Check out these websites for use in your classrooms or for fun!

Weather Mapping System

http://www.ems.psu.edu/VRStuff/QTVR.html

This site is a weather mapping system.  It allows the viewer to see weather anywhere on Earth.  It shows the weather in a movie format.  The movie format allows you to stop the movie and spin the Earth to a location that is interesting to you.  It can be incorporated into different curricular areas.  It can be used for science, English, history, and math.  Students can study different periods of time.  The students need to b e comfortable with the internet and hoe to use it.    They should also have some geographical knowledge.  Teachers also need to be trained in computer skills and have good behavior modifications in place.  The classroom needs to have computer access for all students and ideally a Smart Board.  Objectives could be to find an area and study its weather for a set time, to calculate the average rainfall over a period of time.  Give a history report on the weather of a particular area.  A very effective and dynamic lesson can be planned around this site.

Websites from Grid

Create your own roller coaster!

www.funderstanding.com

This website allows the user to manipulate tools to build a roller coaster. Students can use the provided parameters to try different designs but think about how many different experiences could be created with a sound lesson plan with this site...  This website could be used for physics, math, technology, or building curriculum.  The students need to have formulas for calculations that will allow the rollercoaster to function properly.  The students also need to be somewhat comfortable with the internet to engage in this activity.  The teacher needs to be proficient in computer and internet use to facilitate properly.  The classroom needs to have enough computers and internet hook-ups for all students to e able to collaborate and work independently.   You could teach the students that people with real jobs utilize these tools that we learn in the classroom it is authentic learning.  I am a novice and had a lot of fun playing with this roller coaster!

Explore all things encountered through the seasons!

        http://learner.org  

Search for: Journey North

This is a massive collaborative learning site. This site takes the user through the seasons and is very interactive.  From the main frame you can reach different collaborative projects.  Regardless of your grade level, you'll find an area that is applicable.   This is a terrific site.  How wonderful to have a tool accessible for teachers, students, and parents to use and receive such a vast range of information.  To utilize this site, not much expertise is needed.  It is self- explanatory and easy to use.  This website can be used across the curriculum and with many different lessons.