Curriculum

=﻿Curriculum=

The National Library of Virtual Manipulatives is a website devoted to helping students understand math through the use of manipulatives. The website features a variety of different facets of math (operations, algebra, geometry) and appeals to a variety of grade levels (Pre-K through 12). Through the use of manipulatives, students are able to interact with their math problems and understand how math problems really work.
 * National Library of Virtual Manipulatives**

This site is great for at home practice when students are away from their teacher, but it is also a great resource for in the classroom. Students could visit the computer lab and each work individually or teachers could pull the website up on a smart board and complete operations in front of the class. In addition to providing games, the site also includes directions that describe how to do the math in addition to how to play the game.

National Library of Virtual Manipulatives Screencast NLVM Website

BrainPop is a great, subcription-based website that is full of educational videos and games for students. Each content area, (such as English, pictured below) offers a variety of skills and specific knowledge. When a user clicks on the skill, it opens an animated video featuring a boy and a robot. The videos are staged as if the boy and robot have received a question from a student. They then address the problem as if they were responding to the specific question.
 * BrainPOP**

From my experience, students (even my 8th graders) enjoy watching these videos and the content knowledge they gain is great. Even though some of the topics may seem simple, the videos go in depth and provide extra practice problems. These can be used as a classroom, or on an individual basis when students need remediation. The site is subscription-based, but if teachers make time to use it, it can be a great resource. Brain Pop

NASA at Home and City is a great interactive website that allows the user to discover how space exploration has impacted their daily lives. The user clicks on various places around a house and is allowed to explore all of the NASA-related inventions that surround us every day. (It contains everything from foamless toothpaste to scratch-resistant coatings on sunglasses.)
 * NASA at Home and City**

This is a great website for all of those students who say, "Why do we have to learn about this?" It also provides a new, interesting perspective on how it must be to live in space. The bright graphics and fun audio make this a great choice for science teachers. NASA @ Home and City

BBC: KS3 Bitesize is a free website dedicated to helping students understand concepts about related to English, math, and science. The site includes little lessons, videos, and tips about a variety of concepts. For example, there is a portion that includes key scenes from several of Shakespeare's plays. In addition to providing detailed descriptions, the site also includes an animated video reinactment of the scene, and tips about how to quote Shakespeare in your own analysis.
 * BBC: KS3 Bitesize**

I think site is a great resource for kids who want more help or practice about a given subject. The site is produced by the BBC, so there are some minor differences (for example, math is "maths"). However, the practice, activities, and tests that the site provides far outweigh the small differences. KS3 Bitesize