Everyone likes the word "FREE", and if you're no exception, take a look at the interactive math lessons from DreamBox Learning®. These math tools are aligned with the Standards for Mathematical Practice and are organized by grade and topic.  Topics range from Kindergarten level through 4th grade.  Because the lessons are interactive, they are fun and engaging for students and may help students to grasp difficult concepts using virtual manipulative.  Students may try these 25 lessons at the interactive whiteboard or may go through them individually at computers where a whiteboard is not available. Of course the interactive board will provide the greatest advantage because here students can work with their teacher and others to manipulate tools, explain, and discuss their thinking.

Free Interactive Math Tools

Brain Breaks

Just in time for testing, try some of these Brain Breaks from the Michigan Department of Education, physical activities to get their brains flowing!

Learn some "Smart Moves" with Brain Gym® Exercises that can be implemented in any classroom to engage both sides of the brain.

At Games for the Brain you and your students can play interactive computer games that get the mind working in many directions.  Many of these games can be played at the interactive white board by individuals or as a group.  Chinese Checkers is a fun starter with easy rules for a variety of ability levels.

Brain tip: Change Your Environment! Eat lunch somewhere new, drive a new route to work (for students take a new path to your classroom), or change your household routines. Changing your environment helps to keep your brain stimulated.

Promethean Users Old and New

There's no time like now to take a look at what's already available to help as you work with an interactive whiteboard.  Since both of my campuses use Promethean boards, here are some great links for you to use throughout the year.

Promethean Planet--Register now for a free account if you haven't yet.  This site has a wealth of resources for teachers at all grade levels.  Download resource packs to add new images and backgrounds to your flipcharts.  Browse and download flipcharts by topic or by state standard. Their ActivTips are short, tutorial videos that show just enough to get you started with just about anything Promethean.  (also linked to campus web)

RRISD Flipchart Wiki--These flipcharts are available from Round Rock teachers.  No need to join the wiki, just use its resources.  Some of the flipcharts are tweaked from Promethan Planet, and some are original, but the great part is that they are listed by grade level and follow the ARRC! You are welcome to save them and use as-is or adjust to your liking.  (also linked to campus web)

Promethean Boards Bound--This teacher's blog has some helpful tutorials that explain how to do almost anything you will need with a Promethean board, voters, and flipcharts.  Take a few minutes to survey what's available so that next time you think, "I wonder how to . . .", you'll remember this resource.

Try this blog for a wealth of information both basic and more advanced.

I know that I'm looking forward to this year's new ActivCafe.  Round Rock teachers who use Promethean products will get together once a month to learn from Promethean company educators, share ideas, and have time to create.  And yes, there will be good snacks involved!  Stay tuned.

Refrigerator Magnet Poetry

Awesome fun for poetry lovers!  Here's a chance to manipulate words, play with sounds and meanings in a new format--just like on your fridge at home.  Magnetic Poetry offers several different kits of words.  Select from The Artist, Genius, The Poet, Romance, or Office related words. Just move the "magnets" from the kit into a meaninful poetic form--rhyme or not--any form will do.  Teachers with interactive white boards may want to let students move the words, but even without the display board, students can work from their own computers or from the teacher's projected computer.  The submit option and a print option allow poets to share and keep their work.  This is a new form of word play that students are sure to enjoy.

Take a look at the sample below.

Use for poetry or for word play--the options are only as limited as our imaginations!

It's probably a good idea to stay out of the poetry archives since we never know what somebody else might have written since we last visited the site.

Interactive Sites Worth Sharing

Don't you wish you had more time to search for good websites to use with your class?  Today I'm sharing a few that are specifically chosen because of their interacitivity.  Take a look.  Try the ones that you like, and add anything that really "clicks" with your class to your bookmarks (Diigo, Delicious, or on your PC).  They'll always be here in the archives for you to retrieve as well.

Magnetic Numbers--Great for teaching place value, the blackboard is filled with dragable numbers.  You can also add numbers of your own with a Shift + Click on the board then type.  Clear the board by refreshing your browser and start again.  Numbers can be dragged on the board of an interactive whiteboard or onscreen with a computer displaying to a projector.

Interactive Clock--Use this one to demonstrate elapsed time.

Dare to Compare--Select a subject, grade level, and number of questions.  Test your students' knowledge and attitudes (civics section) in comparison with other students around the world. The Kid's Zone website has many other interactive activities to try as well.

Simple and Complex Machines Virtual Lab--Online instructions allow students to record data using virtual simple and complex machines.  Use this one as a whole class activity from the interactive board or in small groups from laptops.

Magnetic Poetry--From the board or on individual machines, students can manipulate magnetic words and letters to create their own poetry.  Words can be edited for more customization.  Try using this as an activity to summarize a reading selection with unrhymed poetry as you check for understanding.  Demonstrate with the whole group, then set your imaginative readers free with laptops.

Power Proofreading--From Houghton Mifflin, this cartoon formatted activity allows students to choose a grade level, then become proofreading technicians for television station scripts.  Follow the online instructions.  Players gather points as they proofread, then receive a printable certificate at the end.

Virtual Keyboard--Stay away from this one!  It plays Jedi mind tricks, and you won't want to stop playing your own music.  Great for aspiring musicians and also for indoor recess.

Math Videos--"How to Do Almost Anything in Math" These videos explain a variety of math topics in simple visual format.  They're produced based on student's questions.  You might want to introduce a topic with one of these, or use a video to reteach.

Have a go, and let me know in the comments section which ones you find useful.