24-Using+Thinkfinity+for+the+Rigorous+and+Relevant+Classroom

** Using Thinkfinity for the Rigorous and Relevant Curriculum **
Facilitator: Karen Lampe, Instructional Print Materials Librarian Green Valley Area Education Agency, Creston, Iowa

**What is Thinkfinity?**
Sponsored by the Verizon Foundation, Thinkfinity is a website of free lesson plans and educational resources for K-16 either created by or reviewed by nine national educational content partners: • ArtsEdge -- The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts • EconEdLink -- National Council on Economic Education • EDSITEment -- National Endowment for the Humanities • Illuminations -- National Council of Teachers of Mathematics • Literacy Network -- American Library Association, National Center for Family Literacy & ProLiteracy Worldwide • ReadWriteThink -- International Reading Association and National Council of Teachers of English • Science NetLinks -- American Association for the Advancement of Science • Smithsonian’s History Explorer -- National Museum of American History • Xpeditions -- National Geographic Society There are two main portals by which to access these resources: **In the Classroom** and **At Home & Afterschool**. Resources include lessons, interactives, primary sources, worksheets, media (including podcasts, videos, and online courses), reference materials and assessments.

**What is the URL?**
The URL is [|www.thinkfinity.org].

**How can I access the 21st Century Materials?**
Use the pull-down menu from the **In the Classroom** tab. Click on **21st Century Skills**.

**Do the lessons in Thinkfinity align to Iowa Standards?**
This is being worked on now. At the present time there is alignment in the disciplines of English and Science for grades 3-12. To see these lessons, go to the **In the Classroom** tab and click on **Standards Alignment**. Under **State Standard****s**, click on **Browse by Standards**. At the far right of the page, choose your the state, grade level, and subject area. Then select the standard and click on **View Results**. Displayed are the lessons in Thinkfinity that match the parameters you set.

**What are the copyright rules?**
“K-12 educators may use and make a limited number of copies of the Thinkfinity content and materials for non-commercial, classroom and instructional use and in support of the program Thinkfinity.” Read more at the **Terms & Conditions** link.

"Copyright 2010 Verizon. All rights reserved. Permission to copy and distribute all documents and related graphics from this World Wide Web (WWW) server is granted subject to the following:
 * 1) The materials provided herein are for internal, non-commercial use only, and
 * 2) Any copies of documents contained within this server or portions thereof must include the above copyright notice."

**Where may I learn more about Thinkfinity?**
An overview video can be accessed by clicking on **Take a Tour** in the box entitled "New to Thinkfinity?".

**How can I get connected to the Thinkfinity Community?**
This is a new feature. Click on **Visit our Community** at the upper right corner. Here you can organize the resources you find, share with others, or connect to network of other users. To get started, click on the **Read this & get started!** link and then create your own free account.

**How can I integrate Thinkfinity resources into my classroom?**
I have found the following tools from Thinkfinity to be helpful in my planning.


 * • Directions for Completing the Integration Plan Template [[file:IP_Directions.pdf]]

• Integration Plan Checklist **