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" What amazed me most about Classtools.net was not the valuable tools provided, but the ability for teachers to easily customize these tools and use them in any subject area. If that is not enough, how about the ability to embed your newly made instructional resource on your own classroom website, wiki, or blog? Any educator will also like the fact that students have no need to log in or sign up for an account… and neither do teachers! Need tutorials… they are provided! Do samples help you understand better… you will find plenty! Is budget a problem… then free should be affordable! Classtools.net is the work of educator, Russel Tarr, Head of History at the International School of Toulouse, France. Upon entering the site, educators will see the listing of tools. Clicking on a tool allows teachers to individualize that specific tool for their own classroom needs. Teachers then have the option of copying a generated link to place on their own web site or of copying a generated code to embed as a tool (widget) on their classroom site. Also, on the front page, are some video links that will provide further information. Two videos that provide excellent information are the 1 Minute Overview and How to Create Games. The Listing Of Over 20 Digital Tools For Your Classroom The tools that you can even customize are included below. Along with this tool listing you will find descriptions of each tool, an overview of and samples of specific tools (if provided), and any related video (if provided). * Arcade Game Generator - Allows teachers to create concept builders, practice exercises, and reviews. Best of all, one set up feeds into five different game possibilities at the same time The teacher can choose which game, or allow students a choice. Make sure you check out all the examples and pre-made games in (overview and samples). Also watch the How to Create Games . * Random Name Picker - Can be used as an activity management tool or skip the names.

Working with looney tunes to teach kids phonics and spelling

"f you've got school-age kids, you know when they're working on reading and math. But if their homework includes loops, goto commands, and branches, don't be alarmed. They're probably learning to code, and that's a very good thing. From Code.org's Hour of Code to coding camps and afterschool classes, computer programming is hot -- and, in a technology-fueled world that's only going to grow, coding is an invaluable 21st-century skill."

"This section includes resources to help you facilitate the Challenge and provides a variety of enriching tools to integrate into your classroom instruction. Please take a look at the lesson plans, videos, reading passages, e-books, and more. The use of these resources provides students with tangible opportunities to apply many of the core areas they are learning each day in the classroom to the Challenge process. For example, this may include reading and summarizing non-fiction texts, gathering data from explorations, and developing and organizing their ideas through writing."

"Starfall.com opened in September of 2002 as a free public service to motivate children to read with phonics. Our systematic phonics approach, in conjunction with phonemic awareness practice is perfect for preschool, kindergarten, first grade, second grade, special education, homeschool, and English language development (ELD, ELL, ESL). Starfall is an educational alternative to other entertainment choices for children. "

"One of the exciting things that leaps out to me when reading the new Common Core standards for Mathematics is that the spirit of inquiry and curiosity is back, hardwired into a document that will likely form the basis for mathematics teaching and learning for a long time. "

"Welcome to the Tar Heel Reader, a collection of free, easy-to-read, and accessible books on a wide range of topics. Each book can be speech enabled and accessed using multiple interfaces, including touch screens, the IntelliKeys with custom overlays, and 1 to 3 switches. Click here to learn more about alternative access methods."

"In order to reach the levels of all learners, educators need to carefully tailor their lessons to the needs of all the learners in their classroom.  This is referred to as UDL (Universal Design for Learning).  This video does a better job of explaining it... So as part of an assignment for grad school, and because I teach in a school that is 1:1 with iPads in grades 9-12, I thought I would give a list of 10 apps that aides in UDL instruction, particularly reading comprehension for our current book, The Odyssey. "

"We're really glad you're here to support your creative kid. It used to be that you hang their work on the fridge to let them know you're proud. Now they're older and the Internet is becoming a part of their life at home and school-this is a great opportunity to keep connected and cheer them on. Keep reading on below to learn more about DIY, or grab your kid and help them join."

"School libraries help prepare students to live and learn in a world of information. The mission of school libraries is to ensure that students and staff are able to use ideas and information. The libraries provide access to materials in all formats. It helps increase students' interest in reading, viewing, and using information and ideas. Research shows that a school library with the right staffing, funding, and a rich collection of books has a positive impact on students. School districts need to provide library services for teachers and students. For more information about school libraries, contact your local school district. The links and information below were developed for educators and others who work with school libraries."

"Social media offers some great opportunities for learning in the classroom, bringing together the ability to collaborate, access worldwide resources, and find new and interesting ways to communicate in one easily accessible place. Teachers around the world have found innovative ways to use Twitter as a teaching tool, and we've shared many of these great ideas here with you. Read on, and we'll explore 60 inspiring ways that teachers and students can put Twitter to work in the classroom."

We often read that there are 4 C's in a true 21st century education: critical thinking and problem solving, communication, collaboration, and creativity and innovation. The iPad is a success at engaging individual students in critical thinking and creativity, but how about collaboration? After all, tablets are consumer products, designed to be used by one person at a time, not by teams of students. It's up to teachers and instructional technologists to figure out how best to deploy them in the classroom in a way that supports project-based learning and fosters teamwork. We asked several teachers involved in iPad initiatives which apps they've had the most success with on the collaboration front. Here is what they told us.

"Educators traveling to the Florida Educational Technology Conference 2011 in Orlando the first week of February were exposed to some mind-boggling new technology- education's first curriculum featuring "augmented reality" (AR). Pioneered by Logical Choice Technologies, Letters alive™ brings a kingdom of 26 "seemingly-alive" digital 3D animals into classrooms with the ultimate goal of teaching children to read at the kindergarten level."

" USA TODAY Snapshots USA TODAY Snapshots are easy-to-read statistical graphics that present information on various issues and trends in a visually appealing way. Readers are invited to answer a "Quick Question" related to the snapshot. A new Snapshot is posted online Monday through Friday."

I'm a huge fan of Naperville Reads.  The collaboration between Anderson's Booksellers, District 203 & 204, and the Naperville Public Library has brought some amazing authors to our community.  The chance to listen and learn from these talented individuals has proved inspirational for our students, teachers, and parents.

" Welcome to Vocabulary.com, the quickest, most intelligent way to improve your vocabulary. Regardless of your education level or age, Vocabulary.com will help you to master the words that are essential to academic and business success. Simply answer the question to the right to get started!"

"I found this press release from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation to be very interesting reading this morning. It seems our teens are one-upping us again. Those little aliens are actually spending time online learning, who would have thought? "

"If you haven't been keeping up with our Gamification.co/Live page, then you've been missing out on Gabe's weekly webcasts where he talks to gamification experts and answers user questions about gamification and design! To help keep you guys updated, we will now be writing small reviews outlining the topics Gabe spoke about so you don't get to miss any of the action. Read the topics, and watch the full show right below! "

"Here are some web-based papers and articles you might read if you are interested in learning more about Dr. Seymour Papert's theory of constructionism."

Apps for mobile devices based in education. Everything from curricular areas to special education.

Apps for mobile devices based in education. Everything from curricular areas to special education.