Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

Dive into the fascinating world of biology with Crash Course Biology! This engaging series covers everything from the building blocks of life to complex ecosystems and evolutionary biology. Whether you're curious about genetics, cell function, or biodiversity, these easy-to-follow videos make learning fun and insightful. The videos are perfect for students and lifelong learners looking to unravel the mysteries of living organisms. This course is also available in Spanish. Some of the videos include short advertisements before they begin. These videos are hosted on YouTube, if your school does not allow YouTube, this site would not work well for you.
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tag(s): cells (82), dna (43), ecology (105), evolution (88), genetics (79), meiosis (8), mitosis (9), photosynthesis (21), scientific method (48), species (15)

Built to support the next generation of science leaders, The Wonder of Science shares many excellent free resources for science teachers of all grades. Information includes linked lessons offered by grade level, standards, and type of activity. Select the resources link to find printable activities, mini-lessons, assessments, planning, implementation, etc. From the home page, select videos to find videos linked by Next Generation Science Standards. A helpful video walkthrough of the site is available on the home page, and it provides a quick look at what is included and how to find resources. The videos are hosted on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, then they may not be viewable.

tag(s): biodiversity (36), chemicals (39), climate (86), earth (182), ecology (105), ecosystems (85), energy (133), environment (251), forces (37), genetics (79), life cycles (21), light (56), matter (45), molecules (43), motion (47), oceans (149), planets (113), sound (71), space (220), stars (71), weather (160)

iBiology provides hundreds of videos from scientists sharing the latest in scientific research. Video topics include interviews, lectures, and storytelling. Begin your search on the site by selecting the "Start Here" link. Choose a talk by selecting your role as a researcher, educator, student, or someone curious about biology. Each talk includes a short overview of the topic and a speaker's bio. Videos are hosted on YouTube, be sure that your school filters allow access before sharing with students on school computers or download using the links provided in each video.

tag(s): cells (82), diseases (66), dna (43), ecology (105), evolution (88), genetics (79), plants (148), STEM (312)

Learn about and discover some of the world's most fascinating and timely topics with National Geographic's 101 video series. Each video is under 5 minutes and features an overview of the issue. The diverse range of video subjects includes pollution, human origins, climate change, dinosaurs, the flu virus, and many others. Click the "more" button next to each video for a transcript and tags for related videos.
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tag(s): animals (293), chemicals (39), climate (86), climate change (101), dinosaurs (42), diseases (66), drugs and alcohol (28), energy (133), evolution (88), genetics (79), hiv/aids (15), moon (72), planets (113), plants (148), pollution (53), religions (113), romans (52), solar energy (35), solar system (108), space (220), STEM (312), sun (69), weather (160)

Engage in authentic scientific exploration with the games and interactives offered through Nova Labs. Engage in lab topics of cybersecurity, evolution, RNA, clouds, energy, and the sun. Each interactive includes a collection of videos providing background information. The site also shares educator guides specific to each lab with strategies for use.

tag(s): cells (82), critical thinking (137), energy (133), evolution (88), internet safety (116), Research (88), solar energy (35), sun (69), weather (160)

Find free tools and resources for teaching genetics, bioscience, and health at Teach.Genetics. Scroll down the page to view an alphabetized list of all available curriculum models, or choose the link to the Curriculum Index at the top of the page to find the complete list of available materials. Each model includes complete teaching materials, including student and teacher guides as well as supplemental material such as worksheets and quizzes.

tag(s): body systems (40), evolution (88), genealogy (8), genetics (79), heart (27), human body (91)

This is the ultimate site for finding out about Evolution! Find excellent information in the Evolution Library where there is an unbelievable amount of resources about Darwin, History of Life, Evolution of Diversity, Why Evolution Matters, and more. Find online courses in the For Teachers section. View the various lessons, resources, and online material about evolution found in the For Students section of this site. Find even more resources by clicking on the icon for various evolution topics: Darwin, Change, Survival, Sex, Extinction, Humans, and Religion. Though some of the features on this site require Flash, MOST of them do not.

tag(s): animals (293), evolution (88), fossils (41), geologic time (12), plants (148)

Make science fun using Untamed Science. Focusing on biology and ecology, these videos and quick fact pages offer high interest and fast-paced information in many topics. Search or browse through the full list of videos. Begin at either Tree of Life or Biology to find categories within each section. Be sure to also check out the How-to Filmmaking portion of the site to learn about filmmaking, beginning with the basics through advanced filmmaking approaches. If your district blocks YouTube, the video clips may not be viewable. While most topics are appropriate for teenage students, you may want to preview.

tag(s): amphibians (17), animals (293), biomes (110), cells (82), ecology (105), evolution (88), fish (18), genetics (79), mammals (22), planets (113), reptiles (12), video (267)

Top Documentary Films contains a large collection of documentaries from around the world. Choose "Browse" to explore the films available, or use the Categories menu on the right to view by topics such as Politics, Science, etc. Choose List from the top menu to view a complete listing of all available films. Each listing includes a short description along with a link to view the video. Videos are hosted on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, they may not be viewable. Be sure to PREVIEW videos before showing to a class as they are unmoderated. Comments are also unmoderated. There is a wonderful disclaimer at the lower left of the home page about bias and documentaries. It is well worth noting as you watch ANY "documentary."
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tag(s): advanced placement (26), animals (293), artists (87), biographies (94), drugs and alcohol (28), environment (251), evolution (88), hiv/aids (15), humor (15), media literacy (113), mental health (50), money (113), politics (118), psychology (65), religions (113), sports (85), vietnam (38)

A-Z Animals is an online animal encyclopedia and much more! Browse through the large list of animals in several different ways. Sort by alphabetical listing, Scientific names, group, location, endangered animals, pictures, or favorites. Each selection contains beautiful images and extensive information including basic facts, habitat, and behavior. Click the "listen" icon near the top of the page to listen to all text on each page (read by a synthesized voice). Print each page in PDF format using the Print link also located on a tab near the top of the page. In addition to the animal encyclopedia, explore the large selection of reference articles including many topics such as habitat, life cycle, and evolution. Other great features of this site include online quizzes and games. This site is one you will want to explorer and save! The site was created in the UK, so some of the pronunciations and spellings may differ from those in American English.
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tag(s): animal homes (57), animals (293), biodiversity (36), evolution (88), habitats (93)

Introduce evolution with the Evogeneao tree of life. This resource promotes teaching and acceptance of the biological theory of evolution in one transformative way. Life on Earth is one big extended family. Not only are we related to every other living thing in some way, but also to everything that has ever lived.
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tag(s): animals (293), biodiversity (36), evolution (88), plants (148)

This site provides a complete, online community college level biology book containing 59 chapters covering topics from atoms and molecules through human evolution. Choose the link for any chapter to begin. Each chapter is complete as you would find in a typical textbook along with images and links to definitions of keywords. View additional information links at the end of each chapter for further resources. Be sure to check out the excellent glossary included in chapter 58.

tag(s): animals (293), atoms (43), bacteria (21), body systems (40), cells (82), evolution (88), genetics (79), human body (91), molecules (43), photosynthesis (21), plants (148)

View and zoom into areas of the Tree of Life Explorer interactive viewer. Click on an area of the tree to zoom in to identify how species are related to one another and the evolutionary relationships that exist between species. Find where paths diverged in the past to create new branches of the tree of life. More trees are planned for the future to explore other classes of animals. At the time of this review topics included: the tree of bird life, the tree of mammal life, the tree of amphibian life, insects and many more. There is also a tutorial.

tag(s): amphibians (17), biodiversity (36), birds (46), evolution (88), insects (68), mammals (22)

Explore a wealth of images, research, and information about human origins in this visually rich site from the National Museum of Natural History. View "Human Evolution Evidence," "Human Evolution Research," and "Human Characteristics," as well as other resources. Don't miss the 3D views of fossils. It's even better than an actual museum visit, since you can move and rotate the objects yourself.

tag(s): evolution (88), fossils (41)

Use eSkeletons to understand human anatomy. View the bones of human and non-human primates using this interactive tool. Select the human skeleton to start the anatomical study. Mouseover the skeleton to select a specific bone to look closer. View various planes for different frames of reference. Click on morphology, origins, insertions, and articulations for more information. View a QuickTime movie for a 3D view of that specific skeletal part. Click on the Comparative Anatomy tab to view common bones between various organisms and planes of view. Use the Taxonomic Tree tab to determine the relationship between the various primates.

tag(s): dissection (6), evolution (88), human body (91)

Looking for evidence of evolution of many of our characteristics? View this three-part series presented on PBS that explores the relationship between other species and ourselves. Review how all organisms are connected and related on this planet. At the bottom of the page find resources for your classroom.

tag(s): classification (22), evolution (88)

Explore some of Darwin's most revolutionary ideas with this site that focuses on his profound influences on the scientific world. On the left, under the large image of Darwin, find the blue menu bars all the listing for Darwin at this site. Included are a timeline of controversy, a downloadable MP3 video providing an overview of his life and work, detailed documentation from his monumental Beagle voyage, and biographical information.
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tag(s): darwin (13), evolution (88)

This gem of a site covers a huge range of evolution-based issues from the most basic (What IS evolution?) to more esoteric questions (How does it factor into my life?). Teachers can glean some great ideas for teaching fundamental aspects of the theory, explaining common misconceptions and research procedures, and outlining the changes that have occurred in our understanding of the process.

tag(s): darwin (13), evolution (88)

Help students think the way da Vinci and the Wright Brothers did using this interactive tutorial that scientifically assembles evidence explaining how birds have achieved the ability to fly! The entire module requires four to eight class periods, depending on the activities chosen. Lesson plans, handouts, and assessment that align with the Nation Science Education Standards are provided. Sponsored by the National Science Foundation.

tag(s): evolution (88), flight (34)

This well-organized site from U.C. Berkeley provides middle and high school students with an introduction to cladistics (a way of organizing living things by common ancestry and evolutionary relationships) and involves students in posing hypotheses about past life based upon evolutionary history. The site was created with support from the National Science Foundation.

tag(s): dinosaurs (42), evolution (88), fossils (41)