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Tramline Virtual Field Trips - Tramline - Grades 1
to 12
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This website is dedicated to delivering a variety of virtual field trips. The trips are listed by content. Each trip contains objectives, concepts, and terms to know. There are lesson plans linked in the Teacher Resource section of the page, and extra information on the topic. The trips themselves are a lot like guided web quests. The websites that are used in the field trips show good variety. And standards are even provided! The trips include grade levels. Examples of topics include hurricanes, dinosaurs, deserts, natural wonders, dark ages, and American Presidency.
10373
In the Classroom:
Virtual field trips from this website could be used on the interactive whiteboard or projector as a whole class activity. A better use could be to create a question sheet that mirrors the trip and have students work through the field trip at their own pace in lab, either with partners or individually. Follow up by challenging student groups to create an interactive guidebook to their topic using a tool such as Bookemon, reviewed here. With younger students, make a class book together. |
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| CalcEnstein - Blaine Hilton - Grades 5
to 12
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Looking for different types of calculators? Find them on this interesting site. Choose a button on the calculator corresponding to the subject. Examples of subjects include Medicine, Algebra, Weather, Phonics, Financial, HVAC, Engineering, Weather, and Rocketry to name a few. After the subject is chosen, click on a formula to enter values. Some of the topics offer reference information, not calculations. This is definitely an interesting site to peruse.
10314
In the Classroom:
There are many different calculators for students to explore as ways to apply math in real world situations. For example, choose weather and then wind chill. Enter the information and wind chill will be calculated. Enter the information, view the calculated answer, and then have students determine how it is actually calculated. This site is a great find for gifted students to use to further investigate specific topics beyond your “regular” classroom content. Share this site on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Then have students work with a partner to explore various “buttons” on this interactive calculator. Have the groups create multimedia presentations to share their findings or demonstrate them on the whiteboard as advertisements or infomercials! Have students create online posters on paper or do it together as a class using a tool such as Project Poster (reviewed here or PicLits (reviewed here. |
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| Uuorld - Uuorld.com - Grades 6
to 12
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Teachers First Edge Review: For adventurous MAC or Linux users with permission/ability to download software. Have fun and create four dimensional maps with chosen data. Choose data and view on a map that can be rotated, zoomed, and followed over time. Uuorld (pronounced "world") is a download application available for Mac OsX, Windows, and Linux. Uuorld is a free download but with some limitations. For example, the noncommercial (free) version has a maximum limit on data that can be exported to Google Earth. Any user can VIEW the gallery of Uuorld map images created by others and use them as a visual way to share data, no download necessary.
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In the Classroom:
Skills needed: Users must be able to download and install the application. Many districts have restrictions on what can be downloaded and used on district computers. Be sure to check with your school policy before downloading. To first use data, create an account using your email address (though verification of email is not required). Data for the free version is found in the downloaded application.
Using Uuorld: Use data from reliable sources by going to the data portal. Along the top left of the panel, click "Data" to show the sets that you have chosen, "Display" to change colors and other parameters, "Analyze" to view all the data included in the image, or "Export" to create an image, a Google Earth file, or a comma separated value (csv) file. Below the map, click the world icon to browse over 10,000 data sets. Click "Metadata" to view the URL of the data, name of data set, source name and date, and other information. Change the tilt to really view the height dimension of the data. Zoom in and out of areas on the map. Many data sets have data over several years. Play the data to see the changes as they occur through those years.
Safety/Security Concerns: As email verification is not required, anyone can use this resource. If you do use email addresses, rather than using your personal or work email, create a free Gmail account to use for memberships. If you plan to have students register individually, you may want to create your own Gmail account with up to 20 subaccounts for each group of students (by code name or number) within your classes. Here is a blog post that tells how to set up GMail subaccounts to use for any online membership service.
Be aware, there are restrictions on the noncommercial free version. Be sure to read the licensing agreement prior to using.
Possible Uses: Data topics are quite varied and include everything from economics to health and even the Olympics! Before creating your own graphics (or if you are unable to download the software), have students browse the Gallery on your interactive whiteboard to become acquainted with reading visual representations of data. Use the sets to explore social and environmental issues and encourage critical thinking questions about WHY this data is as it is. View any data set as an inquiry activity in the classroom. For example, view "Calories Emanating from Animals" to view the animal calories consumed by countries over a 36 year period of time. Follow the viewing of the data by asking questions about what they see. From these questions, research the diet of various countries, identify the major biomolecules in the foods we eat, and identify nutrition, social, and ethnic issues. View this resource on an interactive whiteboard or projector for great impact. Students can create conventional or multimedia displays of information learned. To show what they have learned from this site, challenge students to create an online graphic to share using Tabblo reviewed here. |
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| Job Voyager - ipums.org - Grades 8
to 12
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This interactive graph (created with information from the U.S. Census) shows all jobs and the percentages of people who worked them from 1850-2000. Students can scroll up over any given year to see any job and the percentage of Americans working that job during that year (gender indicated). A few do have “missing data,” but most are complete. By clicking on the job, a new screen appears which shows the percentage of workers but divides the workers into male and female (pink and blue traditional colors help to differentiate between the genders). The site reflects the growing number of female workers, the loss of agrarian occupations, and the changing fields of importance, to name a few trends. Besides viewing the breakdown of male and female employees, you can also select one field and analyze its place in society today and during any given year. Occupations range from teachers to salesman to farmer to clerical worker and countless others. You can also search by letter and all the occupations beginning with that letter will come up graphed by percentages across the span of years.
10343
In the Classroom:
This is a great find for the interactive whiteboard or projector. Share this site with career counseling staff, as well. Use this site when studying U.S. history and economics. Compare the role in society of various occupations (such as a farm laborer) from the 1850s to 2000. Have students hypothesize about why the changes occurred. Use this when teaching graph reading and graph creation, as well. |
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| Equal Exchange's Fair Trade Curriculum & Educational Resources - Equal Exchange - Grades 4
to 10
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This collection of pdf lesson plans centers around 3 main topics: how we get our food, what the Fair Trade movement is doing for farmers and eaters, and what coops are. The complete curriculum is downloadable and printable, and the daily lessons at this site offer support and extra activities. One lesson, translated for Spanish teachers, offers students an activity so they can understand "What's Fair?" One of the most exciting parts of the website is a collection of videos of Dominican children talking in Spanish about cocoa production! The lesson plans include a variety of activities for students and include projects in math, writing, civics, research, geography, art, music, and international culture.
10293
In the Classroom:
Use these lessons as part of a unit in social studies, Family and Consumer Science, or several other subjects. Take your students on a visit to a local food coop or invite one of their members to speak to your class live or via Skype (explained here.). Have students do a project comparing coop grocery sales with the more commercial establishments. Maybe even have student groups create an online Venn Diagram comparing the two using a site such as Interactive Two Circle Venn Diagram (reviewed here). If you have international students from the Dominican Republic or other cocoa producing countries, share this site with them and allow them to compare what the students say on the video to their own experiences. Create your own videotaped interviews with food growers or their families. Share the videos using a tool such as Teachers.TV reviewed here. |
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| Math Apprentice - mathapprentice.com - Grades 4
to 12
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"When will we ever use this?" Answer this question using Math Apprentice. Users choose a character and then begin their journey. Walk (or skateboard) to different work sites, buildings, or businesses. Learn how many is used every day in these work places: architecture, bike and toy makers, cafes, and more! Listen to a brief introduction of the concept. Solve problems or free play to identify math concepts in real life. No account or login is required. Some concepts are advanced but it can take the teaching of standards one step further and create better understanding. This site is a terrific example of STEM integrated learning.
10298
In the Classroom:
This is a great site to share on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Have cooperative learning groups explore different careers or buildings and share how math is used at their locations. Why not have groups create a video using a tool such as Teachers.TV reviewed here or a podcast using PodOmatic (reviewed here), to share their mathematical discoveries! At the end of an introduction of a concept, use this site for specific math practice using a real life concept. For example, visit the bike shop to use math to determine pedal gear to wheel gear ratios and resultant bike speeds. Use as an individual activity, a team activity, or with the entire class using an interactive whiteboard. Follow up with a personal problem to solve. In this example, students can measure the two gears on their bikes (or their teachers bike brought into the classroom) to use the information for further understanding. |
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| We Seed - We Seed - Grades 6
to 12
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Teachers First Edge review: for slightly adventurous technology users. Play an actual stock market without investing any money. This site is an incredible way to learn how the markets operate, to increase knowledge with actual play on this site with fake money, and to share information and knowledge with others. Login requires personal information including email and birth date. Click on "For educators" to learn how to create a private classroom group for your students. Use the free online lesson plans, teacher guides, and newsletters to assist you in using this site.
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In the Classroom:
Skills required: Managing set-up and verification of online accounts as well as assisting students in starting their account is a must. Once your account is verified, begin by choosing the amount of starting capital. Click on "Create a Group" and choose closed, moderated, or open group. It may be a good idea to choose a closed group for your classroom. Add a group name, teacher/school/class information, as well as a group code that the students will use. By using a private group, students will have twenty-four hours to verify an email address. They will be able to use their account until that is done. Consider using a gmail account and create up to twenty sub-accounts. Here is a blog post that tells how.
Safety/Security: You may allow students to self-register, but be sure to keep a written record of their passwords for when they “forget.” It may be worth your time to do advanced registration for your younger students. Click on the technology links (under Educator resources) including the "Classroom configuration" and "Technology requirements" for practical advice on using with a classroom. The educator's FAQ's offer great help in answering questions for using in a classroom. Within the group, you can compare performance and comment on each other. Be sure to advise students as to appropriate commenting and use of the site.
Classroom use: Financial understanding of the markets is more important today than ever. Use in an economics, math, or business class for greater understanding of what shapes the world markets. Students can also become aware of the different international, economic, environmental, and political forces that affect the world markets. Student can make predictions of top and poor performers for the future and new markets that may exist in the next decade. Why not start a class Stocks Wiki with student analysis of their stock choices? Not comfortable with wikis? Have no wiki worries – check out the Teacher’s First Wiki Walk-Through reviewed here. |
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| Our Documents - National Archives - Grades 6
to 12
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This site, a collaborative effort among the National Archives, National History Day and USA Freedom Corps, highlights the most important documents in US history. Each of these "milestone" documents is detailed and photographed on a separate page; the photo can be enlarged for presentation on an interactive whiteboard. What is most helpful for teachers, however, is the link to tools for educators: a downloadable sourcebook, suggestions for using the documents to meet specific national social studies, economics, English, arts, civics, history, geography and technology standards, and lesson plans. This site was clearly designed with teachers in mind!
10330
In the Classroom:
The use of primary sources in teaching has been greatly increased by our digital access to documents like these. Peruse the list of "milestone" documents, and commit to using the photographs on an interactive whiteboard (or projector) when the document comes up in a lesson or discussion. For teachers who are supporting student projects for National History Day, this site also has a link to specific tips, although it appears the site has not been kept up to date with current information on individual competitions. Challenge cooperative learning groups to investigate one of the documents and create a multimedia project of their choice. Looking for some inspiration? How about having groups create a podcast using PodOmatic (reviewed here). Or have students create online posters on paper or do it together as a class using a tool such as Project Poster (reviewed here or PicLits (reviewed here. Have students narrate a photo of the document (using a FREE and LEGAL photo) using a site such as Voicethread reviewed here. |
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| Pandemic Panic - The New York Times - Grades 3
to 12
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This site offers an extremely detailed and well written lesson plan about the H1N1 (Swine Flu) virus. The lesson plan provides a wealth of background information for teachers, class activities for a variety of subject areas (podcasts, KWL charts, etc..), articles of interests, thinking questions, video clips, interactive graphics, blogs, and much more. This site is truly a web 2.0 lesson plan that is READY TO GO! Standards are provided. Although this lesson plan recommends 3-5 class periods, you could easily pick and choose what is best for your class.
*There is a link to a lesson plan specifically for younger students (grades 3-5). Specific activities and standards are provided for the younger grades at that link. This website requires Adobe Acrobat (pdf). You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.
10195
In the Classroom:
Use this interdisciplinary lesson plan to encourage your class or school to maintain healthy habits, dispel incorrect information, and avoid spread of Swine flu. The activities, printables, and interactives are ready to go. Share the videos, podcasts, and other graphics on your interactive whiteboard or projector.
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| Newsy - newsy.com - Grades 5
to 12
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This site presents current news stories from multiple perspectives, featuring videos and commentary from the world's top newspapers. All the video news clips offer a complete transcript (click on "transcript" just below the video window). General topics covered include the U.S., the world, the environment, culture, technology, economy, and politics. Students can see short news clips, make comments blog style, and read news articles from newspapers around the world. Anyone can view the material, but you must register to be able to make comments. Check your school policies about accessing/sharing student email on school computers. You may want to create your own Gmail account with up to 20 subaccounts for each group of students (by code name or number) within your classes. Here is a blog post that tells how.
10214
In the Classroom:
This site is ideal for your interactive whiteboard or projector, learning station, or on individual computers (with headsets). Use this site to keep your students up to date on current events. Have students compare the different versions of the same news stories to try and ferret out the facts and the way points of view affect reporting. Project the scripts on an interactive whiteboard to have students highlight language choices that provide a certain slant. ESL/ELL students will benefit from listening to the short news clips and being able to see the transcript of the report. Have your ESL/ELL students write their own comprehension questions and answers based on the podcast to check their own comprehension and to exchange with classmates. Use an online tool such as Interactive Two Circle Venn Diagram (reviewed here) to compare the differences in two newspapers' versions of the same news. Have ESL/ELL students present the news from a newspaper familiar to them if possible by having them prepare an introduction and questions. Learning support students can use the transcripts and videos in combination to understand and report weekly current events assignments for social studies class. |
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| KML Factbook - CIA World Factbook - Grades 4
to 12
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Combine data sets from International agencies with the visualization of Google Earth 3D or Goog Maps 2D for a great way to look at data. Search data such as population growth rates, birth rates, education expenditures, and age structure diagrams by clicking and highlighting the data set and then clicking the "preview in map button." Click "download kml file" to save this file for others to see. This file can be embedded into a blog, wiki, or website. Choose between 2D, 3D, or data views for the information as well as using different coloring for portions of data. Rotate the globe on the screen to view other areas. Click on a country to view a pop up box that displays detailed information. Data sets can be downloaded through the link at the bottom. If you do not have access to Google Earth (free, loadable) software, you can use the data in Google Maps without installing anything.
10171
In the Classroom:
Assign students various countries within a data set to make comparisons. Tie the data to biological, geographical, cultural, and social issues that exist in the world. Bring a greater understanding to economic and environmental issues currently a problem in many countries throughout the world. World language classes can see this data to help students understand the cultures of the countries where the language is spoken. Have students use an online graphing tool such as Chartgo, reviewed here to display results. Compare specific attributes of two countries using an online Venn Diagram, such as the one (reviewed here). Another idea: have cooperative learning groups use this resource to create online books about the country using a resource such as Bookemon, reviewed here. How about having students research using this site and then create a project using Woices, (reviewed here). This site allows students to create audio recordings AND choose a location (on a map) where the story takes place. |
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| Pennsylvania State Credit Union Tools - Pennsylvania State Credit Union - Grades 6
to 12
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This site has a multitude of financial calculators such as car payment calculators, credit and/or debt calculators, and mortgage calculators. There are also planning tools to use for general budgeting, paycheck planning, and even retirement. It is part of the PA state credit union members site; however it is completely free of charge. There are a few links to apply for a loan through the credit union but they are not obtrusive.
10182
In the Classroom:
This would be useful for real world projects such as planning a new business, purchasing a car, planning retirement (what happens if they start to save $50 per month at age 14), or buying a home. Share this site on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Then have students choose a real life scenario either alone, with a partner, or in cooperative learning groups. Some examples of real life scenarios could be buying a car and calculating payments, buying your first home, using a credit card and how much you are REALLY spending, planning for retirement, or general savings (for a vacation, perhaps). The site has unlimited potential for interdisciplinary use like land management planning (loaning money) or family consumer budgeting projects. Once the calculations are completed have students share their findings by creating an online poster using a tool such as Project Poster (reviewed here). Share this link on your class web page or wiki as students begin real-world projects and real-life experiences. |
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| Visual Economics - creditloan.com - Grades 6
to 12
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This site presents economic facts in graphic form. Want to see a map of unemployment rates around the world? How about an illustrated pie chart of how the average US consumer spends money? Wasteful government "earmarks"? You will find these here and more. Possible bias alert! The creator of the site is an online credit and loan company, which may have a particular agenda in mind.
10176
In the Classroom:
Most of the graphics here are perfect for a one shot view on an interactive whiteboard or projector. Teachers should be aware that it's possible to comment on each of the graphics. Scrolling down reveals whatever someone may have sent in as a comment; preview carefully. One particular graphic, the consumer spending pie chart, would be useful in a consumer math class or "Real Life 101" class. Any of the charts could be used for real life data in a math class, or to teach students how to interpret charts and graphs, a topic appearing on most standardized state tests. |
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| The Story of Stuff - Annie Leonard and Free Range Studios - Grades 6
to 12
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Watch the story of stuff movie, an interactive 20-minute video about where our stuff comes from and the effects of consumption on our society. Use the tabs along the top of the video to skip around to the specific chapters or click a link for more information about the topic. Play the video from the site or download to your computer. Other downloads include posters and related items. Subscribe to the blog and receive updates and new information. Playing the movie requires Flash. Get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page..
10018
In the Classroom:
The most difficult aspect in learning about the environment is understanding how the "stuff we use" impacts more than students can imagine. Use this thought-provoking movie to stimulate class discussions, get students thinking, and create awareness. Students can take aspects of the video and do group research of additional information needed to understand. Students can also create awareness campaigns, poll friends and families, blog, or create other multimedia articles. Looking for some creative multimedia options? How about having students create public service message podcasts ("Stop! Where do you think that ___ came from?") using a tool such as PodOMatic (reviewed here). Or create videos and share them using Teachers.tv (reviewed here).
Students can research the origins of many popular items in their lives, tracing the materials used and the resources needed to create and transport the materials and the product. Students can create a Google map or Mapskip (reviewed here) showing the movement of materials throughout the world from resource to send product to consumer.
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| Video: CFL Light Bulbs in Plain English - Common Craft - Grades 2
to 12
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This website offers a short video (about 3-minutes) highlighting the enormous benefits (both to your bank account and environment) of using CFL bulbs (rather than the old traditional light bulbs). The video focuses on energy, environment, electricity, ways to save money on your electric bill, how CFLs decrease and prevent pollution and global warming, and how easy they are to use!
This site does have a small advertisement at the bottom of the screen, click on the X to remove the advertisement. There is code provided to embed the video. The site requires Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.
9999
In the Classroom:
Share this site in your science class on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Challenge students to research another way to conserve energy and save money in their family budget. Have students create their own "in plain English" style video. All they need is a tripod, video camera (flip video would work), paper drawings, and a script. Share the "student-created" videos on a tool such as TeacherTube (explained here) and embed them in a class “Energy-saving” wiki. You may want to consider providing this link on your class website for parents to view at home. |
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| A Woman's Work is Never Done - The American Antiquarian Society - Grades 6
to 12
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Comprised of images of women working (both inside and outside of the home) from the 18th and 19th centuries, this site is a good source of primary images of women from the time period. The images are organized in several themes: domestic work, women as merchants, women and war, teaching and education, factory workers, performers and artists, and miscellaneous workers. Each theme contains some brief discussion and several primary images.
9980
In the Classroom:
Use these images to complement various lesson themes on the historic role of women as workers, or use the site as a whole for a larger discussion of women and work. While the site is not extensive, the images are good, and their organization into themes might help students understand that women's roles as workers have varied tremendously over the years. Share an image or two on your projector or whiteboard for a discussion starter to help students envision life in these by-gone times. Use this site as one of several image sources as you have students research and create wiki pages from different angles: life in colonial America, the history of labor, changing roles in U.S. society during the 19th century, etc. |
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| Video: Saving Money in Plain English - Common Craft - Grades 4
to 12
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This site offers a short introductory video about savings. Learn the basics of savings, compound interest, and how money continues to grow over time. There is a link provided to embed the video. The site require Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.
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In the Classroom:
Share this video with your students on an interactive whiteboard or projector. Have cooperative learning groups research other aspects of economics and create their own videos. Include this video as you teach about interest in math class, then have students create a video advertisement for a savings program. Share the videos on Teachertube (explained here). |
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| Video: Investing Money in Plain English - Common Craft - Grades 4
to 12
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This site offers a short video (4-minutes) focusing on investing money. Learn about the stock market, savings, and basic economics. The site explains the risks and benefits of investing and saving money. There is a link provided to embed the video. The site requires Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.
7721
In the Classroom:
Share this video with your students on an interactive whiteboard or projector. Have cooperative learning groups research other aspects of economics or business and create their own videos. Share the videos on Teachertube (explained here). |
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| Video: Borrowing Money in Plain English - Common Craft - Grades 5
to 12
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This short video demonstrates the risks, benefits, and realities of borrowing money. The video offers simple pictures to explain the complex topics. There is a link provided to embed the video. The site requires Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.
2844
In the Classroom:
Share this video with your students on an interactive whiteboard or projector or embed it in your class web page or wiki during your unit on credit or percent. Have cooperative learning groups research other aspects of savings, borrowing, or economics and create their own videos. Share the videos on Teachertube (explained here). |
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| Visual Explanation of US Financial Crisis - Say It Visually - Grades 6
to 12
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Use this short video (4-minutes) to help explain the U.S. Financial situation of 2008-2009. The video highlights how economics work, for example, how a mortgage loan helps both the consumer and banks or how investing works. The video is easy to understand and very informative. The graphics are phenomenal and really increase the value of the video. Subtitles are available in Arabic, Chinese, Croatian, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Marathi, and Portuguese so even your ESL/ELL students can understand it. Unfortunately, there is no way to increase the size of the video window. But, it is plenty large enough to display on your projector or interactive whiteboard. The video requires Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.
7997
In the Classroom:
Share this video on your interactive whiteboard or projector. It will run more smoothly on your classroom machine after it has downloaded into your “cache” the first time you play it. If you are teaching economics, current events, family and consumer science, business, or math, be sure to share this short but informative video. Have cooperative learning groups keep a list of the topics discussed on this short video. Have each group investigate one of the topics in more depth. Have the groups create a multimedia project such as a video or draw simple diagrams to explain it on interactive whiteboard. Share student-made videos on a site such as SchoolTube (reviewed here). |
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