In my search for teacher web resources, I was quite surprised. Many of the sites on the web were somewhat generic and proved to be mundane. However, after adequate searching I was able to find a few sites that I believe are capable of providing engaging activites for teachers to use.

 

1. Teacher's Network- I was very impressed with this site; it provides ample amounts of lesson plans for a variety of subjects and grades. What I particularly liked about this page was that in each lesson plan provided, content areas were presented so teachers considering using the lesson may be informed. For example, the site addresses what standards the lesson incorporates, the materials needed to complete the lesson, the grade appropiateness of the lesson, the overall values students should gain from the lesson, and tips for introducing the activity. I was able to click on any subject imaginable, (even physical education and special education!!!) and find numerous lessons created by teachers. There was even an area for new teachers to read and upload new teacher lesson plans so they could better learn the basics. Overall, this site would prove to be very helpful in managing a classroom. http://teachersnetwork.org/lessonplans/?gclid=CInE-8LY35kCFQE0xgodNUEeVA

 

2. Teachers First- I was also quite impressed with this site, especially how organized the layout was. It was very simple to search for resources by grade, subject area, Holiday activities, or even daily brain twisters. Once you choose a category, you can follow different areas of content to explore different lesson plans, activities, projects, games, readings, and several other useful aspects of the classroom. I particularly enjoyed that the site was laid out in such a creative way; instead of simply choosing the subject you desired, you could choose from a variety of interesting lesson topics: Africa, Spanish, Music, Gifted, Current Events, etc. All different classes os students were accounted for on this page, and I feel each were adequately represented. Such a site would helpful in managing an increasingly diverse classroom. http://www.teachersfirst.com/index.cfm

 

After finding these sites, I looked further to add ten more to our class delicious account. I viewed several sites on various search engines before making my choices. In reviewing the site, I enjoy finding ones that offer entertaining, engaging lessons. It is important to keep students interested, and many of these sites offer suggestive techniques to keep children involved in the lesson at hand. Several sites offered games and interactive programs to help teachers plan for difficult subjects, such as math. I focused primarily on mathematics because I want to teach elementary math. There were several resources I found that offered unique strategies for approaching difficult content standards. Many sites even connected lessons with certain standards so as to help teachers save time. Ultimately, these sites proved useful in a variety of ways.. These links, and others, can be found at http://delicious.com/lookwhatwefound