that I have a connection to the Internet, what do I do with it?
This is a great question that is asked hundreds of times at
conferences and in school faculty meetings. Common statements
range from I don't have time to do one more thing to
where do I go for examples? This page is dedicated to examples
of how the Web can be used in the classroom.
Apps for Education
Check out these tools for your handheld device. Some of the apps are strictly for Apple while others are for Android as well. From productivity tools like Eraser to reference sources like National Geographic maps, students will find an array of useful tools.
your classroom into a virtual art studio and museum. Have students
create their masterpieces with free online drawing, painting,
and sculpting tools. Then, invite parents to the school gallery
where they can view their children's artwork. The following
Web sites are fantastic starting points for introducing students
to the world of artistic design.
question and answer activity for students will teach them the
basics about copyright. There are also resources and lesson
ideas for teachers on the Copyright with
Edison Cylinder Recordings
about the history of the phonograph and listen to early recordings.
There is a listening guide provided.
essential and at times a controversial subject. At EPCOT Center’s
Energy exhibit, these lyrics, energy makes the world go round,
sum up the role it has in the daily lives of people everywhere.
From a global perspective, there are many challenges with the
interdependence on energy sources. Nonrenewable energy sources
include gas, oil, goal, and uranium. Renewable energy sources
include solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, hydro, and the ocean.
The debates concerning nonrenewable vs. renewable energy will
shape government policies that will affect future generations.
It is important that students learn about energy sources and
the impact they have in their own lives.
Ancient Egyptian game of Senet to the digital games of today,
children have reveled in the strategies, stories, and intrigue
that challenge the mind. Teaching history, math, science, reading/languages
arts, and the unified arts through games or game construction
can reinforce skill, concept, and application level knowledge.
Not Just a Picture
flash on the television screen, each image no longer than 3
seconds. Students look at a photograph, illustration, or painting
for about the same amount of time and nonchalantly comment, "It's
just a picture." But wait, upon further inspection and
some guided inquiry, the pictures soon come alive and tell
a story. Some of the stories are historical, some personal,
some made up. These stories behind the images bring rich context
to the viewer who might be prompted to conduct further investigation.
You never know what you may learn or the mysteries that may
unfold until you dig deeper. Let's examine people as they are
depicted in paintings, posters, and photographs and discover
In this series
of galleries, over
twenty years (1954-1982) is documented through the lens of
H.V. Noble. He was particularly interested in 35mm slide photography
an exposure meter to determine the lighting conditions. Noble
photographed his travels West that included National Parks,
National Monuments, and National Forests. He was also interested
in trains and took numerous pictures of the Cumbres and Toltec
Railway and the D&RGR Durango to Silverton run. Because he
always kept cameras loaded with film, he was able to capture
a sequence of images of the Xenia, Ohio tornado in 1974.
A few of the galleries have been supplemented with photographs
by his wife, Rosalind Noble and his daughter, Linda Joseph.
H.V. Noble lived from 1907 - 1982 and was the Director of Molecular
Electronics at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio.
This is a
study of rain forest ecology. 1) Find out what plants and animals
live in the rain forest. Choose a plant or animal to investigate.
Write a short report on your findings and include a picture.
2) What sights and sounds will you encounter? Take us on a
musical journey through the rain forest.
Seeds of Change
is the most healthful, most useful and most noble employment
of man." — George Washington
up on a family farm, there is something endearing about those
memories of free roaming chickens, pigs cooling themselves
in the mud, cows following a wagon loaded with hay, cornstalks
rustling in the wind, and fresh apple pie. Farming practices
have changed significantly over the past fifty years. Family
farms have decreased and agribusiness has increased. New farming
techniques have sparked environmental, health, and safety debates.
Foods that were once considered seasonal are now available
year round. Grocery stores feature sections of organically
grown food and offer more choices from whole grains to special
grades of meat. Uses for agricultural products have also changed.
In 2006, nearly eighteen percent of the nation’s corn
crop was used to produce ethanol, a renewable energy source.
With agricultural commodities so readily accessible in the
United States, it is easy to forget how the baked ham, green
beans, pineapple, and roll with butter arrived on the dinner
plate in some countries, but not in others. Learning about
agricultural practices, economics, and the importance of farming
will go a long way in helping students understand one aspect
of global interdependence. Prepare your students for a trip
to a working farm by visiting these Websites.
Shaping Minds with Puzzles
From a very
early age children are fascinated with puzzles. Put a puzzle
on the classroom table and students will gravitate to it. Why
are puzzles so appealing? What value do they offer to the learning
process? You will want to read Barbara White’s informative
article, Are Jigsaw
Puzzles Educational. White concludes that jigsaw puzzles
are educational when they are included as part of the learning
objective. Solving different kinds of puzzles can help students
to visualize and understand concepts, learn vocabulary, and
build problem solving skills. Allowing students to create puzzles
reinforces their knowledge of the subject. See the side bar
for corresponding academic content standards. The Websites
below contain interactive puzzles many of which can be completed
shipwrecked on a deserted, barren island with 30 students.
You find an old barracks completely decked out with beds, cooking
paraphernalia, and food. It will be a few days before you are
rescued. The waters are shark-invested, so no swimming is allowed.
With nothing else to do, your students begin searching for
buried treasure. They are convinced a pirate ship must have
landed on this island. After digging in several locations,
a large, water-tight crate is discovered. Aha! The treasure
chest has been found. Inside are 31 laptop computers (batteries
fully charged) with wireless connectivity, five PDAs with probes,
and a digital camera. You dig out a copy of the current issue
of MultiMedia Schools magazine from your knapsack and turn
to the "CyberBee" column. With a smile on your face,
you know how to turn these treasures into golden learning experiences.
Even if you are not on a desert island, you can help your students
discover a treasure-trove of information by visiting these
students sit silently in the classroom with no understanding
of the events behind a story because they do not bring prior
knowledge with them from conversations or experiences at home?
What are some strategies teachers can use to introduce information
crucial to comprehension? What role can technology play in
assisting teachers with presenting prior knowledge in an engaging
grade Safety Net teacher, took advantage of several technology
tools to aid her students in understanding the book Teammates
by Peter Golenbock. Teammates is a story about Jackie Robinson
and his friendship with Pee Wee Reese, both Brooklyn Dodgers,
in an era of segregation. Waugaman employed the Big6 framework
to design this powerful lesson that engaged her low-level reading
students in learning about the '30s, '40s, and '50s.
of YesterYear Writing Prompts
source photographs to spark student writing. Each photograph
has a title and a question. A photo analysis guide is included.
Leave a legacy
of cultural history for future generations through digital
storytelling. Stories are important because they provide us
with a voice in time and place about our heritage. Rich digital
stories can be created using many different technologies such
as iMovie, Moviemaker, and Photo Story 3. Stories can then
be published or broadcast over the Internet. To construct a
lasting record, stories should also be preserved in print on
acid free paper and both the digital and print copy donated
to a repository such as a local library or museum.
A Tapestry of Life
(2001)I had the opportunity to attend a workshop presented
by Paddy Bowman from the National Network for Folk Arts in
Education. Paddy is a leading authority on folklife and culture.
The title of the workshop was "Finding the Invisible:
Folklore in Sense of Place." Her inspiration to learn
about one's sense of place in the community through traditions,
music, food, and crafts was the catalyst for this article.
Sometimes everyday life becomes invisible until you begin to
analyze and categorize your experiences. You have to see, hear,
smell, taste, and touch daily life in such a way that you begin
to feel a sense of person in the place where you live. Connecting
students with community can open doorways to the cultural legacies
of many diverse groups of people. It will certainly enlighten
Builds a Cabin Activity
decides to build a cabin, he is given lots of advice from his
friends. While others think it should be bigger, he has his
own ideas. Follow Henry through the building process and see
how his cabin is just right! Henry Builds a Cabin is another
fantastic book by D.B. Johnson that looks at the life of Henry
David Thoreau in a delightfully engaging way. It is a book
for all ages.
activities you could incorporate into your language arts curriculum.
Have your students read How a Book is Made by Aliki at the
HarperCollins Web site. Then, print out the Noodles pop-up
book page at the same location. Have your students color the
picture with magic markers or crayons. Then cut, paste, and
fold to make the book. Take the activity one step further by
having students create their own pop-ups and stories. The following
listing points you to some terrific pages that can help you
your e-mail correspondence by sending virtual postcards or
Finding just the right
book that will grab a student’s
interest is like looking for Waldo. Tracking down books that
correlate with specific curriculum areas and topics for study
can be daunting. What is a library media specialist to do? Use
every tool in your arsenal as well as lessons and booklists that
have already been prepared and just waiting to be uncovered by
the savvy searcher. This collection of Websites will serve as
starting points in your quest to recommend the best books to
meet the needs of students and teachers.
Out and Touch an Author
students on an online author scavenger hunt.
a Hike with Henry
Hikes to Fitchburg by D. B. Johnson is a book for ages
4 to 104. It is based on Walden written by Henry David
Thoreau, a writer, naturalist, and surveyor in the mid 1800s.
In the book, Henry and his friend travel from Concord to
Fitchburg, Massachusetts. Henry hikes the 30 miles while
his friend works odd jobs for the train fare. Who arrives
first? Read this delightful book, then choose your path to
Fitchburg. Be sure to keep a journal of your activities.
ever wondered whether you can blow square bubbles? Using bubble
mix and pipe cleaners find out the answer to this question
and others through hands-on experimentation at these Websites.
Mathematics and Teaching Resources
Website is a compilation of resources for math professionals
and teachers, including various teaching styles, links to mathematics
journals for inspiration, and an abundance of sites dedicated
to making math instruction accessible, fun, and worthwhile.
Make a Deal Math
you go first; tails, I do." "I need to roll a seven to win." "If
I can spin and land on a green slot the jackpot is mine." How
many times have you played a game and hoped to win? What is
the probability of winning? The purpose of this WebQuest is
to introduce you to some interesting problems and learn about
probable outcomes. At the conclusion of the WebQuest you will
be able to explain why some choices are better than others.
In the Bag Graphing Activity
guess how many M&Ms are in a bag? What is the probability of
the same number of colors in each bag? The next time your students
complain that math is boring, toss them a bag of M&Ms.
is the study of the measurement, properties, and relationships
of quantities and sets using numbers and symbols. It is also
dazzling, magical, perplexing, challenging, cool, awesome,
and fun. Research has shown that the more-abstract concepts
become more concrete when modeled onscreen and guided by teachers.
elementary level math enhancers at home or in your classroom.
They are based on the NCTM standards. Probability, graphing,
place values, spatial sense are just a few of the topics covered.
Million Money Ideas
One of the
first concepts young people learn is the value of money in
everyday life. From their first allowance to the entrepreneurship
of the lemonade stand, students learn how to plan, save, and
spend. CyberBee has been busy locating resources that will
assist in teaching and learning about money.
students have learned the basics about money, set up some simulations
for them to try. How would they plan for a Lemonade Stand,
a pet grooming business, or cookie store. Create teams and
let them think up their own names. You never know who will
be the next Donald Trump.
scene. A family is driving home from soccer practice when suddenly
Jane remembers that she has an assignment due the next day
that requires some research. The library is the logical place
to begin, but it will be closing in a few minutes. Suddenly
panic strikes. Then, mom remembers reading an article in a
magazine about homework sites on the Internet. She suggests
trying out the new computer Jane received for Christmas. Up
to this point Jane has used it for playing games and e-mailing
her friends. To everyones relief, they find a treasure-trove
of Web sites that will not only help Jane in her research for
the next days assignment, but also for future projects.
times have you heard a scenario similar to the one above? In
the past 5 years, publishers of encyclopedias, almanacs, and
other reference materials have rushed to tap into the online
market. It will be interesting to watch how instant access
to information will evolve during the 21st century. In the
meantime, you can help students determine whether the information
they use from the Web is reliable by having them look at the
author and source. Several Web page evaluation guides are available
with checklists for critically reviewing a site.
the Road with Cyberbee
are filled with destinations, whether it is a jaunt to a fast
food restaurant or a trip to a favorite vacation spot. In each
case, we need to know the directions. Sometimes we simply know
how to go from point A to point B, other times we have to study
maps. Think about how you give directions for navigating to
your house. Do you say turn east, west, north, or south on
such and such a street; or do you say left or right? Do you
provide landmarks like turn east just after McDonalds or if
you pass the fire station you have gone too far? If the landmarks
were not there, would people be able to find the street or
your house? When you have been given directions, have you ever
gotten lost? How many times did you have to stop before someone
could give you more precise instructions? We know that understanding
how to read different kinds of maps, plot routes between two
points, and interpret the data in a concise manner are important
concepts for students to learn. Where on the Web can we find
tools to help us? Let CyberBee show you the way.
Online reference collection for finding quick facts. Create
your resources so they are geared toward teaching or meeting
information literacy standards.
Some sites offer free access to their databases while others
such as encyclopedia publishers
charge subscription fees. Many schools are forming consortiums
to defray the costs for these pay as you go services. An
excellent example is InfOhio.
This core collection of electronic resources, including titles
as Britannica Online, EBSCO Host, Newsbank, Sirs Discoverer,
and more is free to all of Ohio's K-12 students and teachers.
reference skills in this popular treasure hunt.
ever wondered whether you can blow square bubbles? Using bubble
mix and pipe cleaners find out the answer to this question
and others through hands-on experimentation.
Use the Websites
in this list to learn about butterflies, then create a butterfly
garden in your schoolyard. Don't miss the iMovie of the Red
the weather has challenged man from the beginning of time.
Today, sophisticated instrumentation, satellite imagery, and
instantaneous communication allow meteorologists to issue weather
warnings before disaster strikes. Still, on some days it seems
easier just to look outside your window. So, what do we really
know about weather, and how does science help us to understand
it better? Fly with CyberBee to "cool" weather Websites.
boots. Grab a bucket, kick net, and water testing kit. Then,
head for the nearest creek for a great adventure. Discover
all sorts of creatures and plants that live in this aquatic
habitat. Investigate the health of the creek and its impact
on the overall environment. Observe and chart change over time
by returning to the site more than once. Be sure to follow
safety procedures and to return everything to its original
location. Prepare for your journey by visiting these Websites
for information and lesson ideas. In addition, Cyberbee has prepared
a Stream Study Lesson for you to use on field trips.
Leapin' Lizards! CyberBee has time warped back over 65 million
years to the age of the dinosaurs. Have fun digging into facts and
exploring these great sites.
Count Your Chickens Before They Hatch
big thanks goes to Amy Cress, a kindergarten teacher at Chernington
Elementary School in Westerville, Ohio, who granted permission
to share the PowerPoint Slide Show and iMovie she created about
the hatching process of baby chicks. View the movie.
your classroom with cool experiments, awesome demonstrations,
and noteworthy historical information about electricity. Learn
about people who made major scientific contributions that opened
up new frontiers leading to household lighting, the long-distance
transmission of power, and electronic devices that made life
easier. Visit these Web sites for background information, illustrations,
explanations, lessons, and insight into the world of electricity.
next commercial break, describe a food label. "What's
a food label?" you may ask. When was the last time you
read one while grocery shopping? I know, you don't shop for
groceries. Parents shop for groceries. You simply go to the
refrigerator or cupboard and grab whatever looks tasty. That's
okay, but you will need to know about nutrition which leads
to this FoodQuest/WebQuest. The purpose of this WebQuest is
to introduce you to the Food Guide Pyramid and food labels.
At the conclusion of this WebQuest you will be able to explain
the items that are contained on a food label and their significance.
You will also be able to plan a balanced meal based on the
Food Guide Pyramid.
Does Your Garden Grow
is the perfect time to plan a schoolyard garden or habitat? As
e.e. cummings wrote, "in Justspring when the world
is mud-luscious." Imagine watching butterflies flitting
from flower to flower or listening to the melodic coo of a morning
dove as ornamental grasses sway in the gentle breeze. Each day
your students keep a journal of the natural world. The classroom
is buzzing with shared experiences. Your schoolyard habitat becomes
the focal point.
a garden is a wonderful project that can involve the entire
school and community. Beautifying the school grounds fosters
pride, teaches students about the environment, and creates
a lasting legacy. Many schools already participate in garden
or habitat projects sponsored by the National Wildlife Federation
and the National Gardening Association. State and local wildlife
organizations also provide programs for schools along with
resources. Where do you begin? How does a garden project fit
into your daily classroom instruction? Who will provide funding?
CyberBee has been scouting the Web for ideas that can sow the
seeds for growing, inquiring minds.
artiststhe intrepid insects of the world fascinate, annoy,
and benefit humankind. From butterflies to bees to the lowly
cockroach, insects are an integral part of the natural environment,
making their mark on culture through rhyme and lore. Who can
resist Jiminy Cricket, a bug transformed into a wise intellectual
who advises Pinocchio and encourages kids to get the en-cy-clo-pe-di-a
to find information? Who hasn't chuckled at unsuspecting bugs
planning an attack only to be foiled by RAID?
fireflies to blink? Did you ever wonder about the origin of "Sleep
tight, don't let the bed bugs bite?" Sleep tight is a
reference to the tightening of ropes that supported mattresses
on old beds and don't let the bed bugs bite refers to the critters
that sometimes lived in the wooden frame. Regardless of the
reactions by students, insect studies are a favorite in the
classroom. Let's delve into the insect world and see what we
Minds: Science Magic
gas. Build a roller coaster. Experiment with gooey recipes.
Inquiring minds can learn about science through a variety of
hands-on and minds-on techniques. Structured inquiry relies
on an outline of procedures with activities designed for discovering
relationships and making generalizations about the data. Guided
inquiry allows students to develop procedures and methods for
examining concepts about a specific problem. Open inquiry challenges
students to create and solve science principles, interpret
data, and draw conclusions. Resources on the Web can supplement
the inquiry lessons in your classroom. Explore these sites
for ideas and activities.
Studying erosion and deposition will lead students to the exploration of landforms and how they are formed. Stream tables using different types of sand and soil help students observe how meandering streams and braided streams through erosion lead to the creation of canyons, deltas, plateaus, mesas, and buttes. Scientific investigations illustrate the effects of erosion, deposition of soil and how our planet is constantly changing. As geomorphologists, students learn how mountains are formed and how to classify the different types of valleys as U shaped or V shaped. When students review the core, mantle, and crust of the earth, they understand how these forces continue to impact the earth.
Metamorphosis in Learning
that caterpillar become a butterfly? And can that little egg
really grow into a frog? Exploring life cycles with students
can be a fascinating adventure. Begin by having students keep
a scientific journal of observations and research based on
the life cycles of butterflies, mealworms, and frogs. Ask them
why journals are important to scientists. What sorts of things
are written in a scientific journal? What can we learn from
a scientific journal? Why is it important for scientists to
keep journals? As students begin asking questions, direct them
to Web sites and books that will help them find the answers
to these essential questions and to gain deeper understanding.
High into the Sky with Math and Science
budding pilots test paper airplane designs and record data
using the Paper Airplane Science lesson. Then, graph the results.
You will be amazed.
Oil Spill Investigation
Oil spills have a tremendous impact on the environment. In this investigation, students will learn about oil spills and dtermine what materials might be used in a cleanup.
Peregrine Falcons: From Egg to Flight
birds of prey have adapted to city environments and many nest
in tall buildings. Technology has made it possible to watch
their nesting habits each spring via FalconCams. There are
many resources and activities that fit into every aspect of
the curriculum. Hone student research skills, learn about life
cycles, graph animal speeds, draw falcons, and write stories.
Cyberbee has gathered and organized a variety of lessons and
resources for you to use with your students, including From Egg
to Flight Observation Guide, fact sheet, scavenger hunt, vocabulary
list, and rubric.
Physics is Phun!
the wild world of physics where appearances and logic are
often turned upside down. Understanding the underlying concepts
is essential for uncovering the magic of physics. It can
be a thrilling adventure for students as they discover lots
of cool methods for lasting knowledge. Browse these Websites
and discover a variety of interactive simulations, experiments,
and ideas to use in your classroom.
Plant a Prairie Garden
and students can learn about prairies through virtual field
trips or by visiting a nature center nearby. Back in the classroom,
students can use this knowledge to design and plant their own
prairie as part of the school landscape. Then, watch as the
grasses grow, flowers bloom, and critters flourish.
A field trip
to Spruce Run was no ordinary outing. A group of young urban
scientists were going to collect data with science probes that
would help them find the answers to questions posed about the
differences in the ecosystems of a stream, forest, and meadow.
Which type of soil supports more plant life? Why do you think
the habitats have different pH levels in the soil? Are there
different temperature readings among the ecosystems? After
being divided into groups, students were given worksheets and
rotated through stations where they learned about the characteristics
of ecosystems, soil pH, difference between air and ground temperatures,
and how to use probes. Laptop computers were set up in the
shelter house to manipulate the information. Prior to this
scientific expedition, students were prepped with background
information on habitats, pH, making predictions, and soil composition.
Web sites provided valuable background information and contributed
to the prior knowledge necessary for scientific inquiry.
a study of rain forest ecology. 1) Find out what plants and
animals live in the rain forest. Choose a plant or animal to
investigate. Write a short report on your findings and include
a picture. 2) What sights and sounds will you encounter? Take
us on a musical journey through the rain forest.
Whales are great to watch in the wild. A trip on a whale watching boat inspired this page for Cyberbee. For more information visit these sites.
a bite out of the candy? Sticky fingers have been found on
the broken aquarium glass. Wet footprints lead to the open
window. What is that powdery substance next to the broken piggy
bank? Answering these questions is what forensic science is
all about. Learn how to be a crime solver by exploring the
world of the forensic scientist. Then, solve The Case of the
world on a virtual zoological field trip from the Serengeti
Plains to the Amazon Jungle or the frozen tundra of the arctic
to the rain forests of the tropics. Enter the world of online
zoos and experience all sorts of multimedia presentations such
as animal cams, movie clips, games, beautiful photographs,
and interactive learning modules. Watch the hatching of a kookaburra
at the Woodlands Zoo, delight in the antics of polar bears
bobbing for pumpkins in San Diego, and discover loads of facts
about animal habitats from all of the zoo sites. This treasure
trove of educational information will captivate kids for hours.
Science Fair Preparation
wonderful world of science with these tips and materials from
Fair programs are awesome and can generate all sorts of amazing
results from inspiring and engaging projects. Finding good
resources that outline the process and suggest age-appropriate
topics is a key component for getting students started. Another
important factor is to involve parents so that they can assist
their children throughout the process. Be sure to visit these
CyberBee-selected Web sites for resources, tips, and experiments
that will help jump-start your science fair program.
of Science Scavenger Hunt
Have fun trying
to find the solutions to these fascinating science questions.
American Experiences: Window to the Past
In this lesson,
students learn about the experiences of African-Americans under
the institution of slavery using primary and secondary sources.
Students search, examine, and analyze primary and secondary
sources from a variety of digitized materials on the Internet.
Students apply this knowledge by creating a digital scrapbook
depicting a Day in the Life of an African-American during this
Memory Quick Lessons
ideas were created in a workshop with Columbus Public Schools
Library Media Specialists.
visuals and text tell the story of the buffalo in relationship
to Manifest Destiny.
in with GPS
find treasure caches, and solve problems by using a Global
Positing System (GPS) with your students.
of American History
in grandma's attic, have you ever discovered a box of old photographs
and marveled at the images, never to know who is pictured.
Or found old newspapers, magazines, or sheet music and wondered
how they survived the ravages of time? Imagine seeing the handwritten
journal entry of Walt Whitman's observation at the Battle of
Antietam or viewing the only known picture of Lincoln at Gettysburg.
Now you can reconnect with our nation’s history through
the National Digital Library's American Memory online collections
presented by the Library of Congress. With new processes for
preservation and imaging, the Library of Congress has undertaken
a massive effort to make diverse collections of primary source
material available electronically.
through history from the hand written documents of the founding
fathers to the social and cultural landscape of a growing nation.
In words, pictures, and sounds the American Memory collections
offer us the unique opportunity to dig through original source
material and bring living history into our classrooms. CyberBee
brings you highlights from a few of the current collections
and ways to use them with your students.
activity, you will be creating a travel brochure. You may use
any word processing or publishing program. In fact, you could
design a Web page with the country information. Be sure to
include the flag, map, common phrases, currency and its equivalent
in dollars, how to travel to this destination, a description
of the country, things to do, and any other interesting tidbits
you might learn. Use these Web sites to help you.
Political Memorabilia Exhibit
exhibit of campaign buttons, ribbons, pins, watch fobs, medalets,
postcards, and sheet music was made possible by the Ohio Historical
Society and Macy Hallock who generously allowed me to photograph
the American Memory collections from the Library of Congress.
Learn about primary sources, search strategies, and the wealth
of rich material at the click of a mouse. Lots of ideas and
ready made activities to use with all grade levels of students.
people and they will find a way to escape. As the Underground
Railroad developed, a metaphor unfolded that grew into a culture
and myth of its own. People were passengers, although they
never set foot on a train car; homes were stations, but there
were no tracks; conductors led a group of people but never
collected tickets. It was a road to freedom that followed the
drinking gourd, a code name for the Big Dipper.
the Underground Railroad begin? How many people escaped between
the American Revolution and the Civil War? What were the code
words used on the Underground Railroad, and who were the people
who risked their safety for a cause that they believed was
just? Let's travel back in time and learn about the Underground
Visit a 1921
grocery store. Egan's Basket Grocery was one of the first self-serve
groceries in Colorado.
candidates to the election process, you will find loads of
resources and lesson ideas to use in your elementary, middle,
or high school classroom.
thinking skills will be used to introduce students to primary
sources. You will also meet some of the curators from the Library
of Congress as they describe artifacts from the American Memory
collections. Join us in a magical Adventure Through History.
Old Hand Written Document
How do you
let friends and relatives know the latest news? How did people
communicate before modern technology? Are there similarities
in the contents of a letter written in the 1800s with an email
or phone call today? What clues can you find in a letter that
will lead to more information?
look at an old letter and see what we can learn about the author,
his plans, travel, transportation, and the time period during
the expansion of the United States. Look for clues in the letter
to answer these questions.
of the Dust Bowl
As the billowing
black clouds of dust rolled and swirled across the plains in
the 1930s, the American landscape was drastically changed.
With their crops destroyed, a steady stream of humanity trekked
westward to the promised land of California. John Steinbeck
wrote vividly about the migrant camps in The Grapes of Wrath,
Dorothea Lange documented the harsh conditions with compelling
photographs, and Woody Guthrie, a refugee himself, sang Dust
Bowl ballads. The stark reality of the Depression era contrasts
sharply with the decades before and after it. Let's travel
down the highway of time and view firsthand eyewitness accounts,
pictures, and music archived on a variety of Web sites.
What is manifest
destiny? What were some of the reasons that led to manifest
destiny. What effect did it have on the people, the land, and
the wildlife? Your history book is one source for information,
but there are many documents, photographs, and other artifacts
that were created at the time of an event. These primary resources
also help to tell the story about history. Using the primary
resources from the Library of Congress, your history book,
and other sources, answer these questions and those on the
next set of pages.
Meet Me at
back prior to World War II to the heyday of fairs and expositions
in America which awed millions of visitors with wondrous
new inventions, exotic cultures, and amusements galore. Mingle
with luminaries such as Helen Keller, Laura Ingalls Wilder,
Theodore Roosevelt, and Alexander Graham Bell. Discover the
thrill of the Ferris wheel, the delicious taste of the ice
cream cone filled with your favorite flavor, and a radio
with pictures—all introduced to the public for the
first time through these venues. Although many of the buildings
are gone, you can still explore the sights and sounds through
photographs, artifacts, sound recordings, and motion pictures
that have been preserved and made available through modern
of Ancient Egypt
in history to the reign of the pharaohs. Uncover the secrets
of mummification. Lift the shroud of mystery surrounding the
great pyramids. Translate hieroglyphic writing. Open the door
to anthropology and archeology through the study of Ancient
Egypt. How many mysteries will your students discover and solve?
Source Investigation: Children of YesterYear
Source Investigation: Children of YesterYear Portraits
to use primary sources such as photographs, sound recordings,
motion pictures, and documents through engaging activities
around the topic of children.
by Howard Fast is on many core reading lists and addresses
several of the standards in reading/language arts as well as
social studies. This lesson draws upon primary sources as a
means to interpret the events of April 19, 1775.
no cameras present to record the clashes between the Colonists
and British during the struggle for independence. Our historical
record relies on the stories told through paintings, drawings,
broadsides, newspapers, government documents, and eyewitness
accounts. The details of a skirmish or battle depend on whose
account you read and the person's interpretation. These quotes
illustrate two opposing viewpoints at a time when most Colonists
considered themselves to be British.
U.S. Constitution Lesson Sites
In 2004, Congress passed a provision in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005 establishing a day to commemorate the September 17, 1787 signing of the Constitution. Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia, who inserted this mandate into the bill, felt this was a way to educate Americans about history. President George W. Bush signed it into law on December 8, 2004. Designated as Constitution and Citizenship Day, schools receiving federal money are required to hold an educational program about the United States Constitution each year. Schools may choose what kind of program to hold.
the People: Behind the Scenes with Benjamin Franklin
The U.S. Constitution is a living, flexible document that is
the foundation of American government. Benjamin Franklin played
a key role as elder statesman at the Constitutional Convention
in 1787. Join Dr. Franklin as he shares his views about the framing
of the U.S. Constitution in the town where history was made -
Expansion: Trails West
wagon and handcart the emigrants came west across the plains
and mountains of America. What was it like to walk 2,000 miles
for the promise of fertile ground, a chance for fortune, and
the dream of a new life? Who were these individuals who risked
the arduous trip? What were the living conditions along the
trails from Missouri to California and Oregon? Insight into
this six-month journey can be derived from newspaper accounts,
contemporary books of the era, and personal diaries of the
people who forged an expanding nation. Many organizations,
commercial companies, and individuals are publishing these
materials on the Web for easy electronic access.
Do You See?
a primary source photograph using this guide.
eLearning in the Digital Age
advent of technological advances, distance education is experiencing
a renaissance in delivering curriculum via two-way audio and
video and the Web. Virtual classrooms are popping up at educational
institutions across the U.S. and around the world. The concept
of a virtual learning space allows the individual the flexibility
to take a course anytime, anywhere; to interact with professors
and other students in small learning communities; and to choose
from a wide range of course offerings. This trend is now filtering
down to K-12 schools. This idea is particularly attractive
to students in remote areas who would not otherwise be able
to take certain courses because there are not enough students
or a qualified teacher is unavailable. It is also an innovative
way to provide professional development or continuing education
to K-12 teachers.
Many organizations are distributing free newsletters with timely
articles and links to valuable resources. Joining a mailing list
or RSS feed is easy, convenient, and a time saver when you want
the latest news about innovative technology and practical ideas
for integrating it into your classroom.
For a Winning Grant Proposal
mandates such as No Child Left Behind stretching school budgets,
it is essential to find additional funding sources, especially
for technology initiatives. Grants are one option, but where
do you start? CyberBee has written numerous grants ranging
from a few thousand dollars from private foundations to several
million dollars from federal programs such as Enhancing Education
Through Technology Tittle II-D. Much has been learned from
these experiences. The examples presented below are general
and do not represent an entire grant, which might be several
pages in length. These samples of grant language, funding sources,
and Websites are shared in the hope that more teachers will
consider writing a grant as an alternative way of providing
technology resources and professional development to their
Keeping Safe in Cyberspace
Keeping kids safe must be an ongoing effort through awareness, education and supervision. Consider implementing an Internet Safety program in your school or community.
Sensational Software on a Budget
years while creating content for the CyberBee Website and constructing
workshops for educators, I have invariably needed a software
program to complete a specific task or solve a particular problem.
While there are hundreds of freeware and shareware programs
to download from the Internet, how do you know which ones are
stable, free from adware, and supported. Downloading demos,
reading the fine print and trial and error have generally been
the means by which I have determined the usefulness of the
product. Some have been duds while others have been extraordinary.
One audio editing program, Cool Edit 2000, was purchased by
Adobe and is now titled Adobe Audition. Another program that
has improved from version to version is TechSmith’s SnagIt,
an all purpose screen capture program. It is now offered in
many educational software catalogs. The programs described
in this article are CyberBee’s favorites for work and
rapidly approaching. It is time to rest, relax, and leisurely
explore new Web sites that offer timesaving tools and practical
tips. Begin your next school year with a digital
folder full of new ideas, worksheets, puzzles, and software
tools that will liven up your lessons.
This is a collection of free programs that are either Web based or available to download. Students can create Web sites, learn coding and much more.
instructions are provided for Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Sound
Recorder, and Palm. These were designed to use as introductions
simple Web page with Dreamweaver using a step-by-step tutorial.
Read the Ten Tips for Webmasters. Find links to all sorts of