Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

Math Nation is an intensive, interactive Algebra site. Although specifically created for Florida students, material is applicable for any Algebra students. This program was originally created for students to use at home after school and on weekends. Interesting fact: you access all materials through a Facebook account! Enter Math Nation through the link provided to connect with a Facebook account. If you are not associated with a Florida High School, type "other" when prompted to enter a school name. Once logged in, choose any topic from the large list of videos explaining and breaking down featured problems. Use the study guides to follow along and practice independently. Choose the Teacher Resources link and register to access the section created for teachers. This includes videos and other classroom resources. If your school does not allow students to access individual Facebook accounts, why not create a class account under your name (or class number). All students can use the same login information for Facebook.

tag(s): DAT device agnostic tool (147), equations (118), exponents (35), factoring (25), fractions (158), order of operations (28), polynomials (20), venn diagrams (15)

This Tumblr blog from the host/writer of the PBS series of the same name has great science information, pictures, and videos sure to wow and inspire! Entries feature all areas of science with fun and interesting information for smart people of all ages. Some examples of topics include blue whales, proteins, asteroids, auroras, and other "interestingness."

tag(s): animals (289), behavior (46), earth (185), evolution (88), landforms (37), moon (73), polar (11), space (217)

Explore over 8000 images of China from 1850-1950. Images come from both private albums and public collections from throughout the world. Search for images by keyword or begin exploration with sets featured on the site's home page. Click on any image to view location, date, people, and other key information related to the photograph. Choose any tag associated with an image to view related images. Download images using links provided. Explore connections from the resource to find related images by time, people, and place. The permissions for each images are included at the right (Creative Commons, etc).

tag(s): 1800s (75), 1900s (73), china (62), images (260)

Voices of Youth is UNICEF's digital community where young people can share opinions and discuss topics that are important to them. Students participate by submitting posts sharing their views on environmental, health, and social issues. Because the site is all about supporting students as changemakers through storytelling, blogging, filming, and interviewing, it includes a resource section that shares tools to improve multimedia, communication, and advocacy skills.

tag(s): disabilities (31), environment (245), hiv/aids (15), inequalities (24), mental health (36), school violence (10), sustainability (43)

Living Wage Calculator provides information to estimate the cost of living in any community or region. Enter a location in the search box or choose from the state list to begin. Results are provided for an entire state, county, or specific city. The "calculator" provides typical expenses for the location along with living wage, poverty wage, and minimum wage. View typical wages for different occupations in that location. The wages at poverty level are indicated in red.

tag(s): careers (141), financial literacy (89)

Stanford's Understanding Language offers this free five-lesson unit plan for English Language Learners on persuasive writing. Although geared towards middle school students, it could be useful with high schoolers as well. Each lesson includes an overview of content and goals for the end of lesson. Download the introduction and each of the five lessons using the PDF links provided. All lessons include correlations to Common Core standards and take approximately 4 to 5 days to complete. Each lesson includes all necessary handouts and assessment suggestions. Lesson topics relate to important events and people from American history: Gettysburg Address, civil rights, and others.

tag(s): advertising (26), civil rights (201), gettysburg address (11), martin luther king (45), persuasive writing (58), speeches (21)