Finding new tools and resources to keep students engaged and interested can be a very time consuming task. With the advent of the web, this task has become much easier, yet still takes some time to eliminate the wheat from the chaff.
Since every good teacher could use a little help with new resources, here are a few links to places on the web where free lesson plans, fun teaching books, professional development books and children’s stories are available.
Kids Activities Blog
This website is a collection of activities for children toddler size to middle school with science experiments, match activities, reading, games and artistic projects.
Have Fun Teaching
Inference Activities – match the statements to pictures, and make inferences from what can be seen. Reading comprehension, social studies, science, English, Math, Grade Level Worksheets.
Swimming into Second
Free plant observation book.
Teach Junkie
Free and instant teacher downloads, printable resources and activities.
Microsoft.com/education
Tools for teaching technology in the classroom.
PBS Teachers
PBS Teachers offers a series of materials for preschool and early elementary educators. Fun activities and related books for over 100 common themes.
The Library of Congress
The Library of Congress has a large number of aids to teachers to use in the classroom and for use in teacher education.
Soft Schools
Lots of free resources includes games and worksheets for a large number of subjects ranging from preschool to middle school.
Teachers.net
Wide range and variety of ideas and lesson plans submitted by teachers.
Tools for Educators
Templates, game maker, worksheets, and material maker for teachers.
Teacher’s First
Resources, lesson plans grouped by grade level and subject reviewed by teachers. Over 12,000 in all.
Discovery Education
Free classroom resources and tools designed for teachers and parents: interactive games, puzzles, lesson plans, programs and contests and more.
Free resources for teachers can be found all over the web; however, finding the ones that fit your particular needs may take a little more vetting.
I hope this list has been a good starting point to find the resources you need.