Monday, December 24, 2007

Norad Tracks Santa 2007

As they have done every year for more than 50 years, NORAD is once again tracking the Christmas Eve voyage of Santa Claus. He is soon to arrive at our house as I write this as the map shows him at Peoria, Illinois. But ... oh wait, the map just updated!

NORAD Tracks Santa - St Louis, MO

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Track Santa as he makes his journey around the world. NoradSanta.org

Here he comes. I've gotta go!

Want More Information?

Sunday, December 16, 2007

ReadWriteThink

Here is a good resource for both teachers and students alike.

Providing educators and students access to the highest quality practices and resources in reading and language arts instruction.

Visit ReadWriteThink.

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Google For Educators

Google is more than the greatest search engine. Google believes in teachers. They have one central hub with tools for your classroom, classroom activities, classroom posters and a teacher community.

At Google, we support teachers in their efforts to empower students and expand the frontiers of human knowledge. That's why we've assembled the information and tools you'll find on this site.

If you are a teacher and you want to know more about what Google's tools and what they can do to help you, check out Google For Educators.

iKnowthat.com Science Lab Games

With a multitude of subjects from Gravity, Atoms, Vision, Volcanoes, Human Body, Earthquakes, Sound, Cells, Matter, Solar System and Weather, iKnowthat.com's Science Lab Games has everything you want to know.

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Halloween Hangman [.swf]

Halloween is coming very soon. Here is a great game of Hangman with a very spooky twist. There is creepy music and a skeleton that talks to you!

Halloween Hangman

Give the game a try!

Halloween Hangman created by The Dimension's Edge, Inc.

Monday, September 24, 2007

Photo in the News: "Nonexistent" Flying Fox Discovered

Scientists are discovering new species of animals every day. Even some experienced biologists will be surprised when they come across an entirely new animal they thought did not exist.

This unusual species of flying fox was recently discovered in the Philippines not long after it was deemed not to exist.

Jake Esselstyn, a biologist with the University of Kansas, was among a team of researchers that found the animal, a type of fruit bat, last year while surveying forest life on the island of Mindoro (see Philippines map).

Flying Fox

Read more about it on National Geographic.com - "Nonexistent" Flying Fox Discovered.

Sunday, September 23, 2007

Photo in the News: Bizarre Object Found Circling Star

There are many different types of stars in the universe. Over time, they go through changes and life cycle, just like living things. They are born, they grow and they grow old. Some stars are far away from other stars and some are very close relatively. Scientists have recently discovered a pair of dying stars orbiting each other that exhibit some interesting behaviour.

An object recently detected orbiting a neutron star is among the strangest planet-mass bodies ever found, astronomers say.

Instead of circling around a normal star, the low-mass object --likely the "skeleton" of a smaller star-- orbits a rapidly spinning pulsar, or neutron star.

The neutron star spins hundreds of times a second --faster than a kitchen blender.

The odd mass, which was spotted on June 7 by NASA's Swift and Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) satellites, orbits the bigger star in a little under once an hour.

Skeleton Star

Read more about it at National Geographic.com - Bizarre Object Found Circling Star.

Tuesday, August 07, 2007

Baby Einstein Turns Kids Into Baby Homer Simpson

Here is a Wired.com article/blog post about Baby Einstein.Baby Einstein

Videos marketed to parents as a learning tools for infants may actually stunt their babies' development, reports the Los Angeles Times.

In a survey of 1,000 parents, University of Washington pediatricians found that for every hour a day that babies 8 to 16 months old were shown such popular series as 'Brainy Baby' or 'Baby Einstein,' they knew six to eight fewer words than other children. Reading to children and telling them stories appeared far more beneficial than the videos, which are designed to engage a baby's attention, hop from scene to scene with minimal dialogue and include mesmerizing images, like a lava lamp. The American Academy of Pediatrics says kids under two shouldn't watch any TV at all.

The findings appear intuitive -- television is, broadly speaking, a passive medium, much less meaningful at a young age than interaction with a parent. And videos like Baby Einstein are about as meaningless as it gets.

Dimitri Christakis, the study's lead author, has elsewhere posited that the link between infant TV watching and subsequent attention disorders and behavioral problems has a biological basis: at a time when their brains are still in accelerated development, the babies are literally being rewired by TV.

Concerned parents should read the full post on Wired Science - Wired Blogs.

Monday, July 23, 2007

Story Machine Captures Sound, Images

July 23, 2007 - When it comes to writing, the pen and paper can take storytelling only so far.

Now a new technology allows kids - big and small - to embed sound into traditional drawings and create an interactive story-game. The Jabberstamp, invented by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is not only just fun to play with, it can also allow children to capture and share intricate ideas before they have mastered the skill of writing narratives.

We can help them learn new things that are really complex by giving them new toys, said Hayes Raffle, a Ph.D. candidate and research assistant. Raffle developed the device with fellow Ph.D. candidate Cati Vaucelle and Cornell University researcher Ruibing Wang.

Want to learn more? Go to Discovery Channel :: News - Technology :: Story Machine Captures Sound, Images.

LiveLeak.com - Spectacular Video of A Meteor / Space Debris

Apparently a news chopper crew captured video of a meteor or some other debris from space while flying before the sun came up.

An awesome video of space debris breaking up in the atmosphere LIVE during Good Day Colorado around 6:15 a.m. Thursday, January 4, 2007.

SkyFOX pilot Rob Marshall and photojournalist Josh White captured the event at about 6:15 a.m. Mountain Standard Time while they were flying over Denver.

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See this Spectacular Video of A Meteor at it's original source.

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Teddy Ruxpin

Teddy Ruxpin

20 years ago Teddy Ruxpin won the hearts of millions of children, parents, and grandparents. Today, the original animated storytelling bear is back to share his adventures, songs, and friends with a new generation of children.

Visit Teddy Ruxpin

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

SchoolMart-The most popular supplier of calculators, workbooks, & accessories to Educators, Schools, and Individuals

Need a calculator for back to school?

SchoolMart is your one stop for all of your educational needs! We are a national distributor of Math, Science, and Audio/Visual products to schools, teachers, parents, and students. Check out our wide array of educational tools you can use in your classroom to reinforce your curriculum. Your students will be challenged and realize learning is fun.

Get your shopping done early at SchoolMart.com.

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Autism toys, educational toys and special needs toys at KidScopeToys.com

According to Wikipedia, Autism is a brain development disorder characterized by impairments in social interaction and communication, and restricted and repetitive behavior, all exhibited before a child is three years old.

Welcome to KidScope Toys, your source for the most exciting educational, special needs and autism toys available! Our goal is to provide you with those toys and books that we have found exciting in our own work as therapists, and to assist you in using these toys to aid in the growth and development of children with autism or special needs. Learn more about us!

Visit KidScopeToys.com today.

Monday, June 18, 2007

Science kits - Science toys - Science Store For The Stars!

Do you love Science? Or does your daughter or son love science? Would you like to help your child get more interested in science and the world around them?

The biggest, best, and most complete selection of quality science kits, science toys, activity books, robot kits, mind challenging games, telescopes, microscopes and more! Easy to find by age, price, subject, or manufacturer. Everything you see on our site is in stock, unless it's a soon to be released new product. With hundreds of fun science educational toys, we're inspiring young minds to experience the joy of science and have fun doing it. Bookmark us and come back often!

Visit the Science Store For The Stars!.

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Coolmath.com - Spike's Game Zone

Spike's Game Zone - free online games, learning and thinking games, jigsaw puzzles and tons of fun for kids of all ages. Play Breakout.

Monday, June 11, 2007

For the Youngsters in Applebee's® Neighborhood

My family likes going to Applebee's and getting their "carside-to-go". Their kids' menu is great but they also have a link to activities.

Just in time for summer, Applebee's has paired up with Alex's Lemonade Stand. Inside Alex's Amazing Adventures are lots of fun activities, and you can read the story of the amazing girl who started a lemonade stand to raise money for sick children. Alex has inspired kids everywhere to start their own lemonade stands and help the cause.

Visit www.alexslemonade.org to find out how you can get involved and help sick kids like Alex has.

Your family can order from Applebee's® Kids Menu.

KID'S MENU ITEMS:

  • CHICKEN FINGERS*
  • CHEESEBURGER*
  • MACARONI & CHEESE
  • GRILLED CHICKEN SANDWICH*
  • OREO® COOKIE SHAKE
  • OREO® COOKIE SUNDAE

Drinks are served in a special Applebee's kid's cup with lid. *Includes your choice of steamed broccoli, celery with ranch dressing, applesauce or fries.

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Boing Boing: The case against homework

For many generations, the accepted wisdom has been that it benefits children when teachers assign homework because it is a good practice and refresher for the child at home to . However, there is a vocal minority of parents and teachers (and of course, students) that want to turn this truism on it's head. Read more and decide for yourself at BoingBoing.net.

Thursday, April 19, 2007

LINKS Learning for Kids: Math: Illustrated Lessons

Many children and people in general learn visually. A visual mathematical tutorial can be a useful introduction or refresher for those wanting to excel.

Math is the language of symbols. The way we work with numbers tells us a lot about their relationships, patterns, and the ways they change. Math helps us describe both similarities and differences and also helps us think and solve practical problems.

In this section, you will find some fun ways to learn about math. You can start out with Estimation of Length, Place Value and Weight and Capacity. If you want something more challenging, take a look at Line Symmetry, Patterns and Tangrams. Try some of these at home with your family!

Get started at LinksLearning.org.

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Invisible Octopus

Normally, you will learn that invisibility doesn't exist in nature. But this video seems to show an invisible octopus.

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This Octopus turns invisible and visible at will. Just watch.

For accuracy, this is quite possibly a cuttlefish and not an octopus, though they are related. The cuttlefish is quite possibly the smartest invertebrate on the planet. They have a pretty advanced brain structure, most likely adapted because they have to be able to control the vast number of color changing cells within their body.

There was a pretty interesting special on them on the Discovery Channel about a week ago, although I can't find a link for the show right now. Keep your eye out for that show, but in the meantime, see the Invisible Octopus.

Thursday, March 29, 2007

Integer Bars: Learning Fractions

Learning about fractions? Need a good tutorial to help you get started that might also put you in a hungry mood for pizza?

The word fraction means a portion of a whole. For example, if you have a whole pizza cut into 8 equal slices, then each slice is a fraction of the whole pizza. A group of slices (for example, 2 or 3 slices) is also a fraction of the whole pizza.

Read more about Integer Bars: Learning Fractions.

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Saturday, February 24, 2007

Kids-In-Mind: Movie Ratings That Actually Work

It is important that parents either screen movies before their children see it. It is also important that they understand their children well enough to know whether their child will react well to certain scenes of higher intensity in certain films. For busy modern parents without time to see every movie their child is interested in, but who want to know more about the movie in order to better improve them now have a great web site resource.

We enable adults to determine whether a movie is appropriate for them or their children, according to their own criteria. Unlike the MPAA we do not assign an inscrutable rating based on age, but 3 objective ratings for SEX/NUDITY, VIOLENCE/GORE & PROFANITY on a scale of 0 to 10. We also explain in detail why a film rates high or low in a specific category, and we include instances of SUBSTANCE USE, a list of DISCUSSION TOPICS that may elicit questions from kids and MESSAGES the film conveys. Again, unlike the MPAA, we do not make age-specific recommendations. Since our system is based on objective standards, not the viewer's age or the artistic merits of a film, we enable adults to determine whether a movie is appropriate for their children according to their own criteria...

Start making use of this great site for parents at Kids-In-Mind.com.

Friday, February 16, 2007

Cool math 4 kids

Are you looking for a good resource to learn math online interactively? Just like Starfall.com is good for reading, Cool math 4 kids by Karen is a fun site for math games and puzzles.

Cool math 4 kids is a math site specially designed for what kids like and how they learn! Math really CAN be fun and really CAN be easy to learn. One "thank-you" email I received from a parent said, No more tears at homework time! That's what it's all about! I've got lots of lessons and games on the site(s) to make math fun...

So, look around... Play together and learn! HAVE FUN!

The site is also described as An amusement park of math and more -- especially designed for kids and FUN, FUN, FUN! So if you want to give it a try and stretch your math muscles, head over to Cool math 4 kids.com.

Red Robin - Coloring Page

Hey Kids! Red has a brand new interactive coloring book for you to color in and express your creativity with! All you need is a Flash capable browser and you're all set. Simply click the coloring book icon below to get started. If you need Flash, click the Flash download icon on the right.

They also make a tasty burger! Visit Red Robin's Coloring Page.

Avatar Escape From The Spirit World

Help Aang and play Avatar Escape From The Spirit World.

Avatar - The Last Airbender

Thursday, February 15, 2007

GigglePoetry.com - Funny Poetry for Children

Are you in for a good laugh? Anything can be funnier if you put it to rhyme.

Children's poetry by Meadowbrook Press. Lots of funny poems, poetry contests and more! Ideas for educators on teaching poetry in fun and interesting ways.

Get your giggles at GigglePoetry.com - Funny Poetry for Children.

Saturday, February 10, 2007

Discovery Channel • Space

These space-related news headlines are courtesy of the Discovery Channel.

Get the latest news and information on science, animals, nature, history, technology and space. Subscribe to this and other RSS feeds from the Discovery Channel.

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

Orisinal : Morning Sunshine

Via About.com, I have found the following site with free games fit for kids:

Orisinal

Simple fun for the whole family can be had with the flash games at Orisinal.

RuneScape

Games at Miniclip.com - RuneScape RuneScape

Make friends and complete quests in this 3D adventure! Play this free game now!!

Yahooligans! is Now Yahoo! Kids

We have previously heard about Yahooligans! The Web Guide for Kids. But Yahooligans! has become Yahoo! Kids (beta). They still have most of the best stuff for kids but are now new and improved.

Discovery.com - Bacterial 'Zoo' Thrives on Human Skin

Here's one to make your skin crawl.

The good news is that skin bacteria appear to be mostly on our side.

Read more about Bacterial 'Zoo' Thrives on Human Skin.

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

National Geographic Channel - In the Womb: Animals

The National Geographic Channel has a new series.

"In the Womb: Animals" opens a window into fetal development in the animal kingdom, unlocking mysteries of one of nature's most remarkable journeys.

Visit National Geographic Channel - In the Womb: Animals

Monday, January 29, 2007

Rare Shark on Film

Though this photograph looks like an eel, it's actually a shark.

Japanese marine park captures rare shark on film

TOKYO (Reuters) - A species of shark rarely seen alive because its natural habitat is 600 meters (2,000 ft) or more under the sea was captured on film by staff at a Japanese marine park this week.

Read more at Japanese marine park captures rare shark on film - Yahoo! News.

Sunday, January 28, 2007

2057: Discovery Channel

Tonight on the Discovery Channel, a new show premiered.

2057: What would you see and experience if the clocks rolled forward 50 years? In a unique blend of drama and science, this three-part series shows you the world of tomorrow. State-of-the-art computer graphics in combination with a dynamic story line create a world usually only seen in feature films, but with the accuracy and relevance of a documentary. This series is all about opening the window of our future based on science fact, not science fiction.

Learn more and see the next schedule at 2057: Discovery Channel.

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Earth's Moon Destined to Disintegrate

The important thing to know is that it is likely to happen several billion years from now.

The Sun is midway through its stable hydrogen burning phase known as the main sequence. But when the Sun enters the red giant phase in around 5 billion years things are going to get a lot rougher in the Earth-Moon system.

Read more about this on Yahoo! News.

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Ancient Reptile Had Two Heads

This one is weird and wild!

Scientists have unearthed the fossil of a young, two-headed marine reptile that lived when dinosaurs still walked the Earth.

Read the full article at Ancient Reptile Had Two Heads - Yahoo! News.

Monday, January 22, 2007

Parent Hacks - Yahoo! Picks

Getting one step up as a new parent can be hard. Here is a good resource for some tricks.

In this modern age of two working parents, long commutes, and not enough time, raising kids ain't what it used to be. Great Grandma is probably not sitting at the dinner table dispensing her wisdom every night, but Parent Hacks could fill in the gaps. Get daily doses of parenting tips organized by kids' ages, activities, and common dilemmas, all submitted by fellow frenzied mommies and daddies. Learn how to stay organized, save some money, and stay healthy—consider it collective knowledge from your electronic-age extended family. And if you have some good advice, share the hack.

Get these handy tips from Parent Hacks. Thanks Yahoo!

Dust of Snow - a poem by Robert Frost

The way a crow
Shook down on me
The dust of snow
From a hemlock tree
Has given my heart
A change of mood
And saved some part
Of a day I had rued.

Sunday, January 21, 2007

Comet McNaught Movie

Comets are neat!

This frame from a spectacular time lapse movie shows Comet McNaught - the Great Comet of 2007 - sweeping through the inner solar system. The movie frames were recorded from January 12 through Jan 16 by a coronograph onboard the sun-staring SOHO spacecraft. Bright planet Mercury also glides dramatically through the field of view but the Sun itself remains fixed, hidden behind the coronograph's central occulting disk. The broad-tailed comet is so bright it almost overwhelms SOHO's sensitive camera designed to explore the fainter structures in the Sun's outer atmosphere. Comet McNaught's closest approach to the Sun (perihelion on January 12) was only 0.17 astronomical units, or about half the distance between the Sun and Mercury.

To see the video, please visit NASA's page at Comet McNaught Movie.

Wednesday, January 03, 2007

Things That Are Orange

Here are things that are orange in my daughter's Kindergarten classroom.

Fuel4me.com

The Fuel Campaign is brought to you by ARAMARK Education one of the world leaders in high school food and facility services, and is part of a high-energy effort to get students in ARAMARK districts to eat healthy.

They also have games and downloads. They have wallpaper as well as .PDF files of iron-on transfer paper to create your own t-shirts.