Share Your Links with Live Binder

LiveBinder is a free webapp that allows you to add in bookmarks directly from your browser. The links can be viewed by others as they access your LiveBinder. His presents an interesting way for teachers to share useful and informative websites with students and/or other teachers. The ability to add in websites directly from the browser is key as it does not require a lot of set up afterwards.

LiveBinder.com

Visit the Learning Classroom Webpage

http://www.tvdsb.ca/programs.cfm?subpage=82973

New Resources Posted on the Learning Classroom Website

We have recently updated our teacher resources webpage with some new resources and materials. Information on tiering, energizers and teambuilding activities. As well as the posting of our DIAmond in the Rough Newsletter.

Check it out!
http://www.tvdsb.ca/programs.cfm?subpage=91461



Visit the Learning Classroom Webpage
http://www.tvdsb.ca/programs.cfm?subpage=82973

Using pictures and media in VUVOX

Vuvox is another free Web 2.0 app that gives you yet another cool way to display pics and videos in an interactive and animated montage. Navigating your way through the application is fairly straightforward and there is the option of using wizards which automatically arrange photos and media for you.

For students, this would be a spin on creating an informational poster on a particular subject or concept but instead of creating, arranging and displaying their information on a piece of Bristol board, they are now creating it on a scrolling and interactive medium.

Check it out - very slick.


Visit the Learning Classroom Webpage
http://www.tvdsb.ca/programs.cfm?subpage=82973

Plenty of PowerPoint Presentations from Pete's PowerPoint Station

Pete's PowerPoint Station provides an impressive collection of PowerPoint presentations that are sorted into a variety of categories and subject areas. There are presentations supporting Phys Ed, Math, Science, English, Spec Ed... the list goes on. You will also find a collection of clipart as well.

Thanks to Amanda K from the Educational Software Blog for providing a list of the Top Sites for Lesson Plans - you need to check this site out as well!


Visit the Learning Classroom Webpage
http://www.tvdsb.ca/programs.cfm?subpage=82973

A Learner Profile Template from Dare to Differentiate

daretodifferentiate.wikispaces.com contains a variety of different resources, templates and materials for the differentiated classroom.  This site provides a long list of strategies where you can find Word, PowerPoint and PDF documents and resources.

Take a look at this student learning profile that was posted on this site.  It is interesting to see the variety of information that goes into developing a comprehensive learning profile.

Spend some time browsing through the variety of resources at this site.e

Web 2.0 Tools from Recipes 4 Success

Two interesting tools from the website Recipes 4 Success. (Thanks to Digygogy for their post on webstuff.)

Recipes 4 Success gives some online tools which could be helpful for the classroom. Another 'plus' is that you do not require a login account to use these tools.

Rubric maker - a fairly simple rubric maker but it may be useful in making a quick rubric or to allow students an opportunity to make their own.

Graphic Organizer tool - this quick and easy tool allows you to add a title and instructions to some common graphic organizers. This can be helpful if you to quickly print off a customized organizer.

Check it out

Visit the Learning Classroom Webpage
http://www.tvdsb.ca/programs.cfm?subpage=82973

50 Best Blogs for Education Leaders

A lot of material to check out here.  50 blogs in subcategories: education news; subject specific; inspiration and motivation; education policy; education technology, etc...

http://www.onlineuniversities.com/blog/2010/02/50-best-blogs-for-education-leaders/

Interesting Facts and Trivia from Mental_Floss

If you are looking for some interesting facts and trivia to help generate interest and attention at the beginning of a class or unit, check out Mental Floss.  This site interesting articles, top 5 and top 10 lists as well as quizzes and amazing facts.  A 'must-have' resource for a teacher webpage or jump-page.

http://www.mentalfloss.com/

Teacher Tools from Scholastic Canada

Check out this site for a variety of tools and templates of organizers (Venn Diagrams, KWL chart) as well as resources on reading comprehension, story elements and assessment.

Teacher Tools from Scholastic Canada

Thanks to Sandra B for the link (follow Sandra on Twitter).

Graphic Organizers - from Classroom Toolkit

A wide array of organizers and templates organized by subject area in this visual organizer 'starter kit'.  This 'starter kit' is a section from this online e-book.  Check out the rest of the sections on this website for more information on Higher-Order Thinking, Multiple Intelligences as well as a variety of links to free and trial software.

Graphic Organizer Starter Toolkit

Strategy-on-a-Page Series

We are posting some resources that help explain some of the strategies used in helping to provide differentiated instruction.  Here is a 1-page hand out on Foldables.

Foldables are a great way for students to organize, plan and/or document new material and concepts.  It is a visually engaging resource that allows students to physically manipulate materials as they make connections between concepts and ideas.

1-page on Foldables

For this and more from our Strategy-on-a-page Series, come visit us at

The Learning Classroom - Classroom Resources

Differentiated Instruction and Assessment Newsletter (1st Issue)

A quick link to a newsletter on DI.  This was created by members from our Differentiated Instruction and Assessment Task Force.  This issue offers a description of DI, a overview of the Learning Classroom Program and a look at Choice Boards.

Differentiated Instruction Newsletter from the DIA Task Force

Lexipedia - defining words and terms through mindmaps

A great way to visually show the meaning of words and terms through their connection to other words.  Great for the visual learner...

http://www.lexipedia.com/
 
Showing a few examples from this site also serves as a great way to start discussion and to have students generate their own definition from the mindmap.  Constructing mind maps can be challenging for many students - particularly when they are just starting out with this type of visual organizer. Lexipedia offers students the opportunity to see mind maps in action and also highlights the benefit of using visual organizers to help deepen understanding and retention.

Creating Lessons that use Multiple Intelligences

Understanding and identifying the multiple intelligences within our students is one thing, addressing these intelligences within our lesson plans is another challenge on its own.

The challenge is in finding effective and appropriate strategies that engage a variety of intelligences while delivering curriculum. The following article from Tammy Andrews (suite101.com) begins the conversation in designing lessons that engage these multiple intelligences.

http://teaching-strategies-mentorship.suite101.com/article.cfm/creating_lessons_that_use_multiple_intelligences

Visit the Learning Classroom Webpage
http://www.tvdsb.ca/programs.cfm?subpage=82973

Graphic Organizer Templates

Graphic organizers present another way for students to arrange and organize ideas, concepts and terms.  These tools present a wide variety of uses in the differentiated classroom.

Graphic organizers can be used to:
-  identify relationships and connections between terms and concepts
-  provide a visual alternative to written notes
-  promote understanding and retention
-  generate and brainstorm new ideas

Freeology has posted a number of free resources for educators including printable graphic organizers.

More on Multiple Intelligences

Here is a website listing some more ideas/activities for lessons and lesson starters according to the different intelligences.  There is a lot of information here as well as a link to more resources and information.

http://lth3.k12.il.us/rhampton/mi/LessonPlanIdeas.htm#Intrapersonal

(Thanks to Diana for the link!)

Classroom Activities Arranged by Multiple Intelligences

A Handy Reference - Classroom activities arranged according to Gardner's Multiple Intelligences.

MI Chart

This chart is based on Robin Fogarty’s chart from her book Integrating the Curricula © 1991 SkyLight Training and Publishing, Inc.
Mindblue has been remixed, revamped and elaborated on the chart with their ideas as well as the ideas from classroom teachers they have worked with between 2000-2008