Teacher's Toolbox
Throughout your tenure as a student in The College of Education and Human Services, you will experience a process of continuous improvement of your knowledge of instructional style, educational trends and student needs. To aid in your development, we have come up with a list of helpful websites that facilitate the needs of prospective professionals across a variety of educational settings. In addition, please feel free to contribute any resources or websites that are not included in our list to be part of a genuine collaborative community. Please consult this page for information, resources, activities and techniques that relate to the following areas of both Elementary and Secondary Education:
Starting Out
While these videos are slightly outdated, they contain great tips on how to handle different aspects of starting at a school.
Chapter 1: Contacting your cooperating school
Chapter 2: Meeting your cooperating principal
Chapter 3: Meeting your cooperating teacher
Chapter 6: Introducing yourself to the class
Digital Literacy
Intelligent Use of Information Technology
Educause is an a comprehensive overview of the research, policies and initiatives
behind the integration of technological resources into organizations and academic
institutions. Particular attention is paid into the fields of Cybersquating, Copyright
Infringement and File Sharing related to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998.
A central resource such as this can also lead to opportunities for professional development
in the form of workshops and seminars both locally and nationally.
Stop Bullying/Cyberbullying
Due to the recent boom in the availability of social networking to youth and adolescent
teen’s, there has been a demand for measures to educate students, educators and parents.
Stop Bullying provides a wealth of information on what to look out for, ways to handle
bullying or cyberbullying, and ways to prevent these situations.
General Resources
Smart Exchange
Smart Exchange is a way to connect with professional teachers across a wide variety
of subject areas, where SMART Board lessons are free to anybody who has the software
readily available on their computer. Visitors can browse by subject area, grade level
or type of activity. Another helpful feature is that visitors can also search by Standards-Correlated
Lessons that model instruction directly in line with both state and national standards.
Borrow a lesson, or model your own activity by one of the examples provided, the choice
is up to you.
WatchKnowLearn
Finding the perfect resource to use in the classroom to supplement your instruction
will at times become one of the most frustrating tasks you have to complete as a teacher.
YouTube, Vimeo and other video Web 2.0 tools have made sharing educational media much
more accessible than the days of logging VHS and DVD’s out of the library to use for
one day and return. However, these environments can be particularly restrictive when
looking for specific subject matter and often times can exclude promising sources
because search terms are not correct. WatchKnowLearn provides a centralized location
for all educational videos that is easy to navigate and even easier to search. Categories
are provided on the left panel including, but not limited to: Language Arts, Mathematics,
Science, History, The Arts, Foreign Language, etc.. There is also an extensive collection
of videos for teachers and parents as well as links and resources housed within the
website as well.
Sheppard Software
Are you in need of games that utilize technology in the classroom, or that emphasize
key components of your content? Sheppard Software has compiled a database of instructional
games that correlate with a variety of topics such as Math, Geography, History and
Health. More abstract topics such as Art and Problem solving skills are also addressed,
which works particularly well in Elementary and Pre-K settings. Please not that these
are Flash Media games that do not work on Apple Devices, however, they are formatted
for students to use on SMART Board. Finally, if users scroll down they can also find
interactive games for use in the Secondary, College and Adult education setting.
Institute of Education Sciences Clearinghouse
Finding publications that review, defend or critique educational trends for class
can at times be difficult. The Institute of Education Sciences is a database that
references hundreds of Educational Publications to locate information on studies and
reviews on a wide range of topics. If you are in need of some support or further research
to justify using a specific strategy or method within the classroom, enter search
terms such as “Literacy” in the search field at the top right hand corner of the page
and view your results and recommendations. Resources and reports are available for
PDF download if further examination is required.
Have Fun Teaching
As you will learn after constructing some of your first lessons in the Seton Hall
format, there are many components that go into the successful design of instruction.
Classroom activities, formative assessment, summative assessment and behavior management
all culminate for each and every lesson you will develop. At Have Fun Teaching, they
have constructed an easy to use database that primarily caters to teachers K-5 by
providing resources such as: worksheets, coloring pages, flash cards, activities,
songs, videos and other instructional tools. The Middle School and High School sections
of the website are still in development and are promised to be coming soon. Everything
that pertains to current K-5 teaching trends such as Word Lists, Word Walls and Common
Core are all incorporated into this comprehensive teaching resource.
TeAchnology
TeAchnology is yet another archiving/database website that provides teachers with
a vast amount of resources from lesson plans to worksheets, and even classroom activities.
The ideal way to utilize this website is to possibly incorporate a task or worksheet
into your instruction, showing that you are developing professionally by seeking out
the best resources possible. Another way is to independently create your own resources
by modeling the specific strategies provided in the lesson plans and activities.
Edutopia
Sometimes it may prove to be a difficult task, especially in your first few field
experiences, to see the strategies you are being instructed to use in class applied
in real world settings. First, one should understand that students in teacher preparation
programs such as ours, are usually equipped and informed of the most current trends
in elementary, secondary and special education. This gap is what creates the difficult
in seeing what you have learned being instituted on a consistent basis. Edutopia,
which is part of the George Lucas Educational Foundation, provides these real world
examples on a variety of topics. Of the mentioned topics, the “Core Strategies” section
of the website offers information and videos on project based learning, integrated
studies, comprehensive assessment and even teacher development. Visitors can also
browse by grade level to find examples which fit their specific setting and apply
to their content area.
Literacy
Scholastic Book Wizard
Particularly in the field of literacy, creating leveled groups is an essential part
of lesson planning and requires careful reflected and assessment. After those processes
are completed, choosing books and resources for each level can be a difficult task
that brings in a great deal of subjectivity. Scholastic Book Wizard provides a tool
that will identify appropriate grade level for a book when identified with a title,
author or keyword. Just use the book wizard like a search engine or database and it
will provide you with the results. Additionally, the “Book Alike” tab will diversify
your search and provide you with books that are similar in style, diction and syntax
to what you are looking for to expand the classroom library to reach a variety of
preferences.
Teachers College-The Reading & Writing Project
The push for increased literacy across disciplines is one that should be met with
attention to detail and proper planning. As you progress through your elementary,
secondary and special education programs, you will see that the common thread throughout
all content areas is the development of literacy. The Reading & Writing Project has
dedicated itself to developing content, assessments and resources dedicated to improving
literacy. After clicking on the Resources Tab of this website, students will be introduced
to information concerning literacy in its many forms. Within this tab, resources are
dedicated to: examples of classroom charts, RTI, social studies resources, and examples
of student writing. Finally, the “Book Lists, Classroom Libraries and Text Sets” gives
instructors scanned resources related to Science, History and Mathematics as well
as book lists separated into categories guided by Genre.
Storynory
Diversifying instruction is a key component of lesson planning and developing meaningful
classroom experiences across grade levels. Particular to the elementary classroom,
literacy can be facilitated not only through analyzing books selected from a library,
but also in the digital environment as well. Storynory gives students another avenue
to explore literature and tap into more cognitive processes than traditional reading
facilitates. Each of the stories provided on this website are complimented with audio
that can be stopped, rewound and re-played for students to guide their own reading
either in small group or independent settings. Students who may have a learning or
visual impairment would benefit greatly from exposure to their favorite stories in
audio format. In order to make inferences, identify major characters and make predictions
the pace can be modified to match the level of the reader and take advantage of their
own unique skills.
Oxford Owl
The importance of giving students the opportunity to practice reading and literacy
skills within the classroom as well as away from it, depends on the students level
of engagement. Particularly at the elementary level, students thrive on visual and
auditory assistance that compliment literacy skills covered within the classroom.
Oxford Owl was started as a way to give students continued opportunity to be exposed
to multi-sensory literacy education both in and out of school. Oxford Owl gives instructors
the opportunity to explore fun reading activities, find leveled books and assess progress.
The website can be broken down by grade level (again for elementary students) and
provides an area where students apply the knowledge learned from eReading resources
to fun games.
One Stop English
Making literacy truly interdisciplinary is what all instructors should strive for
when developing lessons that reflect student prior knowledge and achievement. The
mixture of grammar, skills, subject area and grade level relationships give resonance
to literacy skills across a broad spectrum. One Stop English gives a central location
for instructors on all levels to find resources, lessons and evaluation methods related
to specific course content. Instructional technology is also introduced in this extremely
comprehensive databases for all things literacy, as a means of content distribution,
critical thinking and skills practice. Real teacher stories, experiences and anecdotes
are also located here as a means to provide teachers with practical examples of how
these methods are introduced in the classroom setting.
ReadWriteThink
The classroom environment is one that is driven by a three pronged approach which
usually consists of evaluation, implementation and the related course activities.
ReadWriteThink centralizes all of these lesson components into one space particular
to the area of literacy from early childhood to adult education. This website is extremely
beneficial to instructors because it provides ideas and models by separating its database
not only in the areas of Grade Level and Resource Type, but also the Learner Objectives
and Themes associated with the content area. By having the ability to refine your
search in this way, you can lessons you have already constructed and immediately add
a new resource in a more streamlined fashion.
Special Education
Psychologist School Files
The vastness of the amount of Learning Disabilities, particularly on the autism spectrum,
can be overwhelming for a prospective special educator. Preparation for experience
with students with special needs is done within your methods courses, as well as your
initial ventures into the field. Compiling resources to aid in your understanding
of learning disabilities and their affect on education, behavior and intervention.
On the far left at the top of the home page, there is a section titled “Disabilities”
which provides information on ADHD, Aspergers, Autism, Developmental Delay, Emotional
Disability and Learning Disability. Other sections include intervention techniques
and examples and tips for creating behavior plans and deciding a proper plan for intervention.
TeacherVision
TeacherVision has several sections dedicated to several different grades, themes,
subjects and classroom resources. However, particular to the needs of In-Class support
teachers K-12, there is a specific section entitled “Adaptations and Modifications
for Students with Special Needs”. Pertaining to our own lesson plan format, where
this section is at the conclusion of the template, it is important to note effective
ways to reach a variety of learners in your given setting. Modifications are divided
into categories related to English Language Learners, Math, Reading and Science. More
importantly, assessment accommodation strategies are located here as well as more
specific links to modification techniques for students with Autism and ADD/ADHD.
LD Online
As The College of Education and Human Services moves forward to meet the needs of
all students, we are currently offering Special Education Certification as a component
of both Elementary and Secondary Education. LD Online provides the visitor with a
plethora of resources and information dedicated to increasing knowledge and awareness
not only of ways to modify instruction to meet the needs of exceptional students,
but to better understand the details of their disabilities as well. This comprehensive
website gives the user a variety of ways to investigate learning disabilities and
ADHD from providing basic information, to resources dedicated to educators, parents
and students. A detailed glossary of terms is located at the top left hand corner
of the homepage, that can provide clarity to the specific instructional strategies
and characteristics of LD and ADHD.
ASAH
The ASAH promotes the collaboration between a number of agencies to promote the well-being
of Special Education students in New Jersey. The emphasis on professionalism and the
development of policy, curriculum and practice to address the needs of a variety of
learners are the primary goals of this organization that represents members and parents
and has been in place since 1974.
Autism Speaks Inc
Important issues regarding the way in which health care legislation affects parents
of children with autism. Topics covering a broad range of autism related issues including
insurance coverage, research and treatment funding and educational reform are all
updated daily with new developments. Keeping parents and professionals informed on
the latest governmental issues and their impact on children with autism is just one
of several components of Autism Speaks.
A better future for children with Autism, Asperger’s syndrome and related developmental
disorders
This website addresses the needs and questions of parents with children who have Autism,
Asperger’s or any Autism Spectrum Disorder. A child’s normal functioning as it relates
to social interaction, education, diet and exercise are affected by these disorder’s
and can make for stressful situations out of everyday activities. An in depth collection
of resources and insight has been organized by this website covering everything from;
behavior and life skills, communication, diet, personal accounts and stories and many
other interesting topics. A category designated for addressing the diet and eating
habits of children with ASD provides step by step instructions on how to encourage
children to eat foreign foods, sit with correct posture while eating and provide them
with tools to assist them eat more efficiently.
NJCIE
This coalition gives opportunities for special educators to collaborate with one another
through the implementation of workshops, demos and resource distribution to make inclusion
education a success. A variety of training opportunities, newsletters and services
are provided by the NJCIE and make professional development for members of school
districts using inclusive classrooms a reality.
Pearson Education Inc
Pearson has provided a comprehensive look at the way that special education teacher’s
in the inclusion setting can set up social interactions between mainstream and special
education students in the classroom. The development of curriculum and delivery techniques
is highlighted by this set of articles which describe factors such as environment,
helpful peers, and behavior expectations.
People CD Inc. (2011). ZAC browser: Zone for autistic children
ZAC Browser (Zone for Autistic Children) is an excellent resource for parents and
teachers of children with autism or a variety of ASD’s. The purpose of the ZAC Browser
is to provide children who may have difficulty focusing on the world wide web and
the variety of tools and icons it presents, by breaking it down and simplifying it
for easy use. Websites that are not kid friendly are not the only focus, as the difficult
tools, sights and sounds of the computer are minimized to increase the child’s productivity.
Giving these students access to the internet while also accommodating their specific
needs is the end goal of this internet initiative.
Idaho Training Clearinghouse
Provides a wealth of knowledge to parents, special educators and transition specialists
looking to maximize a child that has an autism spectrum disorder’s potential for academic
growth. Transition specialists who commonly lend their expertise to successfully transferring
students from one school setting to another, or to the workplace have will find key
resources such as podcasts on how to effectively collaborate with school professionals.
Other points of interest include monitoring student behavior and progress, assessment
and tips for accommodation and modification.
State of New Jersey Department of Human Services
The overarching quality of care and support for students with developmental disabilities
in New Jersey is addressed by the DDD. Their primary focus is for the well-being of
the whole child, giving parents and professionals access to services to assist families
who children or adults with a disability and provided them with the correct amount
of professional care and evaluation to allow them to lead a comfortable and productive
life.
Statewide Parent Advocacy Network, Inc
The Statewide Parent Advocacy Network informs parents of specific legislation and
information that will help them improve their child’s experience moving their the
educational system as it pertains to their specific learning disability. Empowering
parents is described as one of its most important missions, giving parents the necessary
tools to become active members in their child’s life preparing them for future education
and employment.
USDOE
The United States Department of Education wishes to create and area for teachers and
educational professionals to find the latest details and related subject matter to
recent legislation. This comprehensive website allows visitors to view resources that
indicate the proper introduction and usage of IEP’s, Early Intervention Services and
the relationship between IDEA 2004 and No Child Left Behind. Also included are state
and local rules and regulations, program safeguards and models of instruction with
district based programs to educate teachers on current issues.
Web and Mobile Apps
App-O-Licious
In the same category as the Multi-Sensory website, App-O-Licious takes the app database
to a more comprehensive level. This Web 2.0 tools serves as a shareable app database,
as one mind find at www.delicious.com or www.pinterest.com. Each member of this website
can compile, share and rate lists of iPad applications related to a variety of topics.
For our purposes, there are over 4,800 lists related to education in every field imaginable.
By navigating the SEARCH APP LISTS bar on the right hand side of the screen, visitors
have the ability to narrow their search or can browse the complete list titled “4,821
app lists in Education”. Topics cover a variety of educational fields including: Photography,
Art, Language, Storytelling, Everyday Math, Music, History etc. Apps for android devices
as well as Kindle are also listed to apply to schools that may employ different versions
of supplementary devices.
WordPress.com
WordPress is a blogging website made simple, for users who are new to the blog scene
and simply want to create a unique resource for their students to visit. Simple, pre-formatted
templates are provided for free, in a variety of styles for a variety of purposes.
Use this tool to store helpful resources, videos and update students instantly by
linking a twitter or classroom facebook account. A variety of EMBED codes are accepted
to make your site as unique and easy to follow possible.
Xtranormal
Xtranormal is a classroom resource that can be incorporated into a variety of settings,
from early childhood all the way through college level courses. The easy to use and
navigate digital animation tools give the user a variety of characters, actions, settings
and voice to pick from. This tool can be used as a hook to introduce a lesson, a unique
way to relay assignment directions or for students to communicate an idea or content
they have learned. Free accounts are available and include a pre-determined set of
characters, setting etc.. Anything from historical events, simple math lessons and
fictional characters can be brought to life through the art of digital animation,
which xtranormal.com makes a significantly easier process.
ISSUU
ISSUU makes publishing anything from an online version of your updated resume, to
important classroom resources an organized and simple experience. This fully customizable
area to exchange, rate and evaluate helpful resources could be a helpful resource
for instructors and students. Create a space for your classroom to explore assignments,
or upload content of their own, the possibilities for its implementation in an educational
setting are boundless. Customizable bookshelves can separate resources between unit,
chapter and lesson to make a more organized experienced for all involved. Students
can also submit their work in a new and unique format that will give them an opportunity
to be creative, as well as share their work as a group or individually.
Prezi- Presentation Software
Prezi provides a different look at the way presentations and lectures can be formatted
in a way to incorporate more of the multi-dimensional learning that students are used
to interacting with every day. Prezi is not formatted to use slides, it is a non-linear
structure that gives creators the ability to fly around a canvas, allowing users to
integrate photos, text, PDF documents and video in a way that clearly connects content,
while reflecting resource management skills. Students can be encouraged to create
timelines, develop bibliographies of helpful resources and breakdown specific aspects
of subject matter in an extremely visual format.
Show Me
As prospective teaching professionals are being educated on numerous ways to incorporate
iPads into the classroom, it would help to give them the ability to instruct students
in a way that is completely integrated into the device itself. ShowMe has developed
an interactive Web 2.0 tool that allows instructors and students to record their movement,
writing and exploration on the iPad and instantaneously upload it to a cloud account
where the recorded instructional video can be watched. Student who can much better
understand concepts by observing a model and developing their technique with an already
established framework, benefit just as much as those students who prefer to develop
their own technique and share it with the rest of the class. Create, refine and archive
helpful resources created by yourself and your students to reach a broader group of
participants on an entirely new level.
Visuwords
Every discipline of education requires students to utilize their vocabulary skills
to communicate their unique ideas, solve problems and express understanding or confusion.
This may be done in a variety of ways from developing word problems, recording steps
to an experiment or detailing a document based question. Visuwords is not an everyday
thesaurus or dictionary, it is a totally interactive graphical dictionary. This graphical
dictionary provides students with a color coded inventory of the interconnectivity
between words in the English language. Branches can have a variety of categories such
as; is a kind of, pertains to, causes, also see etc.. Create quick unit vocabulary
exercises, and find new ways to incorporate this static aspect of curriculum in a
new, and meaningful way.