Friday, November 23, 2018

Websites for the Earth Science Classroom

If you have computers in your classroom or access to a computer cart I'm sure that you are always looking for new websites to use with the kids (I know that I am). Here are some sites for you to try out.

Earthquake Monitor - this is a website that allows you to monitor where earthquakes are occurring and what magnitude each is

Visible Geology - this website allows you to visualize various geologic formations such as folding and tilting as well as topographic features. Some of this site might be a bit advanced for middle school students but it's worth a look.

3D Solar System - this site allows you to visit each of the planets and at each planet, you'll find a list of facts and a short blurb about the planet, there is also a narration that can go along with each if you think that will be helpful

If the Moon Were Only 1 Pixel? - this a cool site that shows the scale of the universe from the perspective of the moon being one pixel large

NASA--Planets - this site would be great to use in a science/literacy activity. It's a reading about what makes a planet a planet and could provide a good start for a discussion.

Nasa--Climate Change - this site provides a lot of information about climate change and would be good for students who are doing a research project.

Saturday, November 10, 2018

Human Body System video clips


I have always loved showing short video clips to my students.  I find that it breaks up the class and also gives students a different perspective on the material.  While the human body can seem like something that students can relate to, there is much to it that they often don't understand.  At the middle school level, it can be hard for students to visualize what is happening inside their body.  Scholastic has a collection of short videos (around 3 minutes long) to introduce students to the major points of each body system as well as the five senses.  There is also a video on heredity (one of my favorite topics to teach).

Which one of these videos will you use in your class?