Kindersite
http://www.kindersite.org

 

The Kindersite is a project designed to simplify the process of finding quality learning materials for younger students on the internet (in 12 languages at the time of this writing). The site has literally thousands of links to resources for the Early Years' classroom and students. From these links, you create your own "My Page" to easily bookmark and track them for later visits.

The site does require a registration although it is free. Once you're logged in, a searchable menu lets you locate songs, stories, and games that are internet based and age appropriate. The quality resources are available for both at school and at home.

From a statistics point of view, the Kindersite has received registrations from 11,300 schools in 137 countries. Schools use the site for:

  1. Introduction of technology to very young children
  2. English as a 1st and 2nd language
  3. Special needs


Last week the site gained the results of a number of European Union Socrates education projects and we will be a partner in a further 6 projects for 2 to 3 years. Most of these projects include technology and education, details will be published on the Kindersite in the near future.

Significant Birthdays!
http://www.shambles.net/pages/staff/icthistory/


This past summer saw the anniversary of some significant milestones.

First the IBM PC Computer turned 25. Doesn't it seem like the personal computer and technology have been here forever?

Secondly, the Internet turned 15. Can it only be 15 years since the first website went live?

How much has changed and what other significant developments have there been? The Shambles web site features a wide collection of links that tell the story. For the nostalgists, it's a nice virtual walk through memory lane. For Computer Studies students, it's a wonderful resource to address the history of computing.

Can I Have a Word?
http://www.barbican.org.uk/canihaveaword/

British poets combine with an interactive and an excitingly rich environment to provide motivation for students to write. Each area or topic features a number of poems that you can listen to online. Then, you move to a multimedia presentation on the topic designed to inspire you to see things in many different ways.

Each section also includes full teacher lesson plans and ideas for how to use the section in the classroom.

The approach and certainly the presentation is very unique. You need to devote some time to explore and reflect on the content of this website to truly do it justice.

National Anthems Info
http://david.national-anthems.net/

Remember the old joke
"What's the last line of the US National Anthem?"
"Play Ball!"

National anthems are a source of patriotic pride for all countries. When you watch the winner of a Formula 1 auto race, or the award ceremony at an Olympic game, or a state funeral, the national anthem of the country is featured prominently.

When you visit this website, select the national anthem from the navigation menu. Obviously, there will be a link that lets you play the anthem but the rest of the country page gives you very insightful historical information about the anthem along with significant events in the country itself that coincide with changes in the anthem.

Plants in Motion
http://plantsinmotion.bio.indiana.edu/plantmotion/starthere.html

What do "Little Shop of Horrors", "Day of the Triffids", and "Return of the Killer Tomatoes" all have in common? They were movies that featured plants in action.

This website is devoted not to plants in action but plants in motion. The site celebrates the fact that plants are living entities that have characteristics all their own for survival and growth.

At this site, look for movies showing Germination, Photomorphogenesis, Tropisms and more. In addition to movies provided by the webmaster, there are instructions and ideas about how to create your own movies.

While at the site, be sure to check out the Plants & Art section. My favourite is the Flower Play link.

Looking for more? Select the curriculum categories on the left of the screen for links that have made it into the newsletter over the years. Or, check out my backflip site for much more.

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