Posts Tagged ‘research’

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Explore the History of Calendars

January 6th, 2022

WebExhibits: Calendars through the Ages

(www.webexhibits.org/calendars/index.html)

Grades 5-12, with parental supervision

Part of the larger WebExhibits online museum from the Institute for Dynamic Educational Advancement, this website examines the origins and history of calendars.

When arriving at today’s link, use the upper menu to decide what topic you would like to explore:

  • Years & Months – Learn about the astronomical events on which a calendar is based then use the sidebar menu to dig deeper into the astronomy of calendars, see a perpetual calendar, the phases of the moon within a given month, the history of our calendar, terms used, and more.

  • Various Calendars – Discover the differences in the Gregorian calendar (which most of us use) and the Chinese, Christian, Indian, Islamic, Jewish, Mayan, Roman, and other calendars past, present, and future.

  • Our Week – How did the 7-day week come to be? Where did the names of the days come from? What other connotations are associated with the days of the week? These questions and more are answered in this topic.

  • Timeline – Not your typical history timeline, this is a timeline of interesting calendar facts.

Visitors will also notice on the main menu “Node View”. From here you can navigate through a cloud map of the site to narrow your research.

With a new year upon us, this website provides an interesting look into the passing of time and a unique history study unit.

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U.S. & International Geography Game!

December 4th, 2021

Challenging & Fun Geography Game!

(www.globalschoolnet.org/geogame/index.cfm)

All grades, with parental supervision

Sponsored by Microsoft and affiliated with the Global SchoolNet Foundation, this website links children around the world through a myriad of FREE features and activities that you can explore when you get to the site

You must register to participate in the activities including the incredible Geo Game and GeoGame Project that helps kids learn geography terms, teaches them how to read and interpret maps, and increases their awareness of geographical and cultural diversity. It’s designed for middle to upper ELEMENTARY students, but students in all grade levels are encouraged to play.

When you get to the site click on the “Project Description” in the center of the screen. It will explain the GeoGame project and the GeoGame. Don’t skip this, as it will really make navigating the site MUCH EASIER. It provides teaching strategies and explains what materials you will need to play the game (i.e., U.S. map with time zones & latitudes, road maps, atlas, almanac, encyclopedia, etc.). This is especially helpful if you want to participate in the project — which is a little different than just playing the GeoGame.

Of course, you can just play the GeoGame without participating in the project. In that case, read through the directions for playing the game and then click on “Play the Game” on the menu at the top of the screen. (Don’t forget, you will have to register to play.) A new page opens with a selection of traditional GeoGames. Select a game category of interest and a new page opens listing the games in that category by I.D. number. Click on a specific game and a new page opens asking you to match the geography clues with the names of various cities and geographical locations. You will need the suggested materials (maps, etc.) to decipher the clues in order to match them to the city or location they describe. Allow at least 30 minutes or more to play the games — as research is a big part of the challenge in order to win!

This really is a remarkable use of technology and cooperative effort by students, teachers, parents, and educators to improve everyone’s knowledge of the world.

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Windows to Earth & Space Science

November 9th, 2021

Science: Windows To The Universe

(www.windows2universe.org/)

Grades 3 & up, approximately, with parental supervision

The National Earth Science Teachers Association sponsors this website that offers comprehensive, multi-media information to encourage learning Earth and Space science as well as a range of other related sciences for beginners, intermediate, and advanced students.

When you get to the website you’ll see a sliding panel featuring several of the science presentations in the archives. You can click on anyone to jump right in, or take some time to explore the menu and see what’s available including:

  • Sun – Explore the closest star to Earth including sunspots, solar flares, and coronal mass ejections.
  • Earth – Learn about our planet’s atmosphere and magnetic field, both of which are critical for sustaining life on Earth.
  • Solar System – Discover planets, dwarf planets, asteroids, comets, the heliosphere, and interstellar space.
  • Space – Study stars, galaxies, and other mysterious objects in our Universe.
  • Sciences – Learn how Earth and Space sciences are interconnected with geology, physics, chemistry, and biology.
  • Culture – Browse a collection of myths, folk tales, and stories about the Earth and sky. Check out artwork, poetry, books, and movies that portray the natural world.
  • People – Access biographies of scientists who made science history!
  • Games – Enjoy scientifically themed crosswords, jigsaw puzzles, word searches, and concentration. Play interactives about the carbon cycle, planets, space, and more! Enjoy coloring pages and paper activities
  • Space Weather – Learn about radiation, fluctuating magnetic fields, solar wind and the complex ways they interact with Earth’s magnetic field, including disruption of cell phone communication.
  • Multimedia – Get links to all sorts of pictures, animations, videos, podcasts, and interactive multimedia that are on the “Windows to the Universe” website.
  • Postcards – Read collections of virtual postcards from scientists doing field research around the world with sharks, penguins, ice, rocks, the atmosphere, and the ocean.
  • Citizen Science – Find out about science projects where the public can get involved in scientific research and data collection.

You’ll also find news, research information, and tips for teachers.

Note: This ad-supported site is free, however, you can purchase a membership to access the site ad-free, along with some other interactive features.

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Corn-Themed Math & Activities

November 8th, 2021

Camp Silos: Corn Math

(www.campsilos.org/mod3/students/index.shtml)

All grades, with parental supervision

At this archived website, you will find interesting corn-themed activities and lessons in math (and more!) that are geared for about 4th grade and up. However, there is material that younger children will enjoy as well.

When you get to the site you will see quick facts about corn math, corn products, and corn geography. But that’s not all! There is a menu at the top of the page with lessons and web-based activities designed for classroom use (that can be tweaked for home use) that include:

History Detective – A remarkable exploration of the history of corn including Native American folk tales about corn.

  • Scavenger Hunt – Take the challenge and find the answers to the questions about corn by following Internet links to information resources. Then take the “Corny Quiz.”
  • Newsroom – Develop a video segment about corn production for KORN-TV by following the lesson plan and using web-based research.
  • Mystery Photo – An exploration of the microscopic world of corn.
  • Amazing Mazes: Find out about the history of corn mazes. Then create your own computer-generated maze!

Then on the sidebar, check out:

  • Teachers – The teacher section offers an outline of the lessons contained at this site, along with information on curriculum standards addressed by the lessons. It provides background and resources that will help with lesson presentation. Remember, this was designed with the classroom teacher in mind — so some of this may not be as helpful to the home educator.
  • Resources – Contains many links to other websites about corn.

Note: Many of the links on this site are good, but we did find a few dead links since this is an archived site. Regardless, there is so much information here that the dead links are more of a nuisance than a deterrent to learning.

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Explore Vedic Mathematics

October 25th, 2021

Vedic Mathematics Academy

(www.vedicmaths.org/#new-to-vedic-mathematics)

Grades 3 and up,with parental supervision

This commercial site provides information and free sample tutorials on Vedic Mathematics.

What’s “Vedic Mathematics”? As explained at the website:

“Vedic Mathematics is the name given to the ancient system of Indian Mathematics which was rediscovered from the Vedas between 1911 and 1918 by Sri Bharati Krsna Tirthaji (1884-1960). According to his research, all of mathematics is based on sixteen Sutras, or word-formulae… These formulae describe the way the mind naturally works and are therefore a great help in directing the student to the appropriate method of solution… The simplicity of Vedic Mathematics means that calculations can be carried out mentally (though the methods can also be written down).”

Words really don’t begin to describe this innovative way to solve math problems and mentally calculate answers to math equations. It almost makes learning math like learning fun magic tricks. When you get to the website, click on New to Vedic Mathematics, then “tutorials”, then Fun With Figures. Try the free sample tutorials that explain ways to find arithmetic solutions for:

  • Multiplication
  • Subtracting Fractions
  • Finding Square Roots
  • Division
  • and more!

Read the instructions and apply the Vedic method to find the solutions to an array of sample problems. Your kids will enjoy experimenting!

For those who have never heard of or tried this method before, it will really set your mind to thinking about math differently.

If your kids struggle with mathematics the Vedic system may provide an alternative method that suits the way your child learns best. This site sells products that teach the Vedic system, but the sample tutorials are free. It also provides many links to other websites with articles, downloads, activities, and further resources for learning Vedic mathematics. We have not reviewed these other websites.

Just FYI, YouTube carries some free Vedic math tutorials. Just go to YouTube.com and enter “Vedic math tutorials” in the search engine. A menu of free instructional videos on the Vedic system pops up that you can explore on your own. We have not reviewed the YouTube presentations on Vedic math, so parents AS ALWAYS should preview the material and supervise use.

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Marine Science Videos for Kids

October 5th, 2021

Jonathan Bird Productions: Marine Science Videos, Lessons, & More

(www.blueworldtv.com/)

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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