Posts Tagged ‘ocean’

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Free Geography Games & Kits!

January 31st, 2013

Hi!  It’s Thursday, January 31, 2013 and time for Social Sciences at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:

My Wonderful World: Games & Cool Stuff

Age Range: 6-17 (varies, depending on game/activity, with parental supervision)

Did you know that a National Geographic survey showed half of young Americans can’t locate world powers like Japan and India? Twenty percent can’t even find the Pacific Ocean!

My Wonderful World is the official website of a National Geographic-led campaign that offers free, interactive activities to expand kids’ global knowledge about countries, people, cultures, economics, and environments. It offers resources for parents, educators, and kids including a free monthly e-newsletter that provides ideas and hands-on tools to help children learn about the world.

When you get to the site you’ll see a variety of online activities that include learning to read maps, learning about world music, and discovering geocaching (real-life treasure hunts).

There are also science and nature games, geography quizzes, and world trivia challenges. You can even take a virtual trip to Africa, play children’s games from around the world, and learn to speak a foreign language!

All of the resources are right there – with the click of your mouse!

Don’t forget to check out the menu where parents, educators and kids will find free, downloadable “Action Kits” to help get you started on learning more about worldwide geography.

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Free Marine Science Videos, Lessons, & More!

November 27th, 2012

Hi! It’s Tuesday, November 27, 2012 and time for Science at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:

Jonathan Bird’s Blue World

Age Range: All (This was designed for students in grades 6-8, but there is something of educational value and entertainment for everyone, with parental supervision.)

Jonathan Bird’s Blue World website is an offshoot of a PBS television series by the same name. The website offers free “webisodes” of the underwater science/adventure series online for free WITHOUT advertising – and it’s all accompanied by free study guides and classroom lessons and activities based on National Science Standards (that can be tweaked for home use by families).

The idea is to generate interest in protecting the underwater world by increasing awareness of this realm and the creatures that live there. The episodes and learning materials are packed with information and presented in a way that makes marine biology fun to learn.

When you get to the site, you’ll see a sliding display that highlights current features. (I watched a fascinating, 7-minute video on “Sea Snakes,” one of the ocean’s most venomous critters.) Use the menu at the top of the screen that includes:

*Watch Webisodes – View about 75 different videos covering topics such as coral spawning, dolphins, learning to scuba dive, shark biology, crustaceans, venomous fish, sea turtles, stingrays, killer clams, sea cows, whales, and much more. You’ll also find “Extras” that include interviews with cameramen, videos on tools of the trade, etc. While all of the webisodes offer downloadable study guides, in the “Curriculum Based” section, you’ll find six videos (so far) that also offer free, downloadable lesson plans.

*Behind The Scenes – Meet underwater cinematographer Jonathan Bird and the rest of his award-winning science and research team. Peruse a “Photo Gallery,” read “Sea Stories” about incidents that occur behind the scenes, and explore “Other Resources” that contain links to educational websites.

*For Educators – Access the free Study Guides and Lesson Plans. Learn about National Science Standards, Ocean Literacy Principles, and find a direct link to the “Curriculum Based” webisodes.

This is a terrific learning resource that the whole family will find educational and entertaining!

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Lewis & Clark Language Arts Activities!

November 14th, 2012

Hi! It’s November 14, 2012 and time for Language Arts at ClickSchooling!

Tomorrow, November 15th commemorates the date that the Lewis and Clark Expedition reached the Pacific Ocean in 1805. President Thomas Jefferson commissioned Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to explore the American West. They started their journey by leaving St. Louis in 1804, and with the assistance of a Shoshone woman named Sacagawea, they arrived at the Pacific Ocean on November 15, 1805. Their expedition paved the way for western expansion. Here are some Language Arts activities inspired the by the event…

Recommended Websites:

See Below

Age Range: 11-18 (about grades 6-12, with parental supervision)

National Geographic: Lewis & Clark Virtual Journey

This site, provides an interactive journey that allows students to virtually participate in the Corps of Discovery’s trek across America. Read first-hand accounts of the discoveries made by Lewis and Clark. You’ll also find a timeline and games to reinforce learning.

Descriptive Writing Activity

At ReadWriteThink.org you’ll find an engaging descriptive writing activity for students in grades 7-12 that is inspired by the Lewis & Clark expedition. This site also offers terrific links to other websites with multi-media resources and activities themed around Lewis & Clark and their Corps of Discovery.

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Social Sciences w/ Plastics At Sea Expedition!

October 4th, 2012

Hi!  It’s Thursday, October 4, 2012 and time for Social Sciences at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:

Plastics At Sea

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

Yesterday, October 3rd, a research ship set sail from San Diego on an expedition to find and study plastic marine debris. The crew includes scientists, journalists, and researchers who are making the 2500-nautical mile voyage to Honolulu sailing into the popularly dubbed, “Great Pacific Garbage Patch,” an area of documented high concentrations of floating plastic including debris from the 2011 Japanese tsunami. Students are invited to visit this website to track the daily scientists’ documentation of plastic debris concentration and its effects on the ocean ecosystem.

The website will be updated daily with multimedia content including posts from award-winning author and journalist Jonathan Waterman. He will also be writing weekly posts for National Geographic. In addition, there is a  K-12 outreach education page, where students in partner schools from around the country submit questions that the expedition team will answer from sea.

(Note: While the website sets the grade range of content to K-12, most of the information I’ve seen so far, is geared for students in grades 5-12. Younger students may be intersted in aspects of this site.)

When you get to the site, you’ll see an Expedition Summary (no details yet, because they just set sail yesterday).  You can also read the Expedition Journal.  Use the menu to:

  • Meet the Expedition Team- A great way to open your student’s eyes to career possibilities!
  • View the Gallery- Enjoy photos and video of the expedition.
  • School Email Exchange – Read comments and questions by students, and the answers they receive from the crew.

You can also explore an archive of the 2010 North Atlantic Expedition.

This promises to be a terrific learning resource that will not only boost knowledge of marine science but social sciences as well.

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Dig Up the Past!

June 7th, 2012

Hi!  It’s Thursday, June 7, 2012 and time for Social Sciences at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:
Idaho Public TV for Kids: Ages Past

Age Range: 6-12 (elementary school-age children, with parental supervision)

Idaho Public Television sponsors “Dialogue For Kids” that provides a website with archives of free educational video shows and compatible resources to help kids learn about history and science.   

When you get to the site, you’ll see an icon menu that includes:

*Archaeology – Learn about the archaeological finds from the tomb of King Tut, and learn how ancient Egyptians once lived.

*Dinosaurs -  Join a paleontologist from Montana State University as he explores and explains recent discoveries about these ancient creatures.

*Fossils – Discover Idaho’s state fossil, and learn how paleontologists study and work with bones – from the field to the display case.

*Mammoths – Learn about these ancient cousins of modern elephants that once roamed throughout Idaho.

*Science of Lewis & Clark – President Thomas Jefferson commissioned Lewis and Clark to explore the West in search of a passage to the Pacific Ocean. Find out how they acted as scientists and researchers as they documented the plant, animal life, and terrain in the region.

Click on any topic and a new page opens where you can watch or download the full show, or a short video clip. Be sure to click on “Visit the Website” at the top of the page to access terrific facts, information, and links to further learning.

 

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Free Lessons on Antarctica!

December 1st, 2011

Hi!  It’s Thursday, December 1, 2011 and time for Social Sciences at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:
Classroom Antarctica
 
The Antarctic Treaty was signed on December 1, 1959 assuring peaceful use of the continent by all nations. At this website by the Australian Antarctic Division, you can access free lessons about Antarctica to stimulate interest in Social Studies, Science, and Math through real world applications. These activities can be used to enhance writing, literature, art, and creative thinking too!

When you get to the site you’ll see an introduction.  Use the navigation menu to learn about:

*The Antarctic Continent – Learn about the geology, weather, glaciers, icebergs, sea ice, auroras and more.

*Exploring – Find out about the early explorers of Antarctica, view a photo gallery, and learn about mapping skills.

*Living – Meet the people who live and work in Antarctica.

*Working – Discover what it takes for expeditioners and researchers to work in Antarctica.

*Nature – Explore the Southern Ocean food web and meet the creatures who depend on it for survival including penguins, seals, whales, birds, and more.

*Climate – Research the greenhouse effect and climate changes. Learn about ice cycles, ice cores, ozone depletion, etc.

*International – Get information about the Antarctic Treaty and international cooperation and programs.

*Stewardship – Investigate the impact of humans on the Antarctic environment and the methods used for environmental sustainability.

Click on any topic and a new pages opens with a series of lessons about it. The lessons include downloadable/printable maps, graphs, illustrations, and more.

 

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