Featured 2-27-2014: My Learning

The collections of several arts, heritage and cultural organizations are the stimulus for My Learning, a resource for teachers and learners.

 

Search My Learning for a resource by subject, age group, organization, or keywords. New resources are added frequently, so please check regularly for new subjects and topics.

 

For a full list of resources covering particular curriculum areas go to the subject tab. Subjects also covers topics such as Citizenship and Enterprise that are often taught with another subject. 

 

The Age group tab is categorized by the different Key Stages plus Lifelong Learning, Early Years, etc.

 

Resources on specific themes and topics can be searched for by entering key words and phrases in the 'keyword search' box. The search can be narrowed to images only if you choose.

 

The individual organizations that contribute to My Learning can be searched for by clicking the Contributing Organisations tab. This will bring up an alphabetical list all the arts, heritage, and cultural organizations that have resources on My Learning.

 

 

My Learning launched in 2006 as a pre- and post-visit resource for teachers offering an integrated approach to learning with museums. My Learning has gradually been expanded to include resources from across the UK.

 

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: http://cmp.ly/0

Extra: 12-26-2013 The Grain Chain

grainchain.com is a comprehensive educational resource providing a wide selection of teaching materials exploring farming, food, and healthy eating within the context of the wheat growing and flour milling industry. 

 

grainchain.com is a resource to enable teachers and parents to inform children about the story of grain-based food - from farm to mill to plate. Find teaching materials, worksheets, videos, quizzes, recipes and activities about farming, milling, and baking. 

 

 Watch The Grain Chain: An introduction

Browse lesson plans by age and topic. Each topic provides a full lesson plan plus other ideas for lesson structure, content, and discussion. Search the database to find resources, worksheets, and videos to supplement your lesson.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: http://cmp.ly/0 

Featured: 12-19-2013 Class Charts

With Class Charts you get data-rich seating charts and streamlined behavior management tools. It is even possible to collaborate with other teachers and work together to address behavior issues.

 

Class Charts lets you optionally include and display key data about each student which can be used to intelligently position students in the classroom to maximize learning. Use icons or photos to identify students.

 

The seating plans you create in Class Charts can also be a behavior management tool which you can use collaboratively with colleagues to track and analyse student behavior. Quickly give behavior points and get detailed reports of behavior for classes or individual pupils. 

 

You can add students individually with the Quick Add feature or you can upload a spreadsheet containing all student data. 

 

 

Class Charts uses industry-standard SSL encryption for data transfer and key database fields, safeguarding student information. They are registered with the Data Commissioner* and all staff have enhanced Criminal Records Bureau checks. 

 

 Watch a video overview of Class Charts

 

Class Charts works on any Internet-enabled device, so there is no software to download or install, and Class Charts is totally free to use.

 

*The UK’s independent authority set up to uphold information rights in the public interest, promoting openness by public bodies and data privacy for individuals.

 

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: http://cmp.ly/0

Featured: 11-12-2013 Yacapaca

Yacapaca is a free formative assessment tool for educators at all levels using many different kinds of questions to deliver instant grading, baselining, and test prep.

Create, share, deliver, grade, and analyze a range of assessments such as quizzes, tests, surveys, e-portfolios and more with Yacapaca.

Yacapaca contains a huge database of formative assessments that includes over 15,000 quizzes drawn from a database of approximately 130,000 questions covering nearly 400 syllabi.

You can also create your own quizzes. Even mix and match your own questions with ones from the existing database. Modify existing questions, as well. 

Yacapaca supports 5 basic question types, each with many permutations:

• Multiple choice
• Checkbox
• Cloze (gap fill, with both strict and fuzzy match)
• Pair match
• Locate on an image

 Watch a video introduction to Yacapaca

Teachers use Yacapaca across a full age range including adult learning. They use it for starters, lessons, flipped classrooms, homework, and study.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: http://cmp.ly/0

Featured: 9-23-2013 Virtual Experiments

Virtual Experiments are multi-dimensional nonlinear movies of real experiments available on the web in any modern browser.

Virtual Experiments are not simulations. The user has full control of various parameters in the experiments so that he/she can carry out the experiment in their browser* just as if they were remotely controlling the real experiment. No physics or other science is coded into a VE, and whatever may be discovered in the real experiment can also be discovered in the VE.

Virtual Experiments are not intended to replace the real hands-on laboratory, but they can offer value as warm-ups to the real thing, or when equipment is scarce, dangerous, or expensive. They can be repeated as often as you like, and can't be broken.

Virtual Experiments are developed at the University of Reading (UK) Department of Physics for student levels from GCSE through to final-year university using a well equipped photographic studio and staff who contribute to their design, production, and programming.

*Does not appear to work on iOS devices

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: http://cmp.ly/0

Featured: 6-11-2013 Science Museum

Visit London's Science Museum online. Find out about the museum's objects, arts projects, and medical collection, play educational games, and discover climate science, and more.

You can also check out the Science Museum blogs, a tabloid history of science, and the latest contemporary science news. The Talk Science Blog gives great ideas for promoting discussion about science in the classroom.

Science MuseumTeacher Resources include activities, videos, online games and websites, tips, tools, and demos. Browse the resources or search by age, subject, and topic.

The Science Museum was founded in 1857 as part of the South Kensington Museum, and became independent in 1909. Today the Science Museum is world renowned for its historic collections, awe-inspiring galleries, and inspirational exhibitions.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: http://cmp.ly/0

Featured: 4/10/2013 NCETM [Math]

Created in 2006, the goal of the National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics (NCETM) is to ensure all teachers of mathematics have access to high quality continuing professional development.

To do this, the National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics has been developing a sustainable program of continuing mathematics professional development. The NCETM supports teaching schools and other improvement agents in their work with schools, colleges, and teachers across England.

The NCETM encourages educators to learn from their own best practices by working jointly among staff and by sharing good practices locally, regionally, and nationally.

Collaboration takes place both virtually through the NCETM portal and face-to-face through a regional network of established self-sustaining CPD network meetings facilitated by the NCETM.

Principal features provided by the NCETM include:

• Online support for professional development.

• Portal resources such as the sector magazines.

• Online development modules.

• Support for providers of continuing professional development.

The National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics also funds and publishes research into effective mathematics teaching practices and continuing professional development.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: http://cmp.ly/0

Featured: 4-9-2013 Making the Modern World [History]

Making the Modern World delivers powerful stories about science and invention from the 18th century to today to explain the development and spread of modern industrial society and all its effects on the lives of people.

Making the Modern World extends the permanent landmark gallery at the Science Museum, using the Web and multimedia to go  beyond the capabilities of a static exhibition.

Features of Making the Modern World:

• Animated scenes explore historical episodes, explain landmark discoveries, and take you to special places like the Apollo cockpit and James Watt’s workshop.

• The story timeline runs from the scientific Enlightenment of the 18th century, through the age of coal and steam, and right to the modern world of science and skepticism.

• Icons of Invention displays over a hundred amazing 'firsts' in the Science Museum, from the Rocket locomotive to DNA, that mark some of the biggest steps in science and invention.

• Linked closely to the stories, the learning modules support A level and vocational students in their studies and offer a deeper understanding of a wide variety of subjects to all interested users.

• Eight dynamic guided tours help you follow stories and paths linked across time.

• Technology is woven into everything we touch. Explore the everyday life objects used at home, at work, and at play.

Making the Modern World is sponsored by the ISB fund of the Treasury and the Cabinet Office, and is produced in partnership with mwr and Peter Symonds College, Winchester.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: http://cmp.ly/0

Featured: 4/8/2013 Association of Teachers of Mathematics [Math]

Established in 1950, the Association of Teachers of Mathematics strives  to encourage the development of mathematics education that it is more closely related to the needs of the learner.

Based in the UK, the Association of Teachers of Mathematics has about 4000 members, most of whom are primary and secondary school teachers. Through the ATM all those concerned with mathematics education for all age ranges have the opportunity to come together.

The Association of Teachers of Mathematics aims to support the teaching and learning of mathematics by:

• Encouraging increased understanding and enjoyment of mathematics.

• Encouraging increased understanding of how people learn mathematics.

• Encouraging the sharing and evaluation of teaching and learning strategies and practices.

• Promoting the exploration of new ideas and possibilities.

• Initiating and contributing to discussion of and developments in mathematics education at all levels.

The ATM produces policy statements and publishes responses to national and government initiatives. A number of ‘Working Groups’ examine particular areas of mathematics education to develop policy, resources, and action.

Membership in the Association of Teachers of Mathematics is open to students and teachers at nursery, infant, primary, secondary, and higher levels, numeracy consultants, and others. ATM speaks "for creativity, thought, and the enjoyment of the struggle in calculation, reasoning and discovery..."

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: http://cmp.ly/0

Extra: Great Lessons

A teacher since 1987, Tom Sherrington is currently headteacher at King Edward VI Grammar School in Chelmsford in Essex, UK. He writes a blog called headguruteacher.

He believes teachers need to focus on extraordinary, one-off lessons, but on things that we do every day and supports this with two related ideas:

• It is the spirit of an idea that is important, not the letter.  It isn’t about sticking to the rules. When good practice is embedded it is organic and doesn’t feel like a stuck-on activity plucked from a toolkit.
• In improving as teachers, we are not collecting tools, we [are] seeking to change our habits… the things we do automatically every day.

Sherrington is currently producing a series of short posts called Great Lessons that focus on aspects of routine practice "– because lessons can be routinely outstanding."

They can be read here:

1. Great Lessons 1: Probing (JAN 22, 2013)
2. Great Lessons 2: Rigour (JAN 27, 2013)
3. Great Lessons 3: Challenge ( JAN 31, 2013)
4. Great Lessons 4: Differentiation (FEB 3, 2013)
5. Great Lessons 5: Journeys (FEB 8, 2013)
6. Great Lessons 6: Explaining (FEB 13, 2013)

Featured: 1/31/2013 Resources4schools [Resources]

Resources4schools has gathered together free resources from the seemingly infinite number of educational asset websites into a simple portal where you can examine and select the ones you need.



The principal objective of Resources4schools is to make searching for free teaching resources easier for you. The process is in 3 simple steps:

1. Search for your resources using the subject panels or refine your search using the drop downs.
2. Click on the 'Post' or 'Email' button to request your resource via email or post (where available).
3. Indicate where to send your selected free resources.

You will receive an email with links to online downloadable resources you have requested and/or details of when to expect to receive any posted resources.



All the resources that you see featured on Resources4schools are free. You are not expected to pay for the resource, nor any postage or shipping if the resource is physically sent to you. There is no subscription fee to the site and no username or password is required.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: http://cmp.ly/0

Featured: 1/23/2013 Counter Challenge [Math]

Counter Challenge is a motivating, practical, fun game which provides a context for players to learn and improve upon their basic numerical skills.



Counter Challenge is a game of math and tactics developed around a combination of chess, draughts/checkers, and basic numerical skills. Players already competent with basic skills will also find the game stimulating.

The software covers three different games involving addition, subtraction, and division. Every combination of the standard multiplication tables is a major factor in all three modes.



Counter Challenge's user-friendly features allow players to quickly focus on the math in this one-of-a-kind, engaging game, making it an excellent teaching resource.

Watch a video overview of Counter Challenge.

The original board game version is ₤10.45 (UK), $16.77 (USD). You can download a free trial of the PC software version of Counter Challenge, purchase price is ₤3.50/$5.62. The Android version is ₤1/$1.60.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: http://cmp.ly/0

Featured: 1/8/2013 NowGen [Biology]

Nowgen carries out dedicated education work focused on engaging directly with the formal education system – in particular, biology taught in schools.



In the education community, Nowgen strives to ensure that the biology taught in schools incorporates the latest research findings.

Nowgen works with students through hands-on workshops and other opportunities to explore genetics through practical activities and provides teachers with professional development and engaging resources to help students with contemporary biomedicine, especially genetics and genomics.



Nowgen has a wide range of resources suitable for a variety of audiences, such as videos about the influence of genes on common diseases; lesson plans about the role of nature and nurture, and policy documents, such as how and why genomics should be taught in the classroom.



Teacher resources have been designed to either support part of a lesson or be used to create an entire lesson plan. When browsing the resources, the ‘tags’ at the top of the page help narrow down your results.

Nowgen is a center of excellence in the UK in public engagement, education, and professional training in biomedicine.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: http://cmp.ly/0

Featured: 1/7/2013 PEScholar [Physical Education]

PE Scholar is a new community website for sharing quality physical education teaching resources, lesson plans, discussions, and much more.



PE Scholar is designed to make it possible for the physical education community to share high quality teaching resources, engage in discussion, and access useful information.

PE Scholar provides a selection of high quality, innovative PE articles and resources that can be shared by educators involved with teaching physical education and coaching sports.

PE Scholar resources cover a range of topics including specific sports such as swimming, netball, hockey, athletics, basketball, fitness. You can find classroom materials like lesson plans, resource cards, worksheets, unit plans, ideas, and journal articles.



PE Scholar offers articles, resources, and discussion forums, where anything can be viewed, downloaded, shared, and discussed.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: http://cmp.ly/0

11/5/2012 The UK Safer Internet Centre [Online Safety]

At The UK Safer Internet Centre you can find the latest advice on how to use the Internet and new technologies safely and responsibly. You will also find a range of practical resources, news and events focusing on the safe and responsible use of new technologies.


The UK Safer Internet Centre has three main functions:

• An Awareness Centre that organizes Safer Internet Day in the UK, shares with Safer Internet Centres in other countries, and develops resources and information for parents and teachers.
• A Helpline providing e-safety advice for professionals working with young people.
• A Hotline for the public to report exposure to child sexual abuse content.

The UK Safer Internet Centre is sponsored by a partnership of three organizations: Childnet International, the South West Grid for Learning, and the Internet Watch Foundation and is co-funded by the European Commission.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: http://cmp.ly/0

COD - 9/25/2012 - Makewaves [Broadcasting]

Makewaves, from the UK, provides a free social media platform for education enabling schools to create and safely share videos, podcasts, and blogs.


The Makewaves school blogging network has been providing safe social networking for schools since 2003 when it was first known as Radiowaves. They work with schools, local authorities, charities, and government departments to publish internet radio, school podcasts, videos, and blogs from students around the world.

Over 50,000 students with mopre than 130,000 blogs and videos stories already online are using Makewaves regularly to broadcast their school podcasts and videos using a safe social network.


Started up by brothers Mark and Tim Riches, the Makewaves team now includes teachers, broadcasters, journalists, developers, designers, project managers, and trainers.  

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: http://cmp.ly/0