Legends of Learning is a game-based platform that offers Life Science, Earth Science, and Physical Science activities that are standards aligned. This GBL (game-based learning) resource is suitable for elementary and middle school students.
Curriculum focuses on vocabulary, discussion questions, and concepts for teaching or reinforcing skills. An example of learning objectives for Life Science at the elementary level are shown below.
Accounts for teachers are free. Playlists can be created and then assigned to the class, groups, or individual students. Take a look. This would be a nice resource to use in a blended learning environment.
Free Course for Making Interactive Maps
Attention Geography and Science teachers!
KQED offers a free 3-part course online for making interactive maps. Learn production techniques and the basics for creating engaging interactive maps.
Module 1 – five lessons on how to make a basic interactive map;
Module 2 – seven lessons about adding layers to maps; and
Module 3 – practice making interactive maps.
The site lays out the number of modules participants need to complete, along with the approximate time commitment for each module. Participants can determine their own pace and complete the modules and course in whatever timeframe works for them. The lessons build on each other, however, so participants do need to complete one module before proceeding to the next. The course concludes with the teacher making a lesson plan that is then shared on the platform. A template helps to guide participants through the lesson-planning process.
Click on Get Started to sign up and begin the course.
ADA Project – Basic Arithmetic to Calculus
Multimedia Mathematics Question Bank.
Free, easy to use, and no login is required.
The ADA Project is an open multimedia mathematics resource that covers everything from basic arithmetic to calculus. On the ADA Project’s homepage, teachers or students can select a category and then choose a topic. Within each topic, they will find a set of sample problems. Each sample problem is accompanied by a link to reveal the solution, a video that explains the solution, and a link to a discussion forum. The questions and answers can also be printed. Teachers are invited to contribute to the ADA Project’s development by submitting problems, solutions, videos, and discussions. Questions are added daily for all abilities, across a range of topics.
Persuasive Editorial Essay Contest 2018
Write about an issue that matters most to you and include evidence that supports your point of view.
Every school day The New York Times Learning Network invites teenagers to share their opinions about questions on topics from reality television to the justice system, and hundreds post arguments, reflections, and anecdotes to The Learning Network’s Student Opinion feature. Now, for the fifth consecutive year, The Learning Network is inviting students to channel that enthusiasm into something a little more formal: short, evidence-based persuasive essays. Participants simply choose a topic they care about, gather evidence from sources both within and outside The Times, and write a concise editorial (450 words or less) to convince readers of their view. Because editorial writing at newspapers is a collaborative process, students may write their entry as a team effort. They may also choose to write their editorial on their own. The judges will use a rubric (PDF) for selecting winners to publish on The Learning Network’s webpage.
So what issue do you care about? Gun violence? Sexual harassment? Social media? You decide.
Deadline: April 5, 2018, at 11:59 p.m. (ET), for submission of editorial entries
Goose Chase on a Mission
Scavenger hunts… We know what they are all about, but did you know Goose Chase EDU is an educational scavenger hunt designed for 21st century learners? Participants work in teams (or independently depending on your account type) and solve missions for point values.
Here’s how it works:
- Create games from scratch or view and copy hunts curated by other educators.
- Start the competition with participants working in teams with mobile devices.
- Track and review progress through the Leaderboard and Activity Feed – keeping participants engaged and giving you realtime insight into progress.
Gamify a learning experience with mobile technology and a blend of missions for tried and true fun.
Get started today! Educational accounts are free forever.