The Why Files - The Science behind the news

The Why Files is a website that helps students understand science through current events or maybe it helps kids understand current events through science. Either way, the site provides a variety of opportunities for students to learn about science in interesting ways. The home page looks like a newspaper and contains a few news stories from around the world. Each story explores is explored from a science perspective and includes pictures, diagrams, and charts to help students understand the topic. In addition to news, the site contains a classroom activities pages with discussion questions and quizzes from stories found on the web page. There is also an interactive section where students can learn about science based concepts through games and activities. Due to its focus on current events, the Why Files is just as useful to social studies teachers who may want to use it for current events and infuse some cross curricular science content.

Annenberg Learner Interactives- A Powerful Education Resource

Wow! That was my reaction when I began to explore the Annenberg Learner website. Videos, lesson plans, and resources for math, science, social studies, arts, and literature. In this post I will be focusing on their powerful interactive learning section. My favorite part of the Annenberg  Learner website is their interactives page which contains hundreds of "hands on" web based activities that challenge students (and teachers) to apply learning concepts. The activities are searchable by grade, discipline, and audience or a combination of the three. These interactive tools are very powerful and engaging and I strongly encourage teachers to look through them. You'll be saying "wow" too.