TeachersFirst - Featured Sites: Week of Apr 9, 2017
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
ClassHook - Alexander Deeb and Joyce Ang
Grades
6 to 12
1 Favorites
0 Comments
ClassHook uses favorite TV shows and movies to teach classroom content in engaging and relevant ways. Students naturally relate to popular media, making ClassHook a natural learning...more
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ClassHook uses favorite TV shows and movies to teach classroom content in engaging and relevant ways. Students naturally relate to popular media, making ClassHook a natural learning tool to help students relate to concepts beyond a textbook. Find content by using the keyword search or browse by topic. Search by Math, Science, Social Studies, Language Arts, or Business. Create an account using your email to gain full access to ClassHook's library of clips. Class accounts also enable users to set up and share playlists, bookmark clips, write comments on clips, and submit clips to share with other users. If your district blocks YouTube, the videos may not be viewable.
In the Classroom
Find clips on ClassHook to share with students as an attention-getter or introduction to new content. Create a link to media clips on your classroom computers or class website for students to view on their own. Flip your classroom and have students watch videos at home before teaching lessons. Enhance student learning by having students create blogs sharing their learning and understanding using Tumblr, reviewed here, discussing the content of movie clips concerning the lesson taught. Alternatively, you could add questions for students to answer while viewing video clips at home. Do this by using a tool such as playposit, reviewed here.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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TRAILS: Tool for Real-time Assessment of Information Literacy Skills - Kent State University Libraries
Grades
3 to 12
4 Favorites
0 Comments
TRAILS is a free online, interactive student assessment using multiple-choice questions on a variety of information literacy skills based on 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th grade standards....more
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TRAILS is a free online, interactive student assessment using multiple-choice questions on a variety of information literacy skills based on 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th grade standards. This easy, flexible tool is for school librarians and teachers to identify strengths and weaknesses in the information-seeking skills of their students. TRAILS can be used for formative and summative evaluations in five category areas: Develop Topic, Identify Potential Sources, Use Search Strategies, Evaluate Sources and Information, Use Information Responsibly, Ethically, and Legally.
tag(s): assessment (147), digital citizenship (88), media literacy (102)
In the Classroom
Students can be evaluated in four separate grade-level tests. You must create accounts and new sessions to save student work and have it graded. Individual codes are assigned to students allowing teachers and students to review performance and teachers to generate reports. Questions have been aligned to the Common Core standards.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Unite for Literacy Library - Unite for Literacy
Grades
K to 8
5 Favorites
0 Comments
The Unite for Literacy Library offers many online books for young readers with audio. Browse through the home page to choose books to read from the library shelves. Narrow down ...more
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The Unite for Literacy Library offers many online books for young readers with audio. Browse through the home page to choose books to read from the library shelves. Narrow down your choices using picture icons for different themes such as animals or families. Select and click a book to read. Click the speaker icon to hear each page. The narration is also available in many languages, from Arabic to Vietnamese.
tag(s): audio books (22), independent reading (85), interactive stories (20), preK (253)
In the Classroom
This site is one you must bookmark if you work with young readers! Create a link to the site on classroom computers for students to explore and listen to books on their own. Unite for Literacy is perfect for use with ENL/ESL students for reading and hearing books in both English and their native language. Share a link to the site on your website or newsletter for use at home or use during remote learning. During remote learning, consider assigning your elementary students reading and follow up activities using Symbaloo, reviewed here. Symbaloo is an excellent bookmarking tool to use with elementary students due to the easy to use design and use of icons for identifying information readily. World language teachers can use this site to have students listen to books in the language they are learning.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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LitPick - LitPick
Grades
4 to 12
1 Favorites
0 Comments
LitPick is a great place to find preteen and teen literature reviewed by students from all over the world. Discover the latest reads reviewed by students. Students apply to ...more
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LitPick is a great place to find preteen and teen literature reviewed by students from all over the world. Discover the latest reads reviewed by students. Students apply to become a reviewer, along with an adult sponsor, and get a free eBook or print book. Choose a book by age or genre. Read within 4-6 weeks and write a 5-10 sentence review summarizing the book, without giving away the ending. Submit and receive feedback before the final review is approved and published. Receive points and badges for well written reviews. Find books listed by genre or age group. Under Educators find an Educators Guide, Quizzes, and Learning Lessons. Adult members of LitPick can participate in the monthly book giveaway contest and newsletter that features student book reviews and special offers. Sign up to receive the latest announcement and promotional giveaways. Start book clubs, or use in classes. LitPick was selected as Best Website for Teaching and Learning by the American Association of School Librarians, and selected for the Gold Award from Mom's Choice and the Association of Independent Authors. LitPick also hosts a video review channel titled
BookTube residing on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, the videos may not be viewable; be sure to look at alternatives for sharing the videos on classroom computers.
tag(s): expository writing (31), independent reading (85), literature (217), literature circles (3)
In the Classroom
Use this site for a real reviewer's experience or simply to find great books. Evaluate other reviews and make a list of noteworthy reviewing techniques. Students choose the latest new reads before they are released to the public. Sign up individual students, groups of students, or your class to read a book together and write a review. Challenge your gifted ones to work on this authentic review task. This site is perfect to use for literature circles. Create your own "LitPick" on your school library site. Have students involve parents as their sponsor for greater parental involvement and excitement. Get the newest books free.
This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.
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ReaderKidZ - ReaderKidZ
Grades
K to 6
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Introduce budding readers and writers to the authors and books found at ReaderKidZ. A children's book author maintains this place for teachers, parents, and librarians. Find interesting...more
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Introduce budding readers and writers to the authors and books found at ReaderKidZ. A children's book author maintains this place for teachers, parents, and librarians. Find interesting and exciting books and activities for children PreK through grade five. There are even picture books for non-readers. Click the Select a Month tab from the left menu, and find many more books and activities under each month listed. Check out the About tab and click Diane White then the tab for Resources. Under Resources you will find activities at the top, and by clicking for Parents and Teachers at the bottom of the left menu - even more activities.
tag(s): authors (103), book lists (159), ebooks (38), independent reading (85)
In the Classroom
Get your students interested in reading by picking a book for the class to read together as a read aloud or story time activity. These resources are also great for ENL/ELL students just learning the English language.Be sure to check these out from your school or local library for your students to enjoy in class. Post the link to ReaderKidZ on your website and encourage parents to read a book with their child. Have your students complete an author study. Most books have a link to the author and illustrators websites. Some of the books have downloadable activities such as readers theater and discussion questions.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Brown Bookshelf - Paula Chase-Hyman
Grades
K to 12
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The Brown Bookshelf features literature for young readers written by and featuring people of color. View archives going back to 2007 to find book reviews, author's chats, and some videos...more
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The Brown Bookshelf features literature for young readers written by and featuring people of color. View archives going back to 2007 to find book reviews, author's chats, and some videos that accompany books featured on the site. A flagship feature of the site is the 28 Days Later portion. Each day during Black History Month features a different author. It is a month-long showcase of the best in Picture Books, Middle Grade, and Young Adult novels written and illustrated by African Americans to help parents, teachers, librarians and booksellers recommend good reads. Archives are available beginning with the 2008 campaign.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): african american (109), black history (123), book lists (159), civil rights (194), cultures (132), literature (217), preK (253)
In the Classroom
Bookmark this site for use throughout the year, not just during Black History Month. Create a link on classroom computers for students to explore and find books for reading. Share this link on your class website or blog for students to use at home. Showcase books found on this site for classroom read alouds. Librarians will find this site helpful for creating displays in their library or for presentations in classrooms. Enhance student learning by having students create commercials for books found on this site using a tool like Powtoon, reviewed here, or Adobe Express Video Maker, reviewed here, and share them using a tool such as SchoolTube, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Hook the Boys on Reading - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 5
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This readaloud collection, designed to encourage boys to read, is part of the Help I lost my library/media specialist series. Although nothing can replace the specialized knowledge...more
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This readaloud collection, designed to encourage boys to read, is part of the Help I lost my library/media specialist series. Although nothing can replace the specialized knowledge of a teacher-librarian, this collection of books and before/after reading activities was created by an experienced elementary library/media specialist. Read about what interests young male readers and find ways to make reading part of their lives even if they avoid fiction. The list of books to read aloud and accompanying activities include Lexiles where available.
tag(s): book lists (159), reading lists (80)
In the Classroom
Read the article to remind yourself what interests male readers and consider some of the ideas for launching special activities directed specifically toward boys. Share the ideas with fellow teachers or your PTA/PTO as possible literacy initiatives.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Embracing Research - Identifying Reference Resources - TeachersFirst
Grades
1 to 8
2 Favorites
0 Comments
This guide in the Help I lost my library/media specialist series offers a step-by-step approach to teaching students how to use "big 5" reference materials that are available...more
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This guide in the Help I lost my library/media specialist series offers a step-by-step approach to teaching students how to use "big 5" reference materials that are available in most school libraries or classrooms to locate information. The Background Knowledge section asks you to consider whether the resource you are using is outdated; if it is, there are several suggestions for more current resources. You will also find sections for Activities and Extensions for the different resources, adaptable to most age groups.
tag(s): Research (83)
In the Classroom
Mark this Help! guide in your Favorites for use and review when planning your next research project or whenever students need to "lookup" something. The resources and ideas will help every student be successful. Adapt for weaker readers by using resources or ideas from lower grades. Don't forget to look at other resources "tagged" research here on TeachersFirst.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Interactive Audio Books Resources - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12
8 Favorites
0 Comments
These educator-reviewed resources from TeachersFirst offer audio books in interactive form so all students, including emerging readers and ESL/ELL learners, can experience reading with...more
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These educator-reviewed resources from TeachersFirst offer audio books in interactive form so all students, including emerging readers and ESL/ELL learners, can experience reading with audio and visual prompts or interactivity to reinforce and inspire literacy skills and enjoyment as they read. Be sure to explore each site, as many include multiple types of activities, including the interactive books.
tag(s): audio books (22)
In the Classroom
Mark this one in your professional favorites AND share it on a class web page for access by students and parents. The helpful reviews suggest ideas for ways to use the audio books in the classroom or outside of school to reinforce literacy skills, improve English skills, or study literature in new ways.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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