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Einstein’s Birthday & Pi Day on March 14th!

March 12th, 2013

Hi! It’s Tuesday, March 12, 2013 and time for Science at ClickSchooling!

Albert Einstein, the Nobel Prize-winning physicist of The Theory of Relativity, was born on March 14, 1879. March 14th also happens to be world Pi Day. I thought you might like to explore some websites devoted to Einstein, his famous equation E=MC2, and Pi Day…

Recommended Websites:

See Below

Age Range: Varies (with parental supervision)

Brief Bio of Albert Einstein 

This website, designed for kids, offers a brief biography of Albert Einstein that will give some context to the other websites recommended below.

PBS: That’s My Theory! 

PBS uses a game show format (similar to “What’s My Line?”) to help you become familiar with notable scientists, including Einstein. Several questions are presented and answered by “guests.” Select which guest’s answers reveal the real Albert Einstein.

PBS NOVA: Think Like Einstein 

PBS presents Einstein’s special theory of relativity as an online, animated activity that will require you to think about the same things Einstein had to consider (such as velocity and the speed of light) to develop his theory. Then answer some questions by reasoning out the solutions.

PBS NOVA: Einstein’s Big Idea

Watch this almost 2-hour movie presentation that dramatizes the story behind Einstein’s revolutionary special theory of relativity represented by the equation E = MC2.

One Minute Physics: E=MC2 

Watch a one-minute video explanation of Einstein’s equation, E=MC2.

Coincidentally, Einstein’s birthday on March 14th, is also “World Pi Day!” The mathematical symbol Pi (the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter or 3.14159…) is celebrated on March 14 at 1:59 PM (3.14159…)! 

You’ll find a brief history of Pi and some free Pi activities at the Exploratorium’s website.

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Valentine Science Activities!

February 12th, 2013

Hi!  It’s Tuesday, February 12, 2013 and time for Science at ClickSchooling!

Valentine’s Day is February 14th!  Here are some Valentine’s Day science activities:

Recommended Websites: See Below

Age Range: Varies (Grades K-12 approximately, with parental supervision)

Exploratorium: The Sweet Lure of Chocolate 

 Examine the fascinating science and history of chocolate, including the chocolate-making process with a virtual visit to a chocolate factory. Find out about the latest research into the possible health effects of chocolate consumption.

Hooked on Science:  Make Red Valentine’s Day Flowers 

 Watch a video demonstration to learn how to turn white flowers red – just in time for Valentine’s Day!

Hooked On Science: Valentine Candy Experiment  

Watch this video to learn if leftover Valentine candy will sink or swim.

Periodic Videos 

Watch a chemistry professor share some science insights about chocolate, roses, and relationships. 

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Free Game & Curriculum on History of Detroit!

January 10th, 2013

It’s Thursday, January 10, 2013 and time for Social Sciences at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:

Building Detroit

Age Range: 8 and up (with parental supervision, non-readers will need assistance)

The Detroit Historical Society sponsors this website that provides free curriculum, an interactive timeline, and a fun interactive game focused on the geographic, economic, historic, and cultural events in Detroit from 1600 to 1901. The presentation highlights the history of Native Americans, military occupation, fur trading, economic and population growth, industrialization, and the Underground Railroad, as well as the influence of French, British, Spanish, and Dutch explorers and immigrants.

When you get to the site, you can select from three items on the menu that include:

*Building Detroit: The Game – Play a game that allows you to help build the city of Detroit over five generations. As you progress through the game, you’ll learn about people and events of historical importance.

*Detroit History – Explore an interactive timeline that covers events from 1600-1901.

*Curriculum – Get free lessons plans in social studies and English language arts. Designed with third grade classroom students in mind, it can be enjoyed by a wider age/grade range and tweaked for homeschool use. The lessons are divided into six sections as follows:

  1. Before 1701 – Learn about the Native Americans who inhabited the area and explore Anishinabeg culture and oral traditions.
  2. 1701-1760 French Detroit – Meet French explorers and learn about the French fur trade.
  3. 1761-1796 British Detroit – Find out about Pontiac’s Rebellion, life in British Detroit, and the American Revolution.
  4. 1796-1825 Early American Detroit – Meet people of historical importance to Detroit, and learn about the great fire of 1805.
  5. 1825-1865 Boomtown Detroit – Discover how Detroit became a city, and its role in the Underground Railroad.
  6. 1866-1901 Industrial Detroit – Learn how Detroits natural resources led to its industrialization.

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Free History Books To Read Online!

October 11th, 2012

Hi!  It’s Thursday, October 11, 2012 and time for History at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:

Heritage History

Age Range: All (with parental supervision)

A Maryland ClickScholar recommended this commercial website that provides history-related story books (fiction and non-fiction) available for students to read for free online. (You can also purchase them as printed books or e-books.) These books, that were popularly used until the mid 20th century, are sorted by reading level. As explained at the website:

“Most of the books prepared for Heritage History take an old-fashioned, or story-based approach to presenting history, rather than an analytical or critical approach. Our books do not attempt to explain the “underlying forces” that influence history, or critique ancient notions of human rights, or focus on contrasts between cultures. Instead they are based simply on stories that have been retold for dozens of generations regarding individual characters, important conflicts, and events of special interest. The stories are connected by simple narrative threads and are shorn of complicated analysis.”

When you get to the site, you’ll see a menu of books divided into topical sections that include:

  • Biographies
  • Folk Tales
  • Historical Fiction
  • Geography
  • Comprehensive History
  • Military History
  • Social History
  • Legends  and Mythology
  • Science and Invention

Simply click on a title or topic of interest and a new page opens where you can read the stories in their entirety online.

This is a terrific resource that is sure to enhance any study of history.

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Free “Myth In Art” Curriculum

September 29th, 2012

Hi! It’s Saturday, September 29, 2012 and time for Art at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:
Minneapolis Institute of Arts: World Myths & Legends in Art

Age Range: 11 and up (with parental supervision; younger children may enjoy aspects of this presentation)

The Minneapolis Institute of Arts sponsors this website that offers a free, downloadable curriculum and website presentation titled, “World Myths & Legends in Art.” It presents stories and folk lore from cultures around the world that have inspired artists to give them visual form.

When you get to the site, you’ll see a brief introduction and four icon menus that include:

*Art by Culture – View myth-inspired artwork from cultures in Africa, China, Ancient Egypt, Western Europe, Ancient Greece, Japan and more.

*What is Myth – Read an introduction to myth, and learn why they are such compelling stories for artists to depict.

*Art by Theme – Explore the artistic creations of art themed around myths about creation, gods, heroes, animals, or beast characters.

*View All Art – Click on icon images of the 26 works of art displayed on the site, and learn more about the artwork as well as the myth or legend that it depicts.

*Compare and Contrast – This is an interactive online essay activity. Students select two works of art from the presentation and write a short essay comparing and contrasting them.

Before you dive in, it may help to read “How to Use This Site” that is located on a tiny horizontal menu bar below the main selections. There, you will also find a link to the free, “Downloadable Curriculum“ to use offline. It’s a remarkable resource in art history and appreciation that is divided into a series of lessons and includes discussion questions. If you have middle and high school age children, this could be a terrific learning tool for the whole family to use together. 

 

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National History Bee – Free Resources!

September 10th, 2012

Hi!  It’s Thursday, August 30, 2012 and time for History at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:

National History Bee

Age Range: 6-18 (Includes elementary, middle, and high school levels – with parental supervision.)

Have you heard of the National History Bee? It’s a nationwide competition that allows students to demonstrate their knowledge of history. The competition takes place during the 2012-2013 school year. The website provides detailed information and registration. Plus, you can access free history resources that include links to educational websites and history quizzes that cover the following topics:

*American History – Civil War, U.S. State History, American Presidency, etc.

*European History – Vikings, The Middle Ages, The Renaissance, Martin Luther, The Tudors, French Revolution, Russian History, and the Conquistadors

*Ancient History – Romans, Greeks, Indus Valley, Mesopotamia, and Egypt

There is a section for downloadable “Study Guides” – but currently a “Coming Soon” message is displayed on that section of the site.

Note: There is a separate History Bee for high school students that you can access here: http://hs.historybee.com/

I received an announcement about this competition with the message from the Director of the National History Bee: “We believe strongly that this is an extra-curricular activity in which home school children can find enjoyment, enrichment, and success. We want to make an extra effort for the 2012-2013 competition to see that home school families are represented well and that they enjoy participating.”

Registration for the competition is $125. Homeschool organizations can register and all of their members can participate. Individual students can also enter the competition, but they pay the same registration fee of $125. You do not have to register for the competition to access the free history resources and quizzes.

If you have questions, you can contact the Director of National History Bee, Nick Clusserath, at nick@historybee.com or 864-475-1776.

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