TeachersFirst's Summer Sparklers
Other TeachersFirst Special Topics Collections
Whether your want to create something, ignite new learning, or hold on to what you already know, you will savor these safe, reviewer-recommended resources. Be sure to share with your friends, neighbors, and family. Teachers will want to share this page with students departing for summer break.
Summer will never be "boring" again!
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Smarty Games - smartygames.com
Grades
K to 4
1 Favorites
0 Comments
Smarty Games offers educational games for pre-kindergarten and elementary students on a variety of topics. Topics include math, reading, coloring, dress-up, and puzzles. Some specific...more
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Smarty Games offers educational games for pre-kindergarten and elementary students on a variety of topics. Topics include math, reading, coloring, dress-up, and puzzles. Some specific topics include counting, time, money, mazes, sudoku, and several others. Choose a topic to begin. Choose your specific activity within that topic (most have varied levels for differentiation). Each option includes a short description of the game and content included. Some options-- such as the dot to dot games --offer the option of printing.
tag(s): addition (180), alphabet (76), colors (56), counting (99), digital storytelling (66), division (113), fractions (172), money (154), multiplication (159), parts of speech (48), preK (163), puzzles (163), subtraction (145), sudoku (17), time (107)
In the Classroom
Smarty Games is an excellent resource for classroom computers or your interactive whiteboard/projector as a center. Create a link on classroom computers for students to explore and play games to reinforce skills. Display games or interactives on your whiteboard. Use the interactive clock located under the time section on your interactive whiteboard to demonstrate telling time. Be sure to share this site with parents via your class website or newsletter as an excellent site for educational games at home. Kids are having so much fun, they don't realize they are learning.
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Digital Booktalk - Florida Gulf Coast University
Grades
K to 12
3 Favorites
0 Comments
On the Digital Book Talk site, you will find high quality book trailers that will whet your appetite for a good book. Search for books by content level and interests. ...more
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On the Digital Book Talk site, you will find high quality book trailers that will whet your appetite for a good book. Search for books by content level and interests. Then click on a book to be taken to the book's page. Included on each page is a short video (some created by students), book synopsis, lexile level, publication date, number of pages, genre, and ISBN number. Teachers and library/media specialists can join the project and contribute videos. Read the "UB the Director" area ( UB=You Be).
tag(s): book lists (81), independent reading (69)
In the Classroom
This is an excellent place for students to start their search for a book that will hold their interest. Find a book trailer to introduce a novel that the whole class will be reading or set up classroom computers with a link to Digital Book Talk where students can be inspired to find their next read. Have students create their own book talks and share the videos using a tool such as TeacherTube reviewed here. Share this site on your teacher web page for students and families to access during summer.
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The National Gallery of Art NGAKids Art Zone - The National Gallery of Arts
Grades
K to 8
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0 Comments
Find an incredible number of activities that will challenge, amuse, entertain and engage young artists for hours on end. Tools include a collage machine, 3-D twirler, still life, paintbox,...more
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Find an incredible number of activities that will challenge, amuse, entertain and engage young artists for hours on end. Tools include a collage machine, 3-D twirler, still life, paintbox, and much more. Scroll down the home page to find links to activities with a short description of the activity along with directions on use. Some activities require Shockwave plugins, and some include a link to print finished products or save as an image file on computers.
In the Classroom
Demonstrate different representations and forms of art on your projector or interactive whiteboard. Art teachers will like the ability to simulate many art techniques without purchasing materials!Let students choose one of the activities to create images for use with summarizing and retelling stories. After creating images which they download, have students create an online book of images and captions using a site such as bookr (reviewed here). Have students create and download an image then write a story about the picture.
This resource requires Adobe Flash and PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.
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I Want to Know! Helping students explore a wonder-filled summer - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 6
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This installment in the Help I lost my library/media specialist series offers lessons and resources to send your students off for the summer ready to explore their "I Wonder" lists....more
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This installment in the Help I lost my library/media specialist series offers lessons and resources to send your students off for the summer ready to explore their "I Wonder" lists. Written by an experienced elementary library/media specialist, the feature includes ideas for making an "I Wonder" notebook or journal, kid-friendly search tools, and tools for teaching effective web searching. Help your students look ahead to a summer of self-directed learning, just for the fun of it!
tag(s): search strategies (21)
In the Classroom
Make "I Want to Know" the theme for your final month of the school year as you reinforce lifelong learning. The tools in this article are must-shares for parents to know about. Include them in your final newsletter or web page update for the year as students venture off for the summer.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Zoodles - Mark Williamson & Rich Humphrey
Grades
K to 3
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0 Comments
Zoodles offers a safe web platform for kids that includes fun and educational games, videos, and activities. The BASIC membership to this tool includes countless activities in a variety...more
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Zoodles offers a safe web platform for kids that includes fun and educational games, videos, and activities. The BASIC membership to this tool includes countless activities in a variety of subject areas. Many of the activities come from other sites (Starfall, PBS kids, etc.). But this is a nice compilation of subjects and activities. The safety in this program is that once it is downloaded and opened, children don't view the regular computer toolbars anymore. Thus they can't search the web on their own. To exit the program, click QUIT and OK.
There is a parent play-along mode that helps guide learning experiences in a more personal way. Zoodles has been created to work on virtually any type of computer, including tablets and smart phones. Games are searchable by age (toddler to 8 yrs old), and subject. Many games will also have parent ratings with the educational and fun value of the activity. Creating an account is easy and requires simple user information including email and the child's age. This is used to populate age-appropriate games. There is a premium membership with more features.
This site includes advertising.
There is a parent play-along mode that helps guide learning experiences in a more personal way. Zoodles has been created to work on virtually any type of computer, including tablets and smart phones. Games are searchable by age (toddler to 8 yrs old), and subject. Many games will also have parent ratings with the educational and fun value of the activity. Creating an account is easy and requires simple user information including email and the child's age. This is used to populate age-appropriate games. There is a premium membership with more features.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): addition (180), body systems (42), constitution (64), counting (99), grammar (197), numbers (159), operations (84), phonics (62), preK (163), subtraction (145)
In the Classroom
Create 2 or 3 (or more, as needed) classroom accounts with different age levels to provide diversity for students. Each account then be bookmarked on classroom computers for student use. Share this site through your classroom blog or newsletter as a resource for learning games at home. Use activities from the site on your interactive whiteboard or projector as a classroom activity. Provide this link to parents to use on rainy days or during the summer.
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24/7 Science - The Lawrence Hall of Science
Grades
K to 6
6 Favorites
0 Comments
24/7 Science by The Lawrence Hall of Science has interactives and hands-on activities for elementary school students. Some (such as Oobleck) are even appropriate for the pre-kindergarten...more
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24/7 Science by The Lawrence Hall of Science has interactives and hands-on activities for elementary school students. Some (such as Oobleck) are even appropriate for the pre-kindergarten crowd. The game section contains 25+ online educational interactive related to space, seasons, car design, body functions, Whale Sounds, and more. The hands-on activities area has numerous science learning activities that may require supervision: How Old is Your Penny?, Measure Yourself, Parachute Drop, Oobleck, and others. Be sure to scroll down past the activity, as many of them also include suggestions for related videos. The site contains a link to an educator's section that is coming soon.
tag(s): animals (197), human body (68), measurement (121), planets (96), plants (86), preK (163), seasons (24), STEM (27)
In the Classroom
Share activities on your interactive whiteboard with students. Then allow them time to explore and practice on their own. Create a link on classroom students for students to try the educational "games," then journal about what they learned. Use these activities for Science nights at your school or as part of a STEM family focus. This is a great site to include for summer sites for students to explore!
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Arcade Diner - Pomegranate Software
Grades
K to 10
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Arcade Diner offers some interesting and unusual "edutainment" for practicing math, science, and problem-solving skills. "The irRegular Game of Life" leads you through 42 levels of...more
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Arcade Diner offers some interesting and unusual "edutainment" for practicing math, science, and problem-solving skills. "The irRegular Game of Life" leads you through 42 levels of cell-placing and evolving pattern placement. "Milo Physics" demonstrates concepts of physics by dropping objects and collecting stars to proceed to different levels. Also included are board games such as chess and mahjong, number games, and puzzle games. There are a great many logic activities and much more. Most activities include a visual tutorial. The site offers a sign-up for posting high scores; however, it isn't required to play games. Note: Some games play an approximately 30 second advertisement before loading.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): atoms (42), cells (74), critical thinking (65), fractions (172), geometric shapes (73), logic (184), number sense (61), numbers (159), patterns (66), problem solving (150), puzzles (163), symmetry (38)
In the Classroom
Create a link to this site on classroom computers to use as a center. Share this site on your classroom website or blog for students to use at home. This is a fabulous site to provide to students/families to use over summer break!
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VoiceThread - VoiceThread
Grades
K to 12
8 Favorites
0 Comments
Voicethread allows you to upload images (from your digital camera, scanner, or even paint program). You can also upoad PowerPoint slides. Then students can record or write their own...more
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Voicethread allows you to upload images (from your digital camera, scanner, or even paint program). You can also upoad PowerPoint slides. Then students can record or write their own comments and/or narration about the images/slides. Other listeners can "comment" back, as well. TeachersFirst is providing the link to the VoiceThread home page but suggests that you first watch this quick explanation about two types of FREE educator memberships being offered for classroom teachers (one free, the other with premium features and more students, but at a cost). You can click to go to the home page from there. Access to the ed.voicethread site (as opposed to www.voicethread) is restricted to grades K-12 students, educators, and administrators. VoiceThread explains how to set up a classroom account and has some ideas for classroom use, as well. Ideas from the TeachersFirst Edge review team are listed below, under "In the classroom."
Voicethread now offers a free iOS app for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. It is free through the iTunes app store. Projects work seamlessly on both computer and mobile iOS devices, so projects started on one machine can be edited and/or viewed on another. Your ed.Voicethread account works in both places.
Voicethread now offers a free iOS app for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. It is free through the iTunes app store. Projects work seamlessly on both computer and mobile iOS devices, so projects started on one machine can be edited and/or viewed on another. Your ed.Voicethread account works in both places.
tag(s): digital storytelling (66), speech (83)
In the Classroom
You will be logged into your account immediately after you fill in the registration form. You must "apply" to designate your account as an educator account once it is set up. Click on "browse" to see many examples, including tutorials. Watch the "One Minute Voicethread" to get a very quick overview of how easy it is to create a digital story. Set up student identities. Use first names only. You need to know how to locate and upload saved pictures or PowerPoint files. If you want to use audio, the COOL tool,you WILL need a microphone, either plugged into your computer or built in. They can be purchased for less than $10 at a discount or electronics store. Once you create a Voicethread, it can be shared by clicking :share" from the menu or at the end of viewing it and copying the URL to send via email or other means, inviting others to comment back. Ed voicethreads have comment moderation turned on by default and are private by default. As the teacher, you can change these settings.Of course, you should be sure that you have the RIGHTS to any images you upload. Fair Use does not apply when you put an image on the web!
Invite parents to share in the results (The VoiceThread classroom page tells you more about this). TeachersFirst does not recommend using actual, identifiable pictures of children. Let them draw a picture or take a digital picture of an object that somehow represents them (middle schoolers will love that idea!). If you allow others to "comment" on student Voicethreads, the experience can be both wonderful and a bit intimidating. Use this opportunity to promote ethical and kind interaction with other students and their projects.
Elementary classes can create or take pictures, then ask each child to talk about the images. Each child can comment on the SAME pictures, creating a collaborative collection of responses. After a field trip or special class event, you can assign groups of students to explain each of the digital pictures you took and how they relate to curriculum topics. In art class, students can critique works of their own or of fellow students. In language arts classes, students can scan and comment on writing pieces as part of a reflective phase of the writing process. Or post an image as a prewriting activity and allow students to respond orally in an idea-generating phase. In social studies, have students provide a picture of a grandparent then narrate what they learned about that grandparent from interviewing him/her. Have students create narrated pictures as gifts (for parents or other care givers) for special occasions, winter holidays, Thanksgiving, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, etc.. During a science experiment or demo, have a student take pictures of the steps. Then ask students to "narrate" them by commenting on what is happening. The narration assignment could even be a center activity or an assignment on a few classroom computers for students to rotate through. What a great way to review and apply key vocabulary! Be sure they identify their voices if you are using a single class account and want to be able to assess understanding. Other ideas: narrated local history projects (pictures of local sites), audio "museum tours" of artifacts (photos) or war veterans telling their stories along with images of their uniforms or old photos. Speech/language, ESL/ELL or early childhood teachers could use this tool to promote vocabulary development and oral expression.
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 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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TeachersFirst Brain Twister - TeachersFirst
Grades
3 to 9
18 Favorites
0 Comments
These ten question quizzes, written by Thinking Teachers, change each Friday and are ready to go with one edition for middle school students and one for elementary students. The quiz...more
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These ten question quizzes, written by Thinking Teachers, change each Friday and are ready to go with one edition for middle school students and one for elementary students. The quiz presents ten questions, one at a time. You have only ONE try to pick the correct answer, so think carefully. You get points for each correct answer, totaling up to a possible 100. When you finish, you see your score and how long you spent. Questions are intended to stretch your thinking. Printable versions are available along with answers to the previous week's Twister. A new version of the Twister is mobile-friendly and adjusts to any screen size. Take the Twister with you wherever you go!
In the Classroom
Since elementary and middle school curriculum content varies from location to location, it is unlikely that every question will fall within the scope of your school's curriculum. High point questions may fall outside standard classroom fare. Five point questions tend to be at the knowledge/comprehension/application level of Bloom's taxonomy and closer to "normal" content. Ten pointers are more likely cross-curricular application/analysis, and twenty pointers require analytical thinking and a wider experience level, such as knowledge of current events or information beyond normal curricula. Twenty pointers may require more than one student's input.Do the questions as a whole-class activity on a multimedia projector or interactive whiteboard with students contributing the portions of knowledge they do know toward solving the question. Using teamwork and thinking aloud can often help the group reach a conclusion that no single member could do on his/her own. They can each test different math answers to see which one is correct. This process will not only foster thinking aloud and group communication, but also model test-taking skills for multiple choice.
Alternatively, do the Twister in small groups, with one student an answer entry but others as researchers on neighboring computers to find out what the group does not know. It may be helpful to assign roles: moderator (assigns what to find out and helps the group reach consensus), keyboarder (enters responses, may conduct research in a new window), or researchers (find information as assigned). Use the Twisters to model ad teach information literacy skills in a high-motivation activity. Or offer the Twisters as an enrichment challenge or extra credit option for students to do at home. Ask parents to be on the honor system to sign a note indicating the score their child achieved. Since parents may be overly interested in helping, you may want to simply give extra credit for anyone completing the quiz, no matter the score. Be sure to mark this ready to go exclusive in your favorites and share it on your teacher class web page.
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100 Best Books - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12
7 Favorites
0 Comments
TeachersFirst offers a listing of 100 of the best books for children, along with links to TeachersFirst's content about some of those books. Check out this list for some new ...more
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TeachersFirst offers a listing of 100 of the best books for children, along with links to TeachersFirst's content about some of those books. Check out this list for some new literature ideas! The original list came from an NEA member poll. Many newer books have been suggested since then, but this list remains a solid offering of "classics."
tag(s): reading lists (63)
In the Classroom
This is a great starting point for reluctant readers. Provide this list (or link) to parents to use during the summer months to help with the "I'm bored" days. Why not challenge your students to read their way through the list during the school year by setting a personal goal and documenting their reading journey in a reading journal, blog, or class wiki with one page per student? They will enjoy looking back over their reading year!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Bookemon - Bookemon, Inc.
Grades
K to 12
27 Favorites
1 Comments
Students and teachers can write their own original books, add your own images and artwork as illustrations, and read your published books in interactive, online form. For a fee, you...more
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Students and teachers can write their own original books, add your own images and artwork as illustrations, and read your published books in interactive, online form. For a fee, you can also have printed copies made, but there is no fee for the online publication and sharing. This is the ultimate in "digital storytelling." Click "Explore" to browse many "public" examples on the templates page of books created by others.
Here is an example of a book created by the TeachersFirst Edge editors. Once you set up free membership in this site, students (or teachers) can select to create from a blank start or using templates provided. You can also create a book starter of your own as an example so students can follow the prompts you have created. The book creator allows you to upload your own images and to create books from a Word document or PowerPoint file you have already made. EdCenter uers can collaborate on books.
After you save and publish the work, share the URL so people can read the entire thing online, either among an audience of "just my friends" or publicly. They also offer the embed code to place your books in a class or school web page, wiki, or blog, but at the time of this review, this code was not working properly. The BEST option is to copy the address of the new window displaying the interactive book. There is an option to have the book printed for a fee, but this is not required. You can also read books created by others (if they make them public). Use the fully-public option to create learning materials for classes to access year to year for at-home review or reading practice.
This site requires a simple registration. Teachers can set up an edCenter for their school or class in accordance with school policies. See more detailed suggestions "In the Classroom" below and in our sample book!
After you save and publish the work, share the URL so people can read the entire thing online, either among an audience of "just my friends" or publicly. They also offer the embed code to place your books in a class or school web page, wiki, or blog, but at the time of this review, this code was not working properly. The BEST option is to copy the address of the new window displaying the interactive book. There is an option to have the book printed for a fee, but this is not required. You can also read books created by others (if they make them public). Use the fully-public option to create learning materials for classes to access year to year for at-home review or reading practice.
This site requires a simple registration. Teachers can set up an edCenter for their school or class in accordance with school policies. See more detailed suggestions "In the Classroom" below and in our sample book!
tag(s): creative writing (98), digital storytelling (66), writing (298)
In the Classroom
SKIP the profile and friends areas to get to the book creator to play with the tools a bit. Before you get too involved, create an edCenter to minimize advertising and create books in your own teacher-friendly class environment. Use the edCenter to register students and establish privacy settings for your class. No student emails are required.On the Create Books page, choose from using a blank book, starting from a file, or using a template. Choose "school" to see projects from other classes or a sample created by you or a student team working in advance along with you. Explore ready-made themes (seasonal, topical, etc.) or use "open theme." Choose book dimensions (match layout shape to any uploaded files, such as PowerPoint slides). Enter settings and description of your book (editable later), including who is allowed to "see" it: everyone, just friends, or private. Again choose a "theme" - more of a category where Bookemon will list your completed book. A logical option is "school." Experiment with tools to upload files (within file limits), add images, add text, etc. Written help is offered as you go, but there is no video demo. SAVE often. Turn margins on to avoid chopping content. To share the book, you must "publish" it (i.e. finalize).
Once published, locate the book under "My Books" and use options to share (by email--and see the URL to copy from there), "Make a new edition" to create a new version--also useful for treating the original as a template for later books), Post to Other Sites offers embed codes not currently working properly. The BEST option is to click the book COVER which opens a new window without ads or "stuff," and copy the ADDRESS of that window to paste into email, etc. You can also make that clean-window view a Favorite on a classroom computer!
Use your edCenter settings to manage social networking features. This will avoid the "public" Bookemon features such as opportunities to share address books, use social tools such as Facebook to share your books, etc. Teacher-controlled edCenter accounts are probably the easiest option for managing within school policies.
With younger students, have them begin their work in PowerPoint then upload for whole-class books. See an example, created by the TeachersFirst Edge editors . The example is full of ideas for classroom use from Kindergarten to high school, including science concept tales, poetry books, general writing, math problem solve-its, and more. ANY grade can use this tool, depending on the amount of direction by the teacher. By the way, the correct answer to the problem in the sample book is c. 27. Another idea, have students create personalized books for their parents or grandparents for special occasions (Mother's Day, Father's Day, or Grandparent's Day).
Tip: Use this site for a guided introduction to social networking as a class, an excellent teaching opportunity for 21st century literacy skills and online safety discussion.
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
Includes social features, such as "friends," comments, ratings by others
Requires registration/log in (NO email)
Products can be shared by URL
Includes teacher tools for registering and/or monitoring students
Comments
This is one of my all time favorite creative tools. Very versatile. Great for making "buddy books" or for teacher-created learning "books." Make one as a whole class to summarize a science unit in primary grades. I even use it personally to make fee online "gifts" for children I know. I did purchase one print version, and it looked great.Thinking, PA, Grades: 5 - 10
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Story Jumper - storyjumper.com
Grades
2 to 8
7 Favorites
0 Comments
Story Jumper helps you write and illustrate stories in just seven steps-- then share them online. Begin by selecting a story format and accompanying graphic. Manipulate the text and...more
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Story Jumper helps you write and illustrate stories in just seven steps-- then share them online. Begin by selecting a story format and accompanying graphic. Manipulate the text and add other items to the picture that forms with each addition to the story. You also change the background and upload photos. Add original drawings, as well. When finished with a particular scene, go on to the next page by clicking the arrow. In order to save and share stories online, writers must complete a free registration. Although there is an option to buy the finished story in print format, this is not necessary to use the site. There is a complete guide for the teacher-friendly Classroom Edition offering detailed directions for setting up class accounts, etc.
tag(s): writing (298)
In the Classroom
Although the sentences and graphics available appear juvenile, the fact that writers can delete the text and add their own original text, photos, and drawings makes this site flexible enough to use with older students, as well. This activity would work well for individual or pairs of students in a lab or on laptops. Ask your students to visit the site and create an online book with their original writings, drawings, and photos. ESL and ELL students will be able to use the site easily, and will learn appropriate sentence structure and add to their vocabulary by selecting new items to put into the graphic. Older students can also create "little buddy" books for younger students to read and share.
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Tate Kids - Tate Gallery
Grades
1 to 6
0 Favorites
0 Comments
Winner of a 2009 Youth Webby Award, Tate Kids connects the art of the past and present to the world of blogging, on-line activities, storytelling, and craft making. Each project ...more
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Winner of a 2009 Youth Webby Award, Tate Kids connects the art of the past and present to the world of blogging, on-line activities, storytelling, and craft making. Each project cleverly weaves in a child friendly art history or theory lesson. Features such as "Tate Paint" invite viewers to create and share their own animated masterpiece on-line. Students can select pieces from the Tate Kids Collection or upload their own artwork into the "My Gallery" space and create a personal virtual museum available to visitors around the world. This site screens all submissions before they appear on-line and provides safety tips for children to review with an adult. Signing up for the "My Gallery" option requires a username and password, but no email address is required. Create a sunset reminiscent of Joseph Turner's paintings or experiment body movements suggestive of Bruce Nauman's performance art. Activities such as these and many more craft ideas are located on the "Tate Create" page. The site includes a complete list of materials, procedures, and helpful hints needed for the activities. Each lesson is kid tested at the Tate Gallery itself and corresponds to works of art either on display at the Tate or a part of their permanent collection. The site was created in the UK, so some of the pronunciations and spellings may differ from those in American English.
tag(s): creativity (83), dance (21), england (51)
In the Classroom
You will also find a complete list of materials, procedures, and helpful hints needed for the activities. Connect these tasks to a literature study unit or as art projects. The website's on-line activities and films are all compatible with an interactive whiteboard. Some lessons contain black line masters of artwork that are available for download. If you plan on using the "My Gallery" feature with your class, check with your administrator to be sure that your school allows students to set up individual accounts on on-line sites. Be sure to include this site on your class web page for students to access during summer break or for creative family activities at home.
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Reading Suggestions - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12
7 Favorites
0 Comments
This site, created by our teacher-editors, offers a reading list for students in all grades. Simply click on the grade level that you wish to explore and a book list ...more
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This site, created by our teacher-editors, offers a reading list for students in all grades. Simply click on the grade level that you wish to explore and a book list will be provided. Most books offer a short description and some link to other titles by the same author. New titles are added frequently, so be sure to check back.
In the Classroom
Save this site on your classroom computers' favorites, so students can easily access the site to find new books to read! Share this link on your class website. This is an excellent resource to provide for summer reading.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Computer Lab Favorites - Scholastic
Grades
K to 5
13 Favorites
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All of the activities at this site are designed to take 15-30 minutes and include language arts, math, science, social studies, and Spanish. You can also choose your grade levels: ...more
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All of the activities at this site are designed to take 15-30 minutes and include language arts, math, science, social studies, and Spanish. You can also choose your grade levels: k-2 or 3-5. There are over 50 interactive stories and activities here to share. Examples of activities include Rhyme with Reggie, Myth Brainstorming Machine, Practice Counting Stars, Figure out a Pizza Puzzle, Tour the Mayflower, Build a Plane, Build a Dinosaur, Play Sports on the Moon, Make Weather Happen, and countless others.
If you click on the Student View a spinning wheel will appear. Students can spin to choose a random activity! Many of these activities require Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.
If you click on the Student View a spinning wheel will appear. Students can spin to choose a random activity! Many of these activities require Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.
tag(s): dinosaurs (36), pilgrims (17), poetry (193), preK (163), spelling (142)
In the Classroom
Save this site in your favorites on your classroom computers. Introduce this site on your projector or interactive whiteboard. If a student finishes early and needs some enrichment or is struggling and needs some extra practice, look here for some interactive help! Share this site on your class website for students to access outside of the classroom.
This resource requires Adobe Flash.
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Johnnie's Story Page - Johnnie Wilson
Grades
K to 12
1 Favorites
0 Comments
This website offers a compilation of links to interactive stories designed in the categories of Beginning Readers, Classic Stories, and Older Readers. The site was created by Johnnie...more
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This website offers a compilation of links to interactive stories designed in the categories of Beginning Readers, Classic Stories, and Older Readers. The site was created by Johnnie Wilson, a mentor math coach and former 5th grade teacher. He has found the "best of the best" interactive stories and activities on the web! The reading levels vary, so preview the stories before sharing them with your students. This site does require Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.
tag(s): spelling (142)
In the Classroom
What a fabulous way to share classic stories, fables, fairy tales, and myths! Use your interactive whiteboard or projector to introduce your students to these wonderful stories. Use this website in your language arts classes, special education classes, with your ESL and ELL students to share these classic stories, or the other topics provided. Challenge your gifted students to create new "classics." Have students investigate the sites on their own (using headsets). Save this site as a favorite on your classroom computers. With elementary students use this site during your language arts block, use this website as a learning center for students to explore independently. (Be sure to provide headsets). Don't forget to list this link in your class newsletter or on your class website, so students can practice their reading skills at home or maintain skills during vacations.
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Digger and the Gang - BBC
Grades
K to 6
4 Favorites
0 Comments
This site offers an eclectic mix of topics (and interactives) divided up by age level. All ages include science, math, language arts, music, art, and more! Ages 5-7 will enjoy ...more
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This site offers an eclectic mix of topics (and interactives) divided up by age level. All ages include science, math, language arts, music, art, and more! Ages 5-7 will enjoy Nash's Adventures: spelling, counting, sinking and floating interactives, and more. For ages 7-9, there is Flick's Adventure. This exciting "adventure" includes several interactives, many revolving around "adventures" (through a haunted house, riding a roller coaster, and walking up a mountain). Sprat's Adventures offers interactives and more for ages 9 to 11. The activities takes students virtually to a museum, a circus, and outer space! In addition to the numerous interactive activities, there are also printable pages, comics, songs, e-cards, and more. Attention Teachers - there is a link with lesson plans, printable pages, lesson ideas, and more available if you click on Home and then Teachers . Be aware, since this site was created by the BBC, you may notice some slight spelling and language differences. Nearly all of these activities require Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page..
tag(s): addition (180), charts and graphs (159), counting (99), money (154), spelling (142)
In the Classroom
This site can easily be differentiated using the specific age ranges provided. Use this site to differentiate for your special education, ESL, or ELL students.Be sure to visit the Teachers Link for some excellent ideas. All of the activities are perfect for learning stations, individual computers, or on an interactive whiteboard or projection screen. The offerings available are so diverse, that this website could be used throughout several language arts, math, science, art, and music lessons. Feature this website in your class newsletter or on your website so students can practice these educational activities at home.
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Arcademic Skill Builders - Arcademics
Grades
1 to 9
0 Favorites
0 Comments
Looking for engaging interactives for math, language arts, geography, and even more? Look no further than this colorful site. These activities are great ways to build skills and work...more
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Looking for engaging interactives for math, language arts, geography, and even more? Look no further than this colorful site. These activities are great ways to build skills and work on math and language arts concepts for all students. The activities are divided into multi-player and single player games in such categories as "Addition and Subtraction," "Multiplication and Division," and "Fraction and Ratios." There are also language arts interactives! Looking for how teachers can find success with these games? View the "Success Stories" at the bottom to find innovative ways that teachers have used the games in classrooms. Click the "Play on the Wii" link for great games optimized for use with this gaming system. Some schools may find problems with the multi-player games playing correctly. Step by step instructions for troubleshooting are available on the "FAQ: Firewall Info" link. Access information for Standards, Research, and a game manual across the top of the website. To choose a game, roll your mouse over it to see its title, then click. Read the quick introduction to understand the activity. Provide direction in whether students should enter a player name or use the randomly generated name from the site. Choose to create a new game or join an existing game. Create a private game if you wish, which requires password creation. No email address or personal information is required for these excellent practice activities.
tag(s): addition (180), division (113), fractions (172), multiplication (159), ratios (38), subtraction (145), verbs (37), vision (85), vowels (11)
In the Classroom
Use these games for individual practice for students who need extra help. The instant feedback provides great learning opportunities for students and builds confidence. Group students in multi-player games that is engaging and interactive. Focus on students' honing skills, building confidence and working together as a group of learners. Use these activities with an interactive whiteboard or projector to elicit large group participation or when computers are limited. Provide this link on your class website, for students to access both in and out of the classroom.
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The Hunt - ThanksUSA
Grades
4 to 12
0 Favorites
0 Comments
ThanksUSA is a site dedicated to raising money to support the families of those serving in the armed forces. The centerpiece of the site is a virtual treasure hunt focused ...more
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ThanksUSA is a site dedicated to raising money to support the families of those serving in the armed forces. The centerpiece of the site is a virtual treasure hunt focused on the history of the United States. Each year there is a new theme. This year the focus in on the histories of Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, and Rhode Island, along with the histories of the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Marine Corps and the history of ThanksUSA. There are crosswords, wordokus, word searches, kakuros, anagrams and more at the end of each chapter as you try to unlock that chapter's treasure chest. Although the site requires registration to access the treasure hunt (FREE), the game can be played on line, or by downloading materials and printing them out. This site requires Flash and Adobe Acrobat. Get both from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.
In the Classroom
The long term nature of the treasure hunt would make this a good enrichment activity or extra credit project for students. Alteratively, the class could act as a team and undertake one chapter at a time as an ongoing project. The project might also make a good summer enrichment opportunity for students, be good for home schools, or work well with summer day camp groups.
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Starfall - Starfall Education
Grades
K to 3
2 Favorites
0 Comments
Find interactive reading activities for emergent/beginning readers at Starfall. It combines instruction in letter-sound relationships, word recognition skills, and reading comprehension...more
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Find interactive reading activities for emergent/beginning readers at Starfall. It combines instruction in letter-sound relationships, word recognition skills, and reading comprehension strategies. The site also includes scope and sequence and a section to download worksheets and journals for additional practice of skills introduced. Seasonal activities can also be found on the main page. The four "levels" of reading at Starfall include "ABCs," "Learn to Read," "It's Fun to Read," and "I am Reading." Many of the interactives require Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.
tag(s): phonics (62)
In the Classroom
This website could be used for an entire class using your interactive whiteboard or projector. You could also set up a learning center for use during your L.A. block. Use this site to differentiate reading levels for your students. Be certain to save this site in your class favorites and list this site on your class website for students to access both in and out of the classroom.
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