Structured Play:
- Playworks - Kids need to play. Playworks creates a place for every kid on the playground to feel included, be active, and build valuable social and emotional skills.
- Recess Rocks - Recess Rocks is a comprehensive movement program that helps reverse childhood obesity and enhance learning for elementary school children. Conceived in Connecticut in 2004 and launched nationally in 2010, it is a proven¹, low-cost and non-invasive way to help schools and organizations offer seamless integration of heart-healthy exercise into scheduled recess periods, teachers’ class-time lessons, and other times throughout the day.
- 30 Classics Outdoor Games for Kids - When I was a kid, we played outside with the other kids in the neighborhood with most of our free time. We also made the most of recess at school. We kept ourselves quite occupied without any of today's modern technologies. Listed below are some no-tech games that you may have enjoyed as a kid. I sure did. Some can be done indoors. Some can be done by yourself or with just one friend. But most of them are best when done outside with a group of people. Also, most of these games can be changed or improved by making up your own rules. Use your imagination!
- 60 Fun Outdoor Games or Kids
- Yoga for Classrooms - Videos from YouTube
- Ultimate Camp Resource - Free online guide to hundreds of camp activities, camp staff tips & tricks, and all things camp!
- GoNoodle helps teachers and parents get kids moving with short interactive activities. Desk-side movement helps kids achieve more by keeping them engaged and motivated throughout the day. GoNoodle is designed with K-5 classrooms in mind.
- List of Traditional Children's Games - This is a list of games that used to be played by children, some of which are still being played today. Traditional children's games do not include commercial products such as board games but do include games which require props such as hopscotch or marbles (toys go in List of toys unless the toys are used in multiple games or the single game played is named after the toy; thus "jump rope" is a game, while "Jacob's ladder" is a toy). Despite being transmitted primarily through word of mouth due to not being considered suitable for academic study or adult attention, traditional games have, "not only failed to disappear but have also evolved over time into new versions."[1]
- 20 fun Playground Game for Kids - A collection of 20 fun playground games for kids. These playground game ideas include classic playground games capture the Flag, Hand-Clap-Games, and Shadow Tag.
- 30 Classic Outdoor Games for Kids - Listed below are some no-tech games that you may have enjoyed as a kid. I sure did. Some can be done indoors. Some can be done by yourself or with just one friend. But most of them are best when done outside with a group of people. Also, most of these games can be changed or improved by making up your own rules. Use your imagination!
- Recess Games of the Old Country School - Presented below are instructions for and comments about four common country school recess games--"Annie Over," "New York and Boston," "Dare Base," and "Fox and Geese."
Coding:
You’ve seen the craze for learning code. But what exactly is coding? Coding is what makes it possible for us to create computer software, apps and websites. Your browser, your OS, the apps on your phone, Facebook, and this website – they’re all made with code. Play fun coding games to learn to code. Learn key programming concepts and computational thinking skills as you play.
For Free Coding Lessons, check out code.org
For coding ideas and resources, go to my page on coding.
You’ve seen the craze for learning code. But what exactly is coding? Coding is what makes it possible for us to create computer software, apps and websites. Your browser, your OS, the apps on your phone, Facebook, and this website – they’re all made with code. Play fun coding games to learn to code. Learn key programming concepts and computational thinking skills as you play.
For Free Coding Lessons, check out code.org
For coding ideas and resources, go to my page on coding.
lesson ideas
- How to Teach Kids about Contract and Rule of Law
- Real Estate, Math, and Financial Literacy for K-12
- Classroom in the Kitchen Lesson Plans
- Smithsonian Lesson Plans
- Math Lesson Plans for Shopping
3D Modeling
This course introduces students to Constructive Solid Geometry (CSG) by building models they know from games, sports and movies. Students also learn how to use the Creative Suite to create their own models, save in their user account, export for 3D printing, and share with others online. Ages 12-99.
Discover more about 3D Modeling at nclab.com/3d-modeling-course.
3D Printing
If you are going to do 3D printing, I recommended Tinkercad as the design software.
Once you create the image with Tinkercad, you will need a slicing program to ready it for the printer. I recommend Cura. Cura prepares your model for 3D printing. For novices, it makes it easy to get great results. For experts, there are over 200 settings to adjust to your needs. As it’s open source.
Many times the 3D printer will have a program that will do the slicing for you, however, if not, then Cura is a great free resource.
Once you create the image with Tinkercad, you will need a slicing program to ready it for the printer. I recommend Cura. Cura prepares your model for 3D printing. For novices, it makes it easy to get great results. For experts, there are over 200 settings to adjust to your needs. As it’s open source.
Many times the 3D printer will have a program that will do the slicing for you, however, if not, then Cura is a great free resource.
Personal Finance
- Hands on Banking: The Hands on Banking online financial courses include free instructor guides with classroom lessons and activities that will help you guide students through real-life scenarios, group discussions, and other activities designed to teach valuable money management skills and help them take control of their finances. All without endorsements or commercials.
- Money Instructor: Free lesson plans and personal finance activities
- Core Concept Cards: Free teacher resources by the Federal Reserve. Core Concept Cards provide a strong foundation of economic and personal finance vocabulary for secondary students. Using the accompanying Teacher Resource Guide to explain words and meanings should help students develop an economic way of thinking and lead them to make better economic and financial decisions as they become adults.
- The Mint: Hands-on activities, expert advice and creative ideas for learning how to navigate the financial world.
Record and analyze financial information for student projects. Launched in 1997, the site provides tools to help parents as well as educators teach children to manage money wisely and develop good financial habits: the building blocks for a secure future. Has app for handheld devices. - Jump $tart: Jump$tart is a national coalition of organizations dedicated to improving the financial literacy of pre-kindergarten through college-age youth by providing advocacy, research, standards and educational resources. Jump$tart strives to prepare youth for life-long successful financial decision-making.
STEM Activities
Hooked on Science - Mind-blowing summer science during Lee and Hayley. Fireworks are fun, but they can be dangerous. Jason Lindsey, aka "Mr. Science," with Hooked on Science shows us how to safely launch fireworks by using a few ingredients from around the house.
Teaching Engineering - TeachEngineering.org is a digital library of more than 1,500 K-12 engineering curricular items such as lessons, hands-on activities and maker challenges. The items feature problem-solving, project-based learning, design and systems thinking, and developing engineering habits of mind.
Mystery Science - Mystery Science offers open-and-go lessons that inspire kids to love science. The hook, visuals, and activity have all been prepared for you.
myNASAdata - My NASA Data unveils resources centered on the NGSS Earth System phenomena! This is a great resource on Earth science instruction.
The Private Eye - The Private Eye is a program about the drama and wonder of looking closely at the world, thinking by analogy, changing scale and theorizing. Designed to develop critical thinking skills, creativity and scientific literacy - across subjects - it's based on a simple set of tools that produce "gifted" results. Hands on, investigative, The Private Eye - using everyday objects, a jeweler's loupe, and simple questions - accelerates science, writing, art, math and social studies, as well as vocational and technological education.
STIIX - STIIX was started by an engineer, from a family of educators, with the mission of bringing meaningful experiences back into the classroom. They take lot's of pride in being a FUN, memorable, & impactful STEM experience for students, and a super EASY to use & affordable resource for educators.
Teaching Engineering - TeachEngineering.org is a digital library of more than 1,500 K-12 engineering curricular items such as lessons, hands-on activities and maker challenges. The items feature problem-solving, project-based learning, design and systems thinking, and developing engineering habits of mind.
Mystery Science - Mystery Science offers open-and-go lessons that inspire kids to love science. The hook, visuals, and activity have all been prepared for you.
myNASAdata - My NASA Data unveils resources centered on the NGSS Earth System phenomena! This is a great resource on Earth science instruction.
The Private Eye - The Private Eye is a program about the drama and wonder of looking closely at the world, thinking by analogy, changing scale and theorizing. Designed to develop critical thinking skills, creativity and scientific literacy - across subjects - it's based on a simple set of tools that produce "gifted" results. Hands on, investigative, The Private Eye - using everyday objects, a jeweler's loupe, and simple questions - accelerates science, writing, art, math and social studies, as well as vocational and technological education.
STIIX - STIIX was started by an engineer, from a family of educators, with the mission of bringing meaningful experiences back into the classroom. They take lot's of pride in being a FUN, memorable, & impactful STEM experience for students, and a super EASY to use & affordable resource for educators.