Archives: Resources

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.

For students with ADD/ADHD, Grey Olltwit has created a number of software titles to take advantage of different learning styles, such as matching skills via music and games … learn more

“Assistive Technology: An Introductory Guide for k-12 Library Media Specialists” by Janet Hopkins at Linworth Publishing talks about creating an accessible library media center. Identifies some of the … learn more

CAST is a multifaceted organization with a singular ambition: Bust the barriers to learning that millions of people experience every day. We do this by helping educators and organizations apply … learn more

Kathy, a special education teacher, talks about some of the assitive technology pieces she uses in her classroom.

Equal Access to Software and Information serves as a resource to the education community, providing information and guidance in the area of access-to-information technologies by individuals with disabilities. … learn more

The Assistive Technology Industry Association outlines the types of assistive technology, how to choose the right device(s), and the various sources of funding for the devices. There are … learn more

Assistive technology (AT) are tools that let people with differences work around challenges. They make tasks and activities accessible at school, work, and home. Learn how AT apps … learn more

Sometimes you just don’t know what to do or what to say when interacting with someone with a disability. The United Spinal Association has put together this comprehensive … learn more

This Education World article defines the wide range of assistive devices, technologies commonly used in schools, and the effect of this technology in the classroom. Assistive devices include … learn more

As the Internet’s premier collection of online encyclopedias, Encyclopedia.com provides you reference entries from credible, published sources like Oxford University Press and Columbia Encyclopedia. At Encyclopedia.com, you get free access to over 300,000 … learn more

Britannica now provides on-line (for free!) the complete, updated Encyclopedia Britannica, the oldest and largest general reference in the English language, plus selected articles from more than 70 … learn more

Wikipedia, “the new kid on the block”, as of March, 2016 had approximately 38 million articles in 253 languages, with more than 5 million English language entries. While … learn more

Another option for exploring technology is your local MakerSpace. Here’s an example of a dedicated maker space for kids in Toronto. Use the Maker Movement link below to … learn more

Although Leonardo is commonly known as a “universal genius”, the exhibitions dedicated to him have almost always focused on some specific area of his activity: art, anatomy, technology, … learn more

Education is at the heart of everything we do at The Tech. We encourage curiosity for science, engineering, math, and technology in students on field trips, educators in … learn more

The National Aquarium in Baltimore, MD provides a wide range of resources, programs, and workshops for both teachers and students.

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and its national education center for the Great Barrier Reef, Reef HQ Aquarium, offer an extensive range of educational resources and … learn more

MARE, developed at the Lawrence Hall of Science in Berkeley, is not an online project. However, MARE is included here because it is designed specifically for limited-English speaking … learn more

MBARI is the Research Institute for the Monterey Aquarium. You will see images of the canyon beneath Monterey Bay there. Students can participate in experiments first-hand and possibly … learn more

Mote’s SeaTrek features real scientists inside a shark tank.Other fields include aquaculture, ecotoxicology and more.

Part of NOAA, the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary’s education and outreach programs promote understanding, support and participation in the protection and conservation of marine resources. Scroll down … learn more

The Scripps Institute of Oceanography (aqua) offers a field research seagoing environment for children and, in tandem with the JASON project, presents programs on cable (via Mind Extension … learn more

The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution has links to many servers and is great for research.

This introduction to the Smithsonian X 3D web site explores the different (amazing!) ways the 3D scans can be used and displayed. With this site and a relatively … learn more

The Smithsonian Institution has launched a new 3D scanning and printing initiative to make more of its massive collection accessible to schools, researchers and the public worldwide. Some … learn more

What does it mean to be human? How might emerging brain science change the answer? The applications of neuroscience have far-reaching implications for our self-identity, health, relationships, and … learn more

The Exploratorium’s (San Francisco) permanent collections emphasize physics and a unique version of psychobiology. Students serve as explainers for the exhibits and visitors can observe the making of … learn more

Hands-on Science Centers Worldwide tracks interactive science museums from five continents. The links are not always current, but it provides a quick view into the wide variety of … learn more

The Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) is a professional membership organization with a vision of increased understanding of—and engagement with—science and technology among all people and a mission … learn more

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art has digitized a large portion of their collections, including exhibits. You will certainly find illustrative examples of many topics here.

The National Museum of Women Artists has placed some rare works of even well-known artists like Frida Kahlo online – an opportunity to inspire budding young women who … learn more

Another specialized art site is Asian Arts – exhibitions, articles and links for older students.

The National Museum of American Art within the Smithsonian libraries has mounted a wonderful exhibit on Latino art over several centuries. Discover how to integrate American art into … learn more

Exploravision shows how pop culture and science can be integrated, such as the movie Avatar and ecosystems. Toshiba/NSTA Exploravision contests challenges teams of students to design future technologies. … learn more

A natural science illustrator is an artist who works in the service of science, creating images of animals, objects and complex processes that teach, inform, and create understanding … learn more

Kennedy Center Education is here to help you succeed with newly revised lesson plans and digital resources that incorporate best practices for classroom and remote learning—providing you with … learn more

The artist Diego Rivera has painted numerous murals tied to specific themes and times in American history. Use his artworks as a springboard to explore community values and … learn more

Here’s an interesting take on the classic classroom demonstration. While using a full vacuum is a little overkill, using a partial vacuum can better demonstrate the pressure difference … learn more

Volcano Cafe tracks the activities of volcanoes around the world. Postings range from current eruptions (especially in Iceland) to volcano formation and geology to a look at when … learn more

This Science Channel video looks at what happens when you pour molten lava on ice. (Hint: it’s not what you’d expect.) They interview the scientists involved, describe how … learn more

Volcanic activity is the most powerful force in nature. Some volcanic eruptions are much more powerful than the largest nuclear explosion. Volcanoes have killed thousands of people and … learn more

The Alaska Volcano Observatory updates activity continuously. The contents can be adapted to several age groups.