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Tuesday, May 31, 2011

National Gallery of Art for Kids: Hours of Creative Fun without Glue or Glitter

I have a long list of favorite websites, but this one is truly amazing.  If you're feeling creative, this is the place to go for hours of fun... Not only can you create your own masterpieces, but you can explore some of the artwork on display at the National Gallery - and perhaps be inspired to take a family field trip!







http://www.nga.gov/kids/




There are dozens of games to try, but here are three of the coolest options:







































Tell me which creative tool is your favorite in the comments below...

Website Spotlight: Free Rice! (Warning, this game might make you smarter)













Run by the United Nations World Food Program, this site provides a number of multiple choice quizzes for students.  If answer the question correctly, you get a harder question. If you get it wrong, you get an easier question. For each question answered correctly 10 grains of rice are donated to help hungry people around the world.

In the lab this year, we've explored the English vocabulary sites, but try some of the other offerings... the click on the picture to see the subject list is below:














What's your favorite game?  Comment below...


Ideas for Summer Reading




OK, I know I'm the technology teacher, but to me, the best part about summer vacation is that I have the time to read - A LOT... and I hope you do too.  My goal for the summer of 2012?  30 books.   And you?  Not sure what to read next?  Be sure to check out the following websites to find great ideas for the best reads of the summer.  You can comment below on what you're reading (or planning to read!)

(Parents, this is for you!  Kids, skip to the list of websites below) First, a lovely blog post about starting a summer book club for your kids.  I found the blog "Dinner: A Love Story" a few weeks ago, and have been enchanted for a couple of reasons.  The first is that the blogger manages to prepare a home cooked meal for her family every single night of the week.  It's a dream of mine.  At the Morell home, we survive on Chipotle take out for days at a time.  The other reason I adore this blog is that the entire family loves children's books, and has a series of posts suggesting various wonderful titles (and several I'd like to try...)  Blogger Jenny Rosenstrach sets up a summer reading program for her kids - something I used to do when my kids were younger.  Like me, she uses shameless bribing (one summer, when Peter was in 2nd grade, he earned nearly 20 playmobil men).  So take a moment to check out the summer reading program, the book lists, and perhaps even the dinner suggestions too:


OK, now kids, these lists are for you:

1. Read Kiddo Read - A site designed by Richard Patterson designed to help make children readers for life.  Be sure not to miss: "The Ultimate Summer Reading List".   



2. Guys ReadSorry girls, but this is a site devoted to promoting reading for the boys.   This site is the brainchild of Jon Scieszka (of The Stinky Cheese Man fame).   Though I have to say, I'm intrigued by the title of the month "The Strange Case of the Origami Yoda." I think I might have to add this to my summer reading list...



3. Politics and Prose - This NW DC Independent bookstore maintains lists of recent award winners and suggested summer reads on their website.  Also, a wonderful place to visit during the summer months to browse one of the best children's sections in town!

4. A Book and a Hug - This is a site maintained by a respected children's librarian who does children's book recommendations for a Baltimore TV station.  Comprehensive lists of suggested books are broken down by interest categories. 

Once upon a time, I lived in London, and worked at the American School in London.  The library there always compiled great summer reading lists - and they maintain a list of archived lists.  The only problem is, every now and again you can only find the suggested books in the United Kingdom.  But for the most part, the books are available on "both sides of the pond."  Have a look!