Breaking Through Barriers To Language Acquisition
August Newsletter 2010 – free online website resources
BACK-TO-SCHOOL free online website resources for TEACHERS!
www.hotchalk.com 4,000 + free lessons are here. The free version also has a video library including material from National Geographic, PBS, etc. One feature I personally like is the classroom management program. In it, I set up my classes along with lessons, quizzes, and project DUE DATES. I give students passwords (their student IDs). When we do work here, it is all electronic along with cut-off dates. Students can only submit once and no work is admitted after the cut-off date. Now, admittedly there are quite a few ads, but it once off the home page, the ads are infrequent. If you don’t have this type of instructional support at your site, you might want to try this one out. You will need to register.
www.windowslive.com This site provides you with FREE access to Microsoft Word, Power Point, Excel, and Notebook through SKYDRIVE. All you need is to either open up a Hotmail email account OR use your own. You will also get 25 gigabytes of storage on their server. Store your work here and you can access from ANYWHERE at ANY TIME and from ANY COMPUTER with internet access.
www.openoffice.org This is a FREE site that offers almost everything Microsoft Office offers. It is sponsored by Oracle Corporation. You need to register before you download. This site will definitely save you money without comprising on the quality of the instructional materials you provide for students, colleagues, or your own personal use.
http://superherosquad.marvel.com/comics/ Have students who feel that writing is humdrum? If so, this site from Marvel Comics should change their minds. Students can create comic strips (for those who might still be learning English, this will be more accessible than trying to write an entire comic book) as well as comic books of up to 22 pages. This site could easily be woven into any content area. In science, maybe the superheroes are saving a species from extinction. In math, maybe they are trying to solve a problem of food distribution in a food shortage using math. In health, maybe the superheroes are demonstrating the importance of eating well. You get the idea.
http://mywebspiration.com If you have always loved Inspiration/Kidspiration, but have not funds at your site to purchase the software then you will love this one! Inspiration has a BETA version of WEBSPIRATION for FREE on the internet.
https://bubbl.us/beta/ This is a FREE brainstorming site (mind-mapping). It is true that Inspiration is great software, but this is good freeware that should meet your basic needs in the classroom. After you register, you can create very basic mind maps. If you can enlist the support of other colleagues, you can all create a bank of images, maps, samples, etc. to add to, share, revise, etc.
http://teacher.scholastic.com/tools/ What is there not to love about Scholastic? Of course there is the usual support for the core content areas. In fact, I have used their TOUR ELLIS ISLAND in my high school ELD classes when we study America’s immigration waves. There are also free author podcasts “In our quest to bring the expertise and insights of our authors directly to you, we offer brief, information-filled talks on reading, writing, language arts, and other essential topics that address both the challenges and triumphs of teaching and learning.” (Scholastic website) There is much to select from so have fun!
http://www.freeology.com/graphicorgs/ EVERY graphic in the world (slight exaggeration) exists here. Ten pages of graphic organizers are here for every subject area and grade level. Feel free to explore the other areas within the site including worksheet generators.
http://museumbox.e2bn.org/ This awesome is a 21st century version of the old diorama. On this site, students (or the teacher) creates “boxes” of information which can include video (they can record themselves along with audio), audio alone, text, pictures, etc. Students can do their own entire museum or better yet, divide the boxes among small cooperative groups, or whatever you wish! I was on it for about an hour creating mental images of what I would do as a model of what I would want my students to do. Since I will have students who are struggling with reading and writing, this would be an activity where I can build some excitement while I still get the writing and reading assignments in. All courses can use this incredible free package.
Enjoy!
Denise, Cheryl, and Marnie
ELL Teacher Pros
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