www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/
For the past three years, I have used this website to enhance science instruction in my fourth grade classroom. As I am moving to fifth grade next year and will be focusing on math and social studies, I have started to explore the site as a math resource as well. The activities on this site are interactive for the students and reinforce content that we are working on in the classroom. At the end of (most) activities, there is a lesson quiz that students will complete. These quizzes can be used for student self-assessments, formative assessments, or even quiz grades. I typically require students to score at least 7 out of 10 in order to move on to another activity.
The activities on this site can be used in many ways. They are great for review or for reinforcement of initial instruction. My students enjoy doing the activities as their technology center, or sometimes I take the entire class to the computer lab to complete a series of activities together. They could also be used as a whole group activity using a project and/or SMARTBoard.
This site has changed and will continue to impact the way I teach because it often presents the content in a slightly different way than I present it. I think this is very important for all students. For students who already understand the content, it can deepen or extend their understanding; for students who are struggling with content, a different approach or presentation may bring about the "lightbulb moment" they've been waiting for. In addition, the video game-like activities are highly engaging for learners who may lack motivation or have short attention spans. The wide variety of content and levels makes it easy to find many topics and activities to support the content in my classroom.
Mr. Parr's Science Songs
My students last year LOVED Mr. Parr's science songs. There is a large collection of popular song parodies that cover important science content. Below is Mr. Parr's Rock Cycle Song, set to the tune of "Life is a Highway." One of the great things about these videos is that the words are on the screen for students to see. Beware, they might get stuck in your head!
Yes, I agree the song does get stuck in your head. I love it! I honestly don't see an issue with using a science song in the classroom. I think any time you can use music in the classroom you should. As a nurse, I have taken care of patients who have had massive strokes and are often unable to speak, but they for some reason can still sing. It seems strange, but it is true. Maybe, a different part of the brain allows this. Therefore, singing in the classroom may engage a different part of the brain that everyday speech doesn't. By the way, my son Max will be in 5th grade at Northern Elementary this year, and I have only heard wonderful things about you as a teacher. I also know your mother. However, I did not make the connection to you until recently. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI love these resources! I am always looking for ways to make science more fun and engaging. The rock cycle song was great because that is such a difficult concept to teach to 3rd graders! I will have to remember that video and use it at a later time. The website seems great, too. It would be perfect to use during whole class instruction (watching the videos), or even have students do at a computer center individually (watch the video, read, take the quiz, and play the game). I could see students liking this site very much. Do you know, though, what the different levels equate to here? I clicked on level 2, but I wasn't sure what grades that would be targeted for.
ReplyDeleteNicole,
ReplyDeleteFrom what I can tell, KS1 seems to be primary, KS2 intermediate, KS3 middle grades, and the other is probably secondary. If you go to www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips there are some older activities that are categorized by age. Like I said, there is a lot of really good stuff connected to the site!
Shawn,
Kelly Hopp and I will be team teaching next year. She will be doing language arts and writing, I will be teaching math and social studies. Maybe we'll have Max :) I'm really looking forward to the move!