"If the only tool you have is a hammer.....
everything around you looks like a nail."

September has rolled around once again and it's time to launch our 6th year of the Innovative teaching Newsletter! Welcome new subscribers and thank you to all of you who have been faithful readers over the years. This list is for the distribution of the newsletter. If you are also interested in receiving announcements and chatting with other members of the I.T. community, you'll want to check out the Surfaquarium's Community pages found at http://surfaquarium.com/community/.

I am currently wrapping up publication of my second book, Digital Bridges: Learning in the Information Age, which will be published by Linworth this Fall. It is a collection of seven themes built on a unit model I have developed which integrates multiple intelligences and technology into effective instruction. I look forward to its release and hope you will too!

Next month's topic will be a collection of Social Studies resources you won't want to miss. Hope there's something there for everyone. You can find past Back to School Issues at the ITN Archives. Here's to a great 2003-2004 school year!

Book Adventure - http://www.bookadventure.org/

Created by the Sylvan Learning Foundation as a nonprofit organization, the Book Adventure site allows students to create their own book lists from some 6,000 titles, take multiple choice quizzes on the books they've read, and earn points and prizes as they progress..

Build a Better Mousetrap - http://surfaquarium.com/mousetrap/

The newest project from the Surfaquarium challenges classes to come up with an invention that makes use of simple machines to create a complex machine that improves the quality of everyday life for consumers. Registration opens tomorrow on the project site!

Daylight Saving Time - http://webexhibits.org/daylightsaving/

Did you know Ben Franklin originated the idea of daylight savings time while visiting France? As we prepare to set clocks back once again this Fall, consider use of this online tutorial on the history and science behind daylight saving time.

EDinformatics - http://www.edinformatics.com/

EDinformatics catalogues all kinds of online education resources into one searchable site, including databases, educational journals, and content standards. There are links to state resources and educational agencies, as well.

Fact Monster Features - http://www.factmonster.com/spot/

Behind the almanac-like formatting of Fact Monster is a collection of educationally viable features that can catch student interest! Consider The World's Favorite Pets, How August Became So August, and Shark Facts. Make this resource work for you!

How Everyday Things Are Made - http://manufacturing.stanford.edu/

Based at Stanford, this site offers a glimpse at how forty different products are actually made, using digital video to reveal the process. Items include candies. kinds of transportation, clothing, containers, machines and much more.

Innovative Teachers as Readers - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/itas/

Created in direct response to the positive reaction to the IT Newsletter's Summer Reading for Teachers issue, this group brings together educators who read for pleasure and want to share titles and discuss responses to reading. The current book being read and discussed is The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold.

Map Machine - http://plasma.nationalgeographic.com/mapmachine/

National Geographic offers this awesome online tool for finding maps of locations around the world, in all kinds of formats: physical, political, cultural, climate, streets, historical.....even terrestrial ecoregions and the planet Mars!

New-Teacher.com - http://www.new-teacher.com/

This site for new teachers is now part of the Peak Learning Systems web site, complete with explanations, ideas and resources for aspiring and beginning teachers. There's even a section for substitutes.

Smithsonian Education - http://www.smithsonianeducation.org/

The Smithsonian Institution proffers this site expressly for educators, families and students. There's lesson plans by subject area and a search tool that allows you to customize your search. Be sure to check out the link to Mr. President and other online learning labs!

Starfall - http://www.starfall.com/

The creators of Blue Mountain Arts have moved on to create Starfall as a way to give back to the cyber-community. Starfall is a collection of interactive books and rhyming word family games that help emergent readers blossom. All online and print resources are free to educators!

Teachers Flea Market - http://www.teachersfleamarket.com/

Imagine a place where you can barter with other teachers to get rid of your old supplies and find new materials for your classroom - now you don't have to imagine! Teachers Flea Market allows you to register for free and then browse, sell and bid on items.

 

Find More Great Resources at

 

Next Month's Topic: "Social Studies 2003"

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You can email URL's of high quality sites which may be of interest to our readers as well as new topic ideas and input and feedback!

 

 

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