TeachersFirst - Featured Sites: Week of Jul 18, 2021
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
Introducing South Africa - Google Arts and Culture
Grades
4 to 12
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Explore beautiful landscapes and visit famous South African museums with this Arts and Culture presentation from Google. Scroll through the page to take a 360-degree look at Cape Peninsula...more
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Explore beautiful landscapes and visit famous South African museums with this Arts and Culture presentation from Google. Scroll through the page to take a 360-degree look at Cape Peninsula and Table Mountain. Learn about the Cape of Good Hope and Portuguese navigator Bartolomeu Dias. Additional images share the flora that is unique to the country. On a more serious note, visit Robben Island, home to the imprisoned African leader Nelson Mandela from 1964 - 1982.
tag(s): africa (137), civil rights (194), south africa (11)
In the Classroom
Engage students with this interesting site by asking them to explore it independently to introduce your unit on African countries or when learning about Nelson Mandela and his home. Be sure to show students how to use the arrows to view images from the many different angles provided. As students begin your lessons, create a Google Jamboard, reviewed here, to share interesting information learned from students' explorations. Use their notes to guide students toward enhancing learning by choosing specific areas to explore further. For example, some students may want to learn more about the geography found in South Africa, while others may want to learn about animals or famous people. Have students share the findings of their research by writing blogs using Edublogs, reviewed here, or use Google My Maps, reviewed here, to create virtual tours around South Africa that include links to images, videos, or student writing projects to tell the story of the country.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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'Interrupt The Systems': Robin DiAngelo On 'White Fragility' And Anti-Racism - Ari Shapiro/NPR
Grades
9 to 12
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NPR's Like Kit series shares this article and audio from a recent podcast featuring a discussion with author Robin DiAngelo. DiAngelo shares suggestions for white people with specific...more
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NPR's Like Kit series shares this article and audio from a recent podcast featuring a discussion with author Robin DiAngelo. DiAngelo shares suggestions for white people with specific ideas on how to reflect upon their racism. Other recommendations include tips on how to educate yourself by engaging in resources created by people of color. This article contains many links to supplemental information, including books and a 21-Day Habit Building Challenge.
tag(s): authors (103), bias (22), character education (76), civil rights (194), difficult conversations (58), racism (76)
In the Classroom
Include this article with your other resources to discuss racism, bias, or when addressing difficult conversations in the classroom. Use a curation tool like Padlet, reviewed here, to share and discuss articles, videos, and online information. As students research and learn more from other authors, help them organize information using Webnote, reviewed here. Webnote is a virtual sticky note (think notecard) taking tool similar to the the physical sticky notes and can be used in place of 3X5 cards used for notetaking by hand. Use Webnote to keep a list of authors and articles, jot down big ideas, and compare suggestions for making positive changes.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Discovering My Identity Lesson Plan - Southern Poverty Law Center & Learning for Justice
Grades
3 to 7
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This standards-based lesson for upper elementary students provides directions that guide students toward understanding different identity aspects using diverse book characters using...more
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This standards-based lesson for upper elementary students provides directions that guide students toward understanding different identity aspects using diverse book characters using Marley Dias' Black Girls Books. Students work toward answering essential questions that identify similarities and differences between themselves and others and explore how stories teach us about identity. This site provides video clips, small group discussion directions, and graphic organizers to use during the lesson.
tag(s): bias (22), character education (76), difficult conversations (58), identity (28), racism (76)
In the Classroom
Include this lesson during character education lessons that teach students about racism, bias, and identity. Use Edpuzzle, reviewed here, to enhance students' viewing of the video included with the lesson. Search the YouTube portion on edpuzzle to find the video, then place the discussion questions within appropriate portions of the video. edpuzzle integrates with several learning management systems, including Canvas, reviewed here, making it easy to include your annotated video as part of a larger teaching unit. As students complete their book reviews during the lesson, use Flip, reviewed here, to create video book reviews. Use this Flip topic throughout the year to add additional book reviews for students throughout the school year. Upload the book review graphic organizer to your topic for easy access whenever students are ready to add a new review.
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Code Switch - National Public Radio (NPR)
Grades
9 to 12
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Code Switch is an NPR podcast featuring conversations about race that air several times each month. The podcast includes a wide variety of topics ranging from politics to sports and...more
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Code Switch is an NPR podcast featuring conversations about race that air several times each month. The podcast includes a wide variety of topics ranging from politics to sports and much more. The podcast hosts include award-winning journalists from a variety of races to share their perspectives on current issues. Podcasts range in length from approximately 20 minutes to just under one hour. Each podcast link includes a transcript, download link, and embed code.
tag(s): black history (123), character education (76), difficult conversations (58), native americans (91), racism (76)
In the Classroom
Include this podcast as a resource for lessons on racism, bias, or when facing difficult conversations in the classroom. Be sure to sign up to listen to the newest podcasts on your favorite resource and scroll through the archives to find relevant recordings beginning in 2016. As students listen to podcasts, use Google Slides, reviewed here, to create a reflective document for students to share important information from the podcast along with any questions or information for further research. Use the podcasts as a model for students to create their own podcasts on any topic. Search ReadWriteThink, reviewed here, to find many tools to help students develop interesting podcasts including rubrics, podcast tutorials, and a lesson plan for teaching with podcasts. When students are ready to record and share their podcasts, Buzzsprout, reviewed here, is a free podcasting tool that provides options for scheduling broadcasts, adding chapters, and much more.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Antiracism/Diversity Bookroom - unknown
Grades
K to 6
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This Google Slide presentation features an online bookroom with shelves full of links to YouTube video readings of books featuring Black characters. Click on any book to view the YouTube...more
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This Google Slide presentation features an online bookroom with shelves full of links to YouTube video readings of books featuring Black characters. Click on any book to view the YouTube recording, some created by the author and illustrator. Make sure to click on other objects in the room, including the picture frames, pillow on the chair, and the poster to view additional videos, including a master class featuring Maya Angelou. The videos are hosted on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, then they may not be viewable.
tag(s): black history (123), book lists (161), civil rights (194), identity (28), racism (76)
In the Classroom
Include this slide with your other resources used when teaching racism or discussing self-identity. Share a link with students to use as part of a reading center to offer various read-alouds during center time. For younger students, use Symbaloo, reviewed here, as a bookmarking tool to share other videos, books, and activities as part of your unit on racism or bias. Include videos and books from this presentation as part of a learning unit created using Curipod, reviewed here. Add quizzes, videos, documents, and more to create digital lessons that easily adapt to any student's ability levels. Use this presentation as a model to create an interactive bookroom using books, videos, and additional materials of your choosing. Use The Brown Bookshelf, reviewed here, as an excellent starting point to find additional books featuring Black voices.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Virtual Learning Journey: Civil Rights Movement - Georgia Public Broadcasting & Georgia Department of Education
Grades
5 to 12
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Transport learners back to the time of the Civil Rights Movement through a virtual learning experience. Listen to firsthand accounts, watch 14 videos, and explore many primary source...more
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Transport learners back to the time of the Civil Rights Movement through a virtual learning experience. Listen to firsthand accounts, watch 14 videos, and explore many primary source documents found along the learning path. The journey explores seven themes and topics based on the Civil Rights Movement. As students travel the path, this site offers the option to clip and save information to their device for later use. Download the User Guide for complete information on how to use the site, suggestions discussion questions, and extension activities.
tag(s): 1960s (27), black history (123), civil rights (194), cultures (132), martin luther king (43)
In the Classroom
Be sure to include this virtual learning experience as part of civil rights lessons and Black History Month activities. Include a link to the experience on classroom computers for students to explore on their own. As students travel along the learning path, replace pen and paper and engage them by asking students to use an online note taking tool like Webnote, reviewed here, to write down their thoughts and questions they may have. As students learn about Civil Rights events, have them enhance their learning by asking them to step back in time and create podcasts from this time. Use Podcast Generator, reviewed here, a free tool for creating and sharing podcasts. Extend learning by challenging students find an image from the Civil Rights movement and create an annotated image using Google Drawings, reviewed here. Google Drawings allows you to annotate an image with links to videos, text, websites, and more. Not familiar with Google Drawings? Watch an archived OK2Ask session to learn how to use: OK2Ask Google Drawings, here.
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Who, Me? Biased? - New York Times
Grades
5 to 12
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Explore bias through this series of videos from the New York Times. Using titles such as Peanut Butter, Jelly, and Racism, and Why We're Awkward, this series explores types ...more
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Explore bias through this series of videos from the New York Times. Using titles such as Peanut Butter, Jelly, and Racism, and Why We're Awkward, this series explores types of bias, how to address and change prejudices, and ways to address racism. Most videos run around two minutes in length, making them perfect for a short introduction to the topics addressed.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): bias (22), black history (123), bullying (49), character education (76), civil rights (194), difficult conversations (58), diversity (38), racism (76), tolerance (9)
In the Classroom
Share videos with students either with a projector, an interactive whiteboard, or use the link or embed codes on your class website to view at home. Have students view from home and enhance learning using Vibby, reviewed here, where you can stop the video and ask questions about the parts where students may need clarification right on the video! Have cooperative learning groups extend their learning by creating podcasts sharing their insight into biases and racism along with suggestions on ways to address each problem. Use a site such as podOmatic, reviewed here. Share this site with your school's counselor for use with ongoing lessons in tolerance and diversity.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Nelson Mandela Biography - bio.com
Grades
4 to 12
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Explore the life of Nelson Mandela with this informative site from Biography.com. Contents include facts of Mandela's life, photos, and videos profiling his life and leadership. There...more
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Explore the life of Nelson Mandela with this informative site from Biography.com. Contents include facts of Mandela's life, photos, and videos profiling his life and leadership. There is a lot here to explore.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): 20th century (59), black history (123), civil rights (194), heroes (22), south africa (11)
In the Classroom
Share this site on your interactive whiteboard or projector as an introduction to your Civil Rights, Black History, or Heroes unit. Allow students to explore on their own. Use an online tool such as the interactive Two or Three Circle Venn Diagram, reviewed here, to compare Nelson Mandela to other Civil Rights leaders such as Martin Luther King. Have students create timelines about Civil Rights (with music, photos, videos, and more) using Timeline JS, reviewed here. Find music for this period in history using Radiooo, reviewed here. Challenge students use Fakebook, reviewed here, to create a "fake" page similar in style to Facebook about Civil Rights leaders.
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Who Was Nelson Mandela? - BBC
Grades
3 to 8
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Find a good introduction and overview of the life of Nelson Mandela geared toward elementary students (and middle school). View basic information, such as why Mandela is famous. Take...more
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Find a good introduction and overview of the life of Nelson Mandela geared toward elementary students (and middle school). View basic information, such as why Mandela is famous. Take a look at young Mandela, problems in South Africa, and his life as a world statesman. Scroll through several fun facts about Mandela, play a game of Audience with Mandela, explore photographs and videos, or take a short quiz. This site was created in the UK. American English speakers may notice some slight spelling or vocabulary differences. Thougn the video may not play in your area, the information and interactive make this site worth a visit.
tag(s): biographies (93), civil rights (194), heroes (22), south africa (11)
In the Classroom
Introduce this site on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Then have students explore this site independently or in small groups. Use this site as an anticipatory set or "activator" to introduce a unit or lesson for Black History Month or about heroes in Civil Rights. As you discuss Martin Luther King, Jr, include discussion of major Civil Rights leaders from other countries. Enhance student learning by having them choose one of the following projects. Have students create an annotated image of Nelson Mandela including text boxes and related links using a tool such as Thinglink, reviewed here. Have students collaborate to create maps of Mandela's journeys using Maphub, reviewed here. Students can add icons, text, images, and location stops! Have students create timelines (with music, photos, videos, and more) using Timeline JS, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Nelson Mandela - Facts - Nobel Media
Grades
3 to 12
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Explore information and facts about the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize winner, Nelson Mandela, straight from the Nobel Prize website. In addition to basic biographical information, view videos...more
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Explore information and facts about the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize winner, Nelson Mandela, straight from the Nobel Prize website. In addition to basic biographical information, view videos of Mandela's Nobel lecture, a bibliography of his writings, a photo gallery and much more.
tag(s): 1960s (27), 1970s (10), 1980s (7), 20th century (59), biographies (93), black history (123), civil rights (194), cultures (132), heroes (22), south africa (11)
In the Classroom
Introduce this site on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Then have students explore this site independently or in small groups. This site is perfect to include with Black History Month activities or in a unit on Civil Rights leaders. Have students create a simple infographic with words used to describe Mandela sharing their findings using Venngage reviewed here. Have students create a word cloud of the important terms they learn from this site using a tool such as WordItOut, reviewed here. Use an online tool such as an interactive Two Circle Venn Diagram, reviewed here, to compare South Africa at the time of Mandela's arrest to current South Africa. Have students use Fakebook, reviewed here, to create a "fake" page similar in style to Facebook about Mandela during his time in prison or after his release.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Wild Earth - wildearth media ltd.
Grades
K to 12
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Wish you could join a live safari? With Wild Earth, view live broadcasts twice daily. Video originates from Djuma Game Reserve in South Africa. Each morning and afternoon, follow...more
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Wish you could join a live safari? With Wild Earth, view live broadcasts twice daily. Video originates from Djuma Game Reserve in South Africa. Each morning and afternoon, follow along on a live Safari with one of the Wild Earth rangers. View the passion of the Wild Earth creators as they share their unbelievable footage live to a global audience. View the nature of Africa unaltered and in its natural state. Learn about the different kinds of animals and the schedule for times of Safaris and other events. Past videos are viewed in the archive.
In the Classroom
Use the Wild Earth Channel to identify behavior patterns in animals, interactions between animals and people, or to compare actual behavior of animals vs. what students may have read in the past. Have students create artwork, stories, or poems about animals viewed on Wild Earth. Even first graders can "observe" and keep a science notebook of their observations as you set this site up on your classroom computer for daily observation times. Have students make interactive stories or a class science notebook using a tool such as Bookemon ,reviewed here. Or view the WildEarthtv archives and create a time line for the various animals. Create an interactive timeline using a resource such as Sutori, reviewed here, that can include images, text, and collaboration. Identify when certain repeated activities take place in the preserve and how animals differ in their time lines. Compare the daily/weekly patterns of humans to the patterns of animals.Be sure to include this link on your teacher web page for students to access outside school hours! They may want to share the African experience at home, as well.
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The Long Walk of Nelson Mandela - PBS Frontline
Grades
6 to 12
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A detailed look at Mandela's life and the revolution he helped lead. The site contains interviews, film clips, and a "viewers' and teachers' guide." The site is a well-organized companion...more
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A detailed look at Mandela's life and the revolution he helped lead. The site contains interviews, film clips, and a "viewers' and teachers' guide." The site is a well-organized companion to the PBS Frontline documentary of the same name.
tag(s): africa (137), racism (76), south africa (11)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the free lesson plans and activities offered for ideas on how to integrate this site into your classroom! This would be a great resource for almost any Social Studies teacher.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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South Africa - Country Studies - Library of Congress
Grades
8 to 12
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This site is part of a set of detailed cultural, political, and historical summaries created by the Library's Federal Research Service. The emphasis is on less commonly studied nations,...more
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This site is part of a set of detailed cultural, political, and historical summaries created by the Library's Federal Research Service. The emphasis is on less commonly studied nations, and the material will be challenging for some students. This is a 620 page PDF you can download, or you can view each page separately on the site by clicking "View 620 Pages."
tag(s): africa (137), south africa (11)
In the Classroom
Teachers will find these summaries useful for their comprehensive scope, which frequently includes historical and cultural background information. Much of the content is 5 or more years old, so these pages are best used for historical or background information.
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Africam
Grades
4 to 12
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Here's a South African site that offers images and camera feeds from a variety of wildlife parks and refuges in Africa. There's no way to know exactly what you'll find, ...more
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Here's a South African site that offers images and camera feeds from a variety of wildlife parks and refuges in Africa. There's no way to know exactly what you'll find, and the speed of your connection will certainly affect the performance, but you can find great images here. No animals at the live camera? Visit the highlights from live camera feeds!
In the Classroom
This is an excellent site to supplement a unit on Africa specifically, or one that is focused on different environments over the world. Save the site as a favorite on classroom computers, and have students look at in pairs or cooperative learning groups. Use the site to show kids how different the African country-side is from their own. Because one can not predict when or where animals will appear, it is probably best to have students check periodically through the day or classroom period. Have students observe the camera-view, and write a comparative piece on the differences between the region shown and their own. Post pictures of the site and students work to display around the classroom during the unit!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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