JeopardyLabs...Who doesn't love Jeopardy?

I have been using a format of Jeopardy to review for exams for many years. During all of these years, I have used a PowerPoint template to create my review game, however, with JeopardyLabs, one only needs access to the Internet and an LCD projector.

I am in the process of learning how JeopardyLabs works, but here are my current thoughts. First, I love how easy it is to set up a game. Second, I love how the scorekeeper (aka the teacher) can easily keep score on the game screen. Third, I like how you can search through other Jeopardy templates and use AND edit them instead of starting from scratch. Fourth, students can play (review) on their own since the game does provide the correct answer. Finally, I enjoy how one can embed the game into a website, as well as send a link to students and/or colleagues.

Here is a Jeopardy I found...please note that I did not make this: AP US Government and Politics Review

Bell Ringers from C-SPAN

A Note: This post is primarily geared towards social studies teachers, but I bet some of you crafty English, writing, and ESOL teachers could use this resource too ;)

C-SPAN is often stereotyped as being dull since they just show Congress blabbering. On the contrary, they have wonderful resources for teachers and for a person who loves learning about politics and the inner workings of the US government. Since I live in the DC area, we get C-SPAN on the radio and I love Sunday afternoons since they replay the audio portions of the Sunday morning news shows WITHOUT commercials. I prefer listening to the talking heads rather than watching them :)

The main purpose of this post is to show you a great resource made for the middle school/high school teacher...Bell Ringers. C-SPAN has a growing library of relatively short video clips and study questions that correspond with important topics students learn in most US history and government/civics classes---especially those AP classes. C-SPAN has been uploading their programming to the Internet for free for years, but instead of having to spend time wading through a 90 minute congressional hearing, they have done this work for you!

In order to use Bell Ringers, you will need to create a free account, but I promise it will be worth it! I like how I can share the video clips on Edmodo and add them to my class lessons to help explain challenging concepts.

Here is the link to the video below that explains the history the filibuster in 2 minutes. Here is a video clip explaining the history of the filibuster:

OneLook Reverse Dictionary

Have you ever experienced a time where you had a word on the tip of your tounge, yet you were unable to recall it? You were able to describe the word while, and still your brain would not cooperate..

Well my friends, OneLook is your solution! Simply type in the characteristics of a concept and you will receive a list of related words. If you are a crossword puzzle fanatic, you might find OneLook really helpful.

I can foresee a variety content areas using OneLook in order to have students create word clouds showing how different vocabulary words are related. I have found that if students can make a visual connection between multiple vocabulary concepts, they have an easier time learning, understanding, and internalizing the vocabulary.

13 Websites with FREE E-Books & Textbooks!

I just discovered this great resource that provides 13 websites that offer free e-books and textbooks. Some of the sites have been around for a while, though I did see some new ones. 

My favorite is the Flatworld Knowledge site...great place for FREE college textbooks. 

If you teach science, there looks to be a great one called "Science Books Online" that has a variety of articles and e-texts related to many different science fields. 

I know students in my school read 1984 and The Great Gatsby, thus why not have them download the books to their mobile devices they are already using!

Times Machine from the New York Times

I recently discovered this GEM of a resource. The New York Times (love them or hate them) has a large catalog of newspapers going back to 1851! They put some of their highlights at the opening screen of their webpage...including the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln and the sinking of the Titanic.

I foresee using the front pages as a way to get students interested at the beginning of the lesson. If you teach history or journalism, this should be right up your alley!

Here is a sample...

Quizlet Makes Studying Fun. (period added for emphasis)

Those of you who have read my blog in the past already know I am a big fan of Quizlet. Nevertheless, I am dedicating this entry to showing you some of the neat ways you can use it in your "classroom". Over the years, I have discovered that many students do not know what it means to "study" or they do not want to study. One of the reasons I like Quizlet is that it makes studying more interactive, personal, and FUN.

The video above quickly shows you some of the benefits of using Quizlet. The fact that students can play "games" as a way to study vocabulary makes learning more fun. Also, because my school is promoting that teachers use Edmodo this year, you can easily embed Quizlet flashcards into an Edmodo posting, thus integrating these FREE technology assets. Students can study flashcards and play review games directly on Edmodo.

One of the reasons I have become a Quizlet dork is the fact that students can study using a variety of devices. Currently, Quizlet has a free iPhone app--it works well, though you don't have access to creating flashcards directly through the app. For you Android users, unfortunately Quizlet does not yet have a dedicated app, HOWEVER, many free apps exist where you can use Quizlet. Check out the image below for these apps...

Here are a set of videos to help you learn how to get started with Quizlet...most of these videos are under 45 seconds:

1. 1-Minute video showing you the basics of Quizlet
2. Create an account
3. Set up a class
    - Invite students to your class
4. Create a set of flashcards
    - Use the auto-define feature (I use this all the time!)
5. Add images to flashcards
6. Share flashcards (this is how I embed flashcards on Edmodo)
7. Use test mode

There are many more video resources to help you learn about Quizlet. You can find them all here.

Great Ipad Resource for Teachers

Recently, I was chosen to be one of a handful of teachers who will be rolling out our school's use of iPads. Each teacher who participates will receive a cart of 30 iPads to use with their students. I have been playing with my assigned iPad to learn how I will use it in the classroom. It has been hard to fully plan how I will use the iPads with my students since I have no idea when I will receive my class set...perhaps next month? 

Over the past few weeks, I have been researching how other teachers are using iPads in the classroom. I have come across many resources, but I would like to share two of the better ones.

1. iPad As: This simply created website breaks down the apps for the iPad based upon the goals of a teacher. I like the format of this website and the nifty descriptions of each app (including in some cases tips and pros/cons).

2. AP iPad Presentation: This website is similar to the former, though it is geared more towards AP teachers. Nevertheless, ANY teacher will be able to find and discover great apps for their students. 

If you have any iPad apps you consider "must haves" for a teacher, please share!