Archives: Resources

FlinnScientific has created a channel on YouTube devoted to explaining complex science topics, walking you through experiments, and anything else related to biology, chemistry, physics and life sciences.

Grant Thompson makes weekly videos dedicated to exploring life though all kinds of life hacks, experiments, and random weekend projects. Topics include everything from Start a Fire With … learn more

Science Friday on NPR stations covers the outer reaches of space to the tiniest microbes in our bodies. Science Friday is the source for entertaining and educational stories … learn more

PBS hosts a series of newsletters providing updates on all things PBS.

PBS Kids includes games, videos, apps for your cell phone and more.

WGBH Boston looked at how things clanged in the last century (1900-1999), outlining some of the big changes in the home over 100 years. Can your students come … learn more

DragonflyTV (formerly a part of PBS) features real kids doing their own science inquiries. Topics might include “how rapids affect a river ride”, “how do horses use their … learn more

Unlike other resources indexed here, the NPR Education page indexes interviews, talks, and content from recent NPR programs of interest to teachers and parents. Recent topics have included … learn more

While the current White House web site does not have an area specifically designed for students, many parts of the web site will be of interest. This example … learn more

The Education section at USA.gov provides a range of resources for students and educators, ranging from Child Care and Exchange Students to Financial Aid and Resources for Teachers.

This site is a treasure trove of resources, including access to many searchable databases, legislative, grant and targeted projects (eg. school-home partnering and technology projects), time-sensitive items (monthly … learn more

This is another review of the act, looking at it’s positive effects on afterschool and summer learning programs for K through 12th grade students, including STEM afterschool programs.

This Brookings Institution post looks at the Every Student Succeeds Act and how it requires that states and districts use evidence-based interventions to support school improvement. But educators … learn more

This page highlights PBL resources to help you in your efforts to create great learning opportunities for your students.

The Buck Institute for Education shows teachers how to use Project Based Learning in all grade levels and subject areas. Their goal is to help teachers prepare students … learn more

This introduction to Project Based Learning looks at what it does, what it is, its historical origins and PBL’s roles and procedures.

Well-designed project-based learning (PBL) has been shown to result in deeper learning and more engaged, self-directed learners. This video from Edutopia outlines five core elements of successful PBL… … learn more

Curriculum frameworks provide guidance for implementing the standards adopted by the California State Board of Education. It provides links to downloads of all curriculum frameworks. This page also … learn more

This is the link for the Arizona Department of Education academic standards. You can find similar links for your state and subject by searching Google for “[your state] … learn more

Because of the influence of computers, “computational thinking” capitalizes on the particular computer features, such as data mining,and algorithmic reasoning. The mission of the Center for Computational Thinking … learn more

Some recently developed models of thinking rely upon visualization so students can replicate how experts conceptualize a challenge. Making Learning Visible also stresses collaboration.

The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) is a private, non-profit society of scholars, charged with providing independent, objective advice to the nation on matters related to science and … learn more

Information for improving student academic achievement of content standards by communicating policy and expectations and supporting districts by providing instructional guidance Your state department of education web site … learn more

The K–12 Mathematics Curriculum Center aims to help teachers and administrators make thoughtful, informed decisions about mathematics curriculum and instructional materials. Their projects explore and analyze how curriculum … learn more

In addition to national level guidelines, many states now post their own standards and available resources on-line. Here’s an example from Kentucky.

The North American Association for Environmental Education hosts a Guidelines for Excellence, providing a wide rage of free, downloadable resources.

The Environmental Protection Agency provides a number of free resources and guidelines for all age ranges from K thru 12.

An interesting article on how we got to where we are today — looking at the options taken and not taken. It concludes with a look at the … learn more

This video, put out by the Council of the Great City Schools, explains why we need Common Core and how results are measured. But viewing the video can … learn more

While most schools in the U.S. boast broadband access these days, and plenty of assignments require the internet, when students head home, many can’t get online to finish … learn more

With the advent of WiFi (wireless Internet), the days of stringing cables to every classroom and every desk to allow access to the Internet or school data servers … learn more

The Unwired Classroom talks about the advantages of using wireless laptop PC’s in the classroom and includes numerous images. An idea used in many schools is to store … learn more

Once you have computers in your school, how do you track them and the students that use them? NetSupport School is an example solution that works with a … learn more

As schools look to implementing 1:1 computing for their students via shared laptop trolleys (or carts), it’s good to consider what’s required and how it can all be … learn more

Think of this video as an introduction to where we’ve been with technology in the classroom and where we’re headed…

Classroom Technology News (a.k.a, Tech & Learning) is a great resource for education technology professionals responsible for implementing and purchasing technology products in K-12 districts and schools. Tech … learn more

Peace Corps’ Educators initiative fosters an understanding of other cultures and global issues by providing online educational resources and linking U.S. learners and current and returned Peace Corps … learn more

The Nature Conservancy hosts excellent information on rain forests ans well as local issues. Check out their photographs and videos.

From city parks to forests of redwoods, from the air we breathe to the water we drink, everyone depends on a vibrant and healthy world. The Sierra Club … learn more

The Bureau of Land Management’s education programs and materials help teachers and students understand resource areas, multiple-use land management, and how citizens can affect land use decisions. If … learn more

EPA partners with more than 40 data contributors from various government agencies, academic institutions, and other organizations to compile a key set of indicators related to the causes … learn more

The US Fish and Wildlife Service highlights regional contrasts.

The Environmental Protection Agency hosts resources on a wide variety of topics, from air quality to bed bugs. Information is broken out by state. Select your state to … learn more

This game from the EPA allows students to explore Recycle City to see how its people reduce waste, use less energy, and save money by doing simple things … learn more

GLOBE is dedicated to environmental studies, a core collection of this Internet Resource Center.

ePALS allows you to connect, communicate and collabortae with educators around the world. You can also Explore Experiences – a.k.a., collaborative lesson plans – involving tasks like designing … learn more

Skype can handle up to 25 people on a conference call. It’s free for participants that have Skype. For people who aren’t on Skype, you can include them … learn more

TED Curator Chris Anderson notes that there’s no single formula for a great TED or TEDx talk, but there is a secret ingredient that all the best ones … learn more

High school science teacher Tyler DeWitt was ecstatic about a lesson plan on bacteria (how cool!) — and devastated when his students hated it. The problem was the … learn more

Council for Exceptional Children has developed a best practices for students with disabilities. It includes info for administrators as well as teachers.

The Special Education program at the University of Kansas has enjoyed a world-renowned reputation for excellence for decades, and provides a number of programs and resources.

One way to get your students interested in all this is to bring up Emoji. This page lists many emoji characters and how they are displayed on different … learn more

The Unicode standard arranges groups of characters together into blocks. Blocks include everything from Basic Latin characters (which includes English), Greek, Arabic and Thai to Emoticons, Currency Symbols … learn more

If you use the Google Chrome browser, this resource shows you how you can change the language Chrome uses and have Chrome translate webpages for you.

Tom Scott explains how Unicode and UTF-8 “hack” solved the problem of representing all the symbols, characters and letters that are used worldwide. Blame it all on the … learn more

The Understanding Language Initiative, developed at Stanford by well-respected specialists in the ELL world, links the common core standards in science with literacy. This site provides resources to … learn more

Type text or a website address and Google can translate it into the language of your choice. Constantly improving and one of the better options out there. Google … learn more

PREL is an independent, nonprofit organization with staff in Hawai’i, American Sāmoa, the Mariana Islands, Guam, and much of the rest of the Pacific. PREL works throughout school … learn more

The American Indian Library Association has compiled a list of resources for the native American communities. Everything from American Indians in Children’s Literature and FCC Internet Tribal Initiatives … learn more

SACNAS is dedicated to fostering the success of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans, from college students to professionals, in attaining advanced degrees, careers, and positions of leadership in STEM. … learn more

Another film from Op-Docs at the New York Times, this documentary features interviews with white people on the challenges of talking about race, and even realizing that they … learn more

Ask almost any minority parent and they’ll tell you the hardest thing was giving their children “The Talk”, not about the birds and the bees, but about what … learn more

The Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth provides assessment (“Talent Search”), summer programs, on-line courseware and whole family programs. They see the family relationship is critical in nurturing … learn more

Center for Talent Development (CTD) at Northwestern University is another example of programs for the gifted community. Their goal is to ensure that gifted students receive the education, … learn more

Gifted children often lead double lives. Intellectually, they may seem like small, eccentric adults, and they may prefer the company of adults, but in many ways they are … learn more

In this TEDx talk, Heidi Hass Gable relates that being “gifted” often feels far from a good thing, especially when you’re the one living it. And yet the … learn more

Psychology Today has a good article for parents (and educators) explaining gifted children, signs to look for, and the importance of proper assessment. That troubled student with poor … learn more

Marty Nemko, Ph.D, posits that all children are entitled to an appropriate education, and to not be bored too much of the time. But in today’s mixed-ability classes … learn more

Resources for parents (and educators) dealing with learning disabilities. Updated regularly.

The Awesome Library portal for special education contains comprehensive topics, such as disabilities and home schooling.

This page lists a wide variety of resource available from the federal government for people dealing with disabilities.

This site was created to provide a “one-stop shop” for resources related to Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and its implementing regulations.

With a mission to serve the needs of the ASL Educational Community, this site provides free, easy-to-use reference and learning tools to enhance in-classroom learning for ASL Educators … learn more

All Kinds of Minds, based on the work of Mel Levine, offers activities for kids while serving its main purpose — educating parents about the origin and resources … learn more

Being challenged doesn’t mean you can’t have fun! This video is an ASL interpretation of Pharrell Williams’s “Happy.” An expression of music in ASL composed by Rosa Lee … learn more

This site houses the National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY) archives, and provides information on disabilities in children and youth, program and service resources, the nation’s … learn more

Learning Disabilities Online includes useful information for adults (and also students).

The US Department of Education’s Web site shows many model programs and resources for Migrant Education.

The Center for Research on Education, Diversity & Excellence (CREDE) is focused on improving the education of students who are challenged by language or cultural barriers, race, geographic … learn more

Provides resources by language. Another resource for your “newly arrived” students.

The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages is the professional association for teachers at all grade levels. You will find resources and up-to-date information on controversial … learn more

A monthly ‘zine, including updated links, for Teachers of English as a Second Language, is published at the Internet TESL Journal.

The goals of the Less Commonly Taught Languages (LCTL) Project sponsored by CARLA and the University of Minnesota are to help advance the teaching and learning of LCTLs … learn more

Estrellita is a beginning Spanish reading program for students in Bilingual and Dual Language classrooms. Estrellita serves as a bridge to English, they say, by laying a strong … learn more

The Language Museum is a curiosity more than an in-depth tool. It includes vocabulary in several hundred languages and dialects. Students will be amazed by the number and … learn more

YourDictionary is more than a standard on-line dictionary. It provides lots of tools and resources to help students choose their words precisely, avoid usage pitfalls, and gain confidence … learn more

The Center for Applied Linguistics provides a comprehensive range of research-based language and cultural education resources. Their focus is on developing practical resources related to language teaching and … learn more

There are many A/V resources available on the Internet to help ESL students. This one is memorable in that it takes the ABC song and adds a contemporary … learn more

EFL Playhouse is a wonderful resource for the very young English language learners. The activities include crafts, games, phonemic awareness, songs. This site has won many awards.

This site takes a few lines of The Little Prince and shows it translated from French into 251 different languages. For many languages, multiple translations are displayed, showing … learn more

In many areas of the United States, particularly in the southern and western portions of the country, a growing number of K-12 teachers are becoming English as a … learn more

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also has a range of resources on Autism at the web site.

This kit provides helpful information about students with autism, along with tools and strategies to achieve positive interactions and increase learning for all members of the school community. … learn more

A go to place from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for resources on everything from the latest news to therapy and coping information.

Nicole Mays talks about teaching students with Autism. Includes personal insights and helpful ideas. Highly recommended.

Lisa Smith, the mother of seven, two with special needs, blogs about her experiences with her son Tate, who has autism.

RJCooper makes special software and hardware products for persons with special needs.