Julie, Resources

Manipulative Hotlinks:

http://www.arcytech.org/java/

This is a wonderful website that works with students K-8. It has lots of fun but very useful math lessons and games and also includes some Biology and Music. This website would be great for not only students but also for teachers and parents in helping their child learn these subjects in a more interactive way. This website is setup so the user is able to move at their own pace and they are able to go through other links that teaches them the topic beforehand and then they have the chance to try to work the problems on their own when ready. There is also a link for each lesson that is specifically for the teacher that describes the lesson and its appropriate grade level. All of these links could be used either in the classroom or in the home so students are able to practice and parents can help when needed. I would definitely use this website in my own classroom someday.

http://standards.nctm.org/document/eexamples/chap4/4.2/index.htm

This is another great website that helps teachers set up lesson plans in the classroom and also allows students to work with computers interactively. This website helps students learn the concept of triangles and the properties of polygons. This website allows students to work with an interactive computer geoboard to help students identify simple geometric shapes, describe their properties, and develop spatial sense. These interactive activities help students reach the goals described in the geometry standards. This website explains to the students what they should do and then gives tips and ideas to teachers about how to talk about this topic in the classroom and gives questions they can use to help form a discussion and reflect after discussion.

http://www.lane.k12.or.us/insttech/vtc/science_interactive.html

There is so much going on in this website that that your students will be busy for hours. This is a great website for all ages. It focuses on science and is a great resource for learning and then testing what you learned through fun, animated activities. This website covers every sub division of science and really stimulates the users thinking. I think this website is a great way for students to explore on their own beyond the text book and allows them to test their own knowledge using interactive activities.

~ All of these websites are great for in the classroom or at home. These websites allow students and teachers to enjoy learning through virtual online manipulatives and are great for all ages. These links will take students beyond the text book and allow them to work hands on so they are able to really work understand and learn these topics.