Moving on to the next topic we worked on podcasts. Everyone was taken through the steps, 1-2-3-4 and ta- da!  We had created our very own podcast. To create your podcast you need very little equipment and free downloadable software. Equipment includes a computer connected to the Internet, Audacity, a LAME file on the computer (also downloadable for free), and a simple headset with microphone. A prepared script is helpful and keeps you on target for recording the podcast. Open Audacity, record your podcast, save the project, then export the file as an MP3 (this is where the LAME file is needed). Some ideas suggested for using the podcasts were book reviews, culminating unit projects, instructional assistance, and even test prep.

Some resources to help with podcasts:

Podcasting with Audacity: Creating a Podcast With Free Audio Software | Page 4 – webreference.com

LAME File Must have this file on  the same computer as the Audacity files.

Music (look under jamendo):

Creative Commons Search

How you can use podcasts in the classroom:

Tony Vincent’s Learning in Hand – Home

Last we checked out Thinkfinity. This is another great resource available from the GADOE website. Corporate sponsors (Verizon and others) support and provide teaching resources from this site. It is a great location for lesson plans and activities that are already correlated to the state standards. Check it out!

Sports Media PE Links Database

http://www.sports-media.org/links/data/index.html

This site provides links to lesson plans for teaching and coaching many types of sports. While the page itself is not eye-catching, the links take you to the rules for playing the games identified. Helpful for new P.E. teachers, as well as those who need to brush up on the rules and regulations for a particular game.  Submitted by Dr. L. Conoly

PE Central

http://www.pecentral.org/ (check out the menu tabs below the title)

This Internet site has a variety of information for PE teachers at all levels. Lesson plans, demonstration videos, assessments, bulletin board ideas, and other resources are included for free.  Submitted by D. Hinckley

information about the book being reviewed

questions for the audience

other information needed by the audience

Practice Podcast

Social Studies Resources

History Matters

http://historymatters.gmu.edu/

The following is a very highly regarded and often used history resource, particularly for the study of primary sources, the backbone of historical inquiry. This source is most appropriate for high school and college, but ideas can be adapted for planning lessons in the younger grades. Teachers can also get ideas for useful web sites from this source.    Submitted by C. Walton

Brain Pop

http://www.brainpop.com/socialstudies/
This site provides you with videos about the following topics in history: culture, famous historical figures, U.S. government and law, world history, economics, geography, and U.S. history. When you click on each topic you are taken to a site that has a lot of subtopics. Each one has a brief explanation of the video and a quiz at the end of the video.  Submitted by A. Spencer

Ben’s Guide

http://bensguide.gpo.gov/index.html

This site contains a wealth of information to use in teaching about the U.S. Government. The information on this site is divided into groups according to grade levels. There is also a parent and teacher information section. The site includes age-appropriate explanations of government, interactive games, and numerous links to official government sites. It is a great resource.  Submitted by K. Feldmann

Lesson Plan Page

http://www.lessonplanspage.com/SSOMembersInACommunity12.htm

This site is an excellent source for teaching Community Helpers for first and second grades. This lesson teaches students about the importance of having community helpers and the effect of not having community helpers around.  Submitted by A. Williams

http://classroom.jc-schools.net/SS-units/

This site is created by the Jefferson County schools in Tennessee and is a wealth of information and resources for students and teachers k-8. The links range from famous people, places, cultures, government, and current events with interactive activities and maps. Submitted by B. Reynolds

History

http://www.history.com/

After visiting this history site, one will realize that this is a great Social Studies resource that will provide a ton of information, speeches, photos, videos, audio clips, as well as DVD’s and lesson plans to purchase for either personal or professional use. I decided to try out the site’s search engine for Georgia since the standards for our native state are used extensively in eighth grade and found it to contain 174 pages of hyperlinks about Georgia.  Submitted by A. Clinkscales

Social Studies for Kids

http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com

The Social Studies for Kids offers a wide range of information for students and teachers, ranging from interactive timelines that explore the American Revolution to current events like the 2010 Soccer World cup through links to other websites. Students can explore both ancient and modern maps, learn about various cultures, holidays, languages, and religions that make up societies around the world. Links are provided for both U.S. and World goverments. Short descriptions are provided with each link.  Submitted by Dr. L. Conoly

Social Studies Lesson Plans

http://www.col-ed.org/cur/social.html

This web site is an excellent resource for social studies grades K-12. The lesson plans are divided into three levels, elementary, intermediate, and high school.  Out beside each text link, there is a short description of the lesson. One disadvantage is that the lessons are not organized by grade level or standards; however, the prime advantage is that you find only resources, no advertisements, distracting links, or useless graphics.  The lesson content covers various Georgia Performance Standards, from geography, to government, to economics. Submitted by A. Hamm

Education World

www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/lesson/lesson147.shtml

This website has 12 lesson plans available, many of which can be modified for different grade levels. It concentrates on the era of the Great Depression and has links to video clips, radio programs, actual news story headlines, music, art, interviews, and personal accounts. In addition, it lists eight more resources at the conclusion of the listed lesson plans. This would fulfill the eighth grade GPS SS8H8. Great site!   Submitted by S. Griffin