviewed here</a>.

Technology Heads-up!
  • Find interactive ABC's, colors, etc.
  • Donec rutrum congue leo eget malesuada. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a. Curabitur aliquet quam id dui posuere blandit. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a.
  • Donec rutrum congue leo eget malesuada. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a. Curabitur aliquet quam id dui posuere blandit. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a.
  • Donec rutrum congue leo eget malesuada. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a. Curabitur aliquet quam id dui posuere blandit. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a.
Tag(s): homework, tutorials, calculators,

Vivid Color Photos from the Great Depression

— Christopher Woody/Business Insider

6-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.businessinsider.com/color-photos-of-great-depression-america-2016-6/#trucks-outside-of-a-starch-factory-in-caribou-aroostook-county-maine-in-late-1940-there-were-almost-50-trucks-in-the-line-some-had-been-waiting-for-24-hours-for-the-potatoes-to-be-graded-and-weighed-1 Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:50 share

How It Works

Take a look at real Depression-era photos in color instead of the typical black and white from this period. Through the use of color transparencies, these photos, taken between 1939 and 1941, provide a contrast to the difficult life faced by many during this time. Scroll through to view the images and short descriptions, or change the view to watch as a slide show.

In the Classroom

Share these images and descriptions with students as part of your lessons on 20th century America. Have students choose an image as a creative writing prompt or as inspiration for further research. Share typical black and white Depression-era photos and these colorized images, then use an online tool such as Interactive Two Circle Venn Diagram, <a href="/single.cfm?id=9413">reviewed here</a>, to compare and contrast differences including emotional reactions to images. Have students redefine their learning by creating timelines (with music, photos, videos, and more) using Timeline JS, <a href="/single.cfm?id=15321">reviewed here</a>, defining important 20th-century events. Use a site such as Radiooo, <a href="/single.cfm?id=18416">reviewed here</a>, to find music from any era in history.

Technology Heads-up!
  • Find interactive ABC's, colors, etc.
  • Donec rutrum congue leo eget malesuada. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a. Curabitur aliquet quam id dui posuere blandit. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a.
  • Donec rutrum congue leo eget malesuada. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a. Curabitur aliquet quam id dui posuere blandit. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a.
  • Donec rutrum congue leo eget malesuada. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a. Curabitur aliquet quam id dui posuere blandit. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a.
Tag(s): images, 20th century, 1900s, great depression,

Words for Life

— National Literacy Trust

-6 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.wordsforlife.org.uk/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:50 share

How It Works

Words for Life is a site for adults caring for or teaching children from birth through age 11 to promote literacy and communication skills. Select an age level to find tips and information, expected milestones, books, and "fun stuff to do together" such as videos, games, and audio stories. The site was created in the UK, so some of the pronunciations and spellings may differ from those in American English.

In the Classroom

Share information and activities from this site with parents to help understand literacy milestones and as a resource for learning activities. Take advantage of the many ideas on the site to include with classroom activities. Add tips from Words for Life on your classroom website for parents to view and access at anytime.

Technology Heads-up!
  • Find interactive ABC's, colors, etc.
  • Donec rutrum congue leo eget malesuada. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a. Curabitur aliquet quam id dui posuere blandit. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a.
  • Donec rutrum congue leo eget malesuada. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a. Curabitur aliquet quam id dui posuere blandit. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a.
  • Donec rutrum congue leo eget malesuada. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a. Curabitur aliquet quam id dui posuere blandit. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a.
Tag(s): preK, literacy, communication,

Physics of Ballet

— Natalia Kuznetsova

6-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://ed.fnal.gov/trc_new/demos/present/physofballet.pdf Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:50 share

How It Works

Take a deeper look into the science of ballet. This document explains the physics involved in creating and achieving ballet movements. Discover how a rotation axis is essential to maintaining balance in turns. To learn the physics behind body size, see Why are dancers always so slim? It’s not just exercise.

In the Classroom

This site would be of special interest to students who are thinking about a career as a dancer. Other uses for this site would be P.E. classes completing a dance unit, a health class when looking at different forms of exercise, and as an example for girls to understand physics concepts in a more personal manner. Introduce this site on your interactive whiteboard or projector or include it as one of several options for student projects. Challenge students to research the physics of other dance and sports such as gymnastics, high jump, golf, high dive, and others. Ask them to present their findings by creating and infographic using Infogram, <a href="/single.cfm?id=13408">reviewed here</a>.

Technology Heads-up!
  • Find interactive ABC's, colors, etc.
  • Donec rutrum congue leo eget malesuada. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a. Curabitur aliquet quam id dui posuere blandit. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a.
  • Donec rutrum congue leo eget malesuada. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a. Curabitur aliquet quam id dui posuere blandit. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a.
  • Donec rutrum congue leo eget malesuada. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a. Curabitur aliquet quam id dui posuere blandit. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a.
Tag(s): dance, friction, gravity, forces,

Humans of New York

— Brandon Stanton

6-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.humansofnewyork.com/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:50 share

How It Works

Humans of New York was supposed to be a photography project; then it evolved into a vibrant blog featuring the individual stories and portraits of people around the world. Browse through the site to read stories of people from every walk of life in the United States. Choose the countries link to read featured stories from over 20 countries around the world. Don’t forget to visit the "series" link to find poignant stories based on themes like pediatric cancer and refugee stories.

In the Classroom

Each story included on this site is only about a paragraph long, perfect to use with reluctant readers or as a short introduction to lessons on a variety of social issues. Help students identify the key concepts found in each story by creating a word cloud using Wordsift, <a href="/single.cfm?id=12844">reviewed here</a>. Use the keywords found in your word cloud as a starting point for students to begin researching the topic further - examples might be research into refugees, drug abuse, or childhood illness. As students become familiar with the site, use it as an example to create your own site as a class related to your curriculum. For science create a Humans of Chemistry, in social studies create a Humans of the American Revolution, or in language arts create a Humans of Shakespeare. At the beginning of the year use Humans of New York in a self identity and "getting to know you" lesson(s). In small groups or as a class analyze several of the stories and have stidents use the key concepts to create their own interview questions. Then have students interview each other or others on campus (adults included). Use a presentation tool like Sway, <a href="/single.cfm?id=16373">reviewed here</a>, to share finished projects that include student writing, photographs or drawings, videos, and other multimedia. Use Sway for a variety of assignments in any classroom that is integrating technology as an enhancement, modification, or transformation. Have students work together to compare and contrast their findings as part of a discussion within ongoing podcasts. Anchor, <a href="/single.cfm?id=17930">reviewed here</a>, is an augmentation tool offering free podcasting creation and sharing and many features for both new and experienced podcasting teams.

Technology Heads-up!
  • Find interactive ABC's, colors, etc.
  • Donec rutrum congue leo eget malesuada. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a. Curabitur aliquet quam id dui posuere blandit. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a.
  • Donec rutrum congue leo eget malesuada. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a. Curabitur aliquet quam id dui posuere blandit. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a.
  • Donec rutrum congue leo eget malesuada. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a. Curabitur aliquet quam id dui posuere blandit. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a.
Tag(s): cross cultural understanding, new york, identity,

BAM! Body and Mind

— Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

K-6 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.cdc.gov/bam/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:50 share

How It Works

BAM takes the notion of "fitness made simple" to a new level while making fitness, safety, and disease prevention engaging for kids. The Centers for Disease Control provides a wealth of colorful, visual, and interactive resources for children looking to maintain healthy, fit lifestyles. Sharing information on diseases, food, nutrition, physical activity, safety, and the changing body and mind through children’s lingo, articles, and interactives. Access all interactives through the left-hand navigational menu, making it easy for kids to find information. A prominent search box in the upper right-hand corner returns links to articles in the whole CDC site, not just BAM. A teachers’ corner provides ideas for integrating these activities into the classroom. <b>Because of some of the mature or disturbing nature of the information, e.g. deadly diseases, be sure to preview materials.</b>

In the Classroom

BAM is packed with interesting content and engaging activities. Use BAM with the whole class to teach a particular health or science topic using an interactive whiteboard or projector. Small groups and individual students can browse through the sections and play the interactives. Assign specific areas for students to complete at school or home as part of blended or flipped classrooms. Many downloadable handouts are available for classrooms with limited tech.

Technology Heads-up!
  • Find interactive ABC's, colors, etc.
  • Donec rutrum congue leo eget malesuada. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a. Curabitur aliquet quam id dui posuere blandit. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a.
  • Donec rutrum congue leo eget malesuada. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a. Curabitur aliquet quam id dui posuere blandit. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a.
  • Donec rutrum congue leo eget malesuada. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a. Curabitur aliquet quam id dui posuere blandit. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a.
Tag(s): child development, bullying, diseases, human body, safety, nutrition, mental health, dental health,

Interactive Dust Bowl

— PBS/Ken Burns

6-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.pbs.org/kenburns/dustbowl/interactive/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:50 share

How It Works

This interactive based on the Ken Burns film, The Dust Bowl, takes you on a journey showing what life was like during the Dust Bowl of the southern Great Plains. Make decisions affecting your farm along the way as you "play it safe" or strive for greater profit. Take advantage of the other portions of this site, including videos, a photo gallery, and biographies of Dust Bowl survivors. The video about the Dust Bowl with Ken Burns as a guest resides on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, the video may not be viewable.

In the Classroom

Use this tool as an anticipatory set or "activator" to introduce your unit about America in the 1930’s. Share on a projector or interactive whiteboard, then have students explore the interactive on their own. Be sure to share a link to the site on your class webpage for students to explore at home. Have students create a simple infographic sharing their findings using Easel.ly, <a href="/single.cfm?id=13619">reviewed here</a>. Have cooperative learning groups create podcasts demonstrating their understanding of life during the time of the Dust Bowl. Use a site such as podOmatic, <a href="/single.cfm?id=8094">reviewed here</a>.

Technology Heads-up!
  • Find interactive ABC's, colors, etc.
  • Donec rutrum congue leo eget malesuada. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a. Curabitur aliquet quam id dui posuere blandit. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a.
  • Donec rutrum congue leo eget malesuada. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a. Curabitur aliquet quam id dui posuere blandit. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a.
  • Donec rutrum congue leo eget malesuada. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a. Curabitur aliquet quam id dui posuere blandit. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a.
Tag(s): roosevelt, agriculture, 1930s,

National Geographic Kids

— National Geographic

-6 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:50 share

How It Works

National Geographic offers this kid-centric site as a companion to National Geographic Kids magazines and Little Kids magazines. The focus is on information about animals, geography, and the natural world presented in a fun and engaging format. Use this busy interactive site for free, register to gain access to more content. Buttons on the home page lead to short videos, images, stories, polls, news bites, games, and activities. The site includes heavy advertising for the magazine subscriptions. A search box at the top right allows for exploration of the extensive content. Students may submit photos or comments to the "My Shot" picture gallery all of which are selected to be posted by site administrators.

In the Classroom

This site is perfect for interactive whiteboards or projectors. Display the site on your whiteboard to use as a learning center for students. Select videos for lesson introductions for flipped or blended learning activities. For language arts, practice finding the main idea or summarizing stories using these interesting informational texts. ESL/ELL learners can also find accessible news stories here. Choose words from stories to include with weekly spelling tests or as vocabulary builders. Assign different stories to groups of students to summarize and present to the class. Enhance learning by challenging cooperative learning groups to create videos about any article on the site. Upload images (use Creative Commons or other copyright-safe pictures) and use moovly, <a href="/single.cfm?id=16063">reviewed here</a>, for this project. Then share the videos on a site such as TeacherTube, <a href="/single.cfm?id=9419">reviewed here</a>. Use the site for learning games that will appeal more to younger students. Preview all video since some feature animals hunting which may upset some students.

Technology Heads-up!
  • Find interactive ABC's, colors, etc.
  • Donec rutrum congue leo eget malesuada. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a. Curabitur aliquet quam id dui posuere blandit. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a.
  • Donec rutrum congue leo eget malesuada. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a. Curabitur aliquet quam id dui posuere blandit. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a.
  • Donec rutrum congue leo eget malesuada. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a. Curabitur aliquet quam id dui posuere blandit. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a.
Tag(s): reading comprehension, animals, countries, environment, plants, endangered species,
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