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Environmental Impact of the Civil War

7/30/2014

Check out this Civil War site that looks at the environmental impact the war had on geographic features of the North and the South. One of the premises is a conjecture of what an EPA impact statement on the Civil War might look like. Possible examinations could include the impact on soldiers, animals, farmland, and forests. Find primary source materials that help illustrate the effects. The author also looks at the effect of loss of fences in the South. What an interesting way of evaluating the consequences of war.

Internet Biological Scavenger Hunt

7/28/2014

Here's a great scavenger hunt from the US Geological Survey that will put an end to a dreary day. You'll find questions about important diverse topics. What do you know about invasive species or wildlife diseases? Do research to find the answers. Do you know what is important about pollinators? Do you know there is a continent with no frogs? Where? After you go on the scavenger hunt, you can 'scope' out the other activities!

Cell Centers for Your Classroom

7/25/2014

Find six activity centers at this site focusing on learning about cells that could be adapted for different grade levels. These stations include microscopes or research preparation and include diagrams to show the differences between plant and animal cells. Check out how they are similar or different. The instructions for each center offer great detail and are complete, so set up is a breeze.

HP.com (Hewlett-Packard Home Store)

Teaching Math Through Songs, Poems, and Folk Tales

7/17/2014

If you are not familiar with Carol Hurst, her books, and her ways of integrating all sorts of content with literature, this will be a good introduction for you. In this article she offers examples of many songs, poems, and folk tales that use numbers, and gives lots of ideas on how to use the songs in math instruction. How many family members did the Farmer in the Dell have in his family? Her ideas for combining different folk tales to make up addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication problems will keep you searching for new ways to entertain your students while they are learning basic math. - Tech and Learning

Every Language of the World Map

7/8/2014

This interactive site allows you to visit any continent and read several facts about the languages spoken. Click on the lips icon to hear the language spoken in that specific area. Each person has the same conversation, saying seven phrases. As you roll over each phrase, it is translated from English to the language of the place you are visiting. You can listen for similarities in languages, or hear how differently we sound even when we are saying the same.

What's the Best Insect Repellent?

7/7/2014

Have the mosquitoes gotten to you yet? The information on this site helps you learn what to look for in an FDA recommended insect repellent. It suggests that you follow the directions for use both independently and combined with sunscreen. Some of the chemical active ingredients in repellents are DEET and picaridin. There are also natural materials from plants, and even bacteria. Even though these ingredients are from natural materials, they can have side effects if not used properly, so read the labels. If you do get an itchy bug bite, you can make a paste of baking soda to alleviate the itching. -Tech and Learning.

Fireworks Game

7/4/2014

The earliest documentation of fireworks dates back to 7th century China. They were invented more than 2000 years ago in China. They are the largest manufacturer and exporter of fireworks in the world. 90% of all fireworks originate from China.The first recorded fireworks in England were at the wedding of King Henry VII in 1486.

Did you know that dreaming about fireworks means that you like to be the center of attention? It also symbolizes enthusiasm and exhilaration. Get off on the right foot today by playing The Fireworks game.

Who Invented the Fourth of July?

7/3/2014

You may be utterly shocked to find out the Fourth of July was a personal invention! An interesting essay explains the sixteenth century British tradition of making up celebrations to mark anniversaries of events in order to make political statements. This tradition carried over into many parts of British life, and was brought, part and parcel, to America with the colonists. The essayist describes how these “celebrations” were used to protest the Stamp Act, for instance, and how the fourth estate encouraged support for American independence from the British monarchy. This essay is part of Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History’s History by Era section. Registration, free for educators, is required.