TeachersFirst - Featured Sites: Week of Nov 17, 2013
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
The Rhythm Trainer - John Blank
Grades
1 to 8
Learn and practice rhythm with the Rhythm Trainer's two modes of play. Choose the A mode to click on rhythms heard. Choose B mode to see a rhythm notation and ...more
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Learn and practice rhythm with the Rhythm Trainer's two modes of play. Choose the A mode to click on rhythms heard. Choose B mode to see a rhythm notation and choose the matching audio clip. Choose from slow or fast tempos and to include or exclude rhythm choices.
tag(s): musical notation (35), rhythm (22)
In the Classroom
Make a shortcut to this site on classroom computers and use it as a center. Introduce this site on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Then have students explore this site independently or in small groups. Use as an example, and have students create their own rhythms. Play and have other students identify what they hear. Share this site on your class website for those students taking private lessons. This is excellent practice!Text Compactor - Knowledge by Design Inc.
Grades
7 to 12This simple, free tool can shorten or summarize an otherwise long passage or text. Simply copy and paste the text passage into the text box. Specify the percentage of summarization...more
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This simple, free tool can shorten or summarize an otherwise long passage or text. Simply copy and paste the text passage into the text box. Specify the percentage of summarization (there is a slider you can drag to the percentage that you want). Text Compactor produces a shortened version below the original. Summarization of text is now easy and fast. Be sure to mention to any student using this site the importance of not plagiarizing and using only original writing. To learn more about how the tool works (and possibly consider some of its "short" comings), see "About."
tag(s): creative writing (126), descriptive writing (42), expository writing (31), multilingual (78), paragraph writing (15), process writing (37)
In the Classroom
Use this resource when reducing original passages (not plagiarized) to fit a specific number of words or characters. Use this resource when teaching summarization. Paste in a text to summarize and discuss/brainstorm what makes a great summary. Challenge students to look for ways that the tool may have actually missed an important concept through its automated process. Have the class decide whether their own summary or the one offered by this tool is best -- and why. Use this tool as one of many angles on revision during the writing process. Have students paste in their own writing to see what ideas "show" as the most important and to consider revising to emphasize what they really intended to say. If your emails get a bit too wordy, try this tool to shorten them! Shorten your assignment descriptions to make them easier for your ESL/ELL students and lower level readers to understand.English With Jennifer - Jennifer Lebedev
Grades
2 to 8This Youtube channel is designed for English Language Learners. Find a variety of subjects: beginning and advanced English, pronunciation, various grammar points, vocabulary, writing,...more
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This Youtube channel is designed for English Language Learners. Find a variety of subjects: beginning and advanced English, pronunciation, various grammar points, vocabulary, writing, punctuation, slang, language notes, and more. You can proceed through a series chronologically and build from one lesson into the next. You can also view individual lessons. This collection, started in 2007, continues to grow steadily and offer a great variety. The explanations on the videos are clear and easy to understand. Teachers and parents can subscribe to receive more offerings and assistance as well as updates. If your district blocks YouTube, then they may not be viewable.
tag(s): grammar (138), video (267), vocabulary development (95), writing (325)
In the Classroom
Visit Jennifer's Blog to find ideas about how to use these lessons in the classroom and to find additional support. Jennifer frequently updates the offerings. Share these videos on your interactive whiteboard or projector. FLIP your classroom and have students view the videos at home and discuss the next day in class. (This is a great option if YouTube is blocked in your school.) Use the videos to introduce a grammar or punctuation point you would like to make, and assign others in the series for homework. Look at the "Word of the Day" each morning when you begin your ESL/ELL lesson. Use the slang offerings in a similar manner. Be sure to provide this link on your class website for students (and their families) to access at home for additional English practice.Brilliant - Sue Khim
Grades
8 to 12Brilliant provides challenges for anyone with a passion for mathematics or physics. Create an account, enter your interests, and take a short diagnostic test to receive an assigned...more
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Brilliant provides challenges for anyone with a passion for mathematics or physics. Create an account, enter your interests, and take a short diagnostic test to receive an assigned level in either subject. You must create an account using an email address or Facebook. Each week, you will receive new problem sets based on your assigned level. If you answer correctly within three attempts, you receive points toward prizes or academic opportunities. Warning: This site can get addictive.
tag(s): problem solving (234), STEM (310)
In the Classroom
Use when differentiating in the classroom or as a resource for gifted students. Allow students to create their own account, take placement tests, and problem-solve the challenges each week. Have students share problems and their problem solving process with classmates via podcasts demonstrating their understanding of one of the concepts. Use a site such as PodOmatic (reviewed here). Create your own account; then share problems on your website or blog using the share feature offered on the site. If you plan to have students register using their own email accounts, read tips for safely managing email registrations here.The Arctic Program - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Grades
4 to 12Stuck out in the cold learning about the Arctic? Vetting information can be like trying to dig in permafrost. The Arctic Program is a cool resource to provide your students ...more
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Stuck out in the cold learning about the Arctic? Vetting information can be like trying to dig in permafrost. The Arctic Program is a cool resource to provide your students in-depth information and analysis on the Arctic. The site may have a stark, snowy look, but it is quite useful. The data is from reputable scientific sources, and the information is presented in easy to understand narratives. View data on the Arctic report card page, which provides evidence of the sustained change in the Arctic environmental system. Detailed data is also available on the ice, atmosphere, and the ocean. View detailed information on the vegetation and wildlife of the Arctic. Tons of other links are also available to meet any explorer's need. This site meets the needs of diverse learners exploring the Arctic.
In the Classroom
The Arctic Program is a great resource for students doing research. Use data on the all of the characteristics of the Arctic to analyze trends. Research information on vegetation, wildlife, atmosphere, geography of the arctic, and the Arctic environment. The gallery of images and videos provide a great visual representation of the Arctic. Use the videos to assist lower-level readers with finding information. Use the photographs for creative writing prompts on adventures that integrate science content on the Arctic.Our very own star: The Sun - NASA
Grades
2 to 8Use this interactive to learn about the Sun. Learn how far the Sun is from Earth, about solar flares, solar wind, and more. ...more
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Use this interactive to learn about the Sun. Learn how far the Sun is from Earth, about solar flares, solar wind, and more.
tag(s): solar system (108), sun (69)
In the Classroom
Use this Interactive to share basic information about the Sun that students can discuss in groups or in a class discussion. This Interactive can be used on an Interactive Whiteboard or on individual computers. After using this resource, brainstorm additional questions for research. Students can create presentations to share the information that they research and learn. Have students make a multimedia presentation using one of the many TeachersFirst Edge tools reviewed here. Some tool suggestions are (click on the tool name to access the review): Presentious, Animatron, Renderforest, and Desygner.
This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.
The Economics of Seinfeld - Linda Ghent, Alan Grant and George Lesica
Grades
6 to 12Make economics concepts come alive, have fun, and learn with The Economics of Seinfeld. This site is based on the 90s sitcom, Seinfeld, which many students are still familiar...more
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Make economics concepts come alive, have fun, and learn with The Economics of Seinfeld. This site is based on the 90s sitcom, Seinfeld, which many students are still familiar with thanks to syndication! Browse through several pages of links to clips. Each is labeled with the economic concept taught. Browse for a specific content, or view the index to find content topics and associated videos. Hosting of all videos isn't provided on this site, some offerings require visiting Hulu or other video sites to find clips. A limited number are hosted on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube or another video sharing site, then they may not be viewable.