5 More Blogs/Resources for You

Hi,
for whatever reason the blog is not allowing me to post anymore :( So here are 5 of my blogs/resources that I would like to share (being posted by alexis).
Crystol C

Review Cards
I have heard through various discussions around classroom management and reviewing for tests, that review or trivia cards can be very useful. My sponsor teacher has founded a company that specializes in making these review cards that are tailored to the curriculum. As of right now they consist of only geography review cards, but she is working on a new set for SS11, since the response from the first set has been overwhelming. On this website there is a description of the product and how you can purchase a set. Also, there is a list of school districts that have already purchased a set, so you can see if your school district uses them or not. The link is:
www.geospheres.ca
Enjoy!

Basic Map Skills
If anyone is teaching basic mapping skills, especially Social Studies 8, there is a great reference that is available in the curriculum library. Many of you might have noticed that the primary atlas that is used in your practicum classroom is the Nystrom Atlas. There is also a Nystrom Atlas Student Activities book that has tons of basic student questions and activities that you can utilize in your classroom. Check out with your practicum teacher(s) to see if they have a copy of the Student Activies version of Nystrom Atlas as well.
Curriculum library number: 912.71 N9512 2003

Instructional Integration
On my practicum my sponsor teacher gave me an absolutely fascinating book called Beyond Monet: The Artful Science of Instructional Integration. This a teacher’s manual that covers many topics including:
- multiple intelligence
- lesson design
- mind mapping
- academic controversy
- cooperative learning
- inductive thinking
- concept attainment
- brain research
- children at risk
- critical thinking
- learning styles
- emotional intelligence
This book could used for any subject and any classroom. This book was written by Barrie Bennet and Carol Rolheiser and is available in the Curriculum library, but you might want to purchase a copy for yourself to take notes and really dive into. The school that I am going to had workshops on some of the ideas in this book and apparently it was really well received, as my teacher wants me to utilize some of the ideas in this book to my practicum.

Energizers
There was this neat little book that I picked up in the curriculum library for a group assignment that I was working on entitled Energizers and Other Great Cooperative Activities for All Ages. It looks a bit childish on the outside, but on the inside there are tons of great ideas for energizing activities at all different stages of the classroom. These stages include: Meeting and Greeting, Matchmakers, Growing as a Group, Stretchers and Refreshers, Puzzlers and Posers, Racing and Chasing, and Fond Farewells. The authors is Carol Apacki and can be found in the Curriculum library under number 371.3 A73 c. 2 or it can be purchased at the Uvic Bookstore.

Cooperative Learning
I am sure that many of you plan on doing some group work or group projects at some point during your practicum and teaching careers. One great resource I found that could really help you in the foundations of group work is a book entitled Joining Together: Group Theory and Group Skills by David W. Johnson and Frank P. Johnson. I used this book as a textbook in a group psychology class I took a few years ago. I held onto because I was told that it would be a fantastic teacher resource and I see why now. This book focuses on how groups function and how you can build high performing groups in your classroom.