Thinkfinity+Elementary+Training

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[|Thinkfinity Correlation w/ CA Standards]

==The following resources are a just a sampling of the amazing resources available to educators to enhance the teaching of all disciplines in the classroom. All of the resources are from the Thinkfinity partners.== = = =__Science Netlinks Resources__= [|Ology] Ology, which means "the study of," is an interactive site offering you the opportunity to learn more about a wide variety of science disciplines. Topics include genetics, biodiversity, paleontology, marine biology, Einstein, and astronomy. Ology features information—experiments, activity, and project ideas—and the opportunity to meet other "ologists" (both children and adult).

[|Shape it Up] This interactive from Kinetic City provides the opportunity to experience how mountains, rivers, and canyons were formed. In this activity, you are presented with two images: one is a picture of a landscape as it currently is and the second is an image of the same landscape as it could be in the future—or their goal. Your job is to choose the force of nature you think is needed to get to the goal and then choose the length of time you think it will take to get to that goal. If you make a wrong choice, the game will let you know and you get to choose again.

[|Cell Size & Scale] This simple interactive from the University of Utah's Genetic Science Learning Center gives you the opportunity to see how various small things compare to one another. Starting with a Times 12-point font and a coffee bean, scroll along to see how much larger they are than a grain of salt, a human egg, an antibody, and, finally, a carbon atom. Also, included are some reference materials about various ways to measure the size of small things—from meters all the way down to picometers (10-12 m)—and about how such small things can best be viewed.

=__READ WRITE THINK__=

[|Picture Match Grades K - 2] Picture Match is designed to give new readers practice with identifying beginning-letter and short- and long-vowels sounds through a simple, fun game. Updated in 2008, the game features all letters of the alphabet. In the beginning-letter sounds section, a picture of an object (for example, a car) is displayed, and students are prompted to choose the letter that corresponds with the first letter of the word. In the short- and long-vowel sounds sections, students are prompted to choose the vowel that corresponds with the word. If students choose the correct match, they get words of encouragement and a new picture. If they do not choose the correct match, they receive an audible prompt and can then try again, choosing among the remaining letters. Once all of the pictures have been matched, students can print out a chart showing which pictures go with which letters. Pictures are sorted randomly with each game to provide a challenge if the game is played more than once. Picture Match is intended for beginning readers and can be used individually or in small groups.

[|Character Trading Cards] Grades K-12 Using popular culture texts in the classroom offers students an alternative way to demonstrate their literacy knowledge and skills and to engage in meaningful literary practices. The Character Trading Cards tool allows students to create their own character cards, which they can then print off, illustrate, and trade or keep. It can be used with characters in a book students are reading or as a prewriting exercise for students who are writing narrative stories. Specific prompts ask students to describe the character, look at his or her thoughts and feelings, explore how he or she develops, identify important thoughts and actions, and make personal connections to the character. The accompanying planning sheet allows students to draft and revise their work before going online to use the interactive.

[|Fractured Fairy Tales] Grades K-12 Whether it's //The Princess and the Rutabaga// or //Big Blue Riding Hood//, invite your students to turn familiar fairy tales upside down and inside out—and to have fun. This interactive tool gives students a choice of three fairy tales to read. They are then guided to choose a variety of changes, which they use to compose a fractured fairy tale to print off and illustrate. Useful for teaching point of view, setting, plot, as well as fairy tale conventions such as //they lived happily ever after//, this tool encourages students to use their imaginations and the writing process at the same time.

Illuminations
[|Dynamic Paper] Need a pentagonal pyramid that's six inches tall? Or a number line that goes from ‑18 to 32 by 5's? Or a set of pattern blocks where all shapes have one-inch sides? You can create all those things and more with the Dynamic Paper tool. Place the images you want, then export it as a PDF activity sheet for your students or as a JPEG image for use in other applications or on the web.

[|Concentration] By yourself or against a friend, match whole numbers, shapes, fractions, or multiplication facts to equivalent representations. Practice with the clear panes or step up the challenge with the windows closed. How many socks can you win?

[|Fraction Models] Explore different representations for fractions including improper fractions, mixed numbers, decimals, and percentages. Additionally, there are length, area, region, and set models. Adjust numerators and denominators to see how they alter the representations and models. Use the table to keep track of interesting fractions. [|Times Table] Interactive Multiplication Board