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Free Virtual Trips to World Wonders!

March 7th, 2013

Hi! It’s Thursday, March 7, 2013 and time for Social Sciences at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:

World Wonders Project

Age Range: 6-18 (Grades 1-12, with parental supervision)

“Cloudschooling” and “Hackschooling” are revolutionizing the way we learn – and this website provides a perfect demonstration. Created by Google, it’s a portal to help students learn geography and history through virtual trips to see the many ancient and modern wonders of the world — including:

  • Stonehenge
  • The Palace at Versailles
  • The Grand Canyon
  • The Great Barrier Reef
  • The Ruins of Pompeii
  • The Ancient Temple of Kyoto
  • The Remains of Scott’s and Shackleton’s Expeditions in Antarctica
  • And Much More!

The site uses Street View, 3D modeling, and other technologies, photographs and videos, and provides in-depth information to help you explore the many world wonders, as if you were there.

When you get to the site you can start your adventure by clicking through the picture carousel on the homepage that features random sites from all over the world. You can also use the menu at the top of the page to:

*Find by Location – Includes sites located in Antarctica, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania (Australia), and South America.

*Browse by Theme – Including Archaeological Sites, Architecture, Cities and Towns, Historic Sites, Monuments & Memorials, Palaces & Castles, Parks & Gardens, Places of Worship, Regions & Landscapes, Wonders of Nature.

Be sure to click on “Education” on the menu to download free teaching guides for using these resources with classroom students in primary and secondary schools. (It can be tweaked for use by homeschoolers.)

Once you select a site to explore, click on the title and a new page opens with a screen that displays a panoramic and interactive picture of the location. Use the menu to the right of the screen to access helpful information, videos of the location, and amazing photographs.

This is a terrific resource that you can use again and again – so bookmark it to return often.

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Virtual Tour of Scotland!

January 25th, 2013

Hi!  It’s Friday, January 25, 2013 and time for a Virtual Field Trip at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:

Scotland: A Virtual Tour

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

Today is January 25th, the birthday of the Scottish poet, Robert Burns, who was born in 1759.  Burns wrote the poem, Auld Lang Syne, that people around the world sing on New Year’s Eve. If you’d like to know more about Burns, you can watch the animated video “The Story of Robert Burns.”   

Inspired by Burns’ birthday, I thought it would be fun to take a virtual tour of Scotland.  When you get to the website, you’ll see an introduction. To take the tour, use the menu tabs at the top of the page that include:

*Begin – Introduction to Scotland including an interactive map, the flag of Scotland and the national anthem.

*Cities – Learn about the major cities of Scotland including Aberdeen, Glasgow, and Edinburgh. Look in the left margin of the page and click on the city names to take fun trivia quizzes about each city.

*National Features – Discover the architecture and landscape of Scotland including Edinburgh Castle – you can even watch live webcams!

*Lifestyles – Get a glimpse of the lifestyle and culture of the Scottish people.  Learn about people of historic importance and watch a video of a bagpipe solo performance.

*History – Find out about the Scottish Knight, William Wallace and discover how the thistle helped save Scotland from invaders.

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Math with Galileo’s Compass!

January 7th, 2013

It’s Monday, January 7, 2013 and time for Math at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:

Galileo’s Compass

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

ClickScholar Cie, recommended this website, sponsored by the Museo Galileo, that provides free, fascinating, multimedia demonstrations of the uses of Galileo’s compass for math calculations, geometry, architecture, engineering, navigation, and other fields. Learn the history of the compass and Galileo’s contribution to its development during the Renaissance in 1597.

When you get to the site you’ll see a menu that includes:

*History – Watch a presentation about the history of the compass, Galileo’s invention of a specific type of compass, and the improvements he made upon it. See a comparison between compasses, and play the interactive “Compass Game.”

*Explore – Learn about the compass and how it works.

*Simulation – Watch engaging simulations of the many operations you can perform with Galileo’s compass, including:

  • Division of a segment
  • Division of a circumference
  • Squaring a regular figure
  • Measurement of calibers
  • Astronomical quadrant
  • Sum of volumes
  • Scale of slopes
  • And more!

This website offers the user the ability to view the text of the presentations, and provides links to other interesting resources about the compass as well. There is a lot of content here, so bookmark the site and return again to see it all.

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Native American Math Activities!

November 5th, 2012

Hi! It’s Monday, November 5, 2012 and time for Math at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Websites:

See Below

Age Range: Varies (with parental supervision)

It’s November and in the U.S. learning activities are often themed around the contributions of Native Americans to American history. Here are some math activities inspired by the same:

Play Picaria

Age Range: All

A homeschooling family offers step-by-step instructions for how to make your own game board and play Picaria, a fun strategy game developed by the Zuni or Pueblo Indians of the American Southwest. It is similar to tic-tac-toe, but more challenging. Don’t miss the terrific tips and videos on worldwide traveling and learning with kids at this website, too!

Native American Geometry

Age Range: 9-14

This website was designed for students in grades 4-9 and teaches geometry through hands-on investigations and design activities. It has been used successfully in GATE (Gifted And Talented Education) programs as well.

Mathematics with Native American Tepees

Age Range: 13-16

This lesson plan was created for high school algebra and geometry students and “investigates the tipi of the plains Indians. You will reflect, plan, and consider designs for building tipis. Once done you will be able to demonstrate a strong understanding of the architecture, design, lifestyle and cultural significance of the tipi in the American culture.”

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Free Science Lessons & Interactives!

October 16th, 2012

Hi!  It’s Tuesday, October 16, 2012 and time for Science at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:

Science of Everyday Life

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

Discovery Education and 3M Corporation sponsor this website that provides free, multi-media interactives including lessons and virtual labs to help students learn life science, physical science, earth science, and technology/innovation through real world connections. Is there chemistry in the kitchen and physics at the park? The activities at this website demonstrate that science is everywhere.

When you get to the site, you’ll see “Innovation HQ” in the center of the screen that features some virtual labs and activities. The content in this section is peppered with mentions of 3M products (i.e., Scotch Tape to Thinsulate Insulation). You’ll also see a menu at the top of the homepage that includes “Teachers,” “Families,” and “Students.”  All three selections allow you to access the same content that includes science lessons, videos, and interactives.

Home educators may find it easier to click on “Teachers,” where you’ll find the content sorted by Grade Range (K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12 – with most of the content geared for grades 3-8) that includes:

*Lessons – Download (pdf) complete lesson plans for K-8 that teach about recycling, light, adhesives, friction, magnets, architecture, sound, and solar energy. High school students can watch videos of scientists and engineers talking about their careers.

*Videos & Interactives – Watch short videos and animations that explain the seasons, weather patterns, and household technology such as dishwashers, frozen foods, circuitry.  You can even learn all about blimps and airships.

*Virtual Labs – Students are presented with a series of challenges that require them to use the virtual lab to fix faulty circuitry, design a cooking skillet, and design, build, and test a wind turbine.

There is a lot of content to explore on this site including a blog and information on contests in which your emerging scientists can participate to win prizes.

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Free Science & Tech Videos & Activities!

September 18th, 2012

Hi! It’s Tuesday, September 19, 2012 and time for Science at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:

The Futures Channel

Age Range: 9-18 (about grades 4-12, with parental supervision)

ClickScholar Fran recommended this commercial website that provides some free science videos with printable lessons and activities that help make a connection between what students study (math and science) and how scientists, engineers, explorers and visionaries use it to shape the future of the real world. The idea is to inspire kids to consider careers in the science and technology industries.

Each week the website features a selection of new movies that are available for free for two weeks. There are some movies that are available anytime. When you get to the website you’ll see the currently featured videos. To find other free videos, look under “Real World Movies” on the menu and click on the various topics that include:

  • Agriculture
  • Animals
  • Architecture
  • Earth Science
  • Environmental
  • Science & Technology
  • Space Science
  • Transportation
  • And more!

When you click on a topic, a new page opens with a menu of movies in that category. The free movies will say, “Now Playing.” There are about 15-20 free movies available on the site at any given time and all include downloadable/printable activities to enhance learning. The movies are about 2-6 minutes in length. The movies that are NOT free will say, “Available by Subscription.” You can also purchase DVDs that contain the most popular movies. But you don’t have to purchase a thing to access the free videos.

This is a great way to introduce kids to various fields of science and technology and see how they are applied in the real world. Bookmark this site – so you can return every couple of weeks to see the free movies that have been added to the site.

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