Group items tagged

Bookwink's mission is to inspire kids to read. Through podcasting and web video, they hope to connect kids in Grades 3 through 8 with books that will make them excited about reading. The videos are approximately 3 minutes long and are updated monthly. Each video booktalk is about a different topic, and additional read-alikes can be found on the Bookwink website. You can look for books by subject, grade level, author or title. They are constantly updating the book lists with our newest favorite books.

There's a lot of misinformation out there about legal rights and responsibilities in the digital era. This is especially disconcerting when it comes to information being shared with youth. Kids and teens are bombarded with messages from a myriad of sources that using new technology is high-risk behavior. Downloading music is compared to stealing a bicycle - even though many downloads are lawful. Making videos using short clips from other sources is treated as probably illegal - even though many such videos are also lawful. This misinformation is harmful, because it discourages kids and teens from following their natural inclination to be innovative and inquisitive. The innovators, artists and voters of tomorrow need to know that copyright law restricts many activities but also permits many others. And they need to know the positive steps they can take to protect themselves in the digital sphere. In short, youth don't need more intimidation - what they need is solid, accurate information. EFF's Teaching Copyright curriculum was created to help teachers present the laws surrounding digital rights in a balanced way.

"Teaching kids to read and helping those who struggle"

LOts of really brilliant web sites and reference sites for kids. Reading lists etc

Finding books that kids will like can be a difficult task. Literature Map is a tool that might make that process easier. Literature Map provides a web of authors you might like based on authors that you already enjoy reading. To use Literature Map just type an author's name into the search box and webbed list of authors will be displayed. The authors' names closest to the author whose name you entered are the authors whose work you're most likely to enjoy.

"Create personalized children's stories instantly.Turn any time into story time. It's free. Add the details about your children and family -- what do your kids call Mom? Dad? Grandma? Have new personalized stories based on your child's age and interests delivered to you automagically."

A guide for parents and teachers

The school library-and the job of the librarian-have both morphed into something that most adults these days would hardly recognize. Helping kids find books to read is only part of the job, say those on the profession's leading edge. Today, a major mission of the librarian, aka media specialist, is to teach students digital literacy by showing them how to use the Internet to efficiently find, organize, and share information with peers. Here are some of the tools librarians are using to make their jobs easier and more relevant to students as they address this expansion of their role.

Lots of great library and kid safe resources here

An animated, interactive dictionary for students which explains over 600 common mathematical terms in simple language." "ANIMATED - definitions, examples, activities, practice, calculators - INTERACTIVE

"Today our kids get their information from the internet, downloaded onto their iPods, and in Twitter feeds to their cell phones ... So why are California's public school students still forced to lug around antiquated, heavy, expensive textbooks?"

A visual and step by step way to do research for children

A visual and step by step way to do research, for children

Awesome Library organizes the Web with 37,000 carefully reviewed resources, including the top 5 percent in education. You can search according to different relevant catagories or as a teacher, parent, kid....

Speakaboos brings classic children's entertainment into a digital world. Beloved characters and treasured stories are given new life through amazing celebrity performances, beautiful illustrations, and original music. At Speakaboos, children develop literacy skills while learning about technology in a safe and fun environment.

Getting kids to read- some inspiring post here