thinkfinity

This page provides information about [|Thinkfinity] (formerly //MarcoPolo//) - a web resource supported by the Verizon Foundation. The //Thinkfinity// partner sites are: These partner sites are gathered together at the [|Thinkfinity] site and leveraged with the [[|Search Thinkfinity]] tool.
 * [|Read-Write-Think] (ELA)
 * [|Illuminations] (Math)
 * [|Science NetLinks] (Science)
 * [|National Geographic Xpeditions] (Geography/Social Studies)
 * [|Smithsonian] (American History)
 * [|ArtsEdge] (Arts Integration)
 * [|EDSITEMent] (Humanities: Art & Culture, Literature & Language Arts, Foreign Language, History & Social Studies)
 * [|EconEdLink] (Economics)

All [|Thinkfinity] partner sites have: content specific standards, standards-based lesson plans, peer-reviewed web sites, and few ads. The partner sites have at least one feature that is unique to the site. A few of my favorites are:
 * Read-Write-Think: [|Learning Beyond the Classroom]has several nice features: learning activities for non-school time, podcasts, and tip sheets for the interactive tools at this site.
 * Illuminations: [|Activities] - The online activities at Illuminations were some of the first student interactives at Thinkfinity. They're still excellent; and, remember that students may use these at home, too!
 * Science NetLinks: [|Science Update] helps students and educators learn about new discoveries in science through a twice-a-month audio podcast which is extended with standard-based links and lesson plans. It's a way to connect science with current events. This podcast is also available in other formats through the iTunes podcast directory: [|daily] (1 minute) or [|weekly] (5-8 minutes).
 * National Geographic Xpeditions: [|Xpedition atlas maps] made for printing and copying
 * Smithsonian's History Explorer: includes a searchable [|database of artifacts] from the Smithsonian Museum.
 * ArtsEdge: the [|Explore link] includes: //Look-Listen-Learn | Art Days | Meet the Artist | Arts Quotes//
 * EDSITEMent: Topical [|calendar] with links to lessons; [|NEH Spotlight] (National Endowment for the Humanities)
 * EconEdLink: [|Datalinks]- dozens of links relating to the economy, federal budget, GDP, unemployment, etc.


 * Ten Good Reasons** why classroom teachers should use //Thinkfinity//:
 * 1) I regard Thinkfinity as the "Teacher's Manual for the Internet ." It's free for teachers and students. It may be used at school, home, library.
 * 2) **Interactives** - //Students, try it! Teachers, use these with a SMART Board.// | [|literacy] | [|math] | [|science] | [|geography] | [|arts] |
 * 3) Web links (reviewed sites); | [|literacy] | [|math] | [|science] | [|geography] | [|arts] | [|humanities] | [|economics] | [|American history]|
 * 4) [|Search Thinkfinity] - provides access to all of the educational resources created by the partners plus partner-reviewed materials
 * 5) Calendars: source of relevant, current ideas - | [|Thinkfinity] | [|literacy] | [|humanities] |
 * 6) [|Xpeditions Atlas] - maps made for printing and copying
 * 7) A wide variety of lesson plans ideas - fully interactive online activities or simply a good handout for an activity
 * 8) [|Thinkfinity Literacy Network] - literacy resources for K-12 Literacy, Family Literacy, Parent Resources, Adult Learners, etc.; Literacy Partners: | [|The National Center for Family Literacy] | [|ProLiteracy Worldwide] |
 * 9) Standards Alignment: | [|national] | [|ISTE] |
 * 10) [|Endorsed and supported by the Wisconsin DPI]


 * Photography Treasures** - An example of a focused search which demonstrates the depth of content at //Thinkfinity//:
 * ArtsEdge: [|Capturing Place by Kevin Bubriski], [|Stormy Weather],
 * Xpeditions: [|Don't Be Fooled by a Photograph], [|Tell a Migration Story...With Photos] (see the [|Photojournalism Guide for Gr6-8]),
 * EDSITEMent: [|American Photography: A Century of Images], [|Prints & Photographs Online Catalog],
 * Science NetLinks: [|Camera Red-Eye], [|Space Images Archive],
 * Read-Write-Think: [|Photography @Web English Teacher], [|Introducing Each Other],
 * Illuminations: [|Community Geometry], [|Biographies of Women Mathematicians],
 * EconEdLink: [|Library of Congress: History of the American West 1860-1920],
 * Smithsonian:

Tools that we used during training include:
 * [|Recent features] - If you haven't visited Thinkfinity lately, this is a nice page to see what's new.
 * ReadWriteThink: [|Webbing Tool] - like Inspiration but focused in task
 * ReadWriteThink: [|Drama Map] - also like Inspiration but focused in task
 * Professional Development
 * [|Thinkfinity Login>>]
 * [|Trainer Resource Center>>]
 * Forms: Integration Plan Template,
 * Quick overview -

 Do you use //Thinkfinity//? Two years in a row, the readers of [|Edutopia] voted //Thinkfinity// as the best site for free materials and lessons. It includes K-12 lessons and resources organized around seven (soon to be eight) nationally-recognized curriculum organizations such as the NCTM. My favorite three features include: student interactives, professionally-reviewed (mostly ad free) educational web sites, and a powerful search tool that pinpoints high-quality lessons. When we and other schools move into //Anytime Anywhere//, //Thinkfinity// will be vital to finding lessons on a day-to-day basis. If there is a "Teacher's Manual for the Internet," it's //Thinkfinity//. I'd love to show this to you --- how about today?
 * My** [|**Elevator Speech**] **about** //**Thinkfinity**//**:**

Other:
 * Technical information about //Thinkfinity// [|Plug-Ins and Utilities]

Date revised: December 1, 2008