8th Grade

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English Fail Blog

— Englishfailblog.com

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

How It Works

Here is a site to whet student interest in looking for English errors! This site encourages submissions of photos that depict those cringing mistakes people make with the English language. Mistakes can be found in signs, headlines, advertisements, or anywhere people can mangle the language with misspellings, incorrect punctuation, misplaced modifiers, etc. The site calls these an "English FAIL." Not only is this hilarious, it teaches students how to spot those errors and with guidance how to fix them.rn<br> <br>rnCaution: This is an open blog. While students may submit their own pictures, you should preview what you want to show them and supervise site use while in the classroom. Some of the topics or images are questionable (i.e. Erotic Cat Food). There are plenty to share without crossing the line, but teachers MUST control the sharing to avoid the occasional inappropriate choice.

In the Classroom

This is a great way to get students involved in proofreading and looking at the ambiguities of inexact language. Share one or two at the start of class on a projector/whiteboard as grammar check-ups. You might create a FAIL wall in your classroom, allowing students to post pictures they find in your community (give exrta credit for thier analyiss and suggested corrections to the errors). This would also work well as a class wiki. Invite English classes from other schools to join your class in adding to the wiki (and thus avoid the more questionable content of a "public" version). Share the wiki address via your professional network or groups such as NCTE for teachers to request access. The advantage of a wiki: start it this school year and keep adding from year to year. Your former students will return to see the latest or contribute to such a humorous endeavor.

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Tag(s): grammar, writing, grammar,

Project Vulcan

— Purdue University

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

How It Works

This site shows carbon dioxide emissions across the U.S. One graph shows the differences in CO2 emissions in different seasons. Another has a list and graph of the top emitting counties across the U.S. A YouTube video liked from the site explains the project, discusses its parameters and results, and displays maps of the U.S. which show different types of noxious sources on a very close-up scale. Vulcan project scientists plan to do similar mapping for Mexico and Canada. This site requires Flash. You can get it from the <a href="/tools.cfm ">TeachersFirst Toolbox page.</a>

In the Classroom

Use the video and data graphics when studying the effect of man-made energy burners on the ecosystem. Share the video on a projector or interactive whiteboard. Also, students studying different types of non-static graphs can analyze the different displays of the effects of CO2 on the atmosphere and weather.

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  • Find interactive ABC's, colors, etc.
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Tag(s): graphing, pollution, charts and graphs,

Calc5 online calculator

— Calc5.com

8-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.calc5.com/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49 share

How It Works

This online calculator is able to graph in two or three dimensions. The advantage is the ability for all students to have the fastest, most capable calculator in class. Calc5 can be used to graph sin graphs, logarithms, and likely any graph needed in High School Math classes. A graph can include multiple functions. In order to see them, simply drag the graph. It is easy to zoom in and out of the graph. Students can take a screenshot of the graph in order to show in assignments or an online space. In Mac, simply hold the apple, shift, and number 4 key at the same time. Use the cursor (now a cross-hair) to drag a box around the picture and let go. The picture will be saved to the desktop. For PC, use the "Print Screen" button, then PASTE into any document or PowerPoint.

In the Classroom

Use this site to allow all students access to a powerful calculator. Students can graph class problems and notice the differences in the graphs and account for them. Students can predict the shape of 2D and 3D graphs from the equation being used. Share the site on an interactive whiteboard and use the board’s tools to draw atop or annotate the graphs.

Technology Heads-up!
  • Find interactive ABC's, colors, etc.
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Tag(s): charts and graphs, graphing,

Writing for Business and Pleasure

— Stephen Wilbers

8-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.wilbers.com/part36.htm Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49 share

How It Works

Are you looking for a site for students to practice parallel structure? Here is one with practice sentences and interactive answers. Clicking on "Other columns on parallel structure" will take you to two columns defining the concept or parallel structure and explaining why it makes writing so much more readable and memorable. There are other links at the bottom of the page and clicking on the "Home" page provides you with information about the author as well as two 30-second exercises and a quote of the week.

In the Classroom

For a quick review as a class or as a supplemental practice for an individual student, this site is a good one. You might even use the short revision exercises on the home page as class starters to get students writing immediately at the beginning of class. To introduce or reinforce the concept, use your interactive white board and tools with these examples to color code the parallel structures so students can “see” the difference. Have STUDENTS highlight the parallel elements in colors so they see the color patterns and repetition. Make a class wiki page where groups create their own examples and use similar highlighting to SHOW the parallel patterns.

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  • Find interactive ABC's, colors, etc.
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Tag(s): writing,

Explore Butterflies!

— Academy of Natural Sciences

1-8 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.ansp.org/explore/online-exhibits/butterflies/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49 share

How It Works

What can you do with butterflies? At this site you can test your "Butterfly Smarts" by choosing a level and answering questions to earn a butterfly badge. Correct answers are shown after you miss your only chance. Build a "Butterfly Habitat," by adding host plants, nectar plants, and landscaping to your field. You have a period of time to attract as many moths and butterflies as you can. You are limited in the amount of plants and may have to remove some in order to add another. Changes in butterfly and moth numbers are in real time in order to understand the ecosystem relationships. Information at the end reviews the butterflies attracted and recommendations for the future. Use the "Field" observation to identify the parts and uses of the Monarch butterfly. Learn about butterflies and "Climate Change" by answering questions and clicking on tabs to show the difference in temperatures over the years and in the projected future.

In the Classroom

While discussing ecosystems or insects, use this site to either introduce or reinforce information learned in class. Use the "Butterfly Habitat" to introduce ecosystem topics and help students understand the interactivity between plants and animals as well as population density issues. Have students work in groups to attract butterflies and identify factors and plants that attract the most. Follow up with research about native butterflies as well as plants they are attracted to. If a plot of land is available in the school or community, have students plan and build a butterfly habitat. Observe and count the butterfly visitors as an additional science project. Be sure to use digital pictures as part of your documentation. Perhaps create a wiki about your butterfly project.

Technology Heads-up!
  • Find interactive ABC's, colors, etc.
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Tag(s): butterflies, ecosystems, insects,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

— US Department of Energy

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

How It Works

Learn about alternative technologies such as "Advanced Vehicles and Fuels," Basic Sciences," "Biomass," "Buildings," "Energy Analysis," "Geothermal," "Hydrogen and Fuel Cells," "Solar," and "Wind." Use the site for some great background information on alternative technologies as well as links to other information. View publications in Adobe pdf that can be downloaded for additional information. Adobe Acrobat is available at the <a href="/tools.cfm ">TeachersFirst Toolbox page.</a>

In the Classroom

Divide the class into groups to read and decide information that should be presented in class. Use the information to make recommendations to their families, school district, or the community for future energy change. Use these discussions to determine how they can best meet energy needs of the future. In government class, ask student groups to prepare a policy statement on energy for a hypothetical political candidate.

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Tag(s): ecology, energy, environment, energy, environment,

Food Fight

— Tourist Pictures

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

How It Works

Food Fight is a five minute film illustrating the history of American warfare from World War II until the present. Using stop-action photography, the film uses food products emblematic of each culture to represent the conflict. For example, the U.S. is represented by hamburgers and french fries; the Germans by pretzels and bratwurst. Quite simply, the effect is brilliant, albeit a little gross. Included is a separate "cheat sheet" revealing which countries or cultures are being represented by which food product and an overview of the conflicts portrayed.

In the Classroom

The film is embedded in the site as a link to YouTube, so systems that block YouTube access may not be able to access this without a work-around. rn<br> <br>rnWhile there is no real content to this site other than the film itself, it would be a great addition to a modern U.S. history course or a discussion of current world politics. However, teachers will need to set the context carefully and provide discussion questions afterwards. Watching pretzels and bratwurst mow down a line of matzo, or hamburgers flattening a hundred sushi will spark laughter; it is our responsibility to translate that into a discussion of the Holocaust or the use of atomic weapons. Younger students will just giggle, but older students, with prodding, will find the film thought provoking. You might want to use it mid-unit after mastering the basic facts of WWII so you can raise the level of discussion to a more nuanced approach.

Technology Heads-up!
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Tag(s): world war 2,

Plurk

— Plurk

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

How It Works

Plurk is a microblogging platform for quick 140 character "plurks" about what you are doing, thinking, or mentally asking. Plurks show as a timeline along with those of your friends. Comments to plurks are attached to the original and conversations are easy to track and continue. Plurk brings interconnectivity between friends and is more like a social network than a blog. Registration with an email is required and managing login and password is necessary. Instant messaging and mobile blogging options are possible.

In the Classroom

This site is not difficult to navigate. Left click on the timeline to drag it to earlier posts. Unread plurks and replies appear as a number beside each plurk and in the timeline. Along the top of the timeline are user controls. "My profile" contains your contact information and details. Upload a photo, customize the colors of your outline, or add a widget to your blog or site that contains your plurks. Use "My friends" to invite friends, create cliques that allow you to segregate who sees certain plurks, and blocking other users. "Alerts" contain friend requests sent to you. Click on "Interesting plurkers" to see plurks from everywhere which you can customize to gender, age, city, state, or country. Use "My account" to change privacy settings and set up instant messaging. Create your plurks below the timeline and use the dropdown to change your verb from "is" to "says," wishes," "feels," and many others. Hover over a person’s picture or name to send a private plurk. Plurk messages can be edited but replies cannot. Pictures, images, and links can be added as well. Also below the timeline are tabs to see plurks from you and your friends, your plurks alone, and private plurks. View your Karma -- which increases with plurks and friends and unlocks new features. Use "Embed your Plurk widget" easily to your blog by simply entering your login information. rn<br><br>rnCreate a written and signed classroom policy that outlines necessary privacy settings and actions that would be considered misuse. Check these regularly and take appropriate actions to enforce rules when needed. Students need to be guided in how to safely blog and share information. Students may come across questionable content if reading through the "interesting plurkers" tab. As with all social networking sites, students need to be aware of proper ways to communicate at school and at home. Teachers should be a part of all student groups to monitor use. rn<br><br>rnStudents can use Plurk to discuss group work on a project, create study groups, ask for help, or communicate with those who can mentor their class or subject they are learning. Many students will find success with sending bits of information at a time and letting the conversations evolve from there. Literature teachers may want to require students to plurk their thoughts within small groups as they read chapters or acts of longer works for homework, generating discussion and active reading. Social studies teachers could assign a similar task as students read about history. Math teachers may want to encourage "plurking" as students work on longer, more complex problems. Those writing lab reports for science class may find that plurking will help them collaborate in interpreting data. Consider setting up a regular class "plurk time" in the evening on certain nights of the week or for snow days.

Technology Heads-up!
  • Find interactive ABC's, colors, etc.
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Tag(s): communication, chat, microblogging,

Design Squad Global

— PBS Kids GO!

3-8 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://pbskids.org/designsquad/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49 share

How It Works

Are you looking for a new way to get your students excited about science? This neat site is based on the PBS show, Design Squad, but you can easily incorporate the activities and clips from the site without watching the show. There is a full educators guide available (see the Parents and Educator link) with ten engineering and inventive activities. The site also includes video clips, building activities, and interactive (educational) "games." Some of the building activities include "Watercraft," "Hidden Alarm," "Dance Pad Mania," and others. This resource also features "real life" challenges that students (or classes) are able to get involved with.

In the Classroom

The possibilities at this site are "inventive." Visit the games site to learn about sound and play an interactive "string thing." Have students work in cooperative learning groups to recreate the building activities. Share the video clips (or interactives) on your projector or interactive whiteboard. Have your class complete one of the "real life" challenges together. If you can’t do it during the competition months, go back and try one of the past competitions. Document it on a class wiki, then invite next year’s class to do it even better by learning from "experience." Before you know it, kids will walk in the first day of school and ask when they get to try the challenge.

Technology Heads-up!
  • Find interactive ABC's, colors, etc.
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Tag(s): engineering, sound, inventors and inventions,

Institute for Historical Dance Practice

— Lieven Baert

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

How It Works

While very “plain vanilla” in design, this is a research site for a topic with very little online information available. It is worth exploring if you teach dance, theatre, or humanities. The site is available in both Dutch and English. There are links to explore and an address in the Netherlands to write to for more information on such topics as advice and design for period dance costumes. Since they are located in the Netherlands, this is a great source for someone who is close enough to take advantage of some of the services they offer onsite. For those far away, the information itself is valuable and provides a different view of dance for those who are interested.

In the Classroom

For students interested in theatre and dance, learning about historical dances is important. Students can research the dances and the music that accompanies them and perform them or teach them to classmates. Writing for more information from the Institute for Historical Dance Practice also provides practice in asking for specific information and an opportunity to correspond with someone in a different company.

Technology Heads-up!
  • 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): costumes, dance, costumes,
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