TeachersFirst - Featured Sites: Week of Mar 3, 2013
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
Virtual Geoboard - Math Learning Center
Grades
K to 8
1 Favorites
0 Comments
The virtual geoboard provides an online geoboard experience for elementary and middle school students. Choose a rubber band color and drag it to any peg. Move the rubber band to ...more
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The virtual geoboard provides an online geoboard experience for elementary and middle school students. Choose a rubber band color and drag it to any peg. Move the rubber band to form new shapes and angles. Make any shape created on a regular geoboard to demonstrate lines, angles, triangle formation, and more. Fill and unfill shapes using the provided color tool. Choose from a 5 X 5 or 15 X 10 pegboard using the link at the bottom of the page. Want to learn more? See the i link.
tag(s): angles (48), geometric shapes (139), manipulatives (11)
In the Classroom
Display the virtual geoboard on your interactive whiteboard or projector to show students what they create on their individual whiteboards. Younger students can use online geoboards to practice creating squares, triangles, and other shapes. Older students can use the geoboard to explore various triangle formations and angles. Create a link to this site on classroom computers for students to explore as a center. Use the print option on your computer to print creations formed with a virtual geoboard for students to label and identify. Be sure to provide this link on your class website for students to access at home.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Math Monday - National Museum of Mathematics
Grades
6 to 12
2 Favorites
0 Comments
Math Monday is a weekly column discussing fun, experiential, and puzzling topics in mathematics. Each article takes a math idea, explains the concept, and uses images (and/or videos)...more
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Math Monday is a weekly column discussing fun, experiential, and puzzling topics in mathematics. Each article takes a math idea, explains the concept, and uses images (and/or videos) to put the concept into action. Sample topics include hula hoop geometry, large stars, mathematical quilting, and much more. Subscribe to the RSS feed to view new topics each Monday using the link at the top of the page. (Or add the feed to your Flipboard account if you have a tablet.) There is also a very long list of archives to explore and try!
tag(s): colors (63), fractions (169), geometric shapes (139), origami (14), pi (26), puzzles (157)
In the Classroom
Share articles with students and replicate activities included in the article. Share the video demonstrations on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Transform learning and challenge cooperative learning groups to create videos sharing problem solving techniques used during these lessons. Use a video creation tool such as MoocNote, to create interactive lessons (can embed quizzes and documents), or Edpuzzle. Use activities in the article as inspiration for Math night activities or Math Fair projects.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Poem Hunter - PoemHunter.com
Grades
6 to 12
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0 Comments
PoemHunter is a search engine (and more) for finding poems, lyrics, and quotations. Know only part of a poem or quotation? Type it in the search box to find the ...more
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PoemHunter is a search engine (and more) for finding poems, lyrics, and quotations. Know only part of a poem or quotation? Type it in the search box to find the entire original source. Choose from hot poems or specific topics on the home page. View and explore the top 500 poets and/or the top 500 poems. Read the Poem of the Day that includes three poems: one classic, one modern, and one viewer-submitted. Choose from the poets, poems, quotations, or lyrics tabs to narrow your search to specific topics. Become a member to save favorite poems for further reference. Be aware: many of the pages include comments from users. While all were appropriate at the time of this review, it is always best to preview!
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): authors (102), biographies (93), literature (208), poetry (191), quotations (19)
In the Classroom
Bookmark PoemHunter to use as a resource for finding poetry or quotations for classroom use. Share with students to find poems based on personal interest or specific topics. Use as a model when students create their own poems. Challenge students to create their own poems to be shared on a class poetry wiki. Not comfortable with wikis? Check out the TeachersFirst Wiki Walk-Through.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Peek: Create Your Perfect Day - Ruzwana Bashir and Oskar Gruening
Grades
5 to 12
2 Favorites
0 Comments
Visit Peek and "Create Your Perfect Day." Register using email and a password. Pick a city or area to visit. Start planning your day using the prompts provided for morning, ...more
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Visit Peek and "Create Your Perfect Day." Register using email and a password. Pick a city or area to visit. Start planning your day using the prompts provided for morning, afternoon, evening, and night activities. Choose from pictures provided based on your input or upload your own. When finished, publish to share your "perfect day" via it's unique URL or through social media sharing links. This site is part of a travel website. The main page includes many activities (with prices). Avoid the homepage and go directly to "Create Your Perfect Day."
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): creative writing (123), local history (12), virtual field trips (130)
In the Classroom
Although this is not a typical "educational" site, the possibilities for classroom use are unlimited. Have students create their perfect day using the site as a story starter or creative writing prompt. Use the site to plan a virtual field trip anywhere. Have students create a day in the life of a story character, famous person from history, or in the career of their choosing. Retell any important date in history using Peek as a guideline. Teach budget planning by having students research and plan a perfect travel day. World language or world cultures classes can use this to create a day focused on the cultural riches of the country they are studying. Language students can write about it in their new language. After students create their perfect day, create an online folder or wiki page with links to all of the "perfect days" for other students to use as writing prompts (creative or informational). Share all students' perfect days on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Use this site to create a perfect day for visitors to your school or community.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
Requires registration/log-in (WITH email)
Products can be shared by URL
Multiple users can collaborate on the same project
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World History TimeMap - TimeMaps Ltd
Grades
5 to 12
4 Favorites
1 Comments
See the history of the world from 3500BC to 2005AD! TimeMaps offers a comprehensive look at every nation, empire, and civilization as one unified story, told through maps. Select a...more
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See the history of the world from 3500BC to 2005AD! TimeMaps offers a comprehensive look at every nation, empire, and civilization as one unified story, told through maps. Select a date or time period to start your exploration. Use pinpoints located on the map to view specific information about that location. Use timelines situated under the map to narrow down topics within a time period. For example, at 100 AD, choose to view information by Ancient Rome, Mayan Civilization, Medieval India, or Ancient China. This is an excellent site for providing an overview and exploration of world civilizations during any given time period. Choose the "Are You a History Teacher" link to find several suggestions for using TimeMap in your classroom, along with several different lesson plans.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): 1600s (18), 1700s (33), 1800s (82), 1900s (80), 20th century (168), africa (150), asia (134), china (82), egypt (59), europe (80), greeks (45), india (32), israel (15), maps (217), mayans (32), north america (15), romans (52), timelines (57)
In the Classroom
Explore time periods together on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Find the time period you are teaching, then explore pins to view more information about different civilizations during that time. Assign students different civilizations to research during a time period using TimeMaps as a starting point. Have students create their own comics to explain a civilization using comic-creation tools from found here.Comments
Excellent interactive and visual timeline for students!! It's free!!Jackson, MD, Grades: 6 - 12
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Historical Thinking Interactive Poster (Secondary) - National History Education Clearinghouse
Grades
6 to 12
1 Favorites
0 Comments
Learn to think like a historian. See how we know about the past by using this interactive poster. All you have to do is hover your mouse over one of ...more
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Learn to think like a historian. See how we know about the past by using this interactive poster. All you have to do is hover your mouse over one of the quadrants and click. More information, activities, and links will appear. Each of the quadrants also has additional teaching resources. On the far left column you will find links to "What Is Historical Thinking?" a video, "What are Primary Sources?" and "What are Secondary Sources?" Unfortunately the video link is not working at this time so here is the one that works Historical Thinking Video.
tag(s): civil rights (215), evaluating sources (31), history day (38), infographics (63), primary sources (117)
In the Classroom
Use your projector or interactive whiteboard and teach your students how to think like a historian. There are some interesting links here for you and your students to investigate. For instance, there are links for exploring the modern civil rights movement, primary sources to look at diary entries from other time periods, examining lithographs, using and reading multiple perspectives, and several more. You may want to go through each quadrant with the entire class, or you might want to assign groups to become "specialists" in a quadrant and have them present it to your class. Challenge the groups to create presentations using Prezi, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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My Favourite Scientist - Brady Haran, Nottingham Trent University
Grades
6 to 12
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Learn about the life and careers of many famous scientists by viewing intriguing videos. Find out about scientists such as Richard Feynman, Rosalind Franklin, and Gregor Mendel through...more
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Learn about the life and careers of many famous scientists by viewing intriguing videos. Find out about scientists such as Richard Feynman, Rosalind Franklin, and Gregor Mendel through interviews with scientists in their field today. Don't let the cartoon figures fool you: these videos are not "juvenile." The scientists included may not be household names to everyone, but the videos make their work accessible and interesting. At the time of this review, there were over a dozen scientists included, and more were being added regularly. Note that the actual videos are hosted on YouTube so may not be accessible in some schools.
tag(s): biographies (93), darwin (14), scientists (70)
In the Classroom
Use as a resource for finding more information about a variety of different scientists told from a scientist's perspective. Share the videos on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Consider having students create their own report about the importance of research and not just the biographical information about a scientist. Encourage students to make their own videos (or other presentation tool) about scientists to place on a wiki, site, or blog.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Take Me Fishing - Fishopedia - The Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation
Grades
3 to 12
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Take Me Fishing is a kid-friendly, informative site that helps students explore many fish species found across the United States and beyond. The Fishopedia section shares easy-to-understand...more
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Take Me Fishing is a kid-friendly, informative site that helps students explore many fish species found across the United States and beyond. The Fishopedia section shares easy-to-understand facts about where fish live, what they eat, and how anglers catch them, making it useful for both science learning and outdoor education. The How to Fish area offers clear, step-by-step guides, videos, and tips for beginners, making it ideal for encouraging safe outdoor exploration and hands-on summer adventures. The Blog section highlights real stories, expert advice, and seasonal ideas that can inspire families and students to get outside, try new activities, and learn more about caring for natural habitats. The site also includes important information on fishing safety and habitat conservation, helping students understand how to enjoy nature responsibly while learning about aquatic ecosystems.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): animals (263), conservation (106), environment (246), fish (16)
In the Classroom
Use this resource to help your students learn more about local fish and the effects of human behavior on aquatic life. Have students use a fish to tell its own story with the additional assistance of a tool like Blabberize, reviewed here, where you can make your fish "talk!" Use in environmental science courses to help students understand sustainability and conservation. Try using it as part of practice for Envirothon competitions. Perhaps even start a wildlife club and use this site to prepare for a fishing field trip.
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