Content Recommendations » The StarrMatica Blog

Maps Digital Content

Jan 172018

Here are five pieces of digital content a teacher might choose from StarrMatica’s library to use social studies manipulatives to foster concept development.

Map Maker Interactive

Create a customized map! Zoom in to a chosen area of the United States. Then select the features you would like to see represented by checking and unchecking boxes. It includes a point tool, line tool, ruler, and icon set.

Landscapes Map Skills

Click on each of the four map skills (compass skills, grid references, symbols and keys, scale) to learn about them and practice what you have learned.

Adventure Island

Learn how to read symbols and a map key to help Kimo navigate Adventure Island.

Reading a Topographical Map

Learn how to read a topographic map of a national park.

Roadmap

Answer questions using a roadmap and a mileage table.

Earthquakes Digital Content

Posted by StarrMatica on December 12, 2017 Content Recommendations, Science Resources Comments Off

Dec 122017

Here are four pieces of digital content a teacher might choose from StarrMatica’s library to use science manipulatives to foster concept development through visual models.

Earthquake Animations

Learn the basics about earthquakes with these animations.

Earthquakes and Plates

Drag the slider back and forth to explore the relationship between earthquakes and Earth’s plates.

Earthquake Experiment

Discover how different building materials can minimize earthquake damage.

1906 San Francisco Earthquake

View photos and footage of the aftermath of the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake.

Digital Content for STEM

Posted by StarrMatica on November 16, 2017 Content Recommendations, Science Resources Comments Off

Nov 162017

STEM teaching encourages students to solve authentic problems and to collaborate with others to design, build, test, and re-tool until a solution is achieved. A library of content supports this integrated vision of STEM learning with its library design which allows educators to choose content that complements and supports in class hands-on investigations. In this way, educators can integrate technology into instruction in flexible ways to teach foundational STEM skills and to encourage problem solving and group collaboration. The following are concrete examples of digital content from each STEM area.

Science: Keeping Healthy

Students control Ruby’s actions to determine what effects sleeping, sitting, walking, and running have on Ruby’s heart.

Technology: Blabberize

Students demonstrate their understanding of a topic by creating an original narrative that is delivered by a talking photograph.

Engineering: Design A Machine

Students are challenged to build a Rube Goldberg contraption to perform a specific task.

Math: Valuable Jewels

Students use a balance to discover the weight of five objects by comparing them to one another and by using logic. (You must be a StarrMatica member to access this content.)

How do you use STEM digital content in your classroom?

3-6 ELA Manipulatives

Posted by StarrMatica on October 12, 2017 Content Recommendations, Reading Resources Comments Off

Oct 122017

Here are five pieces of digital content a teacher might choose from StarrMatica’s library to use ELA manipulatives to help students develop concepts and demonstrate their understanding.

Exploring Onomatopoeia

Create onomatopoetic words to describe each sound you hear.

Persuasion Map

Plan a persuasive essay using this online persuasion map.

Character Trading Cards

Create your own character trading cards.

Myths Brainstorming Machine

Use this Myths Brainstorming Machine to help you write a myth of your own.

Create Your Own Comic Strip

Create your own printable comic strip!

How do you use ELA manipulatives in your classroom?

August Facebook Live Videos

Posted by StarrMatica on September 14, 2017 Content Recommendations Comments Off

Sep 142017

If you haven’t joined us yet, set a reminder on your calendar for this Wednesday at 7:15 pm CST to join us for our next Facebook Live Video! Every week, I go live on Facebook for 5 – 10 minutes to share specific digital content that may be helpful in your classroom. Past video topics are hyperlinked below:

Discover two interesting alternatives to common math manipulatives

Learn an easy way to differentiate your instruction using digital content

Discover my favorite free online graphing activity

5 Digital Getting to Know You Activities for Back to School Fun!

5 sites that make science come to life!

Take your students time travelingwith five must see Social Studies simulations

3 virtual manipulatives that help students visualize addition concepts

K-2 ELA Manipulatives

Posted by StarrMatica on September 5, 2017 Content Recommendations, Reading Resources Comments Off

Sep 052017

Here are five pieces of digital content a teacher might choose from StarrMatica’s library to use ELA manipulatives to help students develop concepts and demonstrate their understanding.

Foam Phonemes

Shoot letters and word parts into the air. Then, create words in the sky with what you have chosen.

CVC Maker

Switch word beginnings and endings to create words.

Writing Repeater

Write letters and words with this writing repeater. Then, play back what you have written.

Flip Book

Create a flip book to demonstrate your knowledge of cause and effect, fact and opinion, summarizing, or sequencing.

Letter and Number Formation

Learn how to write letters and numbers by watching and following examples.

How do you use ELA manipulatives in your classroom?

3-6 Math Manipulatives

Posted by StarrMatica on August 8, 2017 Content Recommendations, Math Resources Comments Off

Aug 082017

Here are five pieces of digital content a teacher might choose from StarrMatica’s library to use math manipulatives to foster concept development through visual models and problem solving situations.

Number Balance

Use these interactive balances to show the relationship between addition problems or to find the sum to balance and equation.

Create a Graph

Create a bar graph or a pie graph using your own data.

Equivalent Fractions on a Number Line

Use this virtual manipulative to create equivalent fractions and see them plotted on a number line.

FDP Bars I
FDP Bars II
FDP Bars III
Use these virtual manipulatives to visually compare fractions, decimals, and percents.

Adjustable Function Machine

Click the control panel to set one or two rules for the function machine. Then place each number in the stream to see the results.

How do you use math manipulatives in your classroom?

May Friday Favorites – Web Tools

Posted by StarrMatica on May 27, 2017 Content Recommendations Comments Off

May 272017

Each Friday on Facebook and Twitter, we share a curated digital resource from our library that is one of our favorites. In May, we focused on web tools. Here’s what we shared:

Zimmer Twins

Create your own animated movie!

http://zimmertwinsatschool.com/movie/create

Picture Book Maker

Create your own picture book. Choose backgrounds, characters, and objects and add the text of your story.

http://www.artisancam.org.uk/flashapps/picturebookmaker/picturebookmaker.php?

Printing Press

Use this interactive to design and print newspapers, brochures, flyers, and booklets.

http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/Printing_Press/

Make Beliefs Comix

Choose your background, characters, and objects, and add text to create our own printable three panel comic.

http://www.makebeliefscomix.com/make_belief_v10_u11.swf

K-2 Math Manipulatives

Posted by StarrMatica on May 2, 2017 Content Recommendations, Math Resources Comments Off

May 022017

Here are five pieces of digital content a teacher might choose from StarrMatica’s library use math manipulatives to foster concept development through visual models and problem solving situations.

Addition Number Line

Use these interactive number lines to demonstrate addition concepts.

Bears in a Boat

Are your students losing interest in your ten frame? Try using bears in a boat to catch their attention!

Grouping and Grazing

Try having your students group cows to practice counting by 5’s and 10’s or to practice adding and subtracting with a partner.

Number Balance

Use a number balance to compare numbers.

Hundreds Square

Use the counters on the blank hundreds square to practice skip counting.

How do you use math manipulatives in your classroom?

April Friday Favorites – Social Studies Resources

Posted by StarrMatica on May 1, 2017 Content Recommendations, Social Studies Resources Comments Off

May 012017

Each Friday on Facebook and Twitter, we share a curated digital resource from our library that is one of our favorites. In April, we focused on social studies resources. Here’s what we shared:

Civil War Soldier

Choose a side, enlist, and follow an actual regiment as a civil war soldier.
https://www.nps.gov/webrangers/activities/civilwar/civilwar.swf?activityID=3&userID=

Treasures of Congress

Explore historical artifacts from the beginning of our government to the present day.
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/treasures_of_congress/page_1.html

Pathways to Freedom

Step through a journey on the underground railroad. Roll over images to collect clues that may help on your journey.
http://pathways.thinkport.org/flash/ftf_1_0.html

Go West with Lewis and Clark

Travel westward with Lewis and Clark and make decisions along the way to ensure a successful journey.
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/west/

Older Entries