TeachersFirst: Examples of Ways to Differentiate

Examples of Ways to Differentiate:

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Calculation Balance Grade 1 to 4 - WMnet- 8445

This mathematical balance activity has a super hero who challenges students to balance the scales by answering math questions. The topics include addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and words as numbers. The website offers a variety of difficulty levels and can easily be differentiated to meet the various ability levels of your students. The entire activity requires Flash, get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page..

In the Classroom:
This website would work perfectly as an individual activity (differentiate the activities to the various levels of your students). If you prefer a group activity, get out the interactive whiteboard and treat your students to this engaging activity. Each challenge is only a few questions and could easily be incorporated into your daily math lessons. Add this as a warm-up or as part of your closure for a skill lesson.

Teaching with the Brain in Mind Grade 1 to 2 - PBS- 5034

This concise little article is packed with information on how the brain is structured and how teachers can be more effective in establishing "brain friendly" communication. Practical ideas on how to differentiate instruction are provided.

See user comments on this resource. -

Differentiating Curriculum for Gifted Students Grade 4 to 12 - ERIC- 3492

This ERIC Digest suggests strategies to provide curriculum differentiation for gifted and talented students. Includes reading and resource suggestions.

Save the Apples Grade 1 to 5 - PlayKidsGames- 8979

This math practice game is sure to excite your students. The challenge is to help a monkey swing on a vine across the water (and keep the apples from the crocodile). The best aspect of this game (besides the entertainment of the monkey), is that you can choose addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division. You can also choose the difficulty level (easy, medium, or hard) to differentiate student practice levels. This website requires FLASH. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page..

In the Classroom:
What a wonderful tool to use to differentiate your lessons to meet the needs of your struggling students and your gifted students. Why not have the students work on individual computers and use the operation that they are currently learning (addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division). And then have them work at their own individual difficulty level. If this isn't practical in your classroom, using this as a learning center on your class computer would also be beneficial. You WILL want to turn off the annoying sound!

Animal Lost and Found Grade K to 1 - PBS- 8772

This age-appropriate math activity challenges young students to identify various pets based on a set of criteria. The list of criteria requires students to count eyes, ears, mouths, and other body parts. There are two difficulty levels, which allows teachers to differentiate the instruction for less or more advanced students in a primary class. This website requires FLASH. Get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page..

In the Classroom:
One concern: non-readers will not be able to READ the criteria. The game is intended for sharing with at least one reader (child or adult). This website could be incorporated in many ways: First, use an interactive whiteboard and include the entire class, asking them to raise their hands or use clickers to vote on whether you have "found" the pet as someone reads the criteria aloud. Second, you could use this website as a learning center for cooperative groups (including a reader)to investigate together. Third, you could differentiate the instruction by having students work on their own laptops (or in the computer lab). Turn off the irritating sound with the little speaker icon.

Top Ten Tips for Working With ESL/ELL Students Grade K to 12 - TeachersFirst- 6928

Teaching ESL./ELL students in your regular classroom can be a challenge. You feel great empathy for the children who enter your room, bewildered, but you have the rest of the class to think of, too. TeachersFirst offers these Top Ten Tips for Teachers working with ESL/ELL students to help you find appropriate ways to differentiate instruction and make minor adjustments for the individual student and maximize the benefit of having these new students in the class.

Math Baseball Grade 1 to 6 - Funbrain- 9201

This is an on-line game in which students advance runners and score runs by completing math problems of varying difficulties. Students can select easy or difficult problems, either non-algebraic or algebraic, and operation (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, or a combination).

In the Classroom:
Have you students work on individual computers and "take a swing" at this math activity. It offers a highly motivating review activity on various difficulty levels, enabling the teacher to differentiate the instruction based on the math levels of the individual students.

For Kids By Kids Online Grade 2 to 8 - Cyberspace Research Unit- 9090

This site offers levels, important information about safe Internet use, at three difficulty It addresses kids' favorite ways to use technology, including cell phones, chat rooms, instant messaging, e-mail, etc. A glossary of Internet terms and warnings throughout the easy-to-read pages make the information accessible. It also motivates the students who use it to proceed carefully and thoughtfully while communicating and downloading information. The three levels (beginning, intermediate, and advanced) differentiate for prior Internet knowledge, rather than grade or reading level. The site is an excellent introduction to doing Internet research, as well.

This site comes from the UK, so some of the language is distinctly British. This site requires Flash. Get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page..

In the Classroom:
The site suggests having children take their parents through the steps on the site so both learn together. Parents can thus be assured that the child knows how to keep his or her communications safe. Put this in your newsletter home for parents and provide a link to this site on your class webpage. When introducing the history of the computer, project the site on your interactive whiteboard or projector.

Around The World in 80-Seconds Grade 1 to 5 - Scholastic- 8948

This interdisciplinary math/ geography practice activity challenges students to answer several math questions in 80-seconds. Each correct answer flies Maggie and her helicopter to a new destination in the world. Students can choose a difficulty level of easy or hard. They can also choose to play the game using addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, or a mix of all four. This activity is also available in Spanish. This math journey requires Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page..

In the Classroom:
Use your interactive whiteboard or projector to make this "flight" a class challenge. Assign a few students to be "recorders." Have them record the names of the cities, countries, and/or continents that you visit. Make this into a thorough geography lesson by having students complete research the locations that Maggie visits during her journey.

This website is also ideal for individual computers. This allows students to practice the particular math operation that they need most help with AND differentiates so that students can work at an easy or difficult math level. Provide a link to this site in your class newsletter or on your class web page, so students can practice their math and geography skills at home.

Subtraction Grade 1 to 3 - Dositey- 8521

This is a fabulous site for subtraction. It includes interactive games,challenges, and printable worksheets. Topics all relate to subtraction and include basic subtraction facts up to 20, subtracting with regrouping, subtracting without regrouping and subtracting 3-digit numbers. This site requires Flash. Get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page..

In the Classroom:
Use this website to differentiate subtraction instruction. This website would be a wonderful learning center activity.

Addition Grade K to 4 - Dositey- 8520

This is a useful site for addition practice. The website includes interactive games and challenges, as well as printable worksheets. Topics all relate to addition and include levels: basic addition facts, adding 2-digit number with regrouping, adding 2-digit numbers without regrouping, adding 3-digit numbers and more. This site requires Flash. Get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page..

In the Classroom:
Use this website to differentiate addition instruction. This website would be a wonderful learning center activity on your classroom computer or cluster, with each student assigned the appropriate section for practice.

Fractions Grade 1 to 5 - BGFL- 8505

This is a fabulous website for all levels of fraction instruction (there are five difficulty levels). The website offers both interactive challenges and printable worksheets. Students will love the pizza fun and other graphics used at this website - check it out. Level 2 is a TERRIFIC way to help students read fraction markings on a ruler, always a challenge for some. Some of the activities require Flash, get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page..

In the Classroom:
Use an interactive whiteboard to introduce this activity. Then differentiate the instruction and allow students to work on their own computers at their own levels. For more instructions on how to use this website, visit the "support materials" link.

Woodlands Math Zone Grade 2 to 6 - Woodlands Junior School- 8323

This comprehensive math site provides countless math activities (nearly all interactive). Topics vary from basic number skills (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division), to shapes and space skills, to data and probability, to measurement skills, and even math investigations. There are worksheets to print. There are also interactive activities to use with an interactive whiteboard or individual computers. Some of the activities require FLASH, get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page..

In the Classroom:
Use an interactive whiteboard to introduce your class to this site's activities. Then differentiate your math lessons by allowing students to work independently on the math skills they are currently acquiring. Even if you have only a single classroom computer, you can provide practice and challenge at all levels. This is also a wonderful site to share as a link from your teacher home page or in your classroom newsletter.

Math Arcade Grade K to 5 - FunBrain- 7403

This interactive "arcade" consists of 25 math games. At the introduction page, students are asked to choose a level and game piece. Each game is interactive, "kid-friendly," and quick. There is a feature that the students can "log-in" if they are returning. So, this would be a great practice activity for computer lab time. Since there are eight difficulty levels, there are a variety of math skills/operations included in the games, allowing you to differentiate for student levels. This site requires FLASH.

In the Classroom:
Your students are sure to enjoy these math "arcade" games as they practice their skills. Use an interactive whiteboard or projector to introduce the games as a class, then have your students use a classroom computer or the computer lab to work at their individual levels. Check your school's acceptable use policy befoe allowing students to set up personal log-ins.

NumberNut - Advanced Grade 2 to 6 - Andrew Rader Studios- 7211

This useful website provides teachers with over 50 interactive mathematical activities. All activities require FLASH. The activities include fractions, decimals, estimation, rounding and money. There are also links to "kid-friendly" instructions for each operation. There are graphics used to help explain the concepts.

In the Classroom:
Teachers could use the activities at this website to differentiate mathematical instruction. Teachers do not need to search the site for activities; the specific topics are already listed with each activity, so the site is extremely easy to use. Be sure to include this one on your teacher web page for students to use as a review tool.

Zoo Matchmaker Grade 6 to 10 - Minnesota Zoo- 6923

Try this online simulation to teach about genetics, biodiversity, and disease resistance among tigers. This is a "hands-on" activity that forces students to think about the repercussions of environmental and genetic factors. You can turn off the sound, if it starts to get to you, but the animated simulation both displays and reads the text, a helpful touch for differentiating for ESL or learning support students.

In the Classroom:
Let students navigate the activities themselves on lab or laptop computers. You could even assign it as homework if everyone has internet access. Be sure to follow up with some discussion or written activity to hold students accountable for more than click-madness.

Exercise Central Grade 6 to 12 - Bedford/St. Martin's- 6583

It's not the kind of "exercise" you might expect, but if you're looking for a resource that can strengthen and tone your students' grammar and writing skills, you've come to the "write" place! Browse the many activities that focus on grammar concepts, punctuation, writing style, and editing. To use all of the site's many interactive features, you must complete a free registration. Also includes a nice collection of practice exercises for ESL students.

In the Classroom:
This might be a viable option for formative assessment in your language arts classroom. Use the resources on this site to test student knowledge before beginning a grammar unit, then differentiate your instruction based on the results.

Learning Resources to Promote Literacy Grade 5 to 8 - Western/Pacific Literacy Network- 6448

This literacy resource provides students with full texts of a wide variety of news stories, then challenges them with related interactive activities testing reading comprehension. Each full text is accompanied by an abridged version, and a story outline - great features for differentiating instruction as needed.

In the Classroom:
Use for independent, self-paced reading practice. An excellent preparation activity for state standards testing.

Learning Resources Grade 8 to 12 - CNN- 6435

Improve reading comprehension of non-fiction text with this online activity that uses actual CNN news stories to strengthen skills in making inferences and drawing conclusions. Differentiate your reading instruction by allowing students to choose a story of interest, then select the full or abridged version, based on reading ability. Follow-up activities testing vocabulary and comprehension are provided (see links to the left of each story).

S.O.S. Math CyberExams Grade 9 to 12 - MathMedics- 6119

Send your students to this site for interactive practice with math concepts ranging from algebra to differential equations. These "cyber exams" provide instant feedback and multiple chances to rethink incorrect responses. Browse the choices for the topic that matches your curriculum.

In the Classroom:
Include this link on your teacher web page for outside practice and skill reinforcement.

Hypermath Grade 8 to 12 - - 5341

This is truly a unique math resource. A concept map on the home page serves as an interactive navigational system for the site which focuses on trigonometry, calculus, differential equations, algebra, geometry, exponents, and more. Formulas, functions, and examples stress basic mathematical principles and fundamental understanding. A great site for refreshing or reinforcing math skills.

Disabilities Studies for Teachers Grade 6 to 12 - Syracuse University- 5242

Help your students to develop awareness, understanding and acceptance of individuals with disabilities. This searchable site offers a series of lesson plans and materials that can be easily integrated into secondary social studies, history, and literature curricula. Strategies for using differentiated instruction are also included.

Graphics for the Calculus Classroom Grade 10 to 12 - - 5152

This site provides first year calculus students and teachers with a collection of helpful graphics illustrating a variety of important concepts including differentials and differences, Archimedes calculation of pi, the number e, secants and tangents, and much more. Each graphic is accompanied by an overview and description.

Math Demonstration Applets Grade 7 to 12 - - 4543

Designed by a college professor, this site has helpful simulations for teaching a number of graphing topics for middle and high school students. There are applets for linear, quadratic, and exponential functions, as well as regression, trigonometric functions, differentiation, and integration demonstrations. The site is helpful for both demonstrations, and solving problems.

ESL Gold Picture Dictionary Grade 1 to 6 - ESL Gold- 9166

ESL Gold's "Words and Phrases" page is a listing of vocabulary, grouped in categories ideal for learning a new language. The categories are divided by levels from Low Beginning to Advanced. Many of the categories provide a picture dictionary of all items. Some of the more advanced levels do not include pictures. All levels have audio pronunciation. The higher levels contain vocabulary in context, word phrases, and other vocabulary development activities without definitions. This site requires Windows Media Player or Quicktime to play the audio. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page..

In the Classroom:
Use this site to share vocabulary by category, using pictures, audio, and written words with your ESL/ELL students, primary students, special ed students, or speech/language students. Include this link in a newsletter that goes home with ESL/ELL students. Mark it as a Favorite on your classroom computer. Demonstrate how to use this website on an interactive whiteboard or projector. Then have students work alone (or with a partner) at their current speaking level. This website could also be used in a regular education class with emerging readers. The five difficulty levels allow teachers the flexibility to differentiate the instruction. Note: small type fonts and some advertising may make this site difficult for some younger students to use. Preview and decide what your class can handle.

Autism4teachers Grade K to 12 - Autism4teachers.com- 9129

This comprehensive website, written by four teachers, offers an excellent starting point and whets the appetite for anyone seriously looking into autism. Autism4teachers offers a snapshot of many of the current and research-based concepts in the area of autism. The information provided It provides enough information to enable you to research even further. There are numerous specific topics highlighted at this website including - Communication, Social Skills, Classroom Structure, TEACCH, Inclusion, Behavioral Support, Parent Support, Visual Support, Community Support, Autism Awareness, Assistive Technology, Sensory Based Activity Room, Thematic Units, Data Sheets, & several others. Don't miss the MANY lesson ideas and activities provided with the topics. This website requires Windows Media Player. Get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page..

In the Classroom:
Use this free website (and the many tips) to help your autistic students succeed, whether you are in a regular classroom or special ed. Share this link in your class newsletter and on your class website. Be sure to provide this link to any colleagues helping autistic students in and out of the classroom.

The Art of Teaching the Arts Grade 9 to 12 - Annenberg Media- 9064

This is a wonderful site for high school educators who are interested in teaching the arts through theatre, music, art, or any of the humanities. It is a professional workshop site that offers 8 one-hour practical video seminars on how to teach the arts and on the passion of those who already do. The videos are free for streaming, but you can also purchase them as DVDs or VHS. You do have to register--for free. The self-described goal is a workshop to help teachers improve their teaching through seven different foci, including the diverse needs of students, instructional approaches, creating the appropriate learning environment to making the most of community resources, and encouraging students to be independent thinkers and creative problem solvers. This site requires Windows Media Player. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page..You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page..

In the Classroom:
This is a professional site rich in ideas for any teacher looking for new ideas or a jump-start to teach the arts. Make this course your personal goal for summer break or a collaborative professional development group.

Dude's Dilemma Grade K to 4 - Scholastic- 9062

This highly engaging website challenges students to rescue Maggie's dog, Dude, from a rooftop). To help the dog, the students must answer several math questions correctly. Each correct answer flies the helicopter closer to the dog. This activity can be differentiated by ability levels (easy, hard, or extreme). You are also able to pick addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, or a mix of all four operations. This adventure requires Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page..

In the Classroom:
Use this site on individual computers, or as a learning center. Although the site is rather simplistic, the ability to choose the difficulty level and operation makes this website a winner. The audio and motivational story is sure to excite your students. List this link on your teacher web page for students to use at home.

Spelling City Grade K to 8 - Spellingcity.com- 9030

Your students will clamor to learn their spelling words (or capitals, states, or other lists), when you introduce them to this site. With the atmosphere of city-life, students or teachers generate their own list of words (or use the pre-saved ones at the site). What a great way to differentiate and have student individualize their lists! From there, students have the options of Test Me, Teach Me, or Play a Game . For the "test," each word is read aloud in isolation and in a sentence. Students type the spelling word, and then the site ‘grades’ it. Students will love the applause and will not feel intimidated by the tutorial for their incorrect words. For further practice, interactive games extend the spelling fun. Many of the activities require FLASH. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page..

In the Classroom:
Teachers, check out the forum for more ideas about how to use this site. Special education teachers should take note of this site, since there are multiple sensory ways to learn spelling words, including hearing each word as an echo. Use an interactive whiteboard or projector to play games with a whole-class weekly spelling list or allow students a time slot on your classroom computer cluster for practice with individualized lists. This website would also work in various other subject areas to teach capitals, science terms, presidents, and many others. Sign up for the free newsletter, written by the Mayor of Spelling City, of course.

Be sure to provide a link to useful site in your class newsletter, blog, and website. This is a fabulous tool for at-home spelling practice.

Kindersay Grade K to 1 - Webmosis- 8867

Although it describes itself as being "preschool" site, Kindersay is a great web site for primary readers, ESL/ELL students and special education students working on speech and language. This site offers simple, easy-to-use activities such as letter recognition and vocabulary. Each letter and vocabulary word has a corresponding video with correct pronunciation. The Favorites tab provides an opportunity to create differentiated instruction for each child. Registration is free!

In the Classroom:
Add the link to a classroom homepage for center-time or for parents and children to practice at home. Use a different activity category each day or week with ESL/ELL or special ed students to build vocabulary. Then use a digital camera to create some pictures and sound files of your own for new categories using PowerPoint slides or the online "My Family" area.

Mrs. Cassidy's Web Page - Numbers Grade K to 3 - Mrs. Cassidy- 8839

This educational website was created by a Canadian primary teacher. It offers links to numerous practical activities on the topic of “numbers." Most are interactive and all have educational value. Specific number topics include foundations, counting, addition, subtraction, fractions, and place value. Many of these activities require FLASH. Get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.. Don't miss out on this rare find.

In the Classroom:
What excellent choices to use as a learning center. This program allows the teacher to differentiate instruction (based on the current levels of your students). Each activity has several levels of difficulties. Mrs. Cassidy has also included a color-coded guide to help teachers determine which activities are easy, medium, hard, and very hard.

Teaching Tips Grade 1 to 12 - Mr. Shurley- 8835

These teaching tips work well in an all ESL class, or a regular class with only a few ESL students. The tips provide ideas to help with preparing materials, making assessments, and modifying materials and expectations so that the ESL students can succeed. The file format is PDF.

In the Classroom:
Keep these practical tips handy in your favorites as a reminder when you are struggling to meet the needs of ESL/ELL students in your regular class. If you serve as a teaching mentor, you may also want to share them with less-experienced teachers charged to your "care." Many of the same tips apply to learning support students, as well.

The Search for Monsters of Mystery Grade 3 to 8 - National Geographic Kids- 8724

Terrifically "scary," this website thrills students with information about various monsters. Students learn the geographic location and numerous facts about several famous "monsters". The fascinating study includes Bigfoot, Nessie, Storsie, Yeti, Champ, and Mokele-Mbembe. Note: Some of the information on the monsters comes up in pop-ups. Turn off any pop-up blockers (this would include those that work as part of the Google or Yahoo toolbar).

In the Classroom:
Use this website as a starting point for researching the history of famous monsters. This is a great way to teach about fact vs fiction and the information literacy skill of evaluating web site reliability, using a topic that students will love. After they collect facts, have a monster "trial" in your classroom "courthouse" where two teams try to prove that each monster is FACT or FICTION, using "evidence" from this site and further research. Differentiate the tasks by assigning some of your brighter students to conduct the questioning (and perhaps challenge the web sources). Then have a the class-member "jury" reach a verdict: Fact or Fiction?

HippoCampus Grade 9 to 12 - Monterey Institute for Technology and Education- 8721

Find multimedia content and lessons ready to go, and customizable by your preferences on this incredible, free, online learning site. Whether you need a comprehensive curriculum for selected high school courses, a way to differentiate instruction, or materials to reinforce challenging topics, this site has it. The current subjects include Algebra, American Government, Biology, Calculus, Environmental Science, Physics, Religion, and U.S. History. The subjects extend through high school and into AP and college level material. Open a course at the left and browse the topics, especially the multimedia offerings. A free instructor account allows you to select the modules you want your students to see and share them via a unique URL for assignments or at-home review. Since the content is offered collaboratively from multiple sources, the courses each have their own "look." The ones our review team explored all included audio-- a real plus for ESL/ELL or low level readers.

Requires Flash and Quicktime. Get them from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page..

In the Classroom:
Explore the curriculum topics for your subject area and select some options for students to use in class or for review. This is also an excellent option for leaving plans for a substitute who may have no expertise in your subject area! Many of the multimedia modules are well-suited for interactive whiteboard or projector (or for students to navigate at an individual pace on laptops). Have gifted students? Allow them to "compact" new content and extend into higher levels using this site. Be sure to share a link from your teacher web page for students who need an alternate presentation of material or for absentees.

Rubric Maker Grade K to 12 - Scholastic- 8601

This online tool allows you to assess student work by creating an original rubric. Users are able to enter up to 10 skills. Each of the skills is scored on a 5-point scale (5: Proficient, 4: Capable, 3: Satisfactory, 2: Emerging, and 1: Beginning). This is an excellent tool to individualize and differentiate instruction. Parents will be pleased to see specific areas of strength and areas of need. The Rubric Maker could be used with any grade level and in any subject area.

In the Classroom:
Use this FREE online tool to create individualized or leveled rubrics for your class assignments in any subject.

The Renaissance Connection Grade 6 to 10 - Allentown Art Museum- 8571

This is a great website for student interaction! It does require Flash to get the full effect and animation (Get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.). With a click of a mouse you can be transported 500 years back in time, complete with digital images, interactive activities, maps, timelines, and more. The music that matches each section also adds to the authenticity in taking students to this time.While this site was originally for middle school students, it would work very well with 9-10th graders simply because it will hold their attention. The site includes lesson plans and ideas for language arts, art, science, social studies, and math, as well as a general introduction lesson.

In the Classroom:
Even if you only have one day to spend, you can use this site to focus on inventions or provide background before you read Shakespeare or look at Renaissance art. Start by sharing the interactive timeline of six themes of the Renaissance (Start from Art Explorer) as an introduction on a projector or whiteboard, then send student groups to different areas of the site to become "experts" on different facets of the Renaissance. The varied activities provide easy ways to differentiate or address multiple intelligences. Be sure to plan a culminating day when students share their new expertise in the form of presentations, products, or plays.

Multiplication Grade 2 to 5 - Dositey- 8523

This site includes interactive portions and printable worksheets for students to use to learn multiplication. Topics include everything from basic facts 0-20 to regrouping to order of operations. This site requires Flash. Get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page..

In the Classroom:
Use this website (and the activities) to differentiate the material for your class. Allow the more advanced students to try their hand at one of the more challenging programs. Get out an interactive whiteboard to introduce the website, then allow students to practice their multiplication on their own on your classroom computer cluster or as part of their time on a single classroom computer.

Place Value Charts Grade 1 to 5 - Coventry City Council- 8437

This website is a wonderful resource for teaching place value. A "super hero" challenges students to learn place value by using words, numbers, and decimals. This website is perfect for differentiating activities based on the learning levels of your students. The entire activity requires Flash, get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page..

In the Classroom:
The activity would be excellent on an interactive whiteboard as an introduction, followed by individual student practice on a classroom computer cluster, as a center, or even outside of school. Include the link on your teacher web page for easy access.

Word Games Grade 2 to 12 - east of the web- 8426

This interactive website provides hours of mind stretching fun. The mind challenges include cryptoquote, popword, eight letters, define time, storyman, wordsearch, and codeword. Some of these challenges are perfect for spelling practice, learning new vocabulary, problem solving and basic math practice. Each activity provides instructions for the user to explain the purpose of the activity. Many of the activities also have various difficulty levels to differentiate the activity for a variety of learning levels. This site requires Flash. Get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page..

In the Classroom:
This website is "interactive whiteboard ready." Students will love these mind stretching challenges and teachers will love the easy-to-use format of the activities. Put a game up on the whiteboard as students are taking their seats to focus attention and minds on WORDS before you start class. ESL teachers may find these games will help students practice language skills more readily. If you don't have time to utilize this challenge in class, provide the link in your class's newsletter or on your teacher web page.

Protopage Grade K to 12 - Protopage- 8257

TeachersFirst Edge Entry: For very comfortable technology users who need more sophisticated capabilities than your TeachersFirst home page. This online tool creates a highly visual "home page" that can incorporate multiple elements simply by dragging and dropping them in place. Not unlike Google's personalized homepage, the elements look like little sticky notes or boxes, but there is far greater flexibility and a wider variety of content readily available. You can also make the page local (simply use it as the "home" on your classroom computer), shared by a select group (passworded), or completely public. You can easily make a theme or unit page for quick access of resources, complete with directions.

In the Classroom:
How would you use this in your teaching? Create a set of RSS feeds for current events or a specific curriculum topic such as weather and make them available for an in-class activity, complete with directions. World language, world cultures, or geography teachers can profile a location on the globe, complete with local weather and news. Make separate tabs for separate activities. Students can access them by password or publicly from outside of class, as well. For primary grades, make simple instructions right on the desktop for a computer center activity. Use color coding of the instructions to differentiate for different children (Sam, I want you to do the yellow one). If your school permits students to set up accounts on web services, have groups make Protopages on an assigned topic, collecting and organizing resources, images, and information: "A Protopage Guide to Cells" or "Shakespeare's Times." Gifted and highly-able students will go crazy!

Skills needed: Join (free). Check out the Intro, Overview, and Quickstart to see how it works. Play to your heart's content, including making tabs. Learn about RSS feeds and other Widgets-- including sticky notes. Share the URL with those you wish to have use it. Note: this works on Internet Explorer 6 and higher and on Firefox. If your users are on older web browsers, the developers recommend upgrading. This may be a problem for some. Check with your end-user computers before you spend too much time making the perfect Protopage!

If you allow students to create their own Protopage, you will need to have very specific rules about content, since there are non-educational elements available.

Photojournalism Tiered Lesson Plan Grade 10 to 12 - Leigha Tracey- 8108

This website presents a lesson in which students explore how photographs can be interpreted as conveying rich stories to the beholder. The lesson presumes that the students are familiar with journalism and photocomposition and is set up according to Bloom's Taxonomy. While one lesson is presented, its advantage is the structure it gives to the teacher who has ideas on how to teach students to incorporate photos into their work. For ideal lesson purposes, it also presents the logical Bloom's progression which is particularly helpful to new teachers.

In the Classroom:
To take full advantage of this lesson, expand it into choosing photos off the web from news stories or from Flickr. (See the TeachersFirst Edge explanation of Flickr). You might even preview some sites and have pairs of students access them and categorize them by analysis. This would enable you to tailor the lesson to any literature you were working with from: Shakespeare to Hemingway to Grisham.

Broken Calculator Grade 3 to 8 - Woodlands Junior School- 8067

This website provides a challenging and entertaining math activity. Students are presented with a broken calculator (with only a few buttons remaining). The challenge is to create specific answers using only the keys provided. The different levels allow you to differentiate for every student in your class. This activity is certain to develop strong mental math skills and number sense. This site requires Flash. Get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page..

In the Classroom:
Share this site on a projector or interactive whiteboard before allowing students to use it individually or with a partner.

That Quiz Grade 1 to 12 - Andrew Lyzcak- 7788

This "quiz" website provides math quizzes for students of all ages. There are quick, 10-question quizzes in 20 areas (including money, triangles, algebra, basic arithmetic, calculus and more). Each individual quiz can also be set to various difficulty levels. This site would be useful in any mathematics class grades 1-12.

In the Classroom:
Demonstrate this website as a group activity with an interactive whiteboard or projector, then use it for an individual activity differentiated to the many different math levels of your classes and students. Provide this link on your teacher web page for parents and learning support teachers to use with their students at home for additional practice or enrichment.

Thinking Blocks Grade 3 to 8 - thinkingblocks.com- 7773

Help your students to uncomplicated the intricate world of algebra. This engaging and interactive math website is sure to challenge, educate and entertain your students. Thinking Blocks presents students with video tutorials, interactive activities, virtual tutors, and more. Topic choices include addition/subtraction, multiplication/division and ratio word problems. Blocks are used to represent numbers within the math problem. Students are guided step-by-step as they solve the multi-step problems. Each lesson includes only eight questions, so they could easily be completed during one regular class period. There are six lessons in each of the mathematical areas. FLASH is required for some of the activities.

In the Classroom:
Try an interactive whiteboard and treat your students to this challenging math activity. If you are able to use a lab or laptops, differentiate your instruction and allow the students to work on skills at their own levels. Each of the three "topic" sets has six lessons.

After you use it in class, include this site on your teacher web page for students to practice prior to your test or the "big one."

Math General Flashcards Grade K to 5 - Education 4 Kids- 7398

This math website contains four interactive and individualized activities. At the "Flashcard" link, the teacher can create individualized flashcards using addition, subtraction, multiplication, division or a mix of operations. The "Early Math" link is created especially for students in Kindergarten and first grade. The concepts include more/less and biggest/smallest. The "Math Square" link is a logic puzzle that can be individualized to three difficulty levels. The "Math Tables" link creates an interactive table utilizing addition, subtraction or multiplication.

In the Classroom:
Try an interactive whiteboard to introduce these drill and practice activities to challenge your class, then include the link on your teacher web page or as a shortcut on a classroom computer for students to access individually. Be sure to tell parents about it, too. Take the students to the computer lab or assign different tasks at a classroom center to differentiate the instruction and allow the students to work at their individual levels. Note: very Young students may need help reading the directions to access the correct game.

Holes (webquest) Grade 6 to 9 - Lu Dayment & Linda Heiden- 7309

This webquest uses the metaphor of hole-digging found in the novel to provide separate activities for 5 separate groups of students. Each hole focuses on a certain aspect of the book , such as reptiles, prejudice, nature, relationships etc. Besides completing the tasks found in the "holes," students also prepare a final presentation of their choice (power point, video, research paper, or original).Note that the webquest is from a Texas school, so you may want to adjust some of the geographic suggestions they make to fit your region.

In the Classroom:
A good way to get groups of students deeply into the book. The tasks vary in difficulty, so it is easy to differentiate your instruction. Grading criteria are also provided. If you do not have time for the entire web quest, perhaps you can use one or two of the tasks for a shorter time period.

RAINFOREST Math Grade K to 7 - Jenny Eather- 7248

This amazing website provides literally hundreds of simple math activities. Each activity incorporates vivid, colorful pictures of the rainforest (land and animals). There are 7-levels of difficulty and numerous subjects ranging from shapes, counting, volume, capacity and probability. Many of the activities require FLASH.

In the Classroom:
This website is extremely useful in any elementary and middle school classroom. Use the seven difficulty levels to differentiate your instruction. All of the activities are simple to follow, quick to use and could easily be used as a group activity with an interactive whiteboard or independent student activities. You can find activities for any strand of math skills easily. Copy and paste the exact URL for an activity on your teacher web page while you are studying that topic.

NumberNut - Basic Grade K to 5 - Andrew Rader Studios- 7210

This very useful website provides over 100 mathematical activities. The specific skills required are listed with each activity. The general mathematical areas include shapes, colors, numbers, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, dates and times. All activities require FLASH.

In the Classroom:
There are activities at this site for all elementary math levels. This site would be great to differentiate instruction. Or the teacher can involve the entire class by using an interactive whiteboard. Keep this link on your teacher web page for students to use outside of class for review.

Wash Line 1 Grade K to 2 - Crick Web- 7087

This game challenges students to put numerals in the correct order. There are options of numbers 1-5, even numbers to 10, odd numbers to 10 or random selection up to 20. The numbers are printed on t-shirts which need hung up on a wash line in the correct order. This site requires FLASH.

In the Classroom:
Use this tool to differentiate instruction and meet the educational needs of your students. If you see a blank screen, download the Flash plugin from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

The Digit Workout Grade 1 to 5 - Crick Web- 7082

This timed math challenge provides the students with 10 questions to practice basic math facts. There are six levels - single digit addition up to 20, single digit subtraction up to 20, double digit addition up to 100, double digit subtraction up to 100, multiples of 5 and multiples of 10. This site requires FLASH. If you see a blank screen, download the Flash plugin from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
Use this site to help to differentiate instruction in math class! Allow students to practice individually on computers by taking turns on one of the classroom computers or using laptops. Another useful tip: students need to click on the answer blank each time before typing in their answer. The TeachersFirst editors did catch a typo or two in the text ("mutliplication"), but the game itself works well.

Compare Numbers Grade 1 to 4 - Crick Web- 7069

There are 3 levels of difficulty in this multifaceted activity (numbers up to 100, 1000 and 10000). Students are asked to "click and drag" either the less-than, greater-than or equal sign to correctly answer the question. This game requires Flash. If you see a blank screen, download the Flash plugin from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
This tool could be used to differentiate instruction (there are three levels of difficulty). Allow students to try it as a classroom center, on laptops, or even on a whiteboard.

Adapt-a-Strategy Grade K to 12 - TeachersFirst- 6997

Adapt your existing lesson plans using these simple strategies to help ESL students. Click on the activity type you have planned and find suggestions and resources to help your ESL/ELL students be successful with the lesson. Some of the same strategies may help with students with IEPs for speech and language or learning support.

In the Classroom:
Share this one with your colleagues who also have ESL/ELL students.

ESL Levels Grade K to 12 - TeachersFirst- 6929

TeachersFirst provides these descriptions of ESL levels to help you think about what your student may be capable of doing in your class. These will also help in dialog with other teachers who work with this student. If you have an ESL/ELL specialist available for consultation, you may want to talk to him/her about where your students fit in this continuum.

Learning Resources Grade 5 to 8 - literacyworks- 6880

This site, intended to help build comprehension and current events knowledge, contains a “current story” from CNN San Francisco bureau and CBS 5 - KPIX (CBS Broadcasting) news stories. From the archives, you can select a story for your students to read (abridged or complete), listen to, or view a brief video. Although this site is designed for use in adult literacy, its flexibility and reading skills options (vocabulary, word selection, multiple choice, sequencing, and conclusions)support comprehension activities. Because the stories are offered in two forms, you can easily differentiate instruction. Students can also view an outline of the story before or after they listen/read. Homework suggestions and follow-up links lead students to more information.

In the Classroom:
Include this as an option if you require current events reports or are working on content reading to reinforce good reading strategies. You can build entire lessons around the activities, done on a projector, individual computers, or an interactive whiteboard. Click "Current story" to tart the activities.

The English Learner Movie Guides Grade 8 to 12 - Raymond Weschler- 6877

This helpful collection of movie summaries grants limited English speakers access to popular movies. Besides the summaries, which are available in PDF, Microsoft Word, and html, there are hints for teachers on how to use movies in the classroom, hints for the student on how to watch movies that are often full of fast talk and slang, and an overall explanation of the best way to utilize the movie guides. The glossary includes not only difficult vocabulary but also explanations of cultural, historical, and idiomatic references that will add to student comprehension and enjoyment of the movies.

In the Classroom:
Teachers planning to show a film in class should check this site for information to help their ESL studente better understand the film. You can also use it to help with literature that has been made into a film.

Be A Historian - Immigration Grade 4 to 10 - Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area- 6832

This website is a virtual time-travel experience for students in grades 4-10. The students travel back to the late 1800s in Waterloo, Iowa and see immigration to America. Although the site talks about Iowa, the information is applicable to American immigration in general. This website provides 10 different activities (many interactive and open-ended). The activities could also easily be used for differentiating instruction for various levels of ability. The website provides summaries, answer keys, standards and extension activities for the teachers.

In the Classroom:
This activity would be great for cooperative learning groups, whole class projects, or independent assignments. The ten activities provided are all very diverse and cover language arts, research, mathematics, history and more!

Math Playground Grade K to 8 - Mathadvantage.org- 6814

Have a ball on this highly interactive, attractive, and entertaining site that teaches all sorts of math skills from K-6. Check out Weighing Wangdoodles to practice balancing equations, learn about perimeter, parctice word problems, solve logic puzzles, and even watch video problem-solving challenges. This is certain to be a favorite both in school and at home. Teachers can even build their own worksheets to specifications by topic and level. Try the math olympics, get caught up in fractions playground or money mania (near the bottom of the page). Every activity allows you to differentiate by skill level. This one is a teacher's dream.REQUIRES FLASH.

In the Classroom:
Use the activities to reinforce skills as you teach them or allow advanced students to move ahead. Be sure to include a link to this one on your teacher web site for parents and kids to enjoy together at home.

Reading Strategies: Scaffolding Students' Interactions with Texts Grade 6 to 12 - Greece (NY) Central School District- 6812

Find resources for teaching and modeling MANY reading strategies in your classroom, including handouts for graphic organizers and vocabulary development, all from this school-district site. Each strategy is explained and classified as before, during, or after reading and then linked to further information. This is a one-stop shop for teachers in every content area, as well as those reinforcing study skills for learning support students and helping students prepare for standardized testing. Each strategy includes suggestions for how to differentiate instruction, as well.

In the Classroom:
Give students links from your teacher web page directly to the graphic organizer they must complete for homework. Then there is no excuse such as having the dog eat it! Files are all Acrobat files, and Acrobat Reader is a free download.

Current Events Lesson Plans Grade 3 to 8 - Sean Banville- 6772

Find excellent multi-skill topical social studies lessons based on current news appropriate for limited English speakers, slow readers, and average students alike! This site offers a new comprehensive lesson plan about breaking news every three days or so. The site is rich with pre-reading and pre-listening activities, oral and written comprehension exercises, assignments, and best of all, the option of selecting the easy or more difficult session and accompanying activities.

In the Classroom:
All news stories are offered in multiple forms: auditory (can be downloaded as a podcast or played on your computer, equipped with speakers), word document, pdf, and on the web page itself. You can play the auditory version for the class or use the print forms to reinforce reading strategies while differentiating using the "easy" and "harder" versions.

World News in Special English Grade 4 to 8 - VOA- 6770

VOA offers audio and written radio scripts of a wide range of news stories in areas including science, agriculture, culture, health, and education. The language used is simple, and the stories are read more slowly than the average radio broadcast. The site includes its own dictionary (“Word Book”) and pronunciation guide, as well as links to many other features. Contains RealAudio and MP3 downloadable audio files. If you have high speed internet, you can also use the streaming option.

In the Classroom:
Use this simplified news site to help students improve listening skills and vocabulary while learning about current events. This is an easy way to differentiate for students who process information more slowly as English language learners or for other reasons.

LearniT: Technology Videos Grade 4 to 12 - Nortel- 6719

For teachers or students who have not had the opportunity to learn technology skills from a real person, these video tutorials can be very helpful. They can also fill in gaps in basic computer knowledge. Topics range from Internet safety and Netiquette to more advanced video production, digital imaging, and web page creation. For your students doing independent projects, for basics before you launch into a full-class technology production, or even for teaching yourself as a teacher, these tutorials are approachable and fairly up-to-date. Make sure you choose the right level(s) for your students, since they may have better skills than you think. You can differentiate easily with the multiple skill levels available. This one takes a longer time to open, so be patient.

In the Classroom:
Include this link on your teacher web page or in Favorites in your computer lab or on a classroom machine for students to use as a reference. This can be a great help for students who move in and do not have the same background knowledge as the rest of the class or as a challenge to your techno-whiz or gifted student. These also can make excellent ready-to-go projected tutorials a substitute could show in preparation for an upcoming project.

World Geography Quizzes Grade 3 to 12 - Sheppard Software- 6680

With such poor results as a nation on geography testing, we all should try these geography games to build student knowledge of U.S. and world geography. Students can click on the region of the world and practice at different levels of difficulty. Even adults can find a challenge. Offered in a "dial up version" for those accessing the sites from a slower connection. Note: the non-dial-up pages require FLASH. Get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
Be sure to put a link for these online games and quizzes on your teacher web page for the summer and throughout the school year. Students can use them to practice for your geography quizzes or as extra challenges. The different levels of dificulty will allow you to differentiate your instruction easily.

Windows to the Universe Grade 3 to 9 - - 6541

Explore our planet, the solar system, and the universe beyond with this highly visual site, filled with kid-friendly text and interactive activities. Choose a reading level – beginner, intermediate, or advanced – and explore the varied earth-science subtopics, liberally peppered with hyperlinked definitions, descriptions, and multi-media surprises. Other features include summaries of astronomy-based current events and a generous selection of guided tours. Available in Spanish.

In the Classroom:
This is a safe, easy-to-understand resource for independent student research. Design a simple Web hunt to create a differentiated activity for multi-ability classes.

On the Job Math Grade 2 to 4 - - 6402

This math-based activity addresses reading, computer, and problem-solving skills while encouraging student creativity. After reading an online story, students participate in a class survey based on the story content, use that data to create a graph, and construct and illustrate a related word problem.

In the Classroom:
This activity provides many opportunities for differentiation. Provide students with choices in style or mode of graphing, math operations used in the word problems, or style of illustration.

Karl’s Calculus Tutor Grade 10 to 12 - - 4818

Here’s an unusually complete online calculus resource. It includes step-by-step presentation text, written in conversational style, along with a toolkit of interactive calculators and graphing resources. Add to that an e-mail based Q&A feature and the site becomes a sort of one-stop shopping for online calculus instruction.

In the Classroom:
The site could supplement a secondary course, or it could be used for individual study in situations where a face-to-face class is not available.