Create your own Voki

You can also create your own Voki by going to Voki for Education.

Create and customize a character.

Choose a background.

Type in what your character will say.

*If you copy the embed code we can put it on our blog. 

No need to create an account.

It's easy and fun.

Celebrate Read Across America Day

Below are some great websites to help you celebrate Read Across America Day!

StoryLine Online features books that are read by actors. There are many great stories to choose from! Enjoy!!!

Click on the picture to get started.

Click on the picture to learn more about Theodor Geisel...better known as Dr. Seuss. (via Wonderopolis)

Lots of neat activities at Seussville. Click on the picture to get started.

Did you know that Illinois is often called the Land of Lincoln?

Click on President Lincoln sitting in the chair to see a movie about him.

I meant to post this great Glog about Abraham Lincoln created by Miss Jennifer two weeks ago. But you know what they say..better late than never.

Miss. Jennifer teaches a 2nd grade class in Texas and has a great classroom blog. Check it out here.

Bulletin Boards

Click on the binder for a wide assortment of Bulletin Board Ideas!

Sensational Science Fun

The Near North Science Fair is Coming!

Below you will find lots of great science fun!!!

You may have heard of Japan's Iron Chef...Well this is America's Iron Science Teacher!

Cheer on the competitors in this zany science cook-off, where teachers compete before a live audience at the Exploratorium for the sought-after title, "Iron Science Teacher." 

Tons of great shows in their archive!

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Click on either binder (above)

 for great science resources!

FOSSweb Resource...click above.

Students and Staff....Know of any great science sites?  Let me know and we can share them with others on "The Wonderful World of Near North" Blog.

Ms. Bolotin
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Here's a cool way for you to 

become a "Citizen Scientist"!

Why don't you join 

Project Squirrel

Project Squirrel comes from the Peggy NoteBaert Nature Museum

located in the beautiful city of Chicago.

Our hometown!

Project squirrel makes a great classroom project. It can be done at home or at school. It teaches students how to record their observations.

Animal Webcams

The Eagles have Landed at Near North

 

  

...well sort of. 

   This Voki was created by Ivan. Listen to what he wants to share about eagles.

We have been studying eagles in art and these webcams have been a wonderful way for us to connect with eagles and learn more about them. Wait to you see the eagle pictures we drew and the pictures we took using Jing Screen Capture. 

We have been amazed to see what they are doing in "real time".

Click on any screenshot to go to these incredible webcams.

Bald Eagles from Decorah Iowa

This nest has one egg laid 2-23-2011. 

Check back daily to see when it hatches!

FAQ

(taken from the Raptor Resource Project)

How high is the nest?
About 80 feet.

How big is the nest?
5-6 feet across, about the same deep; it weighs about 1½ tons.

How old is the nest?
The eagles built it in 2007. A previous nest close by fell when a windstorm broke one of the branches.

Are these eagles banded?
No.

Which is the male and which is the female?
It is hard to tell the difference unless they are both on the nest. The female is larger than the male. This female has a ridge above her eyes that goes further back than on the male, and her eyes are surrounded by a greyish shadow; the male has a line around his eyes that makes them look “beadier.” Some think that the male’s head is “sleeker” than the female’s.

What is the history of this pair?
They have been together since the winter of 2007-2008. Her markings at that time indicated that she was about 4 years old. They successfully hatched and fledged 2 eaglets in 2008, then 3 in 2009, and 3 more in 2010.

Eagle's Nest Live Cam

Eagle's Nest...Santa Catalina Island, California Live Cam

Canada, Hornby Island Eagle's Nest Live Cam

Click on the eagle to watch a video about raptors (birds of prey).

More Amazing Cams

Mother Owl with 6 Owlets (click above to view Live)

Parents: Sydney (female) and Mel (male)

Owlets: Matilda, Dundee, Bindi, Joey, Barbie, Dinky

Go to Kids Wings to disect virtual owl pellets. 
What is an owl pellet?  Click here to find out.
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Africa

                                       

Amazing webcam of Tembe Elephant Park located in Africa. Make sure you check this out in the morning because it is beginning to become dusk in Africa. So far I have seen 1 elephant and 2 female lions. Let us know what you see!

Vocabulary

webcam...video camera that can be viewed in real time usually on the Internet.

dusk...when the sun is setting

Djuma Waterhole Cam is located at Gowrie Dam in Djuma Game Reserve in the Sabi Sand Wildtuin, South Africa.

Click on the bear above!

Let Story Bee entertain you!

StoryBee is a great site for listening to terrific stories for kids of all ages. The stories are told by many well-known, professional storytellers.Some will make you laugh. Some may even make you cry. But all will thoroughly entertain you! 

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