Social Studies – Africa!

April 26th, 2012 by admin No comments »

Hi!  It’s Thursday, April 26, 2012 and time for Social Sciences at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:
Smithsonian Museum of Natural History: African Voices

Age Range: 9 and up (approximately, with parental supervision)

The Smithsonian Museum of Natural History sponsors this website as a companion to a permanent exhibit on the influence of Africa’s countries and people on global history and culture. In this multi-media virtual exhibit you can explore Africa’s history and culture though art objects and textiles and enjoy video and sound clips that include interviews, folk tales, songs, and oral epics that are part of Africa’s rich cultural heritage.

When you get to the  site you’ll see a scrolling menu on the right side of your screen that includes:

*History – Follow an interactive timeline that explores Africa’s history from ancient to modern times including the Nile Valley, Slave Trade, Colonialism, South Africa, and the continent’s tragedies and triumphs.

*Themes – Explore Africa’s diversity, its environment, and people through museum collections that tell evocative stories. Watch and hear African’s comment on their history and culture including literature, proverbs, and music. Themes include:

  • Wealth in Africa
  • Market Crossroads
  • Working In Africa
  • Living in Africa
  • Kongo Crossroads
  • Global Africa

You’ll also find a photo-exhibit that explores African religions and carvings of various deities. Don’t miss the “Learning Center” where you’ll find links to further learning materials about Africa on the Web. 

 

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Free Reading & Writing Activities for K-12!

April 25th, 2012 by admin No comments »

Hi!  It’s Wednesday, April 25, 2012 and time for Language Arts at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:
ThinkQuest: Write On Reader

Age Range: 5-18 (Grades K-12, with parental supervision)

ThinkQuest offers this remarkable archive of activities to help students of all ages acquire a love of reading and writing. When you get to the site you will meet your guides, Buster Book and Penny Pencil. They may seem kind of childish for older students but don’t let that¬ fool you — the content here is for all ages. Below them, you will see a menu that includes:
  
*Favorite Book Surveys — See the polling results (divided by boy/girl preference and by grade level) of students’ favorite books, illustrators, and authors.

*How A Book Is Made — Discover how a traditional book is published. Learn how to make your own book and get it published!

*Writing — This is a highlight of the site. Read the history of writing and then follow step-by-step instructions for how to create a quality piece of writing.

*Literary Awards — Find out what designations like “Newbery,” “Caldecott,” “Young Reader’s Choice,” and other awards mean and how they can help you choose interesting books to read.
  
*Word Games — Play all kinds of interactive word games including crossword puzzles, scrabble, Mad Libs, and more.
  
*Expert Advice — Read interviews with authors, illustrators, editors, technical writers, librarians and others whose careers are centered aro und reading and writing.

*Helping Others — Get suggestions on how to develop reading and writing skills — especially for those who struggle with either or both.

This is a remarkable resource – bookmark it to return again and again.  

 

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Free Theoretical Physics Video Lessons & Resources!

April 24th, 2012 by admin No comments »

Hi!  It’s Tuesday, April 24, 2012 and time for Science at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:
Perimeter Institute:  Students

Age Range:  11 and up (approximately, with parental supervision)

The Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics of Canada sponsors this website that offers free educational resources for young people to convey the wonder and mystery of the universe and the power of theoretical physics including: Condensed Matter, Cosmology & Gravitation, Particle Physics, Quantum Physics, Superstring Theory, and more

When you get to the website you’ll see a menu of educational resources that includes:

*ALICE & BOB IN WONDERLAND -  Join your animated hosts, Alice & Bob, in this series of 60-second video adventures as they learn about the world around us from discovering how a flashlight works to learning about gravity and time-travel.

*CHALLENGE OF QUANTUM REALITY – Explore the quantum world in a 30 minute video featuring the double-slit experiment and the concept of wave-particle duality.

*EVERYDAY EINSTEIN: GPS & RELATIVITY – Find out what Einstein and the Global Positioning System have in common.

*MEET A SCIENTIST – Watch short video interviews with leading researchers from around the world.

*MYSTERY OF DARK MATTER – Explore the mysterious substance that makes up about 90% of the mass of every galaxy in the universe.

*THE PHYSICS OF INNOVATION – Watch an inspirational video that explains how the technology we enjoy today is powered by the four key scientific concepts of quantum mechanics, electromagnetism, special relativity, and general relativity.

*POWER OF IDEAS -  Explore the six most powerful ideas in physics history through this multimedia experience

*VIRTUAL ISSYP – Learn more about the wonders of modern physics and the excitement of research and discovery by watching video excerpts from the Perimeter Institute’s two-week International Summer School for Young Physicists (ISSYP).

These remarkable presentations are certain to inspire your inner Einstein.

 

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Free “Family Math Night” Activities!

April 23rd, 2012 by admin No comments »

Hi!  It’s Monday, August 13, 2007 and time for Math at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:
Math Night Modules

Age Range: 6-13 (with parental participation and supervision)

“Math Night” is a fun event, supported by the National Science Foundation, that was created for kids in elementary school and their parents. On Math Night, families go to school together and explore math displays (similar to a science fair), make math crafts, and compete in games to solve math problems.

Now, homeschoolers can join in the fun too!  At this website you can get free access to the Math Night resources including math displays, crafts, games, and activities. You can print them out and use them to enjoy fun math projects at home.

When you get to the site just click on any item on the icon menu that includes:

  • Abacus Arithmetic
  • Topology Tricks
  • Wrapping Paper Symmetry
  • Math is a Piece of Pi
  • Bridges of Koenigsberg
  • Binary Numbers
  • Geometry Gems
  • Algorithms, Braids, and Kolam Figures
  • Clock Arithmetic
  • Secret (and not so secret) Codes
  • Construction by Instruction
  • Mathematics of Music
  • Methods of Multiplication
  • The Slide Rule
  • Cake Walk Math
  • Mirror, Mirror
  • Make a Mountain Out of a Map
  • Math ‘N Music Notes
  • You Can Count On It!

A new page opens with a virtual trifold display about that activity. Use the menu at the top of the screen to learn about the module and access the printable materials you’ll need.

Want to try other activities?  Look on the menu on the left side of the screen to access some “Pencil and Paper Games” as well as the rules for playing “Math Jeopardy.”

 

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Free Folk Music & Dance Steps for Grades PreK-6

April 21st, 2012 by admin No comments »

Hi!  It’s Saturday, April 21, 2012 and time for Music at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:
Utah Office of Education: Fine Arts

Age Range: 4-12 (Grades Pre-K-6, with parental supervision)

A Maryland ClickScholar suggested this website by the Utah Office of Education that encourages learning Fine Arts to “enable students to express their feelings, communicate thoughts, explore their creativity, solve problems, communicate ideas, develop a sense of community, and appreciate themselves as participants in history, tradition, and culture.” To that end they offer a free music catalog of downloadable song files (mp3), sheet music with lyrics, and dance instructions that accompany some of the songs.

When you get to the site you’ll see the Elementary Songbook Music Catalog with a menu of traditional children’s music and folk song titles that include:

  • A Tisket, A Tasket
  • Bingo
  • Buffalo Gals
  • Down By the Bay
  • Going to the Zoo
  • If You’re Happy
  • Old MacDonald
  • Take Me Out To the Ball Game
  • You Are My Sunshine
  • Yankee Doodle

And many more titles that you’re sure to recognize.

Plus, you’ll find a menu of Movement/Dance Options that include free, printable instructions for folk dances you can do as you listen to the songs. You’ll discover:

  • A simple line dance in a middle eastern style
  • A couple dance after the style of French Canadian step dancing
  • A simple circle dance in the style of “big circle mountain” dancing
  • A contemporary American country line dance for sets of 3
  • A Latin America line dance popular at Carnival
  • A circle dance adaptation of traditional Native American style
  • A square dance in traditional formation
  • A simple variation of the traditional Virginia Reel in long sets

This is a terrific resource to help your kids learn songs of historical and cultural significance.  You can learn the dance steps too, and it might be a great project for a homeschool support group or scout troop.

 

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Virtual Field Trip to Musk Ox Farm!

April 20th, 2012 by admin No comments »

Hi!  It’s Friday, April 20, 2012 and time for a Virtual Field Trip at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:
The Musk Ox Farm

Age Range: All (with parental supervision)

Take a virtual field trip to Palmer, Alaska to see the Musk Ox Farm!  This non-profit farm is dedicated to the preservation and domestication of these Ice Age mammals and to the production of “qiviut”, a fine wool from the Musk Ox.

When you get to the site you’ll see an introduction. Use the horizontal menu at the top of the page to explore:

*The Farm – See a couple of pictures of the farm and farm staff.

*The Project – Learn about the mission and history of the Musk Ox Farm.

*The Musk Ox – See photographs of the Musk Ox and learn about their natural history including information on breeding and how they defend themselves against predators. Find out about their special wool.

Be sure to check out the “Events” section too. You’ll see pictures of the “Annual Running with the Bulls” that takes place each year in August. 

 

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Free Middle Ages Interactives!

April 19th, 2012 by admin No comments »

Hi!  It’s Thursday, April 19, 2012 and time for Social Sciences at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:
Learner.org: Middle Ages
 
Age Range: 14-18 (Grades 9-12)

This multi-media, interactive presentation on the Middle Ages was developed for High School students. It’s designed in such a way, that you can briefly touch on the topics or explore them in-depth.

When you get to the site you’ll see a welcome message. Click “Enter” and a new page opens with a menu that includes:

*Feudal Life - Learn about the feudal system, nobility, serfs, and The Magna Carta.

*Religion – Explore Catholic cathedrals including Amiens and Notre Dame, learn about monastic life and pilgrimages.

*Homes – Take a virtual tour of a medieval village and compare the living quarters of noblemen and peasants.

*Clothing – Find out what kind of clothing was worn by peasants and nobles. Get information on the textiles of the medieval period.

*Health – Get information on hygiene, disease (including the Black Death), and medieval medicine and remedies.

*Arts & Entertainment – Find out how art and music developed from religious liturgy. View some hunting-themed tapestries.

*Town Life – Read about trade and the marketplace in medieval Europe, as well as town governments.

In each section you’ll find links to further learning resources as well.

 

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Free Virtual MIdnight Ride of Paul Revere!

April 18th, 2012 by admin No comments »

Hi!  It’s Wednesday, April 18, 2012 and time for Language Arts at ClickSchooling.

Recommended Websites:
See Below

Age Range: 9 and up (approximately, with parental supervision)

April 18th is the anniversary of Paul Revere’s Ride that took place in 1775. Revere rode by horseback to warn Sam Adams and John Hancock that British troops were marching to arrest them. A quintessential moment in the American Revolution, it was depicted in the poem, Paul Revere’s Ride by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

I thought it would be appropriate to commemorate this date with the resources at these websites:

*Read Paul Revere’s Ride
At this website you can read the full text of Longfellow’s poem online, or print it out to read offline.

*Listen to Paul Revere’s Ride
At National Public Radio website you can listen to (or download) a free audio recording of the poem. It includes a discussion of the background of Revere’s ride, and historical inaccuracies in the poem.

*Take a Virtual Midnight Ride!
The Paul Revere House museum offers a “Virtual Midnight Ride” through an interactive map of the route Revere took on April 18, 1775. Click on the images to see photos and illustrations and read historical information. 

*Paul Revere’s Biography
Learn about Revere’s life and times from 1734-1818 including his foundry, copper mill, and silversmith’s shop.

 

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Free Virtual Homeschool Science Class & More!

April 17th, 2012 by admin No comments »

Hi!  It’s Tuesday, April 17, 2012 and time for Science at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:
SuperchargedScience.com

Age Range: 8-14 (approximately, with parental supervision)

ClickScholar Katrina Cannon suggested this website that offers a FREE, live Science Tele-Class on April 24th in which you and your kids can learn about energy and motion by building roller coasters and catapults! 

The step-by-step class is taught by former NASA rocket scientist, Aurora Lipper.

When you get to the site you must enter your email address to register for the class.

A new screen opens that explains that in addition to the Science Tele-Class, you can get a free copy of Aurora’s Science Activity Video Series and Workbook (valued at $30) if you invite 3 friends to join the free teleclasss. This is optional and you can participate or simply click on “Skip this…” at the bottom of the page.

If you skip that option, a new page opens where you’ll find details on the day and time of the call and an explanation of how the Teleclass works along with a list of materials you’ll need for the class.

This free class is designed to be a sample of the full “Supercharged Science” series that you can purchase at the website.  But you don’t have to purchase a thing to enjoy the Science Teleclass on April 24th.

Bonus:  If you go the home page you can learn how to get a free Homeschool Science Guide with over 30 experiments plus a subscription to The Science Newsletter, and access to Science Fair project resources.

 

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Free K-8 Math Games & Worksheets!

April 16th, 2012 by admin No comments »

Hi! It’s Monday, April 16, 2012 and time for Math at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:
Dositey.com

This ad-supported and commercial website offers some free interactive games and printable worksheets that help kids practice their math skills.

When you get to the site you’ll see a menu divided by grade level as follows:

*K-2 – Match numerals with number words and practice multiplication facts to 20.

*3-4 – Practice rounding numbers, add 3-digit numbers, and practice division.

*5-8 – Match fractions to their decimal equivalents, play games to learn the metric system, explore negative numbers, and solve some short word problems.

*All Ages – Some math games for ages 5-105.

When you click on a menu item a new page opens with a menu of the free math games. Be sure to click on “See more Math” to access the printable worksheets.

You’ll also find some free Language Arts games that help kids develop reading skills.

This site offers the free math activities with the hope that you’ll like them enough to purchase a subscription that will allow access to all of the games and resources in a given category (without any advertising).  You don’t have to purchase a thing to try the free games and worksheets.

 

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