Wednesday, December 31, 2014

We are moving to EducationalResource.org

It has been about a year since I added a post to this blog.  The reason for this is that I have been working on a new and improved method of sharing educational ideas, tools, tech tips, and resources.  I have created a new site at Educationalresource.org.  I will be updating and posting to this site from now on.  Please come and explore the new site an let me know what you think.

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Math: Types of Angles Song by Heath

This video is well made about the different types of angles.  I think the tune is catchy and students can get a visual idea of what the different types of angles are.  The main angles sung about are obtuse, acute, straight, and right angles.  It also talks about rays and end points.  Could be a good video to introduce angles to young students.

Subject:  Geometry
Grade Level:  3-6
Time:  2:29


Math: Algebra is difficult says Stephen Colbert.

If you are looking for a video that can be a quick and entertaining video to show your Algebra students, then give this one a try.  Stephen Colbert has a good time pretending that Algebra is difficult.  It might be to him, don't know, but the final problem he does display to most students would look nearly impossible.  Its a very funny video though.

Subject:  Algebra
Time: 1:27
Grade Level:  8-12


Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Math: Sesame street teaches subtraction

Here is a very elementary video worth showing your students in K-2 grade.  It is definitely very elementary, but Sesame Street does an excellent job discussing subtraction.  It is quite entertaining.

Subject:  Math (Subtraction)
Grade Level:  K-2
Time:  6:16


Math: Geometry Rap

Here is a rap song about the different shapes and angles.  Words that are discussed are rhombus, right angles, triangles, acute angles, parallelograms, etc...  It features elementary students and is sung at about the elementary grade level.

Subject:  Math (Geometry)
Grade Level:  3-6
Time:  2:28


Math: Can you solve this word problem before the end of the movie clip?

I am going to try this word problem with my students this week to see if they can solve the word problem given in this movie, "Little Big League."  This video is sure entertaining and mathematically funny.  See if your students can solve it.

Subject:  Math (Word problems/fractions)
Time:  3:57
Grade Level:  6-12


Monday, March 24, 2014

Earth Science: The Great Alaskan Earthquake of 1964

Here is a short documentary created by the USGS about the 1964 Alaskan Earthquake.  Remember that this is the largest US earthquake in our recorded history.  The video is mostly in black and white, but that is because it much of it was recorded just after the event.  The video show a bunch of images of the uplift that occurred.  Your students will also learn about the subduction zones that cause the Alaskan earthquakes.  One of the things I really like is that the video demonstrates how scientists conduct experiments and observations by using core samples.


Subject:  Earth Science
Time:  11:37
Grade Level:  6-12



Physical Science: WKRP explains the atom

Remember that good old show WKRP.  What happened to great TV like that?  Anyway, in this video the teacher teaches one of his students all about the atom.  This clip is full of humor while teaching the concept.  He does a pretty good job of it too.  Lighten the mood in your classroom by showing this video during your unit on Atoms.

Subject:  Physical Science/Chemistry
Time:  3:50
Grade Level:  6-12


Science: (Astronomy) How much does Thor's Hammer weigh?

I have to admit that I would have never though about how much Thor's hammer weighed, until you this video got into the hypothetical science behind it.  After all Thor's hammer was made in a dying star.  This video isn't so much about Thor's hammer as it is about the density of dying stars.  I am only assuming that Vsauce, the video creator, did the research, but this video would make a great conversation starter when talking about density and specifically about the density of collapsed stars.

 Subject:  Astronomy/Physical Science
Time:  3:29
Grade Level:  6-12


Monday, February 17, 2014

Science (Ecology): How do wolves affect the food web and change rivers?

This is an excellent video about how the absence and reintroduction of wolves in Yellowstone affected the Yellowstone food web and even change the behavior of rivers.  Now you might be wondering as I did, how in the heck can wolves change the behavior or the Yellowstone rivers.  The images in this video are very beautiful and your students will enjoy this short video.  If you are teaching some ecology in your science classroom then this video is for you.

Subject:  Science (Ecology)
Grade Level:  5-12
Time:  4:33


Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Bill Nye-The Joy of Discovery

Bill Nye recently was involved in a debate on the topic of creation.  MelodySheep, a Youtuber, created a "mashup" of some of what Bill Nye said at the debate.  Whether you believe in a Higher Power or not, what he said about the Joy of Discovery is awesome.  It is the joy of discovery that makes every human being a scientist.  We explore, test, hypothesize and form conclusions.  Watch this video with your students to see if they agree with what was said.  The images and videos attached to this video are beautiful.

Subject:  Science
Grade Level:  5-12
 Time:  1:55


Saturday, January 25, 2014

Math (Long Division): Learn your long division in the style of Gangnam.

Levin Intermediate School in New York had a couple of math classes create a math video as a parody to the Gangnam Style song.  The topic was long division.  The toon is pretty catchy.  Way to go Levin teachers for getting your students engaged in their own learning.  When a teachers wants to discuss more on long division and demonstrate the process differently this video is going to be great.

Grade Level:  K-12
Subject:  Math (Long Division)
Time:  3:40


Thursday, January 23, 2014

Social Studies (Patriotism): I fought for you.

My friend just sent me this video about patriotism.  I get disgusted sometimes by the lack of understanding and patriotism in my classes when we say the Pledge of Allegiance.  I truly believe that most students and probably adults realize the sacrifice that was made on our behalf.  This video shows a grandfather who teaches his grandchildren a lesson by taking them to watch a film from World War II.  Like many kids they start off with headphones and Ipods in their ears not giving much attention.  As the film goes on, they start to take notice of events and unplug from that which isn't important.  We end the video with military veterans saying "We fought for you."  This video would be an excellent one to show your students during patriotic times.

Grade Level:  K-12
Subject:  Social Studies (Patriotism)
Time:  4:40

Sunday, January 12, 2014

Science (Physics): How small is an atom?

Here is another TedEd video entitled "Just how small is an atom?"  It does an excellent job explaining the answer to that question.  The science video compares an atom to the size of a grapefruit and a blueberry.  It is amazing to visualize just how small atoms really are.  If you happen to be teaching about atomic structure, this might help your students understand this particular scientific concept.

Watch more scientific videos here.

Grade Level:  5-12
Subject:  Science (Physics/Chemistry)
Time:  5:27



Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Math/Government (Financial): The debt limit explained.

CGP Grey have a video out called "The Debt Limit Explained."  I was searching for a video to show my Math for Life students about debt and financial situations that our own country can get in to.  People hear talk all the time about the Debt Limit and how we need or don't need to raise it.  This video does an excellent job explaining many aspects of the Debt Limit.  I think your students could get some valuable information from watching it.  After watching the video you can discuss the different aspects and even have a really good debate about whether or not the Debt Limit should be raised.  The nice thing is that Grey doesn't really get into the politics of whether it is bad or not.  He just gives a presentation on what the Debt Limit is according to how he understands it.

For more educational videos visit my new site that I am currently creating to house a repository of these videos.

Grade Level:  9-12
Subject:  Consumer Math or a Government Class
Time:  3:49

Monday, January 6, 2014

Amazing Kids: 14 year old computer programmer

This amazing kids video is one that I show to my Math for Life class.  I am trying to get my students to realize that they can be whatever they would like if they are willing to plan, prepare, and execute smart decisions.  This goes with the part of my curriculum about investing in oneself.  This video would be great for all teachers to show to High School students about how setting up your priorities now can benefit the outcome later. In the video we find a 14 year, who is now probably 16, who reads and writes computer code.  He has developed multiple apps and sells them in app stores.  His thoughts on how traditional school are kind of interesting as well.

For more educational videos click here.

Grade Level:  3-8
Subject: Amazing Kids
Time:  8:42


Sunday, January 5, 2014

Science (Chemistry): What are the different states of matter?

In this science video Bill Nye discusses the three states of matter.  He discusses the differences between solids, liquids and gasses.  You can always expect Bill Nye the Science 3-to explain the scientific principles so that every student can understand.

For more science videos click here.
Grade Level:  3-8
Subject:  Science (Chemistry)
Time: 22:40



Saturday, January 4, 2014

Science (Biology): How does our nose smell?

Here is another TEDed lesson on how our noses smell and detect odor.  This is a cartoonized video with a great story track.  This science video goes through the different parts of the nose and some parts of the tongue as taste and smell go hand in hand.  The video also discusses the difference between certain animals and our human noses.  One of the interesting science concepts that is discuss is why some people lack a sense of smell.  Some of those scientific concepts I hadn't ever been taught in school.

Click here for a TEDed lesson on smell.
Click here for more science videos.

Grade Level:  3-12
Subject:  Science (Biology)
Time:  4:19


Friday, January 3, 2014

Awesome Kids: 15 year old from Sierra Leone changes his community.

This video is about really cool kid from Sierra Leone.  He is 15 years old and taking garbage and junk out of dumpsters he has created his own generator, FM radio station, and batteries so that he could send out information to his community.  It is amazing to see somebody with little means create a future for himself and others.  Use this to demonstrate to your students that with work and desire, anything is possible.

Subject:  Amazing Kids
Grade Level:  K-12
Time:  10:07


Thursday, January 2, 2014

Science (Biology): Does being cold help you get a cold?

How many times to we tell our children to put on warm clothes during the winter so that they won't get a cold?  Well this ASAP Science video discuss whether or not we are lying to our children.  They do an excellent job visually presenting and discuss the effects of the common cold.  Why are we really more likely to get sick in the fall and early winter?  What is causing the illness to spread so easily during the cold season?

Subject:  Science (Biology)
Grade Level:  5-12
Time:  2:45


Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Science (Biology): What's the worst bug on the planet? How about the Mosquito?

Ted-Ed, does an excellent job teaching scientific concepts visually and easy to understand for students of all ages.  In this particular science video, we see how a mosquito behaves, a little bit about the history of mosquitoes, and the possible side effects from a mosquito's bite or sting.  The information is great and I think your students would enjoy knowing what are some possibilities if we were to actually eliminate all mosquitoes in the world.

If you are teaching a science lesson on parasites, then this video would be a good one to introduce the blood sucking mosquito.

Subject:  Science (Biology)
Grade Level:  k-12
Time:  2:39