Resources & Toolkit
For Students
Academic:
- http://www.historyonthenet.com
- This site offers a lot of easy-to-read articles about a lot of the topics we cover in class.
- http://digitalvaults.org/#/browse/?record=1123
- This is one of the coolest websites EVER! This is an extremely interactive tool from the National Archives, and it offers THOUSANDS of primary sources- documents, pictures, etc. You'll get lost in the immensity of the information this website has to offer.
- http://amhistory.si.edu/militaryhistory/exhibition/flash.html
- The Price of Freedom- Americans at War- This resource is an interactive timeline that contains artifacts, background info, and primary sources from every war the United States has fought in.
- http://dsl.richmond.edu/voting/index.html
- Voting America- United States Politics- Ever wonder who Texas voted for in the presidential election in 1852? Here's your answer! This site has videos and maps portraying voting trends in the United States throughout history.
- https://student.collegeboard.org/?student=
- College Board- This website allows you to explore schools, majors, and careers nationwide. You can even take quizzes that match your interests with the major that best suits you!
- https://public.careercruising.com/en/
- Career Cruising- Here, you can also take a quiz that matches your skills to a career that best suits you. It allows you to explore opportunities to achieve this career, and it helps you create a plan that fits in with your lifestyle
- http://www.collegeandcareerready.org
- If you're unsure if college is right for you, this website will help you explore your options and make your decision.
- https://fafsa.gov
- Federal Student Aid- This website is where college students apply for federal aid. It gives you information on student loans, and it helps you make the best decision when financially planning your college career.
- http://nctsn.org/sites/default/files/assets/pdfs/staying_safe.pdf
- The National Child Traumatic Stress Network- "Staying Safe while Staying Connected"- This article discusses the importance of maintaining a clean footprint online, messaging, and via text.
- https://www.fosi.org/good-digital-parenting/clean-your-digital-footprint/
- Family Online Safety Institute- This is a checklist to make sure you're using the internet safely. It covers passwords as well as ways to maintain a safe usage of the internet.
- http://nctsn.org/sites/default/files/assets/pdfs/staying_safe.pdf
- http://us.reachout.com
- Reach Out- This website offers information as well as peer and professional support for many mental and emotional issues.
- http://www.loveisrespect.org
- This website offers information, resources, and 24/7 hotlines to help make sure you're not stuck in an abusive relationship, whether it's physical, emotional, or both. It promotes healthy intimate and friendship relationships!
- http://www.newlenoxparks.org/#
- New Lenox Park District- This is the official page of our Park District, and it offers opportunities for clubs, activities, and ways to volunteer in the community.
- http://www.bgcjoliet.com
- Boys and Girls Club of Joliet- This website provides information for the facility that provides resources, activities, and a safe place to hang out for students.
For Parents
Academic:
Social/Emotional:
- https://powerschool.nlsd122.org/public/home.html
- This is the link to checking your son/daughter's grades.
- http://www.nea.org/parents/
- National Education Association- This website offers tips on how you can help your student succeed in school and help him/her through struggles he/she may be facing.
- National Education Association- This website offers tips on how you can help your student succeed in school and help him/her through struggles he/she may be facing.
Social/Emotional:
- http://www.nimh.nih.gov/index.shtml
- National Institute of Mental Health- This website offers tons of resources for anything regarding mental health. It gives information, help and ways to maintain a healthy mental state.
- http://www.pacer.org/bullying/
- National Bullying Prevention Center- This website offers real stories, resources, and ways to manage with bullying in a student's life. As a parent, this is important to check out.
- http://www.newlenoxparks.org/#
- New Lenox Park District- This website allows you to browse what the community has to offer for both you and your sons & daughters!
A list of resources is very important to have in the classroom. In terms of academia, I felt that it was important just to include whatever websites I stumbled upon that could help further my students' education. All would be perfect for further understanding of the material, but a few can actually be super fun! It's important for me to include these as I won't be there to answer questions when students need further understanding on their own. In terms of academics and parents, I included (my junior high's) the server to check on student grades and a link to helping their kids succeed in school. The NEA's site offers a lot of techniques and advice.
I also included links that teach students how to use technology responsibly. As new users of the internet, they may not know the footprint they leave every time they text or post something. This leads directly into the links I found important to include for social and emotional resources. One of the many consequences of unsafe technology uses is cyber-bullying. Amongst many other factors in adolescence, this can lead to anxiety and mental instability. I want my students to know for certain that I am on their side, and though they may not want to approach me about inner struggles, what I can do is provide them with a few resources in which they can find help from. I also offer information for parents that provides background stories, tips, and ways to help their children through potentially rough times in their lives.
Though this is just a website for middle school students, I am a firm believer in the fact it's never too early to start thinking about careers and college. The College Board is an absolutely incredible website that helped me out a lot when I was in high school. Career Cruising is also a fantastic source to get an idea of what students should aim for in the future. It does a great job at picking out students' skills from a series of quizzes, and it points out what jobs they'd most like.
It is also important for students to know that there are many opportunities in the community for them to become involved in. School sports are absolutely fantastic, but some students don't make the team, and some are simply not interested. Despite the fact that schools have many great clubs offered, it's important to be involved in other activities, as well. The New Lenox Park District offers clubs, sports, and special events for students and parents of all ages. They offer after school care and homework help as well as opportunities for meeting new friends. The Boys and Girls club is very similar in the respect that it offers a great place for students to hang out after school, keeping them out of undesirable behaviors.
I also included links that teach students how to use technology responsibly. As new users of the internet, they may not know the footprint they leave every time they text or post something. This leads directly into the links I found important to include for social and emotional resources. One of the many consequences of unsafe technology uses is cyber-bullying. Amongst many other factors in adolescence, this can lead to anxiety and mental instability. I want my students to know for certain that I am on their side, and though they may not want to approach me about inner struggles, what I can do is provide them with a few resources in which they can find help from. I also offer information for parents that provides background stories, tips, and ways to help their children through potentially rough times in their lives.
Though this is just a website for middle school students, I am a firm believer in the fact it's never too early to start thinking about careers and college. The College Board is an absolutely incredible website that helped me out a lot when I was in high school. Career Cruising is also a fantastic source to get an idea of what students should aim for in the future. It does a great job at picking out students' skills from a series of quizzes, and it points out what jobs they'd most like.
It is also important for students to know that there are many opportunities in the community for them to become involved in. School sports are absolutely fantastic, but some students don't make the team, and some are simply not interested. Despite the fact that schools have many great clubs offered, it's important to be involved in other activities, as well. The New Lenox Park District offers clubs, sports, and special events for students and parents of all ages. They offer after school care and homework help as well as opportunities for meeting new friends. The Boys and Girls club is very similar in the respect that it offers a great place for students to hang out after school, keeping them out of undesirable behaviors.