Awesome science experiments for your classroom

ScienceBob has been a self confessed science nut for years and has appeared in hundreds of classrooms, textbooks and even television shows around the globe.  He has a great collection of really fun and innovative science lessons that can be done in nearly any classroom.

My kids did the hoop glider experiment today and it was a real success.  Access ScienceBob here and let me know how you go with any of his experiments below by adding a comment.

5 Great Halloween Teaching Ideas

Halloween Creative Writing Project

Students practice writing creatively from the pumpkin’s point of view and build on creative writing skills.

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The Haunted House Real Estate Task

This is a brilliant creative writing task for students of nearly any age.

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The History of Halloween

This is a great starting point for finding out about Halloween History

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Halloween Themed Maths

Great Collection of Maths Tasks for all ages

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History of Halloween

Where did it all begin and why?

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Awesome Halloween Printables

These are some of the best Halloween Printables going around -

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US Debt Clock: A frightening look at U.S Spending

Last week when the space shuttle touched down for the last time it was was a bit like watching a sporting legend admit that they just weren't as good as they used to be.  To add insult to injury this week The U.S lost it's perfect credit rating for the first time in history. 

To me this looks worse than the recession of the 1930's as there is no great salvation on the horizon that can solve the economies problems overnight but America has always proven itself as a great innovator over the last century.

Anyhow to understand just how big the problem is make sure your students see the US Debt clock.  If nothing else it will put the reality of the situation via real time rundown of the financial state of affairs and how. This is a great talking point for students and teachers about how economies function, fail and succeed.  Take a look at it here.

Algebrahelp.com - Must see for Math Teachers

Algebrahelp.com is a collection of lessons, calculators, and worksheets created to assist students and teachers of algebra. Here are a few of the ways you can learn here...

Lessons

Explore one of our dozens of lessons on key algebra topics like Equations, Simplifying and Factoring. Check out the entire list of lessons...

Calculators

Having trouble solving a specific equation? Our Equation Calculator will show you the right answer and a step-by-step solution so you can solve the next one. Over the years, algebrahelp.com has helped students solve over 15 million equations! Our calculators don't just solve equations though. See all the problems we can help with...

Worksheets

Need to practice a new type of problem? We have tons of problems in the Worksheets section. We can grade your answers automatically, or you can compare against the answer key. Browse the list of worksheets to get started...

Access Algebrahelp here.

The Ultimate guide to Writing Letters

Writing letters today is becoming somewhat of a lost art form in comparison to what it was before computers, twitter and text messaging.  The fact is though that we still need effective letter writing skills to communicate at a professional or personal level via email or on good ol' pen and paper.

Letter Writing Guide has got you covered no matter what sort of style of letter you are trying to put together and is full of excellent information on structuring a specific style of letter and also has an example letter for over 20 different styles of letter writing.

So if you are going to write a love letter to a long lost girlfriend or terminate an employee's position be sure to get it right by visiting Letter Writing Guide

Tsunami resources for Teachers and Students

I came across this brilliant video from the BBC that explains perfectly how a Tsunami occurs and why they are such a risk to coastal areas.  You can also view some amazing footage of the destructive force of the Japanese Tsunami here.  Finally here is a great video for teachers and students that explains the radiation risk associated with the Fukushima nuclear plant.

Japanese Earthquake Teaching Resources

What is it?  Following today's weeks disastrous events in Japan, Earthquakes may have been a topic of discussion in your classroom either in terms of humanitarian relief or actually enquiring about the physical causes and effects of Earthquakes.

The BBC has a brilliant brief animated sideshow that explains the causes and effects of Earthquakes which makes a very complex issue seem very simple.  It is also available in a printable PDF format if you so desire to use as handouts. 

How can I use this in my classroom?  Here is a great link to a BBC News Article on the Haiti Earthquakes  of 2010 explaining the turn of events along with a video clip.  (please note that the clip may not be appropriate for all students due to it's graphic nature - use at your own discretion.) Ask you students what they know about Earthquakes and why they occur?

Brainstorm class ideas on the board and then share the BBC Earthquake Explanation animation.

Discuss how some countries on fault lines will always be subject to Earthquakes in the future and how they can also cause Tsunami's and spread danger far wider than just the centre of the quake.  Ask students what can be done in these areas to minimise the effects of Earthquakes?

Students can then record their knowledge of Earthquakes either in whatever format you desire.  Write a survival story based on their knowledge learnt or research some famous Earthquakes from the Past.

Finally it would be great if you could brainstorm a class or school fundraiser that could help the victims of the Earthquake in Haiti.

Look forward to hearning of any great lesson ideas you have realted to the Earthquakes.

A 10 Minute Maths Challenge to Start every Lesson for the Year

This is a brilliant starting point for every maths lesson for students between the ages of 8 - 16.  Boost your mind power with these brain exercises. Give your mental ability a work out with a range of mathematical puzzles, speed tests and creative ideas. Click on the date in the calendar below for the Starter Of The Day.

You can even jump ahead or find a starter by topic.  If you have an interactive whiteboard and teach maths then you are doing yourself a real disservice by not visiting this great site.

Check it out here