Games and Simulations Test Drives
What's the Weather?
Personal Opinion: This game is a wonderful way for the children to practice reading a thermometer. They are able to relate temperature to how one should dress when going outdoors. Students must have prior knowledge about how to read a thermometer. I suggest teaching this first. Students should review weather sight words prior to this activity. You can demonstrate to the students who are not yet reading how to roll over the words hot, cold, freezing, etc. They will see the appropriate dress that is linked to those words. My kindergarten children enjoy this educational game.
Ease of Use: This game was very easy to use. Children in grades K-2 should be able to complete this game easily.
Educational Value: This is great practice for younger children. My concern is that the bear is fun to watch when you make a mistake. The bear will shiver if he is dressed too lightly, or will stick out his tongue if he is dressed too warmly. Students may be tempted to make an error in order to see his funny reaction. I would use this as practice only, and not as an evaluation.
Age/Developmentally Appropriate: This is age appropriate. Children K-2 should benefit from this program.
Applicability to Theme: This program works well with my lesson on weather and seasons. We are studying what clothing is worn during each season, and I am teaching them how to read a thermometer. This is an asset to my weather and seasons unit.
Ease of Use: This game was very easy to use. Children in grades K-2 should be able to complete this game easily.
Educational Value: This is great practice for younger children. My concern is that the bear is fun to watch when you make a mistake. The bear will shiver if he is dressed too lightly, or will stick out his tongue if he is dressed too warmly. Students may be tempted to make an error in order to see his funny reaction. I would use this as practice only, and not as an evaluation.
Age/Developmentally Appropriate: This is age appropriate. Children K-2 should benefit from this program.
Applicability to Theme: This program works well with my lesson on weather and seasons. We are studying what clothing is worn during each season, and I am teaching them how to read a thermometer. This is an asset to my weather and seasons unit.
Insect Hunt
Personal Opinion: This is a great way for students to get an up close look at different living things in a pond or on land. The pictures used for the insects are real photos, rather than illustrations, which I feel is necessary for young learners when exploring the world of science. I like the use of the magnifying glass in order to study each living thing. The students feel like a real scientist. I am happy to see that the children are not rewarded for incorrect work. The activity explained their error and allows them try again. I do not like that the game does not signal when you find all the insects. You wind up finding the same living things repeatedly. The children definitely enjoy this game and love playing it.
Ease of Use: This is appropriate for a young child to use. The maginifying glass is simple to maneuver and does not require click and drag, which can be difficult for immature muscle coordination. The photographs of the living things make it realistic for the children. They are able to count the legs easily. It is just one click to change from a pond to a land environment. If I could change one thing, I would apply a read aloud function to this game. This is not an option, therefore a kindergarten child may require an adult to read aloud the written text.
Educational Value: This has great potential for children to learn about insects. The pictures enable motivation and excitement. I suggest a previous lesson on the characteristics of an insect, with photographs, to discuss the difference between all living things. You should discuss different environments and list the different species found in water and land.
Age/Developmentally Appropriate: This is appropriate for ages K-2. Kindergarten children may require an adult assistance with the facts presented. A group can complete this game on a Smart Board or projector if desired.
Applicability to Theme: The students complete this game during my Spring lesson. We discuss the different characteristics of Spring, such as, temperature, climate, animals, insects, plants, and trees. We describe what the outside world looks like in New Jersey during this season. What changes do we see in our environment? Insects are one of the first topics mentioned by young children. They love to learn about them and see them up close. This program provides the learners with a safe opportunity to discover the world of insects. I follow up this lesson by going on a insect hunt around our school yard. I purchase caterpillars and an ant farm for a real life learning experience.
Ease of Use: This is appropriate for a young child to use. The maginifying glass is simple to maneuver and does not require click and drag, which can be difficult for immature muscle coordination. The photographs of the living things make it realistic for the children. They are able to count the legs easily. It is just one click to change from a pond to a land environment. If I could change one thing, I would apply a read aloud function to this game. This is not an option, therefore a kindergarten child may require an adult to read aloud the written text.
Educational Value: This has great potential for children to learn about insects. The pictures enable motivation and excitement. I suggest a previous lesson on the characteristics of an insect, with photographs, to discuss the difference between all living things. You should discuss different environments and list the different species found in water and land.
Age/Developmentally Appropriate: This is appropriate for ages K-2. Kindergarten children may require an adult assistance with the facts presented. A group can complete this game on a Smart Board or projector if desired.
Applicability to Theme: The students complete this game during my Spring lesson. We discuss the different characteristics of Spring, such as, temperature, climate, animals, insects, plants, and trees. We describe what the outside world looks like in New Jersey during this season. What changes do we see in our environment? Insects are one of the first topics mentioned by young children. They love to learn about them and see them up close. This program provides the learners with a safe opportunity to discover the world of insects. I follow up this lesson by going on a insect hunt around our school yard. I purchase caterpillars and an ant farm for a real life learning experience.
Hundreds Chart Counting
Personal Opinion: This program is a fabulous tool for young students. Skip counting can be difficult at this age. Young learners are provided with a visual and concrete representation of this abstract counting skill. They can see the pattern created as they count. I appreciate the fact that you can change the skip count method by clicking the arrows up or down. In kindergarten we learn to count by 2's, 5's, and 10's. The children can practice counting or see an animation of the counting, depending upon their ability.
Ease of Use: This learning tool is very easy to use. An adult should demonstrate the activity prior to the children using it. The teacher will need to evaluate the skills each student requires and program the activity accordingly.
Educational Value: This activity has great potential for enhancing all skip counting math lessons. Younger children are provided with a concrete representation of their counting which will help them develop an understanding of skip counting methods and patterns. Students begin by watching the colored counting on the screen, and will have the capability to change the difficulty level so they can skip count on their own.
Age/Developmentally Appropriate: This activity is appropriate for kindergarten students since the level of difficulty can be changed easily. Adult assistance will be needed in order for a child to begin on the appropriate learning level.
Applicability to Theme: This activity is a helpful resource prior to having the children read a thermometer. Thermometers can be read by skip counting. Skip counting gives the children the ability to read the daily temperature using a weather thermometer.
Ease of Use: This learning tool is very easy to use. An adult should demonstrate the activity prior to the children using it. The teacher will need to evaluate the skills each student requires and program the activity accordingly.
Educational Value: This activity has great potential for enhancing all skip counting math lessons. Younger children are provided with a concrete representation of their counting which will help them develop an understanding of skip counting methods and patterns. Students begin by watching the colored counting on the screen, and will have the capability to change the difficulty level so they can skip count on their own.
Age/Developmentally Appropriate: This activity is appropriate for kindergarten students since the level of difficulty can be changed easily. Adult assistance will be needed in order for a child to begin on the appropriate learning level.
Applicability to Theme: This activity is a helpful resource prior to having the children read a thermometer. Thermometers can be read by skip counting. Skip counting gives the children the ability to read the daily temperature using a weather thermometer.
Watch it Grow!
Personal Opinion: This simulation allows children to watch seeds grow into plants right before their eyes. I use this with the children when we are dicussing how things grow in the Spring. They are amazed watching the plants grow quickly which is impossible in the real world. They are able to see the parts of a plant that are underground and out of sight. I like how each part of the plant is defined using developmentally appropriate vocabulary.
Ease of Use: Children can use this simulation easily. Younger children may require help reading the information since there no audio built into the program. This can be used on a Smart Board or projector if individual computers are not available.
Educational Value: This is a great tool to use for teaching the parts of a plant. Students see the growing process with speed. Questions are formed and answered immediately. This program promotes class discussion and enhances science vocabulary.
Age/Developmentally Appropriate: This module is age appropriate for grades K-2. It is easy to use and interesting for the children. I would have liked to see real photographs used, but the illustrations were detailed and well done. Young children will not be capable of reading the information therefore adult assistance may needed.
Applicability to Theme: This simulation can be used when discussing how things grow in the Spring. This is the perfect time to teach how living things such as plants and flowers thrive in our springtime weather. Discussion should consist of what plants and flowers need to grow, and why Spring is the perfect time to plant a garden. I suggest planting a real seed with your young learners. Computer simulations are great learning tools, but the hands on experience of taking care of a plant cannot be replaced. After viewing this simulation, the children germinate their own lima bean seed. They place the seed in a wet paper towel and put it in a dark cool place for three days. The children examine how the seed changed. They then plant the seed in soil and watch it grow. We discuss any similarities and differences they notice when compared with the computer simulation.
Ease of Use: Children can use this simulation easily. Younger children may require help reading the information since there no audio built into the program. This can be used on a Smart Board or projector if individual computers are not available.
Educational Value: This is a great tool to use for teaching the parts of a plant. Students see the growing process with speed. Questions are formed and answered immediately. This program promotes class discussion and enhances science vocabulary.
Age/Developmentally Appropriate: This module is age appropriate for grades K-2. It is easy to use and interesting for the children. I would have liked to see real photographs used, but the illustrations were detailed and well done. Young children will not be capable of reading the information therefore adult assistance may needed.
Applicability to Theme: This simulation can be used when discussing how things grow in the Spring. This is the perfect time to teach how living things such as plants and flowers thrive in our springtime weather. Discussion should consist of what plants and flowers need to grow, and why Spring is the perfect time to plant a garden. I suggest planting a real seed with your young learners. Computer simulations are great learning tools, but the hands on experience of taking care of a plant cannot be replaced. After viewing this simulation, the children germinate their own lima bean seed. They place the seed in a wet paper towel and put it in a dark cool place for three days. The children examine how the seed changed. They then plant the seed in soil and watch it grow. We discuss any similarities and differences they notice when compared with the computer simulation.
Startpage created for Science and Math Resources
Here is a link to my Symbaloo Startpage.
I color coded the squares:
Red - Student links
Green - Teacher Resources
Pink and White - Teacher and Student Resources
I color coded the squares:
Red - Student links
Green - Teacher Resources
Pink and White - Teacher and Student Resources
Activities Using Symbaloo Resources
1. Use Earth Science for Kids:Weather icon to show students what the different types of clouds are. Discuss each cloud type and what weather is associated with it. Explain how they help forecast the weather. Take a walk outdoors and have the students describe the types of clouds they see. Do the clouds look like anything? Have students use white paint dripped into the center of blue paper and fold it in half. Students will unfold the paper and describe what picture they think there paint cloud made.
2. Use the NOAA Forecasting icon to teach students how meteorologists forecast the weather. Follow along the webquest provided and have the students draw examples of weather map symbols. Groups of children can create a Weather Newcast at the end of the weather unit.
3.Go to Dan's Wild Weather Page icon and scroll down to the puzzle link . Have students play the matching weather symbol game. When the picture is revealed, the student must write a sentence or two discribing the season and climate of the weather picture.
4. The Syd the Science Kid icon has a wonderful Weather Wheel game for children. Have the students practice dressing one of Syd's friends appropriately for the different types of weather. I am using this game before my digital storytelling activity. This will give students a chance to be successful and confident with dressing for the seasons before they are to create their own eBook.
5. Web Weather for Kids icon has many resources to use with the children about extreme weather. I would spend a week on this website, a day or two on each type of wild weather. This weather includes: thunderstorm, tornados, and lightning. Explore each of these weather systems. Have each student have make their own "Wild Weather" journal. Each type of weather must include simple facts that they learned from this internet resource along with illustrations. Students can read their journals to another classroom to show what they learned.
6. The Weather icon should be used daily to check the daily weather. The students create a new spreadsheet with daily temperature readings. Show the sudents how to make a line graph using their data.
7. National Geographic for Kids icon has an article on the "Freaky Forces of Nature". The children will be amazed at the photos of the giant hail stones and tornado pictures, etc. On the right side there is also a weather word search which I would use as a culmination to the weather unit.
8.The Seasons Lesson icon has a good lesson to use with small children. This gives teachers resources and worksheets needed to teach children about the cycle of the seasons. The worksheets are available for a teacher or student to print.
9. The Bar Graph and Tally icon has a game that allows children to practice tallies and graphing skills. We are creating many different charts and graphs throughout our weather unit. The students have a safe place to practice these new-found skills in order to gain long-term understanding and success.
10. The Weather Wiz Kids icon provides many hands on science experiments that the children can explore in the classroom. The students can make the tornado bottle. The children are amazed by this project and it gives a concrete representation of the circular movement of a tornado. The students will also complete the Make a Rainbow Experiment. Students can see first hand how light can be split into all the colors of the rainbow. There are so many experiments to choose from that I cannot suggest one over the other. This site is a great place to explore for any age group.
2. Use the NOAA Forecasting icon to teach students how meteorologists forecast the weather. Follow along the webquest provided and have the students draw examples of weather map symbols. Groups of children can create a Weather Newcast at the end of the weather unit.
3.Go to Dan's Wild Weather Page icon and scroll down to the puzzle link . Have students play the matching weather symbol game. When the picture is revealed, the student must write a sentence or two discribing the season and climate of the weather picture.
4. The Syd the Science Kid icon has a wonderful Weather Wheel game for children. Have the students practice dressing one of Syd's friends appropriately for the different types of weather. I am using this game before my digital storytelling activity. This will give students a chance to be successful and confident with dressing for the seasons before they are to create their own eBook.
5. Web Weather for Kids icon has many resources to use with the children about extreme weather. I would spend a week on this website, a day or two on each type of wild weather. This weather includes: thunderstorm, tornados, and lightning. Explore each of these weather systems. Have each student have make their own "Wild Weather" journal. Each type of weather must include simple facts that they learned from this internet resource along with illustrations. Students can read their journals to another classroom to show what they learned.
6. The Weather icon should be used daily to check the daily weather. The students create a new spreadsheet with daily temperature readings. Show the sudents how to make a line graph using their data.
7. National Geographic for Kids icon has an article on the "Freaky Forces of Nature". The children will be amazed at the photos of the giant hail stones and tornado pictures, etc. On the right side there is also a weather word search which I would use as a culmination to the weather unit.
8.The Seasons Lesson icon has a good lesson to use with small children. This gives teachers resources and worksheets needed to teach children about the cycle of the seasons. The worksheets are available for a teacher or student to print.
9. The Bar Graph and Tally icon has a game that allows children to practice tallies and graphing skills. We are creating many different charts and graphs throughout our weather unit. The students have a safe place to practice these new-found skills in order to gain long-term understanding and success.
10. The Weather Wiz Kids icon provides many hands on science experiments that the children can explore in the classroom. The students can make the tornado bottle. The children are amazed by this project and it gives a concrete representation of the circular movement of a tornado. The students will also complete the Make a Rainbow Experiment. Students can see first hand how light can be split into all the colors of the rainbow. There are so many experiments to choose from that I cannot suggest one over the other. This site is a great place to explore for any age group.