Principles of Elementary Education Websites

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Mallory Jaryga Dr. Irons Principles of Elementary Education April 26, 2006

1. ReadQuest.org

Summary: ReadingQuest.org is a FANTASTIC website for supplementary teaching tools and techniques. For instance, in the Strategies section there are 25+ links to forms and explanations of teaching strategies like ABC Brainstorm, Clock Buddies, and K-W-L charts, to name a few. Most of the tools offered are geared towards social studies lessons, but can be modified to fit many other subject areas. There are also Frameworks for choosing comprehension strategies and links to other practical websites. This site is great for new teachers to get ideas and strategies to enrich the learning experience.

2. ReadWriteThink.org

Summary: ReadWriteThink.org has extensive teacher-tools including lesson plans complete with resources, book recommendations, and links to other instructional tools. There is also a large list of other web resources for teachers that offer similar products and services. The site is somewhat boring visually, but the information offered could be extremely helpful and is presented in a clear, logical way.

3. EnchantedLearning.org Enchanted Learning®

Summary: This site offers ideas to teachers like themes, crafts, and activities. The best thing about this website is the graphic organizers it makes available; there are 35+ graphic organizers that could be used as-is or customized for a specific use. While the site offers a lot of tools, it is somewhat amateurish in appearance. Jaryga 2

4. Scholastic.com

Summary: The teacher section of Scholastic.com gives teachers ideas for classroom activities and lessons according to grade level and even hosts teacher-made websites. There are online interactive skill builders, lesson plans, teaching strategies. The “Tools” section offers unique functions like a Flash Card Maker and Classroom Management Materials. The site is free and could be very useful for a new or established teacher.

5. DiscoverySchool.com

Summary:

DiscoverySchool.com is an extremely helpful website that offers a plethora of tools and ideas for teachers, but perhaps the best part is the quiz and puzzle makers. It is free to join, and, upon membership, teachers can have access to these very helpful tools. Teachers can choose to offer the quizzes, etc. online or can print them for in- class use. There are lesson plan ideas and clip-art galleries, but the quiz maker alone is worth joining!