Lesson Plans - A New Idea

I came across DailyLit last fall and am really pleased with its functionality. I plan on using it to add material to some of the classes that I am teaching. The books available from DailyLit cover a wide range of subject matters. I envision using this service for classes ranging from history to literature to science. A nice part of using DailyLit for your students is that the reading selections are not too long and that all your students will be reading the same edition.

Question for you: How do you see yourself using DailyLit for your classes? Add your answer in the comment section below.

Announcement!

Beginning on Monday, March 28 I will begin posting a weekly worksheet. These worksheets will cover mostly grammar, writing exercises, and math problems.

These worksheets are designed to be used

• by teachers to supplement their teaching material,
• by tutors to help their students gain competency,
• by parents to help their children with their schoolwork,
  
• and by anyone else who can find a use for them!
  

Be sure to check back each week for a new worksheet!

Creative Grammar Exercise

Kenneth Beare has a great write-up on how to use exploding or expanding texts for a grammar exercise. He uses it to apply to English grammar, but this exercise could be used with any language.

Here is the example that Beare gives:

He is a boy.
He is a nice boy.
He is a nice boy who comes from London.
He is the nice boy from London who helped me with my project.
He is the nice boy from London who helped me with my science project.
He is the nice boy from London who helped me get an A on my science project.

Need to Hone Your Math Skills?

Need to improve your math skills? Looking for some ideas to add variety to your math class? Here are some game ideas.

• operations with UNO cards - give a deck of UNO cards (without the action cards) to a group of students and have the students draw two cards and add, subtract, etc. the numbers
• bingo - have students fill in bingo cards with numbers and then ask operations questions
• calculate perimeter and area of different objects made out of Lego brick

Looking to Improve Your Writing?

Whether or not you like English class, writing is a necessary skill. Writing well can be learned, just like anything else.

Here's a great resource with input that can help you - whatever your current writing abilities are.

Daily Writing Tips


Question for you: Do you have a favorite online resource for writing?

Another Great Idea for Practicing a Second Language

I recently came across Rory's Story Cubes. Here's an idea on how to use the Rory's Story Cubes Actions to improve your language skills.

5 Ways to Develop a Second Language

Useful Science-Related iPhone Apps

If you have an iPhone or iPod touch, these apps can be helpful in your science studies and teaching.

powerOne Scientific Calculator – Lite, Free Edition by Inifinity Softworks

Includes an easy-to-use scientific calculator; area, length, and mass conversions; as well as probability functions.
For more information, visit www.itunes.apple.com/us/app/powerone-scientific-calculator/id405987042?mt=8

Planets by Q Continuum
Has both a 2D and 3D function. Great for learning about our solar system.
For more information, visit www.itunes.apple.com/us/app/planets/id305793334?mt=8

The Chemical Touch: Lite Edition by Christopher Fennell
Clean, easy-to-use periodic table. Includes information on atomic mass, atomic number, density, boiling point, melting point, as well as additional atomic information.
For more information, visit www.itunes.apple.com/us/app/the-chemical-touch-lite-edition/id300111574?mt=8

Science Glossary by Visionlearning, Inc.
Great reference to have on hand for looking up science terms. Terms can be looked up from the alphabetical index or by subject matter.
For more information, visit www.itunes.apple.com/us/app/science-glossary/id331657060?mt=8

Disclaimer: These recommendations are purely my own, based upon what I
personally have found helpful.