TeachersFirst - Featured Sites: Week of Aug 18, 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

 

Less
More

Talking Math With Your Kids - Christopher Danielson

Grades
K to 4
0 Favorites 0  Comments
Talking Math With Your Kids is a blog devoted to the support of early mathematical development in children. Each post discusses an opportunity to have math conversations throughout...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:

 Close Link

Talking Math With Your Kids is a blog devoted to the support of early mathematical development in children. Each post discusses an opportunity to have math conversations throughout everyday activities. The author provides a discussion and adds information on the math content opportunities for learning. Examples are math conversations while playing games, exploring nature, or searching for scissors and learning about pairs.

tag(s): parents (59), preK (263)

In the Classroom

Add your email address to subscribe and receive notifications of new posts. This is an excellent resource to share with parents who want ways to work with their children at home. Be sure to share a link on your class website or blog. Share this site with pre-service teachers as a resource for learning math questioning skills.

Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member

Rating (click star to set rating):

Close comment form

You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).

Close

Less
More

Cyber Safety - Internet Safety Tips - Open Colleges, Ltd

Grades
4 to 12
3 Favorites 0  Comments
Cyber Safety is your go-to guide for learning Internet safety. Scroll through the page to view information on cyber bullying, identity theft, and general Internet safety. Each section...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:

 Close Link

Cyber Safety is your go-to guide for learning Internet safety. Scroll through the page to view information on cyber bullying, identity theft, and general Internet safety. Each section includes comprehensive information such as facts and legal issues as well as examples and what to do in each instance. Most also have a quiz and tips for parents.

tag(s): cyberbullying (40), internet safety (112)

In the Classroom

This site is an excellent resource for teaching and reinforcing online safety lessons. View on your interactive whiteboard as a class either in one session or several smaller sessions/lessons. Assign students to become experts on one safety concern and share an explanation about it with the class. Enhance learning and transform classroom technology use (depending on teacher requirements) by asking students to create a simple or multimedia infographic sharing what they learn using Venngage, reviewed here. Be sure to share with parents at an Open House or through your classroom website.

Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member

Rating (click star to set rating):

Close comment form

You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).

Close

Less
More

Battle of Gettysburg - Esri.com

Grades
6 to 12
1 Favorites 0  Comments
View an interactive map and timeline of decisive moments of the Battle of Gettysburg. Click on each numbered event to view the location on the map. Display the map in ...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:

 Close Link

View an interactive map and timeline of decisive moments of the Battle of Gettysburg. Click on each numbered event to view the location on the map. Display the map in either satellite or historical view. Each event includes links to a panoramic view of the area along with a short description of events taking place and important figures in the battle. View the sources link for a PDF including maps and atlases used for research.

tag(s): civil war (136), gettysburg (15)

In the Classroom

Explore the map and timeline on your interactive whiteboard with your class. Use the sources PDF and this page from TeachersFirst's Gettysburg by the Numbers to find additional Civil War and Gettysburg information. Introduce this site on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Then have students explore the map independently or in small groups. Have students create an annotated image including text boxes and related links using a tool such as Thinglink, reviewed here. Use information from this site and have students create their own battle timelines (with music, photos, videos, and more) using Timeline JS, reviewed here.
 This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.

Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member

Rating (click star to set rating):

Close comment form

You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).

Close

Less
More

Google Keep - Google, Inc.

Grades
4 to 12
4 Favorites 0  Comments
 
Use Google Keep to save notes directly to your Google Drive account. This tool requires that you have a Google account. Unlike some similar services, such as Evernote,...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:

 Close Link

Use Google Keep to save notes directly to your Google Drive account. This tool requires that you have a Google account. Unlike some similar services, such as Evernote, reviewed here, notes kept in Google Keep are saved to your Google Drive account. Use Google Keep for notes, voice notes, lists, and photos. Access these on any web enabled mobile device. Keep works best with Chrome browsers (there is an extension for Chrome, also) and Android phones, but our editors had no issues using other browsers as well. Google Keep can also be also used with any school's Google Apps account. Keep is colorful, which is part of the design. Be sure to use the colors as an organizational tool. Keep has a low learning curve and is very simple to use. The quick note feature is invaluable: just type your notes in the text box without logging in or switching screens. To leave a voice note, tap the microphone icon and speak. Archive items easily when you are done. Though Keep is a more generic, basic tool, its value is in its simplicity and ease of use.

tag(s): DAT device agnostic tool (147), note taking (36), organizational skills (89)

In the Classroom

Take pictures of things to do, buy, or finish. Create checklists of steps in a project. Place all of your notes in one place so you do not forget. Use this tool easily in your Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) classroom since all students will be able to access it for free, no matter what device they have. They could "keep" assignment information, reminders, and more. Consider creating a class account that can be used by all students. Spell out the use of the site and what is allowed and not allowed -- and the penalties. Even though all students have the same login, create different notebooks for different tasks that students can use to upload information to be shared by all. Create separate accounts for student groups who can then share their notebook with other groups. Use Keep to snapshot and share links, documents, files, and pictures for any group project or class work. Whole class accounts can be used by a class scribe during class and accessed from home for review, by absentees, etc.

Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member

Rating (click star to set rating):

Close comment form

You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).

Close

Less
More

Engage NY: Common Core Tool Kit - NYSED

Grades
K to 12
2 Favorites 0  Comments
   
Need a way to get a quick understanding of Common Core or explain the basics to parents? Be prepared with this all in one site. Find explanatory videos, documents, and ...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:

 Close Link

Need a way to get a quick understanding of Common Core or explain the basics to parents? Be prepared with this all in one site. Find explanatory videos, documents, and more.

tag(s): commoncore (75)

In the Classroom

Be ready to begin implementation of Common Core with Engage NY: Common Core Tool Kit. Use the basics to explain Common Core to parents, colleagues, or even teachers. Topics such as facts, myths, and key points begin the Common Core journey. View video clips to learn more about Common Core. Find examples of assessments by grade level, units, and a plethora of resources to supplement your journey into Common Core.
 This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.

Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member

Rating (click star to set rating):

Close comment form

You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).

Close

Less
More

Physical Education Update - Physical Education Update.com

Grades
K to 12
1 Favorites 0  Comments
 
Welcome to every PE teacher's best resource: Physical Education Update. Find videos and articles offering thousands of ideas, games, tips, and drills. Follow on an RSS feed or follow...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:

 Close Link

Welcome to every PE teacher's best resource: Physical Education Update. Find videos and articles offering thousands of ideas, games, tips, and drills. Follow on an RSS feed or follow on Facebook or twitter. There is a fee-based section for members only. This review only refers to the free area.
This site includes advertising.

tag(s): fitness (40)

In the Classroom

Find new activities and challenges to make your class different every time. Find practical advice on the best training activities. Offer as a resource for families and students to add movement into their healthy lifestyle. Have your classes watch the games shared (on your interactive whiteboard or projector). Challenge students to create their own variations of the games shown or new games entirely. Add an early morning exercise period for all students to burn off energy and be ready for their day. Use this site to compliment your unit on healthy lifestyles. After school programs can try new ideas to make this time exciting and fun.
 This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.

Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member

Rating (click star to set rating):

Close comment form

You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).

Close

Less
More

ScreenLeap Free Screen Sharing - ScreenLeap, Inc

Grades
4 to 12
1 Favorites 0  Comments
  
Share your screen instantly and easily to any device with a browser using ScreenLeap. Choose Start Now to begin and follow simple start-up directions. Once connected, send the...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:

 Close Link

Share your screen instantly and easily to any device with a browser using ScreenLeap. Choose Start Now to begin and follow simple start-up directions. Once connected, send the link via email or text or provide the access code to anyone else to begin sharing. Choices include sharing the entire screen or just what is within the box. Directions include options for just audio sharing. Free account access offers up to 2 hours of screen sharing time per day.
This site includes advertising.

tag(s): editing (91), homework (32), parent conferences (21)

In the Classroom

Screen share with students in a computer lab to demonstrate how to locate information on websites, or when learning tech tools. This is a great alternative if an interactive whiteboard or projector is not available. Use this tool to collaborate with other teachers when creating lesson plans or student documents. Have students with laptops share their screen with you during presentations to make information easier to view. Share this site with students to use at home when collaborating on projects. Help a homebound student by sharing your class computer screen and opening an audio connection over the phone. Offer "extra help" sessions via screen share at predetermined "office hours" or during a snow day or on certain evenings. Have students teach tech skills to their peers using this free sharing app. Share a student's work using a screenshare during a parent phone conference. Show a parent how to navigate a practice site you want the family to use at home.

Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member

Rating (click star to set rating):

Close comment form

You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).

Close

Less
More

Educaplay - Multimedia Learning Resources - Adrformacion

Grades
3 to 12
4 Favorites 0  Comments
 
Create many educational multimedia activities in one place using Educaplay. Create interactive maps, riddles, slide shows, fill in the blanks, crossword puzzles, word search puzzles,...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:

 Close Link

Create many educational multimedia activities in one place using Educaplay. Create interactive maps, riddles, slide shows, fill in the blanks, crossword puzzles, word search puzzles, jumbled word, jumbled sentence, dictation, or create a collection of several of these based on a theme. Registration is required. Your results will be consistent and professional looking. Also, browse and use activities and collections others have created. Download and print the activities or complete them online by embedding them on your website or sharing the URL. Results can be registered in your learning management system (online grade book). Though originally a Flash program, Educaplay converted to HTML5 and should work on any computer.

tag(s): crosswords (19), multimedia (46), puzzles (142), quizzes (90), slides (42), word study (60), worksheets (70)

In the Classroom

When configuring a quiz you will have the ability to have the questions presented randomly, decide the number of questions, and the threshold to pass the quiz, among other choices. When adding the questions, you will be able to add an image, audio, or video. Why should you make all the activities for your class? Assign students to create crossword puzzles and such for a story or unit the class is studying. Consider having a small group create a "collection" of activities around an area of study. Be sure to put a link to the program for parents to create study activities for their student to use at home.

Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member

Rating (click star to set rating):

Close comment form

You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).

Close