552 mind-stretchers results | sort by:
return to subject listing
Mental Floss - Felix Dennis
Grades
6 to 12
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): animals (324), famous people (21), grammar (204), quizzes (93), trivia (20)
In the Classroom
Share Mental Floss on your class web page in any science, history, health, or reading class in middle school and up. Use it as a place for students to discover research topics related to your subject or as prompts for blog posts to get kids writing about something that interests them. Make a regular extra credit offering for students to write a blog post responding to something they learn here. If you have trouble getting students to read informational text, use these factoids as introductions to draw their interest before offering a longer article. Use these articles as starters for information literacy activities. Have partners research to find a corroborating (or debunking) source for the trivia offered here. English teachers will love some of the quick articles on misused or frequently misspelled words. Invite your students in any subject to find an article related to your subject and to create a poster version of that tip or tale using a tool such as Web Poster Wizard (reviewed here).You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Simon - Neave Games
Grades
K to 12tag(s): game based learning (152), patterns (89), preK (281), puzzles (203)
In the Classroom
Join forces with Simon to help improve memory skills. Introduce on your interactive whiteboard or projector to demonstrate memory skills. Help young students learn simple patterns by trying "their hands" at this interactive. Very young students can even use the beginner games to learn colors. Share and discuss ways to improve with such techniques as sound, visual, or "chunking." Use as a reward time device. Keep a class best score and challenge students to beat it! Use this tool to grab your students' attention to come back to their seats after centers or individual/group work periods. Share this link on your class website for students to "play" both in and out of the classroom.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Teampedia - Seth Marbin
Grades
K to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): back to school (61), creativity (115), problem solving (292)
In the Classroom
Use this site to find Icebreaker activities and options for the first week of school community building. Bookmark this tool for the first week of school or any time that you want to experience some "team-building" in your class. Use this site if you have weekly classroom meetings to build relationships among students. Share this site with students and have them create their own games based on research projects or as a review for major tests. Share this site with parent helpers to find ideas for classroom parties.Comments
So wonderful to develop creativity using tech. Love the idea of creating games based on research.Patricia, NJ, Grades: 6 - 12
Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Ducksters - Technological Solutions, Inc. (TSI)
Grades
2 to 8This site includes advertising.
tag(s): addition (224), african american (108), american revolution (89), animal homes (67), animals (324), artists (79), biographies (86), china (65), civil rights (126), civil war (149), cold war (31), continents (49), countries (84), data (156), division (158), egypt (62), elements (39), energy (212), environment (320), explorers (70), fractions (232), friction (13), geometric shapes (172), greece (29), habitats (113), human body (132), inventors and inventions (84), keyboarding (40), mean (27), median (24), mode (17), multiplication (210), planets (139), presidents (133), puzzles (203), recycling (59), renaissance (33), rome (25), solar system (125), sound (106), sports (102), subtraction (187), sun (76), world war 1 (57), world war 2 (143)
In the Classroom
This site is a perfect addition for use with a biography unit. Explore and share information categorized by topics such as Civil Rights, the Cold War, Ancient Greece, and WWII. Extend student learning by having students use Fakebook, reviewed here, to create a "fake" page similar in style to Facebook about a president, famous scientist, or nearly any other real or fictitious person. Be sure to create a link to the site on your class webpage or newsletter for students to explore at home. Create a link on classroom computers for students to use the interactives during center time.Comments
Very safe and reliable. Everyone else is my school thinks ducksters is stupid but I love ducksters.Ry, CA, Grades: 6 - 12
Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
XKCD - XKCD
Grades
8 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): comics and cartoons (58), humor (15)
In the Classroom
Add humor to your science, math, language, and current events classes to lighten the mood! Spice up professional presentations with humor, and keep your audience involved. Share the direct URL to any comic that relates to your curriculum or specific topics. Encourage students to create comics with your current content. Have students use one of the tools and ideas included in this collection. Keep your class website humorous with a few comics from XKCD.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Math Puzzles - Transum
Grades
4 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): crosswords (21), logic (253), problem solving (292)
In the Classroom
Share the math puzzles on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Use as a math center or when you have an extra 5-10 minutes of time. Create a link to the puzzles on classroom computers or your class website. This is a great find for use with gifted students to practice logic and problem-solving skills. If you are beginning the process of integrating technology, have students create blogs to explain their problem solving process and understanding using Pen.io, reviewed here. This blog creator requires no registration.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Word Wars - Clay.io
Grades
1 to 8tag(s): crosswords (21), phonics (68), sight words (34), spelling (165)
In the Classroom
Introduce Word Wars on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Use as a reward time activity for a whole class, teams, or individuals. After introducing, use at centers. Add to your website for spelling practice. For older students have them create their own Word War arrays using vocabulary or spelling words.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Nautilus - Nautilus
Grades
9 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): careers (149), expository writing (38), scientists (71), writing prompts (85)
In the Classroom
Share these articles as part of a broad discussion of the role of science in our world, such as during a unit on scientists or careers. Share Nautilus with your gifted or science-focused students to spark interests in scientific fields that are new to them. Assign gifted students to select an article and research it further when they have tested out of regular curriculum. They can share their discoveries as a multimedia presentation or write a blog post about them. Use articles from the magazine as fodder for class debates in English class or pull excerpts to use as writing prompts for informational or expository writing. The reading levels are high school and up, so be sure to partner weaker readers with a more capable reader if using this for class assignments. Check specific reading levels of an article by pasting its url into the Juicy Studio Readability Test, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Interactive Sites for Education: Christmas - Weebly
Grades
K to 2tag(s): addition (224), christmas (51), game based learning (152), holidays (141), puzzles (203)
In the Classroom
Add this site to your lesson plans to use in December. They are sure to engage your students! Introduce the activities on your interactive whiteboard (or projector). Bookmark (or save) these games at your classroom computers to used during center time. Share this link on your class website for students to use at home.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Interactive Sites for Education: Hanukkah - Weebly
Grades
K to 3tag(s): game based learning (152), hanukkah (14), holidays (141)
In the Classroom
Add this site to your activities to use for Hanukkah and to help children from all backgrounds understand the different holidays celebrated in December. Introduce simple games on your projector or interactive whiteboard. Bookmark this site on your classroom computers to use during center time. Use as an incentive to promote positive behavior. Share this link on your class website for families to access at home.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Interactive Sites for Education Winter - Weebly
Grades
1 to 4tag(s): christmas (51), holidays (141), snow (21), symmetry (49)
In the Classroom
Add this site to your lesson plans to use for winter. Introduce simple games on your projector or interactive whiteboard. Bookmark (or save) this link on your class computers. Use as an incentive to promote positive behavior. Share this link on your class website.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Interactive Sites for Education Easter - Weebly
Grades
K to 4In the Classroom
Add this site to your lesson plans to use in March and April. Introduce simple games on your projector or interactive whiteboard. Bookmark these activities on your class computers to used during center time. Share this link on your class website for students to use both in and out of the classroom.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Kodable - Surfscore, Inc
Grades
K to 4This site includes advertising.
tag(s): coding (78), computers (105), engineering (130), logic (253), problem solving (292), STEM (211)
In the Classroom
Use this tool to learn basic coding skills. Students will quickly catch on to this program when allowed to experiment while viewing their results. Kodable is great for differentiating for students with different abilities and learning styles. Keep track of student progress through your teacher account and entering student profiles. Set Kodable up as a learning center and have students to work in pairs to complete the challenges.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Interactive Sites for Education Valentine's Day - Weebly
Grades
K to 3tag(s): counting (109), holidays (141), sentences (46), sight words (34), valentines day (13)
In the Classroom
Add this site to your lesson plans to use for Valentine's Day. Introduce simple games on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Bookmark (or save) these games at your classroom computers to used during center time (or indoor recess). Share this link on your class website for families to explore at home.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Interactive Sites for Education St. Patrick's Day - Weebly
Grades
K to 4tag(s): holidays (141), interactive stories (31), puzzles (203), st patricks day (13)
In the Classroom
Share these activities on your projector or interactive whiteboard. Save or bookmark this site for learning centers (in early-mid March). Share this link on your class website for families to try at home.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Engineering Games - engineering-games.net
Grades
3 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): circuits (22), electricity (95), energy (212), engineering (130), game based learning (152), logic (253), machines (26), problem solving (292), robotics (24), rockets (18), simple machines (34), STEM (211)
In the Classroom
Share these excellent STEM activities with your students. Introduce this site on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Then have students explore this site independently or in small groups to find activities of interest. Use Engineering Games to differentiate learning experiences for students based on the difficulty of games. Challenge gifted students with more difficult activities. Provide a link to games on your class web page for students to play at home.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Incredibox - So Far So Good
Grades
K to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): musical instruments (50), rhythm (20)
In the Classroom
Use Incredibox as a great warm-up activity for a choir, band, or any sort of music appreciation class. As part of music class lessons, discuss the different elements in compositions. Use in any class as background music for podcasts, movies, PowerPoints, or blogs. Highlight and honor the musical geniuses in your classroom with this easy tool. Allow your learning support students instant success while challenging gifted students to create the perfect piece. Use in writing class to create mood. Play a composition as background while reading poetry or doing artwork. Help students memorize mnemonics by accompanying them with an audio track a la rap. Use music tracks as a writing prompt and enjoy the fun.Edge Features:
Parent permission advised before posting student work created using this tool
Includes Interaction w general public/ public galleries with unmoderated content
Includes social features, such as "friends," comments, ratings by others
Products can be shared by URL
Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Inspirograph - Nathan Friend
Grades
2 to 12tag(s): angles (87), critical thinking (121), gifted (79), problem solving (292)
In the Classroom
Use Inspirograph to create fascinating art and to explore math concepts. Have students experiment with different gear sizes (both fixed and rotating) and explain changes. Design a table for students to map out findings such as number of points made when using different gear sizes. Find patterns between the fixed circle sizes and the number of points generated. Work collaboratively with other groups of students to create and answer questions about spirograph designs. Identify the various shapes created.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
DigiPuzzle - digipuzzle.net
Grades
K to 9tag(s): animals (324), cities (26), logic (253), problem solving (292), puzzles (203), pyramids (28)
In the Classroom
Use this site as an entertaining logic and problem solving center either on classroom computers or your interactive whiteboard or projector. Embed your own personalized puzzle on your classroom website to encourage students to visit often. Use DigiPuzzles as an interesting way to introduce topics in your classroom such as animals or famous locations around the world.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Annenberg Learner - The Annenberg Foundation
Grades
K to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): art history (78), butterflies (13), conversions (31), critical thinking (121), dna (63), earth (226), environment (320), geometric shapes (172), immigrants (24), medieval (28), native americans (81), patterns (89), periodic table (55), renaissance (33), rocks (52), russia (37), south africa (13), spelling (165), statistics (133), volcanoes (65), weather (211)
In the Classroom
In your classroom, explore the interactives available to enhance your lessons. Use the lesson plan library to add a new twist to your subject matter. Organize a professional study of your area of concentration for your department or grade level.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Comments
Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Close comment form