Instructional Tools for Teachers

Project #4 - Instructional Tools

Instructional Teacher Tools – Any resource, digital or print, that benefits classroom instruction. These resources can used content enhancement, research, sample lesson plans, etc. The medium of instructional tools can be through documents, videos, worksheets, textbooks, anything that supplements classroom instruction.

13 Instructional Tools

1. NCTE.org – National Council Teachers of English, this association provides new teaching methods, lesson plans, books, and online discussions for teachers of any level.
2. NCSS.org – National Council for the Social Studies, this resource provides the same services as NCTE, however it is dedicated strictly to social studies teachers.  
3. AMLE.org – Association of Middle Level Education, offers lesson plans, connections to the common core standards, and the newest methods in middle level education.
4. Pbslearningmedia.org– This is one of my favorite resources, as it has videos, lesson plans, images for all subjects and grade levels. Best of all it is free!
5. Lessonplanet.com – The best site for finding lesson plans, hands down! There are lesson plans that connect to the common core standards. Additionally, there are worksheets, articles, and videos for every subject and level. It is free and simple to use as well.
6. Free.ed.gov – This website, funded by the federal agencies, provides resources for all subjects. There are tons of topics, including the arts and phys ed.
7. Atozteacherstuff.com – Classroom themes and lessons are available through this website. This website has lesson plans for the traditional subjects, but also has lesson plans for using technology and cooperative learning.
8. Hippocampus.org – This individual tutoring tool uses videos from the Khan Academy to teach subjects at the middle school and high school level. This is a tremendous learning supplement for students. Another free website for all to utilize.  
9. Teachervision.fen.com – Ideas not only for lesson plans, but whiteboard activities, parent-teacher communication, graphic organizers, and printable worksheets. However, it does come at the cost of a membership.
10. Lessonplanspage.com – Here is a community for teachers to post lesson plans to share with other teachers. There are over 3,500 free lesson plans and resources for teachers to browse.
11. Differentiatedinstructionresources.org – This website offers articles and resources to help teachers with differentiated instruction within the classroom.
12. Rosettastone.com – (ESL Students) – Seen used in my field placement with ESL students. Student can go through the program to learn English at the developmental level. This is a great tool for students who are having trouble learning English.
13. Todaymeet.org – This resource is great for students to do real time chats. Teachers can use this in class have students discuss topics. Fantastic free and simple resource.

PBS Learning Media Prezi

 Below is a link to the Prezi I recently did for Project #4. PBS Learning Media.org is a fantastic teacher instructional tool. So many great resources and very simple to use. Works for all subjects and levels!

 http://prezi.com/uc8jpafdyu5z/instructional-tool-pbs-learning-media/

Feelings on Flipping Out

I feel that if I knew all students had access to watch the lessons, either online at home, school or the library, I would give it a try. I would probably start with a video from the Khan academy or YouTube. Then I would gauge the students interest, motivation (who actually went home and watched it) and plan an in class activity (assessment) around the video. If students were really into it, I would pursue making my own videos, or glogster posters even. No matter how well it worked I would not turn this into an everyday routine. If teachers did this everyday, I think students would eventually become bored. The newness of watching a video or investigating something online would become what a worksheet is today. I feel that, with my limited experience, flipping the classroom is best used in balance with other homework activities. I am still not completely "all in" with flipping the classroom, I would probably need to try it for myself before I committed to it. Like anything, it has its detractors, what to do if not everyone has access?... what if students do not watch the video, does this put them further behind than a traditional classroom? ...Will students be motivated to sit and watch a video?... Will they truly comprehend what they are watching?

During my field experience, and overall experience with students, I find myself doing more one on one coaching/instruction. Maybe being a coach has something to do with that. Nevertheless,  I always have got more satisfaction working with students individually, rather than whole class instruction. Performing in front of the class is something that is a work in progress. Also, I believe it is too early to tell if planning lessons is a strength or a weakness. I have not had enough experience planning whole-class lessons to know. So a "IP" grade for the performing and a "N/A" grade on planning.

New Symbaloo Tiles

Check out my updated symbaloo with a bunch of new tiles. Some of the tiles are of resources we have used in class while others are not. Included are useful sites such as voicethread, tagul, capzles, edupics and readwritethink. If you are bored or have a few minutes check them out at the bottom of the blog. Thanks!