Ed Resources Online

4 Resources for Encouraging Readers

noreply@blogger.com (Karin Katherine) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 19:26:00 +0000

Trying to find something to motivate and encourage your beginner or reluctant reader? Here are 4 online resources that you should try:

James Patterson's Read Kid Read
Offers reading lists & guides especially for kids: 0-8, 6 and up, 8 and up, or 10 and up along with lesson plans for educators and librarians.

Author and certified "Readiologist" Esme Raji Codell has 3 websites filled with ideas, resources & information for encouraging a love of reading in children.
Planet Esme Blog
Planet Esme website
Educating Esme Teacher Blog

Share a Story- Shape a Future Book Adventure
Book Adventure is a FREE reading motivation program for students in grades K-8. Using Book Adventure's website, children can create their own book lists from over 7,000 recommended titles, take multiple choice quizzes on the books they've read, and earn points and real prizes for their literary successes. Parents also have the option of adding their own "awards" to the program. Book Adventure was created by and is maintained by Sylvan Learning Center.

Starfall.com has always been a longtime favorite for parents and teachers for jump starting reading. In addition to the free area, Starfall's new Membership area has some wonderful new additions that make it well worth the subscription.

There are many more FREE resources available (preloaded and updated monthly) at the Homeschool Resource Toolbar---your free educational browser tool bar. Download yours today and see why over 400 educators use it daily!

Montessori Apps

noreply@blogger.com (Karin Katherine) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 01:43:00 +0000

When you think of Montessori, you don't usually think of an App. However, I've come across two educational apps that will make you consider incorporating your iphone or iPad into your Montessori lessons.

Montessori Crosswords is for the iPad and iPhone. It features a moveable alphabet, allows you to focus on just one sound, and allows you to select from 3 levels. Level 1: simple words with 3 sounds, Level 2: words with consonant blend, and Level 3: words of any complexity.

Intro to Math utilizes favorite Montessori Math manipulatives. This interactive app uses Montessori methodology through the demonstration of each activity before the child is asked to complete the task/activity. Intro to Math was also featured in Apple's iPad Commercials in their "We Believe" apple commerical to introduce the iPad 2.

Join us on Facebook

noreply@blogger.com (Karin Katherine) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 16:49:00 +0000

Have you joined our Facebook page? Scan the QR-code above and you'll go right to the Ed Resource Toolbar Facebook page.

Our Facebook page is where you can post about your favorite online educational resources or ask for help finding specific ones.

Spread the word and join in on the discussion!

3 Free Apps for Halloween

noreply@blogger.com (Karin Katherine) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 17:05:00 +0000

Just in time for Halloween, you can download these 3 FREE fun apps for your iPhone or iPad.

Henry's Spooky Headlamp

Children use their finger to move the light from Henry's headlamp to find various objects hiding in the darkness. Perfect for preschool children.

Spooky Splat

Splat the ghosts with your finger as they appear. When you splat one, more appear and faster!

Fun hand-eye coordination game. Compete against your friends on the online splatting scoreboard.

Halloween Mania

Tap all the items on the screen that match the one on the bottom---in one minute! Try to match quickly for higher points. Wildly addicting...trust me.

Happy Halloween!

Free educational apps

noreply@blogger.com (Karin Katherine) — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 14:14:00 +0000

Lakeshore Learning is offering these free educational apps (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch) until December 30th so download your copies now and don't forget to tell a friend!

Phonics Tic Tac Toe

Ages 6-8

Using the popular children's game tic-tac-toe as a base, this interactive game requires players to answer phonics based questions, including vowel sounds and syllables, before placing their X or O on a square.

Letter of the Day

Ages 4-6

Letter of the Day takes students through an interactive review of the alphabet including letter formation, letter sounds and chants to instill proper phonetic sounds.

Beginning Sounds Interactions

Ages 4-7

Students match picture cards that share the same beginning sound in this lively interactive game---similar to a slot machine.

Screen shots and demos are also available here..

Chemistry videos

noreply@blogger.com (Karin Katherine) — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 01:34:00 +0000

Chemistry comes alive with these free videos from the Journal of Chemical Education which explains and demonstrates various chemical reactions.

A favorite on the site is this video on Nitrogen Triiodide Detonation

Educator Discounts

noreply@blogger.com (Karin Katherine) — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 01:20:00 +0000

Republished for 2011-2012

Teachers & Home Educators can stretch their educational supply dollars using the following National Discount Programs.

Academic Superstore offers Academic edition software discounts for students, teachers and schools.

Using the Barnes & Noble Educator Discount card educators will save 20-25% off in-store and online purchases.

Software Express offers discounts of up to 75% from a variety of publishers.

Office Depot Star Teacher Program

As a Star Teacher member you'll get 10% back in Rewards on ink, toner, and paper and 1% back on nearly everything else we sell when you earn at least $10 in Rewards. PLUS, members receive a 15% instant discount* on qualifying Design, Print & Ship Services. There is No Limit to the amount of Rewards. you can earn and best of all it's FREE.

Joann Fabrics & Crafts Teacher Discount

Teacher Rewards Discount program offers:

Free discount card for 15% off every purchase* from September 1 to August 31
Bonus coupon for 20% off any one total purchase after enrollment
More of our popular, money-saving coupons as a Jo-Ann Preferred Customer.
Personal notice of the latest sales offers, crafting trends & inspiration.

*Excludes remnants, patterns, gift cards, and previous purchases. See program for additional details & guideline.

Office Max: Max Perks for teachers

Earn a $10 reward in your MaxPerks account every time you spend a minimum of $75 on qualified* purchases between January 1st — December 31st — up to $100 per calendar year. Your spending balance gets carried over quarter to quarter up to one calendar year or until you reach the $75 threshold in qualified* purchases, whichever comes first. All account balances less than $75 will be reset to $0 on January 1st except for any member who enrolled October thru December of the previous year. Those purchases made in October thru December will carry over into the next full calendar year. Present your MaxPerks ID card with all purchases to maximize your reward.

Earn 10% back in Rewards on ink and toner, case and ream paper and Copy & Print purchases with enrollment in the Staples Teacher Rewards Program

Receive 25% off in-store purchases with the Borders Classroom Discount Card and 10% off list price of DVDs for professional use.

how to get a card: Applications are available at all Borders stores, and signing up is completely free. You'll need to show proof of your educator status when you submit your application. Homeschool educators will need to show registration with the state as a homeschooler (or in some cases Homeschool group ID card).

Receive 15% off on most products and services at participating FedEx Office nationwide with the FREE Fed Ex Kinkos National Discount Card for educators.

Register to receive a special 15% off savings card from the Container Store in their Container Store Organized Teacher Discount Program 2010 .

These resources (in addition to many others) are available to you for FREE on the Homeschool Resource or Ed Resource browser toolbars. Download your own today so you can keep up to date on the latest national educator discount programs.

As always, please let the retailers know how much you appreciate the discount program they are offering.

Homeschool Statistics 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Karin Katherine) — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 17:33:00 +0000

Via: Online College Source

How to create a homeschool class home page

noreply@blogger.com (Karin Katherine) — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 15:45:00 +0000

Many traditional classroom teachers have class home pages for students and their parents to access pertinent information, updates and news. Home educators can also benefit from creating a "class home page" for their homeschool.

Why should you create a class home page when you already have a blog?
Unlike a blog, a class home page is not updated on a daily basis, although it may have areas that are updated frequently. It is a good place for you to park information you or your students may need to access on a regular basis.

What can I include in my home page?

Like any website, you can customize your class home page to meet your needs. Popular features include:

Calendar:

This is a great way to help your students learn to use a calendar and keep track of upcoming events or field trips.

Video Archive:

Post favorite educational videos in one spot so your students can look at them again or just so you can find them easily! This is especially helpful when planning unit studies in advance.

Links:

Do you have websites that your students use frequently? Post them here and make your classroom homepage your browser home page! This is particularly useful with younger students who can simply click on the links on their class page.

Assignments & Handouts
Keep your pdf's and handouts easily accessible on your class home page. This is especially useful if you are teaching multiple ages.

Photos:
Show off your students work, projects or field trips you've recently went on! You can share this area with other homeschooling friends or relatives. This area may help some "well meaning" relatives realize how seriously you take educating your child when they can see some of the trips they've been on and projects they've completed.

For more information on creating a class web page please read:

Free Technology for teachers:8 ways to build websites (not blogs) for free

Printable Reading Logs

noreply@blogger.com (Karin Katherine) — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 15:53:00 +0000

Reading logs are a great way to keep track of student's independent reading. Here are a few made especially for this website as well as links to other FREE printable reading logs.

Robot Book Log

Independent Reading Log

Additional Resources:

Classroom reading logs

Activity Village Reading Diary

Enchanted Learning's 12-page reading log

Cyber Monday Educator Discount Sales

noreply@blogger.com (Karin Katherine) — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 16:03:00 +0000

There are many great sales going on for Cyber Monday but I wanted to list 2 sales that I took advantage of today in case they may be of interest to other parents, teachers and home educators.

S & S Worldwide is offering 25% off (no minimum) through December 2nd. They have a large selection of Legos, arts & crafts supplies, PE equipment, teacher supplies, as well as educational games, toys and manipulatives. Use coupon code: E3335

The Container Store offers 15% off for Educators which can also be combined with their free shipping offer using promotional code: HOLIDAY (when you spend $100 or more).

Found any great Educator Cyber Monday Discount Sales? Please share them in the comments!

Free Virtual Hamster

noreply@blogger.com (Karin Katherine) — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 19:54:00 +0000

Give your child or classroom a free Virtual Hamster from ABowman. You can customize the hamster and embed the code on your blog or website.

Interaction is easy by pointing your mouse to interact with the hamster. Right clicking to drop treats or clicking on the wheel to get the hamster to return to the wheel at any time.

Test it out by playing with our virtual hamster, Eddie, above.

Homeschool Blog Award Winners Announced

noreply@blogger.com (Karin Katherine) — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 19:54:00 +0000

The Homeschool Blog Award winners have been announced so check out the winners! I'm sure you will have more blogs to add to your reader after you see the list.

If you nominated or voted for us we thank-you!

Let the voting Begin

noreply@blogger.com (Karin Katherine) — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 13:39:00 +0000

Voting has begun in the 6th Annual Homeschool Blogger Awards.

I am proud to announce that Ed Resources Online was nominated for Best Variety Blog
and Best Curriculum or Business Blog!

You can vote for your favorites (one adult per household) until November 17th and the winner will be announced November 19th!

I am also pleased to announce that 2 of my other blogs also received nominations: Mommy Matters Blog for Best Homeschool Mom and Passport Academy for Best Nitty Gritty Blog

Please place your vote today and tell your friends! This is a wonderful opportunity to discover new blogs and show your appreciation for your favorites.

FREE Thanksgiving Printables

noreply@blogger.com (Karin Katherine) — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 15:35:00 +0000

Looking for Thanksgiving holiday printables for your students? Here are some free offerings around the web to use in your classroom, home school, or around the table this Thanksgiving holiday season.

Scholastic has a wonderful unit called The First Thanksgiving that includes printables and a slideshow! Additional Thanksgiving printables are also linked here on the website.

Learning Pages has a collection of Thanksgiving printables for Pre-K-3rd grade covering various subject skills as well as puzzles and games!

Family Fun magazine has a great Thanksgiving Mad Lib that would be fun to play around the dinner table and a Thanksgiving Parade bingo card to play while watching the parade.

Print these Thanksgiving Activity Placemats for your kids' table

Thanksgiving Table printables from Paper Glitter

Thanksgiving Notebooking pages from activity village

Montessori for everyone has Thanksgiving Matching Cards available for download.

Thanksgiving Coloring pages from Education.com

Turkey coloring page

Sign Up Genius

noreply@blogger.com (Karin Katherine) — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 18:00:00 +0000

Sign-Up Genius may be a co-op leader or Teacher's new best online friend. This FREE online resource allows you to create custom PUBLIC or PRIVATE sign-up forms for a variety of uses using simple wizards. You can also preset reminders and monitor the sign-up progress online.

Once you create your sign-up sheet you can share the custom URL or invite people to send invitations to view by email.

Planning a field trip? Students and Chaperones can sign up on one form.

Hosting a holiday party or gift exchange? You can create a customized form to track guests, food or gift exchanges

Other ideas for using Sign Up Genius include:
Group/Club Volunteer duty sign up
Holiday parties
Class Registration
Group Registration
Field Trips
Gift Exchange
Used Curriculum Sale sign up
Special event/Meeting Sign up
Snack Mom Sign Up
Park Day Sign Up
Meeting Sign-up (you can set up recurring events)

HSBA Post Nominations begin TODAY

noreply@blogger.com (Karin Katherine) — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 16:18:00 +0000

The 6th annual Homeschool Blog Awards have begun! Now is the time to vote for your favorite homeschooling blogs in 20 categories.

Voting begins October 15th and ends November 17th.

Voting Categories are:

2010 Homeschool Blog Award Categories:

1. Best Homeschool Mom Blog
Everyone is the best homeschool mom for their own children. With thousands of homeschool bloggers out there, please know that there will only be one winner online – but EACH OF US are winners in our own homes. If there’s a blogging mom out there that has been a particularly good example to you and you want to let her know… consider her for this nomination! [Her blog does not have to be exclusively about motherhood or homeschooling.]

2. Best Homeschool Dad Blog
We love to hear what dad has to say. Especially if he includes homeschool posts off and on. [Blog doesn’t have to be exclusively about homeschooling.]

3. Best Blog Design
Here’s your chance to nominate your favorite blog design and give your favorite blogger a pat on the back for her talent (or give her web designer some credit!).

4. Best Photos
This blogger has photographic talent and makes her posts pop with eye-candy. We want to thank those of you who post pictures and graphics that inspire us! The winner of this category will be one that takes her own photos – not someone who only uses stock images.

5. Best Crafts, Plans & Projects Blog
Do you turn to the blogosphere for a steady supply of great craft ideas, lesson plans or projects that you can do with your homeschoolers? Why not share your favorite how-to blogs that provide us with things to be inspired by and ideas to use with our kids and in our homes.

6. Best Family or Group Blog
Nominate your favorite Homeschool Family blog or your favorite group blog that is either run by Homeschoolers or discusses homeschool issues. [Blog doesn’t have to be exclusively about homeschooling. Remember that if more than one of our authors are part of the group blog, it is not qualified to win. THIS BLOG MUST HAVE MULTIPLE AUTHORS.]

7. Best Encourager
It is time to say thanks to those bloggers out there who lift you up out of the homeschool “blahs” and help you get back on track. The winner of this category doesn’t have to be perfect or always in a good mood… just someone who makes you feel as if someone else cares and has a positive attitude overall.

8. Best Current Events, Opinions or Politics Blog
We don’t want a strictly political blog that is run by a homeschooler unless quite a few posts have relevant information pertaining to homeschooling. News clips that affect our freedoms as homeschoolers and how homeschooling is portrayed in the media are ideal. We love to hear what other homeschool teachers are thinking and reading and their views on things that affect us all. [This blog does not have to be exclusively about homeschooling, current events, or politics… just a blog that often shares opinions on matters that you enjoy learning from.]

9. Best Homemaking or Recipes Blog
This blog should have content regarding homemaking, housekeeping, tips, ideas for making your life easier, information about raising multiple kids, or recipes that you enjoy trying. [This person should be a homeschooler but the blog doesn’t have to be exclusively about homeschooling, homemaking or recipes.]

10. Best Teen Blog
Let’s encourage those young bloggers to speak up and be a good example for their peers. I have seen so many wonderful teen blogs out there that deserve recognition. Let us know what some of your favorites are! Teen blogs can be any blogs run by teens who are at least 12 years of age. The winners will have to submit permission slips signed by their parents – see legal page at HSBA for more details. [This blog does not have to be exclusively about homeschooling, but homeschooling should be mentioned often or it should be obvious from the template that the teen/s are homeschoolers.]

11. Funniest Homeschool Blog
We all need a laugh in-between laundry, lesson plans and losing our cool. It is nice to get your smile back so you can share it with your students (who can only take “so much gloom” as Ma Walton said so eloquently on The Waltons television series). Nominate your favorite crack-pot or crack-up homeschool blog here.

12. Best Special Needs Blogger
These are the moms that have the extra challenges – they go above and beyond to help their children succeed. We have had so many requests to add this category that we not only added a category for you, but we also added a new author who is a special-needs advocate: Miss Tammy! Say Hello to her by stopping by her bio/blog link in our sidebar!

13. Best Curriculum or Business Blog
Let us know your favorite homeschool business or curriculum blogs so we can read them, too!

14. Best Variety
This blogger is one that could fit in any of these categories … but they just can’t be pinned down in ONE. This type of blogger is the ADD hyper-focused type… always moving on from one thing to the next… and always keeping you interested in coming back for more!

15. Best Thrifty Homeschooler
Most of us are homeschooling on a shoe-string. Nominate your favorite money-saving blogger so you can share her tips with the blogosphere and bless a bunch of homeschool children in the process! [Blog doesn't have to be exclusively about frugality.]

16. Best SUPER-HOMESCHOOLER
Ever feel like a looser after reading someone else’s lesson plans, seeing their field trip photos, listening to them talk about what they got done today, or seeing pictures of their children’s accomplishments? You were probably feeling the effects of visiting a SUPER-HOMESCHOOLER’s blog. These are the A-list homeschool parents that just BLOW YOU AWAY with their enthusiasm. We all have our good days, but this blogger has us all beat.

17. Best Nitty-Gritty Homeschool Blog
Since we included a category for the Super-Homeschooler… I figured we would add one in for the homeschooler who is brutally honest and open about her mistakes and failures. These are the moms that make you feel better and let you know that it is OK that we aren’t perfect. What would we do without them???

18. Best NEW Homeschool Blog
It is hard making a name for yourself in the blogosphere. A lot of times, you feel as if you are writing and no one is out there. If you have stumbled upon a great new blogger who has a lot of potential and you want to share them with the rest of us… please consider nominating them for this category! [A new blog is one that appeared on the scene during or after last awards season.]

19. Best Homeschooling Methods Blog
There are a lot of methods used to homeschool. Are you a boxed curriculum gal? A Classical homeschooler? An unschooler? Do you thrill on Unit Studies or spend time outdoors doing Charlotte Mason-type nature walks? Are you a mixture of everything (eclectic)? Make sure you tell us what TYPE of method this blog showcases so we can list it on the voting page!

20. Best Nature Blog!

Winners will be announced November 19th! Please consider nominating Ed Resources for Best Variety Blog by clicking here.

FREE Lego Club Jr. magazine & teacher's guide

noreply@blogger.com (Karin Katherine) — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:19:00 +0000

First grade educators can request a FREE copy of Lego Education's Lego Club Jr. School Edition magazine and teacher's guide.

Click here for more information.

Free Back-to-school Guide from Edutopia

noreply@blogger.com (Karin Katherine) — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 02:58:00 +0000

Edutopia is offering an updated guide of the best tools, tips, and resources to help you get the school year off to a great start!

Whether you're new to teaching or a classroom veteran, their resource-packed collection of 10 top new media tips promises to provide fresh ideas and easy-to-use tools to engage your students and make learning more collaborative.

Take advantage of the multi-media educational resources available to you by learning about new resources and ways you can incorporate them into your home or classroom.

To receive the guide, just sign up for their mailing list here. Signing up for the resource guide will automatically subscribe you to their email list, if you do not wish to receive future mailings from Edutopia, simply uncheck the box when requesting your FREE guide.

Michaels offers educator discounts

noreply@blogger.com (Karin Katherine) — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 19:50:00 +0000

Teachers and home educators can now treat themselves to extra credit on Fridays. Present your educator discount card every Friday through September 24, 2010 and receive an ADDITIONAL 10% off your ENTIRE purchase INCLUDING sale items!

If that wasn't enough to smile about you can sign up for the Knack Faculty online or in-stores to receive additional coupons and mailings for future educator savings.

Available coupons for educators through October 30, 2010 include:
40% off any ONE regular item
10% off your entire purchase
50% off entire purchase artist canvas
50% off artist paper pads, sketchbooks, and open stock paper (excluding scrapbook paper)

Some exclusions may apply, see cashier for details.

FPEA Homeschool Convention

noreply@blogger.com (Karin Katherine) — Tue, 25 May 2010 14:06:00 +0000

The FPEA Homeschool convention is being held in Orlando, Florida at the Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel on May 28-29, 2010. If you are a Florida homeschooler or attendee please tweet your photos, comments or observations using the hashtag #FPEA and it will appear below.

Additional Homeschool Convention tips and articles:
How to select homeschool curriculum without getting overwhelmed
FPEA Homeschoolers connect online
Create your own convention binder using these free printable forms

Summer Reading Programs---earn a free book!

noreply@blogger.com (Karin Katherine) — Wed, 19 May 2010 15:35:00 +0000

Teachers and Home Educators who are looking for ways to encourage (or motivate) reading this summer may want to participate in one (or both) of the summer reading programs being offered by national bookstore chains.

The reading programs basically reward students with a free book (from a selected offering) after students read a certain number of books and complete the necessary form.

See below for more details.

Read 10 books
Reward: 1 free book
offer ends August 26th
Download forms & get more info

Read 8 books
Reward: 1 book
Offer ends September 6, 2010
Download Educator kit or student passport & more info

China Learning Kit Review

noreply@blogger.com (Karin Katherine) — Tue, 11 May 2010 19:30:00 +0000

Now your children can learn about China with this special kit available for only $14.00 (paypal only)

Your kit will include:

Chinese papercut
Chinese knot
Red packet with currency
Chinese flag
Postcards
Bookmark
Red scarf worn by young Communist students
An informational sheet about everything in the kit
Honeycomb lantern
Stickers
plus Postage stamps (canceled) on your package from China!

What child doesn't enjoy getting mail? This is a wonderful way to expand on your study of China or the continent of Asia with some authentic hands-on items to explore. Your students will enjoy investigating the package.

I hope more people will do this! Wouldn't it be great to get packages from every Continent?

Lobster Network

noreply@blogger.com (Karin Katherine) — Mon, 10 May 2010 19:30:00 +0000

LobsterNetwork is free new website that just may be a teacher or homeschooling co-ops dream come true. Why? Because by using LobsterNetwork you can keep track of the gazillion educational resources you've collected and, if you choose, offer them for sale, trade, or loan within your local area, approved friends list, chosen community or private community (homeschool co-ops, school, school district, club, classroom). It is completely up to you. Plus, Lobster Network tracks everything at no charge! That's right, there are no fees involved with using LobsterNetwork.

Lobster Network stands for:

How it works:

Register for a free account here.

Invite your friends or set up a private community. You may also want to search for existing communities if you wish.

Set up your inventory however you choose.

For more info:
Download PDF guide
Watch Video Tutorials

Can you think of other uses for LobsterNetwork?

Teaching with Google Earth

noreply@blogger.com (Karin Katherine) — Sun, 09 May 2010 23:30:00 +0000

Did you know you can take your kids on a virtual field trip to the deepest part of the ocean, the Mariana Trench? You can do this and so much more with Google Earth 5.0

One of the many cool features of Google Earth is that you can record your "tour" and then share it with others. This is a cool feature for Teachers and Home Educators!

When exploring Google Earth be sure to watch the included BBC educational videos---they are fantastic!