Education Resources

Take a moment to explore these Web resources and list of recommended books. Know of a great resource that isn't listed here? Tell us about it!

Web resources

• A to Z Teacher Stuff - A to Z Thematic Units Index
• ASCD SmartBrief - Subscribe to this newsletter for short items of interest to people who care about K-12 education (including early childhood).
• Brainpop - This site contains tons of animation on science and health issues. Great for students, even has mini movies.
• Commonwealth of Knowledge - Virginia's site for educators with information on SOL's, news and lesson plans.
• Education Place - This site provides information and activities for all subjects but is especially good for reading. It is offered by Houghton Mifflin, a textbook publisher. Other publishers have similar sites.
• FunBrain.com - Games, flashcards and quizzes for your students. You can even set up electronic quizzes for your students to take and have FunBrain email the results to you.
• Free Worksheets - Here are over 2000, free to print and use, worksheets covering math, science, language arts, social studies, phonics, reading, thinking skills and more. Answer sheets, too!
• Math and Science Literature Connection - Use childeren's literature to plan and enhance math and science lessons.
• Mathgoodies - Need help with math? This site includes lesson plans, puzzles, games and even math chat.
• McRel - The MidContinent Research for Education and Learning - applied research.
• NASA - Resources from NASA
• National Art Education Association - NAEA is a dynamic community of practice where visual arts teachers and others come together around a shared belief in the power of arts in developing human potential.
• National Council for Teachers of English - NCTE is devoted to improving the teaching and learning of English and the language arts at all levels of education.
• National Council of Teachers of Mathematics - NCTM is the public voice of mathematics education supporting teachers to ensure equitable mathematics learning.
• National Science Teacher’s Association - NSTA is the largest organization in the world committed to promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all.
• National Council for the Social Studies - NCSS is devoted to preparing students for college, career, and citizenship.
• Poetry 4 Kids - Great site to teach students about poetry, also a link for Symantec dictionary.
• ProQuest K-12 - Sign up for one of their newsletters for the latest in education resources.
• Praxis Study Guides - bullet-pointed listing of exactly what topics will appear on your exam.
• Puzzlemaker - Need a puzzle in a hurry? This site will create any number of puzzles for word search, mazes, even math puzzles. Solutions are also provided.
• Rubrics - Need a rubric? This site will help you creat rubrics for all curriculum areas.
• SchoolExpress - This site is an education web site offering free worksheets and software.
• School History - This site provides many resources for use by teachers and students.
• teAchnology - This site provides a review of sites specifically for teacher resources.
• Test Question of the Day - To prepare for the Praxis I test, try practicing with the Question of the Day.
• Virginia Department of Education - Official Website with information on SOL's, certification and job listings.

Recommended Reading

Bosch, Karen. The First Year Teacher: Planning a Classroom That Works. Washington DC: NEA Professional Library, 2010.

Bosch, K.A. Planning Classroom Management. Arlington Heights, California: Corwin Press, 2006.

Danielson, Charlotte. Enhancing Professional Practice: A Framework for Teaching. Virginia: ASCD, 1996.

Firek, Hilve. 10 Easy Ways to Use Technology in the English Classroom. Portsmouth, New Hampshire: Heinemann, 2003.

Lemov, Doug. Teach Like a Champion: 49 Techniques That Put Students on the Path to College. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 2010.

Piper, Mary. Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls. Ballantine Books, 1995.

Pollack, William. Real Boys: Rescuing Our Sons from the Myths of Boyhood. Henry Holt, 1999.

Ravitch, Diane. The Death and Life of the Great American School System: How Testing and Choice Are Undermining Education. New York: Basic Books, 2010.