For Educators and Parents
Check here for ideas, links, and other resources to help with teaching children. This area is for teachers, families, and home educators. Check back often for new resources!
Science Resources
Resources that help with planning for and teaching children about science
Science (general)
Links
PBS Science
http://www.pbs.org/parents/education/science/
Brain Pop Science
https://www.brainpop.com/science/
National Geographic Kids - Science
https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/category/discover/science/
Kids Science News Articles
https://www.dogonews.com/category/science
Science Journal for Kids
http://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/
Science News for Students
https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/
Ohio State University College of Education and Human Ecology - Hands-on Science Activities for your Polar Festival
NSTA Books & Resources - Freebies for Science Teachers
https://www.nsta.org/publications/freebies.aspx
Life Science
Links
National Geographic Kids - Animals
https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/animals/
National Wildlife Foundation
https://www.nwf.org/Home/Educational-Resources
Smithsonian Science Education Center - Life Science Resources
Kidzone polar bears
http://www.kidzone.ws/sg/polarbear/polar_bear.htm
Polar bear resources for educators
https://polarbearsinternational.org/get-involved/teacher
Polar Bears International
https://polarbearsinternational.org/polar-bears/characteristics/
NOAA Fisheries - An Incredible Journey: A Series of Educational Activities to Promote Salmon Stewardship (downloadable book, board game, curriculum, etc.)
Thank you, Dr. Kimberlee Ratliff, for recommending the resource!
new Wildlife in Dubai
https://www.bayut.com/mybayut/wildlife-dubai/
Thank you, Evelyn, for recommending the resource!
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Articles
Tate, K. J. (November, 2007). Tiny, powerful, awesome ants! Science and Children, 45,3, 30-34.
Earth and Space
Links
NASA for Educators
https://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/index.html
Kids Geo - Geology for Kids
https://kidsgeo.com/geology-for-kids/
NASA Climate Kids
https://climatekids.nasa.gov/menu/weather-and-climate/
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Volcano Education Resources
https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vhp/edu_resources.html
Elementary GLOBE
https://www.globe.gov/web/elementary-globe
WeatherSTEM WV Lesson Units and Resources
https://jefferson-wv.weatherstem.com/learn
Moongiant moon phases
https://www.moongiant.com/phase/today/
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory Classroom Activity - Art and the Cosmic Connection
https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/teach/activity/art-the-cosmic-connection/
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Electricity and Energy
Links
Energy Kids
https://www.eia.gov/kids/index.php
Oakridge Institute for Science and Education (U.S. Department of Energy)
https://orise.orau.gov/stem/k-12/curriculum-for-the-classroom.html
Science Kids - Electricity for Kids
http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/electricity.html
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Environment
Ducksters World Biomes and Ecosystems
https://www.ducksters.com/science/ecosystems/world_biomes.php
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Physical Science
Links
Rader's Physics4Kids!
PBS Learning Media - Physical Science
https://klru.pbslearningmedia.org/subjects/science/physical-science/#.Xinra3t7k2w
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Articles
Blad, E. (2020, April 24). Massachusetts gets green light to pilot innovative science assessment. Education Week. https://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/campaign-k-12/2020/04/massachusetts-innovative-science-assessment.html
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Lambert, D. (2019, July 23). Plan to expose all students to physics missing one element - teachers. EdSource. https://edsource.org/2019/plan-to-expose-all-students-to-physics-missing-one-element-teachers/615497?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Issue:%202019-07-23%20K-12%20Education%20Dive%20Newsletter%20[issue:22042]&utm_term=Education%20Dive:%20K12
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new Women in STEM
Women in STEM Resources
https://www.sarahrugheimer.com/Women_in_STEM_Resources.html
Thank you, Alexandra, for recommending the resource!
Math Resources
Resources that help with planning for and teaching children about mathematics.
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Links
Math Snacks
Math for Kids
http://www.math-exercises-for-kids.com/
Math Playground
https://www.mathplayground.com/
Articles
Cromwell, R. (2018, August 23). Should we encourage kids to do extra 'math?' Retrieved from https://onlinecareertips.com/2018/08/should-we-encourage-kids-to-do-extra-math/
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Reading Resources
Resources that help with planning for and teaching children about language arts/reading
Links
Reading Rockets
http://www.readingrockets.org/
Starfall
Writing Activities for Children
https://www.education.com/activity/ela/writing/
PBS Kids Reading Games
http://pbskids.org/games/reading/
Articles
I had an undergraduate student in a course I taught a couple of years ago. Her story was so great, I encouraged and helped her publish it. Read about how Mrs. Avalon Toth promotes reading among children in her community! Her book bench approach can be replicated anywhere.
Toth, A. (2017, January 13). Take a book, leave a book: The building of a book bench. https://inmilitary.com/take-book-leave-book-building-book-bench/
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Social Studies Resources
Resources that help with planning for and teaching children about social studies
Links
National Archives - America's Historical Documents
https://www.archives.gov/historical-docs
The History Place
Geography for Kids
https://kidsgeo.com/geography-for-kids/
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Articles
Hubbard, J., Caldwell, A., Moses, P., Reed, B., Watts, K. & Wood, B. (2016). My Country 'Tis of Thee': How one song reveals the history of civil rights. Social Studies Research and Practice, 11(3), 135-152. http://www.socstrpr.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/MS06726-Hubbard-et-al.pdf
Tate, K. J. (2007). Notable Trade Book lesson plan: Recess at 20 below Social Studies Research and Practice, 2(3), 479-485. http://www.socstrpr.org/files/Vol%202/Issue%203%20-%20Winter,%202007/Notable%20Books/2.3.14.pdf
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Humane Education
Resources about humane education.
Links
Institute for Humane Education
Humane Education Coalition
Why Humane Education Matters
https://teachheart.org/why-humane-education-matters/
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Articles
Tate, K. J. (2011). Integrating humane education into teacher education: Meeting our social and civic responsibilities. Teacher Education and Practice, 24(3), 301-315.
Tate, K. J. (2012). What is humane education: Who, what, and why?
https://edutrendsonline.com/2012/04/25/humane-education-who-what-and-why/
Tate, K. J. (2012). Humane education: What's your mission?
https://edutrendsonline.com/2012/11/01/humane-education-whats-your-mission/
Tate, K. J. (2013). Humane education and the Clinton global initiative: Directions for K-12 schooling and higher education. https://edutrendsonline.com/2013/10/17/humane-education-and-the-clinton-global-initiative-directions-for-k-12-schooling-and-higher-education/
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Technology
Resources that help with addressing the T in STEM/STEAM
Scratch (MIT coding website for ages 8-16) https://scratch.mit.edu/
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Articles
Dodge, D. (2019). Coding for kids: The ultimate guide for parents in 2020. https://codakid.com/coding-for-kids-the-ultimate-guide-for-parents-2/
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Classroom Management
Podcast
Hansen, B. (Host). (2021, December 22). (Featuring Dr. Kathleen Tate and Greg Mandalas). Classroom management for K-12 and adult learners, online and in-person [Audio podcast episode]. American Public University Edge. https://apuedge.com/classroom-management-for-k-12-and-adult-learners-online-and-in-person/
new Classroom Management Resources
https://www.trophycentral.com/classroom-management.html
Thank you to Faye Reynolds for recommending the resource!
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Melvin and Muffin Printouts!
Print out one of the Muffin and Melvin Venn diagrams to make learning more fun, thematic, and engaging! There are two choices - a color diagram and a non-color diagram. Venn diagrams allow for listing unique aspects along with shared/similar aspects in the middle where the circles overlap. This kind of prewriting activity prompts deeper reflection and knowledge recall about texts and prepares learners for drafting and writing.
Use the diagrams to teach children to compare/contrast aspects from the book Melvin and Muffin: Physics on the Playground (Exploring Newton's 3rd Law).
1. Compare/contrast Melvin and Muffin character traits
2. Compare/contrast story settings
3. Compare/contrast Newton's laws
4. Compare/contrast parts of speech (e.g. nouns, verbs, adjectives) related to Melvin and Muffin
5. Compare/contrast scientific accuracy versus imaginative qualities (e.g. personification) in the story
6. Compare/contrast the problems/solutions in the story. There are several problems and solutions/results in the book. Remind children that solutions in stories are not necessarily positive in nature.
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Use the Melvin and Muffin puppet faces to make a variety of puppets, brainstorm/prewrite, staple together several copies for book reports, create flash cards with reading or science vocabulary words, and more! The puppet face printouts can be found at the For Kids menu tab.
