TeachersFirst - What's Popular
This page shares the 25 resources most frequently marked as Favorites by TeachersFirst Members in the past 60 days. See what tops the list of TeachersFirst's database of well over 15,000+ educator-reviewed web resources. Find out what other teachers are excited about. Not a TeachersFirst member yet? See the time saving benefits of free TeachersFirst membership.
Sleuthing and Snooping: Real and Imagined Mystery Read-alouds - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 6
20 Favorites
0 Comments
This readaloud collection is part of the Help I lost my library/media specialist series. Although nothing can replace the specialized knowledge of a teacher-librarian, this collection...more
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This readaloud collection is part of the Help I lost my library/media specialist series. Although nothing can replace the specialized knowledge of a teacher-librarian, this collection of books and activities was created by an experienced elementary library/media specialist for fall read alouds and class discussions as Halloween and "mystery season" bring a chill to the air. The list of books to read aloud and accompanying activities include puzzles and stories that challenge their thinking. Of course we include Lexiles where available.
tag(s): halloween (33), reading lists (63)
In the Classroom
Use mysteries as an opportunity to learn some specialized vocabulary, a new story/text structure, to practice making inferences, and to synthesize information and make predictions. If your library does not have the books you want from this list, try using the ISBN numbers to borrow them on interlibrary loan from a public library nearby.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Learning Resources - CNN
Grades
8 to 12
19 Favorites
0 Comments
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...more
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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).
tag(s): reading comprehension (68)
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UtellStory - utellstory.com
Grades
1 to 12
9 Favorites
0 Comments
UtellStory is a multimedia storytelling and sharing community. Easily create and share stories with audio, image, video, and words. Create an account using email information or login...more
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UtellStory is a multimedia storytelling and sharing community. Easily create and share stories with audio, image, video, and words. Create an account using email information or login with Facebook to begin. Upload slide(s) from your computer, create a text slide, or insert YouTube or Vimeo video links. Free accounts may make up to 24 slides. Arrange slides in your preferred order after upload. Add background audio or change background style. Record your own audio for each slide or choose from existing mp3 files on your computer. Insert when finished. Audio in the free version is up to 30 seconds per slide. Preview and make changes as desired. Save to your account and return if not finished. When complete, choose from publish as a story or publish as a topic. Publish as a topic allows others to share and add to the story. Share your story using your custom url, embed into your website or blog using code provided, or share using social media buttons provided. This site could be used with all ages. However, with younger students, an adult would need to offer a lot of support. At the time of this review, all of the stories on the homepage were "kid-appropriate." However, be sure to preview before you share! The educator tools for managing student registrations are not free.
tag(s): digital storytelling (66), images (161), multimedia (28), slides (33)
In the Classroom
UtellStory is a great way for students to create and share short stories about things that they photograph. Have students take pictures during field trips to use in an UtellStory report about what they saw and learned on the trip. Photograph steps of a science experiment. Or have students search for Creative Commons and Public Domain images to use as part of an audio slideshow biography about a notable person in history or tell the story of the water cycle or other process. Create a UtellStory to use for review of classroom topics or to demonstrate how to perform different steps in a math problem. Have students create UtellStory presentations demonstrating learning in any subject area such as Civil War Events, different characteristics of animals, etc. Create a UtellStory for your elementary classroom: upload a picture that each student has drawn and have students narrate the picture in their own words.Edge Features:
Includes an education-only area for teachers and students
Parent permission advised before posting student work created using this tool
Includes Interaction w general public/ public galleries with unmoderated content
Requires registration/log-in (WITH email)
Premium version (not free) includes additional features or storage
Products can be embedded
Products can be shared by URL
Multiple users can collaborate on the same project
Includes teacher tools for registering and/or monitoring students
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Class Charts - Classcharts.com
Grades
K to 12
7 Favorites
1 Comments
Use this free classroom management tool to easily track the behavior of your class. Click on the student and quickly assign a positive or negative behavior point. Enter and track ...more
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Use this free classroom management tool to easily track the behavior of your class. Click on the student and quickly assign a positive or negative behavior point. Enter and track other data such as reading levels. You can also make your own customized data set. Create multiple classes and even share data with colleagues (even among different accounts). The data is encrypted for security. Use the data on your school computer or on a majority of web enabled devices such as smartphones and iPads. Please note: Flash is required only to view the introductory video.
tag(s): behavior (33), classroom management (34), data (118)
In the Classroom
Use this tool to "track" your students. Share the data with parents and with students. Meet one on one to go over their current "track." Add pictures to the charts. Use collected information to help in arranging the students within your class. Use for easy ability or heterogeneous grouping. Track participation, modeling and reward good behaviors, or collect any other data that helps in evaluating and teaching students. If your students have a behaviour plan, be sure to share results with the case manager on their IEP.Edge Features:
Includes an education-only area for teachers and students
Requires registration/log-in (WITH email)
Comments
Very nice!Dunc, , Grades: 1 - 12
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The Book Drum - Book Drum, Ltd.
Grades
5 to 12
7 Favorites
0 Comments
Book Drum has the ultimate in book reviews and more for classic and contemporary fiction and nonfiction. Reviews are so colossally informative that Book Drum calls them "profiles" instead...more
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Book Drum has the ultimate in book reviews and more for classic and contemporary fiction and nonfiction. Reviews are so colossally informative that Book Drum calls them "profiles" instead of reviews. All types of readers will enjoy the interactive, visual content and attention to detail. Each "profile" has what you would expect: a summary, author information, and a review. However, that is where the "normal" stops and the colossal will begin. Some of the pages also include videos, gorgeous photos with captions and explanations, and maps of the area. The glossary defines difficult, unusual, and world language vocabulary. The most impressive feature is the Bookmarks. This is a page-by-page commentary and illustrations of the text. Head over to Book Drum and type in your favorite book title to see how informative it is. If your favorite book that is not on Book Drum, contact them and ask for a "profile" to be created or volunteer to create one for them as a contributor. Some of the videos require Flash.
tag(s): authors (83), book lists (81), book reports (24), independent reading (69), novels (16), writers workshop (13)
In the Classroom
Whether you are a high school class studying "To Kill a Mockingbird" or an elementary teacher reading Roald Dahl's "Mathilda" with your class, you will want to share with the excellent research that has gone into the "Bookmark" pages at Book Drum. For instance, in the first 25 pages Dahl's "Mathilda" mention the novels or the authors of "The Secret Garden," "Great Expectations," "A Moveable Feast," "Heart of Darkness," "Secret Agent," and "Kim." You will find explanations about the books and authors and links for more information. This is a powerful way to introduce young readers to the classics, the authors who wrote them, and general background knowledge.If you run a reading/writing workshop with your middle or high school students or want to promote books in your library media center, introduce students to "Twilight," "The Graveyard Book" (Neil Gaiman), or any other contemporary book to help satisfy their curiosity about the places and information mentioned. If Book Drum doesn't have a "profile" on the book your literature circles are reading, have your students create a final project modeled on the Book Drum example. Use a wiki for student groups to collaborate on book profile pages. To learn more about using wikis in your classroom, check out the TeachersFirst Wiki Walk-Through. Another good program for nonfiction literature circle projects is Meograph, (reviewed here).
This resource requires Adobe Flash.
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Figurative Language - Teachersfirst
Grades
3 to 5
12 Favorites
0 Comments
This lesson teaches students to recognize and use personification and alliteration by asking them to visit several illustrative web sites, then create a simple Powerpoint presentation...more
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This lesson teaches students to recognize and use personification and alliteration by asking them to visit several illustrative web sites, then create a simple Powerpoint presentation illustrating each figure of speech. The lesson includes links, downloadable "idea cards," and a Powerpoint template. Aligned to national standards.
tag(s): figurative language (13), speech (83)
In the Classroom
Extend this lesson using online tools such as ed.Voicethread reviewed here for students to upload and share their figure of speech projects and comment to each other about them.
This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.
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Awesome Stories - AwesomeStories
Grades
4 to 12
5 Favorites
0 Comments
AwesomeStories is a one stop shop of primary source materials. It is a gathering place of sources located at national archives, libraries, universities, museums, historical societies...more
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AwesomeStories is a one stop shop of primary source materials. It is a gathering place of sources located at national archives, libraries, universities, museums, historical societies and government-created websites. The site includes documents, videos, audio clips and narrations. Topics range from the Women's Movement to Emperor Penguins to Abraham Lincoln to the Easter Story (through medieval/renaissance art) and much more. Search by biography, disaster, trials, flicks, history, philosophy, sports, or the arts. You can also search by lesson plans, narrations, slide shows, videos, images, audio clips, documentaries, and more! You can also take advantage of the Visual Vocabulary to learn vocabulary related to many of the stories and video clips available at this site.
tag(s): art history (38), artists (47), biographies (31), black history (41), civil rights (77), civil war (113), cross cultural understanding (63), disasters (30), earthquakes (37), easter (18), inventors and inventions (93), korea (14), lincoln (75), mars (37), movies (49), natural disasters (13), presidents (87), primary sources (62), resources (92), south africa (6), vocabulary (289), weather (158), womens suffrage (10)
In the Classroom
Use this rich site to support your social studies, history, science, language arts classroom and many others! There is a lot here to explore and many diverse topics. Use the Visual Vocabulary Builder to introduce your students to new vocabulary in a different way. Middle and high schoolers could use the movies to teach about character development and themes. The site includes several lesson plans that help you teach with current movies. Have your students use the site to find historical images to use in presentations. (Be sure to check the licensing on any image you use and cite it properly.) Project the video clips using an interactive whiteboard or projector to introduce students to a unit of study. Challenge small groups of students to explore one of the topics presented at this site and share their "story" with the rest of the class. Have students create an annotated image including text boxes and related links using a tool such as Thinglink, reviewed here. Many texts on this site are also useful examples of informational texts for practice of Common Core standards.
This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.
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Szoter - szoter.com
Grades
K to 12
5 Favorites
0 Comments
Szoter is an online tool for annotating images stored on your computer or screenshots from your computer. Use this site directly on the web or download the Adobe Air version ...more
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Szoter is an online tool for annotating images stored on your computer or screenshots from your computer. Use this site directly on the web or download the Adobe Air version that runs on your desktop. Launch then choose from options to annotate such as load local image, capture camera image, make screenshot, or load image url. After your image loads, choose from editing options such as scaling image, drawing tools such as lines, arrows, and circles, and add text. When finished, save to your computer or publish and share to Twitter, Facebook, or copy the url provided.
tag(s): digital storytelling (66), images (161)
In the Classroom
Capture a screenshot of websites or software and annotate with directions for student use. Have students label and identify objects in an image. Label parts of a plant, continents, landforms, etc. Practice new words in a different language by asking students to label and identify objects in that language. Create a storyboard using several annotated images as a story starter. Art students can annotate images to point out design elements or annotate images of their own work to talk about the creative decisions they made. Share annotated Szoter images on your class website or blog to tell about a field trip or class event.Edge Features:
Parent permission advised before posting student work created using this tool
Includes Interaction w general public/ public galleries with unmoderated content
Products can be embedded
Products can be shared by URL
Multiple users can collaborate on the same project
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Image Detective - Library of Congress
Grades
5 to 12
11 Favorites
0 Comments
In this activity, you select a photo from a topic of interest. Topics include: Immigration, Cities, Industrialization, The West, Leisure and Amusement, Progressive Reform, Woman & Suffrage,...more
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In this activity, you select a photo from a topic of interest. Topics include: Immigration, Cities, Industrialization, The West, Leisure and Amusement, Progressive Reform, Woman & Suffrage, Children, and World War I. Next you create a story background for the photo you have chosen. Select a question to answer on each page or create your own question about the photo. Click to the next screen to gather clues as you mouse over different sections of the photo and type in information gained from observing closely. Another screen yields background information on the photo. In the second to last screen, combine the clues in order to safely draw conclusions about the information the photo provides. A comparison screen at the end lets you see information others have deduced from the photo.
tag(s): logic (185), photography (113), scientific method (39), world war 1 (28)
In the Classroom
Share the photos on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Use the series of steps on this activity to teach students the skills of observation, deduction, and drawing intelligent conclusions. Have students do this activity in pairs in a computer lab. The steps are available to use on paper or printable in pdf format, so students can select their own mystery photos and create a similar activity away from the computer. ESL/ELL students can benefit from using the steps in this process. Images will help them understand material better, and they can also create their own presentations. Have students bring and exchange mystery photos; see if the conclusions they draw match the family stories the photo owners have. Science teachers can use this photo activity to teach about scientific method and, in particular, making observations. Start with the offerings on this site, then try it with more "scientific" images.
This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.
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Biomes of the World - TeachersFirst
Grades
4 to 8
18 Favorites
0 Comments
Introduce the earth's different biomes with this unit, created by TeachersFirst. Biomes include coniferous forest, deciduous forest, tropical rainforest, tundra, ocean, fresh...more
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Introduce the earth's different biomes with this unit, created by TeachersFirst. Biomes include coniferous forest, deciduous forest, tropical rainforest, tundra, ocean, fresh water, desert, and the savannah. Each link includes information and pictures. Students can complete an on-line research project on a biome of their choice, using selected web resources, or they can learn the basics of biomes with the information provided in the unit. There are links to the introduction, to learn more about the project, and even a teachers link (with a TON of class activity ideas). This site does require Adobe Acrobat. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.
tag(s): biomes (112), earth (196), earth day (104), ecosystems (67)
In the Classroom
Have students work in cooperative learning groups to explore this site. Challenge students to create multimedia presentations about the biomes. How about a Powerpoint? Or have students narrate a photo of the biome using a site such as VoiceThread (reviewed here). Other options include creating a wiki, blog, or video.
This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.
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Readability - Dave Taylor
Grades
K to 12
4 Favorites
0 Comments
Find readability scores for web pages and word documents in an instant! Upload a word document or enter a site url to begin. Readability grades include Kincaid, ARI, and five ...more
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Find readability scores for web pages and word documents in an instant! Upload a word document or enter a site url to begin. Readability grades include Kincaid, ARI, and five other indexes. View sentence info such as total characters, number of words, average word length, percentage of short and long sentences, and more. View word usage of types of verbs, conjunctions, and other parts of speech as well as type of words used to begin sentences. Click the link provided to view an explanation of each type of score.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): independent reading (69), readability (8), reading comprehension (68)
In the Classroom
Upload word documents to view instant feedback on readability, including the directions you write for assignments. Challenge students to make changes to their own writing increase sophistication of their writing to a level appropriate for their own grade. Talk about how readability works: the types of sentences that make a passage "higher" level, sentence length, etc. Test passages of public domain texts (from sites like this one) by famous authors to see how their writing ranks when discussing their writing style. View readability levels of websites before sharing with students to find appropriate reading levels for differentiation.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Bingo Baker - Matt Johnson
Grades
K to 8
4 Favorites
0 Comments
Whip up a batch of Bingo cards in no time with Bingo Baker! Give your card a title and start typing words into the Bingo grid, change Bingo column headings ...more
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Whip up a batch of Bingo cards in no time with Bingo Baker! Give your card a title and start typing words into the Bingo grid, change Bingo column headings if desired. Use the option to leave the center space free or not by checking the box at the bottom of the page. When finished, click Generate to produce your cards. The free option is limited to printing 8 cards at a time. This may work best for centers and small group work instead of whole class activities.
tag(s): printables (27), worksheets (32)
In the Classroom
Use Bingo Baker to create Bingo games to review any topic with small groups. Instead of telling the word that is on the Bingo card give the definition (so students must find the term) or a math problem whose answer is among those on the card. Create sight word bingo cards for younger students. This is a great review tool for science or social studies. Put a short description of a vocabulary word into the space. Tell students the name of the vocabulary word and see if they can find it on the Bingo card. Or do the reverse and write the vocabulary word on the card and read the definition to the class. Encourage students to create bingo games for each other as review or to engage the audience during oral presentations. Learning support teachers can create them together with students as an engaging way to review. World language teachers (and students) can create bingo cards to reinforce vocabulary.
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U. S. History Images - Karen J. Hatzigeorgiou
Grades
7 to 12
4 Favorites
0 Comments
U.S. History Images is a large site of Public Domain images beginning with Native Americans up to the Civil War. Choose from categories offered to locate images within the different...more
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U.S. History Images is a large site of Public Domain images beginning with Native Americans up to the Civil War. Choose from categories offered to locate images within the different choices. For specific searches, use the search bar or site map to locate content. Be sure to view the Terms of Use for understanding of proper use of images.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): 1800s (30), american revolution (52), civil war (113), colonial america (89), colonization (12), emancipation proclamation (10), images (161), industrial revolution (17), industrialization (10), lincoln (75), native americans (48), pioneers (8), states (150), transportation (29), washington (26)
In the Classroom
Bookmark and save this site to share during classroom lessons on your projector or interactive whiteboard. Share with students as a place to explore and to "get the picture" of early events in American History. As an alternative to a traditional report, create a newspaper using a site such as Zinepal (reviewed here) to report on Civil War events. Click to "Start with a blank e-Book." This site is a wonderful source for students to find raw materials for multimedia projects in general. Be sure to provide a mini lesson on how to cite their image sources!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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World History TimeMap - TimeMaps Ltd
Grades
5 to 12
4 Favorites
1 Comments
See the history of the world from 3500BC to 2005AD! TimeMaps offers a look at every nation, empire, and civilization as one story using maps. Choose a date or time ...more
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See the history of the world from 3500BC to 2005AD! TimeMaps offers a look at every nation, empire, and civilization as one story using maps. Choose a date or time period to begin exploration. Use pinpoints located on the map to view specific information about that location. Use timelines located under the map to narrow down topics within a time period. For example, at 100 AD choose to view information by Ancient Rome, Mayan Civilization, Medieval India, or Ancient China. This is an excellent site for providing an overview and exploration of world civilizations during any given time period. Choose the "Are You a History Teacher" link to find several suggestions for using TimeMap in your classroom along several different lesson plans.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): 1600s (7), 1700s (9), 1800s (30), 1900s (16), 20th century (17), africa (173), asia (63), china (56), egypt (60), europe (57), greeks (22), india (36), israel (14), maps (194), mayans (8), north america (13), romans (23), timelines (44)
In the Classroom
Explore time periods together on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Find the time period you are teaching then explore pins to view more information about different civilizations during that time. Assign students different civilizations to research during a time period using TimeMaps as a starting point. Have students create their own comics to explain a civilization using comic-creation tools from this collection.Comments
Excellent interactive and visual timeline for students!! It's free!!Jackson, MD, Grades: 6 - 12
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MixedInk - MixedInk, LLC
Grades
4 to 12
3 Favorites
0 Comments
At MixedInk your students will be able to collaborate while writing. You can use MixedInk for any writing assignments, debates, speeches, student council proposals, editorials, and...more
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At MixedInk your students will be able to collaborate while writing. You can use MixedInk for any writing assignments, debates, speeches, student council proposals, editorials, and whatever else you can think of. All of MixedInk authorships are tracked automatically and color-coded. Students can comment on submissions and rate different versions to identify the best. There are at least two demo videos, and these can be embedded on your website for student reference.
tag(s): six traits of writing (7), writing (298)
In the Classroom
Remember the fun activity where students are given a sentence starter and told to write the introduction to the story, students then pass their part of the story to someone else, and the next person writes the next part of the story? Well, MixedInk is this fun activity on steroids! It is so powerful! You can assign your students to write about anything and they can collaborate together, whether for the fun assignment described, or for something as serious as an inquiry project.If you are using the Six Traits writing program, reviewed here and here this is the perfect place for your students to put their writing and get feedback. Students can suggest different wording and ideas and all are color coded so you will know what has been contributed and what is original.
Edge Features:
Includes an education-only area for teachers and students
Parent permission advised before posting student work created using this tool
Includes social features, such as "friends," comments, ratings by others
Requires registration/log-in (WITH email)
Premium version (not free) includes additional features or storage
Products can be shared by URL
Multiple users can collaborate on the same project
Includes teacher tools for registering and/or monitoring students
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The Explorers' Graveyard - TeachersFirst
Grades
3 to 6
6 Favorites
0 Comments
Combine writing, an explorers' study, and fall celebrations using this activity which asks students to compose an epitaph for an explorer of their choice. Writing and art opportunities...more
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Combine writing, an explorers' study, and fall celebrations using this activity which asks students to compose an epitaph for an explorer of their choice. Writing and art opportunities abound, and the end product makes a great display for parent-teacher conferences.
In the Classroom
Take advantage of this free and interactive lesson plan! Just be sure to save it as a favorite to allow for easy retrieval later on!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Lesson Plan: Egg Hatching Into Sequencing - TeachersFirst
Grades
1 to 3
5 Favorites
0 Comments
This lesson on egg hatching and sequencing is part of a collection of lesson plans featuring multi-sensory approaches to help all learners, including special needs students who benefit...more
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This lesson on egg hatching and sequencing is part of a collection of lesson plans featuring multi-sensory approaches to help all learners, including special needs students who benefit from multiple experiences with concepts. The plans focuses on consistency, repetitiveness, tactile and visual reinforcement--great for children with special needs. The original lesson plans were written by award-winning teacher Nora Coyle of Colorado, a KOAA-TV "Teachers First" Award winner. The staff of TeachersFirst has incorporated technology options, tips, and templates appropriate for younger students into the lesson plan to add yet another way for your students to experience and interact with new concepts.
Many of these ideas and templates can be adapted for use with almost any subject or concepts, to differentiate for different learning styles. The lesson includes national standards.
Many of these ideas and templates can be adapted for use with almost any subject or concepts, to differentiate for different learning styles. The lesson includes national standards.
tag(s): animals (197), sequencing (29)
In the Classroom
Experienced and new teachers alike will find this example helpful in designing multi-sensory, technology-infused lessons.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Inventors of the Industrial Revolution - TeachersFirst
Grades
5 to 12
13 Favorites
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This unit, completely revised in late 2007, provides an on-line introduction to inventors and inventions of the industrial revolution in England and the United States. In addition to...more
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This unit, completely revised in late 2007, provides an on-line introduction to inventors and inventions of the industrial revolution in England and the United States. In addition to information on key inventors and their inventions, there are interactive activities designed for student involvement, timelines, and an interactive quiz. An extensive list of "invention links" lets students learn more about inventions and inventors.This unit is written for middle and high school but is also adaptable for upper elementary.
tag(s): evolution (96), industrial revolution (17), inventors and inventions (93)
In the Classroom
See the lesson ideas page for ways to use this on your interactive whiteboard or with students working on their own. There are several ideas for projects and competitions to engage, challenge, and assess. You will definitely want to share this link on your teacher web page as a review tool, as well.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Threaded Adventures - Kevin Hodgson
Grades
4 to 12
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A Threaded Adventure is the online version of the "Choose Your Own Adventure" story. This site will help you and your students learn about the different "branches" a story can ...more
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A Threaded Adventure is the online version of the "Choose Your Own Adventure" story. This site will help you and your students learn about the different "branches" a story can take and how to create their very own "Choose Your Own Adventure" stories online. This is perfect for those looking to integrate technology into their writing curriculum. Not only will you find directions to help you and your students create Threaded Adventures; the explanation of how to do this IS a Threaded Adventure, and you will find sample Threaded Adventures written by students. Threaded Adventures also inspire "predicting" as a reader, an essential reading strategy!
tag(s): creative writing (98), writing (298)
In the Classroom
Click on the links to read about how your students can create a Threaded Adventure. The author of the Threaded Adventure suggests the use of a wiki to have your students create their very own "Choose Your Own Adventure" because wikis are easy of use for the students. If you are unfamiliar with wikis, see TeachersFirst's Wiki Walk-Through. Wikis can be private or public. Just be sure you have parent permission to publish student work online. If you use wikispaces, your students will not have to have an email account to join your wiki.Have your students choose a favorite short story or picture book your class has already read. Use your interactive whiteboard or projector to reread the story stopping and asking students what direction the story could take if the author hadn't finished the story, or suggest some "what ifs" yourself. Use Gliffy, an online graphic organizer reviewed here, to brainstorm with your class all the different paths the story could take. Once you and the class have decided on several different paths, go to your wiki and demonstrate how to create the "Threaded Adventure" using links to different pages. When your students understand the procedure, have small groups finish writing up the Threaded Adventure themselves. Once they've completed the class Threaded Adventure, they can use a story of their own to repeat the process.
For older students, you may want to go through the process above, and then have them put their story, or parts of their story, on MixedInk reviewed here to get ideas for story branches from their classmates. They could then use Gliffy reviewed here to organize the paths of their story. Once they've made final decisions about the different directions their story will take, they would then publish it on the wiki.
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The Living History Group Online Exhibits - The Living History Group
Grades
3 to 12
3 Favorites
0 Comments
Explore five simple interactive exhibits to learn about the Civil War. The specific topics include Union Soldier, Confederate Soldier, Women's Fashion, Odds of a Soldier, and Civil...more
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Explore five simple interactive exhibits to learn about the Civil War. The specific topics include Union Soldier, Confederate Soldier, Women's Fashion, Odds of a Soldier, and Civil War Statistics. Be sure to read the instructions with each exhibit. They are all simple to follow, but each unique.
tag(s): civil war (113), gettysburg (24), slavery (56)
In the Classroom
Use this site as an introduction to the Civil War. Use an interactive whiteboard and projector to show your students the differences between a Union and Confederate soldier. Have students go through the uniforms and discuss what each item represents and is used for. Use the "Odds of a Soldier" or statistics section to have the students make predictions about the life of a soldier. Challenge students to create a Padlet with their predictions and refer back to it throughout the unit of study. Padlet creates free, online bulletin boards.
This resource requires Adobe Flash.
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Exhibition Monet - RMN-Grand Palais
Grades
2 to 12
8 Favorites
1 Comments
Sit back and enjoy an exquisite escape into the beautiful world of Claude Monet's paintings. The RMN-Grand Palais, and Musee d'Orsay transformed their 2010 exhibition, "Claude Monet...more
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Sit back and enjoy an exquisite escape into the beautiful world of Claude Monet's paintings. The RMN-Grand Palais, and Musee d'Orsay transformed their 2010 exhibition, "Claude Monet 1840- 1926," into a virtual gallery space that transcends time and space. You have the opportunity to examine over 100 digital paintings. The zoom-in feature provides a unique opportunity to observe the brushstrokes closer than any security guard would ever allow! The graphics, animations and interactive features are outstanding. You will enjoy reading interesting tidbits of information about each individual painting, and exploring Monet's timeline available in the gallery. There is also an interactive journey that accesses your web cam and asks you to spill an inkwell, blow poppy petals into the wind, change the seasons of a painting and spook a bird into flight. The Exhibition Monet is an innovative and incredibly beautiful virtual gallery experience. Please be patient: this site loads a bit slow at peak times of the day. But it is WELL worth the wait.
tag(s): art history (38), artists (47), drawing (61), europe (57), france (36), impressionism (6), painting (58)
In the Classroom
This site will bring the world of art history alive for students. Project and share the site on an interactive whiteboard or projector, and then break students into small groups to explore independently. Consider using this site before starting a unit on Impressionism or visiting a local art museum. History teachers might want to ask students to find examples of how industrialization may of effected Claude Monet's paintings. Use this site in science to show how light interacts and effects our environment (and of course, take an observational detour into the world of impressionism.) Consider asking students how scientific discoveries about color and light in the late 1800's affected this group of painters. Create a resource link on the school webpage to this site so that families can enjoy exploring Monet's paintings together at home.
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Comments
This is an incredible site and I will definitely use this with my art classes.Marilyn, , Grades: 3 - 12
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Would you eat that? - Museum of Science and Industry
Grades
5 to 12
3 Favorites
0 Comments
So what exactly is in our food? Find out here! Use this free tool to identify what is in many of the popular foods that we consume. People born after ...more
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So what exactly is in our food? Find out here! Use this free tool to identify what is in many of the popular foods that we consume. People born after 1980 are the first generation to be raised completely on processed foods (anything that makes our cooking easier.) Contrary to popular belief, these foods are not real and are not made from natural ingredients. Drag the ingredients into the correct place to determine whether you have identified all of the correct ingredients. Learn what is in popular dog food, hot chocolate mix, and more. There is a lot of background music/sounds throughout the activity. You may want to mute your computer or turn down the speakers.
In the Classroom
Use this tool at the start of a unit on nutrition or macromolecules (carbohydrates, fats, and proteins). Assign students the task of keeping a list of ingredients and the reasons for their use. Identify how this is different between completely homemade food (i.e. Sunny D vs. fresh squeezed orange juice.) Students can use this activity as a springboard for further research into many of the processed foods currently consumed today. Students can create a multimedia report or post their findings to a wiki or blog page. Have students make a multimedia presentation using one of the many TeachersFirst Edge tools reviewed here. If you want to learn more about wikis, check out the TeachersFirst Wiki Walk-Through. Create from scratch alternatives to the processed foods discussed. Be sure to connect back to why our bodies are unable to process many of these unnatural ingredients correctly. Students can also create newsletters or articles about many ways to avoid and curtail the use of the many processed foods including suggestions for shopping such as "always shop along the outer edges of the stores and not through the center of the store as that is where processed foods are likely to be found." Research the health effects of processed foods including metabolic syndrome, diabetes, obesity, and others.
This resource requires Adobe Flash.
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K8Science - Baylor College of Medicine Center for Educational Outreach
Grades
K to 8
3 Favorites
0 Comments
Designed for grades K-8, this site offers video, audio, and slide presentations that cover many important basic science concepts such as viruses and human body systems. Strategies and...more
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Designed for grades K-8, this site offers video, audio, and slide presentations that cover many important basic science concepts such as viruses and human body systems. Strategies and tools for developing scientific inquiry and promoting student investigation are featured on the site. PowerPoint slides are annotated and also peer reviewed for content. The speaker's notes add information about topics that are not only interesting to students but also to teachers. Find lesson plans and other activities, searchable by content and grade level. Find current hot topics such as the bird flu. The science after school section is especially engaging. This site focuses on information to teach as well as short course information on educational approaches in teaching.
tag(s): birds (40), body systems (42), diseases (52), dna (62), earth (196), engineering (69), forces (19), inquiry (30), motion (37), plants (86), rockets (10), scientific method (39)
In the Classroom
Find great activities, information, and resources invaluable in the classroom setting. Share the video clips or online activities on your projector or interactive whiteboard. With the correct information and exciting activities already created, teachers can concentrate on successfully using the information to develop student inquiry and increase the skills for investigating. Be sure to check out the recent additions to find what is new on the site. There are also links to featured lessons and resources along the side.
This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.
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Snow Fall: The Avalanche at Tunnel Creek - John Branch, New York Times
Grades
8 to 12
3 Favorites
0 Comments
Experience the true story of a deadly avalanche and its aftermath through this 2013 Pulitzer Prize winning multimedia feature article. Rich with metaphors and imagery interwoven with...more
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Experience the true story of a deadly avalanche and its aftermath through this 2013 Pulitzer Prize winning multimedia feature article. Rich with metaphors and imagery interwoven with the narrative, the online article includes interactive maps, videos, and photographs. Discover the science behind avalanches in this exquisite example of informational text and narrative. The article sidebars share related slideshows and more. The story is long but well worth the time to fully experience.
tag(s): descriptive writing (19), disasters (30), snow (19)
In the Classroom
Include this story (or portions of it) during your science study of motion, gravity, or weather with secondary students. (Our check of reading level found it to be approximately 8th grade). Experience the text on a projector or interactive whiteboard to annotate figures of speech that tell us even more than some of the images. Read and analyze it as an informational text in English class. (it's viewable on tablets, too!). Discuss how the author uses media as part of the writing instead of as an add-on. Challenge student groups to investigate a true story of a weather event or other actual occurrence through a combination of media and writing, explaining the science concepts along the way. Share their projects using one of the multimedia tools available from the TeachersFirst Edge. Expecting a snow day? Share this on your class web page for your literature or science class as a productive way to spend the day. Teachers of gifted can share this as an example of a project that can draw on a student's interests in science, art, and writing. Challenge students to try one. If you teach journalism, you could make this article an entire unit as you discuss the changing role of print vs. web-based writing in the 21st century.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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America in Class - The National Humanities Center
Grades
5 to 12
3 Favorites
0 Comments
Discover American History lessons correlated to Common Core reading and social studies literacy standards, especially those that require close reading and evidence. The goal of these...more
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Discover American History lessons correlated to Common Core reading and social studies literacy standards, especially those that require close reading and evidence. The goal of these lessons is to use primary resources, background information, and the analytical strategies suggested to meet the Common Core standards. In addition to these outstanding American History lessons, also find free online seminars and secondary sources. The secondary sources, under TeacherServe, include essays on topics in American literature and history.
tag(s): abolition (7), american revolution (52), civil war (113), colonial america (89), colonization (12), commoncore (43), democracy (11), native americans (48), primary sources (62), slavery (56), women (88)
In the Classroom
Use your interactive whiteboard or projector to help your class learn the background information and read the material through once. Work through the lesson together; then consider assigning groups of four students to go through the readings again, discovering the answers to the essential questions. Have students post the group's answers on a back channel chat program such as Today's Meet reviewed here so all groups can see all answers. Where answers differ, have students go back into the reading and cite evidence to support their answer on Today's Meet for all to see.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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