Rewordify is a handy tool that students can use to simplify complicated vocabulary in texts that they are reading online. Students copy and paste the difficult text onto the website and a simplified version with changed words highlighted is returned. If there are still words in the text that students don't understand, they can click [...]
Look around at some of the things in your classroom. You automatically know how to use most of them just based on how they are designed: for example a pencil has one pointed end and middle part that is covered in wood that makes it easy to hold in your hand. Traits like these are [...]
Passing over the cutesy title, Smithsonian's Tween Tribune is a great way to get students involved with current affairs without overwhelming them with technical jargon. If students know their Lexile level, they can select the appropriately leveled version of the article or just choose the one (low, medium, or high vocabulary) that fits their reading [...]
Back in 2012, Open Educational Resources (OERs) seemed like the future of education. Five years later, educators are changing their minds. Teachers now don't want to string together OERs from lots of different sources and the formative assessment possibilities offered by platform-based education programs (like those offered by Pearson) make hunting out an OER and [...]
It's important for students to stay politically informed, but often newspaper articles can be partisan, needlessly inflammatory, or simply not explain what they are reporting on. FiveThirtyEight is a service that uses statistics to explain political happenings as well as providing explanatory articles on things like the electoral college. Interactive activities allow students to adjust [...]
Although we've had a relatively mild winter so far around here, that can change at any time. And on days where it's too cold and snowy to go out for recess but not cold or snowy enough to cancel school, it can be hard to fin activities that will satisfy restless kids. Fortunately, there is [...]
Like them or not, sight words are a part of the elementary school curriculum. Flashcards are great, but students can quickly tire if what feels like rote memorization. Sight word games offer them a way to practice their word recognition skills in a way that doesn't feel like work. Education.com has several visually appealing and [...]
Good news for those of you who use IXL in your classrooms: IXL has now expanded their curriculum to include science and social studies for middle schoolers. The curriculum involves introducing the concepts, practicing the concepts, and reteaching the concepts if necessary. So for your middle school students, or even your precocious elementary schoolers, now [...]
Good quality maps can help students understand complex concepts and interactive maps are even better for allowing students to dig deep and make connections in a way that makes sense to them. ArcGIS maps are not only visually stunning, they contain a wealth of data. Available maps range from historical empires around the world to [...]
You heard that right, Netflix (savior of all our favorite 90's shows) is producing a new CG version of The Magic School Bus. The cast hasn't been confirmed yet, but the bus has been upgraded with 21st century technology, and the kids will get to use new tools while having their adventures. The original release [...]