Bits and Bytes
September 2008





How May We Help You?
    
Every classroom we visited in since school began seemed to be very busy and very active, even from the first day of school.  You all are AMAZING!  Gail and I have worked hard to support you in beginning your year.  River Deep and SRI are completely set up and ready for you to use.  Many of you have already taken advantage of these resources.  For those of you with Study Island, this too is good to go. 

    Several of you have committed to collaborative projects and we will be in contact with you soon if you have not seen us yet to assist with these projects.  I am so proud of all of you for the efforts to incorporate technology from the beginning of the year.
    At the end of last year, we told you that changes would be coming as far as where we would house the resources that we send to you.  This is now underway and Gail in the process of copying all of the current resources to the new location.  Your shared folders will not be affected, only those resources that Gail and I provide.  We will send more info on this later. 

    Gail and I also met with the rest of our team to pass on the requests for professional development.  As soon as things get approved, we will send you the list of workshops you can sign up for.

     My email address is mlewis@amherst.k12.va.us. and Gail can be reached at gmoore@amherst.k12.va.us.

We want to support you in all your instructional needs, please don't hesitate to call on us!

 Melanie and Gail



Wonderful Websites
    The websites below are to help with the teaching of map skills that many of you are focusing on here at the beginning of the year.
Fact Monster: Atlas
Click on this map of the world for a more detailed map and further information about the region. What can you learn about each of the seven continents?

Map Making
Students can create their own map of the world showing all of the continents and oceans with this activity.

Making Globes
After learning about the continents, students can make a model globe showing their placement.

Enchanted Learning: Continents
Here is an index of printouts about the continents and world geography, including outline maps, quizzes, and activities.

Enchanted Learning: Oceans
This page contains facts about the Earth's oceans and a map. There are also links to an ocean map printout and a quiz.

National Geographic: Copy Cat
To play this game, click on the continent after it has flashed. Remember the order in which they have flashed to move up to the next level. More continents will be added to the sequence as you advance.

National Geographic: Continent Assembler
Unscramble the maps of the continents by dragging the puzzle pieces. You can print the finished maps when you are done.

National Geographic: Geospy
Choose the Continents Game, then move the white box to identify each continent as they are named. When you have finished, you can print out an Agent Certificate.

National Geographic: Atlas Maps
Printable outline maps from all over the world are available on this site. Choose either labeled or blank with country borders showing or not.

National Geographic: Map Machine
Zoom in on different regions of the world's continents and oceans with this interactive map tool. Maps are available as outlines, topographical maps, or satellite images.

National Geographic: Continents
Click on either the map at the top of the page or the menu to learn more about each continent. There are photo galleries, maps, and country information available. NOTE: This site contains ads.

World Maps
Here are color maps of all the continents and oceans. The maps are also available in Spanish.

National Geographic: Geography Stumper
Test your knowledge of the continents with this short quiz.

Lesson Plan: Comparing the Continents
Students can examine maps and compare the geographic features of the Earth's continents in this lesson plan.

Blue Marble
What regions of the world can you see from space? This site has high quality true color images of the Earth. See which continents you can identify, or watch an animation of the world turning.

Explore the Seven Continents
Click on a continent to learn facts about that continent. Each page has a color map and photographs.

Continents Crossword Puzzle
Complete the crossword then click the "Check" box to check your answers. You can ask for a hint if you are stumped.

Equator, Continents, and Oceans Quiz
Test your knowledge of geography with this short interactive quiz.

ThinkQuest: Oceans
This website is all about the Earth's oceans. Learn facts about each of the four oceans, see pictures, and learn about waves and currents.

Continents of the World
Click on the correct part of the world map to answer the questions.

Identifying Continents and Oceans
This three-page PDF file includes unlabeled world maps that can be printed and filled out.

Geography and Map Skills
This page provides an overview of the continents and oceans, how to read a map, and links to interactive review activities.

Oceans Introduction
Click on the links or on the satellite map to learn facts about each of the four oceans.



Don't forget to check all the resources posted on your server!
Mighty Math!!!!  

    These sites focus on place value and cover basic concepts and place value charts. Includes many interactive games and quizzes. There are also some activity ideas and video clips.

  All about Place Values
Explore these links on place values. Each topic has a description of the concept followed by an interactive game. NOTE: This site has banner ads.

Game of Place Value
This activity uses a deck of cards to have students create numbers.

Basic Number
Learn more about the importance of place values in this lively presentation. NOTE: The "Talk" link leads to message boards.

Jefferson Lab
Play this game and try to create the largest number from the values you are given.

Quia: Place Value Playoff!
Choose among these four interactive online games and practice your place value skills.

Space Chase Place Value
Print out the spinner and play this game about place value.

Step by Step
Use this digital counter to teach students about place value. The clock can be started, stopped, and reset. NOTE: This site has pop-up and banner ads.

For Real
Watch this video about a girl who has to devise a way to count all the runners in a marathon. Her solution involves place value. NOTE: Requires RealPlayer.

Number Sense
Play this game and try to come up with a number larger than the one given. Notice the importance of place value when comparing numbers.

Math Steps
Read some ideas about how to teach students about place value.

ABC Teach
This site includes a place value chart and some basic exercises you can print out. NOTE: The site includes ads.

Mysterious Numbers
Use your place value knowledge to solve the math riddles. NOTE: The site leads to a website with discussion boards.

Fruity Place Value
This is a fun activity idea about place value and rounding. NOTE: The site includes ads. The site leads to a website with discussion boards.

Place Value K-3
This site has five activity ideas about place value.

Base 10 Blocks
This is an interactive model for teaching place value up to hundreds. Read the instructions before you begin.

Math Cat
Think of a number, type it in and say it out loud, then find out how to write the number. The game does not allow you to use decimal points.

Place Value Puzzler
There are two ways to play this interactive game. You can click on the "Choose Place Value" game to be quizzed on which number is in a certain place value or click on "Rounding" to try rounding numbers to certain place values. You can also try the different difficulty levels. NOTE: This site has pop-up and banner ads.

Place Value Class Activity
This is a hands-on activity that helps students physically see what place value means. Scroll to the bottom of the page to read the place value rap.

Home Work for Kids
Print out this page and learn how using visuals can help students learning with place value.

Home Work for Kids
Here is a worksheet to help students practice place value.

The Concept and Teaching of Place-Value
This site provides information for teachers on presenting place-value in a way to helps students better understand the concept.

Lesson Exchange: Place Value Game
This lesson plan provides a class activity that can be used with kids from first through six grades. NOTE: The site includes ads and a chat forum.

Place Value
This site provides help for teachers on how to teach kids to place values. Includes practice worksheets. NOTE: The site includes ads.

Math Worksheets: Place Value
Click on the thumbnails of the worksheets to enlarge them. They can be printed out for students to practice placing values. NOTE: This site has pop-up and banner ads.

Place Value to 100,000
This site has an interactive place-value chart to practice finding the value of each digit in a number.

Place Value Illustration
Watch an interactive illustration about place value. Learn how place value works for whole numbers and decimal numbers. Includes activities to practice place value skills.