Thing 19

I explored MyHeritage.com, a free geneology search site While the kids would not be old enough to register for this site, another use came to mind. When I was in the classroom, I was always amazed at how little knowledge the students had of their family background, with a few exceptions. At our school, we're always looking for something to bring in the parents and engage them, especially with their child. What a cool opprotunity to have families come to learn about themselves, so to speak. To raise the level of self-awareness, or just spark their curiousity - what fun! Unfortunately, I'm one those who never got to know my dad's side of the family that well. This site is for people armed with at least the basics of family names and dates to get started... Perhaps, if a project was initiated in class, the basic info gathered, then invite the parents in to research.

Perhaps Galaxiki would be more fun. I can see a definite writing tie-in with the science study of the planets. The teachers would need to control the experience, but I know the kids would enjoy traveling through a virtual universe to stars and planets, being able to read what members have written to describe it all. Whether they (or the teacher) added comments might not even be the point, if it will get them excited about using their imagination. Maybe that would be the payoff - create your own description of the star/planet and we'll find one to match and publish it.