Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

Got X (formerly Twitter)? Then take a look at these 100+ authors to see if any of your favorites are listed, and start following them. Mashable has weeded out the authors who are just trying to sell you something on X (formerly Twitter). Their list only includes authors who are trying to carry on a conversation with their followers and present information they find valuable, whether it directly benefits them or not. Each author has a description, some of the books they have written, and an example tweet.

tag(s): authors (108), twitter (13)

This typing practice website allows you to access 3 different typing interactivew. The site allows you to choose different levels: easy, medium, hard or a numeric keypad. Be aware: this site does include some unobtrusive advertisements.

tag(s): keyboarding (28), writing (323)

Six Word Stories challenges students to create a meaningful "narrative," book summary, reaction to a movie, or other literary reflection in just six words. Based on a famous one by Ernest Hemingway, the site collects the writings of amateurs and professionals. Readers can search it by theme or by genre or author (including famous ones). Links include places to try similar endeavors including 2-sentence stories and fifty-word stories. Please preview: at the time of this review, there was one inappropriate comment with a curse word.

tag(s): Teacher Utilities (201), writing (323)

TV411 offers lessons and games covering math topics from calculating area to reading a pay stub. Each lesson is offered in a slide format beginning with an introduction to the activity, followed by questions to answer. Upon answering questions, feedback is provided. If the answer was incorrect, an explanation of the correct solution is provided. The site also provides several math games practicing fractions, ratio, data, and percent. Spanish and ESL/ELL teachers will want to note that there is a small sample of lessons available in Spanish on the site. Many of the topics are also applicable in Family and Consumer Science or business classes, as well.

tag(s): charts and graphs (169), financial literacy (95)

Confused about the counter claims about climate change and global warming? This unique website uses skepticism about the skeptics of climate change. Before you discount this site, check out its use of science in skeptics claims and announcements. Use this site to find pure science in understanding the headlines, comments, and claims found in media. Be sure to check under the arguments and resources tabs of this site. This site does include some minor advertisements.

tag(s): climate (86), climate change (101), environment (251)

Stixie and Globie help kids learn about maps and statistics with fun interactives on this site. Each character defines basic terms and concepts about maps and statistics, then provides a short review quiz. Activities included are Paint the Map (mean and median), Farmland (working with data sets), The Network Challenge (plotting a path on a map), Market Manager (creating equal data sets), and Data to Graphics (working with bar charts, tables, and maps). The link to Resources for Parents and Teachers provides an external link to standards for Geography and Math found in the site.

tag(s): charts and graphs (169), data (150), maps (224), mean (19), median (16)

Color, Vision and Art examines both scientific and artistic interpretations of color. This is one of many interdisciplinary exhibits found on WebExhibits online museum. This particular showcase makes the connection between the birth of Modern art and the scientific revolution of the 19th century. Articles include historic investigations into the psychological effect of color upon the emotions, the anatomy of the human eye, color vision theory, and the brain's perception of color. The site also provides fascinating information about oil and egg tempera painting and how each achieves the illusion of light and space. They examine not only Western Art of the 19th, 20th and 21st century, but also African Art.

tag(s): art history (108), colors (63), human body (91), newton (21), psychology (65)

At this wonderful site, learn about the history of Treasury securities, U.S. debt, and the importance of saving and investing. You can view an old video featuring an ancient superman talk about buying U.S. savings bonds, try several money interactives, and do money math. Learn about the important history of U.S. borrowing. Viewing old war bond posters is another way to learn history and learn about old styles of graphic design. Graphs of U.S. debt complete another approach to teaching about basic banking and debt. Many wonderful short videos show TV advertisements for savings bonds. The games on this site require Flash which is no longer supported.

tag(s): advertising (26), financial literacy (95), posters (43)

This activity allows two users to play a game of estimation where each player tries to connect four game pieces in a row before his or her opponent does. The players earn game pieces by accurately estimating the answers to various problems. Be sure to check out the instructor tab which provides an exploration worksheet, links to standards and textbooks, and other similar classroom resources. Note: some of the activity responses appear in pop-up windows. Watch your tabs or web browser carefully in case they are "hiding."

tag(s): estimation (33), percent (59)

View great videos about Biology on this free science video sharing site. (Some of the videos are provided by YouTube.) Click the Categories tab to view a wide variety of topics from Anatomy to Virology. Find great video lectures under the Lectures tab. Be sure to check out the other tabs for great resources such as Animations, Seminars, Tutorials, and Laboratories (Virtual.) Note that ads run along the side of this site and it is best to provide a link directly to the content.

tag(s): cells (82), evolution (88), human body (91)