February 19, 2015 · 4:14 PM

Grammar Review Websites/Apps

As I review and read parent and teacher blogs, it is not uncommon to read that there is a need for  more grammar lessons or lessons enhanced with grammar concept review.

I hope the sites below will prove helpful.

Recommended Grammar Websites

These websites cover basic information about parts of speech, word usage, sentence structure, and writing mechanics. They include online lessons and tutorials that you can take at your own pace, as well as quizzes and assessments you can use to determine when you have mastered the material.

Grammar-Monster.com   http://www.grammar-monster.com/

  • Lessons
  • Practice Exercises
  • Quizzes

Sophia.org tutorials          http://www.sophia.org/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&q=grammar&qs=1

  • Tutorials
  • Assessments

Grammar Blast                  http://www.eduplace.com/kids/hme/k_5/grammar/

  • Answer grammar questions to unlock games

 These great sites have been researched and recommended by :

Kathy Saporito, MA in Reading and Catholic School K-8 Resource Teacher

 

 

 

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December 30, 2014 · 2:35 PM

Happy New Year! May You Find Opportunities to Share the Good

Happy New Year Everyone!

This has been a great year but quite busy with many projects. I hope to publish a couple blog articles a month for 2015. Thank you to everyone for the wonderful comments and support; taking a position as an elementary principal has taken a lot more time than anticipated away from writing.  However, I now have a dynamic team of fifty-two amazing individuals and I am finding more and more time to squeeze in writing.

As I reflect on 2014 and look at what blogs touched  the most readers, it is those written to motivate and inspire. 100 Words to Praise Students has received over 25,000 views. This tells me that we are  seeking ways to find and share the good in our classrooms and with those students or people placed on our path during this journey in life.

As as we embark upon a New Year, may you have the courage to be the difference in the lives of many!

Thank you all for all you do and for allowing me to do what I love…

May we continue to seek knowledge in all things-

Denise

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July 9, 2014 · 12:52 PM

Author Websites with Games and Activities… Think Eragon, Reading Rainbow and The Ranger’s Apprentice

Some great author websites with games and activities for all ages this summer!

Oceanhouse Media Great educational book apps and so much more. Check out often for FREE downloads to help your child learn letters, phonics & math!

http://www.oceanhousemedia.com/

Christopher Paolini’s “Eragon” Series Games and Activities for Tweens and Teens…Great Teacher Resource Too

http://www.alagaesia.com/
John Flannagan’s “Ranger’s Apprentice” Series Games and Activities for Tweens and Teens…Great Teacher Resource Too (one of my favorite series)

http://www.rangersapprentice.com.au/

The 39 Clues Website A fun clue hunt!

http://the39clues.scholastic.com/

The Mysterious Benedict Society Top Secret Adventures, Passwords and Amazing FUN!

http://www.mysteriousbenedictsociety.com/

Remember Reading Rainbow…check out this great reading resource for FREE!

Think classroom IPad or whiteboard resource

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/reading-rainbow-read-along/id512350210?mt=8

May we continue ot seek knowledge in all things~

Denise

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July 1, 2014 · 12:17 PM

Recommended Learning Sites and Apps for Parent/Teacher re: Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Surface

Sharing the Good in Education and Learning this Tuesday…

http://blogs.technet.com/b/educloud/archive/2014/02/11/office-365-education-in-the-classroom-ebook-now-available.aspx

 E-book showing ways to incorporate Microsoft in classrooms

 http://www.microsoft.com/education/ww/products/windows-8/Pages/windows-apps.aspx

Top apps-parent and teacher friendly!

 http://www.edutech.nodak.edu/westcentral/2013/12/27/101-educational-apps-for-the-microsoft-surface/

 May we continue to seek knowledge in all things~

Denise

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July 1, 2014 · 12:12 PM

5 Best Bucketlist Adventure Companies in the US

Carpe Diem!

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May 22, 2014 · 7:46 PM

Summer Resources for Learning

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Summertime is not a time to halt learning but a time to look at learning through a new and creative lens. learning occurs all around us in and out of the house, in grandma’s back yard, while on a long road trip etc.

Children will rise to whatever learning expectation you set for them.

Have some fun and check out some of the ideas below. If you have a great summer learning activity for children, we would love to hear about it and share it here at Unlock the Teacher!

Summer Learning Day-June 20th

http://www.summerlearning.org/?page=summer_learning_day

Summer Learning Day Activities

http://www.summerlearning.org/?page=SLDCelebrate

National Parks Lesson Plans and Teacher Resources

Click Here to Access Free Curriculum Materials

Click Here to Request Free Curriculum Kit

Education Closet

http://educationcloset.com/arts-integration-lessons/

Great Science App for Children who LOVE Science

Chemist is one of the only virtual chemistry labs for tablets that enables users to conduct chemistry investigations and explore chemistry reactions with different lab tools. Students can try mixing chemicals by pouring them into beakers or test tubes. They can heat the chemicals with a Bunsen burner or put a piece of cesium into water. The 3-D stage enables the parallax effect from different angles. Chemist has a built-in database with more than 200 chemical reagents, and additional reagents will be offered periodically through the online CloudLab database for testing more chemical reactions. Developed by Thix, the app is available for iPad and Android tablets. Cost: $4.99

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/chemist/id440666387

Paper the Web

Teens who love to sketch can sketch away using FiftyThree’s Paper, a free sketching app for the iPad. Known for its simplicity as well as its sharing functionality, the app provides built-in tools that let students share their sketches on Twitter, tumbler and Facebook as well as connect with others who sketch using the #MadeWithPaper hashtag. Students can also submit their sketches to FiftyThree’s website and see what others are creating with the app. Cost: Free

http://www.fiftythree.com/paper

May we continue to seek knowledge in all things~

Denise

 

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April 4, 2014 · 9:53 PM

Today is School Librarian Day

Today is School Librarian Day!
 
Thank you to all the librarians who inspire a love of reading for kids everywhere.
 
You make a difference!
 
May we continue to seek knowledge in all things~

 Denise

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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January 21, 2014 · 2:24 PM

2014 Young Scientist Challenge …A Wonderful Opportunity for Students

As we aim to Share the Good in Education, the 2014 Young Scientist Challenge is a wonderful opporuntity for students to experience the FUN that the field of science has to offer.

We highly recommend the contest and have shared Discovery Education’s post on the 2014 Young Scientest Challenge below…happy exploring!

May we continue to seek knowledge in all things~

Denise

Posted on December 19, 2013 by Discovery Education      

    THE COMPETITION IS ON 

 “So you think you’re a problem-solver? Great! Then you have what it takes for our 2014 Young Scientist Challenge.

Here are the basics: Everyday life is full of everyday issues, and our science for middle school challenge is looking for innovative solutions from students in grades 5–8. From helmets that detect concussions to using solar energy for water purification, past contenders have dreamed up answers and ideas that change the way we live.

So what sets the Young Scientist Challenge apart from other science for middle school competitions? It has the power to change lives – including your own. Ten national Young Scientist Challenge finalists earn exclusive summer mentorships with a 3M scientist, where they can work together on special assignments and explore a career in science. This also get the chance to turn their ideas into inventions that will help others. HOW? One lucky student will even win $25,000 and a once-in-a-lifetime trip with Discovery Student Adventures.

Ready to enter? Start by checking out the video competition topic for this year’s Young Scientist Challenge.”

Visit the website below for additional information:

http://www.youngscientistchallenge.com/?utm_source=DE1MM&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CallforEntries2014

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January 8, 2014 · 7:01 PM

Great Websites to Use in the Classroom to Make this Past Week Memorable for Kids

Discovery Education Lesson Plans on Biomes: Wild Arctic

Students will

  • learn key terms, including food web, zooplankton, and sea ice;
  • discuss Arctic plants and animals;
  • devise at least three Arctic food chains; and
  • help create a food web showing connections among Arctic life.

Click on the link below for further details and allow Discovery Education to help make the weather  many students have had an opportunity to experience more memorable. Correlations can be made to weather temps and material can be used as writing prompts for all ages.

http://www.discoveryeducation.com/teachers/free-lesson-plans/biomes-wild-arctic.cfm

Great Lesson Plans on Polar Bears

Units and Lesson Plans on Biodiversity, Climate Connections and exciting Tundra Webcasts.

Click below and visit this educational site chuck full of great information!

http://www.polarbearsinternational.org/for-teachers/units-and-lessons

Weather Wizkids

Great weather website for all grades.

http://www.weatherwizkids.com/

Reports coming in are stating that we have not experienced weather temperatures this low in over 20 years. What a wonderful teaching moment we have…

May we continue to seek knowledge in all things~

Denise

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January 1, 2014 · 11:03 AM

Let 2014 be a Year to Inspire

Happy New Year!

Today we celebrate and welcome a new year. What a wonderful opportunity today provides for us to take stock of all the lessons learned from 2013, and pause, reflect and prepare to make a difference in 2014.

Regardless of the job we report to each day, each of us has the awesome power to CHOOSE to make a difference in our own lives and the lives of those around us. We will always experience hills to climb and obstacles to work through ( mentally and physically)…this is life. However, it is amazing what can happen to a person’s own mental attitude and perspective when each day begins thinking of others. Sometimes the transition is slow and I have personally experienced an immediate change, but when we make a conscious choice to be the difference in life, our lens in which we see the world and the people in it, changes.

I encourage everyone to join the Unlock the Teacher team …pause, reflect and make a concerted effort to really be “present” each day in 2014 and really live life and maximize your potential!

For all of our educator friends, we wish you all the strength and courage needed to inspire those placed within your care each and every day…YOU make a difference!

May we continue to seek knowledge in all things-

Denise

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