Twinkl Home Educators' "Time Explorers Lesson One--The Ancient Maya" is a forty-four-minute YouTube video. The video explores who the Ancient Mayans were, what their beliefs were, and how they lived. It is recommended that you have an atlas and a copy of the Activity Sheet Maya Map, which you will find in the planning pack linked below the video. If your district blocks YouTube, then the video may not be viewable.
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tag(s): central america (26), mayans (32), mexico (46)

The Ducksters "Explorers" webpage provides a kid-friendly introduction to famous explorers and their achievements, making it a valuable resource for elementary and middle school classrooms. The site features biographies of notable figures like Ferdinand Magellan, Vasco da Gama, and Hernan Cortes, along with key facts about their journeys and historical significance. The information is presented straightforwardly and engagingly, emphasizing readability and comprehension. Teachers can use this resource to support lessons on exploration, world history, and geography or to inspire student research projects and discussions about the impacts of exploration.

tag(s): explorers (64)

Participate in live, interactive events that feature National Geographic explorers to hear behind-the-scenes stories of explorers around the globe. Events focused on an audience of four to eight-year-olds are typically held on Monday mornings, while events for students aged nine to fourteen are held twice on Thursdays. Browse the site to find upcoming events conducted in English and Spanish, focusing on conservation efforts, human history and culture, storytelling, and more. Choose any event to register to participate. Past events are available on YouTube by visiting the link at the top of the website. Find additional learning opportunities National Geographic provides by visiting the Educational Resources link.

tag(s): animals (293), conservation (101), cultures (226), explorers (64), oceans (149), stories and storytelling (63)

Overheard at National Geographic shares weekly podcast episodes from 2019-2023 featuring a range of topics related to the world around us. Episodes feature conversations with National Geographic photographers, explorers, and scientists with hosts Peter Gwyn and Amy Briggs. Podcasts run from approximately thirty to forty-five minutes and are available on most podcast-hosting platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and iHeartRadio.

tag(s): africa (170), animals (293), anne frank (10), china (83), explorers (64), native americans (116), oceans (149), photography (131), podcasts (117)

The If/Then Collection is a free resource for finding and sharing images and videos of women related to STEM topics. Search the collection by media type, discipline, location, or ambassador name. Another option is to browse through the featured categories found on the home page, including topics such as sports, explorers, and hero videos. Then, share items by selecting the share icon located on each thumbnail image. The required prompt asks you to complete a short form before sharing. The form includes the user's email, the purpose for using the content, and the checkbox agreeing to proper use. Although items on the site are available for free use without crediting the photographer or videographer, proper credit is always encouraged when possible.

tag(s): careers (182), engineering (137), images (263), photography (131), STEM (310), video (267)

Travelbag uses Google Maps to create maps following the footsteps of famous explorers. Select and view the journeys of Christopher Columbus, Amelia Earhart, and more. After choosing an explorer, click again to see the original journey or the journey using present-day transportation options. Each option shares directions for the explorer's journey in a step by step timeline.

tag(s): aviation (41), columbus day (8), explorers (64), Google (48), lewis and clark (14), maps (224), marco polo (3), transportation (30), women (154)

Take a virtual 3D tour of the Apollo 11 Command Module, Columbia, home of the astronauts of the first manned lunar mission in 1969. Select from 27 slides to view different portions of the module, then use your mouse to move around the image. Each slide also contains a short description of the content shown. In addition to the 3D tour, this site includes many downloads including models for 3D printers and models for use with VR headsets. If your district blocks YouTube, then they may not be viewable.

tag(s): explorers (64), moon (72), space (220), STEM (310), virtual field trips (131)

Learn about the exploration and pioneers of the American West through several online unit studies for middle school students in PDF format. Scroll down the page to find "Emigrants Crossing the Plains" utilizes the paintings of Albert Bierstadt created during his journeys along the Oregon Trail. "End of the Trail" focuses on the sculptures of James Earle Fraser depicting spiritual representations of Native Americans. Madonnas of the Prairie: Depictions of Women in the American West is found under Previous Exhibits Educations Guide and features works focusing on women in the late 19th century to the early 20th century. Each unit includes an introduction, discussion questions, and teaching activities. There are many more unit studies to investigate. Also check out Collection Highlights from the top menu, scroll down and find many works of art; scroll over the art to get the title then click the image to find more information about many topics from the old west.

tag(s): art history (108), artists (87), native americans (116), westward expansion (40)

Learn about the history of the Great Lakes states through this extensive collection of books, articles, periodicals, and documents curated from two online libraries. Scroll down the page to choose from such topics as Cultural History, Explorers and Travelers, Native Americans, and lots more. Continue following links to narrow searches to specific counties, cities, magazines, and more. Follow this site on X (formerly Twitter) or Facebook to receive daily updates with links to history articles and additional resources.

tag(s): ebooks (46), local history (13), native americans (116), primary sources (118), states (125)

These Collection Stories look at the personal feelings and interpretation of the objects staff members have cataloged in the Museum. These stunning short stories focus on items from historical events and famous people. Click the Explorers tab from the top menu and select either Search the Collections or Stories. Example story categories are Our American Story, Five Things, Power of Place, and others. Use the search bar to find title like Dress for the Occasion; view the first day of school dress worn by Carlotta Walls as she entered Little Rock Central High School in 1957 as part of the Little Rock Nine's integration efforts. Other stories take a look at Muhammed Ali, Carl Lewis, The Wiz: The Super soul Musical 'Wizard of Oz,' and the watches that survived a brutal assassination of an NAACP leader and his wife (Moments Captured in Time). The Story Collections are updated constantly so be sure to click Learn and Explore from the top menu. The National Museum of African American History and Culture is part of The Smithsonian Institution. These stories reside on a Smithsonian URL site, so don't be confused when you get there.

tag(s): african american (119), black history (135), cross cultural understanding (178), cultures (226)

Discover, create, and share digital resources from the Smithsonian Museum, the National Zoo, and nine major research centers with this visually appealing site. Use the search feature to find digital resources including photos, recordings, videos, and text. Sign up to create your own collections, including those found on the site and your own resources. Also, click Discover and use the search bar to find topics already on the site your class is studying like dinosaurs, explorers, black history, volcanoes, etc. Add annotations and develop quizzes. Easily share your creations or curated collections using social networking links provided. If your district blocks YouTube, the videos may not be viewable.

tag(s): animals (293), architecture (84), art history (108), aviation (41), black history (135), civil war (141), dinosaurs (42), explorers (64), images (263), inventors and inventions (81), Learning Management Systems (20), oceans (149), scientists (71), shakespeare (99), Teacher Utilities (202), volcanoes (55)

Learn about the journeys of 16 explorers with this series of videos from PBS Learning. This series covers early explorers of the globe as well as modern explorers of space such as Alan Shepard and Neil Armstrong. Choose any video to watch, download, and view national educational standards covered.

tag(s): columbus day (8), explorers (64), marco polo (3), space (220), video (267)

SheHeroes is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering girls from ages 8-14 to dream big and pursue any interests regardless of gender. Articles feature well-known and everyday females that serve as inspiration for young girls. Choose the Interests link to browse articles by topics such as engineering and sports. The curriculum link offers four categories (creators, explorers, analysts, observers) and units for each to explore them. Each unit includes essential questions, learning objectives, procedure, learning activities, and discussion questions. The videos under profiles reside on YouTube. If your district blocks Youtube, they may not be viewable.

tag(s): careers (182), mentoring (6), women (154), womens suffrage (52)

Discover how the five major religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam have spread over the world. Follow this interactive timeline video that highlights the areas of the globe where the religion started, as well as the spread of each religion.
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tag(s): explorers (64), religions (114)

Find an answer to your question or great question starters for any conversation here with this free tool! Featured under the Resource tab, you can access articles, books, case studies, lesson plans, Kahoot, videos, downloads, and events. The site caters to students in preschool through grade 12. When signing up for free, you gain access to more content on the site.

tag(s): animals (293), climate change (100), immigration (84), musical instruments (54), racism (83), timelines (57)

Looking for great information on Antarctica? This site offers a variety of information about explorers, views from space (not available at the time of this review), dinosaur fossils, surviving the cold, and more. Some of the topics still require Flash; however, there is plenty here to learn from the other topics.
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tag(s): animals (293), antarctica (30), continents (33), dinosaurs (42)

Join a journey to eleven countries and three continents as part of a global STEM learning adventure aligned to Next Gen and Common Core Reading standards. The site navigation itself takes a little "exploration," but the time is well worth it. Learn about locations around the world as you explore science and technology at each stop along the way. Learn about the captain and crew under Flight Briefing. Follow the clickable flight route under Flight Tracker. Take a flight tutorial at Fly with Us (under Flight Briefings). Explore videos on the Blog and under Flight Briefings. Watch the intro video on the home page. Some of the videos are hosted on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, they may not be viewable.

tag(s): aircraft (17), animals (293), architecture (84), ecosystems (85), endangered species (27), flight (34), oceans (149), STEM (310), volcanoes (55), weather (160)

Create a customized start page including your favorite websites, RSS feeds, and social networking sites with Start.me. Choose from over 20 widgets such as bookmarks, weather, calculators, or currency converters to personalize content. Drag and drop widgets to any area on your screen. Change backgrounds using images provided or one you upload, or personalize using other options under settings. All saved information is cloud-based, so it is available from any device where you log in to your account. Create multiple pages for different needs such as work, home, hobbies, etc. Add the bookmarklet to your browser to add items easily to your start page at any time. The introduction video is hosted on YouTube. If YouTube is blocked at your school, view the intro video at home to learn more!

tag(s): bookmarks (43)

It's true! I saw it on the Internet! Sadly, too many students fall into this trap. All About Explorers was developed by a team of teachers to help late elementary school and middle school students sort the garbage from the gold on the Internet. Despite the name of the site, it's not really about explorers at all. In fact, all the biographies of the (very real) explorers on this site are fictional. Teachers can use the site in two ways: The "Treasure Hunt" section allows students to compare the biography on the All About Explorers site with a linked biography on a "real" site and asks them to compare the two and draw conclusions. Alternatively, there is a more comprehensive Web Quest section that allows for a more complete and lengthy lesson with the same object.

tag(s): explorers (64), internet safety (116), media literacy (113), webquests (8)