National Geographic

This is a great website for kids to learn about the world. I plan on using it as part of my unit on Japan at school but there are loads of other things to check out. 

Click here to go to the National Geographic Kids homepage.

How do you know?

Most of us get really excited for our students when they find the correct answer. Obviously for some questions, there might be more than one and maybe there is no wrong answer. We ask the question and celebrate when one of our students comes up with an appropriate answer and then we move onto the next question. Do you ever ask them HOW they knew the answer?

For me, this is just as important as the answer itself. By asking a student how they know something, they have to find words to explain their thinking. This is a whole other skill. It also helps them to be aware of how they think. We tell ourselves we 'just know' something because we haven't thought about how we know it. What signs did we see? Were there any words in the text that gave us a clue? Is there a pattern in those numbers? Ask students to explain their thinking.

Another benefit of asking 'How do you know?' and perhaps the most important, is that there is probably a student sitting in that classroom, who didn't know the answer, who didn't see those signs and who doesn't 'just know'. They will probably sit there quietly while you nod and smile and say to the other student 'That's right, well done' and never speak up to say 'I don't understand'. If we ask, 'How do you know?', then maybe that student will begin to see those signs, to see those patterns they had previously missed. You could ask another student 'How else do you know?'.

It also informs you of how your students think and future planning. What do your students look for? Do you have to re-word your questions? Have they mastered a thinking skill? Do you need to introduce another process of looking for answers? Have they completely missed the aim of your lesson?

You may even get your students into the habit of saying the right answer and giving you a reason without having to ask. 'I know because...'.

I am sure many of you do ask that question, generally on a one to one situation or perhaps for assessment. Think about asking as a group, the benefits can be amazing. 

Kidzone Educational Worksheets

This is a great website if you are looking for more worksheets. I don't use too many of these (worksheets) in my classroom however I have found them useful to combine with a hands-on activities or extra homework when asked. 

I have used these worksheets with my ESL students when teaching individual sounds and word families. The worksheets and game templates are sorted into grades or theme. It is well worth a look.

Click here to visit the homepage

Mathematics online

As promised, I will share with you one of the sites I have just recently begun using. I heard about it from a colleague. IXL is a Mathematics practice website from Preschool to Year 9. There is a certain amount of free daily practice before a pop up comes up to say that you have reached your daily limit. It will then ask if you would like to become a member. Membership fees are quite reasonable, with monthly or yearly fees. There is also a classroom membership for teachers/schools. 

Each year level has various learning areas and activities to practice their skills. 

For example in the Year 2 folder there is

• Counting and Number Patterns
• Place Values
• Comparing and Ordering
• Mixed Operations
• Names of Numbers
• Patterns
• Addition - 1 Digit, 2 Digits & 3 Digits
• Subtraction - 1 Digit, 2 Digits & 3 Digits
• Estimation and Rounding
• Logical Reasoning
• Time
• Money
• Data and Graphs
• Measurement
• Geometry
• Fractions
• Multiplication
• Division

Students can answer the questions and their points are recorded on the right side of the screen. The time it takes for them to answer the questions is also shown. My class really enjoyed using it the other day, however we have not signed up for membership as yet. It may be something that you can work out with your school. The site is well worth a look. It would also be particularly helpful on an interactive whiteboard to go through the questions as a class.

An example of a Foundation/Reception question

Visit the website

Shapes Flip Book

I was reading teaching blogs, as I seem to be doing more of lately, (if that is possible). I came across Kindergarten Crayons. It has a great post about making a shape flip book. It is just gorgeous and I absolutely love it. 

Click here to go to Flipping Over Shapes.

Falcon Cam

I have been going a little crazy searching for live webcams. I find it interesting to be able to check out what is going on in different parts of the world. I have been searching the website EarthCam and started browsing the Top10 webcams from around the world. I came across this webcam of a nest of Woodmen Falcons in Omaha, United States. You can find it here. It would be great to have it streaming in your classroom or kindergarten.You can zoom in and move the screen in all directions.

I have looked at live webcams with my students and some are absolutely amazed that they can see pictures from other parts of the world. Others, who have been exposed to all sorts of technology still enjoy watching them if it is something exciting and engaging. I am working with mainly children who have arrived in Australia in the last year. Many come from countries and homes where the internet was a luxury, so it is that bit more special for them.

*PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THERE MAY BE AN ADVERT BEFORE THE WEBCAM IS SEEN. (May not be recommended for children. Perhaps switch the volume off)