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Challenge basic counting skills and problem solving using classic sliding puzzles. Not only will you find numerical sliding puzzles, but also colorful shape puzzles. Java applets make an interactive version of each puzzle appear below the "goal" you are trying to reach. There is also a targeted number of moves to reach the goal. There are many different types of puzzles, some more familiar than others. Be sure to be patient as puzzles load. Sometimes the interactive (drag to slide) portion does not appear right away. 10414
In the Classroom: Share these puzzles on your interactive whiteboard (or projector) as a mind-bending challenge. Help students develop problem-solving skills such as thinking several steps ahead by offering the link on your class web page. Higher level and gifted math students can try to determine a formula for calculating the number of moves it may take to solve a puzzle. Give awards to students who accomplish the "goal" in the stated number of moves, then ask them to explain their strategy or think aloud as they repeat it on an interactive whiteboard. Offer a puzzle club for your mathematical/logical thinkers or simply develop visual thinking skills by sharing these challenges.
This website is a source of free, downloadable documentaries. It is a nonprofit site. The site explains, “you can stream interesting and provocative documentary films for free!“ Teachers will want to preview before you share with your class simply because of what “provocative” could mean. Most films are full length, but some are short. There is a helpful menu of topics on the right hand side of the computer screen. This menu makes it easy to navigate and find the type of documentary that is needed. Documentaries range from 9/11 and the London Bombing to The Road to Guantanamo to The Panama Deception to many others. 10422
In the Classroom: Share this site on your interactive whiteboard or projector. View clips relevant to your topics of study. Use this website to contrast a documentary with the facts that are being taught. Use this site as a point-counterpoint to other perspectives available on the web as part of a discussion of bias. Compare and contrast analysis of the materials versus the known facts is one good use for this website. A short documentary could be shown during class as a launch point for students to create their own documentary style video projects. Share the videos using a site such as Teachers.TV (explained here). Teachers of gifted and high achievers will great possibilities for challenging critical thinking using this site.
Bring CSI to your classroom! Use this entertaining and interactive website to learn science concepts using forensic studies. Follow one of three adventures: Rookie Training (Beginner,) Canine Caper (Intermediate,) or Burning Star (Advanced.) Collect evidence, ask questions, and use the evidence to act as a forensic scientist while using scientific inquiry. Create a conclusion and form theories by using evidence to solve problems. Registration is not required, but doing so allows students to save their work. Registration does NOT require an email, just a username and password. You might want to save the students usernames and passwords somewhere safe! Students not registering can enter as a guest. Teachers can view additional activities, links, and materials by clicking on "Fun Stuff." Click on "Game Features" to find information on roles of different forensics investigators, a walk through to assist in the adventures, and FAQ's. This site requires Adobe Reader. Get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page. 10277
In the Classroom: Bring CSI to your classroom! Use this interactive site when discussing the scientific method, inquiry, or the tools of scientists. Students can report on uses of lab equipment and follow up work on this site with additional in class or web simulation activities such as viewing cheek cells in the lab or online DNA simulations as reviewed here. This site is engaging and also sheds light on the various science and technical careers students may be interested in pursuing. Challenge gifted students to create their own forensic science unsolved cases for others to try! Use a wiki to share the casebooks.
View interesting graphics of data that students will find fascinating. Search visuals in subjects such as Art, Biology, Food Webs, Music, and more. Each visualization has a project description, link, and other information. Caution students that ads appear on pages and these should be avoided. 10287
In the Classroom: Share the graphics on an interactive whiteboard or projector. Use data visualizations to ask questions about interactions among the parts shown. For example, use any of the food chain visualizations to look at the interactions in the chains and identify roles of organisms. Ask students to use the whiteboard tools to explain how the visual “shows” the underlying information. Be prepared for less visual students to struggle while more visual students thrive using such a tool. Share the interesting map graphics in geography class. Use this at the beginning of a discussion and identify the organisms in the chain to uncover the relationships. Use the graphics for creative writing projects (displaying the graphic on a whiteboard while students react in writing). Ask your gifted students to choose a graphic they particularly enjoy as an inspiration to create one of their own.
Teachers First Edge review: for slightly adventurous technology users. Play an actual stock market without investing any money. This site is an incredible way to learn how the markets operate, to increase knowledge with actual play on this site with fake money, and to share information and knowledge with others. Login requires personal information including email and birth date. Click on "For educators" to learn how to create a private classroom group for your students. Use the free online lesson plans, teacher guides, and newsletters to assist you in using this site. 10218
In the Classroom: Skills required: Managing set-up and verification of online accounts as well as assisting students in starting their account is a must. Once your account is verified, begin by choosing the amount of starting capital. Click on "Create a Group" and choose closed, moderated, or open group. It may be a good idea to choose a closed group for your classroom. Add a group name, teacher/school/class information, as well as a group code that the students will use. By using a private group, students will have twenty-four hours to verify an email address. They will be able to use their account until that is done. Consider using a gmail account and create up to twenty sub-accounts. Here is a blog post that tells how.
Safety/Security: You may allow students to self-register, but be sure to keep a written record of their passwords for when they “forget.” It may be worth your time to do advanced registration for your younger students. Click on the technology links (under Educator resources) including the "Classroom configuration" and "Technology requirements" for practical advice on using with a classroom. The educator's FAQ's offer great help in answering questions for using in a classroom. Within the group, you can compare performance and comment on each other. Be sure to advise students as to appropriate commenting and use of the site.
Classroom use: Financial understanding of the markets is more important today than ever. Use in an economics, math, or business class for greater understanding of what shapes the world markets. Students can also become aware of the different international, economic, environmental, and political forces that affect the world markets. Student can make predictions of top and poor performers for the future and new markets that may exist in the next decade. Why not start a class Stocks Wiki with student analysis of their stock choices? Not comfortable with wikis? Have no wiki worries – check out the Teacher’s First Wiki Walk-Through reviewed here.
Confused about Bloom's Taxonomy and Cognitive Domains? Unsure about developing questions for critical thinking? Click on the links at the bottom of the page (remembering, understanding, analyzing, applying, evaluating, and creating) to create learning objectives as well as challenges and lessons. On each page, view student and teacher roles, student skills, key words for objectives, and sample questions or assignments. Use the tabs along the top to work within the original domains and categories. 10221
In the Classroom: Find great question starters and projects for increasing critical thinking and creating higher order projects and activities. Use these question starters for writing assignments or larger projects in any content area to move beyond just knowledge. As you design project-based learning, be sure to visit this site to be sure you are putting the HOTS into student tasks!
This well-designed and high tech site allows students and teachers to enter the world of the tombs of mummies. Featuring games and entrance to tombs and other exhibitions designed by the Musée de la Civilization in Québec, the site creates high interest. Take your students back in time to Ancient Egypt and learn about the process of mummification, the jars in which the mummies' parts reside, and get a rich background in ancient Egyptian beliefs. 10205
In the Classroom: Share this site on your interactive whiteboard or projector. What a creative addition to Halloween and fall festivities! Provide the link to the French department; it is also available in French. Encourage your students to use this tool for projects and research about Egypt. The activities would work as a class activity, individual research, or with cooperative learning groups. Have students create online posters or papers or do it together as a class using tools such as Project Poster (reviewed here or PicLits (reviewed here. Make an online poster about Egypt with this site as a jumping off spot; try Wallwisher, (reviewed here).
This site's subtitle, "Finding your story with new media," only hints at what you will find. Explore the possibilities of using newer digital tools, ways to write stories, get inspired, exchange ideas, publish, and more. This site has extensive resources for teachers (see "Teaching Method"), including both traditional writing exercises and tool recommendations to "find your story" in a new medium such as online comic creators, podcasts, and slide shows. The "Media Library" also includes many tool options. (Many of the tools mentioned are also reviewed by our TeachersFirst Edge, including tips on how to use them within school policies.) In "New Stories" you will find examples of stories told using digital media. Note: New Stories may include subject matter not appropriate for your class, depending on age and maturity level, so preview. One intriguing "new media" literary form is the email story, a narrative told entirely by a series of emails, reminiscent of 18th century epistolary novels! 10248
In the Classroom: Explore the various types of New Stories and choose one to try with your students. Select a tool from the Teaching Method options (and read the related TeachersFirst Edge review). Then let the stories begin! The use of digital tools will go beyond engaging your students to challenging their higher level thinking while they actually enjoy the task. Stories need not be limited to purely creative fiction. Ask students to collaborate and tell a tale based on historical facts about a major event or retell a piece of literature from the point of view of one of the characters. In world language classes, use the tools to tell stories in a new tongue (provided the tools can handle the accents, etc.).In science class, let a molecule or bacterium tells its own story. As you introduce the tools, use your interactive whiteboard or projector and allow a student tool "expert" to demonstrate any particularly quirky how-to's.
Provide this link on your class web page for students to access outside of class and for tools to choose as alternatives for required projects. Your gifted students will stretch to meet the new challenges, and learning support students may be more successful in more visual media. Allow students to self-differentiate by choosing, "finding their own story."
Teachers interested in project ideas to get started with project based learning will find the examples on this site helpful for envisioning project possibilities.
Based upon Gardner’s Eight Styles of Learning, this inventory allows your student to understand how they learn. Through 80 questions, the user will be told which learning styles are his strength or weakness. It’s simple to use. Simply type in a username, if you are male or female, if you are right or left handed, and your age. Click to Begin. You will be provided a USER ID number. Make sure you write down the user ID number assigned to each student, as entering that number is the only means to look at your inventory results. All information is confidential; no names are entered, therefore the ID number is essential. The site allows a maximum of 40 users on the inventory at a time. They provide the current number of users on the main page. 10261
In the Classroom: Regular ed and learning support teachers from middle school up will want to share this resource with students and parents to help students find the most effective ways to study and retain knowledge. Introduce to parents the concept of Gardner’s Styles of Learning by letting them take this Multiple Intelligence test in the computer lab during Parent Night. Include the link on your teacher web page or plan a start-of-the year in-class time to help students get off on the right foot. Younger gifted students may also find this site intriguing. Even teachers of gifted will find this resource helpful when their gifted students, unaccustomed to such an experience, unexpectedly "hit the wall" in challenging courses. As part of a study skills unit, have students self-assess and create a single database of the class members' learning styles and subject strengths so they can find peer-tutors during study halls.
Online games CAN help students learn! Use this free site to play math games against other opponents or a computer. Learn about fractions, factors, multiples, and symmetry among others. Practice important skills using basic multiplication and have fun learning math. In order to play all games, a log in is required. However, you can do some of the activities using a “Guest Pass.” Just click on the “Guest Pass” link to begin. With this option, you can’t play against other players – only the computer. At the time of this review, all five interactives were available to guests. Log in to play against others in and out of your class. Registering with the site also allows you to save your game.
Specific activities include "Square Off," "Factor Dazzle," "Fraction Feud," "Times Square," and "Slam Ball". Click on the "For Parents and Educators" tab to learn more about each game and the content area being addressed. 10224
In the Classroom: Students can create a login to save their game play as well as challenge others in their class or elsewhere. Students must have individual accounts (email required). Check your school policies about accessing/sharing student email on school computers. You may want to create your own Gmail account with up to 20 subaccounts for each group of students (by code name or number) within your
classes. Here is a blog post that tells how.
You may allow students to self-register, but be sure to keep a written record of their passwords for when they “forget.” It may be worth your time to do advanced registration for your younger students. Consider creating class accounts that you control for students to login. Click on the "For Parents and Educators" tab to access set up and play directions as well as other related activities and suggestions for the classroom.
Today in Science History (Stories are from Charles Kettering)
This site is an index of stories that have been spoken on radio shows by Charles Kettering. Kettering was head of research for General Motors and held over 140 patents. One of his standout accomplishments was the development of Freon as a refrigerant.
There are a number of short stories from all areas of science taken from Kettering's Radio talk shows. The general topics include “Introduction to Science and Invention,” “Science and Invention in Transportation,” “Science and Invention in War.” Specific topics vary from Energy from the Sun to The Wright Way to Unraveling the Atom and many others. 10184
In the Classroom: This site would be a helpful alternative text in the science classroom. Use this site for research projects or explaining some famous inventions. Extend reading into an online journaling project or even a classroom blog or wiki. Not comfortable with wikis? Have no wiki worries – check out the Teacher’s First Wiki Walk-Through reviewed here. The opportunity for collaboration, reflection, and eventually creating their own stories of their projects is wonderful. Have cooperative learning groups create multimedia presentations. To show what they have learned from this site, challenge students to create an online graphic to share using Tabblo reviewed here. Have groups create news reports and share them using a tool such as SchoolTube reviewed here.
Teacher's First Edge Review: For serious technology users. Use this free site to create audio files easily for use in or out of the class. Record your own voice using phone or microphone, upload an audio file, or create audio from text to speech. Choose different voices, use the playback options, and update audio at anytime. Use your email to receive a link to your new audio file. 10227
In the Classroom: Skills needed: Users must be able to identify whether there is an internal or external microphone on the computer. If using a phone, understanding calling plans and additional charges is needed. You must know how to use embed codes to place audio files within your blog, wiki, or website. No login is required! Simply click the "Get Yours It's Free" button. Choose the method to create the audio and preview and edit the file. Enter your email address to receive a link to your file. Click on the link to grab widgets. Copy the code and place in your blog or website.
Safety/Security: The tool does not show which work is attributable to which student. You may want to require that students mark their contributions in order to get credit. Students can use an email address. Tip: rather than using your personal or work email, create a free Gmail account to use for memberships. If you plan to have students register individually, you may want to create your own Gmail account with up to 20 subaccounts for each group of students (by code name or number) within your classes. Here is a blog post that tells how to set up GMail subaccounts to use for any online membership service. Check your schools’ acceptable use policy, regarding students using email accounts. Consider using a class email account set up for this purpose. Be sure students understand the appropriate use of this email account.
Classroom use: Use this service to record audio of passages used in class, homework assignments, and other written material. Young students can practice reading aloud at this site (and listen to themselves), showing improvement in fluency as the year goes on. Have students use this site in place of a traditional book report. Have cooperative learning groups create a news broadcast and share it using this site. Use this site with ESL/ELL students just learning the English language. Use this site in world language classes for students to hear and learn the pronunciations. Place the embed code in a site that students can access outside of class for review, identifying directions, and listening to text. Speech and language teachers can use this tool to record student articulation and demonstrate progress through the year.
This great site offers more difficult vocabulary words with a short video so that students can more easily remember their definitions and usages. The focus for this site is students preparing to take the ACT and SAT tests, students who want to improve their verbal scores. It would also be useful for students preparing to take the TOEFL test. Students can view the featured words and their accompanying videos, check the Study Room for more word videos, and even submit their own ideas for vocabulary videos. Another option is to sign up for a word video of the day in one's email box. This obviously requires registration and an email address. If you choose to allow your students to register, you may want to create your own Gmail account with up to 20 subaccounts for each group of students (by code name or number) within your classes. Here is a blog post that tells how.
You can also prepare a list of flash cards for repeated practice. A complete word lists is available for students to scroll through. Students can share videos, make comments on those already present, and flag inappropriate ones. 10207
In the Classroom: Share this site with school counselors who can offer it to students preparing for the college entrance exams tests and international students required to take the TOEFL test for college admission. Share this link on your school (and class) website. Save this site in your favorites on your classroom computers for use in vocabulary development. Have students make "vocabulary videos" in groups: challenge cooperative learning groups to create videos share the videos on a site such as TeacherTube reviewed here before submitting to "Word Ahead." World language teachers might also want to have students create similar vocabulary development videos in their new language!
This incredible site is a database of videos on an abundance of topics! They are arranged by topic and very easy to access. The general subjects include physical science, life science, earth and space, social studies, math, English, and the human body. Each of the subjects includes 10+ topics. And each of the topics includes countless videos. You truly have to see this collection to believe it! There are lessons “ready to go” on video: Civil Rights Movement, Ice Age, Allergies, Subtracting Negative Numbers, Electricity, and MANY others.
NOTE: Although the videos are listed on this site, they actually “live” elsewhere on the Internet, so some videos may be blocked in your school (those on YouTube, for example). Always pretest to be sure the video you hope to use is accessible at school! 10185
In the Classroom: Share these videos on your interactive whiteboard or projector. This is a great site to use when planning for substitute teachers, as an introduction to a new unit, or even as additional information on a specific topic.
Challenge cooperative learning groups to create their own videos about topics being studied in social studies, science, math, or nearly any other topic. Share the videos using Teachers.TV reviewed here. Include this link on your class web page for students to access outside of schools for reinforcement and further exploration of concepts.
This site is an animated demonstration of Newton’s First Law. The activity is called “Speed, Eggs and Slam!” It is packed with science facts in a humorous storyline/game format. It also offers an offline version of the demonstration that includes suggestions for a hands-on experiment. The offline portion of the site instructions also has two links that are related to the demonstration and offer a real world connection to the content. Don’t miss the Teacher Page, packed with information, ideas, and downloadable activities.
Our reviewers found a glitch in the technology using Firefox on a Mac: once you start the interactive version of the experiment, clicking over to the offline version caused Firefox to “crash.” Decide which version you want to use first! There is also a “kids comment” section of the site where students who have done the experiments can write what they thought about the activity. 10181
In the Classroom: The website would be great as an introduction to the laws of motion. It could be shown on the interactive whiteboard or projector to start an inquiry discussion on motion. The kids comment section would be useful to evaluate other’s ideas and reflect on their own learning. Enter comments as a whole-class activity under teacher supervision or in accordance with school policy. Be sure to check out the Teacher’s Page! There is also a link for parents. Why not list this link on your class website or wiki?
Play interesting word, math, and other games with this free site. Specific topics include “Strategy Games and Quests,” “Problems and Brainteasers,” “Zero Gravity,” “Entrapment,” “Junior Edition Games,” and several others.
Membership is not required though members receive additional benefits. Find an interesting activity to try. On its page, click to play the game, read the directions for play, bookmark the specific game, or generate a link for embedding in a website, wiki, or blog. Printable game worksheets that can be customized can also be found on this site. Note: Ads appear along the side and students should be cautioned in clicking on these ads. Teachers should decide whether you are willing tolerate the extensive ads in light of the high-value site content. 10103
In the Classroom: Use these activities for problem solving drills and interest in words or numbers. Many of the activities could also be used for science class, research, or math extension activities. These interactives can be used for review that is both educational and engaging. Save this site in your favorites, as it is useful in many subject areas. Share this link with your students on your class website or wiki.
Looking for simple ways to showcase simple math and science concepts? No money for classroom materials? Look no further. Use these simple instructions for making educational toys using everyday materials. Each toy easily demonstrates concepts that are basic for understanding processes of science. View an unbelievable amount of toys under the following categories: "Amazing Astronomy," "Pumps from the Dump," "Math Magic," "Paper Fun," Tipping Toppling Toys," Motor and Generator," "Electricity and Magnetism," "Newton Unplugged," "Fun with Pressure," "Fun with Light," "Toys from Trash," "Simple Sounds," "Strong Structures," "Flying Toys," "Force Fun," "Spinning Toys," and others. View annotated photos of the construction process or download detailed instructions. This site requires adobe Acrobat. Get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page. 10135
In the Classroom: Share this site on your projector or interactive whiteboard. Use the simple directions and pictures for students to make their own manipulatives. After creating and observing, students can share their observations and the math and science processes can be uncovered. Use these to uncover misconceptions and dispel myths that undermine understanding of processes. Group students to choose one manipulative and present the concept to the class. Challenge cooperative learning groups to create their own “Toy From Trash.” Have the groups create videos to share their “toys” and instructions. Share the video clips using a site such as Teachers.TV reviewed here.
Looking for interactive math resources and their use in everyday life? Math Interactives provide a variety of topics with interactive options for each. View "Use it" to access guided practice for students or "Explore it" for activities that can be used as a teacher demo or practice activities. Additional quicktime videos about the topic and support materials are included. Example topics in the "Number" category include Fractions, Integers, and Exponents. Other categories include "Patterns and Relations," "Shape and Space," and "Statistics and Probability." 10159
In the Classroom: Use these great activities with an interactive whiteboard or projector to engage students and identify underlying math rules. Students can work individually or in groups on the "Use It" activities for guided practice in understanding the math concepts. Use the "Explore it" activities for additional practice or to uncover the math concepts. Students can create their own interactive directions using wikis, video or photo tutorials, or podcast which can be shared with others. Not sure where to begin with the multimedia projects? Not comfortable with wikis? Have no wiki worries – check out the Teacher’s First Wiki Walk-Through reviewed here. Having students create a video? Use a video sharing site such as Teachers.TV reviewed here. Looking to narrate an image? Try VoiceThread reviewed here. Not sure where to create Podcasts? Try a site such as PodOmatic (reviewed here).
Use this free learning tool that combines the best research of game theory to learn about pre-algebra. A compelling story is woven through multi-level puzzle play to build pre-algebra skills in proportions, fractions, ratios, variables, equations, and operations. Lure of the labyrinth is an underground world inhabited with monsters and really gross food and slimy materials sure to make a middle school student smile. Students operate in this activity as a monster avatar in a shadowy factory. The mission is to rescue and save their missing pet as well as others. Play this game individually or in teams. Players can communicate online to exchange ideas and strategies which encourage collaboration. Click on the "educator's guide" for great ideas and suggestions for integrating the game into your curriculum and the "quick start" for learning the basic ins and outs of the game. Videos are also available for learning the basic skills. Most students, however, know how to approach games and learn as they go. Registration with an email address for this site is required. Teachers should record student logins and passwords for students who may forget. Be sure to read the recommendations on the site for login creations as well as your district recommendations for student registrations. You may want to create your own Gmail account with up to 20 subaccounts for each group of students (by code name or number) within your classes. Here is a blog post that tells how. 10165
In the Classroom: Share this site on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Use this site to sharpen and advance pre-algebra skills using problem sets in this fun filled activity. Students groups can work collaboratively on solving problems. You may want to provide this link on your class website for additional enrichment at home (even if you don’t have the time to do the activities during class).
"How To Do Research" is a great starting point for teaching even the youngest researchers how to begin. Follow Research Rocket for an educational ride through all of the steps of conducting research. Students will be guided through all phases of research starting with Planning the Project and moving their way through Search for Information, Search the Internet, Take Notes, Use the Information and finally, Share What You Know. The information is provided in a colorful and interactive manner with plenty of examples, tools and helpful hints. What a great way to walk students through a research project without leaving any questions unanswered or stones unturned. 10116
In the Classroom: Project the site on an interactive whiteboard or projector and begin as a whole group with "Step 1- Planning the Project." Spend time reviewing each phase and proceed with assigning students research to do on their own. Reconvene to check student work, answer questions, and move on to the next step in the research project. Make sure to check out all of the great ways to share the research! Have students create multimedia research projects! The options are endless. How about creating podcasts demonstrating what they learned about their research topic. Use a site such as PodOmatic (reviewed here). Have cooperative learning groups create online books using a tool such as Bookemon, reviewed here. Another idea: use a tool such as bubbl.us (reviewed here) to create and share concept maps about the research topics!
TeachersFirst
Resource Listings 
Challenge basic counting skills and problem solving using classic sliding puzzles. Not only will you find numerical sliding puzzles, but also colorful shape puzzles. Java applets make an interactive version of each puzzle appear below the "goal" you are trying to reach. There is also a targeted number of moves to reach the goal. There are many different types of puzzles, some more familiar than others. Be sure to be patient as puzzles load. Sometimes the interactive (drag to slide) portion does not appear right away.
This website is a source of free, downloadable documentaries. It is a nonprofit site. The site explains, “you can stream interesting and provocative documentary films for free!“ Teachers will want to preview before you share with your class simply because of what “provocative” could mean. Most films are full length, but some are short. There is a helpful menu of topics on the right hand side of the computer screen. This menu makes it easy to navigate and find the type of documentary that is needed. Documentaries range from 9/11 and the London Bombing to The Road to Guantanamo to The Panama Deception to many others. 
Teachers First Edge review: for slightly adventurous technology users. Play an actual stock market without investing any money. This site is an incredible way to learn how the markets operate, to increase knowledge with actual play on this site with fake money, and to share information and knowledge with others. Login requires personal information including email and birth date. Click on "For educators" to learn how to create a private classroom group for your students. Use the free online lesson plans, teacher guides, and newsletters to assist you in using this site. 