Tag: Wonderopolis

Creative Thinking, Education, K-12, Parenting, Student Products, Teaching Tools, Websites

Online Summer Courses

Terri Eichholz

If parents and students have been asking you about ways to stave off that summer slump, here are some online courses that I have been suggesting to the parents and students in my community:

  • Camp Wonderopolis: Free, and you can sign up as a “Camp Counselor” to tailor the curriculum if you like.

Camp Wonderopolis

Maker Camp

  • DIY.org Camps: Not free, but the first one is only $10.  There is a Lego Camp!

DIY Camps

Remember, students who have adults encouraging them and sometimes working alongside them will get far more out of any online course than most students who are left to navigate courses on their own!

Another way to go might be to give your student one or more of these creative ideas that I saw tweeted by @KarlyB this morning.  They are all using free iPad apps.  (Some may also be available on other devices.)

 

3-12, Critical Thinking, Education, Gamification, Motivation, Parenting, Research, Teaching Tools, Web 2.0, Websites

Camp Wonderopolis

Terri Eichholz

campwonderopolis

Many of you may be familiar with Wonderopolis, a fun site to learn about all kinds of topics that may have piqued your curiosity at one time or another – and even topics that you didn’t know might cause you to wonder.  This summer, the site is offering another free, online camp.  It looks a bit different than last year’s camp, as this year’s description suggests that you will be able to follow your own path of wonder, and there will be photo and video contests in addition to hands-on activity suggestions.  For more about Camp Wonderopolis, click here.

Education, K-5, Parenting, Science, Teaching Tools, Videos, Web 2.0

Camp What-A-Wonder

Terri Eichholz

WonderCard-chameleon

Last week,in my post about my intention to use more online learning with my students, I mentioned a pilot summer camp my district is doing with Edmodo. You may not have access to something like this, but if you are interested in offering something similar to your own students or children this summer, you might want to point them to Camp What-A-Wonder.

Camp What-A-Wonder is being offered by Wonderopolis from today (Monday, June 17th) through Friday, July 26th. You can sign up for updates here, or you can just visit the site each day to enjoy the new resources being offered for each week’s theme. This weeks’ theme: “Ant Farms, Spider Webs and Underwater Coves.”

You will receive a “Wonder” prompt, a suggested Family Activity, Recommended Reading, and Related Wonder article links – which often include videos and even more suggested activities.

If you want to do some virtual exploration without all of the headaches of packing and spraying on bug spray, then Camp What-A-Wonder might be just the right place for you!  The kids can even send postcards to keep you updated on their adventures!

3-5, Research, Teaching Tools, Videos, Websites

Wonderopolis

Terri Eichholz

Wonderopolis is a very engaging site that elementary school students could use to find out more about their interests.  It features a Wonder of the Day, but also has a catalogue of “Wonders” listed by category.  For example, under “Animals”, there is an article called, “Why do Cats Like Catnip?”  This site encourages curiosity and independent research.  It includes videos and fun facts that are sure to entertain and educate.  There is a widget teachers could embed into their own sites and blogs.