Searching WWW Information Resources
The Teacher's Corner
This is an all-inclusive site for primary/intermediate school teachers that provides a lot of useful information. It includes lesson plans organized by subject, a science experiment of the week, seasonal ideas (a calendar shows different holidays, events and goings-on, each linked to a more in-depth website), teacher resources and tips such as classroom management, thematic unit ideas, a message board, newsletter, and info about books. This site is a great online resource for educators. It is well organized and easy to navigate, and the calendar alone can provide teachers with a lot of ideas as they plan activities for their classroom. One fun learning activity that this website can be used for is a pen pal/key pal activity. The website provides a message board that allows teachers to find classes, arranged by grade level, for their own students to correspond with. Pen pals & key pals can help improve literacy skills and teach students about other regions or countries, and websites such as this one can provide a safe way for children to interact with other students.
Jefferson Lab Science Education
This is a website that is specific to areas of science education. It provides hands on activities, online games and puzzles, reference materials, “homework helpers” for students, and other useful information. I especially like how the games and puzzles are conveniently organized into specific areas such as math games, element games, and science games. It also gives information about educational events such as a “physics-fest” and science lectures for high school and middle school students. This site can be used to gain ideas for many activities, but some of my favorites are the hands-on activities, such as one called “cold stuff” in which students determine what kind of coat will keep you the warmest by testing three materials to determine which one is the best insulator. According to the website, Jefferson Labs (the website developer) is a research facility that has partnered with the education community and has a long-term commitment to science education (which most likely allows for accurate information), and this education component is just one area of its company website.
