Interactive number line

I have found this great interactive number line that is simple to use and has some great features. Click on http://www.standards.dfes.gov.uk/primary/teachingresources/mathematics/nns_itps/number_line/num_itp_numberLine1_6.swf
If you need help, click on the i button. As you move over the various symbols it will tell you what their function is. You can either show the numbers, or hide them. The numbers can be fixed or made to slide across the line. If the circle is blue, the number moves to the second position as soon as the second number is moved. If the circle is yellow the number is fixed. This sounds complicated, but play with it for a little while and you will soon get the hang of it. To work with numbers that are bigger or smaller than those shown (including negative numbers), click on the side arrows of the min and max buttons.
This really is a fantastic aid. have fun!

Holiday wishes

I cannot believe how quickly this year has gone. It has been hectic, and I am sure you feel the same way. I would like to thank all my customers for their wonderful support and wish them and other visitors to my site the very best for the coming holidays. Enjoy Christmas with your family and friends, and may you have a fantasic 2008. Don't forget to e-mail me your comments on catbooks@mweb.co.za I will be continuing my blog during the holidays, so if you are not going away, stay in touch.

Lines of Symmetry

Lines of symmetry is a difficult concept for children to understand. Click on http://www.innovationslearning.co.uk/subjects/maths/activities/year3/symmetry/shape_game.asp to find a symmetry game that the learners can play and learn from at the same time. Click the Start button to begin the game.A shape will appear. On the left are two buttons. Shape facts gives you ten shapes and if you click on one of those shapes it will tell you the number of sides, corners and lines of symmetry. The question mark button is a help button.

Guess the lines of symmetry and if you get it wrong, the shape will automatically fold to show you the lines of symmetry. Correct your answer, and click on the next shape. Complete the game and see what your final score is.

Another interactive site that can be used to teach learners about symmetry is http://www.hbschool.com/activity/show_me/e673.htm It is short and quite a good way to introduce the topic.

Ancient Greece

I have found a site that has practically all the information that you need to teach primary school learners about Ancient Greece. It has been developed by Woodlands Junior School in the UK .Learners could do all the research for a project using just this site. Click on http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/Homework/greece/interactive.htm

On your left is a list of subjects to select from including titles such as Daily Life, Food, Greek Gods and Greek Mythology.

It has several interactive programs such as a timeline, quiz and wordsearch. All the programmes are easy to use, bright with appealing graphics aimed at primary school children.

Have fun.

The Water Cycle

I stumbled on this lovely site that explains the water cycle, how water gets from rainwater to our homes, and the uses of water. Click on http://www.cardiffschools.net/~roelmann/whiteboard/general/Science-water.ppt#1 When the tap appears, click on the tap and the water cycle is shown. Click on the picture for each stage of the water cycle to appear, with an explanation of what is happening.

When the water cycle is completed, an explanation of the way water gets to our homes is given. This is followed by a task and then the uses of water at play, at work, at home and in the environment is given. The Beauty of water is then illustrated using photographs and finally there is a diary to record water usage.

This programme requires a lot 'clicking' to get from one picture to the next, so if nothing happens, just click on the page.

This programme is suitable for grade 3 and grade 4 learners.

Greater than or less than

There are wonderful maths programmes available, and this one is simple and effective. Click on http://www.crickweb.co.uk/assets/resources/flash.php?&file=ncmenu for this Drag and Drop activity that teaches children the concept of numbers that are greater than or less than.

There are three sections:

Numbers to 100

Numbers to 1000

Numbers to 10000

Have Fun!

Properties of Solids,Liquids and Gases

Click on http://www.abpischools.org.uk/resources/solids-liquids-gases/index.asp for a learner-friendly site on solids, liquids and gases. The first section has animated cartoons with sound that explain each concept in a clear and fun way. There is also a section that provides printable worksheets that relate to the topic, and finally there is a section that has a quiz that can be used to test the learners knowledge - try it out. It is loads of fun and the children will thoroughly enjoy it.

Creating Graphic Organizers

One of the best ways to learn or understand information, is to re-organize the information into the form of a graphic organizer. Drawing the outline of the organizer is very time consuming, but not any more.

Click on http://gotoscience.com/Graphic_Organizers.html for a wonderful website that offers more than 70 printable graphic organizers in word or PDF format.

Choose from Venn Diagrams, Spider Diagrams, Who/What/When/Why/How/Where, Compare and Contrast Charts, Event sequencing and so much more....... I am truly amazed at what is available to teachers - and its all FREE.