Phyllis' Favorites

MegaConverter2
http://www.megaconverter.com/Mega2/

From the site:
“This is a world favorite educational and research site, giving you an easier to use interface, with more converters, more features and quicker access.”

World Clock
http://www.poodwaddle.com/worldclock.swf
Statistics in flash: population, deaths, illness, environment and natural resources, energy, U.S. crimes, food and more.

Other clocks
http://www.poodwaddle.com/clocks2.htm
Check menu scroll at top of this page for more clocks.
Scroll down for the source sites for the statistics used.

EduPic Graphical Resource
http://www.edupic.net/
Free Photographs and Graphics for Education

From the site:
“All images contained within are free for use by educational professionals and the students they serve without permission.”

Discovery Channel’s list of 100 Greatest Americans.
http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/greatestamerican/greatestamerican.html
Shortened URL: http://tinyurl.com/4z474
Site features biographies, a trivia game, jigsaw puzzles, and photos.

Biographies available for top 25. To see full biography, must allow pop-ups.

Phyllis's Favorites for the CJRLC Blog - February 2009
http://www.cjrlc.org/blog/

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Cool Cosmos
http://coolcosmos.ipac.caltech.edu/

Coolmath4Kids
http://www.coolmath4kids.com/

EarthGuide
http://www.earthguide.ucsd.edu/

Everyday Science Mysteries
http://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/mysteries/archive.html

FastWeb: Scholarships, Financial Aid and Colleges
http://www.fastweb.com/

Food Timeline
http://www.foodtimeline.org/

HippoCampus (Math, Physics, Biology, US History, and more)
http://www.hippocampus.org/

The History of Jim Crow
http://www.jimcrowhistory.org/home.htm

Larry Ferlazzo, Teacher
(nearly 8,000 categorized links for ELL/ESL)
http://larryferlazzo.com/index.html

Lincoln Bicentennial: 1809-2009
http://lincolnbicentennial.gov/

National Museum of American History: 53 Online Exhibitions
http://americanhistory.si.edu/exhibitions/category.cfm?category=online

A Passion For Jazz!
http://www.apassion4jazz.net/

Thinkfinity: Literacy, Education and Technology
http://thinkfinity.org/home.aspx

- Phyllis
NOTE: To receive 4 daily posts via email, send your request to anker @ hslc.org

Presidential Facts - Thinkquest - Grades 2 to 5
http://thinkquest.org/library/site.html?team_id=TQ0312172

Site found on TeachersFirst

“This student-created ThinkQuest site offers lots of elementary-level information about the various presidents, with links to other sources offering additional information. There is also information on the first ladies, an interesting list of presidential "firsts" and presidential puzzles and games. Loads of fun for elementary students. Nearly all of the links were working at the time of this review.”

Entire review and suggestions for using this site “In the Classroom”:
http://www.teachersfirst.com/single.cfm?id=4891

Presidential Biographies and Portraits - The White House - Grades 4 to 12
http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/
[NOTE: Previously posted. - Phyllis ]

Site found on TeachersFirst

“The "official" biographies of the nation's presidents, as contained on the White House web site. This site is up to date, easy to use, and includes a wealth of information. There is an interesting picture slide show of all of the presidents.”

Entire review and suggestions for using this site “In the Classroom”:
http://www.teachersfirst.com/single.cfm?id=3447

One Life: The Mask of Lincoln - Smithsonian - Grades 6 to 12
http://www.npg.si.edu/exhibit/lincoln/index.html

Site found on TeachersFirst.com

Art, history, and government teachers will all delight in this informative website about Lincoln. There are pictures, detailed information, and even podcasts answering some famous questions (such as Why Did Lincoln Grow a Beard). You will also see the works of Mathew Brady. Take your students on the "Audio Tour" of the exhibit - be sure to turn up the volume! Specific topics cover "The Rise of Lincoln," "The Civil War," and "Lincoln's Contemporaries." , <<>>

Entire review and suggestions for using this site “In the Classroom”:
http://www.teachersfirst.com/single.cfm?id=148

# posted by Phyllis @ 10:37 PM 0 comments

Sites found in:
******************************************
PBS Teachers Newsletter: February 8-14, 2009
Current PBS Teacher Previews Newsletter
http://www.pbs.org/teachers/newsletter/
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Teaching Abraham Lincoln: A One-Stop Portal for Lessons and Student Interactives
http://edsitement.neh.gov/spotlight.asp?id=138

The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) EDSITEment has launched Teaching Abraham Lincoln, a one-stop portal for lessons and student interactives resources on the life, times and achievement of our 16th president. EDSITEment showcases a range of lessons, student interactives, and multimedia-rich websites that will help teachers, students, parents, and caregivers understand the world Lincoln lived in and the impact he had upon it. NEH-sponsored Lincoln programs, exhibits, and professional development opportunities for teacher are available at: http://edsitement.neh.gov/spotlight.asp?id=138

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Circle of Stories
Many Voices: The Storytelling Gallery
Interactive/Online Activity
Gr. 6-8 / 9-12

Explore a photographic collage of images and inspirational
quotes, poems and stories from a variety of Native American
storytellers. Learn about the history of Native American
storytelling.

http://www.pbs.org/circleofstories/voices/voices_gallery.html
[NOTE: Previously posted. - Phyllis ]

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Nature
Drakensberg: Barrier of Spears
On-Air & Online
Gr. 6-8 / 9-12
Sunday, February 8, 2009
8 - 9:00 pm
The Drakensberg Mountains are southern Africa's Alps, rising
more than 11,000 feet into the sky. But beneath their
shimmering beauty lies an incredibly hostile environment for
the surprising number of creatures that manage to live there.
Each spring, drenching rains destroy the grasslands at the base
of the mountains, and those who would survive must climb
straight up sheer cliffs of volcanic rock, through gauntlets of
storms and snow, to reach the carpets of grass on the plateau.
(CC, Stereo, HD, 1 year)
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/drakensberg-barrier-of-spears/introduction/4592/
Shortened URL: http://tinyurl.com/ch64sh

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American Experience
The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln
On-Air
6-8 / 9-12
Monday, February 9, 2009
9 - 10:30pm
This film recounts a great American drama: two tumultuous
months when the joy of peace was shattered by the heartache of
assassination. At the heart of the story are two figures who
define the extremes of character: Lincoln, who had the strength
to transform suffering into infinite compassion, and Booth, who
allowed hatred to curdle into destruction. (CC, Stereo, HD,
5.1, 1 year)
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/assassination/

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Looking for Lincoln
On-Air
Gr. 6-8 / 9-12
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
9 - 11:00pm
"Looking for Lincoln" dissects the myths that have grown up
around Abraham Lincoln and in doing so, addresses outstanding
questions -- about race, equality, religion and depression --
by carefully interpreting the evidence provided by people who
actually knew him. Henry Louis Gates Jr. hosts. (CC, Stereo,
HD, 5.1, 1 year)
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/lookingforlincoln/

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Copyright 2008 PBS Online

American Folklife Center
http://www.loc.gov/folklife/edresources/ed-classroom.html

Folklife in the Classroom
Lesson Plans & Classroom Materials
Ways to Use Primary Sources from the Library of Congress in the Classroom

The following linked pages offer a wide range of teaching strategies and learning activities for K-12 classes in American and world history, civics, politics, the visual arts and literature. Activities and lesson plans contain a wealth of primary source materials and are also designed to teach students the skills and techniques that folklorists, historians, anthropologists, and librarians use in the course of conducting research, interpreting their findings, and presenting the results of their research to the public.

[NOTE: Some pages from this site previously posted. - Phyllis ]

Middle East Geography Quiz
http://www.rethinkingschools.org/just_fun/games/mapgame.html
From the site:
“Geography Quiz--Did you know "the Middle East"' stretches as far west as the Western Sahara in Africa?...Test your knowledge on a new drag-and-drop game by clicking the link or the map graphic. (All ages). Requires Flash.”

[NOTE: Other pages from http://www.rethinkingschools.org/ previously posted. - Phyllis ]

50States.com
http://www.50states.com/fileindx.htm

Choose a state and get its famous citizens, flag, flower, song, population, nickname, motto, and lots more.

Or click directly on menu for state flags, songs, birds, trees, tools (including maps),

[NOTE: Previously posted. Site has advertisements. - Phyllis ]

What Students Need To Know About America’s Wars, Part I: 1622–1919:
A History Institute for Teachers
http://www.fpri.org/education/americaswars1/

Source: Foreign Policy Research Institute
http://www.fpri.org

Visual Directory - very handy.

AllMyFavs
http://www.allmyfaves.com/
From the site:
“We have searched the web and provided you with a visual directory that includes the best sites in each category!”

Science Central
http://www.sciencecentral.com/

Select subject from directory for annotated links to sites.
Ads (Sponsored Links) appear above search results, Sub-categories below.

Healthfinder.gov
http://www.healthfinder.gov/

Provides consumers with easy access to online, accurate health information. From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Source: Refdesk: http://www.refdesk.com

[NOTE: Previously posted. Site updated. - Phyllis ]

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Kids Sites
http://www.healthfinder.gov/scripts/SearchContext.asp?topic=14314
Select “Show All” to see entire list of 40 sites

Merck and The Merck Manuals
The Second Home Edition, Online Version
http://www.merck.com/mmhe/index.html

From the site:

“Merck is committed to bringing out the best in medicine. As part of that effort, Merck provides all of The Merck Manuals as a service to the community.

“Explains disorders, who is likely to get them, their symptoms, how they're diagnosed, how they might be prevented, and how they can be treated; also provides information about prognosis.

“Based on the world's most widely used textbook of medicine—The Merck Manual—but written in everyday language by 300 outstanding contributors.

“Provided free of charge on the Internet by Merck & Co., Inc., as a public service.”

Merck Manuals
http://www.merck.com/pubs/
Some available in both print and online

[NOTE: Previously posted. Site updated.- Phyllis ]

Shift Happens: Globalization & The Information Age
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emx92kBKads
Revised Edition 3.0 for 2008

Historical Census Browser
http://fisher.lib.virginia.edu/collections/stats/histcensus/
[NOTE: Previously posted. - Phyllis ]

From the site:
Choose a category to begin examining data:
General Population
Ethnicity/Race/Place of Birth
Education & Literacy
Agriculture
Economy/Manufacturing/Employment
Slave Population

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2009 Statistical Abstract
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/
From the site:
“The Statistical Abstract of the United States, published since 1878, is the authoritative and comprehensive summary of statistics on the social, political, and economic organization of the United States.”
[NOTE: Earlier editions previously posted.
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/past_years.html
- Phyllis ]

The Documents Center
http://www.lib.umich.edu/govdocs/

From the site:
“The Documents Center is a central reference and referral point for government information, whether local, state, federal, foreign or international. Its web pages are a reference and instructional tool for government, political science, statistical data, and news.” [NOTE: Previously posted. Site updated. - Phyllis ]

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Source: The Documents Center
Statistical Resources on the web
http://www.lib.umich.edu/govdocs/statsnew.html
http://www.lib.umich.edu/govdocs/frames/statsfr.html
[NOTE: Previously posted. Site updated. - Phyllis ]

Abraham Lincoln
http://www.teachersfirst.com/search.cfm
Enter “Abraham Lincoln” in the search box.

22 records found in all grade levels for Abraham Lincoln

Results page includes site reviews as well as “In the Classroom” usage comments.

African American Registry
http://www.aaregistry.com/
From the site:
“The African American Registry is the largest depository of Black American history on-line in the world. It is a calendar-based series of Black American accomplishments before the Mayflower to the present. The Registry communicates the message that African American contributions are American contributions!”

African-American Inventors of Our Times
http://web.mit.edu/invent/iow/AAweek4.html

Culture and Change: Black History in America
http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/bhistory
[NOTE: Previously posted. Site updated. - Phyllis ]

From the site:
“Meet famous African Americans, listen to jazz music, publish your own writing, and explore history with our interactive timeline.”

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The Underground Railroad: Escape from Slavery - Unit
http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/bhistory/underground_railroad/?ESP=Teachers/ib/20090126/awa/sa_underground_railroad_1_5///trlp/tout////
Shortened URL: http://tinyurl.com/ahl2zx

From the site:
“The year is 1860. Nearly four million enslaved African Americans live in the South. Follow one of these slaves along the Underground Railroad, a secret network of hiding places and brave people who helped runaway slaves reach freedom.

Site includes Teacher’s Guides, Curriculum Connections, Activities & Resources.

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Explore African American Heritage
http://scholastic.com/dreamincolor/africanamericanheritage/?ESP=SMP/ib/20090126/awa/smp_target_bhm_4_5///trlp/tout////
Shortened URL: http://tinyurl.com/ckxjop

From the site:
“…help teachers and students commemorate Black History Month with two free curricula:

Black Wings: African American Pioneer Aviators
http://www.nasm.si.edu/interact/blackwings/

Let Your Motto Be Resistance: African American Portraits
http://www.npg.si.edu/exhibit/motto/index.html

[NOTE: Previously posted. - Phyllis ]

“The following sections include grade-appropriate lesson plans and related resources designed to inspire students of all abilities and backgrounds.”

Site includes an interview with Dr. Maya Angelou
http://scholastic.com/dreamincolor/africanamericanheritage/maya_angelou.htm?ESP=SMP/ib/20090126/awa/smp_target_bhm_4_5_Lessons_txt2///trlp/tout_txtl////
Shortened URL: http://tinyurl.com/aamwec

Consumer Jungle - - Grades 9 to 12
http://www.consumerjungle.org/
[NOTE: Previously posted. - Phyllis ]

Site found on TeachersFirst

“This is a well-structured site targeted to students and teachers, with separate sections for each. The topics include common encounters with credit, financial planning, and budgets that young people are likely to encounter as they complete high school. The presentation is interesting without preaching, though teachers will need to bolster the thin lesson outlines if they use them. There is also a list of 50 Common Financial Pitfalls. There is a neat Money Skills Life Simulation. In addition, students can click to learn about the "Fraud of the Month." Most of these topics include a PowerPoint presentation and brief lesson plan. This could be a good start for a simulation or class activity.” <<>>

Entire review and suggestions for using this site “In the Classroom”:
http://www.teachersfirst.com/single.cfm?id=2077

# posted by Phyllis @ 10:38 PM 0 comments

Economic Education Web - University of Omaha - Grades 0 to 12
http://ecedweb.unomaha.edu/K-12/home.cfm
[NOTE: Previously posted. - Phyllis ]

Site found on TeachersFirst

“Although this site is "plain vanilla," we seldom see anything as useful as this one. The site contains an extensive collection of standards-correlated lesson plans for teaching principles of economics at all K-12 levels. The content is drawn from a variety of sources, and some of the presentations are in the form of printable PDF files. While a number of the lessons and resources are centered on standards in Nebraska, there are correlations to national standards, and most of the material could be used elsewhere, sometimes with minor adaptations. This is one that every social studies or economics teacher should see.” <<>>

Entire review and suggestions for using this site “In the Classroom”:
http://www.teachersfirst.com/single.cfm?id=4814

# posted by Phyllis @ 10:38 PM 0 comments

--------Forwarded Message--------
Site of the Day for Monday, August 25, 2008

The Story of Stuff
http://www.storyofstuff.com/

Today's site, a documentary by noteworthy regional planner Annie Leonard, presents an engaging video on the materials economy, which despite its lackluster label, proves to be a riveting tale of truth and consequences of the mainly unintended kind. Gentle Subscribers may find this creative production both alarming and thought-provoking.

"From its extraction through sale, use and disposal, all the stuff in our lives affects communities at home and abroad, yet most of this is hidden from view. The Story of Stuff is a 20-minute, fast-paced, fact-filled look at the underside of our production and consumption patterns. The Story of Stuff exposes the connections between a huge number of environmental and social issues, and calls us together to create a more sustainable and just world. It'll teach you something, it'll make you laugh, and it just may change the way you look at all the stuff in your life forever." - from the website

The video, with Leonard as the sprightly narrator, paints a vivid image of how the materials economy works on a worldwide scale. With simple drawings and animation, the film describes the process of production with the basic components of extraction, production, distribution, consumption and disposal and how this system has been affecting the earth over the past century. Additional factors in this complicated equation are national governments and international corporations, along with the effects of the material economy on ordinary people in various regions. Across the top of the video window are the sections of the documentary; selecting one will open a small window with additional facts on the topic under categories such as Health, Environment, Workers and Another Way.

Slip over to the site for a provocative and entertaining video on stuff at:

http://www.storyofstuff.com/

A.M. Holm
view the List archives on the web at:
http://www.freelists.org/archives/sotd

Teachable Moment
http://www.teachablemoment.org/

From the site:
“TeachableMoment.Org provides educators with timely teaching ideas to encourage critical thinking on issues of the day and foster a positive classroom environment. It is a project of Morningside Center for Teaching Social Responsibility (formerly Educators for Social Responsibility Metropolitan Area).

“Topical activities are available for elementary school, middle school, and high school levels.”

[NOTE: Previously posted. Site updated. - Phyllis ]