Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

Discover and explore what is considered to be one of the best math channels on YouTube. Patrick's channel is all about sharing math ideas and content to make math easier and more understandable to all. Browse through videos sorted in the order uploaded or by popularity. Use the search to find specific content. Most videos run 10 minutes or less, making content easy to use as a supplement to existing lessons or for extra help. The videos are not done "Hollywood" style, but they do explain things well. If your district blocks YouTube, they may not be viewable. To remove all of the "clutter" and advertisements from YouTube try Quietube, reviewed here.
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tag(s): equations (119), functions (52), integers (22), number lines (33), polynomials (20), probability (96), problem solving (226), quadratics (26), square roots (15), variables (14), vectors (16)

Find videos about water resources from all areas of the U.S. Some of the specific topics include the Water Cycle, Sierra Nevada Snow Pack & Snow Melt, Los Angeles & Water Imports, and others. View the transcript of any video by clicking on the Transcript tab of the player. Click the turnaround arrow in the top right of each video frame to see the "flip side" of the video "cue card" for a list of keywords and a description, Even though the larger NBC Learn site is a fee-based subscription, this is a free resource. If your district blocks YouTube, the videos may not be viewable.
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tag(s): sustainability (44), water (101), water cycle (22), watersheds (7)

Keep track of the noise level in your classroom using the calmCounter "Calmness Counter." This colorful tool is simple to set up and use. Hook up a microphone and watch the calmCounter respond to the noise level in your classroom. This is a concrete way to quantify noise level needed for goal setting and behavior (sound) management. Even the young can understand this tool's "thermometer."

tag(s): classroom management (128), music theory (45), sound (74), Teacher Utilities (146)

View visual representations of 200 calorie portion sizes of many foods at Calorie Gallery. Click on any image to view nutrition facts about each item along with other interesting information. Learn calorie density, carb-protein-fat ratio, and various ways to burn off the calories. Add items to the "My Pantry" portion of the site to make side-by-side comparisons of different items. Use the permalink button to share your pantry via email. Note: There is no log-in required. The pantry page explains, "And don't worry, your pantry will be saved for you when you come back!" The pantry collections you make on this site appear to be saved by placing "cookies" (the technical kind, NOT the edible kind!) on the local computer where you make them. This means that the person who opens the site next on that computer will have all your selections showing. Try clearing your web browser's "cache" if you do not want this to happen.

tag(s): calories (8), nutrition (134), obesity (8)

This special dictionary for language learners has several unique features: definitions, examples, and explanations for natural language words and phrases. It also has constant updates as the "cobuilders" (other contributors) add to it. Read the explanation of the site BEFORE you start to search a word. The larger part of this site also includes tools for Translation, Conjugation, Grammar, and Spell Check (install the Reverso toolbar on your computer). In addition to defining the word or phrase, the dictionary also allows you to click on any blue word or phrase in the definition for more definitions, audio, and sometimes video explanations. There is an option to search for the word in video/text news stories. It pulls up short little blurbs of authentic news stories, some accompanied by video (with the blurb being read) or a picture. Pronunciation is available for all words (click the word, then "speak"). The company that created the site is British, but its dictionary entries include comments on both American and British usage. The site is a collaborative site, so anyone can add new entries. In addition to being useful for any English language learner, there are features available in French, Spanish, Italian, German, Russian, Chinese, Arabic, and Portuguese. You can even set up your own vocabulary lists if you want to use this site as a personalized learning tool. Although we didn't find anything inappropriate at this site, you will want to preview this site before sharing with students.
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tag(s): arabic (13), chinese (44), dictionaries (48), french (73), german (48), italian (28), russian (24), spanish (105), spelling (95)

The Seminole Tribe of Florida's Ah-TAh-Thi-Ki is a place to learn about Seminoles and a place to remember. The museum showcases over 30,000 unique artifacts. Even though the website includes information about visiting the actual museum, there is much to explore without ever going there. Find a Virtual Tour, Online Exhibits, and Podcasts of oral history about alligator wrestling, patchwork, beadwork, dolls, Civil Rights, Brighton Day School, and tribal leaders. To find the Podcasts, click Collections from the top menu and then Oral History. The Online Connections Collection features 2,500 books and periodicals. Besure to check out the Education tab at the top to find even more resources, curriculum, reading lists and fied trips.
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tag(s): native americans (91)

CPALMS is an online source of information, resources, interactive tools, and lesson plans to help educators K-12. Although created for use in Florida, you can find resources for Common Core by subject, grade, or area. With free membership you can save favorites. Find free online courses by grade level or general education. Find exceptional professional development for instructors of elementary, middle, high, or adult ed. Explore Model Eliciting Activities or problem based learning lessons enriched with engineering based concepts by grade level and subject. Lesson Study Resource Kits cover grades K-12 in math, science, and English Language Arts. Discover information for unpacking and understanding Common Core Standards and information about how to use complexity ratings in Common Core.

tag(s): commoncore (75), professional development (392)

Introduce budding readers and writers to the authors and books found at ReaderKidZ. A children's book author maintains this place for teachers, parents, and librarians. Find interesting and exciting books and activities for children PreK through grade five. There are even picture books for non-readers. Click the Select a Month tab from the left menu, and find many more books and activities under each month listed. Check out the About tab and click Diane White then the tab for Resources. Under Resources you will find activities at the top, and by clicking for Parents and Teachers at the bottom of the left menu - even more activities.

tag(s): authors (103), book lists (159), ebooks (38), independent reading (85)