The Web Catcher » Social http://webcatcher.edublogs.org Capturing the best educational web sites for kids of all abilities Mon, 12 Nov 2007 05:29:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.2 en hourly 1 Leo Reynold’s Letter Collection http://webcatcher.edublogs.org/2007/10/18/leo_reynolds_abc/ http://webcatcher.edublogs.org/2007/10/18/leo_reynolds_abc/#comments Fri, 19 Oct 2007 02:51:35 +0000 K. Haugen http://webcatcher.edublogs.org/2007/10/18/leo_reynolds_abc/ Today we take you to a Flickr page of photo collections by photographer Leo Reynolds.  What’s unique about Leo’s photos is he takes close-ups of letters in all kinds of wonderful, whimsical locations, often more than 100 examples of each letter.  He invites visitors to use the letters (and many, many other photos) in any non-profit activities, under a Creative Commons license.  You’ll want to visit Leo’s other collections as well, including signs, nuts and bolts, mosaics, cemetaries and churches, and more. This site invites you to consider letters and literacy in a whole new light!

]]> http://webcatcher.edublogs.org/2007/10/18/leo_reynolds_abc/feed/ 0 VoiceThread http://webcatcher.edublogs.org/2007/10/14/voicethread/ http://webcatcher.edublogs.org/2007/10/14/voicethread/#comments Sun, 14 Oct 2007 21:23:02 +0000 K. Haugen http://webcatcher.edublogs.org/2007/10/14/voicethread/ voicethreadVoiceThread is an awesome tool for creating and sharing annotated online slideshows that you have to experience for yourself. Make your own slideshows or browse what others have done.

You can interact by recording or typing comments directly in others’ slide shows and then listen or read what others have said, which creates a non-linear conversation in which anyone can participate.

It’s also possible to doodle on your slideshows, and the doodles fade away (or stick, if you tell them to).

There are numerous examples of how one could use VoiceThread in the classroom.

]]> http://webcatcher.edublogs.org/2007/10/14/voicethread/feed/ 0 BrainsRule! Neuroscience explorations http://webcatcher.edublogs.org/2007/10/14/brainsrule-neuroscience-explorations/ http://webcatcher.edublogs.org/2007/10/14/brainsrule-neuroscience-explorations/#comments Sun, 14 Oct 2007 20:41:03 +0000 K. Haugen http://webcatcher.edublogs.org/2007/10/14/brainsrule-neuroscience-explorations/ Brains Rule! logoBrainsRule! provides information, reference materials and interactive games, animations and slideshows to explore how the brain works and what happens, for example, if someone has a stroke. Also included are options to set up your own BrainsRule web page and interact with the BrainsRule community via voting for favorite games, sending notes to BrainsRule and ‘meeting a BrainWhiz.’

]]> http://webcatcher.edublogs.org/2007/10/14/brainsrule-neuroscience-explorations/feed/ 0 UpToTen.com – fun and educational http://webcatcher.edublogs.org/2007/10/14/uptoten/ http://webcatcher.edublogs.org/2007/10/14/uptoten/#comments Sun, 14 Oct 2007 19:40:04 +0000 K. Haugen http://webcatcher.edublogs.org/2007/10/14/uptotencom-fun-and-educational/ up-to-tenUpToTen Kids calls itself “the fun place to learn online.” With online cards, coloring, interactive games, puzzles and more, there truly are a lot of fun activities, with some opportunities to learn along the way. As the name implies, the site is designed for kids up to age ten, but will probably appeal most to kids a bit younger. The site has many free games and highlighted games change frequently. There are also paid and premium subscriber options to skip the (mainly print) ads and access even more games and content. Plenty of teacher and parent info regarding the design of the site and its content.

]]> http://webcatcher.edublogs.org/2007/10/14/uptoten/feed/ 0 Neuroscience for Kids – Amazing site! http://webcatcher.edublogs.org/2007/10/12/neuroscienceforkids/ http://webcatcher.edublogs.org/2007/10/12/neuroscienceforkids/#comments Fri, 12 Oct 2007 20:29:50 +0000 K. Haugen http://webcatcher.edublogs.org/2007/10/12/httpfacultywashingtoneduchudlerchgameshtml/ neuroscience for kidsNeuroScience for Kids is a buried treasure of brain information and activities for kids. There’s Neuroscience in the News, online and hands-on explorations, experiments, contests, and links to sites, books and articles all about brains. It’s worth the time to dig deep into this site!

]]> http://webcatcher.edublogs.org/2007/10/12/neuroscienceforkids/feed/ 0 Aunty Math http://webcatcher.edublogs.org/2007/09/30/19/ http://webcatcher.edublogs.org/2007/09/30/19/#comments Sun, 30 Sep 2007 15:19:36 +0000 K. Haugen http://webcatcher.edublogs.org/2007/09/30/19/ Aunty MathAunty Math
gives kids in K-5 a different math challenge each week, with three levels (regular, ‘a wee bit harder,’ and ‘a wee bit easier’). Kids can try the challenge and submit their answers. Teachers and parents can view tips on how to use the challenges with kids, what math is involved and how to modify or extend the challenges for different learners.

]]> http://webcatcher.edublogs.org/2007/09/30/19/feed/ 0 Starfall Reading http://webcatcher.edublogs.org/2007/09/27/starfall/ http://webcatcher.edublogs.org/2007/09/27/starfall/#comments Thu, 27 Sep 2007 19:34:21 +0000 K. Haugen http://webcatcher.edublogs.org/2007/09/27/starfall/ starfall readingStarfall is one of the best sites for early reading and literacy, with online stories that offer audio support as needed, a fun, enticing interface, and supportive activities and printables. Multiple levels, with numerous stories and activities at each level.

Starfall was created by the family behind Blue Mountain Cards, one of the earliest online greeting card companies. One member of the Blue Mountain Card family struggled to read because of learning disabilities. The activities are free, and the printed materials very low cost, as a way to help all students who are learning to read, including those who struggle.

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