COURSE TITLE:
FREE ONLINE CURRICULUM-RICH RESOURCES
NO OF CREDITS:
6 QUARTER CREDITS
[semester equivalent = 4.00 credits]
INSTRUCTOR:
Michele McRae, M.Ed.
360-910-2936
michelemcrae@pfdev.com
WA CLOCK HRS:
OREGON PDUs:
60
60
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Elementary teachers! Become a technology leader for your professional team and inspire your students.
Develop lessons using free online curriculum-rich resources that will engage students in every core
subject. Not only will you learn to access an amazing amount of online resources, you will learn new
innovative ways to apply them to your current professional assignment. This class will fill in your
curriculum gaps with free student friendly, current and standard based online resources.
Small samples of these resources are:
 Interactive pop-up books
 Ready to use PowerPoint on an extensive number of topics
 Posters for word walls and content areas
 Student friendly and developmentally appropriate computer keyboarding programs
 Interactive spelling, vocabulary and grammar games
 Printable reader’s theater scripts and free books to download
 Online music compositions games, and creative arts resources
 Dozens of lesson plans in all core content area and the arts
 Virtual field trips to learn real-world math and bring science and social studies to life
 Interactive math, health, science, history sites…and so much more!
Don’t waste hours looking online for resources, enroll in this class and enjoy exploring the vast
assortment of websites that are waiting for you and your students.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Upon completion of this course participants will:
1. Have knowledge of several free online resources that are available to integrate technology
into core subject area instruction for their teaching assignment.
2. Will be able to select online resources to create lessons that address core subject content
and integrated technology for their teaching assignment.
3. Integrate state and/or national standards in core subject areas with state/and or national
standards for educational technology into lessons to meet their professional assignment.
4. Create a bibliography of free online resources to integrate into core subject instruction.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Completion of all specified assignments is required for issuance of hours or credit. The Heritage Institute
does not award partial credit.
HOURS EARNED:
Completing the basic assignments (Section A. Information Acquisition) for this course automatically earns
participants their choice of 60 Washington State Clock Hours or 60 Oregon PDUs. The Heritage Institute
is an approved provider of Washington State Clock Hours and Oregon PDUs.
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UNIVERSITY QUARTER CREDIT INFORMAITON
REQUIREMENTS FOR UNIVERSITY QUARTER CREDIT:
Continuing Education Quarter credits are awarded by Antioch University Seattle (AUS). AUS requires
75% or better for credit at the 400 level (Upper Division) and 85% or better to issue credit at the 500 level
(Post-Baccalaureate). These criteria refer both to the amount and quality of work submitted.
1. Completion of Information Acquisition assignments
30%
2. Completion of Learning Application assignments
40%
3. Completion of Integration Paper assignment
30%
CREDIT/NO CREDIT (No Letter Grades or Numeric Equivalents on Transcripts)
Antioch University Seattle (AUS) Continuing Education (CE) Quarter credits are offered on a Credit/No
Credit basis; neither letter grades nor numeric equivalents are on a transcript. 400 level credit is equal to
a “C” or better, 500 level credit is equal to a “B” or better. This information is on the back of the transcript.
AUS CE quarter credits may or may not be accepted into degree programs. Prior to registering determine
with your district personnel, department head or state education office the acceptability of these credits for
your purpose.
ADDITIONAL COURSE INFORMATION
NOTES:
• You may work collaboratively with other teachers and submit joint assignments on all but the final
Integration Paper, which must be individually authored and submitted.
• Alternatives to written assignments (video or audio tape, photo collage, a collection of products,
letters to editor, brochure and Web pages) may be submitted as substitute assignments with the
instructor’s prior approval.
• To maintain privacy, please do not refer to students in your papers by their actual names, but
rather use an alias or designation such as “Student A.”
REQUIRED TEXT:
Free Resources for Elementary Teachers by Colleen Kessler
ISBN 978-1-59363-863-4 (pbk.) Copyright ©2012 Prufrock Press Inc.
MATERIAL FEE:
$12.95 + Shipping from Amazon.com for the required text listed above. The text fee may vary depending
upon your choice of bookseller.
HEADING REQUIRED FOR ALL ASSIGNMENTS
A heading is required; please use the following format.
Your Name:
Instructor Name:
Course Number:
Course Name:
Date:
Level: Clock/PDU/Credit (400 or 500)
Assignment #:
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ASSIGNMENTS REQUIRED FOR HOURS OR UNIVERSITY QUARTER CREDIT
A.
Information Acquisition
Assignment #1:
Please read the Introduction section of the text, Free Resources for Elementary Teachers by Colleen
Kessler. After you have read the introduction and How This Book is Set Up, Chapter 1. Write a 1-2 page
paper of introduction by responding to the following questions.
• Why did you choose this course?
• What is your comfort level in using technology in your teaching practices?
• How do you think you will be able to affect student learning by taking this course?
Send to instructor: teacher@pfdev.com Subject line to read ‘Free Online #1’
Assignment #2
The focus of this assignment is to become familiar with core subject standards and educational
technology standards.
• Go to your state or national academic standard website and review the standards in the core
subjects for your current assignment. The websites for Washington State or the State of Oregon
are listed below.
• Washington State OSPI home page:
http://www.k12.wa.us/Corestandards/default.aspx (Overview of new core standards)
http://www.k12.wa.us/CurriculumInstruct/default.aspx (Washington State Curriculum and
Instruction home page)
http://standards.ospi.k12.wa.us/(You may select grade level and subject to see their standards).
• Oregon Department of Education home page:
http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/results/?id=53
http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=2860 (Overview of common core standards)
http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/results/?id=54 (Content standards)
• Write a 1-2 page response paper with your initial selection of the standards you are interested in,
finding online resources to teach and the educational technology standards for your teaching
assignment. I recommend you select one standard for each core subject you are required to
teach in your current assignment. As you review these standards, think of how your selections
can help impact your student population and affect student learning.
Send to instructor: teacher@pfdev.com Subject line to read ‘Free Online #2’
Assignment #3
For this assignment read Chapter 2, General Resources for Elementary Teachers. There are pages of
online resources for you to investigate in this section.
• Read the entire chapter.
• Review at least 10 resources from this chapter.
• Select at least 5 to write a brief review of that which will serve as a reference for your use in the
future. Think of students who are having difficulty with a particular skill and what may benefit them
to achieve success.
Example: Dance Mat Typing (keyboarding) http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing/about: This will be a
good resource to use when teaching keyboarding later this year. It is easy for students to use, offers
lessons in a short modular style and offers two formats for students to use during instruction. Students
may use headsets to hear instruction or use the programs without the sound option. (Text, page 11) My
tactile and visual learners will really like this!
Send to instructor: teacher@pfdev.com Subject line to read ‘Free Online #3’
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Assignment #4
Literacy is the focus for chapter 3. This starts on page 31. Read and explore the resources in this
chapter. This section is a treasure chest of literacy resources.
• Select at least 1 resource that you have reviewed for 5 or more of these literacy topics: spelling,
author studies, free online books, handwriting, children’s literature, creative writing, poetry, early
literacy, vocabulary and cultural stories. Keep in mind students who you feel would find their
learning style addressed by integrating this resource into your curriculum.
• Write a brief review of at least 5 websites you feel will be useful in your current assignment. This
review will serve to become a reference for your use.
Example: Letter Sounds (subject area: Early literacy) http://yourchildlearns.com/dirls.htm
This site will be great to share with the Title 1 and primary team. This site will be great for beginning
phonics instruction. This site may be particularly helpful with ESL students. I will recommend this site to
parents who wish to work with their children at home. (Text, page 49)
Send to instructor: teacher@pfdev.com Subject line to read ‘Free Online #4’
Assignment #5
Chapter 4: Math Resources
This chapter offers literally dozens of resources for creative and engaging math lessons. As you review
this section I suggest you look for resources that will help build confidence in students who lack basic
skills and need practice on basic facts as well as advanced students who need additional stimulation to
see creative application of math concepts.
• Read the chapter and determine 5 or more resources that would be appropriate for your teaching
assignment and/or grade level.
• Write a brief review of the sites that you would recommend to your teaching partners or
administrative team to integrate into their lessons. Include the reason for the recommendation,
site address and special features you think they should look into on the site. Consider which
academic and educational technology standards are addressed in using this resource. How will
the information in this resource impact student learning?
Example: Math Resource
Abacus: http://www.ee.ryerson.ca.8080/-elf/abacus
I recommend this sight to the fourth and fifth grade teachers of the gifted and talented student program.
This site explains how to use an abacus, shares the history of the abacus, its role in ancient culture and
compares it to other counting devices from Mesopotamian. This will be a great integration piece to the
study of ancient cultures and their mathematics systems.
Send to instructor: teacher@pfdev.com Subject line to read ‘Free Online #5’
Assignment #6
Chapter 5: Science Resources begins on page 107 with an introduction by Ms. Kessler and ends on page
138.
• Read the entire chapter and note resources that you are interested in exploring.
• Read the chapter and determine five or more resources that would be appropriate for your
teaching assignment and/or grade level.
• Write a brief review of these sites that will be helpful for you to use when doing your science
planning this year. You are to state the title, web address; attributes of the resource and how it
addressed state standards in science or educational technology. Include how you think this
resource will impact student learning.
Send to instructor: teacher@pfdev.com Subject line to read ‘Free Online #6’
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Assignment #7
Chapter 6: Social Studies Resources begins on page 143. As you read this chapter and survey the
resources it provides, consider which sites you would integrate into your curriculum. I suggest you take
notes as you look at them and compile a list of resources that you feel will be part of your curriculum plan.
• Read the introduction to this section and the descriptions of the resources in this chapter.
• Select 5 or more sites to evaluate for your classroom instruction.
• Write a short description of their strengths and application to your curriculum. Consider resources
that you feel will appeal to hard to engage students and those needing additional challenge.
• Include one or more academic and educational technology standards that could be taught with
this resource.
Send to instructor: teacher@pfdev.com Subject line to read ‘Free Online #7’
Assignment # 8
Chapter 7: Health and Physical Education Resources
This section will give classroom teachers and specialist teachers of health and PE resources to use with
their students.
Since childhood obesity is becoming a national concern, this section of the book may offer resources that
will engage students and open communication to build understanding with our students.
• Read chapter 7 that begins on page 179. As you read this section, think of students that may
connect to you and your instruction to make healthy life choices. Keep them in mind as you
decide which resources to investigate.
• Choose 5 or more sites to share with your students in class. Write a brief introduction for each
one; note the main topic and two supporting details specific to this resource. Include the
academic and educational technology standards you are addressing by using this resource.
• Show the resources you have selected to your class. As you demonstrate the sites to the class,
ask them to tell you what they think the site does well.
• Ask the students to vote on the site that they feel will impact them the most and broaden their
understanding of health and physical education issues. Report these results.
Send to instructor: teacher@pfdev.com Subject line to read ‘Free Online #8’
Assignment #9
Chapter 8 Art and Music Resources
In this time of school budget cuts, art and music programs are being reduced or eliminated in several
school districts. Students need not be totally deprived of art and music instruction due to this. Chapter 8
offers many resources that make it possible for teachers to integrate educational technology and these
creative arts into their instruction.
• Read chapter 8 and reflect on the resources that are offered in this chapter. Survey those you
think would be most engaging for your students and support the instructional standards of your
state for art and music.
• Review several of these resources and select at least 2 art and at least 2 music resources in this
chapter that successfully engage students in art and music. Determine if the academic standards
and educational technology standards are being addressed through this resource.
• Demonstrate these resources to your students and ask them to rank them by their ability to
engage them and understand art/and/or music skills. Ask them which resources are most
engaging and expand their understanding of the subject matter.
Send to instructor: teacher@pfdev.com Subject line to read ‘Free Online #9’
This completes the assignments required for Hours.
Continue to the next section for additional assignments required for University Quarter Credit. Free Online Curriculum-Rich Resources
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B.
LEARNING APPLICATION
In this section you will apply your learning to your professional situation. This course assumes that most
participants are classroom teachers who have access to students. If you are not teaching in a classroom,
please contact the instructor for course modifications. If you are a classroom teacher and start or need to
complete this course during the summer, please try to apply your ideas when possible with youth from
your neighborhood, at a local public library or parks department facility (they will often be glad to sponsor
community-based learning) or with students in another teacher’s summer classroom in session.
Assignment #10:
(Required for 400 and 500 Level)
• Select 1 or more online resources from those you have reviewed earlier in the class for 5 of these
subjects: reading, math, social studies, science and art, music or physical education.
• Create an integrated technology lesson plan using each subject you have selected and a
resource you have reviewed from the assignments. The lesson plans must include these
components: Core subject, state academic standard being taught, grade level of students, title of
online resource and its web address.
• As you evaluate your lesson include how your instruction impacted the students in your class.
What new skills do they have that gave them a sense of personal power? How would you adjust
your instruction to make it more effective?
Sample:
Core subject area: Math
State Academic Standard being taught: _________________________________________
Title of online resource: ______________________________Web address: ____________
Grade level of students: ______________________________
Materials/Equipment needed to teach this lesson: ________________________________
Instruction: (How did you present the information? What was the role of your students?) Evaluation of
instruction: Create a survey to determine the following:
• How did your instruction impact the students in your class? Include samples of outstanding
student work—photos, videos, and copies of lesson assessment—along with your written
summary of results to demonstrate how this instruction made a difference for your students.
• What new skills or understanding do your students have as a result of this lesson?
Send to instructor: teacher@pfdev.com Subject line to read ‘Free Online #10’
Assignment #11:
(Required for 400 and 500 Level)
After teaching the lessons that you have developed for assignment 10, what is your professional opinion
of integrating technology resources into your lessons? Do you have a favorite site that you find yourself
sharing with your peers or the parents of your students? What makes this resource stand out? Do you
have the technology available in your school to integrate technology into core subjects on a regular basis?
Are you able to use a computer lab with your students? What additional resources would be helpful to use
these free online sites? Write a 1-2 page paper sharing your thinking on these questions.
Send to instructor: teacher@pfdev.com Subject line to read ‘Free Online #’
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500 LEVEL ASSIGNMENT
Assignment #12:
( 500 Level only)
In addition to the 400 level assignments, complete one of the following:
Option A)
Create a PowerPoint presentation showing the online resources that you found useful and engaging. This
could be a PowerPoint to use at a staff meeting or a parent teacher meeting to share useful, worthwhile,
free online resources. If possible, please include pictures of students in the presentation using the
resources or feedback from them.
Send to instructor: teacher@pfdev.com Subject line to read ‘Free Online #12A’
OR
Option B)
Create a video with your students that demonstrate the role of online resources in your classroom.
Students are welcome to write the script, share the impact this form of education has on their education.
Students and or teachers are encouraged to interview their peers to create this product.
Send to instructor: teacher@pfdev.com Subject line to read ‘Free Online #12B’
OR
Option C)
After reading this chapter and visiting a variety of blogs, create a blog for you and your students. Describe
the subject of your blog and the depth of student involvement.
Send to instructor: teacher@pfdev.com Subject line to read ‘Free Online #12C’
ADDITIONAL ASSIGNMENT REQUIRED FOR UNIVERSITY QUARTER CREDIT
C.
INTEGRATION PAPER
(Required for 400 and 500 Level)
Assignment #13:
Write a 2-3 page Integration Paper answering these questions:
1. What did you learn vs. what you expected to learn from this course?
2. What aspects of the course were most helpful and why?
3. What further knowledge and skills in this general area do you feel you need?
4. How, when and where will you use what you have learned?
5. How and with what other school or community members might you share what you learned?
Send to instructor: teacher@pfdev.com Subject line to read ‘Free Online #13’
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INSTRUCTOR COMMENTS ON YOUR WORK:
Please indicate by email to the instructor if you would like to receive comments on your assignments.
QUALIFICATIONS FOR TEACHING THIS COURSE:
Michele McRae M. Ed. has a passion -- creating curriculum that engages students and gives them
personal power. She spent five years as a special education teacher and has spent several years, as an
elementary classroom teacher in high needs schools. Michele has honed her technology integration skills
as Teacher-Librarian implementing integrated technology in her school of over 600 students. She
collaborates with the K-5 (including the gifted 3-4-5 program) classroom teachers to develop integrated
technology instruction. This instruction meets both classroom based assessments and educational
technology standards. She is a member of the Evergreen School District Library Department Leadership
Team, the teacher-librarian job description committee, which redefined the role of teacher librarians as an
educational technology leader in their site, member of the Instructional Materials Committee and assisted
in creating the educational technology standards for her department. Michele has earned the 21st
Century Certificate of Mastery through the Evergreen School District’s Educational Technology
Department. Michele has developed workshops in the Vancouver, Washington area on Internet Safety
and Screen Time for educators and childcare specialists. She lives in Vancouver, Washington with her
family.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
FREE ONLINE CURRICULUM-RICH RESOURCES
Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms [Paperback] by Will
Richardson. Publication Date: March 1, 2010 | ISBN-10: 1412977479 | ISBN-13: 978-1412977470 |
Edition: Third Edition
For educators of all disciplines, this third edition of a bestseller provides K–12 examples of how Web tools
such as blogs, wikis, Facebook, and Twitter allow students to learn more, create more, and communicate
better.
Computer Education for Teachers: Integrating Technology into Classroom Teaching [Paperback]
V. Sharp (Author) Publication Date: November 3, 2008 | ISBN-10: 0470141107 | ISBN-13: 9780470141106 | Edition: 6
This text places emphasis on multimedia and the Internet, covering topics such as digital photography,
iPods in the classroom, the Internet, and distance learning. A robust Web site also accompanies this
streamlined book. It contains video tutorials on topics such as creating a digital portfolio and making a
Podcast.
Digital Learning: Strengthening and Assessing 21st Century Skills, Grades 5-8
By Ferdi Serim
Publication Date: January 18, 2012 | ISBN-10: 1118002334 | ISBN-13: 978-1118002339 | Edition: 1
This book is an essential resource for teaching and assessing student's use of technology. This
comprehensive book offers a practical pathway for developing twenty-first-century skills while
simultaneously strengthening content-area learning.
Information Technology for Learning: No School Left Behind by Ferdi C. Serim
Publication Date: January 1, 2003 | Series: Big6 Skills
By forming Information Technology teams, you can harness the power of IT to support good teaching with
research-based practice. Learn how to incorporate information-based, problem-solving Big6T skills as you
develop your IT team and prepare both students and teachers for 21st-century learning.
Netlearning: Why Teachers Use the Internet by Ferdi Serim
Publication Date: June 8, 1996 | Series: Songline Guides
Many people have seen firsthand what can be achieved when students are provided with Net access and
shown how to use online tools to support learning. Educators who are coming online must themselves
experience what it is to learn through project-based, technology-enhanced approaches in their own
learning in order to support this kind of learning for their students.
Student 2.0 Can You Hear Me Now? by Jerry Michel
Publication date: 2/1/2012 / SBN-13: 9781425808464/ Publisher: Shell Educational Publishing
Cognitive science tells us that today's students think in very much the same way students did in the past.
The focus of this K-12 book is how educators can effectively deliver instruction that maximizes their
students' ability to grow academically and emotionally amidst the "noise" of technology.
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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
The Classroom Teacher's Technology Survival Guide (Jossey-Bass Teacher Survival Guide)
[Paperback] Publication Date: March 6, 2012 | ISBN-10: 1118024559 | ISBN-13: 978-1118024553 |
Edition: 1
A comprehensive guide for integrating educational technology in the K-12 classroom
This is a must-have resource for all K-12 teachers and administrators who want to really make the best
use of available technologies. This book covers the most up-to-date technologies.
Web 2.0 How-To for Educators by Gwen Solomon
Publication Date: October 15, 2010 | ISBN-10: 156484272X | ISBN-13: 978-1564842725.
Explores the very best online collaborative tools available today (including blogs, wikis, and social
networking) and Web 2.0 applications (Skype, Google Earth, Wordle, and more). The book describes
what the tool is and when teachers should use it.
101 Best Web Sites for Elementary Teachers / Edition 1by James Lerman
Publication Date: May 15, 2005 | ISBN-10: 1564842150 | ISBN-13: 978-1564842152
Learn how you can edit digital media for free online rather than purchasing and installing costly software.
Locate or custom-build student worksheets. Find video clips for on-demand viewing.
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