Brain-based Strategies in Teaching

March 16, 2013 by PLB Blogger · Leave a Comment
Do you know that it’s possible to improve a student’s cognitive skills such as attention, memory or logical thinking? A lot of teachers don’t know this and don’t realize that they have an important role to play with students who just don’t seem to be able to pay attention or remember what they […]
Teacher Resources, Tools & Giveaways for the week (Mar 9 – 16, 2013)

March 9, 2013 by PLB Blogger · Leave a Comment
TOOLS
Tagxedo
Create word clouds.
postermywall
An online poster and collage maker.
PrintWhatYouLike
Print only required parts of any webpage using this tool.
RESOURCES
Butterfly life cycle game
An online game to learn the life cycle of a butterfly.
Inquiry Charts (I-Charts)
A strategy guide that enables students to generate meaningful questions in any topic.
Tell a story
Learn how to make movies and tell stories […]
Addressing Teachers

March 9, 2013 by PLB Blogger · Leave a Comment
Mrs. Paxton? Ellen? Miss Ellen? Deciding what students should call us can be a dilemma. Yet, it’s certainly possible to have both the students’ respect and to come across as approachable.
As we model respectful behaviors, we must also comply with the practices in our community and demonstrate a sensitivity to how others like […]
Teacher Resources, Tools & Giveaways for the week (Mar 2 – 9, 2013)
March 1, 2013 by PLB Blogger · Leave a Comment
TOOLS
Spree Games
Educational games for K-12 students.
youSENDit
Send, sync and securely share files and folders from any device.
DarkCopy
A full screen text editor for distraction free writing.
RESOURCES
Hot Spots
An activity to identify what your students are struggling with while reading independently.
Virtual Lemonade
Help students understand the basic concept of profits and losses using technology.
Authentic Assessments for the […]
Noticing the Details

March 1, 2013 by PLB Blogger · Leave a Comment
Try the following exercise: Draw two circles. In the first, sketch in the details that are on the front side of a penny. No reaching into your pocket, wallet or bottom of a handbag here, stay with me. Now, in the second circle, draw the elements that are on the back of a […]
Teacher Resources, Tools & Giveaways for the week (Feb 23 – Mar 2, 2013)
February 23, 2013 by PLB Blogger · Leave a Comment
TOOLS
Fetchnotes
An interface for creating, saving and sharing notes online.
lingro
An online environment to look up words on any website.
PDFescape
Annotate and edit pdf files.
RESOURCES
Graph dynamic linear equations
A sample lesson plan to teach dynamic linear equations through graphing.
Word Wizard
An interactive to improve comprehension and spelling skills.
GIVEAWAY OF THE WEEK
Kids Gear
A chance to win this volume limited […]
Partnering with Parents

February 23, 2013 by PLB Blogger · Leave a Comment
The other day as I watched a parent and a teacher communicate at a conference, I observed what came across as distrust, and possibly even some hostility. The parent was demanding and the teacher didn’t have the time to give the answers that the parent needed. I wondered about how this strained relationship […]
3D Printer in the Classroom

February 16, 2013 by PLB Blogger · Leave a Comment
Did you know that it’s possible to invent your own custom “objects” from just a design or an idea? 3d printers are able to create a three dimensional object based on a design. It’s a really interesting technology and has been used in industries for some time. What is new and exciting is […]
Teacher Resources, Tools & Giveaways for the week (Feb 16 – 23, 2013)
February 16, 2013 by PLB Blogger · Leave a Comment
TOOLS
VocabGrabber
An online tool to generate useful vocabulary words from any text.
ZooBurst
A service to create interactive 3D pop up books.
astrid
A to-do list management service that functions on the web, on Android devices, and on iOS devices.
RESOURCES
3D Printer Challenge
Encourage students to enter in this robot design/3D printer challenge.
Academic Kids.com
An online encyclopedia covering different topics from […]
Special Memories in the Classroom

February 9, 2013 by PLB Blogger · Leave a Comment
Memories are precious and yet in our busy worlds, we hardly find time for them. Think about what you are doing this week with your students, what you did last month, or two months ago. The creative learning, field trips, activities and interactions will soon just be memories.
I recently read about someone who […]