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Learning Around the Web: Sizing up our Universe

Take a five minute coffee break and check out this fabulous interactive site from the Smithsonian Museum- Sizing Up The Universe.  It does a great job explaining how big the planets, moon, and our Solar System are by comparing them to real life objects. PS: If you haven't discovered this already, museums have some of the best interactive web resources that allow children to learn and explore.

Try it with:  students studying space in school, anyone interested in space!   Great fun facts and conversation starters.

A Channel to:  help kids learn the scale of objects in space by comparing them to real life objects, and to their local maps.

Grades: great for any age!

Endless Opportunities with "I Spy"

 "I Spy" is a classic game that kids love. Not only can it be modified and used with any subject at any age, but it can be made educational and played anywhere because it does not require any materials. Find out what your child is currently learning about, and try using "I Spy" to "study"!

"I spy with my little eye five ways to use this game to help my child understand what is being taught in the classroom.. " 

SCIENCE (Living Things and Non-Living Things) 

"I spy with my little eye an ant crawling out of its hole.  Is it a living thing or a non-living thing?"

SOCIAL STUDIES (Great Lakes and Mapping)

"I spy with my little eye a lake that borders Ontario and the United States."

READING (Phonological Awareness)

"I spy with my little eye something in this park that begins with a "tr" sound."

MATHEMATICS (Measurement)

"I spy with my little eye the distance that we just walked around the block would be best measured in kilometres, inches, or metres?"

TIP: Take advantage of your surroundings.  Use signs, license plates, nature, etc. to help your child with his/her learning.  Just look around!  Almost anything can be made into a learning experience!!

Learning Around the Web: My Wild Self

This is probably one of the cutest educational sites I've seen in awhile - Build Your Wild Self.  Hosted by New York Zoos and Aquarium, children can build an avatar of themselves, add wild animal features, and see the silly scientific name of the creature they created.   It also provides a detailed explanation of the body part adaptations.  

I've seen this site in action in a classroom and it definitely creates a buzz amongst the students! Check out my Gir-sea-ger-li-lemur.  I was dreaming of African safaris and Pier 39's recently lost California Sea Lions as I made this.  

Great for: Science enrichment in the classroom or at home, a fun activity before or after a visit to the zoo or aquariumTry it with: the creative student, students interested in scienceA channel to:  learn about adaptations, spark an interest in science, get creative juices flowingGrades: K-5