Free links! Lots of science, space, ELA, ESL, Music, Art, PD, Lesson Plans and resources. Enjoy!

Can you believe that September is slipping away, which means progress reports will need to be out in another week or so.

New links today:

http://www.mazalearn.com/ All about electromagnetism, and it has been gamified, and still it is FREE. It appears to me that there are many links that should be beneficial at this site

The second link has been created to appeal to girls who like, or might like, science. The only thing they have to do is set aside the "common knowledge" that boys are better than girls in analytical thinking. This page and link are here to dispel the empty threat that no one will like smart girls if they are too smart. Hope there is something in this link that is worthwhile and interesting to teachers and students. Oh, and if you don't tell anyone that this is labeled a "girl thing", I will keep your secret and watch as this site appeals to all genders and science interest.

http://scigirlsconnect.org/page/activities Check out these SciGirls for DragonflyTV activities. They are classics!

Totally out of character for me, I am pleased to announce that here in NJ, the University of Kansas is scheduled to play Saturday afternoon, and my family was given tickets for the game. Now, I know that this isn't like going to a basketball game, but a fun way to spend a pleasant Saturday afternoon nonetheless.

Rock chalk, Jayhawks - Go KU!

 

This link will help anyone with students into engineering, as well as the educators who will be working with these students. Hope you find it interesting.

http://www.linkengineering.org/

Then there is a TED talk about almost every thing, including Cell Theory:

http://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-wacky-history-of-cell-theory

Speaking of cells, check out this interesting talk:

http://ed.ted.com/search?utf8=✓&qs=cells

Then there are cars for the blind to drive:

http://ed.ted.com/lessons/making-a-car-for-blind-drivers-dennis-hong

The path to solutions that didn't work the way intended - thankfully:

http://ed.ted.com/lessons/unintended-consequences-edward-tenner

And just because I love TED talks for education:

http://ed.ted.com/lessons

Are your students lying to you about the dog eating the homework? Quickly access the "language of lying."

http://ed.ted.com/featured/Lj5N4g31.

Super-charge your brain, become bilingual: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-speaking-multiple-languages-benefits-the-brain-mia-nacamulli

http://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-optical-illusions-trick-your-brain-nathan-s-jacobs,

http://ed.ted.com/lessons/nature-s-smallest-factory-the-calvin-cycle-cathy-symington,

http://ed.ted.com/lessons/earworms-...tuck-in-your-head-elizabeth-hellmuth-margulis (This has always stumped me - "Ear-worms that get stuck in you mind)

Could we actually live on Mars? There's a TED talk for that, too!

http://ed.ted.com/lessons/could-we-actually-live-on-mars-mari-foroutan
Space movies as a TED talk? You bet!

http://www.babble.com/kid/top-12-space-movies-for-kids-not-called-star-wars/

Enjoy the journey - it is worth the price of admission.

 

Now I want you all to know that as a very NON-pysics kind of person, who is in my element anywhere on the life sciences scales, I occasionally need to know "some" physics. Check out this new link. I don't know if it is overkill on the subject or not, but I am very fond of their passion for all things physics, so I will share. If you are one of the only physics teachers who must need help at some point in time, please let me know if this is worth exploring.

If you think you might like Physics, try the link and let me know what you think.

https://www.quantamagazine.org/20150803-physics-theories-map/

 

I was browsing, again, and found myself lost in thought about the health of the environment, the concerns that are difficult to teach, and how much of this is lost in translation when dealing with ELLs. Given that context, it is easier to understand the variety in this group of links. There are more than a few of these links that will help prepare the teacher to find the heart of the lesson, and maybe tie up some loose ends. Other sites are all about literacy in science - with CCSS, we all teach literacy and writing, in every content area.

My goal for this thread is to add links and gems that I come across, hoping that others may find those finds as helpful or stimulating as I did. At some point in the not too distant future, I want to start saving the posts, as it will be the easiest way I can imagine to place all of these sites and links in a single folder, that I can download and keep. In seeking these links, I try each one before listing, so I can say that on the day I share, the link is good and working. I hate trying to access promising sounding links, only to find out that they go nowhere.

If anyone has more examples of "Creepy Critters", most of which are being influenced by a parasitic organism, although there are some other equally creepy things out there, perfect for the month of October - well, add them to this thread. The original list only had a large handful of critters, and now it has or is approaching 30 varied critters, enough for some of the larger science classrooms, should they want to use them. My goal has been to ferret out about 50 of these, but it may be over ambitious. We'll see, won't we?

http://www.classroomzoom.com/free-lessons/
https://esllibrary.com/?gclid=CP2GhduZm8gCFVYUHwod4vENWA
http://www.education.com/worksheets/science/?
http://www.discoveryeducation.com/search/page/-/-/lesson-plan/life science/index.cfm
www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/education/resources/subj_06_03.html

www.nclark.net/Biology
www.indiana.edu/~ensiweb/
www.njsta.org/resources.html
www.sciencegems.com
www.pinelandsalliance.org/teachers/lifescience/
www.raftbayarea.org/educator-resour...df4nOGgo43c1B2LA-uLZpfLahff6vUfNzPBoCxRLw_wcB
www.learner.org

www.ck12.org/tebook/CK-12-Life-Science-For-Middle-School-Teachers-Edition/
www.ssec.si.edu
www.gk12.org/resources/stem-activities-and-resources-for-k-12-teachers-and-students/
http://toxtown.nlm.nih.gov/text_version/resources/resources_science_teachers.pdf
www.thescienceofsoil.com/teacher-resources
http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/sci_edu/waldron/
http://scienceblogs.com/gregladen/for-teachers/
www.forensicsciencetechnician.org/100-best-websites-for-
science-teachers/

www.stlzoo.org/education/forteachers/
http://community.geosociety.org/tap/resources
www.earthsciweek.org/for-teachers
https://www.teachervision.com/earth-sciences/teacher-resources/6613.html
http://sciencespot.net/

www.nestanet.org/cms/content/resources
www.teach-nology.com/teachers/lesson_plans/science/earth_sciences/
https://www.naturebridge.org/training-tools/teachers/earth-science-geology
www.noaa.gov/features/02_monitoring/teacherresources_2014.html
www.learner.org/resources/series195.html
www.nsta.org/climate/
https://www.nagt.org/nagt/teaching_resources/index.html
www.windows2universe.org
www.ck12.org/tebook/CK-12-Earth-Science-For-High-School-Teachers-Edition/

www.amnh.org/learn-teach/educators
http://bogglesworldesl.com/esl_science.htm
www.amnh.org/learn-teach/english-language-learners/esl-strategies-to-construct-science-learning
http://esl.fis.edu/learners/support/indexScience.htm
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...LBZPZUjMFd_jrdQwg&sig2=XBPqRlLiE1G-_NI6bt3UyA
http://newyorkscienceteacher.com/sci/pages/esl/index.php

http://teachersnetwork.org/ntol/howto/eslclass/science.htm

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...XM33Py5DN5hMFRw8g&sig2=A0_s-E4NRGV2FMFTsrlKSQ

www.savethefrogs.com/threats/chytrid/
www.nbcnews.com/science/environment/scientist-documents-massive-frog-die-his-own-pond-n167176
www.foxnews.com/world/2015/06/25/fr...a-puts-spotlight-on-unchecked-pollution-that/
www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2008/08/12_extinction.shtml

http://fwf.ag.utk.edu/mgray/Publications/Wheelwrightetal2014.pdf
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencet...us-causes-frogs-die-thirst--theyre-water.html
www.sfgate.com/green/article/EXTINCTION-CRISIS-FOR-AMPHIBIANS-Frogs-toads-2493325.php
http://oceanlink.island.net/teachers.html
www.education.noaa.gov/tocean.html
www.iteachbio.com/Marine-Biology/marine.html
www.nsf.gov/news/classroom/biology.jsp

www.coseeolc.net/for-teachers.cfm
http://ocean.si.edu/for-educators
http://education.nationalgeographic.com/archive/xpeditions/lessons/06/g35/thys.html
www.worldoceanobservatory.org/index.php?q=content/online-resources-marine-biology
https://sites.google.com/a/share.brevardschools.org/cilsick/resources-for-marine-educators
http://marinebio.org/marinebio/games/
www.kbteachers.com/marine-biology/

www.wcs.org/teachers/teacherpd/online-teacher-academy/marine-biology-for-elementary-educators.aspx
www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/Section/id-816336.html
http://theterramarproject.org/education
www.marbef.org/outreach/primary.php
www.fitzgeraldreserve.org/newffmrsite/resources-just-for-teachers/
www.sciencebuddies.org/science-engineering-careers/life-sciences/marine-biologist

http://marinebiology.uw.edu/
http://life.bio.sunysb.edu/marinebio/mblinks.html/Marine-Biology-Links
www.neaq.org/education_and_activiti.../teen_programs/science_and_training_class.php
www.waksman-foundation.org/html/teacher_programs.html
http://superpod.ml.duke.edu/johnston/

www.nabt.org/websites/institution/index.php?p=107
www.mrl.ucsb.edu/education/resources-teachers
www.seagranted.net/index.php
www.eduref.net/biology-career-guide/
www.readingrockets.org/extras/stem_series
www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/steps-to-success-in-
http://www.freezeray.com/scienceLiteracy.htm
http://strandmaps.dls.ucar.edu/

www.nationalstemcentre.org.uk/elibrary/resource/5325/literacy-in-science-training-materials
www.actionbioscience.org/education/brewer.html

www.freezeray.com/scienceLiteracy.htm
http://literacyonline.tki.org.nz/Li.../Teacher-Resource-Exchange/Secondary-Literacy
http://schools.nyc.gov/NR/rdonlyres/EFCAE6D4-8B9A-4319-BC31-95B28AD8ECC0/0/612ScienceTextGuide.pdf

www.schools.utah.gov/CURR/science/OER/LiteracyGuide.aspx
http://education.nationalgeographic.com/idea/citizen-science-projects/
http://www.sciencebuddies.org/blog/...zen-science-projects-for-the-whole-family.php
https://www.nwf.org/Wildlife/Wildlife-Conservation/Citizen-Science.aspx
www.edutopia.org/service-learning-citizen-science
www.kidsgardening.org/node/13138

www.planetary.org/explore/space-topics/citizen-science/?referrer=https://www.google.com/
http://sciencesoup.tumblr.com/post/105477808066/citizen-science-try-this-at-home-kids
https://www.scientificamerican.com/citizen-science/
www.outdoors.org/publications/outdoors/2015/kids/introducing-kids-to-citizen-science.cfm
www.kidsdiscover.com/teacherresources/citizen-science-across-curriculum-project-feederwatch/
http://kidsgrowingstrong.org/CitizenScience
http://blogs.plos.org/citizensci/2012/12/31/top-citizen-science-projects-of-2012/
http://blog.nature.org/science/2015...st-popular-projects-best-nature-conservation/
www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/Monarch_Butterfly/citizenscience/index.shtml
www.niehs.nih.gov/research/supported/dert/programs/peph/podcasts/air_quality/

https://www.learner.org/jnorth/
www.popsci.com/science/article/2012-11/how-can-scientists-make-case-citizen-science
https://www.aza.org/frogwatch/
www.kcedventures.com/blog/12-amazing-citizen-scientist-projects-for-kids

http://educatorinnovator.org/educators-connect-learning-through-citizen-science/
www.polarbearsinternational.org/research-programs/citizen-science-project
www.yourwildlife.org/2014/06/kids-do-real-science-the-ant-project/
https://www.nycgovparks.org/kids/index.php?page=citsci
http://jces.ua.edu/citizen-science-...omes-of-the-monarch-larva-monitoring-project/
http://sdchildrenandnature.org/wp/education/citizen-science/

www.birdsleuth.org/citizen-science-bird-quest/
http://sercblog.si.edu/?p=5467
www.ourhabitatgarden.org/act/kids.html
https://www.graphite.org/blog/8-fantastic-sites-and-apps-for-citizen-science
https://www.aza.org/Membership/detail.aspx?id=9255
http://kidbucketlist.com.au/2015/04/07/citizen-science-school-of-ants/
http://scienceinquirer.wikispaces.com/freestuff

Hopefully a little something for most of you. Please share when you stumble upon a great site or find a link. :thumb:

 

http://www.nbclearn.com/portal/site/learn I have used this in the past, and it has proven to be one site I keep on "speed dial."

 

NSTA offered up these newest links, and some are for the students and others are for the teachers. I hope you find something interesting. Personally, the links that deal with 3-D printing made me want one so much more. At least Santa will know what to bring if he gets to our house this year!

http://www.thingiverse.com/ A great link for those with 3-D printers!
http://www.tolerance.org/lesson/progressive-city-planners

For the physics teachers and students: http://www.compadre.org/index.cfm
Free course for anyone into knowing more about reproduction - https://www.coursera.org/learn/reproductive-health

https://www.nextlesson.org/ Interest ID

http://www.timelypick.com/science This takes some time to get through.

http://www.foodmaster.org/index.html#.VhL4z-xVhBc

 

http://blogs.esa.int/communication/2015/06/22/space-girls-space-women/

https://www.radixendeavor.org/ STEM

 

http://blogs.esa.int/communication/2015/06/22/space-girls-space-women/

https://www.radixendeavor.org/ STEM[/QUOTE]


http://eyes.nasa.gov/

http://www.nps.gov/heho/learn/educa...ds-teaching-kids-about-our-national-parks.htm

 

http://laboutloud.com/2015/08/episode-130-good-thinking/ This is a pod-cast that NSTA sponsors. I found this one timely, in my own life, so though I would share. Hope it entertains.

 

http://www.nelnetsolutions.com/test...=&referer_type=&sitelicense_key=&servicetype=

http://www.teachhub.com/ell-strategies-work-whole-class

http://www.cpalms.org/Public/PreviewResourceUpload/Preview/28362

 

New tonight. STEM
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/stem_on_station/index.html

 

As I was looking for some inspiration to teach the concept of matter, from the element up, I ran across this link, and I really liked it. I am sharing just in case someone else could benefit from this resource.

http://www.molecularium.com/Guides/Molecularium_teachers_guide.pdf

 

Definitely NOT science, but lots of great ways to get the creative juices flowing. https://www.literacyshed.com/the-story-starter-shed.html
http://www.creative-writing-now.com/story-starters.html
http://www.storyit.com/Starters/ststart.htm
http://www.creative-writing-help.com/story-starters.html
http://www.practicalcreativewriting.com/story-starters/quick-story-starters/
http://www.daily-writing-prompt.com/story-starters.html
http://writingfix.com/right_brain/story_starting_sentences1.htm
https://www.teachervision.com/word-processing/lesson-plan/51222.html
http://www.kimskorner4teachertalk.com/writing/sixtrait/ideascontent/prompts.html
http://thefamilydinnerproject.org/fun/story-starters/
https://www.storyjumper.com/main/starter

 

http://www.crekid.com/index.html/
http://www.nppsd.org/pages/uploaded_files/Cross Age Story Starters.pdf
http://www.gameclassroom.com/game/51004-3516/writing-narratives/story-starters

 

By now, I am sure some of you are absolutely certain that I must be down to my last couple of links. Well, I collect and keep all kinds of links. I teach science, predominantly life sciences, SPED, ESL, MS ELA, MS Science, and MS Social Studies. I am very concerned and proactive in supporting literacy at every age, and I love lessons that are co-curricular, giving students a better feel fot the fact that all learning is interconnected. It is why we teach the entire student, with their varied strengths and weaknesses. Any teacher who has been doing this for a while understands what I am talking about. I don't teach music, but have an interest that I often use to bridge gaps, and make connections with some of my students and their families.

Why am I telling you this now, after a couple of months? Well, I wish I had a different name for this thread, something that embraced my far flung interests and research. Perhaps with a different title, more people would share their own favorite links, tricks of the trade, or input. This thread has been viewed over 2300 times, which amazes me, especially when I believe that many of those visits were drawn in because of the words "free links" in the title. I had hoped that more of the viewers would become contributors, but that has not actually worked out so well.

I spend a lot of time on the computer, curious about promoting my own education and ways to incorporate more tips and tools of the trade, that I may be a stronger, more prepared teacher. Also, I find that I relish the concept of truly being a "life-long learner" in my own life, while encouraging my students to take a leap of faith, following me with wonder and excitement. Nothing inspires students like a teacher or leader who still gets excited and invested in new ways to learn, connecting the dots of varied subject matter to "reach for the stars."

I would like to ask, once more, that those of you with inspirational, stimulating, amazing, innovative, and wonder filled sites and resources to please share not only with me, but with every teacher who has ever been excited and awed by new viewpoints, perspectives, and cutting edge facts and figures that energize us, makes learning and teaching fun, helping us to find new ways to instruct, building new connections in the brain, stimulating us to always seek answers to the unknown, growing as both teacher and student.

I will hope that each of you will find bits and pieces to share not only with me, but also with all the other posters who are intent on growing, becoming the best teacher possible.

The post I am going to share now fits well with the science in me, and hopefully it will strike a nerve in you. I hope you will enjoy the link, using it to be the best teacher you can possibly be. May it grow the wonder and amazement that you touch and teach in your student's lives. Please enjoy this thread, and whenever possible, I would ask you to share your own moments of inspiration, complete with tools, facts, and figures that will open the eyes of other teachers who are learning and growing along side of you. Nothing would make me happier than if this thread truly encourages and motivates others to try something new, build bridges that lead to the wonders of the unknown, a starting point for trying something different.

So, tonight, I give you this fine link, a bread-crumb that can stimulate and encourage student and teacher alike. I urge you to share with others, and if you are lucky enough to find new paths or byways to learning, consider sharing with us here, on this thread. I will be forever in your debt.

http://www.blm.gov/style/medialib/b...s.Par.81926.File.dat/CI_habitats_wildlife.pdf