Cool Sites for Educators

Sites of General Interest

Travel to England, Ireland, and Wales--EF Tours is looking for students and educators who would like to travel to England, Ireland, and Wales. We will be visiting Anne Hathaway's cottage, Shakespeare's birthplace, the Tower of London, Oxford University, and many other locations of interest to educators. The trip will emphasize Irish history and culture while visiting Dublin, Blarney Castle, Killarney, the Bog Village Museum, and County Kerry. This educational adventure is perfect for English or history educators but has ties to all curricula. The nine-day excursion will take place in late July of 2010. For more information please contact EF Tours group leader Bert Miller at 319-986-5327 or e-mail bmiller@wacohs.com.

Fulbright Teacher Exchange Programs 2010-2011--The Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program provides opportunities for K-12 teachers to participate in direct one-to-one exchanges of positions with colleagues from other countries for a semester or academic year. Participating countries for 2010-2011 are the Czech Republic, France, Ghana, Hungary, India, Mexico, South Africa, Switzerland, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. October 15 is the deadline for applying to the Fulbright Classroom Teacher Exchange Program. For questions, please contact fulbrightcte@aed.org. Visit www.fulbrightteacherexchange.org for applications forms and more information.

Distinguished Fulbright Awards in Teaching--The Distinguished Awards program offers fellowships to highly accomplished U.S. and international teachers to conduct research, take courses for professional development, lead master-level seminars, and engage in other activities such as in-service training for local teachers. Participating countries for 2010-2011 include: Argentina, Finland, India, Israel, Singapore, South Africa, and the United States. The application deadline is January 15. For questions, please contact fulbrightdat@aed.org. Visit www.fulbrightteacherexchange.org for applications forms and more information.

Polleverywhere.com--If you attended the ISEA Summer Conference you witnessed a demonstration of Polleverywhere.com, a live audience polling Web site that teachers can use for free (up to 30 responses). You set up the questions and students respond using text messages, Twitter, or the Web.  Results update live in your Web browser or PowerPoint. Polleverywhere.com has a live demo you can watch to see how it works. Special semester-long K-12 and Higher Ed pricing plans are available.

• NEA Member Benefits unveils new theme--A new theme guiding NEA Member Benefits work and communications-Your Dedication Drives Ours -was inspired by members and is being introduced in tandem with a dynamic new Web site that offers greatly enriched content and a more personalized user experience. The mission to make members' lives better is also expanding with the addition of exciting and helpful Web programs and resources in some new areas: Everyday Living, Health & Wellness, Professional Resources, and Travel & Leisure. Of course, you can continue to rely on useful personal finance information and tools located in the Money section of the Web site.
  
• New Kindle targets textbooks, papers--Amazon.com's unveiling of the new Kindle electronic book device with a larger screen; and which is geared for textbooks, magazines, and newspapers; could possibly shake up the economics of multiple industries at once. Amazon is hoping that the larger version of Kindle will be a hit, even if it's more expensive, and the company is aiming it, in part, at college students who are eager to save money on their textbooks. The new Kindle, which costs $489 and can wirelessly download books to be read on its grayscale screen, already includes several features that could aid textbook reading, like the ability to highlight and bookmark passages. Users can tap the Kindle's typewriter-layout keyboard to look up words and annotate text. But in addition to a larger screen, the new version also offers more data storage - room for 3,500 books instead of 1,500 on the Kindle 2. Three textbook publishers - Pearson PLC, Cengage Learning, and John Wiley & Sons Inc. - have agreed to sell books on the device. The New York Times, the Boston Globe, and the Washington Post also plan pilot programs in which they will offer the new Kindle at a discount to some readers who sign up for subscriptions to read the news on the device.
  
• Travel to the Galapagos Islands--EF Tours is looking for teachers and students to travel to the tropical habitats of the Galapagos Islands and South America.  You will learn about the various flora and fauna of this amazing area of the earth where Charles Darwin studied his theories of natural selection.  This adventure is great for science or history teachers, in addition to foreign language teachers. The information you gain ties in with all curricula.  This trip will take place in June 2010. For more information, contact EF Tours group leader Heather Sanders at  515-963-8262 or e-mail  hsanders0519@aol.com.
  
• Moodle is a course management system designed to help educators who want to create quality online courses. The software is used all over the world by universities, schools, companies, and independent teachers. Moodle is open source and completely free to use. Go to Moodle.org to see a demo site.
  
• Bookshare, the world's largest accessible digital library for persons with print and learning disabilities (such as dyslexia), provides free membership to qualified U.S. schools and students thanks to an award from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). Get access to over 45,000 digital books, textbooks, and teacher-recommended reading to help your students feel successful and enjoy the experience of independent reading! Parents and educators can sign up at http://www.bookshare.org/signUpType (case sensitive).
  
• The National History Education Clearinghouse  is the central place online for K-12 U.S. History education. Launched in spring 2008, the NHEC brings together exemplary K-12 American history resources developed by organizations nationwide, making it easier for educators to find and make use of these resources. For example, the growing Tools for Teachers section highlights best practices for using digital tools in K-12 classrooms.
  
• IPTV offers free teachers' guides--IPTV is offering printed teachers' guides at no charge-S&H included. If you are interested, please go to www.iptv.org/k12catalog to review a series description, then click on the "IPTV" link in the Teacher Guide descriptor.
  
• Works-4-Me--NEA has a Web site called Works-4-Me which includes teaching hints suggested by NEA members. Each week you will receive an e-mail with six helpful (and short) hints to help you in your teaching. You can subscribe to the e-mail at http://www.nea.org/tools/Works4Me.html (case sensitive) where you  also can search tips online and submit your own ideas.  In addition, you will get information about NEA Member Benefits available to you through your membership in the Association. Visit www.neamb.com.
  
• Biz Kid$ connects to 21st century skills--Looking for a way to address financial literacy skills as a 21st Century Skill requirement of Iowa's Core Curriculum? Then tune into Biz Kid$, a fun, new series for students in grades 5-10 that teaches financial literacy skills such as saving, budgeting, investing, and giving back to the community. Each episode features young business owners and philanthropists who share their success stories. IPTV's K-12 Connections is offering five ICN sessions in April and May featuring a different Biz Kid$ episode in each session. To learn more and to register, go to www.k12connections.iptv.org.
  
• Play Cyberchase's Lucky Star--How can your math students be the next contestants on the hottest new game show in cyberspace? Point them to the Cyberchase Web site to play Lucky Star, a math-based game show with Cyberchase characters (including Hacker) as contestants. See if you can beat the day's top score. For more information , go to http://pbskids.org/cyberchase.
  
• Gateway to Educational Materials offers many resources -- NEA is a partner with the Gateway to Educational Materials (GEM) Exchange, supporting the Gateway to 21st Century Skills Web site. This site combines state-of-the-art search technologies and a complete database of state academic standards for core subjects. The Gateway links to the resources you need to make learning meaningful and fun for students.

• Freebies from the feds--The federal government offers a wide range of teaching and learning resources at no cost through this special Web site. The site organizes more than 1,500 lesson plans, primary documents, works of art and literature, and other items from sources such as the Library of Congress, Smithsonian Institution, NSAS, National Archives, National Gallery of Art, National Endowment of Humanities, U.S. Geological Society, National Park Service, National Institutes of Health and others. Materials at the site can be searched by topic and by academic subject. 

• NBC News materials online--You may have seen it on the news, now you can see it in your classroom. NBC News Archives on Demand is a collection of thousands of primary source digital media resources created and organized to be used in instruction. And it's free to teachers and students.
  Materials cover decades, and can be used in history, government, civics, journalism, English, writing, and science classes. The archive is searchable, and materials are added daily to keep the compilation current. Special sections include Decision 08, Black History Month, Women's' Studies, Global Studies, Forensic Science and more.
  
• The Book Whisperer--In her upcoming book, The Book Whisperer: Awakening the Inner Reader in Every Child (Jossey-Bass, March 2009, paperback, $22.95), Donalyn Miller dispenses with more traditional reading instruction, like book reports and comprehension worksheets, in favor of embracing students' choices in books and independent reading time in order to instill a love for reading with her students. Her enthusiasm for reading is infectious, and no matter what level they start from, her students read an average of 40 books a year, achieve high scores on standardized tests, and most importantly, internalize a love for books and reading. The author is a 6th-grade language arts and social studies teacher in Texas who can turn even the most reluctant readers into students who can't put their books down. She is known for her popular blog, The Book Whisperer, on Teacher Magazine's Website.
  
• Free Web Tool connects teachers and families--SchoolNotes  is a free service that teachers can use to post information online, such as homework assignments, resources links, and even "flash-card" quizzes. Parents and students can be notified automatically when the teacher updates the Web page.
  SchoolNotes complements school sites by allowing teachers to share information on the Web without worrying about HTML or FTP because there is no programming required.Always available, this free community service allows parents, teachers, and students to access school information from home, work, school, or anywhere the Internet is available.
  
• Education resources at the Smithsonian --The Smithsonian Center for Education and Culture Web site has a special section where you can find a wide variety of resources for both teachers and students including activity sheets, lesson plans, and an extensive library.
  
• NEA's Read Across America Day--The NEA's Read Across America Day, the nation's premiere literacy event, will be held on March 2 in honor of what would have been Dr. Seuss's 103rd birthday. Read Across America focuses attention on how important it is to motivate children to read in addition to helping them master basic skills. It's not too late to plan celebrations for your classroom or school.
  
• Resources to prevent dropping out --The NEA supports making high school graduation a top priority and is calling for an investment of $10 billion over the next 10 years to support dropout prevention. But we're not waiting to take action. To find a wealth of resources from NEA about dropout prevention -including information geared for students, parents, teachers, and legislators.
  
• Staying Safe in Cyberspace --"PointSmart. ClickSafe." is a new multimedia initiative coordinated by the National Cable Telecommunications Association (NCTA) and Cable in the Classroom (CIC) to help families and children make appropriate choices and stay safe while using the Internet. The cornerstone of the effort provides a variety of materials-including an online "guidebook" and video vignettes-offering simple instructions, tips, and scenarios that can help parents and caregivers teach children to make good choices about Internet use. Educators may also find much of the site's information helpful.
  
• February is Black History Month--and to help you celebrate we've put together a collection of Web sites that provide educational materials, lesson plans, and other helpful resources.
  
• AEA Online--Students and teachers can find carefully selected resources to enhance learning as well as continuously updated content-sometimes within hours of an event-by visiting the AEA Online Web site. Other useful resources include access to more than 500 education journals and news articles, online videos, and World Book Online. 
  
• Freedom Writers Web site--The movement was born in 1994 from a teacher's simple notion--inspire young, underprivileged students to pick up pens instead of guns. Since then, the Freedom Writers Foundation, which has inspired a bestselling book and a feature film, has evolved into a renowned charitable organization. The Foundation is dedicated to replicating the Freedom Writers' success in classrooms across the country by equipping teachers with the tools they need to reach and empower their students.
  
• Positive Coaching Alliance--a national non-profit based at Stanford University, is creating a movement to transform the culture of youth sports so that every young athlete can have a positive, character-building experience.
  
• The third annual High School Summit--played to a capacity crowd of Iowa educators Dec. 11-12. Even if you weren't able to attend, you can still review several key sessions thanks to Iowa Public Television.
  
• PBS TeacherSource--PBS TeacherSource features more than 4,500 free lesson plans, activities, and professional development tools for PreK-12 educators. Be sure to investigate the special section for Concepts Across the Curriculum and sign up to receive free e-mails pertinent to your subject area and grade level.
  
• FREE -- The U.S. Department of Education's unique one-stop website for teaching and learning learning; offers a treasure trove of historical documents, scientific experiments, mathematical challenges, famous paintings, and other tools for teacher and students.
  
• PBS Online -- a teacher-focused storehouse of information about PBS programming with uses in the K-12 curriculum, as well as associated resources.
  
• Awesome Library -- organizes the Web with 20,000 carefully reviewed resources, including the top 5 percent in education.
  
• Busy Teachers' Website K-12 offers direct source materials, lesson plans, and classroom activities.
  
• TeachNet -- provides access to projects of specific interest, information on grant opportunties, and discussions on policy and leadership.
  
• Lesson Links -- a bimonthly newsletter for K-12 educators which integrates online links with curriculum topics.
  
• Library of Congress -- a wealth of information including everything under the sun! Check it out for maps and atlases, too.
  
• AskERIC -- a virtually limitless resource for lesson plans and information guides.
  
• U.S. Department of Education -- like having the entire Department of Education at your fingertips; includes Department initiatives, resources for educators, and parental/family involvement tips.
  
• Rethinking Schools -- where you can find information, resources, and links devoted to transforming education.
  
• The Smithsonian -- access every museum and research center affiliated with The Smithsonian.
  
• PATHWAYS to School Improvement -- the North Central Regional Educational Laboratory's (NCREL) comprehensive resource on school improvement information from assessment to professional development and everything in between.
  
• Education World -- a free educator's resource and Internet search engine with more than 50,000 links to education-related sites.
  
• Iowa Department of Education -- a handy reference for public education plus lots of related links.

Technology and Curriculum

• Make a wish--Now every teacher has the power to fund their technology needs. Teachers who register and submit a lesson plan will automatically qualify for 43 new technology grants from Olympus and Tool Factory, including a Mobile Digital Camera Lab. 
• Gateway to Educational Materials--The NEA has partnered with the GEM Exchange, Gateway to Educational Materials, and JES & Co to support "Gateway to 21st Century Skills," a Web site that combines state-of-the-art search technologies and a complete database of state academic standards for core subjects. The Gateway also enables you to collaborate with other educators on each of the catalogued resources.
• Discovery Education--Google is much more than a search engine. Google for Educators contains teachers' guides for their top 12 products including basic information on each tool, examples of how educators are using them, and lesson ideas. You'll also find lesson plans and videos from Google partners at Discovery Education.
• webTeacher -- Whether you are a novice or a computer expert, webTeacher gives you the training you need to master the Web.
• Copyright and Fair Use --information and links to various copyright and fair use resources.
• Education Place -- a free, online resource designed to help teachers in grades K-8 navigate the Internet and to integrate its vast resources into existing curricula.
• Instructional Technology --excellent resources, with a link to the Florida Information Resource Network.
• Classroom Connect -- a terrific newsletter for teachers who want to integrate the Internet and technology into their classroom activities.
• FromNowOn -- the Educational Technology Journal published online by Jamie McKenzie.
• Iowa Database --information and updates on Star Schools projects, the Iowa Communications Network (ICN), and educational programming on public television.
• The Well-Connected Educator --a forum for teachers interested in the use of educational technology. Be sure to check out the "what's new" and "writer's forum."

Science

• Energy Hog encourages conservation--The Alliance to Save Energy's Energy Hog makes learning about energy fun! Free lesson plans, activities, and games-or maybe even a visit from a real live Energy Hog-are available to help educators teach good energy habits. 
• Environmental education resources--Iowa State University Extension has created a one-stop shop for the environmental educator. Get the latest news, curriculum, grant plans, and workshop information.
• Discovery Channel Science Resources--Go to the Discovery Channel Web site to find lesson plans, activities, worksheets, teaching tools, Web links, and the Discovery Channel TV schedule, as well as materials for purchase. It also has resources, such as a homework helper section, for students.
• ProjectConnect--Project Connect offers seven online games related to math and science that center around the communications industry. Students can learn about concepts including fiber optic technology, GPS satellites, cell phone systems, and e-mail. User and teacher guides are also available.
• The Exploratorium -- an online visit to a hands-on, interactive science museum in San Francisco.
• The Froggy Page -- one of the most popular sites on the web, especially for frog lovers!
• Cells Alive -- a learning resource for microbiology and a site for any level to witness videos of cells in action.
• Tyrannosaurus Rex -- visit Berkeley's wonderful T-Rex exhibit!
• Science Learning Network -- offers unique resources to help K-8 teachers tap into the enormous potential of the Internet to support inquiry-based scienice.
• How Things Fly --links to hundreds of major aviation-related sites from the National Air and Space Museum.
• The Nine Planets -- a mini-encyclopedia of our solar system.
• The Discovery Channel -- current information on topics of interest to children including ongoing collaborative projects.
• NASA Home Page -- an amazing amount of information from earth science to space science.
• WINDandSEA -- an oceanic and atmospheric sciences internet locator with direct links to more than 750 selected sites.

Math

• ProjectConnect--Project Connect offers seven online games related to math and science that center around the communications industry. Students can learn about concepts including fiber optic technology, GPS satellites, cell phone systems, and e-mail. User and teacher guides are also available.
• Geometry Center -- a mathematics reserach and education center at the University of Minnesota.
• The Math Forum --connections to losts of great teaching resources for K-12 educators.
• Mathematics Archives -- extensive connections to math resources for K-12 teachers and students.
• Ask Dr. Math -- geared toward students, this is a great site for math teachers everywhere to become familiar with.

Music

• SOLERO -- get playable, printable sheet music via the Internet.
• Music Education Online -- a wealth of information for music educators.

Language Arts and Literature

• Teacher-Tested Reading Resources--Developed by an educator and NEA members, this Web site features free reading resources for parents and teachers. Included are 126 gifted and talented projects, writing ideas, vocabulary lists, strategies, and more. Opportunities for interaction are also provided.
• The Complete Works of William Shakespeare -- students and teachers alike can find any work of Shakespeare they like!
• BookWire Reading Room -- electronic books, author information, and book awards.
• Children's Literature Web Guide -- a well-maintained site containing many links to other sites.
• Kid News -- a news service for K-12 students and teachers around the world.
• KID PUB -- a site which publishes student writing from all over the world.
• MidLink -- an electronic magazine for middle school projects including a place to publish student work.
• Online Books Page --links to thousands of online books and other resources for high school students.

The Arts

• ArtsEdge -- a great resource, complete with links.
• Dance Directory -- a directory of resources for all types of dance information.
• The Kennedy Center's Artsedge -- a unique opportunity for teachers to share lesson plans, learn about education news, and follow links to other Internet recourses.
• Le WebLouvre -- More than 200 artists, each major period in art history--it's all here.

Government/Social Studies

• Where's Lou Henry Hoover? --The Hoover Presidential Library & Museum has created a new Web game, "Lou Henry Hoover's Cross-Country Adventure," to help teach grade schoolers about American history. Students travel across the country by answering trivia questions based on National Social Studies Thematic Strands.
• The White House -- Everything you could possibly want to know about the president, government documents, and the latest government news is here.
• American Studies Web -- social sciences servers from the virtual library and links to leading information facilities.
• Electronic Embassies -- Links to embassies from around the world that are located in Washington, DC.
• THOMAS -- full-text access to federal legislation plus lots of useful links.

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For more great resources, visit the NEA.