TeachersFirst - Featured Sites: Week of Feb 8, 2015
Here are this week's features. Clicking the tags in the description area of each listing will present a list of other resources with this topic. | Click here to return to the Featured Sites Archive
Historic Aerials - Nationwide Environmental Title Research LLC
Grades
6 to 12
1 Favorites
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Type an address into a mapping site and you get a bird's eye view of nearly any address with sometimes startling detail. But what if you could go back in ...more
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Type an address into a mapping site and you get a bird's eye view of nearly any address with sometimes startling detail. But what if you could go back in time and get an aerial view of that same address 50 years ago? Or 100 years ago? Historic Aerials provides both aerial photographs and historical topographical maps of most areas of the US (a few remote areas and all of Alaska are not included). Information is continually being added to the database. This is a commercial site focused on selling these images for a fee, but browsing the images is free. Each image does contain a fairly prominent "copyright protected" watermark which is distracting, but does not prevent the images from being useful.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): map skills (56), maps (209)
In the Classroom
Share photos on your projector or interactive whiteboard. Access either an aerial photograph or historic topographic map of the city you live in. How has the area changed over the years? What does that change tell you about the growth (or decline) of the population? What landmarks appear on later views or are missing from older views? These maps illustrate the way cities and towns grow and change or can provide helpful context and visual impact for discussions of historical events.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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CoderDojo - CoderDojo Foundation
Grades
1 to 8
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Interested in coding and looking for others who are interested as well? CoderDojo is an open source movement of free coding clubs for young kids that is led by volunteers ...more
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Interested in coding and looking for others who are interested as well? CoderDojo is an open source movement of free coding clubs for young kids that is led by volunteers and found around the World. Activities vary with each "club" but all focus on coding. Click "Organize a Dojo" to become a volunteer organizer. You are then responsible for setting up and maintaining the dojo. Not a coding master? Don't let that discourage you. Organizers are responsible for bringing learners and technical experts together. Students can click "Attend a Dojo" to find a location nearby to join. Volunteers can also find a dojo nearby to offer their services.
tag(s): coding (88), communities (36), computational thinking (42), computers (106), engineering (119), STEM (262)
In the Classroom
When asked, explain that coding is just another "world language" in today's world. Team up with the PTA/PTO or other groups in your community to find others interested in being part of a Coderdojo. Your Coderdojo can be considered an after school club, but on a larger scale can bring students from various backgrounds together for the common purpose of learning to code.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Typing Lessons That Work - keybr.com
Grades
2 to 12
3 Favorites
0 Comments
Learn how to touch type or increase your touch typing speed and accuracy with this handy resource! You can practice with NO registration. But if you want to keep track ...more
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Learn how to touch type or increase your touch typing speed and accuracy with this handy resource! You can practice with NO registration. But if you want to keep track of your progress, registration is suggested. You can sign up with your email or Google or Facebook account. Use the cloud to store your results. This enables use of this tool anywhere, anytime. There is a thorough slide tutorial when first arriving at the site. You can find it again under the Help section. The tutorial explains how the lessons are set up, what you will see on your screen, and what each feature does. You do not have to register to use this site, only to track your progress.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): computers (106), keyboarding (28)
In the Classroom
Everyone will benefit by learning to type faster. Introduce this site on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Then have students practice their touch typing independently. No need to have them sign up. They will see their speed and errors at the end of each list given to them. That information will accumulate for as long as they continue the practice. They could keep their results in a word document or a Google Doc. For more about Google Docs and Templates see the review here. Be sure to watch and see that students are using the proper touch typing position (no two finger typing!). Share this site with your students who are struggling with writing. Offer students the opportunity to learn to type in addition to write!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Magna Carta 800th Anniversary - Magna Carta 2015 Committee
Grades
8 to 12
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2015 marked the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta, one of the founding documents of modern democratic society. In recognition of this anniversary, this committee collected a number of...more
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2015 marked the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta, one of the founding documents of modern democratic society. In recognition of this anniversary, this committee collected a number of resources for celebrating and understanding its significance to history. An interactive timeline highlights events prior to and following the signing of Magna Carta. Essays discuss Magna Carta's impact on modern democracy. An interactive map places events in geographic contexts. And perhaps you're planning a trip to the UK for the celebrations? Find visitors' resources and a calendar of commemorative events. Check out the resources under Schools, including biographies of those involved (including a whole section on women) in the development of the document. There are lesson plans aligned with the UK's school system, and a quick Q&A overview of the importance of Magna Carta today. Don't miss the YouTube video explaining the work of Britain's Parliament in just over 60 seconds. If your district blocks YouTube, then this video (and others) may not be viewable.
tag(s): branches of government (62), democracy (19), great britain (16)
In the Classroom
No study of modern democratic political systems is complete without an understanding of Magna Carta. On its anniversary, incorporate the interactive timeline into a discussion of the roots of the US Declaration of Independence or the post WW2 Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Compare and contrast the different ways the principles that underpin Magna Carta have been transformed into democratically elected governments across the world.
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Teach World War One History with Food - American Historical Association
Grades
7 to 12
2 Favorites
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Teaching about World War I usually involves a little international politics, a little national politics, and a side trip into the innovations of waging war. Why not include something...more
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Teaching about World War I usually involves a little international politics, a little national politics, and a side trip into the innovations of waging war. Why not include something a little more personal and relatable--like food? Four short (under 5 minutes) videos introduce the idea that Americans' role in providing food aid to Europe in the early stages of the war was part of the larger Progressive movement. The videos also focus on the actual preparation of a World War I era meal. Information about the actual recipes is interwoven with further political and cultural commentary about life in the US during the World War I era. Videos are hosted on Vimeo, so Flash isn't required.
tag(s): nutrition (134), world war 1 (72)
In the Classroom
Use these short videos to make life during World War I come alive. Consider asking students to make some of these recipes themselves at home, or if it's feasible, prepare an authentic meal at school as a treat during the unit. Students might discuss the issue of food rationing during both World War I and II as a contrast to the widespread availability of all kinds of food today. How is food rationing a patriotic act? Challenge students to find other popular recipes from this time in history. Have students video the preparation and explanation of the recipe. Share the videos on a site such as TeacherTube reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Acapela.tv Talking Cards - Acapela Group
Grades
K to 8
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Acapela uses text-to-speech application to create short videos using your text. Choose from the thumbnails to begin and follow directions to add speech. Some videos also include an...more
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Acapela uses text-to-speech application to create short videos using your text. Choose from the thumbnails to begin and follow directions to add speech. Some videos also include an option to add an image. Options allow you to choose from several different languages. This is an excellent choice for ESL/ELL learners. When finished, share options allow you to send using email or social networking links. NOTE: Do NOT click on any of the "download" or "play now" links on the side or top of the page. Click directly on the video thumbnails for use. This site contains quite a bit of advertisements and links that lead away from the site. Demonstrate how to use and stay away from these links before allowing students to use on their own.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): animation (62), text to speech (19), video (257)
In the Classroom
Have students create their own short video using short stories or poems they have created. Create your own video to display on your interactive whiteboard (or projector) giving your class directions for a project or announcing class events or projects. Have ESL/ELL students (or any student with special speech needs) copy and paste their work into a video to hear their words come to life.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Snow Days - Always Snowing LLC
Grades
K to 4
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Do you need a snow day? Create a virtual snowflake without folding and cutting. Send it to your friends and family with a message. You will receive notification when someone ...more
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Do you need a snow day? Create a virtual snowflake without folding and cutting. Send it to your friends and family with a message. You will receive notification when someone responds. The site keeps track of the total amount of flakes ever made (currently over 14 million). The site also tells you how many others are currently creating snowflakes (in "real time") by sharing "Current Conditions."
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
In the Classroom
Let it snow all day with these virtual snowflakes. Challenge students to write poetry to include when students send their snowflakes to parents or grandparents. Research winter animals, places, or birds and put information and write facts on snowflakes. Create and make a multimedia presentation with your different snowflakes. Make a blizzard of all of your snowflake messages! Virtually cutting and creating snowflakes may become addicting!
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goREACT - Museum of Science and Industry Chicago
Grades
5 to 12
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goREACT offers an addicting interactive that combines elements from the Periodic Table to create virtual reactions. Click any element and drag it to the Reaction Area. Add another element...more
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goREACT offers an addicting interactive that combines elements from the Periodic Table to create virtual reactions. Click any element and drag it to the Reaction Area. Add another element (or a few) and watch what happens! The reactor offers advice for elements to add or you can choose on your own. Click on an element and a small screen provides a short description and its general uses. Use icons on the top right-hand side of the screen to view standard, atomic, ionic, or Lewis Dot versions of the periodic table.
tag(s): chemicals (39), elements (32), periodic table (44)
In the Classroom
goREACT is perfect for use on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Experiment with different combinations of elements and predict what will happen before creating each combination. Allow students to explore this site independently and share findings with the class. Have students create an annotated image including text boxes and related links using a tool such as Thinglink, reviewed here, demonstrating chemical reactions. Post this link on your class website for students to experiment with at home.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Maptia - A World of Stories - Dorothy Sanders, Dean Fischer, and Johnny Miller
Grades
6 to 12
6 Favorites
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Maptia is a bold, beautiful world of thoughtful and inspiring stories told through photographs by photographers, adventurers, and writers. Explore stories categorized by places, themes,...more
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Maptia is a bold, beautiful world of thoughtful and inspiring stories told through photographs by photographers, adventurers, and writers. Explore stories categorized by places, themes, and storytellers. Stories focus on portraying an individual perspective of the location and why it matters on a personal level. Find a collection of inspiring stories by people and organizations who are making a difference in many corners of the world. When browsing through offerings, information includes a short synopsis along with the location featured and an estimate of time to read the story. Create an account to add your stories. Bookmark and save favorites for viewing at any time. Maptia works well for viewing in all browsers, but it is optimized for Chrome and Safari when creating stories.
tag(s): creative writing (122), digital storytelling (141), narrative (15), photography (130)
In the Classroom
Share Maptia on your interactive whiteboard or projector to discover personal stories from anywhere in the world. Share with students as examples of personal narrative writing. Challenge students to create an account and add their own personal stories. To find even more stories like those under Causes see The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heros, reviewed here, and follow their ten steps for writing about people who make a difference. Create a class account and bookmark favorites. Share with students through a link on your class web page. Display photographs for use as a creative writing prompt.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Getty Collection Images - Getty Images
Grades
4 to 12
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At Getty Collection Images, select from thousands of photos. Explore more than 100 years of photography from Woodrow Wilson to the present. Click the Explore Art tab, and find Teaching...more
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At Getty Collection Images, select from thousands of photos. Explore more than 100 years of photography from Woodrow Wilson to the present. Click the Explore Art tab, and find Teaching Materials and Podcasts both with numerous topics for teaching. For most of this collection, the watermark has been dropped, and the service appends a footer at the bottom of the picture with credit and a link to the licensing page. Creating an account is optional. There is also a video category; however this review is about the images only.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): images (269), photography (130)
In the Classroom
Use this site in every subject area where images can convey concepts or students make projects. Share an intriguing photo on your interactive whiteboard or projector as a writing prompt for a short story (or poem). Use images for extra practice when writing in world languages, by having students describe the scene or tell a story about it. Have students create an annotated image including text boxes and related links using a tool such as Google Drawings, reviewed here. Google Drawings allows you to annotate an image with links to videos, text, websites, and more. Not familiar with Google Drawings? Watch an archived OK2Ask session to learn how to use: OK2Ask Google Drawings, here. When looking for free materials for use in projects or to place on websites, begin the search here. Be sure to keep a link to this site on your wiki, blog, or web page for students to use whenever they are working on a project. Not comfortable with wikis or blogs? Check out the TeachersFirst Wiki Walk-Through and Blog Basics.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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