TeachersFirst - Featured Sites: Week of Mar 11, 2012
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
TimeSearch History - HistoryWorld
Grades
6 to 12
1 Favorites
0 Comments
What Happened When? This useful site allows you to aggregate a text timeline by date, theme or geographic area using links to Google searches, Google images and content from HistoryWorld...more
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What Happened When? This useful site allows you to aggregate a text timeline by date, theme or geographic area using links to Google searches, Google images and content from HistoryWorld (with which the site is affiliated). Enter a date or keyword(s) for the event(s). You will see a text list with icons that lead to related Google, images, and HistoryWorld info. Try exploring by themes such as performing arts and science and entering a year to see what occurred during the same year. While the overall visual impact is fairly bland, it's a great "quick and easy" utility for putting events into a chronological context. If you search two very diverse events, you can discover unusual convergences. Additionally, it can be the jumping off point for a more complex search by helping students make connections among ideas, characters and events that may seem unrelated. For example, this is a wonderful tool to explore decades of the twentieth century or periods in the arts.
tag(s): search engines (49), timelines (53)
In the Classroom
Make this one of your bookmarks on classroom computers used for research, and suggest that students add it to their own research repertoire. Consider a classroom activity that begins with a common starting place (a date, an event, a character), and has groups of students follow their own self-guided path through the links. Where does each group end up? Why are the paths different? After having student explore on their own, have them "teach" how they found the information most important to them. A projector or interactive whiteboard is ideal for such a demo.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Solar System Scope - Sunaeon
Grades
4 to 12
2 Favorites
0 Comments
Use this well designed 3D simulation to show the position of the sun and moon from any point on Earth. See the positions instantly in real time or choose a ...more
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Use this well designed 3D simulation to show the position of the sun and moon from any point on Earth. See the positions instantly in real time or choose a past or future time. Hover over the Moon to view the current moon phase. Sunrise and sunset times are also given. Choose different locations on Earth (it gives you the latitude and longitude) to see the differences. There is a lot of information hidden in the interactive, so explore carefully.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): earth (185), map skills (56), moon (72), planets (111), seasons (37), solar system (108), sun (71), time zones (7)
In the Classroom
The change in seasons is a difficult concept for students to understand. Use this interactive tool to show the sun's position at various times of the year and how the sunrise and sunset times change. This is terrific to share on an interactive whiteboard or projector, then have elementary (or even middle school) students "act out" the roles of sun. moon, and earth by moving about the room. Turn down the music to avoid distraction. Show how sunrise and sunset are also different at various points on the globe. Allow students the opportunity to play with the tool first and ask them what they notice and what questions they have. Inquire together to understand the various concepts. Share on an interactive whiteboard or projector with a student emcee to run the inquiry. Be sure to include this site with your study of map skills, longitude, and latitude so students can see how our maps and nature's actions fit together.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Word Hippo - Wordhippo.com
Grades
2 to 12
9 Favorites
0 Comments
Word Hippo is a word study tool for synonyms, antonyms, and more. Look for rhyming words, opposites, translations to a variety of languages, plurals, definitions and uses for the word,...more
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Word Hippo is a word study tool for synonyms, antonyms, and more. Look for rhyming words, opposites, translations to a variety of languages, plurals, definitions and uses for the word, etc. The site also makes suggestions for other words in case you might have made a typo or do not know the spelling. As with any other reference, students should be cautioned to be sure these are accurate definitions needed for the context in which they are studying the words. You will want to spell out consequences and/or supervise to be sure students are not searching for inappropriate words, but the most egregious words of bad taste do not appear to be available for search at this site.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): antonyms (13), dictionaries (47), spelling (97), synonyms (16), vocabulary (237), vocabulary development (87), word study (58)
In the Classroom
Use this site for vocabulary development and word study assignments, such as writing sentences, paragraphs, or essays using new words. Since the site permits translation, this would be a valuable tool in world language classes, ENL/ELL classes, and more. Introduce this site on an interactive whiteboard and elicit examples to show the class how quickly it works. Have students create their own word walls with synonyms, antonyms, sentences, and more for their latest vocabulary words. Try a tool such as Padlet, reviewed here, for each student to create an online "wall" with words aligned to color coded stickies for synonyms. antonyms, etc. Alternatively, have students create class challenges for their peers with color coded matching activities for the interactive whiteboard matching words to synonyms, antonyms, and an appropriate fill in the blank sentence. Share this as a favorite on your teacher public page for handy reference any time students encounter an unknown word. Even subject area teachers such as science and social studies will find this tool handy for students with weaker vocabulary levels.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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America Saves - Consumer Federation of America
Grades
6 to 12
1 Favorites
0 Comments
America Saves is a national campaign that encourages individuals and families to save money and build personal wealth. There are free financial tools, savings services, tips for saving...more
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America Saves is a national campaign that encourages individuals and families to save money and build personal wealth. There are free financial tools, savings services, tips for saving for a car, how to save on a budget, and other resources offering help with managing money more effectively. It isn't necessary to register to use many of the site's resources. Registration allows you to input individual financial information into the planners to receive personalized planning information. Click "For Savers" to find savings tips, calculators, estimators, and savings strategies.
tag(s): financial literacy (92), money (117)
In the Classroom
To show what they have learned from this site, challenge students to extend their learning and create an online graphic to share using Web Poster Wizard, reviewed here, or PicLits, reviewed here. Share this site with students to explore on their own, then challenge them to create a newspaper article about savings strategies using Printing Press, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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