8th Grade

8

2 car collision simulator

— mrmont.com

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

How It Works

Crash two cars safely in this simulation. Change parameters such as mass, velocity, and bumper material. Click "Go" to see the result. View the current velocity after the collision.

In the Classroom

Use this simple site to investigate velocity, mass, and bumper material on collisions of cars. Use screenshots to make "measurements" of the movement of the cars. Follow with a discussion of forces and laws of motion. Use in conjunction with other lab activities. Research various materials used for bumpers and car parts as well as other safety issues.

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Tag(s): motion,

Visual Fractions

— Richard Rand

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

How It Works

This site is a tutorial that models fractions with number lines or circles through several different options. Applets are divided into categories such as identify fractions, rename fractions, compare fractions, investigate fractions, and much more. Each category contains different options for exploration with flash applets to practice that skill. The "investigate" option offers step-by-step explanations of the different categories and would be very useful to offer students when reviewing skills such as comparing fractions and using order of operations. Some of the slide shows are also available in PDF form along with practice worksheets. Another component of the site allows you to input your own fractions to practice your own examples.

In the Classroom

Introduce this site on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Have the students open the site and use the whiteboard tools to explore and practice different aspects of fractions. Then have students explore this site independently or in small groups. Use this site on a projector or interactive whiteboard to discuss and informally assess prior knowledge as you start your study of fractions. Create a link to this site on classroom computers, and your classroom website or blog for students to explore.

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  • 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): decimals, fractions, percent, test prep,

MathTrain.TV

— Eric Marcos

4-8 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.mathtrain.tv/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49 share

How It Works

This site is part of the Mathtrain.com Project and was created to host student-created math video lessons all in one place. It was created by Mr. Marcos and his students at Lincoln Middle School in Santa Monica, CA. Videos are searchable by topic or by most viewed, most recent, or most discussed. The site is highly interactive and has an option to subscribe to their free podcast through ITunes. In addition to the student-created videos, there are also teacher-created videos with explanations on different math topics. Most videos are under 2 minutes in length making them perfect to use for introduction or review with different math topics. This site runs in conjunction with mathtrain.com.

In the Classroom

Choose a student-created video to use as an introduction for a new math topic. For example, when working with multi-step equations, show one of the student’s videos on the site on your interactive whiteboard as an example of how one student solved the problem. Use this as a springboard to classroom discussions on problem solving equations. There are several videos on the site with this topic, so a new video can be shown each day as examples of different problem solving methods.rnUse the student examples in your classroom to demonstrate how students can explain different math topics, then create your own explanatory video or audio presentations. Have students create podcasts using a site such as PodOmatic (<a href="/single.cfm?id=8094">reviewed here</a>). Or challenge students to create a video and share using a site such as SchoolTube (<a href="/single.cfm?id=9437">reviewed here</a>). Post student work to your classroom website or blog for students to use at home for review.

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): podcasts, equations,

Word Confusion

— FunBrain

2-8 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.funbrain.com/whichword/index.html Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49 share

How It Works

Word Confusion challenges you to choose the correct word to complete the sentence from the pair of homonyms. There is no log in or password required, so just go to the site and get started. Do you hope for a lot of presents or presence? Do sentences have a clause or claws? There are two levels of difficulty to choose from which provide examples that might even stump the class wizards.

In the Classroom

This is a fun, useful interactive to practice frequently misused words like principal and principle or there and their. Project it on your classroom projector or interactive whiteboard. Students tend to remember homonyms better when they practice them in a fun context rather than repeated drills. Save (or bookmark) this site in your favorites and link it to your class web page for students to access it easily from home or classroom computers. Assign it for independent practice while in the computer lab or as a go-to-activity when students finish an assignment ahead of time.

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  • 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): editing, homonyms, spelling, vocabulary,

Anatomy Corner

— Anatomycorner.com

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

How It Works

Read information about anatomy topics such as "Cells and Tissues" and "Muscles." Find labeled picture in the "Anatomy Galleries." Be sure to check out the related resources section. Be warned: some of the cat dissection photos are not for the faint at heart!

In the Classroom

When comparing structures among various organisms, use this site to find great pictures, labels, and information useful to a Biology or Anatomy course. Create pictures in class similar to those on this site to place on a wiki, blog, or site to share with other students and to discuss comparative anatomy among animals.

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  • 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): structures, heart, brain,

Virtual Cell Animation Collection

— Molecular and Cellular Biology Education

8-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://vcell.ndsu.nodak.edu/animations/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49 share

How It Works

Choose between still images and videos that explain complex Biology concepts. Find great animations of ATP synthase, the electron transport chain, protein modification, photosystems, photosynthesis, transcription, and more. Use the navigation on the left hand side to choose between "Cellular Processes" and "Molecular Processes." Find descriptions for many of the animations on the front page along with a direct link.

In the Classroom

Use this free site for greater differentiation among learners in the Biology classroom. Use these animations at any point in a unit of study in Cell Biology. Use animations (on your projector or interactive whiteboard) as much of the content is very difficult for many students to grasp. Use animations with students summarizing the process in their own words for later review. Create a study guide that follows the processes and asks important points. Use the animations to create a vocabulary list to provide ahead of time to become familiar with the difficult language of Biology. Challenge students to create flashcards (with the key vocabulary words) using a site such as Quizlet,<a href="/single.cfm?id=8577">reviewed here</a>.

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  • Find interactive ABC's, colors, etc.
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  • 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): respiration, photosynthesis, cells,

Congress.org

— C-Q Roll Call, Inc

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

How It Works

Congress.org is a product of the larger group of news publications that include Congressional Quarterly and Roll Call, both long-time sources of news about Washington politics. The site collects news stories, letters to congress and statements from political advocacy groups in one place for the reader to survey. The site is as non-partisan as possible, and it’s possible you will find links to statements from the National Rifle Association next to those from the the Society of Friends. There is also a running accounting of recent votes in Congress for those trying to keep up with current legislation. Be aware, however, that one portion of the site includes letters to Members of Congress written by subscribers; previewing in advance is advised.

In the Classroom

Consider placing this site on your class web page for students to use in researching political viewpoints, both in relation to upcoming elections and in ongoing political debate. It’s a site for true politics junkies, but will be useful for those who are looking for concise information collected in a readable, easy-to-access format. Use the site during your study of the legislative branch and have groups follow congressional groups of individuals, creating a timeline of their activities using a tool such as History in Motion, <a href="/single.cfm?id=16572”> reviewed here </a>. Embed the congressional timelines in your class wiki for students to compare and critique or to trace an incumbent’s activities during an election cycle.

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  • 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): congress, elections, house of representatives, senate,

The Supreme Court: Games

— PBS

8-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.pbs.org/wnet/supremecourt/games/index.html Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49 share

How It Works

Although this site is no longer maintained, most links are working. As a supplement to their series on The Supreme Court, PBS has prepared nine interactive modules on various aspects of the high court. Although they are called "games" most are simply interactive lessons on topics including a quiz on the constitution, information on the symbols used by the court to illustrate its importance to the US system of government, civil rights rulings, specific justices of note, and landmark cases. For reasons not immediately apparent, one of the interactives requires registration with an email address and password. Rather than using your personal or work email, create a free Gmail account to use for memberships. If you plan to have students register individually, you may want to create your own Gmail account with up to 20 subaccounts for each group of students (by code name or number) within your classes.<a href="/whats-hot/policy-tips.cfm#8"> Here is a blog post </a> that tells how to set up GMail subaccounts to use for any online membership service. There are also links to educator resources and lesson plans.

In the Classroom

These lessons would be useful on an interactive whiteboard or projector along with a unit on the Supreme Court or the US judicial system. Students might also use them to to extend or enrich the topic on their own time, or when they have completed other classwork. They are well researched and informative, however, most students won’t view them as "games" as they are labeled. Have cooperative learning groups investigate one specific topic and share their discoveries with the class. Challenge students to create a video using Powtoon, <a href="/single.cfm?id=13954">reviewed here</a>,rnand it share using a site such as SchoolTube, <a href="/single.cfm?id=9437">reviewed here</a>.

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  • 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): supreme court, constitution, civil rights,

Project Vote Smart

— Project Vote Smart

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

How It Works

Students often are confused about how to choose a candidate to support in an upcoming election. Perhaps they haven’t read enough about the candidates and are overly influenced by campaign advertising, or they are just repeating what they have heard at home. This site can help them hone in on a candidate whose views are similar to their own. Enter your zip code, and you have data on each candidate running in your area across 12 different issues. Choose either an issue to explore, or complete a questionnaire to see which candidate’s views match your own.

In the Classroom

Use this site as the basis of a homework or group assignment: students can write about the candidate they would support in an upcoming election referencing the information found on the site about each candidate’s views on specific issues. Take it further and have them create a print ad for their candidate or an online "poster" using Web Poster Wizard, <a href="/single.cfm?id=7332">reviewed here</a>. Alternatively, the site could be used on an interactive whiteboard as a springboard for a class-wide discussion. Be aware that the site uses a "grassroots" theme, and has a barely audible--and at times annoying--sound track of chirping birds. Turn down the sound if it bothers you.

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): elections,

Ptable - Dynamic Periodic Table

— Michael Dayah

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

How It Works

Looking for an Interactive Periodic Table of the Elements? Use this free tool as one of the most customizable and interactive ones to date. Choose various parameters at the top of the periodic table to customize your view. Easily see the trends in the periodic table by selecting the appropriate parameter and watch the elements change color in proportion to the value. Use the Time Machine to determine the elements discovered (and not discovered) at that time. Drag the slider above the nonmetals to view their states of matter. View realtime data of 16 properties with a simple hover of the mouse. The slider also views subsets of data for even more information! View the orbitals of each element as well as all available isotopes. Choose Latin translations to understand the origin of the symbol of that element as well as direct information from Wikipedia. Can’t find your element? Use the instant search on the site and the element will be highlighted. Read the About page for some common questions and answers as well as citing this resource and other user questions.

In the Classroom

Use this unbelievable resource for finding information about the elements. Consider using the site to first understand periodic trends. Allow groups of students time to look at the elements and play with the controls. Encourage them to question why the numbers change and what the terms represent. Knowing the elements is more powerful when they are studying the trends in the periodic table. Report group findings to the class to understand how the periodic table is arranged and what elements have in common with one another. Create a mindmap using a tool such as scribblar (<a href="/single.cfm?id=9616">reviewed here</a>) or a poster (using PicLits <a href="/single.cfm?id=9822">reviewed here</a>) of the trends of the periodic table for quick reference.

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): periodic table, elements,
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