8th Grade

8

Tumblr

— David Karp

8-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.tumblr.com/dashboard Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49 share

How It Works

Use Tumblr as an easy set-up, easy to use microblogging and blogging platform. Tumblr offers many ways to get content into your blog. Choose the text type of content for a more traditional looking blog post. Also choose to share photos, audio, or video. Use the quote, link, or chat option to share quick portions of text. Add additional context information to your post. For example, with a photo, add a caption; or for a link, add a title, description, or link. Edit posts in the dashboard, and add the content type and additional elements. It is best to stay with the plain text editor for ease of use. Create posts by email and SMS as well. Other ways to post content are available through the dashboard. Add posts by installing a Tumblr bookmarklet to your browser window. Use Tumblr to follow others and see recent posts from those people. Change templates and even customize templates. Find those you follow and those who follow you on the right sidebar. The Radar in this sidebar brings in the latest information being posted on Tumblr. This tool can be minimized by clicking the Hide link but does exist and may have inappropriate content. Use the Mega editor to make changes to a lot of posts at the same time. Find the permalink to your post by hovering over the post. The top right corner "folds down," and clicking there provides you the permalink. Note: Make additional Tumblr blogs after you make your initial one (click the + icon in the dashboard.) This allows you the option of making the blog private by password-protecting the viewing of the blog.

In the Classroom

Use for posts that have visual elements such as photography and art. The ease of adding images to a Tumblr blog make this a great tool for the medium. Use for Family and Consumer Science to create a cooking or entertaining blog. Create a blog showing images from experiments or learning about the world around them in Biology with posts about pond life. Focus on genetic traits and the differences that exist including photographs of past ancestors to show traits. Create posts about elements and take pictures of items or objects that are made of that element. Or show images of various chemical properties. Create a Tumblr blog page for a specific historical figure and create posts that the person would make highlighting accomplishments, people they meet, etc. Note: It is highly recommended that teachers not allow students to make their own Tumblr blog for class but instead make a blog for ALL students in the class to use. The teacher can manage (and monitor) the blog.

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.
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Tag(s): communication, blogs, microblogging,

MyTrigonometry

— Bagatrix

8-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.mytrigonometry.com/trigonometry_solver.aspx Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49 share

How It Works

This site allows you to input trigonometry problems and receive the solution. Also included are many sample problems. Sample problems can be chosen from the options on the right of the screen from different categories such as graphing and simplifying trigonometric expressions, complex numbers, vector arithmetic, and much more. After creating a problem, select solve to find an answer. One major downfall of the site is that upon giving the answer, the option to see the steps needed to answer the problem leads to a pay site. However, the site is still worthwhile for students to check problems and for other purposes.

In the Classroom

Share the site with students as a resource for checking homework. At the beginning of a unit, display the site on your interactive whiteboard or projector showing the solution to a new problem, and then allow students to investigate and discover how to find the answer. This is a great site to share on your blog, class wiki, or class webpage for students to have access to both in and out of the classroom.

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.
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Tag(s): angles, equations, charts and graphs, functions,

Desmos: A Beautiful, Free Online Graphing Calculator

— Eli Luberoff

8-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.desmos.com/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49 share

How It Works

This tool is a standalone, web-based graphing calculator ideal for math or science. It graphs equations as you write them, is color-coded, and instantly revises and redraws the equations as you update them. Share any graph with a Bit.ly (shortened) link. Note that the calculator does NOT use Flash so it works on iPads and iTouches. Easily manage your graphs in a folder and browse examples. Desmos just released the news that they now have a free iPad app for their graphing calculator!

In the Classroom

Use this Better Calculator in place of expensive graphing calculators that many students may not have. Be sure to provide the link on your teacher page or wiki for easy access. This is a wonderful tool for iPad or 1:1 classrooms with their newly released free iPad app.

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.
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Tag(s): calculators,

Algebra: The Supplement

— Dan Meyer

6-8 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://algebra.mrmeyer.com/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49 share

How It Works

This site offers a full year’s worth of Algebra 1 lessons including slides for the interactive whiteboard. Slides are offered in Keynote (for Mac) and Powerpoint. Slides also include teacher notes and answers to questions. The lessons are also offered in PDF form. Each week can be downloaded separately and includes handouts. Tags are included with each week’s activities to make it easier to find other lessons with similar topics.

In the Classroom

Use the lessons on this site as a resource to current classroom topics. Dan Meyer is well-known for his math teaching methods and many lessons include hands-on, problem-solving activities which can be incorporated into any curriculum.

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): equations, factoring, problem solving, tutorials, exponents, charts and graphs,

TeachersFirst Brain Twister

— TeachersFirst

2-8 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.teachersfirst.com/twister/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49 share

How It Works

These ten question quizzes, written by Thinking Teachers, are changed each Friday and are ready to go with one edition for middle school students and one for elementary students. The quiz presents ten questions, one at a time. You have only ONE try to pick the correct answer, so think carefully. You get points for each correct answer, totaling up to a possible 100. When you finish, you see your score and how long you spent. Questions are intended to stretch your thinking. Printable versions are available along with answers to the previous week’s Twister. A new version of the Twister is mobile-friendly and adjusts to any screen size. Take the Twister with you wherever you go!

In the Classroom

Since elementary and middle school curriculum content varies from location to location, it is unlikely that every question will fall within the scope of your school’s curriculum. High point questions may fall outside standard classroom fare. Five-point questions tend to be at the knowledge/comprehension/application level of Bloom’s taxonomy and closer to "normal" content. Ten pointers are more likely cross-curricular application/analysis, and twenty pointers require analytical thinking and a wider experience level, such as knowledge of current events or information beyond normal curricula. Twenty pointers may require more than one student’s input.rn<br><br>rnDo the questions as a whole-class activity with a projector or interactive whiteboard with students contributing the portions of knowledge they do know toward solving the question. Using teamwork and thinking aloud can often help the group reach a conclusion that no single member could do on his/her own. They can each test different math answers to see which one is correct. This process will not only foster thinking aloud and group communication, but also model test-taking skills for multiple choice.rn<br><br>rnAlternatively, do the Twister in small groups, with one student an answer entry but others as researchers on neighboring computers to find out what the group does not know. It may be helpful to assign roles: moderator (assigns what to find out and helps the group reach consensus), keyboarder (enters responses, may conduct research in a new window), or researchers (find information as assigned). Use the Twisters to model and teach information literacy skills in a high-motivation activity. Or offer the Twisters as an enrichment challenge or extra credit option for students to do at home. Ask parents to be on the honor system to sign a note indicating the score their child achieved. Since parents may be overly interested in helping, you may want to simply give extra credit for anyone completing the quiz, no matter the score. Be sure to mark this ready to go exclusive in your favorites and share it on your teacher class web page.

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.
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Ingenious

— NMSI

8-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.ingenious.org.uk/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49 share

How It Works

View thousands of old style photos on a range of science and ethical topics. Use this site to bring together images as well as viewpoints to create new insights into Science and culture. Click on Read to obtain background on various science issues arranged by subject. Click on the Debate tab to look at questions and discussions related to science topics and issues. Find old style photos in the See tab. Create a login to save searches and photos for future use. <b>Be certain to preview whatever you plan to share with your students. At this time of this review, there were some topics that would not be appropriate for some classrooms</b>.

In the Classroom

Find great information, photos, and possible questions for use in the classroom to stimulate thinking and make connections between content and the use of science in everyday life. For example, the debate "Can we sustain our lifestyles and our planet?" uses content from food chains to technology to natural resources. Additionally the discussion of what every organism needs to survive can bring to light discussions of characteristics of living things and our responsibility to the planet.

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.
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Tag(s): natural resources, medicine, debate, industrialization,

Euronews

— Euronews

8-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.euronews.net/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49 share

How It Works

This news aggregator focuses on Europe and provides an overview of political, business, sports, and lifestyle news. Like most aggregators, it features headlines in various categories, video clips, and opinion pieces. There is also a section for user-uploaded videos called "No Comment." Because this user generated content may not be monitored, preview carefully. There is some advertising, although it’s fairly unobtrusive.

In the Classroom

Use this site as a springboard for current events discussions, or as a source for a Euro-centric viewpoint on the news. Display the videos on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Challenge students to read specific articles and create multimedia presentation to share with the class. Have students annotate an image using Fine Tuna, (<a href="/single.cfm?id=10415">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.
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Tag(s): europe,

House Divided: The Civil War Research Engine at Dickinson College

— Dickinson College

8-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://housedivided.dickinson.edu/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49 share

How It Works

With the 150th anniversary of the Civil War beginning in 2011, this site provides both a research engine and a Civil War "Today in History" lesson. Dickinson College, located just north of Gettysburg in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, serves as a case study for how the Civil War divided families, friends, and institutions. Alma Mater of President James Buchanan and Chief Justice Roger Tanney, author of the Dred Scott decision, Dickinson’s staff, students and alumni were of divided loyalties. This site offers documents, biographies and images from the College’s archives and can make the events and stories more personal.

In the Classroom

It goes without saying that this is a rich source of research, primary documents, and personal information about those on both sides of the Civil War, from those whose names would otherwise be lost to history to those whose names are familiar to us. Use selections from the digital classroom, which includes video lectures, a digital library, and virtual field trips, to extend your lessons on the Civil War. Consider dividing students into groups to research characters from both sides of the conflict. Challenge students to create a newspaper article, title of article, date, and body of article using the site <a href="/single.cfm?id=10053">Newspaper Clipping Generator</a>, to explain who or what they learned about while researching. rn<br><br>rnTrying using the daily "today in Civil War history" items as a lesson icebreaker. This is an exceptionally deep resource which you can visit over and over for further inspiration. Share the video lectures on your interactive whiteboard or projector.

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.
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Tag(s): civil war,

Virtual Pig Dissection

— Earl W. Fleck, PhD

8-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices https://www.whitman.edu/academics/majors-and-minors/biology/virtual-pig Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49 share

How It Works

Participate in a virtual dissection of a fetal pig. Use this amazing site to learn anatomical terms, planes of view, and complete systems. Each section opens in a new window. Terminology is used in such a way for complete understanding of the meaning of the term. Look for the yellow words that can be clicked for further information. Take quizzes to check knowledge by dragging the words into the appropriate spaces. <b> NOTE:</b> the site does not run properly in Firefox. Try Chrome, Internet Explorer, or Safari. It uses Shockwave.

In the Classroom

Use this site as an accompaniment to other resources for students to use during the actual dissection. Many students will appreciate the 3D view and the interactive nature of this site in the understanding of the systems of the fetal pig. If individual computers aren’t available, share this site on your interactive whiteboard or projector.

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.
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Tag(s): human body,

Harmony and Proportion

— John Boyd-Brent

8-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.aboutscotland.com/harmony/harmony.html Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49 share

How It Works

These pages attempt to provide a simple introduction to, and explanation of, the principles governing harmony and proportion in space. The concepts link visual art and math/geometry in very sophisticated ways. Links include Plato: Composition, Pythagoras: Music &amp; Space, Alberti: Harmony &amp; Proportion, Palladio, and The Square Root of Two. Some sections are quite complicated and are best suited for either gifted students or whole-class exploration; however, there are some interesting concepts to explore within the site. The Pythagoras portion has an interesting audio and visual portion explaining number (weight) and musical tone.

In the Classroom

Explore the site with your class on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Be sure to bring up some sample images on the board and apply or explore some of the concepts and annotate images using the pen tools. Share the site as a resource when researching famous mathematicians. Share the site with music, art, and social studies teachers to use as a resource. Use this site for research and have students complete a multimedia presentation using a site such as Smilebox (<a href="/single.cfm?id=11372">reviewed here</a>) to create a slide show, collage, or more.

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): square roots, ratios,
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