The Eagle Has Landed

If you're teaching about the Moon, this is the site for you.  The JFK Library's WeChooseTheMoon.org tracks the Apollo 11 mission in real time.  According to the AP, "Internet visitors can see animated recreations of key events from the four-day mission, including when Apollo 11 first orbits the moon and when the lunar module separates from the command module, as well as browse video clips and photos and hear the radio transmission between the astronauts and NASA flight controllers."

Students are bound to love this site, with its ability to immerse them in this historical event.

TeacherShare Resources

Kitten's First Full Moon Lesson Plan

Long Night Moon Lesson Plan

Moon Rope Lesson Plan

Making Models of the Solar System

Paper Rocket and PVC Rocket Launcher

Reading and Writing About the Solar System

Celebrating 100 Years of Flight for Grades 3 - 5

Celebrating 100 Years of Flight for Grades 6 - 8

If you have a lesson on the Moon or Space, why not share it on TeacherShare?

Harvest Time

With folks headed back to school, Fall can't be far behind.  That means pumpkins and other harvest goodies will find their way into classrooms.  Here are some resources that might inspire you and your students in your harvest units.

The Pumpkin Circle Project hosts a variety of classroom activities that complement the popular Pumpkin Circle book and video.  The book can also be ordered directly from Random House.

TeacherShare Lessons

Observing the Pumpkin Cycle

Measuring Pumpkins and Our World

Pumpkin Circle: The Story of a Garden Lesson Plan

                                            Pumpkin Eye Lesson Plan

Do you have any pumpkin lessons you'd like to share?  Why not enter them on TeacherShare!

Got Art?

If you're like me, you're always looking for more ways to integrate art into the classroom.  I recently had the opportunity to visit a number of museums in England and found some super art education programs, as well as some great sites.  I couldn't bring the programs home for you but I can give you the lowdown on where to click.

Young Tate

A spin-off of Tate Britain, Young Tate features an assortment of interactive tools on color theory, including digital color and artist's color.

Tate Britain

Features webquests, whiteboard materials and also some super teaching resources to purchase for the classroom.

British Museum

Contains a collection of curriculum resources, activities and topic-based websites.  

Victoria & Albert Museum

Sports a wide variety of teacher resources with themes like Buddhism, 50 Ways to Use Museum Postcards and Sculpture.

National Portrait Gallery

Some of the more memorable resources are the Great Fire of London Game, the Shakespeare Quiz and Perspective: Seeing Where You Stand

Back to School Lessons

So as I start thinking about the beginning of school, I start mulling over what lessons to use for our Eric Carle study.  TeacherShare has some available but I'd love to see yours.  Does anyone have a favorite Eric Carle lesson?  Why not post one and send me a comment so I can check it out and share it with all of you.

And how about you upper grade folks?  Are there certain themes with which you like to kick off the year?  If you post a lesson and tell me about it, I'll be sure to share those too.  Let's get some back-to-school sharing going folks!

House for Hermit Crab

Do You Want To Be My Friend

Grouchy Ladybug

Honeybee and the Robber

Very Lonely Firefly

The Storm in the Barn

The Storm in the Barn

Matt Phelan

Candlewick Press

Ages 10 and up

Matt Phelan has added another note worthy story to the growing field of graphic novels.  Centered on the Dust Bowl, Jack Clark faces all sorts of trials in this blend of sci-fi and historical fiction.  I think teachers will find this title another useful avenue to interest their students in history.  Be sure to check out the video on YouTube or on Matt's site and watch for the book this September.

As always, leave a comment and let us know what you think.

New Teacher Helpline

If you're a new teacher or even a veteran teacher looking for some new ideas, you're going to want to meet teacher extraordinaire Ruth Manna.  You can visit her at Scholastic's New Teacher Helpline, where she will answer your education questions.  She's addressed everything from how to work with a disruptive student to what picture books will make a good addition to your current unit of study.

And now she even has a book that you will find yourself turning to again and again.  It's  

130 FAQs and Practical Answers from Scholastic's Teacher Helpline.  

Let me know what you think of it.  

I'm lucky enough to see Ruth at work in the classroom and continue to be amazed at her and dedication and sheer breadth of knowledge when it comes to education.  Great job Ruth!

Fall Orders

I know, I know, it's still summer.  I'm guessing a lot of you are finishing up your ordering for the fall though and thought you make like a heads-up as to what's out there.  

For those of you Eric Carle fans, there's a Very Hungry Caterpillar bulletin board set available from Carson-Dellosa.  They also have Pop-Its Borders, 3D borders to edge your bulletin boards with.

Looking for a new way for your students to practice rhyming?  Check out the What's the Rhyme? Sorting Houses from LakeShore Learning.

Invisible Universe: The Electromagnetic Spectrum from Radio Waves to Gamma Rays will interest you science folks out there.  This new GEMS guide features activities that will, "deepen student understanding of the electromagnetic spectrum, enabling students to detect and consider wavelengths other than visible light."

The folks at Plimoth Plantation always have a wealth of quality resources on hand.  This Mayflower Compact poster is sure to come in handy in the classroom.

Self Reflection

I happened upon TeacherShare member John Faig's blog this morning and was intrigued to read his post on reflecting on teaching.  Summer truly is a good time to look back on your school year to evaluate lessons taught and lessons learned.  Pop on over to his blog for the full post.  Thanks for the insight John!

Mike Stellar: Nerves of Steel

Mike Stellar: Nerves of Steel

K.A. Holt

Random House

Ages 9-12

OK folks, this title is for your middle grade students.  It's gotten quite the reviews so far.

 

“Holt’s children’s book debut whizzes by at warp speed—

the suspenseful plot and the precocious yet complex hero combine for a fun ride with a satisfying resolution.”

—Publishers Weekly

 

Readers will enjoy watching Mike work his way through both muddled feelings and adult secrets with savvy sleuthing, sharp observation and courage in the clutch.”

—Kirkus Reviews

I'd love to hear what you or your students have to say about it.  Have you recommended it to a student or gotten feedback?  Leave a comment to tell us what you think.

Resources I Love: Teaching American History

Hi everyone.  I'm sure a number of you are familiar with the TAH (Teaching American History) programs that have been taking place throughout the country.  One of my favorites is my local one and is run through the Memorial Hall Museum in Deerfield, Massachusetts.  

Their TAH site is chock full of resources that can be used at all grade levels.  Check out their Magic Lens, Objects in the Round and Activities by Teachers.  All great stuff!  And as always, we'd love to hear your comments.