TeachersFirst - Featured Sites: Week of Jan 1, 2012
Here are this week's features. Clicking the tags in the description area of each listing will present a list of other resources with this topic. | Click here to return to the Featured Sites Archive
KidRex - Kid Safe Search Engine - KidRex.org
Grades
K to 7
4 Favorites
1 Comments
KidRex is an engaging, safe search engine for students that is powered by Google Custom Search and Google SafeSearch technology. In addition to typical filters applied to searches,...more
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KidRex is an engaging, safe search engine for students that is powered by Google Custom Search and Google SafeSearch technology. In addition to typical filters applied to searches, the site maintains its own database of inappropriate websites and keywords to further reduce the possibility of inappropriate search returns. The search engine is easy to use and similar to a typical Google search. You simply enter the search term and a list of sites is returned. Inappropriate search terms are returned with an "Oops, try again!" message. Before using the site, be sure to click on the Parents link for a quick overview of how the site works.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): internet safety (112), search engines (52)
In the Classroom
Create a link to KidRex on classroom computers for students to use as a default search engine. Use this site on your interactive whiteboard (or projector) to demonstrate how to search for items or when searching with your students.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Eco Zoo - Enjin, Inc.
Grades
K to 4
0 Favorites
0 Comments
Visit the Ecozoo: a colorful, content-rich website! Click on the critter icons along the top to learn how to live in the environment and have good habits. Each critter has ...more
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Visit the Ecozoo: a colorful, content-rich website! Click on the critter icons along the top to learn how to live in the environment and have good habits. Each critter has a pop up book to learn new habits. The site is in both English and Japanese, making it even more intriguing to younger readers!
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): animals (269), ecology (104), ecosystems (68), sustainability (13)
In the Classroom
Allow students to explore the site and share information with one another about what they have learned. Bring these ideas together into a class discussion. Students can research other methods to create a more sustainable society and create flyers, posters, or blog posts to share information with others. Enhance learning by having students make a multimedia presentation using one of the many TeachersFirst Edge tools reviewed here, or make one together as a class, with each student contributing a portion. Some tool suggestions are (click on the tool name to access the review): Adobe Spark for Education, Animatron, Sway, and Beautiful.AI.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Let's Crate - Sahil Lavingia and Dan Loewenherz
Grades
K to 12
0 Favorites
0 Comments
Package your files (or groups of files) for sharing in "crates" simply by dragging and dropping them in place. After dropping them into the crate, the files are uploaded. Use ...more
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Package your files (or groups of files) for sharing in "crates" simply by dragging and dropping them in place. After dropping them into the crate, the files are uploaded. Use the links then provided to share your files with others. The free account has a limited number of 6 crates and 1,000 files that may be uploaded. Easily share documents with others in the class. Though not a complete back-up of all your documents, Let's Crate can be used to collaborate and to finish work easily when on different computers. Any Word files, slides, or videos can be shared via Let's Crate.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
In the Classroom
Use for any work students may wish to collaborate on. Use this resource to upload files for access at school later. (Be sure to make sure that this site is not blocked by the district first.) The possibilities here are endless - any subject area, any level, any topic!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Write Comics - Write Comics
Grades
K to 12
8 Favorites
0 Comments
You can make your very own comic right now! At Write Comics, you will be able to create your own comics using the figures, backgrounds, animals, aliens, and dialogue bubbles, ...more
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You can make your very own comic right now! At Write Comics, you will be able to create your own comics using the figures, backgrounds, animals, aliens, and dialogue bubbles, supplied by Write Comics. This site is extremely easy to use. There is no need to sign up or register. Once you click Finish, you will receive a link. Go to your link and print your comic or upload it to your webpage.
tag(s): comics and cartoons (39)
In the Classroom
Create a comic to put on your website. Share this tool and the 10 Tips for Writing Good Comics with your students. You might want to use Write Comics to display the vocabulary word of the day, the math puzzle of the week, a concept your students are learning in social studies or science as an example and to engage students. Have students create comic strips for dialog-writing lessons, summarizing, predicting and retelling stories. Use comic strips for literature responses. For pre-reading students, create a comic of pictures and have students tell the story based on the pictures/scenes. It's a good idea to require students to create a rough draft of their comic using Printable Comic Strip Templates, reviewed here. Make a class book of the comics created throughout the year. That book will become the most read classroom book of all in an elementary classroom. Use comics to show sequencing of events. When studying about characterization, create dialog to show (not tell) about a character. World language and ENL/ESL teachers can assign students to create dialog strips as an alternate to traditional written assessments. Have students share all of their comics on your interactive whiteboard or projector.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Soundation - Power FX Systems AB
Grades
5 to 12
0 Favorites
0 Comments
Soundation is an online tool to create music. No download or installation is needed to use this tool. It has the raw materials: sounds loops, effects, and virtual instruments, ready...more
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Soundation is an online tool to create music. No download or installation is needed to use this tool. It has the raw materials: sounds loops, effects, and virtual instruments, ready to be use. Experienced music creators could probably learn how to use this tool by playing around with it. For those who are little less musically trained or inclined, there is a great how-to section of the site that gives a play by play of how to make your own music. There are FREE and FEE based versions of this site. The FREE version allows you to record music in one session; however you cannot save to return later. You can use the free version to record and edit what you have recorded. You can download the file in .wav format and save it on your own computer. You can also "publish and share" via url or on Facebook. The down arrow offers both options.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): energy (144), lyrics (15), musical instruments (40), musical notation (32), sounds (47)
In the Classroom
This would be fantastic for teaching how to mix music and create interesting sounds without taking up space in permanent files on the computer. If it is used for practice, the jumbles of sounds "go away" when closing the website. Try using this in music class to show students how to mix up sounds, practice with rhythms, and play with tools. Allow students to try their hand at creating their own music. Create sound files to use as "bumpers" or backgrounds in podcasts and videos. The music you create is not copyrighted, so there is no concern about "rights." As a new angle on digital storytelling, why not challenge students to tell a story through sound effects and music? Create sound sequences then as audio writing prompts for stories or poetry. In science or physics classes, this tool could be displayed on an interactive whiteboard (or projector) to show what the frequencies of sound and different pitches of voices look like when represented graphically. Use this site to demonstrate how a sound wave is actually a wave of energy. Another use would be for classroom management. Have this tool displayed on the interactive whiteboard, as student become to noisy point out what their sound looks like on the board, and show them parameters of sound that they have to meet in your classroom. For younger students, this will give the visual message that their sound is "big" because they often lack that perspective.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Shadow Light Productions - ShadowLight Productions
Grades
2 to 12
0 Favorites
0 Comments
Investigate the art of shadow puppetry through Shadow Light Productions. This is a commercial site featuring performances for school groups, community centers, or various events. Examples...more
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Investigate the art of shadow puppetry through Shadow Light Productions. This is a commercial site featuring performances for school groups, community centers, or various events. Examples of performances with traditional stories appear in written and video format. A commercial venture on this site sells DVDS of actual performances. Begin your study of shadow puppetry at this site. Detailed plans with standards include suggested objectives, strategies, equipment, materials, and resources for audio, video, and texts. These plans answer all your questions on how to use shadow puppetry effectively in your classroom. Examples of lesson plans and student performance give ideas for language arts classes. Some of the images (although appropriate) may appear scary to younger students. So please preview before you share with your class.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): halloween (28), short stories (16)
In the Classroom
Share some of this "puppeteer fun" on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Integrate into your Language Arts classroom to discover theme, plot, characterization, or myths and legends in a new way. Science classes can investigate the use of shadow and sound. Shadow puppetry is an easy way to incorporate several multiple intelligences. Easily differentiated plans for ESL/ELL and Gifted students to capture interest and motivate success. Use as an enrichment cluster, or after-school activity. Be sure to capture all your class creations on video and share on your class web site or blog.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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PHMS Podcasts: Math Minutes - Prairie Hills Middle School
Grades
5 to 8
1 Favorites
0 Comments
Get involved with Math through podcasts. Each podcast is fairly short and to the point (approximately 1 minute in length). The podcasts feature vibrant pictures and are similar to videos....more
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Get involved with Math through podcasts. Each podcast is fairly short and to the point (approximately 1 minute in length). The podcasts feature vibrant pictures and are similar to videos. Students tackle topics such as using variables, expressions, and proportions and demonstrate how to solve a problem. Be sure to click on the archives link for other podcasts not shown on the main page of the site. This site is fairly new, so it is likely that new podcasts will be added. You may want to check back occasionally to see what's new.
tag(s): equations (132), operations (94), order of operations (31), podcasts (59), variables (15)
In the Classroom
Share podcasts on your interactive whiteboard or projector as a warm-up to class lessons. Use the podcasts as examples and have students create their own. Use a site such as PodOmatic (reviewed here). Share their work on your class website or blog. Include a link to the site on your class newsletter for parents to view.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Chrome Experiments - Google
Grades
6 to 12
1 Favorites
0 Comments
Share or view creative web experiments with this website. The projects on this site show what can be done with Google Chrome and the "latest open technologies, including HTML5, Canvas,...more
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Share or view creative web experiments with this website. The projects on this site show what can be done with Google Chrome and the "latest open technologies, including HTML5, Canvas, SVG, and WebGL." There is a gallery full of over 300 examples of innovative programming ideas from artists and programmers across the globe. You can also participate in chats about computer design and rate submitted creations. Students who are interested in video games, web design, and programming will love this site.
tag(s): animation (59), computers (100), design (81), graphic design (44)
In the Classroom
This is a great resource for computer design and programming coursework. Each programmer has tagged their project with the name of technology they used to create their project. Consider showing examples of these technologies on an interactive whiteboard or projector. Have students develop their own experiment that uses Java Script and Google Chrome and then submit their work to the site. Make sure students understand not to share the link with anyone they do not trust or want contributing. Be sure to review the content in the chat session before using it with students. It is necessary to have an email in order to participate in online discussions. Read tips for safely managing email registrations here. It is essential that permissible use and consequences are set before introducing the site.
This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.
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Project Explorer - projectexplorer.org
Grades
5 to 12
1 Favorites
0 Comments
This site is a marvelous, award-winning collection of well-organized interactive content, lesson plans at three levels, and videos exploring cultures all around the world. Organized...more
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This site is a marvelous, award-winning collection of well-organized interactive content, lesson plans at three levels, and videos exploring cultures all around the world. Organized by level, you'll find upper elementary, middle school, and high school. Begin by testing your Global IQ with a quiz, then select a level and watch the featured video, next click on a country of interest and click the links to get a map and great information! With 21 countries featured (at the time of this review) you're sure to find one of interest.
tag(s): africa (135), asia (67), australia (27), canada (23), countries (67), cross cultural understanding (141), england (51), india (26), iran (10), jordan (5), mexico (26), peru (6), south africa (11), south america (36)
In the Classroom
As an anticipatory set, allow students to take the Global IQ quiz on 1:1 devices or a projector or on an interactive whiteboard to discuss the questions and take the quiz as a class. Then, informally assess prior knowledge of a selected country as you start your study of its geography, people, and other cultural items. Challenge students to select a country and create a brochure about what they learned using Sway, reviewed here, to share with their peers. Have students in language classes create similar videos and/or blogs that feature items of interest in countries whose languages they are studying.
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