Eclectic Technology

This is a fabulous series that explore science. Six animated videos are available that show "the way we think scientifically by considering skepticism, testing, blinding, uncertainty  ethics and citizen science." By title they are:

* This Thing Called Science Part 1: Call me skeptical

* This Thing Called Science Part 2: Testing, testing, 1, 2, 3

* This Thing Called Science Part 3: Blinded by Science

* This Thing Called Science Part 4: Confidently Uncertain

* This Thing Called Science Part 5: Do the Right Thing

* This Thing Called Science Part 6: Citizen Science

These videos were created by Bridge8, who also put out a great series of videos on Critical Thinking. You can find that series at http://bridge8.wordpress.com/2012/01/30/critical-thinking-animations/

There are also 2 guides available for the Critical Thinking series, a postcard size one and an extended one. I found these on YouTube when I accessed the video Critical Thinking Part 1: A Valuable Argument uploaded by techNyouvids.

The Big History Project is a free, online social studies course for secondary students. The website states that it is:

* 100% open, online curriculum and content; easy to download, print, share

* Ready-made lesson plans, inline teaching guidance and support

* Custom designed content including videos, texts, comics, and animations

* Easily tailored specific state standards and instructional approaches

* Aligned to Common Core ELA standards for 9/10th grade

The course is split into two time periods:

* Section 1: Formations and early life: Theories and evidence of origins of the Universe, planet formation, elements, and life.

* Section 2: Humans: The development of humans, civilizations, and key milestones in our progress.

To access materials you will need to register for the site. If you want some previews of the site you will find a video that discusses how the first part of the course was designed, a video that provides an overview of the 8 major thresholds in the Big History Project, a sample main talk from one unit, a PowerPoint presentation to show to your school or parents, and a Teaching Guide (which you can download at https://course.bighistoryproject.com/media/homepagemedia/CourseGuide.pdf).

This site organizes many of the free reosurces available through various federal agencies. Subjects covered include Art and Music, Health and Phys Ed., Language Arts, Math, Science, World Studies, U.S. History Topics, and U.S. Time Periods.

Resources include lesson plans, animations, primary documents, photos and videos. 

If you are looking for a free tool to create animations you should check out SketchStar. In this review by Richard Byrne shares his insight into the program as well as some suggestions about how you might use it in the classroom. Be aware that students will need an email address to register at the site.