WJC Technology

a librarian’s choice of the best of the Web

http://www.digital-librarian.com/

http://cooltoolsforschools.wikispaces.com/

http://puzzlemaker.discoveryeducation.com

Puzzlemaker, a puzzle generator, is an outstanding tool for use in K–12 learning. With this program, teachers or students can make several types of puzzles that can be printed or exported for use with other programs. The puzzle formats include word search, crisscross, double puzzles, fallen phrases, math squares, mazes, letter tiles, cryptograms, number blocks, and hidden messages. The program can create puzzles in a variety of subject areas, including math and vocabulary, that can be customized for any grade level and curriculum.

The program is free for online use. A CD-ROM version compatible with Windows Vista systems is available for $49.95. The CD-ROM edition includes extra features such as searchable Merriam-Webster elementary and intermediate dictionaries, more than 350 clip art images, and consistent access speeds with no slowdowns during heavy use periods.

Investing for Kids
http://efinancedirectory.com/article_directory/Investing_for_Kids.html

What are Exchange Traded Funds? What is the difference between a spread and a bid? What do banks do with the money that you deposit and what does the FDIC have to do with it? How is coin and paper money really made? What is the difference between CDs and bonds? Features on this Web site include kid-friendly tips on avoiding identity theft, the basics of investing, how to create a budget, and how the stock market works.

The Smithsonian for Students
http://smithsonianeducation.org/students

If the movie Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian whetted your appetite to learn more about the Smithsonian Museum collection, then this site will get you even more excited about the museum’s 142 million objects, including everything from fossils to tapestries. On this site you will find profiles of our nation’s presidents, a “Walking on the Moon” Apollo 11 mission page, and some of the Smithsonian’s collections as well as tips for starting your own collection. The Secrets of the Smithsonian features behind-the-scenes secrets such as the history of the Hope Diamond and even spiders in space!

Willard Wigan Micro Sculptures
http://www.willard-wigan.com/default.aspx

Read about this artist who creates sculptures of such small proportions that you need a microscope to see them. Each piece typically sits within the eye of a needle or on a pinhead. As a creative outlet to deal with dyslexia at school, Willard started making minute pieces of art from the age of 5. This site features a gallery of his work, including replicas of the Statue of Liberty, Tutankhamen, and Marilyn Monroe.

The Berenstain Bears
http://www.randomhouse.com/kids/berenstainbears

This Web site features all of the Berenstain Bears books. Students can browse through short descriptions of all of them, find out more information on how to purchase them, and check out a section on new releases. In the activities section, you’ll find an interactive coloring game, a “Money Matters” presentation, coloring sheets, and more.

Classics for Kids
http://www.classicsforkids.com

Do you know students who are interested in composing their own music? Who want to know more about the different instrument families? Who need to get those musical periods down once and for all? If so, then this Web site is for them. Students can search composers by musical period, by country, or browse for a particular composer on a timeline. One link allows visitors to listen to entire movements of famous pieces by Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Mendelssohn, and more. A musical dictionary might come in handy for those cryptic musical terms. There also are games to play, including Compose Your Own Music and Rockin’ Rhythm Master.

The Web resources below originally appeared in the Summer 2009 issue of Gifted Child Today.

The Vienna Vegetable Orchestra
http://www.gemueseorchester.org

When you attend a classical music concert, usually you see strings, winds, brass, and percussion instruments, but imagine listening and seeing an orchestra whose musicians only use vegetables as instruments! Fresh produce bought at local markets are drilled and shaped into instruments that create a “musically and aesthetically unique sound universe.” A bell pepper is transformed into a trumpet, carrots are made into recorders, leeks are used as violins, and an eggplant becomes an aubergine clap. The Vienna Vegetable Orchestra now plays all over the world and serves vegetable soup after concerts. Visit this Web site to find out more about this unique ensemble and view shopping, preparation, and footage of a live show.

The Federal Reserve Today
http://www.federalreserveeducation.org/fed101/
index.htm?CFID=4614824&CFTOKEN=71041915

What is monetary policy? What is Ben Bernanke’s job as chairman of the Federal Reserve? This Web site explores the history and structure of the Federal Reserve, as well as monetary policy, banking supervision, and financial services dealing with the Federal Reserve. Find out more about the life of a check or dollar bill. Classroom guides, as well as an informational video entitled, “The Fed Today,” are available here.

Measurement Conversions
http://www.convert-me.com/en

This Web site makes life a lot easier when making online conversions for many measurement systems. Conversions in mass and weight, distance and length, capacity and volume, area, weight to volume, cooking, temperature, and fuel economy are all made easy with this site. Conversion tables for both common units (U.S., metric) and exotic units, such as the ones of the Ancient Greeks and Romans, are provided for use.

Chem4Kids.com
http://www.chem4kids.com/files/elem_pertable.html

This is a great site for the emerging chemist! The periodic table is color-coded and explained. An explanation for each element is provided, including the number of electrons in the outer shell, the atomic number, and the atomic mass. Different scenarios of each particular element bonding with another element are discussed. A wav file is available to help students with pronunciation of each element.

Young Writer’s Workshop
http://www.meddybemps.com/9.700.html

Parents and educators can use this site to access several story starters. An illustration and a few lines of text are provided to help the young student get started. It won’t be long before the student gains confidence in his or her own creativity! One writing tip is for parents and children to take turns making up a sentence to create stories together. Students can submit their work and selected work will be published online.

Science News for Kids
http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org

This is a Web site devoted to science news for children ages 9 to 14. The effects of climate change, the grim future of killer whales, and Earth-bound asteroids are just a sample of the featured article topics. This site also offers suggestions for hands-on activities, books, articles, and other useful resources. Students can comment on subject matter and also get ideas for science projects. The site features a weekly brainteaser puzzle, a science fiction composition, weekly science fair profiles, and logic and memory games. Classroom resources are provided that correspond with the weekly article.

The Animated Internet
http://www.learnthenet.com/english/animate/animate.htm Have you ever wondered how the Internet really works? This interactive animation will answer your questions by covering topics such as how e-mail, streaming media, online shopping, search engines, and encryption work. A fun way to understand the inner workings of some of today’s most popular technology.

Your Own Radio Station
http://www.pandora.com Do any of your students have a favorite musical artist? Just have the student type in the person’s name and this Web site will find other songs that have similar qualities to their favorite music, such as vocal harmony, acoustic and electric instrumentation, and major key tonality, to create the student’s very own personalized radio station.

Crayola
http://www.crayola.com Are you out of coloring pages for your students or child? This Web site has more than 1,000 printable coloring pages. Are all of your markers dried out? No problem! Some pages can be colored online with Crayola digi-color! Also, there are more than 1,000 craft and game ideas, as well as easy-to-use greeting card and certificate makers.

Hotmath
http://www.hotmath.com Do you need extra help with math homework? This Web site provides step-by-step help with the odd-numbered problems in more than 200 actual math textbooks for middle schools, high schools, and colleges. All you have to do is find your textbook, pick the page and problem number, and click to reveal successive hints, and finally the answer. There are also additional tests and workbooks for extra practice. Users can even chat in “virtual study groups.” Online access to videos is available at an additional cost.

Imbee
http://www.imbee.com Social networking is a part of many people’s lives today, including kids. Imbee.com is the first social networking site for kids between the ages of 8 and 16. This is a secure site that gives parents the ability to monitor their children’s online activities daily. Users can create and trade their own trading cards, listen to songs or watch videos in the media center, share pictures, and create online blogs.

Exchange Rates
http://www.xe.com Have you ever wondered what it means when the dollar is getting “weaker” as opposed to the Euro? It means that it now takes more dollars to purchase a Euro, which translates into a more expensive European vacation for the American tourist, as well as far-reaching trade issues. Keep yourself up to date with current exchange rates at this Web site.

What a site!!  This website was developed by teachers and includes activities, webquests, links, etc. for all grade levels and subjects.  The site is arranged by grade level, subject, and standard.  Find WebQuests that your students can work on!  Check it out!!

http://www.tripforteachers.org/

Want to make it easier for your students to find the cool websites you use in class?  How about Computer Intervention days – is it troublesome for your students to have to copy the websites they need to visit?  Well, solve your problems!  Create a hotlist on Filamentality and post it to your teacher website under “Class Activities”.  Now, all your students have to do is visit our school’s website, find your teacher page, click on Class Activities, click on the Filamentaltiy hotlist link, and all of the links are there for them to explore.

Here’s the link to start your Filamentatlity Hotlist – http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/fil/

http://school.discoveryeducation.com/schrockguide/