vol 2
November 1997
Interactive Software Brings Learning to Life
By Harmony Vanhille
Looking for a fun educational game? Wondering how a computer
can be better utilized in your class? Look no further!
The Curriculum Library has expanded its Educational Software collection to
better meet the needs of professors and education majors.
Technology can do wonders to enhance any subject in the classroom, and so
it is important for educators to become familiarized with the software available.
Professors often assign software reviews in education classes, and teachers
sample the collection before purchasing new software for their own classrooms.
There are three computers available in the library for previewing purposes.
Assist a group of creatures you create on
“Logical Journey of the Zoombinis” is a great game for building math thinking
skills.
a journey to escape their oppressors when you play “Logical Journey of the Zoombinis.” This math puzzle game is great for ages 8-12 for building advanced math thinking skills such as data analysis, logical reasoning, and sequential logic. “Body Park” is a great science program with interactive games and lesson
plans divided into five units covering topics such as anatomy, health, nutrition, and safety. It will enhance science lessons for grades 1-3. New programs for social studies include “Neighborhood Map Machine” for teaching the concept of community and early map skills. This is a great program for grades 1-3. “Who Built America” focusses on American history at the high school level. Games, graphs, audio histories, and photographs capture the story of America from 1876 to the Great War on 1914. Lesson plans can be gathered from programs such as MathFinder and Science Helper K-8. Try these new programs and expand your knowledge of what computers can do to liven up learning and simplify lesson planning.
visualize, so demonstrations are important.
Using small manipulatives in front of a
class can be an awkward situation, but
overhead projectors can clear up any
difficulties with the right transparent
materials. The curriculum library has
added several manipulatives and a
reference book to make math easier for
visual learners. Math Transparencies is a
book with visuals for lessons on time,
measurement, temperature, number charts,
Instead of making overhead transparencies
for every lesson, teachers can use and
reuse the visuals in this handy collection.
Learning to use various functions on a
calculator can be confusing, but a
transparent calculator can help a teacher to
demonstrate computation skills so all can
observe. Other overhead materials include
transparent di for probability concepts and
overhead board games, and transparent
money, which includes bills and coins.
 |
| The Curriculum Library has a collection of manipulatives,
or teaching materials to use in each of the major subject areas. This
past month, our science resources have expanded to include some great
manipulatives for biology lessons. For a unit on the body, “Pumping Heart”
model has been purchased to show the way blood flows through the veins.
Colored water can flow through rubber tubing into a transparent heart
to demonstrate how the heart functions. The study of plants can be enhanced
in upper grades and on the high school level with a new Auto-Feed Hydroponic
Green House. Grow fresh herbs, plants and flowers in your classroom without
soil! Other plant lessons can be embellished with the new Tree Rings kit which includes over |
ten hands-on projects about the importance of trees
to humans. Count the tree rings to find the age, make leaf fossil prints,
and explore the world of trees. The water cycle is easy for any age level to understand with the new water cycle model. Just add water, and watch the cycle take place before your eyes. “Volcanoes, Earthquakes, and Tsunamis,” is a kit which comes with an activity guide as well as various experiment cards and materials to show how these natural occurrences take place. This kit could add a great deal to a Hawaiiana lesson on the effect of such natural disasters on the islands. Manipulatives can turn science into a fun hands-on experience. Take advantage of our collection! |
|
Discover the Joy of Periodicals! Planning a thematic unit? Need a lesson idea on insects? Browse through the periodicals index to find instant lesson plans! |
|
For K-2: For 3-6: |
Science: For Gifted Students: Others:
|
|
Tips for Surf for Lessons Ideas! Need a math lesson for 3rd grade? Need an idea for high school literature? The Internet has a plethora of websites containing lesson plans in every subject area and grade level. Copy them and collect them for your resource files! Here is the Curriculum Library’s top ten: 2. ericir.syr.edu/Virtual/Lessons/ 3. www. iloveteaching.com 5.www.teachers.net/cgl-bin/lessons/ govt.cgi 6.www.eyesoftime.com/ 7. www.ceisme.gatech.edu/ 9. www.geocities.com/ Athens/8854/new.html
|
Na Ke Kumu Waiwai "Wealth of Resources"
Volume 2 November 1997
Editor: Shauna Thee
Staff Writers: Harmony Vanhille
Web Design: Angela Allen
Education Curriculum Library Home
Please contact our Webteam with comments or suggestions.
Last updated 05/22/01
