Wikispaces

Are you looking for content specific resources for your class? Classrooms for the Future Coaches across the state have been developing Wikispaces loaded with resources in each of the core areas. It is a great place to find as well as share resources. Check it out.

http://cffmath.wikispaces.com/
http://cffenglish.wikispaces.com/
http://cffscience.wikispaces.com/
http://cffsocialstudies.wikispaces.com/

http://historytours.wikispaces.com/ - New Addition - Google History Tours

For those of you in the core areas of CFF, both you and your students Lenovo laptop computers will come pre-loaded with Skype. If you are not in the core areas you can also use Skype. You don't need to wait to get started. Point your browser at the Skype logo above and download Skype. (may require set up by IT personnel.) A great way for your students to share information with other students throughout the world.

A little bit about Skype ~ ~ ~

Make calls from your computer — free to other people on Skype and cheap to landlines and cell phones around the world. If you want to try Skype let me know and you can Skype me for practice. You will need speakers and a microphone or a head-set combination to fully enjoy Skype. Most laptops today have built-in speakers and microphone and some even have build-in webcams.

Interactive Activities

Are you looking for interactive activities for your math, English, art, social studies, or science students? Why not take a look at: http://www.learner.org/interactives/

Up to Date World Statistics

O.K. Maybe you don't need to know - right to second - the world population. Maybe you don't need to know to the second the reported cases of HIV this year. But just maybe you do. Check out the widget on the left side of this page for these and more up to the second statistics.
With thanks to Jerry Parini.

Vocabulary / World Hunger Connection

Free Rice. If you haven't seen or used this site it is well worth a look. For each vocabulary question you answer correctly 10 grains of rice will be donated through the United Nations to fight world hunger. http://www.freerice.com/index.php

Slope - Intercept Calculator

The Slope - Intercept Calculator is a free application. Here is a resource for you and your math students. Just view the left side of this page for the calculator. Make your input and click solve. The Slope - Intercept Calculator can be added to your blog.

SAT Math and Much, Much More

SAT Math Pro uses today's hottest technologies to deliver exceptional practice and instruction to students preparing for the math component of the SAT. Combining on demand video instruction with interactive quizzes, SAT Math Pro is a test prep system that you can count on 24/7. Best of all, SAT Math Pro is a completely free service. Any student with access to a home computer, a school computer lab or a public library can enjoy the learning programs.
http://www.satmathpro.com/Index.html

Good Things from Google

Google 411
Google's new 411 service is free, fast and easy to use. Give it a try now and see how simple it is to find and connect with local businesses for free from your phone.
http://www.google.com/goog411/

Google Sets.
Automatically create sets of items from a few examples. Enter a few items from a set of things. Next, press Large Set or Small Set and Google will try to predict other items in the set.
http://labs.google.com/sets

Google Page Creator.
Create your own web pages, quickly and easily. Google Page Creator is a free online tool that makes it easy for anyone to create and publish useful, attractive web pages in just minutes. https://www.google.com/accounts/ServiceLogin?service=pages&continue=http%3A%2F%2Fpages.google.com%2F&ltmpl=yessignups

Other good things from Google can be found on the Google home page.

Please Read 2003

Do you have struggling readers? Do you reluctant readers? If you are a teacher you can probably answer yes to both of these questions. Read Please 2003 is a free software application which enables the user to paste any text into a window and the software will read it to the user. The user can change the text size, speed and the voice of the audio. More sophisticated paid versions have more options. If you would like this free application please contact your CFF Coach or a member of the Technology Department.

Social Studies and your Google Account.

For those of you that have signed up for a Google Account you can now try out one great resource from Google. This is an experimental feature that Google is trying out on you. It is called Google Time-Lines. I found it to be a Social Studies teacher's dream come true. See if you agree. http://www.google.com/views?q=civil+rights+movement%20view%3Atimeline

When you arrive you may need to sign in with your Google Account. Then simply change civil rights movement to any subject of your choice.

RSS - An amazing tool!

RSS is a family of Web feed formats used to publish frequently updated content such as blog entries, news headlines or podcasts. An RSS document, which is called a "feed," "web feed," or "channel," contains either a summary of content from an associated web site or the full text. RSS makes it possible for people to keep up with their favorite web sites in an automated manner that's easier than checking them manually. Think of the possibilities of RSS in your classroom! With thanks to: Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia

Science - Problem Solving.

Exciting science stuff to promote higher order thinking.

http://www.smogcity.com/ - Students set parameters for variable and test the effect on a virtual city.

www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig - A simulation activity for physics students. Students solve problems related to a city's needs for various structures such as bridges, domes, skyscrapers, dams, tunnels, etc.

http://whyfiles.larc.nasa.gov/treehouse.html - At first it looks like an elementary site - it is not.
Students search resources and solve a mystery while using critical thinking and problem solving skills. Your students will not want to put this one down. Incredibly rich in its complexity.

Rubrics

Are you spending hours creating just that perfect rubric?
Here is a link to "The Rubric Machine."
Guaranteed to make the task easier.
http://landmark-project.com/rubric_builder/index.php

Fun Sites with Great Results

Getting the attention of your audience is sometimes a challenge. Here is a list of links that will help you to get your point across.

Flickr - Wow - what you can do with this one.
Slide - A type of Flickr mashup.
StainedGlassCollage - You can create a collage of your student's pictures.
SplashCast - Makes great online presentations.
Spell with Google Maps - You can spell words using Google Maps!

Online Office Tools

How often do you hear, "Teacher, I would like to finish my assignment but I don't have PowerPoint at home." " I started my assignment in 'Word' but I don't have it on my computer at home." Sound familiar?

These are a few of the online "Office" tools.
1. Zoho - One of the most popular. Check out the Notebook
2. ThinkFree - Online office, complete with collaboration.
3. Google Docs - More good stuff from Google.
4. Scribe - See what you can do.
5. AjaxWrite - Ajax-based office suite.