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Metta - Dragontape Ltd
Grades
5 to 12
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Metta is a multimedia presentation tool that allows you to combine videos, pictures, and text to create short movies. Create an account using your email address or Facebook to begin....more
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Metta is a multimedia presentation tool that allows you to combine videos, pictures, and text to create short movies. Create an account using your email address or Facebook to begin. Start with a title, choose to build a story from scratch or an RSS feed, and click create. Follow prompts to drag images from your computer or insert video URLs. Add new chapters (slides) and reorder as desired. Trim video clips using the tools provided with the editor. Add text or record audio using your computer's microphone in any chapter. Save and publish when finished. Share using the URL provided or embed code.
tag(s): images (275), multimedia (64), video (275)
In the Classroom
Use to create educational videos and projects to introduce and interest students in a topic. Use to generate questions prior to the discussion of topics. Create a multi-image slideshow where students brainstorm how the images are all connected. Have students create projects for class using Metta. Be sure to include this tool on your blog, wiki, or public page for easy student access. You may want to consider allowing your older students to create their own accounts, depending on school policies. Read tips for safely managing email registrations here. Upload pictures and videos once a month to share through your classroom website or blog, or allow a group of students to create each month's review. Create a project site for students to upload images and videos found when studying any subject. Upload images with squares, triangles, rectangles, etc. when learning about shapes. Upload pictures of plants for a science unit, etc. Have students upload family pictures when learning about families. World language students can create digital photo stories to narrate using new vocabulary. Present teacher professional development or an end of year display for the school media center. Have other staff members upload images and videos from the year of school activities.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Sketchlot - sketchlot.com
Grades
K to 12
3 Favorites
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Create a sketch on a virtual whiteboard, share it, and have recipients mark it up and share it back. This tool describes itself as a "web whiteboard for schools." Click ...more
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Create a sketch on a virtual whiteboard, share it, and have recipients mark it up and share it back. This tool describes itself as a "web whiteboard for schools." Click Demo to try the tools. Create your own account, and add a list of students. Students log in using your class code and a password. Share finished sketches using the share feature for others to view, sketch, and reply. Embed sketches to your website using code provided or share via Twitter. Sketchlot is a device-agnostic tool, designed to work on all current tablets, phones and computers. Use it from any device or move between several devices and still access your work. App and web versions may vary slightly. Note that the tools in Sketchlot are drawing only: lines, rectangles, and freeform drawing, but no text typing! Anything you can depict as a diagram with free-form writing can be a Sketchlot. (It may be easier to draw on a tablet than on a computer.) Make it easer to write with your finger by zooming in or out.
tag(s): brainstorming (25), DAT device agnostic tool (170), drawing (81), mind map (25)
In the Classroom
If you are one of the lucky ones with a classroom set of mobile devices, this site is an excellent resource for you! Use Sketchlot to write and share math problems for students to view, complete, then send back to you. Create diagrams for student viewing. Have students label items, then return. Create a simple diagram of a structure and have students label forces acting on that structure. Hand the main page over to a student on your interactive whiteboard during a presentation, then share with the rest of the class to add reviews and additional information. Send differentiated tasks to your gifted students by starting a partially completed diagram (a valley where they need to build a bridge) and having them investigate, complete the diagram, and add details. They can, in turn, pass back challenges for classmates (or you) to solve.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Google Keep - Google, Inc.
Grades
4 to 12
3 Favorites
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Use Google Keep to save notes directly to your Google Drive account. This tool requires that you have a Google account. Unlike some similar services, such as Evernote,...more
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Use Google Keep to save notes directly to your Google Drive account. This tool requires that you have a Google account. Unlike some similar services, such as Evernote, reviewed here, notes kept in Google Keep are saved to your Google Drive account. Use for notes, voice notes, lists, and photos. Access these on any web enabled mobile device. Keep works best with Chrome browsers (there is an extension for Chrome, also) and Android phones, but our editors had no issues using other browsers as well. Google Keep can also be also used with any school's Google Apps account. Keep is colorful, which is part of the design. Be sure to use the colors as an organizational tool. Keep has a low learning curve and is very simple to use. The quick note feature is invaluable: just type your notes in the text box without logging in or switching screens. To leave a voice note, tap the microphone icon and speak. Archive items easily when you are done. Though Keep is a more generic, basic tool, its value is in its simplicity and ease of use.
tag(s): DAT device agnostic tool (170), note taking (39), organizational skills (128)
In the Classroom
Take pictures of things to do, buy, or finish. Create checklists of steps in a project. Place all of your notes in one place so you do not forget. Use this tool easily in your Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) classroom since all students will be able to access it for free, no matter what device they have. They could "keep" assignment information, reminders, and more. Consider creating a class account that can be used by all students. Spell out the use of the site and what is allowed and not allowed -- and the penalties. Even though all students have the same login, create different notebooks for different tasks that students can use to upload information to be shared by all. Create separate accounts for student groups who can then share their notebook with other groups. Use to snapshot and share links, documents, files, and pictures for any group project or class work. Whole class accounts can be used by a class scribe during class and accessed from home for review, by absentees, etc.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Weird Road Signs - TODAY; Paul A. Eisenstein
Grades
6 to 12
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Take the road less traveled by and check out these 14 wild, weird, and wacky street signs that were finalists for a Today Show contest. You will find humor, irony, ...more
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Take the road less traveled by and check out these 14 wild, weird, and wacky street signs that were finalists for a Today Show contest. You will find humor, irony, and signs that require a law degree to comprehend among the entries. Ignore the advertising on the site; the signs are worth it. Be aware of the content: some may not be suitable for middle school classrooms.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): creative writing (170), figurative language (16)
In the Classroom
These signs can spark writing, geography, and visual communication lessons. Project selected signs on the interactive whiteboard as ideas for students to use for creative writing pieces. Have the students create a fictional scavenger hunt of several signs around the world. Have students use a mapping tool such as Mapskip (reviewed here) to create a map showing the sign locations (with audio stories and pictures about what happened when people encountered the sign)! Use the locations offered in some of the descriptions for geography lessons to integrate geography with writing. Use the images on a bulletin board and have students write captions for the signs. Have student editors find grammatical errors on the signs. Students could create an annotated image including text boxes with captions and related links using a tool such as Thinglink, reviewed here. Have students upload a sign image and add voice bubbles with narration using a tool such as Superlame, reviewed here. Use the signs for ESL/ELL students to teach about the nuances of text translation.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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MashPlant Studio - Jason Brett
Grades
4 to 12
1 Favorites
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MashPlant studio is a digital classroom and project workspace that combines social media in a safe setting. Once signed up and approved, your first step is to create a new ...more
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MashPlant studio is a digital classroom and project workspace that combines social media in a safe setting. Once signed up and approved, your first step is to create a new studio that will appear on your corkboard. This studio will be the home for your class announcements and serve as a virtual bulletin board. Studio members can share by uploading text, videos, or images. Please note: the owner of the studio approves all additions to the corkboard before they go live. Use the blog center as a quick and easy way to post announcements or assignments. Class links provide links to web content you post for student use. Teacher tools allow support for customizing student access to sites such as turning ratings on or off and allowing uploads. All interactions are moderated by the teacher. MashPlant also has an extensive resource library containing tutorials on various subjects such as tips and tricks for remembering facts and an online library of videos and images for use in projects. Be sure to watch the video tutorials to see the many features offered through MashPlant. If you plan to use this site with students under 13, be sure to read the teacher information about parent permission and using this site with students under 13. Sign up and create an account using your school information. You will need to wait to get administration approval.
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This site includes advertising.
tag(s): blogs (90), classroom management (148), digital storytelling (154), social networking (112)
In the Classroom
Use MashPlant as a resource for creating a classroom-to-go where students can find resources and share and interact from anywhere. Add web links for students to access at home, post assignments and homework, and allow students to upload multimedia projects for all to view. If students would like suggestions on a work in progress, this is a great tool to use. If you don't already have a class website, use MashPlant to create your own personal place on the web for your students.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)
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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Engage NY: Common Core Tool Kit - NYSED
Grades
K to 12
2 Favorites
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Need a way to get a quick understanding of Common Core or explain the basics to parents? Be prepared with this all in one site. Find explanatory videos, documents, and ...more
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Need a way to get a quick understanding of Common Core or explain the basics to parents? Be prepared with this all in one site. Find explanatory videos, documents, and more.
tag(s): commoncore (96)
In the Classroom
Be ready to begin implementation of Common Core with Engage NY: Common Core Tool Kit. Use the basics to explain Common Core to parents, colleagues, or even teachers. Topics such as facts, myths, and key points begin the Common Core journey. View video clips to learn more about Common Core. Find examples of assessments by grade level, units, and a plethora of resources to supplement your journey into Common Core.
This resource requires Adobe Flash and PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.
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ScreenLeap Free Screen Sharing - ScreenLeap, Inc
Grades
4 to 12
1 Favorites
0 Comments
Share your screen instantly and easily to any device with a browser using ScreenLeap. Choose Start Now to begin and follow simple start-up directions. Once connected, send the...more
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Share your screen instantly and easily to any device with a browser using ScreenLeap. Choose Start Now to begin and follow simple start-up directions. Once connected, send the link via email or text or provide the access code to anyone else to begin sharing. Choices include sharing the entire screen or just what is within the box. Directions include options for just audio sharing. Free account access offers up to 2 hours of screen sharing time per day.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): editing (68), homework (45), parent conferences (24)
In the Classroom
Screen share with students in a computer lab to demonstrate how to locate information on websites, or when learning tech tools. This is a great alternative if an interactive whiteboard or projector is not available. Use this tool to collaborate with other teachers when creating lesson plans or student documents. Have students with laptops share their screen with you during presentations to make information easier to view. Share this site with students to use at home when collaborating on projects. Help a homebound student by sharing your class computer screen and opening an audio connection over the phone. Offer "extra help" sessions via screen share at predetermined "office hours" or during a snow day or on certain evenings. Have students teach tech skills to their peers using this free sharing app. Share a student's work using a screenshare during a parent phone conference. Show a parent how to navigate a practice site you want the family to use at home.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Be a Reporter Game - Poynter.news University
Grades
6 to 12
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The Be a Reporter Game is a self-directed course that looks at the basics of how journalists probe, clarify, verify, and race against a deadline. Set in a fictional setting, ...more
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The Be a Reporter Game is a self-directed course that looks at the basics of how journalists probe, clarify, verify, and race against a deadline. Set in a fictional setting, characters respond based on the experiences of journalists in the field. Complete the course at your own pace. Start and stop as needed, or rewind and review previous information as desired. Register with your email to enter the course.
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This site includes advertising.
tag(s): careers (137), journalism (55)
In the Classroom
Try this activity together as a class on your interactive whiteboard or projector (creating a teacher account only). Allow students to create their own account and complete on their own. Read tips for safely managing email registrations here. This would make an excellent option for an ongoing, semester long project for students. Teachers of gifted may want to suggest this unit for their students to work on independently when they complete work in the regular language arts classroom. Have students create an annotated image including text boxes and related links using a tool such as Thinglink, reviewed here demonstrating information learned in the game.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Educaplay - Multimedia Learning Resources - Adrformacion
Grades
3 to 12
4 Favorites
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Create many educational multimedia activities in one place using Educaplay. Create interactive maps, riddles, slide shows, fill in the blanks, crossword puzzles, word search puzzles,...more
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Create many educational multimedia activities in one place using Educaplay. Create interactive maps, riddles, slide shows, fill in the blanks, crossword puzzles, word search puzzles, jumbled word, jumbled sentence, dictation, or create a collection of several of these based on a theme. Registration is required. Your results will be consistent and professional looking. Also, browse and use activities and collections others have created. Download and print the activities or complete them online by embedding them on your website or sharing the URL. Results can be registered in your learning management system (online grade book). Though originally a Flash program, Educaplay converted to HTML5 and should work on any computer.
tag(s): crosswords (18), multimedia (64), puzzles (208), quizzes (101), slides (65), word study (79), worksheets (62)
In the Classroom
When configuring a quiz you will have the ability to have the questions presented randomly, decide the number of questions, and the threshold to pass the quiz, among other choices. When adding the questions, you will be able to add an image, audio, or video. Why should you make all the activities for your class? Assign students to create crossword puzzles and such for a story or unit the class is studying. Consider having a small group create a "collection" of activities around an area of study. Be sure to put a link to the program for parents to create study activities for their student to use at home.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Responsible Use Guidelines of School E-mails for Elementary Students - Silvia Rosenthal Tolisano
Grades
2 to 8
2 Favorites
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View visual guidelines for proper email etiquette. We all need to develop e-mail writing skills for an academic setting with classmates, teachers, administrators, and members of the...more
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View visual guidelines for proper email etiquette. We all need to develop e-mail writing skills for an academic setting with classmates, teachers, administrators, and members of the community in the 21st century. Download the PDF visual guidelines to guide you and your students on the manners and responsibilities associated with communicating through email. Be sure to provide credit to the author in your classroom, website, or blog if you post the PDF.
tag(s): digital citizenship (65), writing (366)
In the Classroom
A great visual to share with your students to develop quality communication skills. Discuss rules, rights, privileges, and responsibilities of a digital citizen. Create your own guide using a tool such as Web Poster Wizard (reviewed here) or PicLits (reviewed here with your students for their use of their own school email address. Print your guide, have the class sign it, and post it in the classroom as a visual reminder to their commitment to digital citizenship. Share the printables or the links to the students' guides with parents at open house or conferences. Have students create online posters individually or together as a class.
This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.
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Ultimate Research Assistant - Andy Hoskinson, LLC
Grades
7 to 12
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Use this free tool to compile search results from various domains. Search your term using the entire Internet, Wikipedia, Government sites, Non-Profits sites, the National Institutes...more
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Use this free tool to compile search results from various domains. Search your term using the entire Internet, Wikipedia, Government sites, Non-Profits sites, the National Institutes of Health and more! The results of the search can be viewed in a summary, a bar chart of popular themes, and a word cloud. Click on Taxonomy to view the results for each theme or Mind Map and see the hierarchy of the results.
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This site includes advertising.
tag(s): media literacy (60), search engines (65), search strategies (29)
In the Classroom
Use this tool to locate a variety of search results about a topic of study or interest. Be sure to place a link to this site on your class computer or web page. Discuss bias and different ways of reporting on an issue by using the same search term with the class using different domains. For example, one group can search any popular issue such as climate change, gun control, or food policy issues using Government sites while another group uses the same search term with Educational sites. Teach the value of identifying good search terms, continuing to refine terms to get quality results. Once students are familiar with this tool you can do the same as above using the Jigsaw cooperative learning approach, and when students come back together to discuss their findings they can create a simple infographic sharing their findings from the articles (including different points of view and bias) using Easel.ly, reviewed here or Venngage reviewed here. As a completely separate use, mark this one in your favorites to test search when you believe a student project may be plagiarized.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Infographics Only - Infographics Only
Grades
3 to 12
4 Favorites
0 Comments
Find a colorful, creative Infographic for just about any topic on this sharing site. Use one of the forty-plus categories or type your keyword in a search box. There are ...more
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Find a colorful, creative Infographic for just about any topic on this sharing site. Use one of the forty-plus categories or type your keyword in a search box. There are so many cool Infographics at this site that you won't have to create one of your own. But if you do, you can upload it and have it displayed on Infographics Only. What is an Infographic? Learn more about Infographics here. Be sure to take time to preview the Infographics on this site as some may not be suitable for young people. It would be best to link directly to the Infographic you want to share.
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This site includes advertising.
tag(s): charts and graphs (196), data (150), graphic design (35), infographics (45)
In the Classroom
Common Core emphasizes "reading" of visual sources of information, and this is the perfect source. Why not use an Infographic as an introduction to a unit or lesson in your classroom? Create open ended questions about the Infographic to use as a formative assessment tool. Ask students to create questions about the topic of the Infographic. Reading teachers could choose an Infographic on a daily/weekly basis for teaching/practicing how to interpret informational graphics within a text. If they are mature enough to ignore some topics, consider having students go to the Just for Fun category and choose an Infographic. Then ask students to report out the "main idea" of the graphic and give three supporting details as evidence. For any subject, as a form of summative evaluation, consider assigning students to create an Infographic about a topic covered in class as a way to show understanding. If your students are new to creating infographics, have them view Creating Infographics: A Screencast Tutorial reviewed here. For more examples of how to use infographics in your classroom, view the recording of an OK2Ask online professional development session found here. This session is 75 minutes in length.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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WD-1 DJ-Trainer - Wortel Drie Productions
Grades
3 to 12
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The WD-1 DJ-Trainer is an online musical tool to create a dance track. Select from 25 professional sound banks to make your own hip hop, techno, trance, reggae, rock, disco, ...more
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The WD-1 DJ-Trainer is an online musical tool to create a dance track. Select from 25 professional sound banks to make your own hip hop, techno, trance, reggae, rock, disco, jazz, or samba track. Learn about timing and "building" a song on this easy to use site. Start the samples and the loops using your keyboard or mouse to control the sounds. Help buttons are available for all the buttons. Make your own groove by controlling the loops and the time triggered sounds. This is a great site to make music magical and to fill up the dance floor. An iOS app is available -- for purchase.
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This site includes advertising.
tag(s): music theory (41), musical instruments (47), musical notation (37), songs (53)
In the Classroom
Use this site in music classes to teach musicians about timing and the layers of a track. Create songs or poems for any subject area and use the WD-1 DJ-Trainer to create a track to support the lyrics. Create a track that reflects the tone or mood of a poem and recite the poem with the track to integrate music with language arts. Record your track with GarageBand or Audacity because you're unable to save your tracks on WD-1 DJ-Trainer. Create tracks or have your students create tracks for morning announcements or transitions in the classroom. This would be a great site for improvisation in music class or the regular education classroom. Create tracks to support readers' theatre activities in the classroom. Have students create podcasts using a site such as Spreaker (reviewed here) or PodOmatic (reviewed here). Use the tracks created on this site in the background for the podcasts. Use music as a classroom management tool by recording "theme music" as cues for different transitions and activities. Teachers of gifted can challenge their students to tell a story in music using this tool.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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National Forensic League - National Forensic League
Grades
6 to 12
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The National Forensic League bills itself as the "National Honor Society for secondary and middle school speech and debate." Certainly this site will be familiar if you are a member...more
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The National Forensic League bills itself as the "National Honor Society for secondary and middle school speech and debate." Certainly this site will be familiar if you are a member already, but is useful even if you are not fielding a formal competition team. The site is organized by level and contains information about upcoming competitions. Most useful to non-members, however, are the resources. There are downloads offering insight and instruction on a wide variety of speech and debate topics: how to organize a team, how to link speech and debate to the Common Core State Standards, and how to develop character in an interpretive speech. Access to some of the resources is limited to members; others require you to login to access.
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This site includes advertising.
In the Classroom
Use the downloadable PDF documents as a resource for students who are developing their public speaking or debate skills, learning to analyze literary characters, understanding the use of humor in speech, or similar topics. Recommend this site to students who may be entering speech competitions, or who may be preparing to give a formal presentation. If you are trying to stage a debate on any topic for your classroom, consider the resources on how formal debate is organized and evaluated.
This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.
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Story Maps - Esri
Grades
5 to 12
6 Favorites
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Story Maps takes learning in a new direction. Interactive maps tell a story through videos, images, audio, and links. Learn more about the topics in text that accompanies each map....more
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Story Maps takes learning in a new direction. Interactive maps tell a story through videos, images, audio, and links. Learn more about the topics in text that accompanies each map. A timeline of "dots" allows you to move through the story step by step. A satellite view is available on some maps, and legends give you important information to read the map accurately. A wide variety of topics are available to inform and educate. Use the search bar to find a map to meet your needs. Travel to the most visited National Parks or explore an interactive map of the three days and decisive moments of the battle of Gettysburg. It is important to pay as much attention to the text pop-ups as the cartography and other aspects of the map. New stories are added every two weeks. so come back often! This review was for the free area of the site that allows you to view the map stories. There are extensive directions on how to create your own maps, but these suggest purchase of maps, etc. from ArcGIS, an affiliate of Esri. Some of the map storytelling ideas could be used with other free mapping tools, however.
tag(s): gettysburg (26), map skills (82), maps (293), measurement (160)
In the Classroom
Map out interactive virtual field trips on Story Maps. Introduce this site on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Then have students explore this site independently or in small groups. Have a team competition as students navigate the site on an interactive whiteboard to complete a scavenger hunt. Students can find geometric shapes in real life objects on the images with the maps. Calculate distances or time if the map is a timeline of events. Use this site as an anticipatory set or "activator" to introduce a unit or lesson on a projector or interactive whiteboard. Make a shortcut to this site on classroom computers and use it as a center. Be sure to help your weaker readers and ESL/ELL students by sharing the vocabulary words prior to reading, either on a handout or by projecting them on an interactive whiteboard and highlighting them in the text as you come to them. Have students create online posters to summarize what they learned from the map, individually or together as a class using a tool such as Web Poster Wizard (reviewed here) or PicLits (reviewed here. Ask students to write informational essays on the topics or use the maps to write creative stories. Challenge your most tech-savvy or gifted students to explore the step by step map storytelling directions and try their hand using google Maps or other map tools. The advice in these directions is excellent.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Screenhero (Beta) - Screenhero, Inc.
Grades
4 to 12
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Screenhero is a screen sharing service that allows the option for both parties to share the mouse on the other person's screen. Watch the one minute video on the site ...more
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Screenhero is a screen sharing service that allows the option for both parties to share the mouse on the other person's screen. Watch the one minute video on the site for a nice overview of how the application works. Begin by both parties downloading the software onto computers to use. Choose between the options to share window or share entire screen. Each person has a mouse cursor labeled with his/her name, to use during sharing. Pause or end sessions when ready using the stop share button.
In the Classroom
Screen share with students working on individual computers to demonstrate items such as website addresses, how to locate information on websites, or when learning text editing features such as changing font size or color. This is a great alternative if a projector or interactive whiteboard is not available. Use this tool to collaborate with other teachers when creating lesson plans or student documents. Ask students using a computer for a presentation to share their screen with the teacher's computer to make information easier to view. Share this site with students to use at home when collaborating on projects. Help a homebound student or offer "extra help" sessions via screen share at predetermined "office hours" or during a snow day. Consider having students teach tech skills to their peers using this free sharing app.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Coggle - coggle.it
Grades
2 to 12
4 Favorites
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Coggle is an online, collaborative mind mapping program. Sign in using your Google account or other email to begin. Click "create" to begin a new diagram. Click to edit text, ...more
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Coggle is an online, collaborative mind mapping program. Sign in using your Google account or other email to begin. Click "create" to begin a new diagram. Click to edit text, or choose the + icon to add a new branch. Drag elements anywhere on your screen to rearrange. Invite others to view, add, or edit your Coggle using the share button. Allow other users read-only access or read-and-edit access. Download finished Coggles as a PDF file or a png image. The introduction/explanation video is hosted on YouTube. If YouTube is blocked at your school, you may want to view the video and familiarize yourself with the website from your home computer.
tag(s): brainstorming (25), graphic organizers (43), mind map (25)
In the Classroom
Coggle's ease of use makes it easy to focus on the process of creating a mind map, rather than learning how to use the program or playing with its features to make it pretty. Have your class create organizers together, such as in a brainstorming session on an interactive whiteboard or projector. Assign students to "map" out a chapter or story. Assign groups to create study guides using this tool. Use this site for literature activities, research projects, social studies, or science topics. Use this site to create family trees or food pyramids in family and consumer science. Have students collaborate (online) to create group mind maps or review charts before tests on a given subject. Have students organize any concepts you study; color-code concepts to show what they understand, wonder, and question; map out a story, plot line, or plan for the future; map out a step-by-step process (life cycle).Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Documentary Wire - DocumentaryWire
Grades
4 to 12
6 Favorites
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Documentary Wire.com features an incredible collection of documentary films for free. Browse through the collection or find the latest documentaries sent to your email. Join free and...more
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Documentary Wire.com features an incredible collection of documentary films for free. Browse through the collection or find the latest documentaries sent to your email. Join free and follow Documentary Wire on Facebook, Twitter, or Google+. No membership is required to watch the videos or receive their newsletter with the latest documentaries. Videos are actually hosted on YouTube and other video sharing services. If your district blocks YouTube, then they may not be viewable. You could always view the videos at home and bring them to class "on a stick" to share. Use a tool such as KeepVid reviewed here to download the videos from YouTube. Enjoy blogging with others by being a member, individually or within a group to discuss your latest ideas on a documentary. Be aware: some of the content on this site may not be appropriate for all ages. Always remember to preview!
tag(s): primary sources (90), video (275)
In the Classroom
Documentary Wire provides documentaries for all your classes. Not sure what topics are available? Search the documentary list. Use a documentary to help students understand primary (such as interviews) and secondary sources. Consider examining point of view through many different choices of films. Study industry and government regulations. Research to discover if any documentary caused a change in the law. Look at the persuasive techniques used to convey a strong message. Study the formatting of the documentary to use as a framework for your own student research projects. Look at documentaries in your study of ethics. Challenge gifted learners in the search for new information.
This resource requires Adobe Flash and PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.
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Vector-Finder - Vector-Finder.com
Grades
K to 12
1 Favorites
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Find free clipart on this site. These are vector graphic images which can be enlarged without the problems of pixelated images. Many of these pictures are appropriate for use in ...more
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Find free clipart on this site. These are vector graphic images which can be enlarged without the problems of pixelated images. Many of these pictures are appropriate for use in the classroom and can be downloaded for student use. Find images and figures, backgrounds and wallpapers, as well as icon sets. When using the clipart, be sure to download to your computer first before inserting into an application. Copying it directly from the website puts a black background behind your image. Note: As with most clipart search engines, there are graphics on this site that are not appropriate for children. It is suggested that an adult look for appropriate graphics to distribute to students.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
In the Classroom
These vector graphics are free to download and use (with appropriate credit). This site is great if you need some clever clipart to jazz up student handouts, classroom bulletin boards, or PowerPoint/Keynote presentations. Special Ed, speech/language, or ESL/ELL teachers may find these images helpful when working with non-readers or non-verbal students. There is also web clipart that you can use for your blog, class webpage, or wiki. Interested in learning more about wikis? Check out the TeachersFirst's Wiki Walk-Through. Have students use this site in science class or other subjects to explain concepts and create colorful projects. Create an image collection for them to use as raw material and share it on your wiki or in a shared storage folder. Have students share what they have learned by creating personalized images (with text) using Pinwords reviewed here. Or have them create a comic using one of the many tools here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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BrainRush - BrainRush.com
Grades
2 to 12
5 Favorites
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BrainRush is a collection of fast-paced learning activities. It adapts to the individual users, providing information at just the right level to learn quickly without boredom. The mastery...more
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BrainRush is a collection of fast-paced learning activities. It adapts to the individual users, providing information at just the right level to learn quickly without boredom. The mastery meter shows progress along the way, and BrainRush states "When you finish playing a BrainRush, you know the material, guaranteed." Browse the library to choose from hundreds of topics in categories including all academic subjects as well as sports and Spanish. Future improvements to the site include the promise to create your own BrainRushes. Account creation using your email and a password is required to play BrainRush games. Many activities have audio.
tag(s): american revolution (89), chemicals (41), compasses (4), decimals (132), geometric shapes (166), heart (44), human body (126), multiplication (222), parts of speech (67), periodic table (52), planets (127), presidents (132), south america (40), spanish (109), sports (98), states (163), vocabulary (325)
In the Classroom
Share this site with students to practice and learn classroom material as well as topics they choose. Join the site yourself to share it on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Share with ESL/ELL and Special Education teachers as a resource for their students. Create a link to specific BrainRushes on your class website or blog for students to complete at home. Any student creating an account requires an email address. Read tips for safely managing email registrations here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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