Scholastic Competition

For more interactive literacy building, have your class stretch their word power via a live Definition Competition with WordGirl on May 11, 1PM ET. Register now for a chance to win exclusive prizes.

♥WHEN: May 11, 2010 at 1:00 PM (ET) / 10:00 AM (PT)
♥♥WHAT: A competition to exercise students' vocabulary
♥♥♥WHERE: http://scholastic.com/wordgirldefinitioncompetition

Barnes and Noble Summer Reading Program

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/summerreading/

1. Kids read any eight (8) books of their choosing.
2. Kids use the Passport to Summer Reading to document the places visited in each book. A parent/guardian signs the Passport when it's complete.
3. Kids bring their completed Passport to any B&N store between May 25 and September 7, 2010.
4. We'll give them a coupon for a FREE BOOK, to be chosen from a list of exceptional paperback titles.*

Wrestlemania Reading Challenge

Calling all librarians and teachers in the United States and Canada! Sign ups for the WrestleMania XXVII Reading Challenge are underway and are open until July 31. Register to participate now!

As it enters its fifth year, the WrestleMania Reading Challenge, with a new format, is going to be bigger and better than ever. The Challenge will now take place from October 16-25, 2010, during Teen Read Week. During that time, students will pledge to read five books or graphic novels between Teen Read Week and WrestleMania XXVII on April 3, 2011. They also must complete a competitive project to win a trip to WrestleMania XXVII. The students chosen as Grand Prize Winners will represent their libraries at the WrestleMania Reading Challenge World Finals in Atlanta on April 2, 2011, and will win their libraries $2,000 worth of grants and other prizes. The program is easy to implement, and WWE and YALSA will give you everything you need for a fun-filled educational experience that hooks kids on reading.

Read More Here --> http://www.wwe.com/inside/overtheropes/wweinyourcorner/teacherscorner/wmrc27signup

How we school:

We are independent homeschoolers which means that we are registered with our local school board. It is free of charge and the only thing that we have to do every year is to turn in the Intent to Homeschool sheet and at the end of the year our attendence sheet.

We normally start around the 3rd week in July and end in April. We take off a week and a half for Christmas. We also take off Halloween and New Years Day.

Since I have 3 kids to homeschool (6th, 5th, and 2nd), I have created binders to put all of the worksheets that I use in them, so that way I will have them for the next child when they need it. We recycle all of the papers that we use by shredding them and adding the shredded paper to our garden or our bean bag.

We got an old office from our local Goodwill for $30. It is made of wood and has drawers where we keep our supplies in.
Also 90% of the books that we use I get through Amazon because some of the survey companies that I am a member of, I cash out for Amazon dollars and buy books and supplies that we need.

Our homeschool area is setup in our dining room area, in the corner. I snapped some pics to show our work center.

The Preamble - School House Rock

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNb9AoY5XXE&feature=related

How a Bill becomes Law:

http://www.legis.state.wv.us/Educational/Bill_Becomes_Law/Bill_Becomes_Law.cfm

http://www.votesmart.org/resource_govt101_02.php

School House Rock video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEJL2Uuv-oQ

Homeschool Tracker

I downloaded a program called the Homeschool Tracker to keep track of the days that we school and save time creating lesson plans.

http://www.homeschooltracker.com/

They have a pay version and a free basic version. I downloaded the basic version. When you download it you will also need Winzip which is also a free download program in order to open the homeschool tracker program. www.winzip.com

What is Friction?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks2bitesize/science/physical_processes/friction/read1.shtml

Forces in action

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks2bitesize/science/physical_processes/forces_action/play.shtml

Friction Game

Where Words Touch the Earth

Explore the complete Where Words Touch the Earth collection at: http://www.teachersdomain.org/special/nasawords/

In this new digital media collection for grades 3-12, students from American Indian Tribal Colleges interview Elders, other students, and community members to provide a Native American perspective on climate change and its effects on their communities.Videos in this collection are available for download, and touch on key environmental science issues and indigenous knowledge of the depleted salmon population in Washington State, the ecological function and spiritual role of wetlands, and the relationship between humans and nature.Additionally, a media-rich activity designed for teacher professional development allows teachers to reconnect with their environment by taking a walk, observing the nature world around them, and plan an activity for students that will help them better understand their own surroundings and how they interact with the natural world.The complete collection of Where Words Touch the Earth includes:

• Native Student Filmmakers Focus on Climate Change
• Overstepping Mother Earth's Boundaries
• Salmon Move into Deeper Waters
• Salmon Population Depleted
• Sense of Smell Leads Salmon Home
• Warmer Water Kills Salmon Eggs
• Wetlands
• Witnessing Environmental Changes
• Reconnecting with Your Environment (Teacher Activity)

The Smithsonian's History Explorer

The Smithsonian's History Explorer
http://historyexplorer.americanhistory.si.edu/

Quote: "Your gateway to innovative, standards-based online resources for teaching and learning American history, designed and developed by the National Museum of American History as part of Verizon's thinkfinity.org consortium. Explore the rich resources of the Museum and bring history to life with artifacts, primary sources, and online tools for the classroom, afterschool programs, and home."

Teaching Spanish

http://www.onlinefreespanish.com/

This is a wonderful Spanish teaching site. It is aimed for kids. There are games, and worksheets that your child can use to learn Spanish. I used this site this year for my kids since we are all new to speaking Spanish.

Freebie of the Day

Freebie of the Day
http://www.homeschoolfreebie.wholesomechildhood.com/

This is a wonderful site that you can download free books, audio stories and much more.Sign up for their newsletter that they send out every week letting you know what the upcoming freebies are.Their site is Christian oriented.

PBS lessons and videos

PBS Resources For the Classroom: http://www.pbs.org/teachers/connect/resources/2565/preview/
You can search for various subjects and it will provide links to shows, lesson plans, videos, and more to help you with your teaching.

American Musuem of Natural History (Science)http://www.pbs.org/teachers/connect/resources/2565/preview/
Contains various Science stories and videos

EekoWorld
http://pbskids.org/eekoworld/index.html?load=eekohouse
Contains lots of Science lesson, games, and videos

Health Subjects

Bike Safety: http://kidshealth.org/kid/watch/out/bike_safety.html

Food Pyramid: http://www.mypyramid.gov/kids/kids_game.html
Why Exercise is Cool: http://kidshealth.org/kid/exercise/fit/work_it_out.html
Healthy Refrigerator Quiz: http://www.healthyfridge.org/kids.html

All about puberty (boys and girls): http://kidshealth.org/kid/grow/body_stuff/puberty.html

Talk about your Feelings: http://kidshealth.org/kid/feeling/thought/talk_feelings.html
Saying your Sorry: http://kidshealth.org/kid/feeling/home_family/sorry.html
First Aid: http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/first_aid/index.shtml
Choking: http://kidshealth.org/kid/watch/er/choking.html

Printable USA and State Maps

Click the link below to go to a site where you can print out various USA and state maps.
http://www.yourchildlearns.com/megamaps/print-usa-maps.html

Spark notes for Reading

The Secret Garden: http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/secretgarden/section6.rhtml

Wind in the Willows: http://www.bookrags.com/studyguide-wind-in-the-willows/chapanal001.html

I want to be a Veterinarian...

I want to be a Veterinarian Book (limited view): http://books.google.com/books?id=osyIKo5vbwQC&printsec=frontcover&dq=veterinarian&cd=3#v=onepage&q=&f=false

Help with Animal and Plant Cells

Animals Cells: http://www.eurekascience.com/ICanDoThat/animal_cells.htm

Plant Cells: http://www.eurekascience.com/ICanDoThat/plant_cells.htm

DNA: http://www.eurekascience.com/ICanDoThat/dna.htm

Inside a Cell: http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/begin/cells/insideacell/

Cell Structure: http://www.tvdsb.on.ca/westmin/science/sbi3a1/Cells/cells.htm

Science Lessons / Projects

Primary Science Resources: http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/science/science.htmScience

Lessons and Projects: http://www.topscience.org/

The Human Body

Changes in Hair and Nails: http://healthguide.howstuffworks.com/aging-changes-in-hair-and-nails-dictionary.htm

How Nerves Work: http://health.howstuffworks.com/nerve.htm
How your Brain Works: http://health.howstuffworks.com/brain.htm
Muscles of the Human Body: http://www.kidport.com/Grade5/Science/BodyMuscles.htm
How Muscles Work: http://health.howstuffworks.com/muscle.htm/printable
Muscular System: http://www.innerbody.com/image/musfov.html
Skeletal System: http://webschoolsolutions.com/patts/systems/skeleton.htm#joints
Muscular and Skeletal System: http://www.emc.maricopa.edu/faculty/farabee/BIOBK/BioBookMUSSKEL.html#Joints

Skeleton System: http://www.lessontutor.com/jm_skeleton.html
How Blood Works: http://health.howstuffworks.com/blood.htm
How your Heart Works: http://health.howstuffworks.com/heart.htm
Digestive System: http://www.innerbody.com/image/digeov.html

Science Games

Human Body and Mind Game: http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/body/factfiles/skeletalsmoothandcardiac/heart_beat.shtml

Dinosaurs Matching Game: http://www.kidsdinos.com/dinosaur-games/dinosaur-match.php

Tour of the Heart Game: http://www.pbs.org/teachers/connect/resources/5616/preview/

Simple Machines - Pulley / Lever: http://www.edheads.org/activities/simple-Machines/

Rainforest Alliance : http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/education/treehouse/

Food Chains: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks2bitesize/science/living_things/food_chains/play.shtml

Food Webs: http://www.gould.edu.au/foodwebs/africa.htm

Science Videos

Endangered Species: http://www.howstuffworks.com/search.php?terms=endangered+species&media=video

Invertebrates: http://www.howstuffworks.com/search.php?terms=invertebrates&gallery=1&media=video

Invertebrates: http://videos.howstuffworks.com/hsw/27454-animals-without-backbones-quiz-1-video.htm

Human Body Videos

Magic School Bus - Human Body 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJieJ3_R2Do&feature=related
Magic School Bus - Human Body 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_N4GtrurdA

Urinary System: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7m5IyzQzAM&feature=fvw
Skeletal System: http://health.howstuffworks.com/adam-200029.htm
Nervous System: http://videos.howstuffworks.com/hsw/25468-systems-of-the-human-body-nervous-system-video.htm

How the Heart Works: http://videos.howstuffworks.com/discovery-health/14549-human-atlas-how-the-heart-works-video.htm

Ears: http://videos.howstuffworks.com/hsw/6056-exploring-sound-parts-of-the-ear-video.htm

Vision: http://health.howstuffworks.com/eye.htm
Smelling: http://www.howstuffworks.com/smell.htm
Hearing: http://health.howstuffworks.com/hearing.htm
Eyes: http://www.howstuffworks.com/search.php?terms=our+eyes+work&media=video

Ecosystems / Biome Videos

Taiga Biome: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wma8Fu_C9k&feature=related
Taiga Biome: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3-sbN8z82k&feature=related
Grasslands Biome: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFIMWyo8P_4&feature=PlayList&p=C48F615E0E81F49B&index=2

Rainforest Biome: http://www.pbs.org/teachers/connect/resources/5703/preview/
Desert Biome: http://www.teachersdomain.org/resource/tdc02.sci.life.eco.desert/
EkoWorld Desert Biome: http://pbskids.org/eekoworld/index.html?load=environment
Tundra Biome: http://www.howstuffworks.com/search.php?terms=tundra&media=video
Arctic Biome: http://www.teachersdomain.org/resource/tdc02.sci.life.eco.arctic/
EkoWorld: Tundra Biome: http://pbskids.org/eekoworld/index.html?load=env_tundra

Science Videos

Violent Hawaii (Volcano): http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/lessons/feeling-hot-hot-hot/video-segments/1533/

A Visit to Yellowstone: http://www.teachersdomain.org/resource/ess05.sci.ess.earthsys.yellowstone/

Meteor Showers: http://www.teachersdomain.org/ext/ess05_int_meteorshower/index.html
Hunting Meteorites: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sciencenow/3313/nn-mete-video-q-300.html
Astroids: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sciencenow/3313/01.html

Characteristics of the Sun: http://www.teachersdomain.org/resource/ess05.sci.ess.eiu.sunbasics/

Science Videos

Erosion: http://www.teachersdomain.org/search/?mode=refined&results_to_show=10&query=erosion&lower_grade=K&upper_grade=12&media_types=video&media_types=audio&media_types=interactive&media_types=image&media_types=document&media_types=lesson_plan&media_types=student_activity&oer_level=0

Food Chain: http://msnucleus.org/membership/storybooks/foodchain.html
Energy and Food Chain: http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/science_up_close/314/deploy/interface.html

Garden Spiders: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymTMrg7G4Ac&feature=related

Magic School Bus- Gets Lost in Space: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcHN8i5Mz54&feature=PlayList&p=521FD610C3769FB2&index=0&playnext=1

Dirt: http://www.youtube.com/user/PetStoreLady#p/u/5/EEUSireK0QI
Dirt Detective (Sid the Science Kid): http://pbskids.org/sid/videoplayer.html?dirtdetectives

On line frog dissection

Net Frog 2002 On line dissection: http://frog.edschool.virginia.edu/Frog2/

Sharks

Ultimate Guide to Sharks in the Deep: http://videos.howstuffworks.com/discovery/36698-ultimate-guide-to-sharks-deep-water-sharks-video.htm

Ultimate Guide to Sharks in the Shallow:

http://videos.howstuffworks.com/discovery/36708-ultimate-guide-to-sharks-sharks-in-the-shallows-video.htm

Ultimate Guide to the Whale Shark: http://videos.howstuffworks.com/discovery/36711-ultimate-guide-to-sharks-whale-shark-video.htm

Island of athe Sharks (Diagram): http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sharks/world/diagram.html

Hammerhead Sharks: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ekvr_mUxVzw

Access, Analyze, Act is available for free...

April Is National Financial Literacy Month! Explore PBS Teachers Access, Analyze, Act: From Economic Theory to Financial Reality

Based on the recent global financial crisis, to help students understand complex economic concepts, PBS Teachers has developed Access, Analyze, Act: From Economic Theory to Financial Reality, a special collection of educational digital media resources about the economy for use in school and home learning environments. Access, Analyze, Act is available for free at http://www.pbs.org/teachers/access-analyze-act-economy/.

Reproduction of PBS Teacher Previews is permitted with proper credit given to PBS Online. Copyright 2010 PBS Online

PBS Free April Webinars: Earth Day & Diary of Anne Frank

Free April Webinars: "Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day" and "A Fresh Look at Teaching The Diary of Anne Frank"

*On Monday, April 5 at 8 p.m. EDT, PBS Teachers will host "Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day." During this event, participants will learn about two new PBS projects: "Earth Days: American Experience," a new film by Robert Stone chronicling the history of the modern environmental movement, and Growing Greener Schools, a film and educational resources aimed at empowering students, teachers, and parents to incorporate green ideas into both school buildings and classroom curriculums. Presenters include the filmmakers and educational experts who will provide resources and strategies to help teachers celebrate this important anniversary in innovative and meaningful ways.

*On Wednesday, April 7 at 8 p.m. EDT, we will host a webinar entitled, "A Fresh Look at Teaching The Diary of Anne Frank." Webinar participants will get a sneak peek at the all-new adaptation airing on Masterpiece and review educator materials created for middle school and high school. These materials include a teacher's guide created in collaboration with the Holocaust education organization Facing History & Ourselves as well as an omnibus Resources Listing, which collects the best existing resources on Anne Frank and her historical context and offers resources for teens interested in journaling with digital media. Speakers include the author of the teacher's guide and an educator from Facing History and Ourselves.

For details, visit: http://www.pbs.org/teachers/webinar/