The HistoryMakers

The HistoryMakers is a site you definitely need to add to your list of great resources. It contains stories that focus on slavery, the abolitionist movement, the civil rights movement, music, sports and entertainment. Their goal is "to complete 5,000 interviews of both well-known and unsung African American HistoryMakers within the next five years, creating an archive of unparalleled importance and exposing the archival collection to the widest audience possible.”

The stories you can read here are fascinating and inspirational. Read about the ArtMakers, BusinessMakers, CivicMakers, EducationMakers, Entertainment Makers, LawMakers, MediaMakers, MedicineMakers, MilitaryMakers, MusicalMakers, PoliticalMakers, ReligionMakers, ScienceMakers, SportsMakers, and StyleMakers.

The Icing on the Cake

Kathy Schrock has done it again! She has compiled a list on absolutely wonderful online resources. It has a perfect name - the Icing on the Cake. These online tools for teaching and learning are a must-have and must-use list that you will refer to frequently. If you have not tried some of them, check them out! I see lots of my favorites on this list!

Bembo's Zoo

This is no ordinary alphabet book. It is a delightful book that uses type in a creative way to entertain and educate all ages. You'll see amazing transformations of animals that are created from the letters of the animal names. Click on the letter and watch with amazement! The site uses Macromedia Flash. For those interested, the book is also available for purchase. The author is Roberto de Vicq de Cumptich.

Ben's Guide to U.S. Government for Kids

Ben's Guide to U.S. Government for Kids is an exciting Web site for students, parents, and teachers. It provides a fun and educational introduction to how the U.S. Government works

The U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) developed the new site.

Benjamin Franklin is the guide,for topics such as the U.S. Constitution, how laws are made, the branches of the Federal government, and what it means to be a U.S. citizen. Ben's Guide also includes games and links to other U.S. Government Web sites created for kids.

One really nice feature is that the guide is broken down into resources for specific grades and parents and teachers: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, and P&T.

EduScapes

EduScapes has numerous resources for teachers, parents, students and as the site states "life-long learners of all ages. It is one of the best on the web

Some of the sections include:

42eXplore - This web project provides "four to eXplore" for each topic. On each page you'll find definitions, activities, the 4 good starting points, and many more links and resources for the thematic topic. A new topic is posted each week that is directly related to a season, holiday, or timely theme. You'll find a mix of subjects including fine arts, social studies, science, math, language arts, and other content areas. Although the topics will be introduced on a particular week, they will be updated regularly.

Literature Ladders - Wonderful lessons for Newbery and Caldecott Award Winners, thematic units and other resources about books.

eScrapbooking - This website provides specific examples and strategies for creating electronic, educational, experiential, and engaging scrapbooks!

Teacher Tap - A free, professional development resource that helps educators address common technology integration questions by providing practical, online resources and activities. A sub-section is Discussion Tools & Technology Rich Learning which led to a blogging section!

There are many other sections so be sure to add this resource to your growing list of educational links.

TechLearning.com

TechLearning.com includes links to Technology & Learning magazine and Educators' Outlook ezine. It includes web tours of sites for educators. Also featured are Sites of the Day, The IT Guy, Professional Development QuickTips, How-To QuickFlicks and databases for such topics as grants and other resources. It is a very comprehensive site with relevant and authoritative information on technology trends, new products, news and funding sources for technology programs.

The New York Times Learning Network

The New York Times Learning Network is a free service for students in grades 6-12, their teachers and parents. Even thought it says grades 6-12, I have used this site selectively for grades 3-5. It is excellent. You can do a lesson plan search. There is a News Snapshot feature for grades 3-5. There are news summaries, daily news quizzes, a word of the day, test prep question of the day, letters to the Editor and ask a reporter features.The site is updated Monday through Friday throughout the school year. Teachers can access a daily written lesson plan. It also includes activities for parents to use. Previous lessons are available in the archive. It has many other resources and can be used across the curriculum.