Hot Websites

Teaching Pre K-8, Apr 2000 by Lindroth, Linda

Whether you're looking for Earth Day activities or a new focus for your next unit this spring, here are some websites which will be sure to spark your end-of the year curriculum.

HomeworkCentral.com www.homeworkcentral.com/

Looking for a comprehensive research tool? This collection of links pertaining to just about every topic could be just the thing.

Extensive database. The Knowledge portal for Kids, Teens and College & Beyond, is an extensive database categorized into topics and subheadings. There are 10,000 topics linked to more than 100,000 reviewed Internet resources.

This patent-pending search tool is designed to help students and teachers put knowledge into context using packets of online information.

A horizontal bar at the top of each page keeps track of the navigation path students use for each research topic. An online Notebook makes it easy to take notes and bookmark future study sites.

Sections for Teachers, Students and Parents make it easy to find special content. Teachers will find more than 14,000 searchable lesson plans!

Spotlight topics. Earth Day Spotlight is the April focus. There are more than 2,500 websites for Earth Day with lessons and activities to get students actively involved in the environment.

May will feature the History of Travel. Archives include History of Political Power, Black History and the American Revolution with copies of spy letters. All are interactive themes using all curricular areas.

Kites as an Educational Tool www.kitetrade.org/ NationalKiteMonth/

Here's a colorful, creative way to introduce an interdisciplinary unit on kites just in time for National Kite Month. "Kites as an Educational Tool" makes it easy to use science and math principles in hands-on activities.

From Ben Franklin's historic kite to late exhibits at the Smithsonian, kite history comes alive at this site! You can download a "Kites in the Classroom" manual or explore extensive classroom resources for experimenting, making kites and measuring wind. You'll also experience the exotic designs and brilliant colors of kites as you visit virtual kite festivals.

4-H Children's Garden http://4hgarden.msu.edu/

This is a terrific site for springtime earth science! Students can learn about plants and navigate online gardens with 3,600 virtual reality Quicktime movies!

Themed gardens. The site features 56 individual theme gardens designed especially for children. Students can visit each virtual garden and learn about the plants from the comprehensive database. There are hundreds of annotated links about outdoor garden design, school gardens, elementary curriculum for gardening and nutrition through gardening.

Fun for all. The site includes wonderful student activities as well as an "ABC" garden, which features an herb or plant for each letter. You can use the Question of the Week for student research or visit the Garden Pizza Place for more fun activities.

Links to garden resources and ideas for lessons make this an exciting parent and teacher resource for spring!

AWS School Weather Network

The AirWatch System and the School Weather Network is a technology tool that provides real-time weather monitoring and fosters environmental awareness using the AWS weather station.

A network of more than 4,000 schools and 100 TV broadcast stations, School Weather Network allows students to collect, disseminate and view real-time weather data from schools around the world. Joining the Network involves installation of a state-of-the-art weather station, master control unit, digital display and interactive software at the school. Educational curriculum is divided into K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12. Curriculum topics and sample lessons can be found by visiting the website. Participating schools receive training in how to use the station and the curriculum in the classroom.

For more information, or to find out how your school can participate, visit www.aws.coml or call 800-544-4429.

Linda Lindroth is a part-time K-5 School Technology Teacher in Lexington, KY, and Technology Editor and Website Coordinator for Teaching K-8. Email: Linda@TeachingK-8.com