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The Animal Inquiry interactive is a versatile tool that can enhance student inquiry in research at the elementary level.

Descriptions of a number of reading strategies

Scaffold student understanding of text usingthe following ideas and strategies that I have briefly described below. Many of these strategies are suitable for secondary as well as elementary students. I have researched links and materials to additional information about each strategy and have provided downloads to worksheets that you can print to provide students with support for many of the strategies.

Monica Kissel and Adina Popa from Loudoun County Public Schools, both Innovative Educators of the Year, will discuss kinesthetic learning. Sponsored by the Innovations Committee. How do we engage our 21st Century students? How do we help them understand that the material covered in class is relevant to their lives? In his book "Motivating Students to Learn," Jere Brophy suggests that students learn best when they are actively engaged with the content. Through kinesthetic learning, they develop lasting skills that many times translate into higher levels of student achievement. But how does kinesthetic learning look in a 21st Century classroom? The answer is simple: gesture-based learning. Does this initiative belong to the future? Not according to the 2011 Horizon Report which highlights Gesture-Based Computing as one of the six emerging technologies that will likely enter mainstream use within the next four to five years. The purpose of this session is to identify current technologies that employ gesture recognition, and then present innovative and replicable ways through which these technologies have been used at Steuart Weller Elementary. From turning shy students into persuasive public speakers through Avatar Kinect, to opening a world of possibilities to students with special needs though Kinect Adventures, to saving animal species with partner classrooms across the globe using multiple technologies, to exergaming, children have been immersed in a world of learning that they love. Attendees learn not only what relevant technologies are available, but also how to use these technologies in any curriculum area

"Inquiry-based teaching is a pedagogical approach that invites students to explore academic content by posing, investigating, and answering questions. This approach puts students' questions at the center of the curriculum, and places just as much value on the component skills of research as it does on knowledge and understanding of content. "

for K-4

fun games for learning mouse skills. also practices other skills

fun games for learning mouse skills. also practices other skills

Help students working on basic mouse skills, eyehand coordination and/or timing. Minimouse.us is a simple game that teaches how to move the mouse and click. Additionally, it helps students think spatially as they predict their character's trajectory when he jumps.

Free downloadable Installation and Quick Start Guide for the QX5 digital microscope, available in the computer labs at LCPS elementary schools. Great accessible science tool! See tiny things on your computer. Great for students with visual challenges! Take the microscope off its base for magnified viewing. Build a picture collection of your discoveries and creations. Produce your own movies and slide shows.

This YouTube video demonstrates the features in the QX5 Digital Microscope. These are available in the computer labs at LCPS elementary schools.

for younger students

Teacher discusses activities she made using resources such as the website http://makinglearningfun.com

How to make a manipulative mitt to go along with your child's favorite songs/finger-plays. Give it a try and add a little more fun to your lives!

Youtube video on creating interactive books from commercial and free resources including www.kizclub.com

Screencast on the Roythezebra.com website's features

community helpers, feelings, stories and props.ABC's flashcards games, filefolders, etc props for over 60 storybooks. Learning resources for kids featuring free worksheets, coloring pages, activities, stories, and more!

Learning resources for kids featuring free worksheets, coloring pages, activities, stories, and more! Check out Stories and Props.

Pre-K to 2nd grade website for beginning reading skills that includes illustrated books and activities; most are animated and read aloud.

Classic online games for ABC's and learning to read!

Starfall provides phonics-based games, stories, and other activities for preschool through first grade level that are interactive, animated, and read aloud. Great for beginning readers and English language learners.

Every LCPS school has a subscription to Rand McNally's digital maps for use with the interactive whiteboard. Logins and passwords are available through department chairs/SALTs and elementary principals