Dictionary. com is the largest and most trusted free, online dictionary. The site features a dictionary resource, thesaurus, flashcards, crosswords, and word games for homework practice and has an easy- to-use translator feature. When you look up a word, it not only gives you the definition but also an audio pronounciation, related searches, synonyms, nearby words, and information regarding the word's origin and history. As I approach my songwriting unit, I'm excited to have my students use this feature to find descriptive words as they write lyrics.

At jiskha.com, a student can get homework help in any subject area and grade level. You can view recent questions that have been asked and either post an answer yourself or view other's answers. For the music section, there were quality, complex questions regarding composers, instruments, styles of music, music history, and more! Students can also chat with live on-line tutors. The site features a homework help reference page which includes links to dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, almanacs, etc. I think it might be a fun assignment to have my students develop a question regarding a topic we are studying, post-it, and report back to the class with answers they received.

With Smartmusic software, I can create and send customized assignments to my students' home computer. Students play or sing exercises into a microphone and receive instant feedback on note and rhythm reading accuracy! Because it is a lot like Guitar Hero, kids find it extremely fun and are motivated to practice and improve! The software also allows students to record and listen to themselves. I can track students' progress, grade assignments and compile portfolios of student work with the software.

Using Quia, you can create your own or use other teacher's activities to provide students extra practice and extended learning time! There are activities in all subjects and levels and you can browse by category, activity type, or most popular activities. I found numerous Java games that were created to reinforce music skills. For example, my students could use the site to study for our upcoming terms, signs, and symbols quiz. There were free, online flashcards, matching, concentration, and word search games that reviewed all the terms I've been teaching. You can share all activities you create with other teachers and you can copy and modify other teacher's activities and contact them if you have a question. If you create a quiz in Quia, it will automatically grade it for you and track student's test scores throughout the year. You can also track how long a student spends on Quia activities. The site offers online surveys, activities in 100 languages and a calendar feature for communicating deadlines and assignments to students and parents.

Splash Notes is software designed for outlining and organizing projects, tasks, meetings, and ideas. It has the capability to turn outlines into checklists and attach drawings and notes to outlines. It also has a custom UI to allow non-stop entry of new bullet pts. into outline. The software does cost $9.95 but has a free trial download and a 60 day money back guarantee.

Freeplaymusic.com has a library of copyright-free music spanning all genres, available for download either on-line or through a portable hard-drive. Music is organized by style, feel, and volume and features many classical composers, indie artists, and various sound effects. If students are making a video for a project, they will definitely want to check out this site!

"Riveting talks by remarkable people, free to the world!" Ted.com features thousands of short videos of people talking about topics such as technology, entertainment, business, science, global issues, etc. The videos are organized in several ways such as by newest release, date filmed, most comments in a week, most persuasive, funny, and much more! You can also participate in live question/answer discussions with some of the speakers and join ongoing blog conversations with people around the world on important topics related to the videos. I just showed my students a talk by a famous composer who directed a virtual choir and they were very inspired!

Playmusic.org was developed by the League of American Orchestras and allows students to meet and hear living musicians and composers and play numerous exciting games that build musical skills! My students love (and get addicted) to playing the ear training percussion memory game!

Membership cost is $29.99 a year but you receive access to software that allows you to create graphic organizers, rubrics, worksheets, certificates, etc.

Free web software that can be used to create a blog or website! They just came out with a new, updated, more secure version too! I'm thinking of using this software next year to create a blog with my choir. Does anyone currently use this software and do you like it?

Software that allows you to create your own e-Learning quizzes, games, and applications!

This website is an elementary/middle school music teacher's dream! The 130 quizzes and games on music theory, composers and the piano will engage and motivate students! The games have colorful graphics, fun sound effects, and provide students with instant feedback! Many of the games give individual student recognition when completed by allowing them to type their name to a printable award certificate.

Rubrics, 42,000 lesson plans, 9,000 printable worksheets! They also have resources for holidays and specials occasions for each month.

This site promotes active, healthy lifestyle choices and provides dozens of easy-to-do activities involving healthy eating and physical activity. The site also gives teachers ideas of how to kickoff and implement the program in school!

This is a fun and education site for kids that has word and knowledge games, music, jokes, and homework help studying tips. The music section of the site has lyrics to kids' favorite songs, music videos, biographical information on a featured musician, and music trivia. It also allows you to submit a question on any music artist you are interested in.