Desktop Learning Adventures

It’s no secret that I love teaching math.  It’s also no secret that I believe kids learn best when they’re having fun.  That is exactly why I love math games.  Consider the following: It’s the beginning of the year and you want to see what the kids can do... Your math lesson is just not working... Kids' brains are fried from testingtestingtesting... It’s right before a major holiday break or long weekend and it feels like you’re herding butterflies... It’s right after a major holiday break or long weekend and if feels like you need to check for signs of life... You’re planning for a sub for the umpteenth time this year and you don’t want to have them introduce a new lesson... It’s another inside day because of weather, and no one is happy about it! ... Your math lesson ended early... (does that really happen?) You want to make homework meaningful... Your kids need some practice and you just can’t bring yourself to run off another worksheet... You’re exh...

One of the nice things about living in Denver is the proximity of several companies that house rocket scientists.   Even better is when rocket scientists have a conference and invite teachers!   I was fortunate to attend the AIAA Science Conference in 2009, amassing a whole new set of teaching tools to help kids get into Space-figuratively and, who knows, literally. Once again, I was jazzed by the possibilities I could include in my space unit. I had already been using the GEMs unit, Moons of Jupiter, to supplement the pretty dry curriculum we had.  This conference introduced me to Space Class, an online set of videos, interactive virtual labs, online quizzes, extensions and a teacher’s guide.  It’s hosted by NASA astronauts and experts, giving background information and narration to the really fun lessons for kids.  It’s designed for grades 5-12 and is free!   Space Critter from Ganymede, I think... :) Space Class not only jazzed up our Crater...