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Articles By Linda C. Joseph |
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For March 1, 2010: Through a collaboration of several federal government agencies, at the Women's History Month for Teachers website, teachers are presented with a variety of primary source materials to use in their classrooms.
Posted 01 Mar 2010 /
For February 15, 2010: Introduce your middle school math students to topics that align with NCTM standards with the click of a mouse at the subscription-based Brainingcamp website.
Posted 15 Feb 2010 /
For February 1, 2010: Want to create a list of high-quality children's literature or find out if a book has won an award? Search librarian Lisa Bartle's Database of Award-Winning Children's Literature.
Posted 01 Feb 2010 /
For January 15, 2010: The interactive site Fresh from the World ... Where Your Food Comes From presents the history of 15 popular foods as well as how food is grown, processed, and distributed.
Posted 15 Jan 2010 /
For January 1, 2010: Celebrate National Agriculture Day in your classroom or community. Each year the program promotes American agriculture and its essential role in maintaining a strong economy.
Posted 01 Jan 2010 /
For December 15, 2009: Build a thematic unit by searching the Children's Picture Book Database at Miami University, a great tool for elementary teachers who want to create reading lists to complement the curriculum.
Posted 15 Dec 2009 /
For December 1, 2009: At Amazon Interactive, one of a multitude of Eduweb interactive learning sites developed with a range of partners, explore the geography of the Ecuadorian Amazon through online activities.
Posted 01 Dec 2009 /
For November 15, 2009: The Children & Nature Network (C&NN) was created to encourage and support the people and organizations working worldwide to reconnect children with nature.
Posted 15 Nov 2009 /
For November 1, 2009: Need ideas for a science project? Look no further than Science Buddies, a project of The Kenneth Lafferty Hess Family Charitable Foundation.
Posted 01 Nov 2009 /
For October 15, 2009: Teaching students how to think mathematically through hands-on technology is one of the goals at the Center for Technology and Teacher Education.
Posted 15 Oct 2009 /
For October 1, 2009: Zoomify Express is a slick tool for webmasters who want to magnify content ... ideal for enhancing primary sources such as maps, documents, and photographs.
Posted 01 Oct 2009 /
For September 15, 2009: Want to make a rubric, but don't have time or need some assistance? At the Rubistar website, you can choose from a variety of templates and work through a ten-step process.
Posted 15 Sep 2009 /
For September 1, 2009: At the National Archives' Charters of Freedom website you can view original documents, read transcriptions, gather biographical information about the Founding Fathers who attended the 1787 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, and more.
Posted 01 Sep 2009 /
For August 15, 2009: Explore the wonders of astronomy at the Eyes on the Sky, Feet on the Ground website from the Smithsonian Institution through a variety of activities designed for elementary teachers and students.
Posted 15 Aug 2009 /
For August 1, 2009: Visit the Firefly Files site to learn fast facts about fireflies' classification, habitat, behavior, and bioluminescence, plus fun activities for stuying them.
Posted 01 Aug 2009 /
For July 15, 2009: The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has provided a website on energy efficiency and various applications of renewable energy including solar, wind, biomass, hydrogen, geothermal, ocean, and hydropower.
Posted 15 Jul 2009 /
For July 1, 2009: Live by the ocean? Or not? Either way, learning about whales is a cool summer activity. Check out these two sites for loads of whale information.
Posted 01 Jul 2009 /
For June 15, 2009: With help from the kidsgardening.org website from the National Gardening Association, you can easily kindle an interest in gardening concepts with your students.
Posted 15 Jun 2009 /
For June 1, 2009: Smokey Bear has been around for 65 years promoting the prevention of wildfires. Visit Smokey’s website for some expert information for kids, plus perhaps some nostalgia for you!
Posted 01 Jun 2009 /
For May 15, 2009: At the World Digital Library, your students can view primary sources of historical significance from around the world in multilingual formats.
Posted 15 May 2009 /
For May 1, 2009: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, aka the CDC, was founded in 1946 to help control malaria. Since that time it has expanded its focus to prevent and control chronic and infectious diseases (Swine flu? They're on it.), injuries, workplace hazards, disabilities, and environmental health threats.
Posted 01 May 2009 /
For April 15, 2009: The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History makes primary source documents and educational resources from all eras of American history available for free through the Institute's website.
Posted 15 Apr 2009 /
For April 1, 2009: At the Arbor Day Foundation website, discover the history of Arbor Day plus a host of ways to incorporate it into the curriculum.
Posted 01 Apr 2009 /
For March 15, 2009: At the “Votes for Women” Suffrage Pictures, 1850 – 1920 site in the Library of Congress’ American Memory Collection, students researching Women's History Month can find a selection of portraits featuring leaders of the suffrage movement.
Posted 15 Mar 2009 /
For March 1, 2009: Hands-on science activities abound on the Jefferson Lab Science Education site produced by the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility.
Posted 01 Mar 2009 /
For February 15, 2009: Abraham Lincoln, one of the most popular presidents to govern this country, left a legacy of more than 20,000 documents, and you can access them at the Abraham Lincoln Papers at the Library of Congress.
Posted 15 Feb 2009 /
For February 1, 2009: Through Government Information Online (GIO) you can ask questons of government information librarians who are experts at finding information from government agencies of all levels on almost any subject.
Posted 01 Feb 2009 /
For January 15, 2009: Gadgets and widgets are small applications that can be pasted on individual Web pages or a computer desktop. Visit Widgetbox to find hundreds of widgets already created and ready to go.
Posted 15 Jan 2009 /
For January 1, 2009: Need fast facts about energy sources, how they were/are formed, and their environmental impact? Start out at the federal government’s Energy Information Administration EIA Energy Kids Page.
Posted 01 Jan 2009 /
Energy is an essential and, at times, a controversial subject. It is important that students learn about energy sources and the impact they have in their own lives, and Linda Joseph's Cyberbee guides you this month to web resources to help them do just that.
For December 15, 2008: Want to know more about the traditions of past Presidential inaugurations? Get the scoop from the LOC’s American Memory collection and its Inaugurations Learning Page.
Posted 15 Dec 2008 /
For December 1, 2008: Students will enjoy these virtual learning modules on matter, electricity and magnetism, energy, and fusion at the Interactive Plasma Physics Education Experience Online.
Posted 01 Dec 2008 /
For November 15, 2008: Try out BookHooks and introduce your younger students to a place where they can share their book reports with other readers in a safe environment.
Posted 15 Nov 2008 /
For November 1, 2008: Highlighting the BBC Ancient History: Egyptians website are two outstanding interactive features that will mesmerize your students.
Posted 01 Nov 2008 /
Trek back 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. With Cyberbee's guidance this month, your students will discover and solve many mysteries.
For October 15, 2008: Money and financial planning. Too boring for kids, right? NOT! Have them blast off to Planet Orange to explore the world of money.
Posted 15 Oct 2008 /
For October 1, 2008: Over 400 teacher-tested economic lessons are available for immediate use in the classroom at EconEdLink, from the National Council on Economic Education.
Posted 01 Oct 2008 /
For September 15, 2008: Learn about Henry David Thoreau and his writings at The Thoreau Reader, a comprehensive website featuring online versions of many of his books and lots of links and annotations about his literary works.
Posted 15 Sep 2008 /
For September 1, 2008: From the Scholastic News Online - Election 2008 site you can meet the candidates, join an online discussion of campaign issues, cast your vote in a mock election, and more.
Posted 01 Sep 2008 /
With the 2008 election upon us, there are many websites analyzing the personal attributes and platforms of the candidates as well as examining the political process for electing a president. The news media provides all sorts of information from facts to commentary with a dose of speculation by an array of "expert" panelists. For better or worse, YouTube and blogs allow unfettered participation by individuals. It is more important than ever that your students learn to be discerning readers when researching these sources. CyberBee has selected a variety of places to explore and use with your students.
For August 15, 2008: Need some great clip art for worksheets or letters to parents? You will love the graphics offered for teachers and students at The Graphic Site.
Posted 15 Aug 2008 /
For August 1, 2008: Plan a virtual field trip to Amusement Park Physics sponsored by the Annenberg Foundation, where the question is always, "What are the forces behind the fun?"
Posted 01 Aug 2008 /
For July 15, 2008: Down and dirty!: NASA and the Soil Science Society of America's Soil Science Education page is a tremendous site rich in content and detail.
Posted 15 Jul 2008 /
Years ago, CyberBee began scouting the internet for content that was informative, engaging, and aligned with national standards, in 1996 becoming a column for MultiMedia & Internet@Schools magazine and a website for teachers. CyberBee thought it would be fitting to revisit some of the great websites that you may have missed over the past few years. There should be plenty of ideas to help you plan your lessons for the new school year.
Hundreds of vacation destinations beckon families to visit each year. From battlefields and hiking to hands-on fun such as panning for gold, there is an adventure for everyone. And in the classroom in spring, students can prepare for their journeys via a wide array of learning activities. CyberBee has been scouting for summer excursions that will delight and nurture the minds of all ages. A few favorites are presented here.
For March 15, 2008: At Coolmath4kids, there are dozens of thinking games that wll keep students occupied for hours.
Posted 15 Mar 2008 /
For March 1, 2008: If you are looking for information on the hot topic of biotechnology, for an annotated list of books about agriculture, or if you just need to know the date for National Cream Puff Day or International Pickles Week (!), then look no further than the American Farm Bureau Foundation's Educating for Agriculture website.
Posted 01 Mar 2008 /
With agricultural commodities so readily accessible in the U.S., it is easy to forget how the baked ham, green beans, pineapple, and rolls with butter arrive 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, all vetted by Cyberbee, aka longtime MMIS columnist and educator Linda Joseph.
For February 15, 2008: Aboard the Underground Railroad showcases 55 historic places that are listed in the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places.
Posted 15 Feb 2008 /
For February 1, 2008: It's winter, and the height of the cold and flu season, time to meet The Scrub Club in their quest to encourage effective hand washing to avoid infections.
Posted 01 Feb 2008 /
For January 15, 2008: There are times when we simply have to "hold" a resource, touch it, and see it firsthand. The Library of Congress’ Primary Source Tool Kit website can make this possible!
Posted 15 Jan 2008 /
For January 1, 2008: Get Ready, Get Set, and Go directly to the Read Write Think site, from the IRA, the NCTE, and the Verizon Foundation, for lessons that can be selected by grade band, literacy strand, or literacy engagement.
Posted 01 Jan 2008 /
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 are just waiting to be uncovered by the savvy searcher. This collection of websites will serve as a starting point in your quest to recommend the best books to meet the needs of students and teachers.
For December 15, 2007: Politics and polling are upon us, and the RealClearPolitics website can help students understand polling data ... and polling as a whole.
Posted 15 Dec 2007 /
For December 1, 2007: Since 1996, B. J. Pinchbeck and his dad have maintained and regularly updated his Homework Helper website for students.
Posted 01 Dec 2007 /
For November 15, 2007: In Find Your Longitude, a NOVA Online Adventure game from PBS, your students can find out why having a precise timepiece—a chronometer—helps determine your longitude.
Posted 15 Nov 2007 /
For November 1, 2007: Walter Fendt has created a fabulous set of Java applets that may be used by educators.
Posted 01 Nov 2007 /
This month, Cyberbee prompts you to enter 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 Web sites and discover a variety of interactive simulations, experiments, and ideas to use in your classroom.
For October 15, 2007: Study the Great Depression using the New Deal Network as an educational guide.
Posted 15 Oct 2007 /
For October 1, 2007: Practice constructing a digital story at the Ken Burns PBS Web site.
Posted 01 Oct 2007 /
For September 15, 2007: ReadPrint is a massive library of free online books that include authors such as Mark Twain, Stephen Crane, and H.G. Wells.
Posted 15 Sep 2007 /
For September 1, 2007: The MY HERO project encourages families, schools, and organizations to publicly honor heroes that have made a difference through words, images, and short films.
Posted 01 Sep 2007 /
Finding safe, engaging collaborative projects for your classroom doesn't have to be a challenge. There are many mentored and data-entry activities that allow your students to participate with classrooms across the country and around the world. Many of the Internet projects have been around for years with proven track records. Others have the backing of nonprofit foundations. This month, Cyberbee directs you to a range of such sites where you can find a project that is just right for your classroom.
For August 15, 2007: At Personal Educational Press, create free educational worksheets such as flashcards, game boards, and quizzes to print directly from your browser.
Posted 15 Aug 2007 /
For August 1, 2007: Plan a trip to one of America's national parks using the comprehensive directory at the National Park Service Web site.
Posted 01 Aug 2007 /
For July 15, 2007: Personal Educational Press lets you create free educational worksheets such as flashcards, game boards, and quizzes to print directly from your browser.
Posted 15 Jul 2007 /
For July 1, 2007: The Cultural Arts Resources for Teachers and Students (C.A.R.T.S.) site is filled with folklore, history, culture, and arts-in-education resources and educational activities.
Posted 01 Jul 2007 /
Many organizations are distributing free newsletters with timely articles and links to valuable resources. Joining a mailing list or RSS feed is easy and convenient, and it's a timesaver when you want the latest news about innovative technology and practical ideas for integrating it into your classroom. This month, Cyberbee directs you to a selected mix of educational technology newsletters and RSS feeds to investigate.
For June 15, 2007: At the Miami Museum of Science's pH Factor site, elementary and middle school students can learn all about pH and have fun while doing so.
Posted 15 Jun 2007 /
For June 1, 2007: Summer's almost here; time to focus on playing to learn, and the Bubble Geometry Web site offers opportunities for both. Pop on over!
Posted 01 Jun 2007 /
For May 15, 2007: Enter the world of author Jan Brett and you won't want to leave! Not only does she share her beautiful artwork for printing, but complete background information about her books.
Posted 15 May 2007 /
For May 1, 2007: The prairie is one of North America’s great ecosystems and a vital habitat for many plants and animals. The Bell LIVE! On the Prairie site offers a great resource in understanding and restoring prairies.
Posted 01 May 2007 /
Before the European settlers arrived, there were huge prairies stretching for miles across the North American continent. Only remnants—about 1 percent to 2 percent—of this environmental habitat remain. This has prompted restoration projects by government agencies, foundations, and nonprofit organizations in several states. Teachers 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 prairies as part of the school landscape. Let Cyberbee be your guide to Web resources on the subject!
For April 15, 2007: At Moneyopolis, treat your students to a hands-on/minds-on money management and financial planning learning experience.
Posted 15 Apr 2007 /
For March 15, 2007: At APTE's free Puzzle Center, you can construct crosswords, word scrambles, and more ... and send them on to friends or students whose brains you want to tease!
Posted 15 Mar 2007 /
For March 1, 2007: At the Learn to Be Healthy Website, you'll find sample health science activities and lessons for all age levels.
Posted 01 Mar 2007 /
Given the health issues facing children today, Cyberbee has decided to provide you this month with an array of reliable Web-based sources of information for you--or them--to use in pursuit of knowledge and healthy choices.
For February 15, 2007: Sponsored by the Center for Safe and Responsible Internet Use, the Cyberbullying site provides the Educator's Guide to Cyberbullying, Parent's Guide to Cyberbullying, and links to real life stories.
Posted 15 Feb 2007 /
For February 1, 2007: At the National Library of Virtual Manipulatives , kids can "play" with loads of computer-based manipulatives created to help them visualize mathematical relationships.
Posted 01 Feb 2007 /
For January 15, 2007: Span It is an engineering simulation challenging kids to build--within budget!--bridges that will support designated loads, such as a freight train! It's fun, and not even too geeky!
Posted 15 Jan 2007 /
For January 1, 2007: NetSmartz is an educational resource for children, parents, and teachers on how to stay safe on the Internet.
Posted 02 Jan 2007 /
The Internet has changed the way students learn and communicate. With the click of a mouse, they can instant message one another, work together on projects, download all kinds of multimedia files, and post to blogs, Web sites, and RSS feeds. Access to people and information enhances instruction, but what happens when the "dark side of the Internet" sneaks around the corner and into the classroom or home? In this column, Cyberbee points to lots of resources that can help.
For December 15, 2006: Remember Etch A Sketch? Well, it's still out there, and it's very popular. At the Etch A Sketch Web site, see how Etch A Sketch becomes an art form, then give it a try yourself.
Posted 15 Dec 2006 /
For December 1, 2006: Fact Monster, a great, free research, homework help, and just plain fun site from Information Please, provides loads of features targeted to students.
Posted 01 Dec 2006 /
For November 15, 2006: At the Nutrition Café, "where nutrition information is fun,"students get to learn about and demonstrate their knowledge of nutritional facts.
Posted 15 Nov 2006 /
For November 1, 2006: You can encourage students to explore the world around them through Earthcaching--treasure hunting for the caches that the Earth has stored. Where do you start? Earthcache.
Posted 01 Nov 2006 /
Cyberbee is positioned this month--Globally Positioned, that is--with resources to help you and your students map trails, find treasure caches, and solve problems by using the Global Positioning System technology made possible by 24 U.S. military satellites orbiting Earth that transmit signals to a GPS receiver.
For October 15, 2006: “You never know where a science fair project will take you.” That’s the philosophy behind the creation of the School Science Fairs Web site! Cyberbee says the site should be your first stop when looking for science fair project ideas.
Posted 15 Oct 2006 /
For October 1, 2006: Just for fun, test your visual memory at the Droodles and Memory page at the Exploratorium’s Web site. Your job is to try to remember—and draw—the droodles named with made up words.
Posted 01 Oct 2006 /
For September 15, 2006: It’s election season and a time for civics lessons. The Committee for Citizen Awareness produces and distributes a series of educational civics videotapes, with titles including The U.S. Congress and You, Your Court System and You, The Executive Branch and You, and more.
Posted 15 Sep 2006 /
What do tombstones, driver’s licenses, and a sound recording have in common? They are primary sources. In an Information Age, students have more access to primary source material than any previous generation. In this month's column, Cyberbee shows where to find lots of them.
For September 1, 2006: From the National Park Service's Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area (one of 27 federally designated heritage areas in the nation), the CampSilos History Center Excursion Web site lets your students role play as curators, historians, and archivists in a museum.
Posted 01 Sep 2006 /
For August 15, 2006: Make your own change, learn how coins are made, and find out the latest news from the U.S. Mint’s H.I.P. Pocket Change site.
Posted 15 Aug 2006 /
For August 1, 2006: At DigiTales, multiple media and storytelling really come alive! The Web site presents seven steps to creating a 3-5 minute digital movie, with specific directions for each step.
Posted 01 Aug 2006 /
For July 15, 2006: The National Audubon Society's Web site is geared up for the society's centennial year. Check out some conservation history as well as features like guidance in setting up a bird-friendly back yard.
Posted 15 Jul 2006 /
For July 1, 2006: BubbleShare, “the best way to share your photos and the stories that go with them,” is worth considering if you want empower your students to create and share their work. Safety features included!
Posted 01 Jul 2006 /
In this issue, Linda Joseph's Cyberbee guides you and students to sites with ideas and tools, plus loads of examples, for leaving "a legacy of cultural history for future generations through digital storytelling."
For June 15, 2006: Kids looking for a fun summer science activity? Frogwatch USA is a frog and toad monitoring program managed by the National Wildlife Federation in partnership with the United States Geological Survey. Go on! Wade in!
Posted 15 Jun 2006 /
For June 1, 2006: The USDA's Sci4Kids Web site is a series of stories for students ages 8-13 illustrating the work of the Agriculture Department scientists. Learn how satellites determine where cows Moo-ve (roam) and why that is important, how food might be grown in space, and lots more.
Posted 01 Jun 2006 /
For May 15, 2006: Amazing fact to illustrate the concept of "billion" that you can learn from A Maths Dictionary for Kids: You have 10 billion brain cells working for you right now! That, plus the opportunity to practice math skills, and more await your students at this animated, interective site.
Posted 15 May 2006 /
For May 1, 2006: Gear up for a day at the creek with help and guidance from the Kids in the Creek Web site. You and your students will soon be testing Ph, water temperature, and dissolved oxygen, as well as collecting aquatic insects.
Posted 01 May 2006 /
This month, Cyberbee sets his and your sites on water, streams, and creeks, where your students can experience great adventures. 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, and lots more. Prepare for your journey by visiting these Web sites for information and lesson ideas.
For April 15, 2006: Lots more fun than the I.R.S. (!), the federal government's National Postal Museum, a Smithsonian Institution museum, features exhibits such as Mail to the Chief, Object of the Month, and Posted Aboard R.M.S. Titanic at its Web site.
Posted 15 Apr 2006 /
For April 1, 2006: Each spring when the falcons nest, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources sets up the Ohio Peregrine Falcons site, using a live cam on the 41st floor of the Rhodes Tower in Columbus.
Posted 01 Apr 2006 /
For March 15, 2006: Life re-emerges as we spring into spring! Take frogs, for instance. At the Something Froggy Web site, choose from the Primary (K-3) or the Junior (4-8) version to learn about frogs and their life cycle.
Posted 15 Mar 2006 /
For March 1, 2006: Ah, yes. March! That transitional, traditionally windy month. What you need is Kite Flying, a complete lesson on kite flying for all age levels.
Posted 01 Mar 2006 /
Linda Joseph's CyberBee this month helps you and your students transform your schoolyard into a launchpad; experiment with aerodynamics, Newton's laws, and Bernoulli's principle; create geometric kites and sleek paper airplanes; measure distances; determine the best flying designs and discover why they were successful; and more ... by guiding you to some terrific kite- and paper-airplane-related math and science Web sites.
For February 15, 2006: Electric Universe is "a universe of information about electricity, how it affects our lives, and how to harness its power safely." Check out "Louie's Space" and other electrifying spots on the site!
Posted 15 Feb 2006 /
For February 1, 2006: At The Jigzone, students can create, decipher, and otherwise work on jigsaw puzzles online.
Posted 01 Feb 2006 /
For January 15, 2006: At FERI's Been Here So Long: Selections from the WPA American Slave Narratives site, 17 American Slave Narratives have been selected from approximately 2,300 that were compiled by the Federal Writers Project.
Posted 15 Jan 2006 /
For January 1, 2006: Students will be fascinated by Henry Box Brown, who mailed himself to freedom. His story is told in UNC Chapel Hill's Documenting the American South digital publishing initiative.
Posted 01 Jan 2006 /
CyberBee, aka Linda Joseph, takes a tour of Web sites all about puzzles in this issue, covering puzzle history, puzzles for learning, puzzle generators, and more.
For December 15, 2005: At the RIF (Reading is Fundamental) site, the focus in on developing children's as well as family literacy programs. RIF's Reading Planet is full of fun activities that lead the way!
Posted 15 Dec 2005 /
For December 1, 2005: Examine four different sculptures to discover how modern artists use different methods and materials to convey ideas at the Art Interactive site from the Hirschhorn.
Posted 01 Dec 2005 /
For November 15, 2005: Have you ever wondered "How Stuff Works?" ... as in how a microwave heats food or why a phone can still work when the electricity goes out? ...
Posted 15 Nov 2005 /
For November 1, 2005: Explore Newton’s Castle, a “stimulating journey into the revelations of Sir Isaac Newton,” where you can learn about his discoveries … and secret life! Learn about color, optical illusions, and lots more ... such as why dogs chase cars! (Did they have cars in Newton's day??)
Posted 01 Nov 2005 /
Linda Joseph's CyberBee this month offers a wide assortment of reference resources including online almanacs, dictionaries, encyclopedias, and map and statistics collections.
For October 15, 2005: Miami Museum of Science's Atoms Family Web site presents a seasonal way to explore energy forms, hosted by the likes of Wolfman, Count Dracula, and their ilk.
Posted 15 Oct 2005 /
For October 1, 2005: Here's a quick reference on organizing a science fair project for your students to use.
Posted 01 Oct 2005 /
For September 15, 2005: Audacity is a solid audio recording and editing program for the budget minded teacher, and here's where you can get it.
Posted 15 Sep 2005 /
For September 1, 2005: Just right for the upcoming Constitution and Citizenship Day, Centuries of Citizenship: A Constitutional Timeline introduces key historical events while allowing students to think about the issues.
Posted 01 Sep 2005 /
Linda Joseph's CyberBee offers a wide assortment of resources to help you with activities for your class in support of Constitution and Citizenship Day, coming up this month.
For August 15, 2005: At the Memorial Hall Museum Online, explore the history of New England through artifacts and historic documents … even a “magic lens”!
Posted 15 Aug 2005 /
For August 1, 2005: Glorious to look at and a breeze to navigate, the Children’s Butterfly Web site is a great exploration starting point for students.
Posted 01 Aug 2005 /
For July 15, 2005: Coolmath4kids is loaded with thinking games that will keep kids occupied for hours, so it can make a good break from outside activities on a hot summer day.
Posted 15 Jul 2005 /
For July 1, 2005: Too hot? Check out polar bears and other critters cooling it in their simulated natural habitats at the San Diego zoo.
Posted 01 Jul 2005 /
Over the years, while creating content for the CyberBee Web site and constructing workshops for educators, Linda Joseph says she has invariably needed a software program to complete a specific task or to solve a particular problem. The programs described in this article are Linda's/CyberBee’s favorites for work and play.
For June 15, 2005: Enter the front gate, virtually, of the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis via this Web site developed by the St. Louis Public Library.
Posted 15 Jun 2005 /
For June 1, 2005: Travel virtually--via videocam--to remote Gull Island in Kachemak Bay, Alaska, where puffins, kittiwakes, and other wildlife live during the all-too-brief but bright summer.
Posted 01 Jun 2005 /
For May 15, 2005: Time-warp back 65 million years with Dino Russ (aka geologist Russ Jacobson) to the age of dinosaurs.
Posted 15 May 2005 /
In this issue, CyberBee has hunted down a collection of zoo Websites comprising a treasure-trove of educational information that will captivate kids for hours.
For May 1, 2005: Learn all about the artist D.B. Johnson and his unique process for creating the illustrations in his award-winning children's books based on the life of Henry David Thoreau.
Posted 01 May 2005 /
For April 15, 2005: Get ready for a summer geology adventure. Your budding rock hounds won't want to miss the Rock Hounds Web site ...
Posted 15 Apr 2005 /
For April 1, 2005: You can make your own Picasso-esque artistic masterpiece. It's April 1st, but we're not foolin'! Check out the Mr. Picassohead Web site ...
Posted 01 Apr 2005 /
For March 15, 2005: Swing into spring with a fantastic weather lesson from Edheads.
Posted 15 Mar 2005 /
For March 1, 2005: March is Women's History Month and the Women's Words of Wisdom: Thoughts Over Time site is a great way to introduce women's history to students.
Posted 01 Mar 2005 /
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.
African American experiences during slavery are identified in the National History Standards under United States History, Era 2: Standard 3C, which states, "the student understands African life under slavery." The best way to learn about daily life, culture, and history is to draw upon the firsthand accounts of people who lived during that time period. CyberBee presents a collection of primary sources in this article that are tailor-made for studying this topic.
Science 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.
With federal 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 Title 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 Web sites 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 schools.
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