Websites from the Text

Has anyone checked out the websites in the boxes of the text? There are some great resources there. Today, I checked out a document on how to make a Teacher's Web Page. I think this is a great way to connect with students and parents about what is taking place in the classroom.

For grades k-5, this would be a great resource to tell parents about what their child is learning and how the parents can use this information to supplement learning. It can also be helpful to remind parents of upcoming events in the classroom and school.

For grades 6-12, the Web Page can be a tool for the students as well as the parents. The students can check to see when assignments are due and what the projects are. This will also be helpful for the parents. How many times do your own children come home and say they have a project due tomorrow? After working on the project all night, you find out they have had two weeks to prepare. As a parent, I would find this information helpful. The Web Page could also tell what is going on in the classroom. Again, as a parent, I frequently ask my children, "What did you do today in school?" The answer is always, "Nothing". I would then have the resources to say, "Well, it says right here you read about the solar system."

But, the drawbacks to having a Teacher Web Page is you must update it for it to be a resource. Especially the way in which I said it would be helpful. But, at least in the upper grades, the students could be in charge of updating the Web Page daily. Do you have a Teacher's Web Page? Do you think it would be helpful or too much work? Laura