Valuable+Ed+Resources

**//Welcome. If you are an educator who has recently attempted to sort through the vast amount of information on the Internet to find useful tips for teaching, then you are in the right place. At ReliableEdResources, our contributing teacher editors have spent hours sifting through a never-ending array of educational web sites. Here, we have listed some of the sites we have found and rated them according to the system located on our homepage and again below. Check out some of these great educational sites, and feel free to add your favorites as well!//**

Bookmark it or add it to your reader! It's an amazing resource!  Worth checking frequently for some valuable information. Some worthwhile ideas, but not the "cream of the crop."  Don't even bother clicking on it! 
 * Rating System **

//**__Description__**: This is a TLN (Teachers Leaders Network) featured blog for teacher quality. It contains such categories as Current Affairs, Ed Policy and Research, Effective Teaching, Web/Tech, and School Daze. __Author __: Nancy Flanagan is a 30-year teaching veteran of Hartland, MI, in K-12 music education. __Evaluation __: This blog offers strong and somewhat humorous advice from a veteran teacher. I expect that from the information I have read this a a reliable blog that does not have too much "teacher rant". __Rating __: //  // __Evaluator__ : Freda//
 * Teacher in a Strange Land **[|//http://teacherleaders.typepad.com/teacher_in_a_strange_land/2009/09/id-rather-have-a-root-canal.html//]

**Love What You Teach** [|//http://lovewhatyouteach.com/2009/08/28/the-power-of-professional-learning-communities///]<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> // __Description__: This blog is a project to share lots of practical ideas and <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> // //materials// // for elementary classrooms. It's also a place for us to talk about the art of teaching and how children learn. //<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> // __<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Author: __<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Abbie Fox, Third Grade Teacher __<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Evaluation __<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">: This blog is great for those in a PLC (Professional Learning Community) in their school or those interested in developing one. __ Rating __ //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> //:// <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> // __Evaluator__: Freda //

// __<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Description __<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">: This blog offers strategies and ideas to have a succesful teaching experience. It is designed for teachers in public, private, and homeschool. __Author__: Pat Hensley // <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">//successfulteaching@gmail.com// <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">__Evaluation__: ////<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> Consist of a PLN (Personal Learning Network) and has a great amount of useful ideas for the classroom. It is worth a test drive. // <span style="color: #7e7c7c; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 90%;">//__Rating__:// //__Evaluator__: Freda//
 * Successful Teaching ** [|**//http://successfulteaching.blogspot.com///**]<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">

** Technology Lesson Plans ** [|Internet4Classrooms] //__Description__:// //Internet for Classrooms is a website for teachers, students and parents. For the teacher there are multiple lesson plans for all grade levels and subject areas that help blend technology into the curriculum. A nice feature that the site offers for teachers is tutorials for many different software applications that will help familiarize teachers who are not advanced in technology usage. The website offers a wide variety of resources for students and their parents. There are grade level skills practice, assessment assistance and links to many different content specific resources that students can access for defining their skills. __Author:__// // Susan Brooks and Bill Byles // //__Evaluation__: A great website providing an abundance of resources for all grade levels and subject areas.// <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">//__Rating__:// <span style="color: #7e7c7c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> __Evalu//ator//__//: Paul Harvey//

** Mathematics Resources ** [|MathArchives] <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> // __<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Description __<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">: Math Archives was set up in the 1990's by a group of professionals at Washington University in St. Louis. Their goal was to set up a website for providing a variety of valuable internet resources for mathematics teachers. __Author__: // // Arnie Ostebee, Howard Penn, Claudia Pinter-Lucke, Jim Pinter-Lucke, David Smith, Keith Stroyan, Jon Wilkin, Kathie Yerion // <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">__Evaluation__: The website is easy to navigate through with many valuable resources and links. // <span style="color: #7e7c7c; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 90%;">//__Rating__:// //__Evaluator__: Paul Harvey//

// __<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Description __<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">: Marilyn Western began collecting valuable internet resources for educators and now has received a number of awards for her terrific website. She has a vast collection of links in every discipline and grade level and constantly updates with new features. She has even began listing resources for educators for blogging, wikis, podcasting, and technology troubleshooting resources. __Author__: Marilyn Western // //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">__Evaluation__: ////<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> Fantastic!!! A+++ This may be the only website you ever need for integrating technology into your classroom! // <span style="color: #7e7c7c; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 90%;">//__Rating__://  <span style="color: #7e7c7c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> //__Evaluator__: Paul Harvey//
 * "Stuff for Classroom Teachers" **<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> [|EdZone]

** Free Techno​logy For Teachers ** [] //__Description__:This constantly updated site consistently scans the web to find, (surprise, surprise), free technology for teachers. Here, you'll find anything from the most up-to-date version of the president's last speech to new free lesson plan sites. In 2008, Free Technology for Teachers was awarded the Edublogger Award for "Best Resource Sharing Blog." __Author__: Richard Byrne He is available for professional development workshops and can be contacted at// //richardbyrne@freetech4teachers.com// //__Evaluation__:It's easy to follow and quite relevant. It is also very current and updated often.// <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">//__Rating__://__ Evaluators__: Tonia, Kris and Carla

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">**Web-logged: Learning with the Read/Write Web** [] //<span style="color: #7e7c7c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">__Description:__ This weblog presents multiple topics about using technology in the classroom. The most recent posting by Richardson discusses acceptable use policies in districts and questions the need for them if Internet safety and appropriate use is taught in the classroom. __Author__: Will Richardson, author of the book __Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts and Other Powerful Tools for Classrooms Evaluation__: This site is thought provoking and a good companion to the book. It is updated often and Will never ceases to amaze with his "matter-of-fact" writing. Many concerned educators comment on blogs, and a list of different categories is also present for easy navigation. __Rating__ : __Evaluators__: Tonia and Stephanie D. //

// __Description__: This site had great ideas on how to use different technology in the classroom and not just English classrooms. There are also many YouTube videos posted that could possibly used as resources in the classroom. __Author__: Kevin Hurt, a second year English teacher also involved with technology and teacher development __Evaluation__: This site is very easy to use. There are many links to other informational blogs. The ideas given are very useful. I really liked the blog about using cell phones in the classroom since it is a piece of technology often banned in the classroom. __Rating__ : I // // t has not been updated since the end of last school year. Maybe there is more to come with the beginning of the new school year? __Evaluator__: Tonia //
 * Ed-u-ma-ca-tion (n.): reflections on teaching, learning and technology** []

// __Description__: This weblog is connected to Walden University and is designed for teachers interested in discussing technology in school, whether it's grade school or post high school education. Many of the writers bring humor to the sometimes controversial topics. __Author__: Scott McLeod and Vickie Davis __Evaluation__: The blog makes many interesting points when discussing the different issues of technology. // // __Rating__ : // // __Evaluator__: Jessica Juhn //
 * Technology in the Classroom** []

// __Description__: This is a website that was mentioned as a useful blog for teachers in the text __Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts and Other Powerful Tools for Classrooms__ by Will Richardson. There are many categories where teachers can read other educators’ views on specific topics and also receive links to other valuable resources. __Author__: David Jakes __Evaluation__: If you want a blog that contains information and discussion on any topic regarding education, then this is the blog for you! // //<span style="color: #7e7c7c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">__Rating__ : //// : __Evaluator__: Jessica Juhn //
 * Strength of Weak Ties** []

Author: Scholastic __Evaluation:__ This a great website to get ideas. The grade levels that teachers teach range from k-12. You are able to read the whole lesson free of cost and then comment on their lessons as well.// <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">// __Rating__ : // <span style="color: #808080; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">//__Evaluator__: Jessica Juhn// <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"> //__Description__: This blog site is continuously updated with tools, ideas, and inspirations for teachers. __Author__: Vicki A. Davis, a current teacher, presenter and writer. __Evaluation__: This site offers easy tips for incorporating technology into the classroom along with motivational ideas for keeping positive and remembering why we're teachers in the first place.
 * Share, Connect, Create**[| http://teachershare.scholastic.com/] <span style="color: #808080; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">//__Description__: This website is a blog where teachers share their favorite lessons and a profile of the teacher.
 * CoolCatTeacher** [|http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com]

__Rating__: //   <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"> //__Evaluator__: Kris//

//__Description__: This site offers continuous updates about the ways in which technology changes our world, in business, education, and everywhere else. __Author__: Don Tapscott, author of __Growing Up Digital Evaluation__: Although the site is set up as a review for Don Tapscott's book, the blog on the site offers startling information and facts as the world embraces technology. It discusses the "Net Generation" and the upcoming impact this group will have on school, business, government, and virtually all institutions. It is interesting reading to gain an insight into the next wave of technology. __Rating__: //   // __Evaluator__: Kris //
 * Growing Up Digital** [|http://www.grownupdigital.com]

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Meet Me at the Corner** blog [|http://ilearntechnology.com​/?p=1246&cpage=1#comment-67174] //Meet Me at the Corner// web site link [] // __Description__: This blogging page on ilearntechnology.com is just one of many that provide details on ways to integrate technology into the classroom. The Meet Me at the Corner blog holds a link and a place for comments from teachers of how they are using Meet Me at the Corner in their classroom. The web site site link holds many virtual field trip videos developed by students of some amazing and ordinary places. Anyone can add a field trip of their travels to the site. Video book reviews have also been added so that students can see other students review books they might like to read. __Author__: Donna W. Guthrie, founder. Ms. Guthrie, a former Kindergarten through fifth grade teacher, is currently a children’s author and writing professor. __Evaluation__: Although this site is just in the beginning stages, it is worth a second and third look. New virtual field trip videos, podcasts, and book reviews are being added by teachers and students about their city and towns. A great springboard for any teacher who would like to introduce video into their class or take a look through a students’ eyes as they describe their town or school as you “travel” the country. __Rating__ : __Evaluator__: Marilyn //

**<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Book Whisperer Blog ** [] // From Teacher Magazine.org’s web site //[] //<span style="color: #7e7c7c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">__Description__: The Book Whisperer blog is on Teacher Magazine.org’s web site. It is one of many topics that Teacher Magazine.org has on their web site that focus on supporting teachers in the classroom. Ms. Miller is currently blogging on the Banned Books Week that will be starting September 26th. Her posts include book reviews, ways to incorporate books into the classroom, podcasts from top reading researchers, and questions to ponder and share such as “When did your reading life begin?” When did you develop the love for books? __Author__: Donalyn Miller is a 6th grade Language Arts and Social Studies teacher in Texas. She previously penned the “Creating Readers” Ask the Mentor column and continues to blog. Her goal is to inspire and motivate student readers and many teachers too! To contact Ms. Miller you may e-mail her at: thebookwhisperer@gmail.com __Evaluation__: Ms. Miller’s blog is one that I come back to again and again. I have not made many comments, it is just nice to read and think after reading all the contributions. It’s almost like coming back to listen to an old friend. Teacher magazine.org is a great site to follow for teachers who need to access a variety of topics in one area. From the articles, to the blogs, to the links for great resources, this site and the blog mentioned is one that you need to look at again and again. __Rating__ : __Evaluator__: Marilyn//

// __Description__: This web site focuses on a variety of issues that teachers face today in order to support their students in the classroom. Social and emotional learning, integrating technology, teacher development, and project learning are just a few areas that anyone can gather more information on. Videos, articles, and blogs are available along with webinars that even include Will Richardson’s webinar on “Small World: How to Bring Your Students into the Global Classroom”. This webinar can be found at // [] // __Author__: George Lucas Educational Foundation __Evaluation__: Edutopia.org is a site that I keep coming back to in order to access materials and more information for the presentations and workshops that I develop for teachers. The layout, topics, and resources that are available have made me mention this site time and again to many educators this school year. __Rating__ : __Evaluator__: Marilyn //
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Edutopia.org ** []

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">**Journeys- Exploring Life and Learning** __[|http://dmcordell.blogspot.com]__ / // __Description__: The Journeys’ Blog is a personal blog of an educator that wants to expound on important educational issues with an emphasis on technology. She has a montage of posts that are intended to spark important discussion about school Library Media issues. __Author__: Diane is a school Library Media Specialist working in a K-12 Library Media Center in New York. __Evaluation__: This site is a good place for people to think serious of the issues that technology brings today. Because it is a personal journal it emits a warm, comfortable “come as you are” tone. The education topics are serious and thought provoking but not polarizing and extreme. Technology is a major theme but not the total summation of what this blog contains. It is not a blog of huge hits, but it has many solid contributors. __Rating__: __Evaluator__: Jim //

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">**Mattanelson’s Blog** __[|http://mattanelson.wordpress.com]__ / //<span style="color: #7e7c7c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">__Description__: The blog is a teachers website that is intended to display his educational technology teaching philosophy. While his theme is teaching with technology, it is through the lens of a history teacher. There are many good links to other professional sites. One very interesting point to mention is the creator is 21 years old and has just started his teaching career. <span style="color: #7e7c7c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <span style="color: #7e7c7c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">__Author__: Matt Nelson is a 21 year old student/teacher. This appears to be a project for his Education degree. <span style="color: #7e7c7c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> // //<span style="color: #7e7c7c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">__Evaluation__: The Author has a good amount of information that is relevant to people interested on technology particularly History. The design is excellent and easy to use. The topics are relevant and current. The number of responses is low. I was not replied to about using kindles in the classroom. __Rating__: <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> //<span style="color: #7e7c7c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">//__Evaluator__: Jim//

**FactCheckED.org** [] //__Description__: According to the creators of FactCheckED.org, their "g// // oal is a little different." They believe that since people of today "are overwhelmed with messages," someone needs to teach our students how to be "smart consumers of these messages." This site teaches a "five-step framework" for logically analyzing all types of persuasion from simple claims to what is learned on the news. A great site for any educator but especially those involved with research. Teach your students how to recognize and eliminate bias and deception in what they read and what they write. <span style="color: #7e7c7c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">__Author__ : a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania and a sister site to the award winning Annenberg Political Fact Check site. // // __Evaluation__ :// // This site is a necessity for teaching honesty in writing and communication. Lesson plans are included for educators along with today's fact, ask factcheck, term of the week, and a featured source. __Rating__ : __Evaluator__: Stephanie D. //

​ //__Description__: For anyone who remembers the beautiful images of// //__Life Magazine__ and __National Geographic__, this site provides amazing images of day-to-day world events and in an almost real time fashion. Recommended by the staff at Google Reader, the Big Picture is a photo blog for the Boston Globe/boston.com with pictures posted by Alan Taylor on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. One can also find photos of unusual events such as this week's record-breaking dust storm in Australia, China's 60th anniversary celebration, and Oktoberfest 2009 in Munich. __Author__: Alan Taylor, a developer for the Boston Globe's website, boston.com, previously worked for amazon.com and msnbc.com and can be reached at his own// //blog at// [] // __Evaluation__ //// ** : ** This site is a phenomenal "jump-off" for anyone wanting to involve images in education. English, social studies, government, journalism, psychology, science, one can find photos that link students with happenings from all over the world. A great way to teach connectivity and global community. __Rating__: __Evaluator__: Stephanie D. //
 * The Big Picture []**

**ReadWriteThink.org** [|http://www.readwritethink.org] // __**Description**__: // // ReadWriteThink.org is a site for English Language Arts teachers. They provide many creative lesson plans for grades K-12. Their website states that ReadWriteThink.org provides educators and students access to the highest quality practices and resources in reading and language arts instruction. The lessons on the website cover different literacy engagements such as learning language, learning about language and learning through language. __**Evaluation**__: // // This site has so many creative and wonderful lesson plans and each lesson plan includes the necessary handouts plus links to the national standards. There are also many interactive components that teachers can use, such as online quizes and webquests. They also provide alternative resources if your students will not have computer access. I have personally used many lessons from this site or have taken parts of the lessons and incorporated them into my own lesson. __**Rating**__: // //__**Evaluator**__: Rebecca//
 * __Author__ **//: // This website is run by NCTE, the National Council for Teachers of English

**Think Like a Teacher** [] // __**Description**__: A "teacher to go" blogs about teaching, technology, and education in general. The blogger, Candace Hackett Shively regularly updates her blog, which includes discussions on education, how to challenge gifted students, incorporating technology into the classroom, and education in general. __**Author**__: Candace Hackett Shively. She is a 27 year veteran of education and is the director of a non-profit learning and technologies company. __**Evaluation**__: I really like the insight that she provides on her website. She has been involved with education for the past 27 years and her blog really shows that she knows a thing or two! She provides great advice that any teacher can really take and incorporate into their classrooms. __**Rating**__ :// //__**Evaluator**__: Rebecca//

** TeachersFirst ** [|http://www.teachersfirst.com] //__**Description**__:// //TeachersFirst is a rich collection of lessons//, units, //and// web resources //designed to save teachers time by delivering just what they need in a practical, user-friendly, and ad-free format. We offer our own professional and classroom-ready content along with thousands of reviewed web resources, including practical ideas for classroom use and// safe classroom use of Web 2.0. // Busy teachers, parents, and students can find resources using our //subject/grade level search, keyword search, // or extensive menus .// // __**Author**__: This website is maintained by Candace Hackett Shively, who is also the author of the blog, Think Like a Teacher __**Evaluation**__: This site provides numerous resources for teachers, including lesson plans and professional development. The lesson plan resources has links to different resources on the Internet and then provides an evaluation and a suggestion of use in the classroom. // **__Evaluator__**: Rebecca //
 * __Rating__** :// [[image:mice4.png width="87" height="21"]]

It gives the common characteristics that most teachers share and the keys to become successful in their classroom. // //<span style="color: #7e7c7c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> ** __Author__ ** __:__ Melissa Kelly, <span style="color: #7e7c7c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">About.com under the top six categories are common because I use them in my classes. It was very rewarding for myself to know that I am on the right track in becoming a successful educator. //
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Top 6 Keys to Being a Successful Teacher ** []
 * __<span style="color: #7e7c7c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">//Description// __** //<span style="color: #7e7c7c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">: This site contains the top six categories on being a successful teacher.
 * __<span style="color: #7e7c7c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Evaluation __** ////<span style="color: #7e7c7c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">: I found this site to be very useful. The characteristics that are listed
 * __ Rating __** // : [[image:mice3.png width="72" height="23"]] //
 * __Evaluator__ ** //__:__Julie//

// __Description__ // ** // : ////  This site contains information how teachers can collaborate and empower students and colleagues to work with you and join in on common task. Set goals to include the social emotional character development of all students. // //  **__ Author __** : Maurice Elias skills to develop students higher level thinking skills.//
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Ways to work Smarter as a Teacher ** [|http://www.edutopia.org/teachers-working-smarter-collaboration] **
 * __<span style="color: #7e7c7c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Evaluation __** : This site was useful. It can give you insight on how to use your
 * __Rating__ **// :[[image:mice2.png width="50" height="24"]] //
 * __Evaluator__ **// : Julie //

<span style="color: #7e7c7c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">//__Description__// **//<span style="color: #7e7c7c; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">: This site contains information to teachers that have virtual classes. The information given is valuable to first time teachers who are new to teaching their students courses online. ** __Author__ ** __:__ Melissa Kelly for teaching my virtual classes. The tips that were provided gave me insight on ways to become successful with my students in teaching courses online //.
 * OnLine Teaching Tips [|http://712educators.about.com/od/internetanded/tp/online_teaching.htm] ****
 * __ Evaluation __** // // : This site contains very useful information that I found helpful
 * __ Rating __**// : [[image:mice3.png width="72" height="23"]] //
 * __ Evaluator __**// : Julie //