I have been receiving the readingrocket newsletter via email for some time.  I always marvel at how many neat educational news articles they are able to share.  Of late I have also subscribed to their podcasts on visits with authors.  The podcasts are interesting and supportive of reading instruction and learning.  The second series of podcasts are really videocasts and are aimed at the teacher role.  What a great way to get top quality Professional Development.  Please go to http://www.readingrockets.org/ and begin your treasure search.  Be sure to share any other interesting finds you discover on this site by adding comments in response to this posting. 

This little film clip speaks volumes with a clever use of words and video technology.

It is found on teachertube.com an interesting new resource for educators.

http://www.teachertube.com/flvideo/696.flv

A site with word games for kids. Free and does not require you to download.

http://familyfun.go.com/games/online-games/feature/word-game-finder-ms/

A site to give you the variations of the Three Little Pigs.

http://www.ferrum.edu/applit/bibs/tales/Other3Pigs.htm

For free you can join the Geography zone at http://www.geographyzone.com  They have a button where a teacher can set up a group activity for your class and then they can compete against one another in the geography quiz.  It looks like fun.  If you would want me to be the teacher and set up and manage your class I would be willing to give it a try.  I do not know how much time it will take.
And another site, http://www.bkfk.com/ looks like it would be a neat challenge area for the students who need something extra.  But then you might find a project to spice up your spring and provide the spark of energy to make learning fun on the downside of the year. This is suggested for grades 3-12.
Or would you like access to a telescope experience from California’s Mount Wilson Observatory.  You need to purchase the software but access to the telescope is free.  Go to www.telescopesineducation.com

It is a great site for hints in developing strategies for using the search engine efficiently.

www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/Googling_Max-Exercises.pdf

Shakespeare resources:

Usborne quicklinks

This site is correlated with The Usborne World of Shakespeare.  The pages in the book are linked to the Internet to complete the activities in the book.  Students type in a specific page number on the site, based on the directions given in the book. It contains quotes, project suggestions, basic knowledge, examples of music you can listen to on the site and examples of actors performing scenes.

http://usborne-quicklinks.com/usa/usa_homepage.asp

In Search of Shakespeare

This site contains lesson plans, links, a multimedia database, primary sources, performance links, Shakespeare in film, a Othello webquest and project rubrics.

http://www.pbs.org/shakespeare/

The Shakespeare Mystery

This site is the companion guide for the PBS Frontline episode “the Shakespeare Mystery”.  The DVD or VHS format is available. Students will need to watch the episode or parts of the episode to use the site.  This is primarily a source for teachers

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shakespeare/

Milwaukee Shakespeare

This site is by the Milwaukee Shakespeare Company which exclusively performs Shakespeare’s plays. A visit to the play house would be appropriate after studying Shakespeare and perhaps before students put on their own production.  This is a teacher resource site.

http://www.milwaukeeshakespeare.com/index2.html

Tales from Shakespeare

All major Shakespeare plays are rewritten to be understandable to the average elementary student grades 3-8.  The plays average 4-5 pages and have a teacher’s guide.

http://shakespeare.palomar.edu/lambstales/LAMBTALE.HTM

Shakespeare’s Food Poesies

This site provides some information on Renaissance culture and the socio-economic conditions of the times and provides a glossary of the unfamiliar food terms used by Shakespeare. 

http://www.soupsong.com/ibard.html

Shakespeare for Kids

This site provides supplemental information and has many linked activities about Shakespearean words, fun facts, a career link, coloring and puzzles pages with inquiry probes about Shakespearean characters.

http://www.folger.edu/template.crf?eid=588

Shakespeare Resource Center

A very comprehensive site with each link having a short article with multiple sub-links. Example: The Globe Theater includes historical drawings with the article plus 8 sub-links.

http://bardweb/net/index.html

Virtual Renaissance

This site is a reference site to understand the social status of people during Shakespeare’s time. It is multi-layered with multiple links that have multiple sub-links.  As a web-quest there are student pages that allow the students to answer questions or participate in various activities. A teacher’s tool link is helpful.

http://www.twingroves.district96.k12.il.us/Renaissance/VirtualRen.html

Will the Real William Shakespeare Please Stand Up

This is a webquest that may work best at the end of a Shakespeare unit.  Some background knowledge on the jury system is required. It is geared for High School but could be modified for other grades.  It has many research links to explore all aspects of the Shakespeare authorship controversy.

http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/fil/pages/webshakespera.html

Shakespeare’s School – Stratford-upon-Avon

This site provides resources on education in Shakespeare’s time, what Elizabethan buildings looked like, what school was like a hundred years ago in England, and a link to a library.

http://www.likesnail.org.uk/welcome-text.htm

Shakespeare Illustrated

This site lists all the plays and includes a list of paintings based on these plays.  The artists and list of their works in included. It might be helpful after a play has been studied.

http://www.english.emory.edu/classes/Shakespeare_Illustrated/shakespeare.html

Elizabethan  Costuming Page

The site is comprehensive including topics from actual costume patters to proper make-up and many illustrations.

http://costume.dm.net/content.html

Surfing with the Bard

This site contains the plays, a student zone with a Shakespeare 101 and a photo album. There is also a teacher zone, a fun zone and many links.

http://www.shakespearehigh.com/library/surfbard/index.htm

Bell Shakespeare Free Downloadable Kits

This is an Australian resource for preparing teachers who plan to teach a specific Shakespeare play.

http://www.bellshakespeare.com/au/education/indes2005.html

http://www.icdlbooks.org/

The ICDL is a public library for the world, and the collection reflects diverse cultures, perspectives, and historical periods. It should be remembered that this collection is designed for children ages 3-13 and that some materials may not be appropriate for sensitive readers

You may access books in English or Spanish and maybe more. 

http://web.mac.com/ipodcentral/iWeb/Site/Resources.html

On the 14th I attended a workshop by Apple on podcasting.  This website is provided by apple with mutliple links to other resources.  It will not stay up much past the end of the month of February, so take advantage of it now.

Magazines in the rack new and old
 

Crinkles
The magazine took its name from the thought that learning makes Crinkles in your brain!

It a resource filled with information about a theme/topic

From their web site “Crinkles is a magazine for children ages 7 to 11 designed to stimulate a child’s curiosity about people, places, things and events—both real and imaginary. Each issue features over a dozen articles with hands-on activities such as paper action figures, flip books, bookmarks, puppets, word puzzles and fold-up models.

Articles are researched and written by leaders in the education arena to develop children’s skills in critical thinking, independent research and study habits because, learning makes Crinkles in your brain!”
 

Appleseeds
APPLESEEDS is an award-winning magazine of adventure and exploration for kids ages 7 to 9 with fascinating stories and interviews. Kids will receive activities, maps, puzzles, recipes, and games that are related to the theme.
 

Bicycling: World’s Leading Bike Magazine
From mountain bikes to ten-speeds, let Bicycling pedal its way into your reading library. Reviews and reports on the latest bikes, first-rate instructionals from biking experts, profiles of fellow biking enthusiasts and great travel and vacation guides come in each jam-packed issue. Don’t be left in the dust. Take a ride with Bicycling and ride away a better biker!
 

American Girl
American Girl Magazine is a fun and informative publication for girls ages 8 to 12. American Girl features articles on American girls, past and present, stories by noted children’s authors, paper dolls and cut-out clothes, games and entertainment. American Girl invites creative participation from readers in many sections of the magazine including features like the advice column and opportunities to respond to monthly polls on many topics. American Girl is a colorful and engaging magazine filled with photographs and historical stories.
 

BMX Plus!
BMX Plus! Magazine is a longtime favorite among the world’s young cyclists. BMX Plus! thrives on fun and excitement! From the hot action of BMX racing to the madness of freestyle.
 

Boy’s Life
The award winning magazine for all boys, Boys’ Life is dedicated to making a high-quality magazine. Includes articles on history, outdoors, science, and much more.
 

CobbleStone
COBBLESTONE is packed with lively and compelling articles and sidebars. Historic photographs, original illustrations, primary documents, maps, activities, and contests complement the text and appeal to young readers.
 

Cicada
CICADA is a magazine for teenagers and young adults. It offers high-quality fiction and poetry dealing with the issues of growing up, leaving the joys and pains of childhood behind, and becoming an adult.
 

Creative KIDS
The nation’s largest magazine by and for kids. The magazine features stories, games, poetry, contest and art all by and for kids.
 

Footsteps
Footsteps Magazine celebrates African American history and culture. Each issue of Footsteps Magazine explores a new topic from Toussaint Louverture to slavery at Mt. Vernon to the Negro Leagues and the Civil Rights movement. In Footsteps Magazine kids learn about how African Americans lived as whalers on the high seas, as cowboys (and cowgirls) on the Great Plains, and as soldiers in the military. And each issue is chock-full of photographs, paintings, and illustrations that enliven the stories and articles. Footsteps Magazine’s readers also get recipes, activities, book recommendations, and interviews with descendants of famous African Americans.
 

Discovery Girls
Created for and by girls ages 7-12! Discovery Girls celebrates girls’ uniqueness and inspires them to believe in Themselves. “Real” girls model, write for, and help create DG. With articles on school challenges, inspiring stories, fashion and more-it’s a great resource for girls and their parents.
 

Junior Baseball
America’s Youth Baseball Magazine”, serving players, their parents, and coaches. Junior Baseball is packed with tips for players to improve their hitting, pitching, baserunning, throwing, fielding, and every aspect of the game.
 

KIDS Discover
Each issue covers one topic in wonderful detail and pictures. It is almost like a mini National Geographic for children.
 

LadyBug
LADYBUG opens the door to reading for children. Every page of LADYBUG is beautiful, colorful, and a delight to read. Each issue is filled with charming characters, games, songs, poems, and stories.
 

MUSE
Muse is a great magazine for children interested in art and/or science. Beautiful photographs, with fun and informative articles about things like how to make fake ice cream for a photo shoot!
 

New Moon
For every girl who wants her voice heard and her dreams taken seriously.
 

National Geographic KIDS
Award winning magazine that combines learning with fun. Features great stories on animals, science, technology, and awesome accomplishments of kids around the world. Plus puzzles, games, posters, and trading cards, for kids 6 & up!
 

OWL Kids
Owl Magazine is a fun and informative magazine for kids ages 9 to 13. OWL is packed with fascinating facts, amazing articles and special features on Hot Topics, Science Up Close, Weird Zone, and Talk About It. Each issue of OWL includes puzzles, quizzes, contests, and the science behind how things work. With its breaking news stories and mind-boggling puzzles, Owl Magazine is a thought-provoking and entertaining resource to help kids grow.
 

Popular Science
For the very definition of what’s new and cutting edge, look no further than Popular Science. Covering the latest developments in electronics, communications, cars, tools, aviation, space exploration, science, energy, photography and technology, this magazine is an indispensable resource for those who want to keep up with our ever-changing world
 

Ranger Rick
A favorite with older boys and girls. Each issue is packed with amazing facts, awesome photos, outdoor adventures and discoveries that help kids sharpen reading skills and develop a deeper appreciation for our natural world. A 1999 Parent’s Choice Gold Award recipient
 

Science news
Science News is the award-winning weekly newsmagazine covering the most important research in all fields of science. Published since 1922, the magazine reaches about 1.2 million scientists and general readers. Keep up on the latest scientific discoveries in just minutes a week.   

Skateboarding
The voice of skateboarding. Each issue is filled with interviews with the pros, trick tips on how to improve your skating, and worldwide coverage of skateboarding. Designed to spread the culture, each issue brings bold, inside coverage of equipment, events, personalities & techniques.
 

Spider
Children aged six to nine love this magazine and its wonderful coverage of science, history, biography, sports, travel and technology, not to mention the smile-inducing puzzles, games and brain-teasers packed into each issue.
 

Sports Illustrated for KIDS
Each month, Sports Illustrated for Kids covers sports the way kids like it. Enjoy interviews with sports heroes, hilarious comics, awesome action photos, and much, much more.
 

USA Today
 

Your Big Backyard
Filled with fun activities, simple stories and wild animals that little ones love, Your Big Backyard draws preschoolers closer to nature and gets them ready to read. Youngsters will enjoy the seasonal crafts, simple cooking recipes, fun games and other great features month after month.
 

Zoobooks.

Every monthly issue contains eye-popping color illustrations, diagrams and photos – and there’s no advertising to get in the way. Whether you’re reading to your child or your child is learning to read, Zoobooks is the perfect publication. Each issue contains interesting and unusual information about the featured animal that is both educational and entertaining.