Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

TeachersFirst Update Archives

Return to Update Archives List

TF Update - October 30, 2016
Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers®

For Your Classroom

It is hard to believe that it is almost November. Many classrooms are gearing up for their first research project (if not already completed). Students need direction on how to find and use primary sources. They also may need resources to help them learn to successfully research a topic. This TeachersFirst Update is here to help you! Explore our many tagged resources for Primary Sources. If your students are confused about Primary Sources, share this simple video explanation. TeachersFirst has countless resources about research. R4S: Research for Success is a great place to start with secondary students who are learning research skills. If you are an elementary teacher, check out this article all about research with younger students. Use the steps provided in this article to simplify teaching research skills to your students.

 

Connections for your Classroom
Batter up for a season of learning as you make classroom connections, both inside the four walls and out. TeachersFirst has a Classroom Connections events listing of many opportunities to get your students learning, competing, and using higher level thinking skills. Blast off with learning in your class, and have your students try their hands at the Team America Rocketry Challenge. All ages are invited to write a story for the Totem Heads 2016 Story Contest. Winners are chosen in various age groups. There are countless other contests on the Classroom Connections events. Take a look to see what would work to motivate your students.

 

November Dates to Remember
The World Series is just around the corner. Explore TeachersFirst’s resources about baseball and the World Series. We also had a recent blog post “Batter Up! World Series Resources for all Subjects.” If you haven’t already checked out our new Blog, don’t miss out! November is a busy month both in and out of the classroom. Find resources for the Election, National Family Literacy Month, Veterans Day, Native American Heritage Month, and more on our Classroom Planning Calendar.

 

---

Professional Development

TeachersFirst Exclusives

Travel to South America
Take your students on a reading adventure to South America. TogetheRead provides a list of recommended books, questions, and activities designed to build stronger readers. The themes include books for all ages, centered on the same theme. Parents find questions to ask as the family reads, deepening comprehension before, during, and after reading. Included are free and low-cost ideas for activities families can do together, as well. TogetheRead involves the entire family in supporting literacy.

 

Help With Research and Primary Sources
Did you know that TeachersFirst has a special collection of articles written by an experienced media specialist? Each article is full of tips, tricks, and tools to engage your students in various areas of literacy. Mining the Riches of History focuses on primary sources and the importance of the interview. There are also two research-focused articles. The Common Core Shift: Short, Focused Research Projects in Elementary Grades, is designed for the younger students. Embracing Research: Teaching Information Literacy and Subject Content without a Library/Media Specialist is useful for both elementary and middle school students.

 

Keep Your Fire Burning
This week’s Teacher Poll asks: What do you do to help combat teacher burnout? Place your vote on the teacher poll on the TeachersFirst home page.

 

---

TeachersFirst Featured Sites

Explore some fabulous resources about primary sources and research in our Featured Sites:

• Noplag
• Kiddle
• Google Scholar
• Primary Source Sets
• Founders Online
• And more

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are reading this November 13th, or later, the link above will take you to the Featured Sites for the current week. Find the archived October 30th Features here, and don’t miss our many other recent additions from the link at the bottom of the Featured Sites page.

 

Melissa Henning
Educational Content Manager
TeachersFirst/Source For Learning