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.

Pop-up Book--Virtually!

Create virtual pop-up books with your students today! ZooBurst is a new entry into the digital storytelling tool store designed for even young students to create their own customized pop-up books. Teachers across the country are starting to use this product with students in both lower and upper elementary grades. The product is free, but it does require that users fill out a simple request form.  No waiting though, your acceptance is immediate.


Use ZooBurst with your students to create a pop-up book of their first week of school.  Work collaboratively to write a book to share a demonstration of science lab procedures.  Would you like everyone to know how well your class demonstrates hallway, classroom, and cafeteria expectations?  Show it with a virtual book.  Work together to summarize a story or nonfiction piece of text.  Upload your own photos or use the program's free clip art and create one of your 10 free books as you write together using your projector so that the class can share a view of your computer's screen.






This video by eduTeacher takes you through the steps of using ZooBurst.