Adventures of a M.A.T.hematician by Chanel Allen

Target Age Range: 2nd Grade Resources/ 7 yrs. old

Cognitive:

Vygotsky talks about the Zone of Proximal Development, which is “the area between the child’s current performance without any support and the level of performance that the child could achieve with adult guidance or by working with a peer who is more developed” (Woolfolk, 2019, pg. 61). These resources fall into the zone of proximal development.

1. Jumpstart

http://www.jumpstart.com/parents/activities/activities-7-year-old

Cost: free

This website focuses on printable educational activities/games for 7 year old’s that are both challenging and fun. They have English, reading, math, science, motor skills, and stories to read.

2. Clumsy Thief – The Crazy Fast Paced Money Game

https://www.amazon.com/Melon-Rind-2013-1-CLUMSY-THIEF/dp/B00EBCDXCA/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=2nd+grade+games&qid=1552181537&s=gateway&sr=8-2

Cost: $14.50

This games works on the mathematical concept of adding within 100 which is a common core math standard CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.2.NBT.B.5.

Language:

Vygotsky states that, “language is critical for cognitive development because it provides a way to express ideas and ask questions” and the language activities that are recommended push children’s thinking so that they can enhance their cultural tools (Woolfolk, 2019, pg. 58).

1. Magnetic Poetry

https://magneticpoetry.com/collections/kids-stuff

Cost: $18.95 - $20.95

Magnetic Poetry are various box sets of magnetic words that stick to any metal surface. Not only will it expose your children to a richer vocabulary, it sparks creativity.

2. Reading Rocket

http://www.readingrockets.org/article/journal-writing

Cost: free

Journal writing for students is a great way to improve language and writing skills. It is a strategy that can be used within the classroom to promote fluency with writing conventions such as grammar and word usage.

Physical/Motor:

As stated in the 14^th edition of Educational Psychology, physical education and recess are decreasing; therefore, the websites listed below are ones that can be used indoors between teaching lessons as a transition to set your students intention before the next block of learning time (Woolfolk, 2019,pg.77). Both Vygotsky and Piaget believed that the brain needs stimulation, and this is a way to ensure that students are receiving physical activity.

1. Go Noodle

https://www.gonoodle.com/

Cost: free

Go Noodle is an exercise website for children that gets kids moving in your classroom.

2. Cosmic Kids Yoga

https://www.cosmickids.com/

https://www.youtube.com/user/CosmicKidsYoga

Cost: Free on YouTube, Membership available on direct website

Yoga videos for children that teach mindfulness techniques and relaxation as well as teaching children to release energy through various yoga flows and poses.

Social:

Digital media is a common part of students lives. It is easy for them to be bombarded with negative body images and experience bullying both on and offline. Students can deal with many issues such a bullying, eating disorders, obesity, and issues with identity and self-concept. These resources assist with navigating complications that come with social development. Bronfenbrenner talks about bioecological models of development and social interactions are part of the mesosystem (Woolfolk, 2019, pg. 81).

The Invisible Boy By: Trudy Ludwig

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvK_GicGueA

Cost: free

The Invisible Boy By: Trudy Ludwig – Read Aloud

This story is a picture book about a child at school that feels invisible and has trouble with social interactions. None of the students at school acknowledge him until a new student joins school.

2. Common Sense.org

https://www.commonsense.org/education/scope-and-sequence

Cost: free

Commonsense.org has a 3 unit lesson plan on digital citizenship. It tackles issues such as internet safety, cyber bullying, privacy, information literacy, digital footprint/reputation, relationships & communication, self-identity & image. Children are very tech savvy and are constantly using the internet without supervision. This resource helps teachers teach children how to be safe while socially interacting on the internet.

Emotional:

As stated by Piaget, students in the preoperational stage “tend to be egocentric which is why it is difficult for children to understand other viewpoints. Thus, resources were added into the emotional and moral categories that would assist students in cultivating strategies that promote empathy (Woolfolk, 2019, pg. 49).

1. Centervention

https://www.centervention.com/social-emotional-learning-activities/

Cost: free

activities, lessons, and printables provided on website and materials are typical ones found in an office/classroom. This website provides social emotional learning activities for elementary studies. Good for classroom/small group.

2. How Full is Your Bucket? For Kids By: Tom Rath https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1A1tyObgrZc

Cost: free

How Full is Your Bucket? For Kids By: Tom Rath

This read aloud is about how everyone has an “invisible bucket” and how interactions positive/negative can influence the emotions of how someone feels during the day (either their bucket is emptied or filled).

Moral Development:

1. Character First Education

http://characterfirsteducation.com/c/curriculum.php

Cost: free

This website provides free curriculum resources to teach 30 different lessons about character traits (i.e. attentiveness, compassion, courage, dependability etc.)

2. Conflict Resolution

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EABFilCZJy8

Cost: free

This short animated video gives strategies for students to use when resolving conflict.

References:

Woolfolk, A. (2019). Educational psychology (14^th Ed). NY: Pearson. ISBN 978-0134774329

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