|
 The Busy Educator's Monthly Five: July 2009 This month Marjan’s list of sites helps teachers: raise awareness of blindness and Braille, teach literature, work against bullying, and tells us about a rubric-developing site, then tops off the list with info about Artyfactory, a free online workshop for artists of any age. | |
| by Marjan Glavac Regular contributor to the Gazette July 1, 2009 |
|
|
|
Sign up for his free monthly Busy Educator’s Newsletter at: Follow him on Twitter at : twitter.com/busy_teacher
Here they are,
THE BRAILLE BUG WEBSITE (GR. 3-6) This site was created to teach sighted children about Braille, and to encourage literacy among all children--sighted and visually impaired. It gives sighted children a chance to learn about the Braille code and how classmates who are blind or visually impaired learn to read and do math. The Braille Bug reinforces the idea that visually impaired children are more like sighted children than different--they share the same interests, play the same games, read the same books, study the same subjects--which can only help foster a better understanding and acceptance of people with disabilities. 
TODAY IN LITERATURE (GR. 9-UNIVERSITY) This is a site that really makes literature come alive. Every time I visit this site I learn things about literature that I never learned in high school and university literature classes.
OPERATION RESPECT DON’T LAUGH AT ME The DON’T LAUGH AT ME materials include a curriculum guide, evaluations, CD and video, for both schools and summer camps. The school program consists of two separate curricula; one developed for grades (2-5) and the second developed for grades (6-8). I saw the book and video during a 3 day TRIBES workshop. A great resource for teaching respect and anti-bullying.
RUBISTAR (TEACHERS) RubiStar is a tool to help the teacher who wants to use rubrics but does not have the time to develop them from scratch. It’s very easy to use, intuitive and in no time at all you’ll have a rubric that you can use immediately in the class. Templates are available for the following topics: oral projects, math, multimedia, research and writing, products, art, reading, work skills, science and music.
ARTYFACTORY (GR. 5-12) Artyfactory is a free online workshop for artists of any age. It is a growing resource of ideas and techniques designed to improve artistic skills. The workshops are carefully designed to meet classroom needs. The practical side of each workshop is enhanced with appropriate background knowledge of its theme. Each workshop has an interactive quiz or games associated with its theme. All that’s needed to take part are a few basic materials and the will to have a go.
P.S. To learn more about Marjan Glavac's 
  | |
|
New Jobs on Teachers.Net
Marjan Glavac (BA, BEd, MA) is a professional speaker, teacher and author. He is a full time classroom teacher with 25 years teaching experience. He has taught and continues to teach students from the inner city, students with emotional/behavioral disorders, ESL, and IEP students. He is an international speaker and workshop presenter.