Math Teachers: Looking for 3D Geometrical Prisms? Here are 10 Sites Where You Will Find Them

One of our math teachers came to me the other day and asked me if I could find him images of 3D geometrical prisms, especially those he could print out and have his students put together. As I surfed the web for him, I started to put together a list:

3D Geometrical Shapes- Help with Math.com has lots of pre-drawn 3D shapes for your classroom

3D Shapes-print and put together a heptagonal pyramid, play the 3D Shape Game and more; for younger kids

Geometric Shapes to Print 

Google Sketch-Up Math Project- 3D shape printable templates

K6 Geometric Shapes-explains volumes and surface areas; color images

Interactive Geometry: Prisms

Interactives: Geometry 3D Shapes- in color!

Name the 3D Shapes- worksheet for younger kids

Paper Models of Polyhedra- have your students download and put together a 3D model; many to choose from

Prisms with Examples- color diagrams

Web 2.0 Tools: 20 Easy & Creative Ways to Bookmark Online

If you are like me, you have hundreds of  bookmarks, some organized, some not so organized. Since every day brings more and more information, we are definitely in need of a way to not only make bookmarking easy, but to be able to access them wherever we are. I love the idea of a central location for everything. I can access the information at home, at work or even on my smartphone. I'm sure you will find one or two from the list below. Do you use any particular tool for bookmarking that you like?

Aboogy- Personal bookmarks combined with your choice of search engines presented in clean and simple layout

Bookmark Commando- access bookmarks from anywhere in the world; reports if links are no longer valid

Del.icio.us- social bookmarking

Diigo- allows you to bookmark and more

Evernote- does much more than just bookmarking; one of my personal favorites for organizing my life

Google Bookmarks

Historious- one-click save

iKeepBookmarks- allows you to create folders of your bookmarks; set up a page for your school with your bookmarks; see sample here

LiveBinder It- every time you find a link you want to save, instead of clicking on 'favorites' you can click on 'LiveBinder it' and save directly to an existing or new binder.

MyBookmarks- access bookmarks from anywhere

My Home Page- looks like Only2Clicks, with thumbnails of your bookmarks displayed

Only2Clicks- thumbnails serve to identify sites; organize by tabs

Pinterest- online pinboard combines personal bookmarks and more

Quick Bookmarks

SiteJot- simple online bookmark manager

StumbleUpon- bookmark your favorite sites or have StumbleUpon find new sites for you based on your preferences

Symbaloo- like Only2Clicks, this is a visual bookmarking tool

Yahoo Bookmarks- access from anyplace in the world

Xmarks- works with IE, Chrome, Firefox and Safari browsers; syncs your bookmarks

Zootool- visual bookmarking

The Student Essay: 22 Sites to Find a Topic

10 Offbeat College Essay Topics- from CNN

50 Argument Essay Topics 

101 Persuasive Essay Topics 

400 Writing Topics- from About.com

The Argumentative Essay

Bad Essay Topics for College Admissions-topics to avoid

Choosing a College Essay Topic: What You Write About Says Something About You- from College Board

Essay Map- online tool assists students in writing their essay; (students must already have a topic) from Read WriteThink

Essay Topics- current listing of 67 ideas

Essay Topics- from Enchanted Learning (for younger students)

Essay Topics for Kids- for younger kids up to grade 8

Expository Essay Topic Ideas for High School Students- from Yahoo Voices

Five Paragraph Essay Topics for Middle School- explains four different types of essay topics with a few sample ideas

General Expository Essay Topics- 61 choices including Describe the Likely Consequences of Selling Drugs, Explain Why Some Kids Skip School.

Good Argumentative Topics for College Students 

History Essay Topics for 8th Graders 

How to Write an Essay: 10 Easy Steps

Middle School Writing Prompts- list of 10

Persuasive Essay Topics- covers all grade levels K-college; different types of persuasive essays

School Essay Topics for Sixth Graders- from eHow

Student Essay Topics and Types- covers expository, narrative, reflective, literary, definition to name a few.

Writing-Middle/High- long listing covers resources for writing and reading

A Day For Good News: Edublog Awards and a Top Library Blog!

Last night, this blog was named a top five finalist in the librarian/library blog category for the 2011 Edublog Awards. I considered the nomination an honor, (no, I'm not lying, it truly was an honor to be nominated) since the other nominees are an incredible group of teacher-librarians. I'm very fortunate to love my job and  assisting my students and faculty every day. Here is a list of all the winners; this year, the top five in each category will be given a free year’s subscription to Edublogs Pro. SPECIAL SHOUT-OUT to Joyce Valenza (you are awesome) for earning the Lifetime Achievement Award. I'm one of the many people who must have nominated (and voted) for her.

Hey, that was enough great news for one day, right? Well, this evening I received an email telling me that A Media Specialist's Guide to the Internet was just named to the Top 50 School Library Blogs list. Once again, I'm in great company with fellow teacher-librarians Gwyneth Anne Bronwynn Jones, Shannon McClintock Miller, Buffy Hamilton and Jennifer LaGarde. Congratulations, ladies!


TO SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG IN A READER, CLICK HERE.

Do You Teach Poetry? Here are 34 Web Sites You'll Love

Academy of American Poets

Acrostic Poems- from ReadWriteThink; interactive

Best Books for Teaching About Poetry- from Education World; for young students

Complete Classics- "10,171 poems from 1,082 classic poets"

Cowboy Poetry

Famous Poets and Poems

Free Verse Poetry

Giggle Poetry- humorous children's verse on the Web

Glossary of Poetic Terms

Haiku- from PBS Parents; interactive

Handbook of Rhetorical Devices

Instant Poetry Forms- students choose from a list of titles and add their own words to create a poem

Library of Congress Poetry Lessons

List of English Language Poets

Magnetic Poetry for Kids- interactive site

National Poetry Almanac

Outta Ray's Head

Poems for High School Students

Poem Hunter- 310,931 poems from 24,752 poets

Poetry- from Questia, the world's largest online library resource list

Poetry 180- a poem a day for high school students from the Library of Congress

The Poetry Archive- browse poets and poems

Poetry Class- poetry lessons

Poetry Everywhere- PBS series

Poetry for Kids- you will find games, lessons, contests here, all based on the works of children's poet Kenn Nesbitt.

Poetry Idea Machine- from Scholastic

Poetry Portal

Poetry Resources for Teachers- long list from TeacherVision; grade levels marked for every item (K-12)

Poetry Teachers- ideas for poetry contests, theater, and activities for the classroom.

Shadow Poetry- definitions for over 100 types of poetry, examples included; also poetry guide

Sonnet Central

Sonnets.org- archive of English sonnets, commentary, links and a forum for poets to share and discuss their works.

Types of Poetry

World of Poetry

This blog began on this site in June 2011 and already has 499 subscribers. I hope that you have found the resources helpful for you in your classroom and continue to spread the word to others about A Media Specialist's Guide to the Internet. Thank you for your support!

37 Resources for Teachers of Forensic Science

Before the TV series C.S.I., our students didn't show a lot of interest in the field of forensic science. Now I am seeing many of our career books and true crime books circulating each school year. High schools have even added forensic science as a course, with students solving crime scenes set up by their teachers. As a forensic science teacher, you'll find loads of great information on the web sites below.




LESSON PLANS
Case of the Barefoot Burglar- middle school science
C.S.I.: Classroom Science Inquiry

CSI: The Experience-virtual crime scene activity; see if you can solve the crime

Discovery Education Lesson Plans- 5 listed; for grades 6-8

Fingerprinting: A Lesson on Classification- for elementary or middle school
Five Lessons for Teaching About Mysteries- mainly K-6; one for 6-advanced

Forensics Activities- written by Nancy Clark, retired high school science teacher

Forensic Science- this site was designed by students 16-18 years old and won an honorable mention in Oracle's Thinkquest Competition

Forensic Science Lesson Plans- a Thinkquest award-winning site (honorable mention) written by teens

Murder Mystery- from Newton's Apple; student activity

The Science Spot- lesson plans and many resource links listed here; excellent list

SITES
All About Forensic Science

America's Most Wanted- web site of the television series

Autopsy Files- celebrities and other not-so-famous people
Crime Scene Creatures-

Crimes and Clues: The Art and Science of Criminal Investigation

Crime Library- true crime stories

Crime Spider- covers loads of information, including arson, crime scene photos and a criminal justice library.
C.S.I.- TV episodes

CSI Web Adventures- funded by the National Science Foundation, this site takes you through beginner to advanced level ca; also games and "fun stuff".

Famous Trials-from Charles Manson to O.J. Simpson

F.B.I.- government site for the Federal Bureau of Investigation

F.B.I. Kids' Page- choose your grade level and learn more about what goes on at the F.B.I.

F.B.I. Records- find out about their records and how to obtain information which has been released or not yet released.

Forensic Entomology

Forensic Evidence Articles- categories include Evidence Law News, Identification Evidence, Behavioral Evidence and Biological Evidence.

Forensic Magazine

Forensic Teacher Magazine
Forensics: A Career in the Crime Lab- article about forensics as a career

Interpol- world’s largest international police organization

NOVA: Investigations Archive- videos on the Unabomber, Typhoid Mary and more.

PBS Teachers- shows which involve forensic science

The Science Spot- lesson plans and many resource links listed here; excellent list

TruTV Crime Stories

U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration

Virtual Exhibit on Forensic Science- site has a database, timeline and interactive game.

Visible Proofs-forensic views of the body; media, exhibition images, biographies

Enjoying the thousands of resources on this blog? Why not vote for us for an Edublog Award HERE.

46 Sites For Teaching About the Holocaust

Adolph Hitler Speech:



The Anne Frank Museum

Art Spiegelman's MAUS: A Different Type of Holocaust Literature

Auschwitz After 65 Years- photos from Time magazine

Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp

The Biography of Adolph Hitler

Biography of Miep Gies

The Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies Resource Links

Classroom Holocaust Museum- set up a classroom as a Holocaust museum

History Channel- about Adolph Hitler

The History Channel - article about the Holocaust

The History Place: Hitler Youth

Hitler and the Nazis- from Glencoe; interactive with videos and photos

Holocaust Evidence- from Awesome Stories

The Holocaust Memorial Center- located in Farmington Hills, MI

Holocaust Resources- teaching resources from the NY Times Learning Network

Holocaust Remembrance Day 

Holocaust Survivor Stories-"Read the stories of the survivors. Hear them speak. Look at their family photographs. Consult our encyclopedia. Read a historical introduction to the Holocaust. Leave your thoughts or ask your questions on our discussion page."

Holocaust: The Untold Story- from Newseum

How Stuff Works- videos about the Holocaust

Interactive Map of Auschwitz - from the BBC

Kristallnacht in Words and Photographs- from Time Magazine; "Seventy years later, survivors share their recollections of the day the Holocaust began, in material drawn from Centropa.org, a website devoted to preserving the memory of Jewish life in Central Europe before the rise of the Nazis."

Lessons of Auschwitz Interactive Feature- from CBS News

Literature Related to the Holocaust - includes the Diary of Anne Frank, The Book Thief and The Boy in the Striped Pajamas.

Maus- this is comic book version of the Holocaust; read an excerpt here at Amazon; not well received by the Jewish people

Memory of the Camps- Frontline presentation

Life After the Holocaust-production from the National Holocaust Museum

Life in the Shadows- production from the National Holocaust Museum

Museum of History and Holocaust Education- housed at the KSU Center on Kennesaw State University's extended campus

The Museum of Tolerance 

Night Study Guide- book written by Elie Weisel

The Nizkor Project- Camp Belzec

The Nizkor Project- gas chambers

The Nizkor Project- medical experimentation

Remember.org- a cybrary of the Holocaust

Remembering Catastrophe: The Nazi Camps Today 

The Rise of Adolph Hitler

The Secret Annex Online- take an interactive tour of the place where Anne Frank and her family hid from the Nazis

Simon Weisenthal Center 

The Story of Miep Gies- biography of the woman who hid Anne Frank and her family from the Nazis; Scholastic

A Teacher's Guide to the Holocaust- site includes photos, maps, videos, quizzes, music, museums and much more.

Telling Their Stories- oral histories of the Holocaust

United States Holocaust Museum Propaganda Artifact Gallery- huge collection of photos and movies
 

Videos on the Holocaust- from How Stuff Works

We Remember Anne Frank- from Scholastic

WWII Concentration Camps- interactive maps and photos

LIKE WHAT YOU SEE ON THIS BLOG? Why not subscribe in a reader?
Don't forget to vote for us for an Edublog Award!!

Another Edublog Nomination!

I'm so proud to have been nominated again for a 2011 Edublog Award. It's great that so many colleagues are using all the information on the site and appreciate all the extra hours I have spent.  (I DO love my work...)

So.......I hope you'll cast your vote for "A Media Specialist's Guide to the Internet" by going to the link below and choosing the Best librarian/library blog category:

>> CLICK HERE TO VOTE. (You can vote every day if you like)

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Edublog Award Nominations Due Today

Just a quick reminder to submit your nominations by 11:59 p.m. EST tonight. Good luck to everyone.

Web 2.0 Tools: 11 Online File Converters

Converting from one file format to another is much easier than you think. Sharing a Word document file you'd like everyone to able to read? Make it a PDF. (Portable Document Format) Want to make a Flash media file from a PowerPoint presentation? There are over 50 different types of conversion combinations out there and lots of free programs to choose from. COOL FACT: Many teachers are using Zamzar to convert YouTube videos (Flash file) so they can view them in the classroom. Schools are publishing their school newspapers with Youblisher and ISSU, which make online viewing possible.


AuthorStream- convert your PowerPoint presentation into a Flash media file

CometDocs- free online file converter; 50 different file conversions

Convertpdftopowerpoint- easy steps

DocsPal- free online converter and viewer; converts audio, video, eBook and document files; view directly in browser or download through an emailed link

Issu-publish your document online; turn pages like a magazine

Online Convert- convert files from one format to another, including video, images, eBooks, documents and archives

PDF2Word- convert any PDF file to a Word document

PDF2WordExcel - covert your pdf file to an Excel spreadsheet

PDF Converter- convert to PDF online and they will email it to you

Web2PDF- convert a webpage to a PDF file

Youblisher- make your PDF document flippable online; turn pages like a magazine

Zamzar- coverts image, video, music, eBook and document files

LIKE WHAT YOU SEE? Why not subscribe to this blog......or consider nominating us for an Edublog Award! (We won last year!!)

My 2011 Edublog Nominations

Best individual tweeter:  Shelly Terrell

Best ed tech / resource sharing blog: iLearn Technology

Best teacher blog: Teaching the Civil War with Technology

Best librarian / library blog: Neverending Search

Best School Administrator blog: A Principal's Reflections

Best free web tool: Edmodo

Best open PD / unconference / webinar series: EdCamp Philly

Lifetime achievement: Joyce Valenza

Thomas Suarez: 12 Year-Old App Developer

Every now and then you get to see an extraordinary kid doing extraordinary things, and Thomas Suarez is that young man. He taught himself how to create a few iPhone apps and started a club at his school called the App Club. He spoke at TEDxManhattanBeach in October 2011.

For Research: 12 Types of Citation Generators

A few days ago, my niece asked me for information about how to format a bibliography. I couldn't help but tell her the story of how "when I was in high school" we had to follow a formula which the teacher provided on a handout. Each book, newspaper article, magazine article done by hand and then typed on the typewriter for my research paper. "You are so fortunate, today.." I told my niece. There are free programs on the Internet which will practically do all the work for you, including putting your bibliography in a Microsoft Word document. So I sent her a small list of my favorite programs, and then expanded the list here. I've starred my personal favorites.

BIBMe*

Bibomatic- for books only; enter the ISBN number of a book for the citation

Citation Fox for APA

Citation Fox for MLA

Cite This For Me (Harvard University

CiteBite- link directly to specific quotes on web pages

CiteFast- covers MLA, APA, Chicago and newspaper, magazine, web site, journal, book

EasyBib*- also now has an iPhone app where you can scan the ISBN number on a book

KnightCite- enter the information in the blank fields and your citation is generated; covers MLA, APA, Chicago

NoodleBib Express- free version of Noodle Tools

OttoBib- for books only; enter the ISBN number of a book for the citation

Son of Citation Machine- for APA, MLA, Chicago, Turabian formats

Zotero*- keep all your research in one spot

24 Infographics For Teacher-Librarians and Media Specialists

As I have mentioned many times before, I love infographics. Here are 24 I have added to the Media Specialists-Teacher Librarian page.




40 Years of E-books 

America's 100 Largest Libraries 

Anatomy of a Librarian 

Books VS eBooks 

eBooks: The Greener Choice 


The Evolution of the Book 

The Evolution of Classroom Technology 
 

Evolution of the Noble Librarian  

The Evolution of Story Telling 

The Evolution of Typography


The History of Science Fiction 

A History of Typography 


How Digital Devices are Replacing Textbooks 

How Google Works  

The Influential Power of Print


Is Print Dead? 

A Librarian's Worth Around the World

Most Targeted Books


Press Facts 

Publishing in the Digital Era


The Top 10 List of Mark Twain's Popular Quotes

U.S. Public Libraries at Risk 
 

A Visual Summary of Harry Potter 

What Makes Good Information Design? 


You Should Read This Before You Write That

Web 2.0 Tools: 10 Apps for Screencasting

 I'm a visual learner, how about you? I've personally used screencasting not only for my students, but for the faculty in my school. With Jing, I was able to show them how to use the calendars in FirstClass (our email program) to sign up for the computer lab. Students can view tutorials on how to use our library's database of books.. How about using one of these programs to create a lesson for your students when you are out sick? With so many to choose from, see what works best for you.

Camstudio- for Windows computers only; files are in AVI and SWF format.
 

Copernicus- for Macintosh computers only; captures stills and video with NO audio

.

FreeScreencast- download their software and create your screencast; embed in your site or share with the world

Jing- available for Windows or Macintosh, Jing lets you capture your screen; larger swf files and 5 minute limit in the free version. Pro version $$.

Screencast-o-matic- available for Windows or Macintosh; videos can be up to 15 minutes long in the free version; file is .mov format and stored on their website.

Screencastle- one click screencasting through your browser

Screenpresso- only available for Windows computers; screenshots in image formats jpg, png, bmp, gif. (no screen motion, just screen capture) You can edit your images within this program.

ScreenR- use your Twitter account to save your work and publish your screencast

Screentoaster- free online screen recorder

Webinaria- for Windows computers only; files can be downloaded in FLV (FLASH) format.

Web 2.0 Tools: 26 Survey and Poll Creation Resources

It's easier than ever to get instant feedback in the form of a survey or poll. Most of the free plans offer between 10 and 20 questions and up to 100 respondents. If you have a web site or blog, you can embed the survey/poll on the site, or you can usually email a link to the web page where your respondents can view your survey/poll. Pick which tool you like from the list below:


CreateSurvey- 7-day free trial; $$

Doodle- registration is not necessary

EasyPolls- it really is very easy!

Flisti- create free online polls without signing up

FluidSurveys- unlimited surveys with up to 20 questions each; up to 100 respondents per survey

Free Online Surveys

Google Forms-use a template or make your own; must be logged in with a Gmail account

Kwik Surveys- unlimited number of questions, answers and surveys

Micropoll- many features; free

Obsurvey- "unlimited surveys, responses, questions and pages, no ads and no cost."

Pollcode- up to 30 possible answers for your poll

Pollmo- very simple application

Poll Daddy-I have used this one; easy to set up

Poll Everywhere- free and $$ accounts

Qualtrics- survey design,analysis, reporting; free and $$

QuestionForm- limit to two surveys

QuestionPro- free and $$ accounts; offers many types of reports and a large choice of question types, even in the free account.

Quizsnack- online surveys and polls

Stellar Survey-10 surveys and up to 100 respondents

Survey Monkey-used this one and like it

Text the Mob- poll people through their cell phones

Thinkmeter- helps you make decisions

Urtak-question and answer tool

Vorbeo-basic format for simple poll

Yarp- simple invitations and surveys

Zoomerang

Web 2.0 Tools Pages Are Evolving......

As I continue to post my Web 2.0 resources, they will be added to the new pages at the top of my blog. As usual, your suggestions are always welcome.

LIKE WHAT YOU SEE ON THIS BLOG? Why not subscribe in a reader here.

Web 2.0 Tools: 30 FREE Photo Editing Programs

With so many free photo editing programs on the web, why worry that you can't afford to purchase Adobe Photoshop? This listing has programs which are online as well as those you need to download on your computer.



Amazifier- online photo retouching, effects, stamps and seals; free

Animoto- upload your photos, video and music and Animoto makes it into a slick video. Free for 30 second videos; educational prices available for longer video.

Aviary- online photo editing plus much more

Cellsea- draw on images,rotate, resize, fix brightness, special effects including distorting

Citrify-edit photos online using a Flash-based program

CleVR- online photo stitching software; make panoramas

Dr. Pic- basic online photo editing

FlauntR- add effects, blend world famous painting with yours, add fancy fonts and backgrounds

Fotobabble- add your voice to photos; student projects will come to life

FotoFlexer- fonts, effects, doodling, layers, retouching, distortions and advanced effects

Hornil StylePix- download the freeware and use the many editing functions 

ImageChef- customize photos and clip art

iPiccy- edit pictures with paint, text and many tools

Lunapic- supports many image and video types; 200+ effects including reflecting animation, retro color

Pixa-social photo sharing service

Panraven- online editing for photos plus lots of cool stuff

Photoscape- download for Windows only; batch editing, clone stamp, create animated GIFs

Photoshop.com- online version of the popular graphics program

Photovisi- create photo collages

Picasa- Google's photo editing; download for Windows or Mac

Picnik- cool online editor owned by Google

Pixer.us- basic online photo editing

Pixlr- online photo editing

ResizR- easy online image resize

Shape Collage- free automatic photo collage maker

Snipshot- basic adjustments are free; pro account required for most other effects

Splashup- multiple image editing, pixel-level control, and basic Photoshop-like tools. Try Splashup Light if you are a photographer and want more control. (download necessary)

SumoPaint- online interface resembles Photoshop; filters, effects, photo editing, drawing, cloning. blurring and more

Windows Live Photo Gallery- face recognition and retouching; for Windows only

Zoner Photo Studio- view, edit, manage photos; download for Windows only

2011 Edublog Awards Nominations Are Open!

Last year I was fortunate enough to win an Edublog Award (First Runner Up) in the Best Library blog category. It was such an honor just to be nominated!


Since 2004, The Edublog Awards ("Eddies") have been given to recognize the contributions that bloggers have contributed to education. Anyone who has a blog can nominate their favorites in 18 categories:

1. Best individual blog
2. Best individual tweeter
3. Best group blog
4. Best new blog
5. Best class blog
6. Best student blog
7. Best ed tech / resource sharing blog
8. Most influential blog post
9. Best twitter hashtag
10. Best teacher blog
11. Best librarian / library blog
12. Best School Administrator blog
13. Best free web tool
14. Best educational use of audio / video / visual / podcast
15. Best educational wiki
16. Best open PD / unconference / webinar series
17. Best educational use of a social network
18. Lifetime achievement

Here's how to nominate:

• Write a post with your nominations on your blog, link to them and link to the Edublogs Awards site
• Use the form at the bottom of the Nominations Page to send a link to your nominations

I will be posting my nominations in the next few weeks.