Reading in the Content Areas
TeachersFirst offers this collection of web resources well suited to teach reading in the content areas, especially in science and social studies classes, but in almost ANY subject area. See "In the classroom" ideas and strategies for teaching reading across the curriculum and find texts to use on the computer, in print, or in interactive whiteboard/projector. Sometimes using web-based texts can be more engaging, and often these are more up-to-date. Practice with these resources is certain to help student mastery of informational texts.
102 Results | sort by:
Strategic Education Research Partnership (SERP) - Strategic Education Research Partnership
Grades
K to 12
0 Favorites
0 Comments
The SERP Institute brings together education researchers, designers, and practitioners with a shared purpose: creating and testing scalable solutions that improve teaching and learning,...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:
The SERP Institute brings together education researchers, designers, and practitioners with a shared purpose: creating and testing scalable solutions that improve teaching and learning, most of which are freely accessible. After creating a free account, educators can access more than twenty research-based instructional tools and resources for literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, and professional learning. Popular resources include WordGen for academic vocabulary development, ReadBasix reading assessments, STARI (Strategic Adolescent Reading Intervention), math teaching strategies, algebra and geometry problem sets, curriculum materials, downloadable lessons, and implementation guides. The site also features the SERP Stories Podcast, where educators, researchers, and community partners discuss innovative educational practices, literacy interventions, classroom challenges, and research-practice partnerships. Podcast episodes can be listened to or watched online and are accompanied by transcripts for accessibility. Additional features include a Professional Learning Hub, downloadable curriculum resources, research reports, blogs, webinars, and professional development materials designed to help teachers apply evidence-based practices in their classrooms.
tag(s): blogs (79), collaboration (116), differentiation (99), homework (27), OER (52), podcasts (166), vocabulary (252)
In the Classroom
Add SERP Institute to supplement your current teaching resources to support student learning through research-based methods. Download materials to differentiate instruction to meet students' needs and to reinforce or extend learning. For example, use WordGen Weekly or STARI as a fifteen to twenty-minute activity for students who need extra support with vocabulary, comprehension, or reading strategies. Assign vocabulary, reading comprehension, or math problems for homework, allowing you to personalize learning without altering the core curriculum.
This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.
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!).
GMind AI - GMind AI
Grades
4 to 12
0 Favorites
0 Comments
GMind AI is an AI-powered visual thinking tool that helps users organize information, brainstorm ideas, and create mind maps from text, documents, web content, videos, and prompts....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:
GMind AI is an AI-powered visual thinking tool that helps users organize information, brainstorm ideas, and create mind maps from text, documents, web content, videos, and prompts. Teachers can use the platform to help students summarize readings, plan writing projects, explore connections between concepts, and visualize learning across content areas. The AI-generated mind maps can be expanded, edited, and customized, making them useful for note-taking, research, project planning, and differentiated instruction. By transforming information into visual formats, GMind AI supports organization, critical thinking, and deeper understanding, while helping students engage with content more interactively.
tag(s): artificial intelligence (316), differentiation (99), mind map (33)
In the Classroom
After reading a story, article, or chapter, have students use GMind AI to create a visual map showing key ideas, characters, themes, vocabulary, and supporting details. Students can compare maps with classmates and discuss how different concepts connect throughout the text. Students can use GMind AI to organize research topics, questions, sources, and evidence before beginning a report or presentation. The visual format helps students break large projects into manageable steps while strengthening organization and planning skills. Have small groups use GMind AI to build comprehensive study guides before a quiz or test. Students can map important concepts, summarize their learning, identify key details, and create review questions to share with the class.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Rating (click star to set rating):
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!).
Using AI to Differentiate Lessons for ELLs: Live Demo & Expert Tips - AFT Share My Lesson
Grades
3 to 12
0 Favorites
0 Comments
What if you could create personalized supports for every English Language Learner in your classroom without spending hours rewriting lessons? This practical and engaging video explores...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:
What if you could create personalized supports for every English Language Learner in your classroom without spending hours rewriting lessons? This practical and engaging video explores how artificial intelligence can help teachers differentiate instruction for ELL students more efficiently. Through real-world examples and demonstrations, educators learn how to use AI tools to adapt reading passages, simplify complex texts, generate vocabulary supports, create scaffolded activities, and provide language accommodations while maintaining grade-level expectations. The presenters emphasize that AI should enhance, not replace, teachers' expertise, helping educators save valuable planning time while making learning more accessible and engaging for multilingual learners. The strategies shared can be applied immediately to support language development, comprehension, and academic success across content areas. This video is hosted on YouTube. Schools and districts that restrict access to YouTube may need alternative access options or require content to be previewed before classroom use.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): artificial intelligence (316), differentiation (99)
In the Classroom
Have students read the same content at different AI-generated reading levels. After reading, mixed-ability groups can discuss the main ideas and compare how the information was presented. This discussion helps all learners access grade-level concepts while building confidence and comprehension. Have students use AI-generated study guides that include simplified explanations, summaries, and comprehension questions. Students can review the material independently, then collaborate with classmates to deepen their understanding of the topic. Provide AI-generated writing supports such as sentence starters, paragraph frames, and model responses. Students can use these scaffolds to complete essays, reflections, or content-area writing assignments, gradually removing supports as their skills grow.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Rating (click star to set rating):
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!).
Nelson Mandela - Ducksters
Grades
3 to 8
0 Favorites
0 Comments
Ducksters' Nelson Mandela biography provides a student-friendly overview of the life and accomplishments of Nelson Mandela. Written in clear, accessible language, the article covers...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:
Ducksters' Nelson Mandela biography provides a student-friendly overview of the life and accomplishments of Nelson Mandela. Written in clear, accessible language, the article covers Mandela's childhood, education, involvement in the anti-apartheid movement, imprisonment, release, presidency, and lasting legacy in South Africa and around the world. The page also includes a timeline of key events, interesting facts, and comprehension-friendly content, making it a useful introduction to Mandela's role in promoting equality, justice, and human rights. This resource is well-suited for social studies, history, reading comprehension, and biography studies.
tag(s): Nelson Mandela (29), south africa (32)
In the Classroom
After reading the biography, have students identify important events in Mandela's life and place them on a timeline using MyLens, reviewed here. Have students create a trading card using Trading Card Creator, reviewed here featuring Nelson Mandela. Include key facts, accomplishments, important dates, challenges he faced, and a quote that reflects his values. Students can then create cards for other influential leaders and compare them. Use Mandela's work against apartheid as a starting point for discussions about fairness, equality, and human rights. Students can write a reflection explaining how one person can make a positive impact on society.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Rating (click star to set rating):
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!).
Juneteenth Resources for Students of All Ages - Graduation Alliance
Grades
K to 12
0 Favorites
0 Comments
Explore this teacher-friendly collection of books, videos, and learning resources designed to help students better understand the history and significance of Juneteenth. The site organizes...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:
Explore this teacher-friendly collection of books, videos, and learning resources designed to help students better understand the history and significance of Juneteenth. The site organizes recommendations by grade bands (K-5, 6-8, and 9-12), making it easy for educators to locate age-appropriate materials that explore emancipation, freedom, African American history, and the ongoing importance of Juneteenth celebrations. Resources include read-alouds, historical nonfiction, poetry, interactive stories, songs, and educational videos from sources such as Sesame Street and PBS. Teachers can use the collection to support social studies, reading comprehension, media literacy, cultural awareness, and classroom discussions connected to history, citizenship, and diversity.
tag(s): african american (129), holidays (280), Juneteenth (32), poetry (195)
In the Classroom
Watch one of the educational videos suggested on the page, such as a PBS or Sesame Street resource, and lead a class discussion about freedom, equality, and why Juneteenth is still celebrated today. Create a poetry and art activity in which students read poems connected to freedom or perseverance, then design an illustration, collage, or symbolic artwork that represents the meaning of Juneteenth. Extend learning through a community connection project by having students interview family or community members about traditions, celebrations, or important historical events they remember. Students can compile responses into a class book, a podcast with Buzzsprout, reviewed here, or a bulletin board display about remembrance and community history.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Rating (click star to set rating):
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!).
Opal - Google Labs
Grades
K to 12
0 Favorites
0 Comments
Google Opal is an experimental tool from Google Labs that lets you build, edit, and share AI-powered mini-apps using simple natural language rather than traditional coding. Teachers...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:
Google Opal is an experimental tool from Google Labs that lets you build, edit, and share AI-powered mini-apps using simple natural language rather than traditional coding. Teachers can use Opal to quickly create interactive tools, workflows, or classroom resources by describing what they want and then refining them in a visual editor. The platform handles the technical aspects such as hosting and deployment, making it accessible for beginners while still offering flexibility for more advanced users. This makes Opal a useful resource for educators interested in introducing students to AI concepts, problem-solving, and creative digital design without requiring programming experience.
tag(s): artificial intelligence (316), Teacher Utilities (218)
In the Classroom
Have students describe a simple classroom tool they wish existed (e.g., a quiz generator, a vocabulary helper, a story prompt machine). Using Opal, they can turn their idea into a working AI mini-app, then present how it works and why it's useful. Students can design an AI-powered story generator that changes characters, setting, or conflict based on user input. In groups, have students build subject-specific review apps (reading comprehension quizzes, science concept checkers, social studies trivia).Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Rating (click star to set rating):
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!).
Metacognition--The Missing Link in Reading Instruction - Benchmark Education
Grades
K to 12
0 Favorites
0 Comments
Metacognition--The Missing Link in Reading Instruction is a thirty-one-minute YouTube podcast from Teachers Talk Shop Podcast. The podcast begins with Patty McGee reading a text...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:
Metacognition--The Missing Link in Reading Instruction is a thirty-one-minute YouTube podcast from Teachers Talk Shop Podcast. The podcast begins with Patty McGee reading a text and sharing her metacognitive thinking as she reads. Patty and reading expert Dr. Peter Afflerbach then discuss the essential role of metacognition in reading comprehension. Strategies that are shared include: starting simple, using checklists, slowing the reading rate, rereading when confused, changing reading strategies when comprehension is not achieved, and setting realistic goals.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): podcasts (166), thinking skills (117)
In the Classroom
Students can use Book Creator, reviewed here as a journal to take notes during reading of a text. Students can create a comic after reading a text using Witty Comics, reviewed here. Students can create their own podcast using Adobe Podcast, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Rating (click star to set rating):
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!).
Reading Trek: Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry - TeachersFirst
Grades
3 to 8
0 Favorites
0 Comments
Take a virtual field trip with this Reading Trek and travel back to the 1930s Great Depression in Mississippi with Mildred D. Taylor's historical novel - Roll of Thunder, Hear ...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:
Take a virtual field trip with this Reading Trek and travel back to the 1930s Great Depression in Mississippi with Mildred D. Taylor's historical novel - Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. Nine-year-old Cassie Logan is a young black girl who experiences and witnesses the harsh realities of racism: night riders terrorizing Black families, a boycott her family organizes against a racist store owner, and the constant threat of violence. This Reading Trek includes a Teacher Guide that uses Google My Maps reviewed here. Additional suggestions include using this book in lessons on map use and in extension activities across several core content areas. Teaching suggestions are correlated to National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies, National Core Standards for Visual Arts, Next Generation Science Standards, and Social Justice Standards.
tag(s): great depression (32), racism (80)
In the Classroom
Investigate many suggested classroom uses for this resource in the Instructional Guide (PDF). With older students, use Gravity, reviewed here as a video response platform for students to share what they learned and what surprised them about racism in the 1930s.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Rating (click star to set rating):
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!).
OK2Ask: Strategies for Building Content Area Literacy - TeachersFirst
Grades
2 to 12
0 Favorites
0 Comments
Register to view this on-demand OK2Ask professional learning workshop from January 2026. Educators seeking recertification credit must watch the recording, complete the feedback survey,...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:
Register to view this on-demand OK2Ask professional learning workshop from January 2026. Educators seeking recertification credit must watch the recording, complete the feedback survey, and pass the assessment. For details, read the Registration & Credit Options section on the registration page.
Transform how students engage with texts across all subjects! This updated session explores research-based literacy strategies that work with material in any content area--from science articles to historical documents to mathematical word problems. Discover how to scaffold reading comprehension before, during, and after reading using proven techniques like THIEVES, Chunk & Chew, Frayer Models, and summarization. You'll also learn how free technology tools can enhance these strategies. Whether your students struggle with complex texts or need more challenge and engagement, these practical approaches will help every learner access and deepen their understanding of the content. This session is perfect for teachers across all disciplines who want to support literacy development while maintaining their subject area focus. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Implement comprehensive literacy strategies. 2. Enhance literacy instruction with technology. 3. Design content-specific literacy activities. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
Transform how students engage with texts across all subjects! This updated session explores research-based literacy strategies that work with material in any content area--from science articles to historical documents to mathematical word problems. Discover how to scaffold reading comprehension before, during, and after reading using proven techniques like THIEVES, Chunk & Chew, Frayer Models, and summarization. You'll also learn how free technology tools can enhance these strategies. Whether your students struggle with complex texts or need more challenge and engagement, these practical approaches will help every learner access and deepen their understanding of the content. This session is perfect for teachers across all disciplines who want to support literacy development while maintaining their subject area focus. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Implement comprehensive literacy strategies. 2. Enhance literacy instruction with technology. 3. Design content-specific literacy activities. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): literacy (124), OK2Askarchive (87), professional development (319), reading strategies (93)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Once registered, find additional reference materials, tutorials, and how-to information to help you review or extend your knowledge from the session in the handout posted on the session landing page. Resources may include additional ideas and examples on integrating the tools and strategies shared in classroom instruction. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Rating (click star to set rating):
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!).
OK2Ask: Toolkit Tuesday: The Science of Reading - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12
0 Favorites
0 Comments
Register to view this on-demand OK2Ask professional learning workshop from November 2025. Educators seeking recertification credit must watch the recording, complete the feedback survey,...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:
Register to view this on-demand OK2Ask professional learning workshop from November 2025. Educators seeking recertification credit must watch the recording, complete the feedback survey, and pass the assessment. For details, read the Registration & Credit Options section on the registration page.
Are you looking for free digital tools to support the Science of Reading across all grade levels? Ready to discover how technology can transform your reading instruction? This workshop will explore six powerful tools that align with the Science of Reading and work seamlessly with elementary, middle, and high school students. In this session, you'll dive deep into two crucial literacy concepts: word work and comprehension. We'll explore how tools like Wordwall, Teach Your Monster, ICT Games, ReadWorks, CommonLit, and educational podcasts can create engaging, evidence-based learning experiences that meet diverse student needs. Whether you're supporting emerging readers or advanced students, you'll leave with the practical strategies and confidence you need to implement these tools immediately. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Evaluate free digital tools for their alignment with the principles of the Science of Reading and their effectiveness across grade levels. 2. Use digital tools to apply evidence-based pedagogical strategies that enhance word work and comprehension instruction. 3. Design implementation plans that adapt these tools to specific grade levels, content areas, and student populations. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
Are you looking for free digital tools to support the Science of Reading across all grade levels? Ready to discover how technology can transform your reading instruction? This workshop will explore six powerful tools that align with the Science of Reading and work seamlessly with elementary, middle, and high school students. In this session, you'll dive deep into two crucial literacy concepts: word work and comprehension. We'll explore how tools like Wordwall, Teach Your Monster, ICT Games, ReadWorks, CommonLit, and educational podcasts can create engaging, evidence-based learning experiences that meet diverse student needs. Whether you're supporting emerging readers or advanced students, you'll leave with the practical strategies and confidence you need to implement these tools immediately. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Evaluate free digital tools for their alignment with the principles of the Science of Reading and their effectiveness across grade levels. 2. Use digital tools to apply evidence-based pedagogical strategies that enhance word work and comprehension instruction. 3. Design implementation plans that adapt these tools to specific grade levels, content areas, and student populations. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): OK2Askarchive (87), professional development (319), reading strategies (93), science of reading (37)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Once registered, find additional reference materials, tutorials, and how-to information to help you review or extend your knowledge from the session in the handout posted on the session landing page. Resources may include additional ideas and examples on integrating the tools and strategies shared in classroom instruction. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Rating (click star to set rating):
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!).
10+ Awesome Amelia Earhart Activities for Kids - Twinkl Educational Publishing
Grades
K to 5
0 Favorites
0 Comments
Looking to inspire your students with the story of a pioneering aviator? Twinkl's blog post, "10+ Awesome Amelia Earhart Activities for Kids", offers a curated collection of engaging...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:
Looking to inspire your students with the story of a pioneering aviator? Twinkl's blog post, "10+ Awesome Amelia Earhart Activities for Kids", offers a curated collection of engaging resources to bring Amelia Earhart's legacy to life in your classroom. Designed primarily for elementary students, these activities include interactive PowerPoint presentations, word searches, timeline exercises, flap books, task cards, and comprehension worksheets. Each resource promotes critical thinking, enhances vocabulary, and fosters creativity, making them ideal for lessons during Women's History Month, Amelia Earhart Day (July 24), or units on explorers and aviation history.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): aircraft (26), critical thinking (180), vocabulary (252), women (189), womenchangemaker (79)
In the Classroom
Use the printable timeline or sequencing worksheets to help students organize key events in Amelia Earhart's life. Have students cut and sort cards, then explain each event aloud or in writing. Consider having them make a digital timeline using MyLens reviewed here. Set up learning stations with grade-level-appropriate reading comprehension worksheets. Students rotate through stations, answering questions and discussing Earhart's impact as a pioneer. Have students use Twinkl's flap book template to summarize important facts, quotes, and milestones from Earhart's life. They can add drawings or captions to personalize their mini-biography books.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Rating (click star to set rating):
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!).
Thinking about Thinking (Metacognition) - Habit of the Mind - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12
0 Favorites
0 Comments
This collection of resources is designed to help you and your students cultivate the Habit of Mind of Metacognition, or "Thinking about Thinking." This crucial skill is all about "knowing...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:
This collection of resources is designed to help you and your students cultivate the Habit of Mind of Metacognition, or "Thinking about Thinking." This crucial skill is all about "knowing your knowing"--the powerful practice of being aware of your own thoughts, strategies, feelings, and actions, and understanding how your thinking shapes your outcomes. This foundational habit helps students reflect on their learning processes, recognize their personal strengths and weaknesses, and monitor their understanding as they work through tasks like reading comprehension or problem-solving. In this collection, you'll find video tutorials explaining metacognitive strategies and self-monitoring techniques, interactive think-aloud activities that make thinking processes visible, reflection journals and self-assessment checklists for tracking learning progress, lesson plans, digital journals and self-assessment checklists for tracking learning progress, and comprehension monitoring tools like reading trackers and confusion cards. Resources such as digital journals and reflection prompts encourage students to reflect on their learning processes, as well as online diagnostic tools that help them identify their own strengths and weaknesses. By utilizing these resources, you can equip your students with the tools to pause and reflect on their own thinking. In no time, you'll be equipping them with the self-awareness and skills they need to become confident, independent problem solvers.
tag(s): thinking skills (117)
In the Classroom
Help your students learn and practice metacognition. This list includes resources for all grades. Read each resource's Classroom Use section to learn ways to incorporate the information in your lessonsAdd your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Rating (click star to set rating):
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!).
Free Hanukkah Activities - Teachers Pay Teachers
Grades
K to 5
0 Favorites
0 Comments
Discover a diverse selection of free Hanukkah activities created by classroom teachers, ranging from no-prep writing prompts and reading comprehension sheets to coloring pages and craft...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:
Discover a diverse selection of free Hanukkah activities created by classroom teachers, ranging from no-prep writing prompts and reading comprehension sheets to coloring pages and craft templates. Many of the resources offer both digital and print options, making them flexible for use in both in-class and remote learning settings. The materials span a variety of grade levels with options for both primary and upper elementary students, and support subjects such as ELA, math, art, and social studies. It is a handy place to find holiday-themed resources that you can grab and implement quickly without incurring extra costs.
In the Classroom
Use a free vocabulary card set from TPT and have students rotate around the room answering quick questions at each station to build background knowledge about the holiday. Choose a free Hanukkah reading comprehension passage and have students highlight key details, then write a short paragraph summarizing the tradition or event described. Using free printable craft templates such as dreidels or menorahs, students can design and annotate pieces that teach others about Hanukkah symbols and their meanings, turning the room into an educational holiday gallery.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Rating (click star to set rating):
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!).
Timeline Templates - Genially
Grades
4 to 12
0 Favorites
0 Comments
Genially's timeline templates offer educators an engaging and visually dynamic way to present chronological information. These templates are fully customizable, allowing teachers to...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:
Genially's timeline templates offer educators an engaging and visually dynamic way to present chronological information. These templates are fully customizable, allowing teachers to add text, images, icons, and interactive elements to highlight key events or concepts in subjects like history, literature, or science. With a variety of styles--such as vertical, horizontal, or circular layouts--teachers can easily tailor timelines to fit their lesson goals and student needs.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): digital storytelling (166), infographics (71), multimedia (63), timelines (60)
In the Classroom
Students can retell events from a novel or a historical figure's life using a timeline with images and clickable text, making reading comprehension more interactive and visual. Have students create timelines that connect historical events with scientific discoveries or literary works from the same era. Assign specific events to different students or groups to add to a shared timeline, promoting teamwork and reinforcing sequencing skills. Students can build a yearlong timeline of their learning journey, showcasing key projects, reflections, and academic milestones to share during student-led conferences.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Rating (click star to set rating):
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!).
Science of Reading - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12
0 Favorites
0 Comments
The TeachersFirst Infusing Technology Blog offers a tagged list of resources related to the Science of Reading. This treasure trove of blog posts and resources brings research-based...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:
The TeachersFirst Infusing Technology Blog offers a tagged list of resources related to the Science of Reading. This treasure trove of blog posts and resources brings research-based literacy practices to life across grade levels and subjects. Recent highlights include methods for making Shakespeare more accessible, strategies to integrate fluency and vocabulary across content areas, and engaging tech, powered oral language development activities, all rooted in the five pillars of reading (phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension). Whether you're teaching K-12 ELA, science, social studies, or language support, this collection provides educators with practical classroom tools, like digital storytelling, grammar workstations, and scaffolded discussion prompts, to help every student become a confident, skilled reader.
tag(s): blogs (79), fluency (33), reading comprehension (146), reading strategies (93), science of reading (37), vocabulary (252), vocabulary development (102)
In the Classroom
View this collection of blog posts to learn more about the Science of Reading. Many of the blog posts offer ideas for classroom use. Share this post with colleagues who may be learning more about the Science of reading.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Rating (click star to set rating):
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!).
Let's Talk About: Tech for Littles - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 2
0 Favorites
0 Comments
Empower primary students through digital play! In celebration of National Kindergarten Day, this blog post emphasizes the importance of integrating literacy with other content areas...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:
Empower primary students through digital play! In celebration of National Kindergarten Day, this blog post emphasizes the importance of integrating literacy with other content areas and leveraging technology to support early learners. It introduces engaging, tech-powered strategies that blend reading skills with digital tools for phonemic awareness and sentence construction, as well as for vocabulary and syntax practice, and AI-driven apps like ReadAlong and Reading Coach to build fluency with immediate feedback. It also highlights the value of age-appropriate podcasts to develop listening comprehension and Teach Your Monster to Read for gamified phonics instruction. Together, these tools create a dynamic and supportive learning environment that nurtures young readers through intentional, personalized, and content-rich experiences.
tag(s): artificial intelligence (316), digital literacy (36), podcasts (166), preK (322)
In the Classroom
After reading this blog post, implement some of the ideas from the post with your students. Use Padlet reviewed here to have students build simple sentences related to your current science, math, or social studies theme. Create an interactive Wordwall reviewed here activities like word sorts, sentence completion, or close passages using content-specific vocabulary (e.g., weather terms, number words, or community helpers). Students can manipulate language while strengthening phonics and sentence structure. Choose a short, age-appropriate podcast aligned with your lesson theme. Have students listen with a purpose (e.g., retell, draw a scene, or identify key facts), then respond with a discussion or written reflection to boost vocabulary and comprehension.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Rating (click star to set rating):
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!).
Why All Secondary Teachers Need to Add Science of Reading to Their Lessons - TeachersFirst
Grades
6 to 12
1 Favorites
0 Comments
Think reading is just the English teacher's job? Think again! This blog post from TeachersFirst's Infusing Technology Blog urges all secondary educators to embrace the Science of Reading,...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:
Think reading is just the English teacher's job? Think again! This blog post from TeachersFirst's Infusing Technology Blog urges all secondary educators to embrace the Science of Reading, especially the often-overlooked skill of fluency. Many students in middle and high school silently struggle with comprehension because their reading fluency hasn't been nurtured. The post offers practical ways to integrate fluency checks into any subject, such as one-minute oral readings or short recorded assignments. These simple strategies can help teachers across disciplines support literacy and unlock deeper learning for all students.
tag(s): blogs (79), fluency (33), reading comprehension (146), science of reading (37)
In the Classroom
Read this post and then put the ideas into action! Have students take turns reading a short passage (related to your content area) aloud for one minute. Pair them with a peer to time, track errors, and provide supportive feedback. Rotate passages weekly to build confidence, fluency, and content knowledge. After fluency practice, have students reflect in journals about what they read--summarizing key points, identifying challenging words, and noting how fluency affected their understanding. Consider writing the journals digitally using a resource like Book Creator reviewed here or Google Slides reviewed here. Ask students to record themselves reading passages from your subject (e.g., a science explanation, a history speech, or a math word problem) using tools like Vocaroo reviewed here. Have them submit recordings monthly to show progress. Include self-assessment rubrics to promote ownership of growth.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Rating (click star to set rating):
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!).
TLS Inquiry Writing - Yourway Learning
Grades
2 to 12
0 Favorites
0 Comments
Use this AI tool for educators to incorporate inquiry writing strategies that help students organize, process, and retain information with two short responses on the provided form....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:
Use this AI tool for educators to incorporate inquiry writing strategies that help students organize, process, and retain information with two short responses on the provided form. Enter the students' grade level and learning target or lesson objective to receive an idea for an inquiry writing project matching the objective. Use the request change chat option to ask for changes or additional ideas, such as a complete lesson plan or assessment rubric.
tag(s): artificial intelligence (316), inquiry (36), Teacher Utilities (218), writing (307)
In the Classroom
This tool provides a short response. After the initial response, use the chat feature to ask specific questions to build a more robust and fully developed activity. Ideas to include in your chat are the names of current novels students are reading, integration of other content areas, inclusion of specific writing frameworks, and creation of an assessment rubric. Engage students in writing activities by assigning activities and games available at Groovelit, reviewed here to develop vocabulary, narrative, and argumentative writing skills.
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):
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!).
Inca Civilization - Twinkl Educational Publishing
Grades
3 to 10
0 Favorites
0 Comments
View this collection of resources related to the Inca Empire, offering a variety of engaging, ready-to-use materials for teaching about the history, culture, and achievements. The collection...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:
View this collection of resources related to the Inca Empire, offering a variety of engaging, ready-to-use materials for teaching about the history, culture, and achievements. The collection includes lesson plans, worksheets, reading comprehension activities, maps, fact files, and interactive PowerPoints to support different learning styles. The materials are aligned with curriculum standards, making them ideal for introducing key concepts, reinforcing learning, and providing differentiated instruction. Whether used for whole-class lessons, small group work, or independent study, these resources help students explore the engineering feats, government, religion, and daily life of the Inca in an accessible and engaging way.
tag(s): cultures (290), religions (119), south america (80)
In the Classroom
Assign students different roles in Inca society (ex., farmer, noble, priest, artisan, emperor, chasqui messenger), have students research their roles, and then participate in a classroom simulation where they interact based on their social status. After reviewing the resources on Inca architecture, students can work in teams to design and build a model of an Inca terrace farm, bridge, or city using clay, cardboard, or recycled materials. They can also create a digital model using Delightex (formerly CoSpaces) reviewed here or Tinkercad reviewed here. Encourage students to explain how their design reflects the Incas' use of geography and engineering skills. Using the quipu worksheets, students learn how the Incas recorded numbers using knots. Students then create their own quipu messages using string and assign numerical or symbolic meanings.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Rating (click star to set rating):
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!).
Rick Riordan - Teacher's Guides - Rick Riordan
Grades
4 to 8
0 Favorites
0 Comments
The Rick Riordan website's Teachers' Guides section offers a variety of free resources designed to help educators incorporate Riordan's popular books into their classrooms. These guides...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:
The Rick Riordan website's Teachers' Guides section offers a variety of free resources designed to help educators incorporate Riordan's popular books into their classrooms. These guides include discussion questions, reading comprehension activities, lesson plans tailored to the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, The Kane Chronicles, Magnus Chase, and more. The materials are aligned with Common Core standards and support subjects like English Language Arts, history, mythology, and cultural studies. Teachers can use these guides to inspire critical thinking, foster creativity, and deepen students' engagement with the stories. The resources are ideal for sparking interest in mythology and diverse cultures through engaging, student-centered activities.
tag(s): authors (114), critical thinking (180), greek (45), myths and legends (44), reading comprehension (146), student-centered (9)
In the Classroom
Create a mythology-themed trivia game where students answer questions about Greek, Roman, Norse, or Egyptian myths featured in Riordan's books. Make an online quiz using Blooket, reviewed here or Wayground (formerly Quizizz), reviewed here. Have students design a demigod character, including a parent from mythology. They can write a short character profile, including strengths, weaknesses, and a unique quest. Transform the classroom into Camp Half-Blood for a day! Create stations where students complete challenges (ex, solving riddles, crafting "weapons," or navigating a "labyrinth"). Using the hero's journey structure (as seen in Percy Jackson), have students outline and write a short adventure story. Encourage them to incorporate mythological elements and share their stories with the class.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Rating (click star to set rating):
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!).
Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Close comment form