Before and After the Great Earthquake and Fire, 1897-1916
This site provides 26 films of San Francisco from before and after the Great Earthquake and Fire. The earthquake struck on April 18, 1906, along the San Andreas Fault, damaging most central California cities and killing more than 3,000 people. These films show Market Street, Chinatown, a parade, San Francisco viewed from a balloon, and vast devastation from the 8.3 magnitude earthquake and 3-day fire.
Lyrical Legacy: 400 Years of American Song and Poetry
Lyrical Legacy helps teachers explore eighteen American songs and poems from the digital collections of the Library of Congress. Each song and poem is represented by an original primary source document, along with historical background information and, in many cases, sound recordings and alternate versions.
Extreme 2002: Mission to the Abyss
This is the expedition page of the 2002 Mission to the Abyss. Developed by the University of Delaware Graduate College of Marine Studies, the site highlights the mission and crew, seafloor geology, creature features, and high-tech tools used in the study. This interactive website allows students to explore the submersible Alvin, find out how hydrothermal vents form, define the deep ocean, study plate tectonics, and meet hydrothermal vent organisms. The site includes extreme experiments, includin
Nanobacteria: Are They or Aren't They Alive?
This California State University lesson plan contains materials for a five-part activity regarding whether or not nanobacteria are alive. The case-study based activities include: What does it mean to be alive?; What evidence is there that nanobacteria are alive?; More evidence of life; Corroborating evidence (?); and The final chapter (or is it?). The website contains pertinent general information articles and resource lists for students as well as homework assignments based on readings. An answ
Great Moments in Science: Light of Life 1
This Great Moments in Science radio transcript discusses the history of bioluminescence. It covers the first scientists to study bioluminescence, organisms capable of making light, biochemistry of the phenomena, and interesting stories. The audio version of this program can be downloaded and requires RealPlayer.
Creatures that "glow" in the night
This Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education activity (PDF) encourages students to practice experimental design and scientific writing through the study of bioluminescence. Students observe and experiment with bioluminescent dinoflagellates (Pyrocystis fusiformis), learning how and why they produce light. The activity includes information for teacher preparation, an introduction to bioluminescence, defined vocabulary terms, a list of necessary materials, procedure, assessment questions, and
Two paths to knowledge
For students who always finish their class work early or want more information than you have time to give, try curriculum compacting.
Play with purpose
Electronic whiteboards make the internet an active communication vehicle of engagement and learning.
Understanding and using fonts
Serifs, sans serifs, and when to use them.
Search tools you haven't tried
Ask.com, Vivisimo, and WiseNut offer options for finding, organizing, and displaying the websites you're looking for.
East from India: Cambodia and Southern Vietnam
Photographs and text tell the story of the Cham and Khmer cultures of southern Vietnam and Cambodia, including a look at Angkor Wat and other great temples and cities.
Contemporary life in Vietnam
Photographs and text describe contemporary life in Vietnam and the impact of economic and social reforms since the 1980s.
Not your mother's math teacher
North Carolina's 2001-2002 Teacher of the Year, Carmen Wilson, talks about real-world math and teachers' roles as professionals.
Tools of the trade for information seekers
A guide to understanding and using search engines, directories, and the invisible web.
It's an ad!
How do marketers target kids -- and how can we teach kids to know the difference between advertising and fact? These websites provide strategies to build critical thinking skills for media literate kids.
Greeting your Limited English Proficient (LEP) students in their own language
Even a simple "Hello" or "How are you today?" can help to integrate a student into a new environment. This article offers strategies and tools for teachers wishing to learn a few words of a new language.
Mentoring matters
How mentors can serve as role models, helpers, and colleagues.
Reading picture books: resources for teachers
Illustrations, picture book finding aids, and great picture book websites.
Finding Common Ground
Finding common ground helps students make informed decisions to conserve temperate forests in the United States and central China, habitat of the endangered giant panda. Through classroom activities, on-line simulations, and field investigations students learn about the important role temperate forests play in local and global ecosystems. Action steps culminate in a Class Conservation Action Plan.
In the course of this curriculum students locate the biome in which they live, explore a local habi
Decoding the Past: The Work of Archaeologists
This site introduces students to archeology -- the study of material remains to learn about past human experiences. This lesson (Grades 3-8) discusses various challenges of an archaeologist: locating a site that will yield clues about the people who once lived there, conducting excavations, and more. Students identify artifacts from a contemporary setting, describe the function of each artifact, identify methods for dating soil layers, and interpret soil profiles.
