As a literacy teacher, I am always looking for ways to integrate content areas into my lessons. This has been relatively easy when using web videos, such as You Tube as there is no reading involved. However, social studies has always proven difficult for me in terms of locating developmentally appropriate on-line text. Publishers of children's books have worked very hard in the last five years to provide the market with non-fiction leveled texts that both appeal and teach young or struggling readers. However, it has been a challenge for me to help students make connections with the outside world through website research. Recently, this has changed since discovering www.scholastic.com.
Scholastic has become an incredible resource for my students and me. It provides a wealth of ideas to support readers of all levels and abilities. There is an on-line magazine geared towards lower elementary age students that allows us to find the definition of unknown words using 'Dictionary Wizard.' The site allows me to browse online activities by grade and subject. There are computer lab suggestions. There is even a writing link that teachers young authors how to compose book reviews and create news stories. Kids can even post non-fiction book reviews.
In order for technology integration to further develop my teaching, I will need to discover more sites similar to Scholastic. Web publishers will need to become more aware of the needs of a population of young readers and writers whose access to the world beyond the classroom is much more limited due to learning disabilities.
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I love the National Geographic 'My Wonderful World' site. The ideas of how to incorporate geography into a typical day are worthwhile. I often have my young readers spin the globe and chose a location that we talk about briefly. The 3-D Earth exploration of the planet may be an incredible way to expand my somewhat simplistic idea using a globe.
ReplyDeleteHey... I love that spinning idea! Thanks! then you can go right to the web site to play... I mean learn... and it needs only take a few brief moments if the technology cooperates! Thanks
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