TeachersFirst - Featured Sites: Week of Aug 2, 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
The American Civil War: Then and Now - The Guardian
Grades
6 to 12
2 Favorites
0 Comments
The American Civil War was one of the first major conflicts for which we have a photographic record. For the 150th anniversary of the war, photographer David Levene traveled to ...more
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The American Civil War was one of the first major conflicts for which we have a photographic record. For the 150th anniversary of the war, photographer David Levene traveled to the sites of 23 iconic Civil War photographs and captured the same view as it exists today. Using a simple slider button, shift watch as the scene transforms from the past to the present. Along with each photograph is a brief narrative, and an audio interview related to the scene with more detail about the changes over the last 150 years. Don't forget to click on the associated article for important background information from Levene about the project and his reflections on what he learned.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): battles (18), civil war (134), photography (126)
In the Classroom
It is tempting to scroll through the photographs quickly, but each deserves time for study and reflection. What is pictured in the original photograph? What is being communicated to the viewer? Challenge students to predict what the modern photo will show (you will need to hold the slider button to keep the photograph from changing automatically). What would Civil War-era soldiers think if they could see the modern photograph? What responsibility do we have to preserve sites like these in their original condition?You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Make Toys From Everyday Items - David Williamson
Grades
5 to 12
1 Favorites
0 Comments
Do not let the extremely simple look of this site keep you from exploring the links provided for making toys based on science concepts. Create items as simple as a ...more
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Do not let the extremely simple look of this site keep you from exploring the links provided for making toys based on science concepts. Create items as simple as a kite or rotor, or as complex as robots, a hovercraft, or motors using directions within each link. All links have clear, precise directions with diagrams. Some links have accompanying videos hosted on YouTube. Be sure to look at the last toy link on the list, "how it's done," for excellent tips for the process of design. If your district blocks YouTube, the videos may not be viewable.
tag(s): area (52), measurement (126), motion (49), STEM (263)
In the Classroom
Bookmark this site for use with STEM projects. Create a link on your class website for students to create toys at home. Challenge cooperative learning groups to create videos and share them on a site such as TeacherTube, reviewed here. Share the link with your librarian or media center specialist to get a "maker" center started at your school. These projects would also be great for an after school club!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Google Maps Book Mash-up - Lovereading
Grades
6 to 12
1 Favorites
0 Comments
Google Maps Book Mash-up chronicles some of the greatest and most popular stories of English Literature and their settings. Click on any book icon to see the book, author, and ...more
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Google Maps Book Mash-up chronicles some of the greatest and most popular stories of English Literature and their settings. Click on any book icon to see the book, author, and the setting. Type in the name of any location to zoom in on the map and find books using that location as the setting. Participate on the site by submitting book information to be included on the map.
tag(s): book lists (161), literature (217), maps (207)
In the Classroom
This site is perfect for finding reading material with settings from all over the world. Encourage students to choose a place that interests them, and then find books set in that location. Use this tool as an anticipatory set or "activator" to introduce a unit or lesson on a projector or interactive whiteboard about setting or geography. Be sure to share a link to this tool on your class website or blog for students to use at home. After reading a book, have students create an annotated image of the setting, including text boxes and related links using a tool such as Thinglink, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Plickers - Nolan Amy
Grades
1 to 12
4 Favorites
0 Comments
All-inclusive student response is what Plickers is all about. Students do not need to have Internet access. Responders use individualized QR Code cards (print a set FREE from Plickers),...more
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All-inclusive student response is what Plickers is all about. Students do not need to have Internet access. Responders use individualized QR Code cards (print a set FREE from Plickers), to answer questions. You use your mobile device to read the QR Code cards that students hold up. Create an account and get started immediately. No need to wait for an email response. There is a demo to use, or see the Support page on the bottom menu for detailed instructions for adding classes, students, questions (with or without images), and folders to organize your questions by unit, topic, lesson and more. You can save student responses to your online Plicker account.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): assessment (146), DAT device agnostic tool (143), game based learning (171), gamification (74), qr codes (17), questioning (32), quiz (66)
In the Classroom
Create greater student engagement and increased student interest in your classroom with Plickers. Students give their input anonymously. Print out Plickers' cards and hand out to students. Use an interactive whiteboard or projector to explain how the Plickers cards work. Create questions, with or without images, and add multiple choice answers. Project your questions and possible answers. Have students hold up their card in the position that reflects their answer. Use your mobile device and Plickers mobile app to scan the cards. You will see a bar graph with student responses on your mobile device. These can be saved to your Plickers account. Use Plickers to answer exit questions or to see what students remember from the previous day. Use for formative assessment to identify misconceptions that students may have at the start of a unit. There are cards with larger fonts for young students or the visually impaired. ENL/ESL teachers could use this for vocabulary or sentence structure practice. Unless your school or district has access to a matte-finish for laminating or matte-plastic pockets, you may want to collect the cards at the end of class.Edge Features:
Includes an education-only area for teachers and students
Requires registration/log-in (WITH email)
Includes teacher tools for registering and/or monitoring students
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Wimp - wimp.com
Grades
K to 12
2 Favorites
0 Comments
Wimp offers a wide variety of videos with family-friendly content. Browse through the site using a keyword search or choose categories such as popular, life, culture, learning, and...more
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Wimp offers a wide variety of videos with family-friendly content. Browse through the site using a keyword search or choose categories such as popular, life, culture, learning, and more. Choose a video to read a short description and view. Videos are imported from many different locations such as Vimeo, YouTube, and individual websites. Also, view Wimp on your mobile device by clicking on their link that is optimized for mobiles. If your district blocks YouTube, then they may not be viewable.
Although the content is family-friendly, this site contains comments that aren't monitored. If sharing with students, go to the direct link provided with each video for viewing without some of the distractions (and possibly inappropriate comments).
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): animals (281), musical instruments (46), video (257)
In the Classroom
Bookmark Wimp as a resource for finding videos for lessons and activities. Share the direct link to individual videos on your class website or blog. To remove the distracting advertisements on video sharing sites and more, use a tool such as Clipchamp, reviewed here, or Watchkin, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Enemy Aliens - Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre
Grades
6 to 12
0 Favorites
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This virtual exhibit illustrates a little-known chapter of Canadian history - the story of Canada and Jewish Holocaust refugees. Choose tabs to follow the story of the refugees from...more
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This virtual exhibit illustrates a little-known chapter of Canadian history - the story of Canada and Jewish Holocaust refugees. Choose tabs to follow the story of the refugees from "We Had to Leave" through "New Lives." Each section includes detailed information about the refugees' stories including photos, videos, and additional readings. Also, each portion of the site includes lesson plans for classroom use. This site is available in English and French.There is an abundance of excellent material on this site, regrettably the videos use Flash. Nothing else does.
tag(s): canada (23), germany (25), hitler (6), holocaust (41), jews (23), world war 2 (149)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the free lesson plans included on this site as part of any World War II unit. Divide students into cooperative learning groups to explore the site. Have each group become "experts" about different sections then teach their portion to their classmates. Have students create a simple infographic sharing their findings using Canva Infographic Maker, reviewed here, or Venngage, reviewed here. Have students collaborate and create maps using MapHub, reviewed here With MapHub students can add icons, text, images, and locations of different points of refuge for those fleeing the Holocaust.
This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.
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Hott Notes - Joel Riley
Grades
1 to 12
0 Favorites
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Get Hott Notes to create sticky notes, lists, or scribbles, to keep on your home screen. Never again have your sticky notes get buried on your desk or lose their ...more
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Get Hott Notes to create sticky notes, lists, or scribbles, to keep on your home screen. Never again have your sticky notes get buried on your desk or lose their stick and fall off the wall! If you have a Windows machine, download the program, and find the hot notes icon on the task bar. Easily create a note, list, or scribble at no cost. Add an alarm feature to a note or change colors of notes. Lists have a check off feature to help keep track of each item completed. Done with a note? Click it away. Never buy or lose your important sticky notes again. See the download section for directions about how to take your computer desktop stickies with you everywhere!
tag(s): note taking (34)
In the Classroom
A teacher's life is full of many things to remember. Keep sticky notes wherever you go on your computer desktop, in a folder, and on a USB mini-drive. Students love technology so encourage sticky note reminders. Use as a way to have students vote for choices. Allow students to add a sticky note to your computer after finishing an assignment. List all materials needed for lessons and labs on your sticky notes. Gather them from multiple places and still keep track. Use as a way to brainstorm with your class and later eliminate unneeded ideas. Keep weekly vocabulary or spelling words on Hott Notes for all of your student computers. Use as a method for tracking behavior.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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60 Minute Physics: The Course - Henry Reich
Grades
10 to 12
3 Favorites
0 Comments
60 Minute Physics is a free online course inspired by the very popular YouTube Minute Physics videos. Physics topics include light and energy, space and time, quantum physics, and more....more
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60 Minute Physics is a free online course inspired by the very popular YouTube Minute Physics videos. Physics topics include light and energy, space and time, quantum physics, and more. Enrollment in the courses opens up discussion areas, the ability to download videos for offline viewing, and online tracking of progress throughout the course. Easy registration requires your name, email, and a password to begin.
tag(s): energy (130), evolution (85), forces (37), gravity (42), light (52), magnetism (36), matter (47), solar energy (34), space (213), temperature (35), video (257)
In the Classroom
Enroll in 60 Minute Physics to access the many videos and lessons available. These videos are perfect for use on an interactive whiteboard or projector. Use as a short introduction to lessons or to supplement current materials. Share 60 Minute Physics with students as an excellent resource for enrichment or differentiation.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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