After investigating simulations listed on thinkport.org, I chose two websites that would be valuable for my teaching in the classroom. These interactive websites would not only be more efficient for me to use, but would keep my students engaged and applying their higher-order thinking skills. The creativity and fun would benefit not just the students, but myself as well!
The first simulation site was www.schoolhousetech.com. On this site, I can create worksheet activities that build and reinforce important vocabulary skills in my language arts classroom. The worksheets can be used for a wide range of student levels and abilities, which would be a great advantage to me as I have a large amount of special education students. Also, as teacher who regularly creates my own quizzes and tests, the test generator sounded almost too good to be true. The test generator software provides a much quicker and more eye-catching software than my usual Word documents I create. It also creates an answer sheet as well as different versions of the test to curtail cheating. The bingo game creator was another great feature. I play review games at least one day a week to reinforce concepts and to make a day of review more fun and involving. With this software, the complicated logistics are already worked out for you. The generator prints out randomized bingo cards, and comes with call sheets that make it easy to call the game as well as check the winning combinations.
The second simulation site, www.readwritethink.org, has been a site that I frequent often. As a Language Arts teacher, I use several of their features, from the comic strip maker, to the story map, to the plot diagram interactive. With each tool comes accompanying lesson plans with the interactive being used. These provide great ways to get started with each interactive. It also has a section for parent resources and professional development; that way the adults both at home and in the school are benefited as well. I must admit, that due to time constraints in the classroom, I have never been able to fully search this site as intended. However, due to this project, I came across what is now my favorite aspect of the website. The ReadWriteThink Printing Press is a kid-friendly interactive that allows students to create brochures, newspapers, flyers, and even booklets. This format of this tool is better-suited for my students, rather than the usual Microsoft Office programs I implement in the classroom.
These simulators will provide great ways to incorporate different types of instruction into my classroom. They will not only make learning fun and longer-lasting, but will make the teaching even better as well. Can't wait to use in my classes!
Happy teaching,
S. Garrett
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