As I take a brief interlude from my daily blogging regime to develop a workshop, I am pleased to share an archived copy of a monthly article I wrote a couple of years ago…

There has been a lot of “buzz” about helping students build and hone 21st Century skills lately. What exactly are 21st Century skills and how are educators supposed to support and find time to add additional curriculum to the material we are already expected to cover in our classrooms? Certainly, there are no easy answers, but I do feel that technology integration can be used to support your curriculum and the elements of the Framework for the 21st Century Learning.

In this column I will focus on the overarching framework of teaching Core Subjects and 21st Century Themes. There are many online resources that support this framework. I have listed a few that I recommend below…

English, reading or language arts

• Thinkfinity: Read * Write * Think – teachers can access numerous lessons, interactive online tools, and materials that support ELA and reading skills. Take time to explore the Web Resource Site and Student Materials found at this site. The interactive Student Materials are especially motivating and engaging to students.
• Reading Resource Site – this is a site I helped develop for reading teachers a few years ago. The site provides numerous links to some excellent online resources.

World Languages

• Super Language Websites – while the layout of this site is initially confusing, I did find that the site served as a portal to a vast number of resources for different languages that include Spanish, French, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, Italian, Arabic, Hindi, Portuguese, German, and Latin. Select a language; then, scroll down to see an array of related resource links.

Arts

• Thinkfinity ArtsEdge – includes excellent music, art and drama sites that can be usee to build or compliment units of study
• Using Technology for Creative Curriculum Extensions – I have not had time to update this site in a while, but it serves as a portal to numerous art-related resources. This site was designed to support a workshop I presented at NECC several years ago.
• MENC: The National Conference for Music Education – the website for MENC, a professional organization that advocates to maintain national standards for Music Education.
• NYSSMA: New York State School Music Association – the website for the professional music education association in New York State and an affiliate of MENC.

Mathematics

• Thinkfinity Illuminations Homepage – check the spotlight sites on this page.
• Mathematics Resources – this is a portal site I developed several years ago for educators K-12
• Metric Matters – a site I developed to help teachers teach the metric system

Economics

• Thinkfinity EconEdLink Homepage – check the spotlights sites on this page.

Science

• Thinkfinity Science NetLinks Homepage – check the spotlight sites on this page.
• Science Animations, Movies & Interactive Tutorial Links - North Harris College has posted a number of excellent resources that you may find helpful.
• eNature.com
• NASA Education Program
• The Yuckiest Site on the Internet
• What Would You Like to Know About Geology?

Geography

• Thinkfinity Xpedition Homepage – check the spotlight sites on this page.
• Google Earth – download this free program…it is terrific!
• www.World News – I developed this site as a resource for students who are researching areas in the world (which include our states). I have also included a link to several additional geography resources on this site.

History

• Thinkfinity Xpedition Homepage – check the spotlight sites on this page.
• Resources for Secondary Social Studies Teachers – I developed this site as part of a workshop I offered to Social Studies teachers in the Southern Tier.

Government and Civics

• Thinkfinity Xpedition Homepage – check the spotlight sites on this page.
• Resources for Secondary Social Studies Teachers – I developed this site as part of a workshop I offered to Social Studies teachers in the Southern Tier.
• Proud to Be An American Site – this site includes a page of governement resources
• Celebrate Constitution Day in Your Classroom

In addition to the subjects listed above, 21st Century Skills also weaving 21st century interdisciplinary themes into core subjects:

Global awareness

• International Forum on Global Awareness
• Global Awareness site – information for students and educators
• Skype – give students an opportunity to talk with other students around the world (check with administration first)

Financial, economic, business and entrepreneurial literacy

• Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education – this website includes some excellent white paper articles
• Money Instructor.com – there are several free resources on this site, though there is a cost if you wish to access all the available material
• Innovative Teaching Economics site – this site serves as a portal to econimic and money-related sites

Civic literacy

• Center for Civic Education – Access excellent civic resources at this site.
• Celebrate Constitution Day in Your Classroom – I developed this site in response to the newly celebrated Constitution Day
• Proud to Be An American Site – resources to help students learn about patriotic symbols, words, and songs in the United States

Health literacy

• Healthopedia.com – a medical and health consumer information resource
• KidsHealth – information for parents, kids, and teens
• PE Central – a great site for physical education and health educators