TeachersFirst Special Topics Collections
Jump-start your work with TeachersFirst's Special Topics collections. Save time and take advantage of these ready-to-go collections that will help you find what you and your students need, just in time for an upcoming unit, a holiday, focused research, student-directed exploration, or projects on a curriculum topic or event. Each Special Topic page is a curated list of resources related to the stated topic. Each collection includes up to 30 resources, providing enough variety to find sites that define the topic.
You can be comfortable sharing the Special Topic links with students or parents, knowing that TeachersFirst has selected and reviewed each resource.
Find classroom and project suggestions within each review, use the collection to find what you need for your lessons. Some teachers assign these lists as the core resources for a broader student assignment. Editor’s Choice collections offer "the best of the best" for topics of particular interest. TeachersFirst also offers collections on professional special topics to help you meet particular teaching challenges.
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Digital Presentation Tools - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12
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Remember when presentations meant poster board, markers, and hoping the glue stick held everything together until class? While there's still a place for hands-on displays, digital presentation...more
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Remember when presentations meant poster board, markers, and hoping the glue stick held everything together until class? While there's still a place for hands-on displays, digital presentation tools have opened exciting new possibilities for how students can share their learning--and the best part is that all the powerful tools in this collection are completely free. These tools -- including popular platforms like Google Slides, Microsoft PowerPoint, Canva Presentations, and Nearpod -- typically follow a linear, slide-by-slide format that guides viewers through ideas in a structured sequence. Built with the audience in mind, they bring together text, images, and video into polished, shareable displays perfect for student project presentations, book reports, research presentations, and teacher-led lessons. By giving students a choice in how they present their "aha!" moments, we not only increase engagement but also help them develop the modern communication skills they'll need for a digital-first future. Let's empower our learners to move beyond the bullet point and start telling stories that truly resonate!
tag(s): presentations (25)
In the Classroom
To help students "move beyond the bullet point," use these digital tools to have learners create interactive book reports or research presentations that blend video clips and high-quality graphics into a structured, slide-by-slide narrative. By offering a choice between the cinematic flow of various presentation tools, you can turn a standard class presentation into a professional storytelling experience that builds essential modern communication skills.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Video Creating and Editing - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12
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Lights, camera, action! You don't need a Hollywood budget to help your students produce cinematic masterpieces. This collection brings together completely free video creation and editing...more
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Lights, camera, action! You don't need a Hollywood budget to help your students produce cinematic masterpieces. This collection brings together completely free video creation and editing tools that work on various devices and skill levels, making it easy for students to demonstrate learning, tell stories, explain concepts, or showcase their creativity through film. Whether they're documenting a science experiment, creating a book trailer, producing a how-to tutorial, or crafting a digital narrative, these resources put Hollywood-level capabilities right at their fingertips--no budget required. From editors that work right in a web browser to massive libraries of high-quality stock footage and music, these tools empower students to document their learning, share their voices, and master the art of digital communication. Whether they are piecing together a science documentary, a historical reenactment, or a creative personal project, these resources provide everything they need to go from a rough idea to a polished final cut! These no-charge tools will help you turn your students from passive video consumers into confident, creative video producers who can communicate their ideas in one of the most powerful mediums of our time.
tag(s): editing (88), presentations (25)
In the Classroom
Use the tools in this collection to empower students to become "confident video producers" by having them create cinematic book trailers or science documentaries using free browser-based editors to demonstrate their mastery of a topic. By utilizing stock footage libraries and digital narrative tools, your students can transform standard reports into polished "how-to" tutorials or historical reenactments that sharpen both subject knowledge and essential digital communication skills.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Logic and Puzzles - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12
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We all know that spark of excitement in the classroom when a student finally "cracks the code" or solves a particularly tricky problem. Puzzles are like a gym for the ...more
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We all know that spark of excitement in the classroom when a student finally "cracks the code" or solves a particularly tricky problem. Puzzles are like a gym for the mind, building the reasoning abilities students will use across every subject and throughout their lives. Whether they're working through a Sudoku grid, untangling a riddle, cracking a code, or solving a brain teaser, students are practicing essential skills such as pattern recognition, deductive reasoning, strategic thinking, and perseverance. The beauty of puzzles is that they feel like play, but they're doing serious cognitive work--teaching students to test hypotheses, eliminate possibilities, and think several steps ahead. To help you cultivate more "aha!" moments, we have curated a collection of logic, word games, and puzzle resources to challenge, engage, and inspire your learners. Whether you are looking to sharpen your students' critical thinking skills, fill those extra five minutes at the end of a lesson, or provide a brain-teasing challenge for your early finishers, these activities are crafted to make high-level reasoning feel like play. Use these resources to help your students discover the genuine joy of a good puzzle!
In the Classroom
Use these resources to cultivate high-level reasoning. Consider implementing "Puzzle Stations" using Sudoku or logic grids as brain-teasing challenges for early finishers, turning spare classroom moments into targeted cognitive workouts. By integrating these riddles and pattern-recognition games into the start of a lesson, you can help students practice the perseverance and deductive thinking needed to "crack the code" of complex academic concepts.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Remaining Open to Continuous Learning (Habit of the Mind) - TeachersFirst
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K to 12
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One of the most powerful gifts we can give our students--and ourselves--is the realization that our minds are never "finished" products. The Habit of the Mind - Remaining Open to ...more
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One of the most powerful gifts we can give our students--and ourselves--is the realization that our minds are never "finished" products. The Habit of the Mind - Remaining Open to Continuous Learning is the heartbeat of the lifelong learner; it's about having the humility to say "I don't know yet" and the pride to go find the answer. When students see us adjusting our thinking based on new information, seeking out resources to fill gaps in our knowledge, or genuinely considering their perspectives, we're teaching them something more valuable than any content standard: that learning never stops, and not knowing is just the beginning of discovery. In a world that's changing faster than ever, the ability to stay curious, admit mistakes, revise understanding, and actively seek growth isn't just nice to have--it's essential. The types of resources that you will find in this collection include Growth Mindset videos and websites, reflection journals, peer and self-assessment rubrics, digital portfolio platforms, case studies, question board templates, metacognitive reflection activities, TED talks, progress-tracking tools, before-and-after thinking routines (such as "I used to think...Now I think..", digital feedback tools, science news aggregators that often debunk "old facts," free online courses, and more. Use these resources to help our students understand that the smartest people aren't the ones who know everything; they're the ones who never stop learning.
tag(s): Online Learning (32), thinking skills (84)
In the Classroom
To cultivate the habit of - Remaining Open to Continuous Learning, implement "I used to think... Now I think..." routines using digital reflection journals to help students visualize how their understanding evolves over time. A tool like Padlet reviewed here is an easy way to create a collaborative digital reflection journal. Try out a science news aggregator (such as Science News Explores reviewed here) that debunks "old facts" and peer-assessment rubrics; educators can transform the classroom into a space where admitting a mistake is celebrated as a vital step toward deeper, more accurate discovery.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Thinking Interdependently (Habit of the Mind) - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12
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The Habit of the Mind - Thinking Interdependently, focuses on that phrase, "none of us is as smart as all of us." This habit challenges us to work together to ...more
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The Habit of the Mind - Thinking Interdependently, focuses on that phrase, "none of us is as smart as all of us." This habit challenges us to work together to unlock ideas that we simply couldn't reach on our own. It's not just about sitting together; it's about genuinely learning from each other, leveraging different strengths, and understanding that collaboration is a skill that requires intention and practice. In our increasingly connected world, the ability to work effectively with others--to listen generously, contribute meaningfully, and create something together that's greater than the sum of its parts--is essential. By practicing this habit, we help our learners transition from solitary thinkers into effective collaborators who know how to listen, contribute, and thrive in a connected world. In this collection, you will find collaborative digital workspaces, jigsaw learning activity templates, lessons and videos about how to teach thinking interdependtly, group discussion tools, self-assessment rubrics, digital breakouts, Think-Pair-Share and similar variations, conflict resolution/debate resources, reflection tools, global collaboration platforms, low-stakes team-building activities, digital "sticky note" boards, interactive whiteboards, video discussion tools, project manager trackers, and collaborative book creators. Use the resources in this collection to turn "working together" into a deliberate daily practice that celebrates the classroom's collective genius!
tag(s): collaboration (105), thinking routines (29), thinking skills (84)
In the Classroom
To help students to practice the habit of Thinking Interdependently, teachers can use collaborative digital whiteboards or "jigsaw" templates to ensure each student contributes a unique piece of a larger project, making the "collective genius" of the room visible. Consider digital tools like Padlet reviewed here or Figjam reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Finding Humor (Habit of the Mind) - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12
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If you've ever watched a classroom completely transform after a well-timed joke or a shared moment of laughter, you already know that humor isn't just entertainment--it's a learning...more
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If you've ever watched a classroom completely transform after a well-timed joke or a shared moment of laughter, you already know that humor isn't just entertainment--it's a learning tool. The Habit of the Mind - Finding Humor goes beyond cracking jokes; it's about cultivating the ability to notice what's delightfully absurd, not taking ourselves too seriously, and using laughter to build connections and resilience. When students can laugh at their own mistakes or find the quirky side of a challenging concept, they're actually developing emotional flexibility and creative thinking. In the classroom, humor is so much more than just a well-timed joke; it's a powerful tool for reducing tension during a tough exam, finding the delightful "absurdity" in a complex math problem, or using a clever pun to make a vocabulary word stick. In this collection, discover tools to cultivate finding humor from educational comedy videos to joke collections to comic strip creators, comedic picture book lists, improv games for the classroom, fun historical facts or quirky science trivia, playful brain breaks, meme generators, satirical news and current events, AI tools to create puns, and more. Let's encourage our learners to look for the lighthearted side of life, proving that a quick smile can be the best way to clear the path for a big breakthrough!
tag(s): humor (15), thinking skills (84)
In the Classroom
To help students master the habit of Finding Humor, you can try many of the activities shared in this collection. Find and discuss a satirical news clips that explain complex topics through a witty lens, turning abstract lessons into memorable punchlines. Integrate low-stakes improv games and "pun-filled" vocabulary challenges that allow learners to practice emotional resilience by transforming classroom mistakes into shared moments of lighthearted discovery.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Taking Responsible Risks (Habit of the Mind) - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12
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It takes a special kind of bravery to step outside the "safe" zone and embrace the unknown, but that is exactly where the most profound learning happens! The Habit of ...more
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It takes a special kind of bravery to step outside the "safe" zone and embrace the unknown, but that is exactly where the most profound learning happens! The Habit of Mind -- Taking Responsible Risks -- is about moving beyond the fear of being wrong and encouraging students to venture into the unknown. Growth happens at the edge of comfort, and our students need safe spaces to encounter uncertainty, make mistakes, and discover that they are more capable than they ever imagined. Crucially, this habit isn't about being reckless or impulsive; it's about learning to "count the cost." Students must develop the discernment to weigh potential outcomes and evaluate the risks before they leap. It's about building the courage to try something new, to raise a hand when only 70% sure, to share a vulnerable, rough draft, or to tackle a problem never seen before -- all while understanding the boundaries of safety and ethics. The resources in this collection--including Growth Mindset videos, low-stakes gaming platforms, anonymous polling tools, and stories of young entrepreneurs--are designed to help students practice this balance. From coding sandboxes and digital portfolios to collaborative mind-mapping and gamified escape rooms, these tools allow students to experiment and reflect on their results. Let's use these resources to create a classroom culture where "having a go" is celebrated just as much as getting it right, and where "counting the cost" becomes a vital part of every bold new adventure!
tag(s): thinking skills (84)
In the Classroom
Explore this curated collection of classroom-ready tools designed to help students embrace the unknown and consider taking responsible risks. Professional resources for educators are also included. Each review comes with practical ideas for classroom use -- browse the descriptions and discover what works best for you and your students.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Responding with Wonderment and Awe (Habit of the Mind) - TeachersFirst
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K to 12
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Remember that feeling of pure fascination when you first saw a shooting star or finally understood how a complex puzzle fit together? That's exactly what the Habit of the Mind ...more
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Remember that feeling of pure fascination when you first saw a shooting star or finally understood how a complex puzzle fit together? That's exactly what the Habit of the Mind - Responding with Wonderment and Awe is all about! This often-overlooked habit is one of the most powerful that educators can nurture. In our rush to cover content and meet standards, it's easy to forget that curiosity and joy are actually cognitive tools, not just nice bonuses. When students approach learning with a sense of wonder, they're more engaged, more persistent, and more likely to remember what they've discovered. The resources in this collection are designed to help you cultivate that sense of "wow" in your classroom--whether you're teaching math, literature, history, or science. Some examples included in this collection: high-definition science pictures of the day, live feed cams of animals and places, interactive math or art tools, collaboration whiteboards to use for "I wonder" questions, citizen science projects, "how things work" videos, interactive museum video tours and exhibits, brainteasers, optical illusions, and more. Use these resources to turn your classrooms into places where "I don't know" is just the exciting start of a brand-new adventure!
tag(s): thinking skills (84), visual thinking (11)
In the Classroom
Help your students learn and practice the habits of responding with wonderment and awe. This list includes resources for all grades. Read each resource's Classroom Use section to learn ways to incorporate the information in your lessons.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Gathering Data Through All Senses (Habit of the Mind) - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12
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Let's explore the Habit of the Mind - Gathering Data Through All Senses. For our students, this habit is the difference between just reading about a concept and actually experiencing...more
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Let's explore the Habit of the Mind - Gathering Data Through All Senses. For our students, this habit is the difference between just reading about a concept and actually experiencing it. Too often, education happens primarily through reading and listening, but our brains are wired to take in information through multiple channels simultaneously. When we encourage students to touch, observe, listen closely, and yes, sometimes even taste and smell their way through learning, we're not just making lessons more interesting--we're making them more memorable and meaningful. This habit goes far beyond the classroom. Whether it's noticing the specific texture of a leaf, reading concern in someone's eyes, hearing approaching footsteps before seeing who's coming, or sensing that rain is on the way because the humidity has changed, our senses constantly provide us with valuable data about the world around us. Using our sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell allows us to collect a much richer, more complete version of information than any single sense could provide alone. The resources in this collection will help you create rich, multi-sensory learning experiences that honor the fact that students are whole people, not just eyes and ears. Examples of resources in this collection include virtual field trips, audio collections, videos, lesson plans, digital nature journals, recipe collections, mindfulness awareness exercises, and more. By encouraging kids to stop and truly observe their environment, we're helping them build a deeper, more intuitive brand of intelligence that stays with them long after the lesson ends.
tag(s): senses (21), thinking skills (84)
In the Classroom
Share these resources with your students to learn more about gathering data through all senses. Share a link to this collection on your school web page. Find resources to incorporate into your lessons.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Creating, Imagining, Innovating (Habit of the Mind) - TeachersFirst
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K to 12
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The Habit of the Mind - Creating, imagining, and innovating is the mindset that keeps learning dynamic and personal, encouraging students to see beyond the "right answer" and explore...more
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The Habit of the Mind - Creating, imagining, and innovating is the mindset that keeps learning dynamic and personal, encouraging students to see beyond the "right answer" and explore the many possible paths to understanding. When we foster this habit, we're giving students permission to take risks, to wonder "what if," and to trust their own creative instincts. It's not about being artistic (though it can be); it's about approaching problems with curiosity and confidence, knowing that original thinking is built through practice, not born from talent alone. The resources in this collection are designed to help you create classroom cultures where experimentation is celebrated, failure is seen as data, and every student learns they have something unique to contribute. Some of the resources shared in this collection include videos, mind-mapping tools, open-ended makerspace challenges, remix and mashup platforms, collaborative whiteboards, random idea generators, digital storyboards, and more! Let's help our students discover that innovation isn't reserved for inventors and entrepreneurs -- it's a mindset available to anyone willing to try a different approach. Let's help them turn "thinking outside the box" into their new daily routine!
tag(s): creativity (82), makerspace (39), thinking skills (84)
In the Classroom
Help your students learn and practice the habits of creating, imagining, and innovating. This list includes resources for all grades. Read each resource's Classroom Use section to learn ways to incorporate the information in your lessons.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Thinking and Communicating with Clarity and Precision (Habit of the Mind) - TeachersFirst
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K to 12
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This collection of resources relates to the Habit of the Mind described as Thinking and Communicating with Clarity and Precision. This habit is fundamental to effective learning and...more
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This collection of resources relates to the Habit of the Mind described as Thinking and Communicating with Clarity and Precision. This habit is fundamental to effective learning and meaningful interaction. It challenges us to move beyond vague impressions and ambiguous language toward specificity and accuracy in our expression. When we cultivate precision in our thinking, we develop sharper analytical skills, reduce misunderstandings, and build stronger arguments. For educators, modeling this habit means demonstrating careful word choice, supporting claims with evidence, and showing students how precise language leads to precise thinking. In this collection, you will find videos, lesson plans, and web resources, including interactive vocabulary, digital graphic organizers, rubrics, reflection journals, virtual simulations, debate platforms, and more. The resources in this collection offer practical strategies and engaging activities to help students recognize the power of clarity, refine their communication skills, and understand that precision isn't about perfection--it's about thoughtful, intentional expression that honors both the message and the audience.
tag(s): communication (119), thinking skills (84)
In the Classroom
Discover new tools to try in your classroom that foster thinking and communicating with clarity and precision. Also, explore the professional resources (for you). Each review includes classroom use ideas. Read the details of each resource and find the ones that will work for you and your students.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Striving for Accuracy (Habit of the Mind) - TeachersFirst
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K to 12
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Delve into our collection of resources on the Habit of Mind of Striving for Accuracy--the commitment to setting high standards, checking for errors, and being precise in your work by...more
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Delve into our collection of resources on the Habit of Mind of Striving for Accuracy--the commitment to setting high standards, checking for errors, and being precise in your work by carefully reviewing rules and directions. This detail-oriented habit helps students develop a natural inclination to double-check calculations in math problems, proofread written work for errors, and verify information before presenting it to ensure quality and reliability. In an age of information overload, we've compiled a range of tools to help you maintain high standards and adopt a meticulous approach to work. In this collection, you'll find things like interactive checklists and digital rubrics that help students verify their work against clear criteria, as well as peer-review platforms where students can practice giving and receiving constructive feedback. In addition, discover video demonstrations of effective checking strategies and error-detection techniques, interactive editing exercises and proofreading practice activities, printable checklists and rubrics to guide thorough self-review, and fact-checking resources to teach students to verify sources and information. By deliberately incorporating these resources into your daily routines and creating a classroom culture that values craftsmanship and thoroughness, you'll help students develop the pride and discipline that comes from producing accurate, high-quality work.
tag(s): thinking skills (84)
In the Classroom
Help your students learn and practice striving for accuracy. This list includes resources for all grades. Read each resource's Classroom Use section to learn ways to incorporate the information in your lessons.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Persisting (Habit of the Mind) - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12
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This collection of resources is designed to help you and your students cultivate the Habit of Mind of Perseverance -- the ability to stick with a task through to completion, ...more
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This collection of resources is designed to help you and your students cultivate the Habit of Mind of Perseverance -- the ability to stick with a task through to completion, stay focused when challenges arise, and find creative ways to reach your goals without giving up. Whether your students are working through a challenging math problem, revising an essay to enhance its quality, or practicing a new skill until they master it, perseverance is the key to transforming effort into achievement. This collection includes engaging videos that showcase real-world examples of persistence, inspiring articles (and blogs), interactive activities and games that build resilience through practice, printable goal-setting templates and progress trackers, classroom-ready lesson plans for teaching students how to handle challenging problems, and reflection tools to help students recognize and celebrate their growth. You'll also find visual reminders, such as posters and digital resources, to reinforce this habit throughout your classroom. By deliberately incorporating these resources into your daily routines and helping students notice opportunities to persevere, you'll be equipping them with one of the most powerful tools for lifelong success.
tag(s): thinking skills (84)
In the Classroom
Share these resources with your students to learn more about the importance of persistence. Share a link to this collection on your school web page. Find resources to incorporate into your lessons.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Managing Impulsivity (Habit of the Mind) - TeachersFirst
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K to 12
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Welcome to our collection of resources on the Habit of Mind of Managing Impulsivity--the practice of taking your time, thinking before acting, and remaining calm and deliberative even...more
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Welcome to our collection of resources on the Habit of Mind of Managing Impulsivity--the practice of taking your time, thinking before acting, and remaining calm and deliberative even in the heat of the moment. In a world that often demands quick reactions, we've gathered a variety of tools to help you foster calm, thoughtful, and deliberate decision-making in your classroom. In this collection, you'll find mindfulness videos and breathing exercises that help students develop self-awareness, interactive scenarios and decision-making simulations that practice the "pause and think" approach, printable stop-and-think cards and visual cue posters for classroom use, lesson plans for teaching students to pause and reflect, interactive scenarios where students can practice weighing consequences, and resources for helping them become more aware of their own thoughts and feelings, and self-monitoring checklists that encourage students to track their progress. You'll also discover timer tools and web resources that build in intentional waiting periods, as well as discussion guides to help students recognize their thoughts and feelings before reacting. These resources will provide concrete strategies and examples to help your students learn to consider multiple options, fully understand directions before starting a task, and respond to situations with intention rather than impulse.
tag(s): thinking skills (84)
In the Classroom
Discover new tools to try in your classroom that manage students' impulsivity. Also, explore the professional resources (for you). Each review includes classroom use ideas. Read the details of each tool and find the ones that will work for you and your students.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Applying Past Knowledge to New Situations (Habit of the Mind) - TeachersFirst
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K to 12
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This collection of resources is designed to help you and your students cultivate the Habit of Mind of Applying Past Knowledge to New Situations--the strategic practice of accessing...more
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This collection of resources is designed to help you and your students cultivate the Habit of Mind of Applying Past Knowledge to New Situations--the strategic practice of accessing prior knowledge and transferring what you've learned beyond the original context to tackle fresh challenges. This connective habit helps students use math concepts to solve real-world problems, apply research skills from one project to another, and draw on previous experiences to navigate unfamiliar territory with confidence. We've all seen students who ace a test but can't apply the same knowledge to a real-world problem. We've gathered a variety of tools to help you bridge that gap, empowering students to "use what they learn" and access prior knowledge in novel contexts. In this collection, you'll find video examples showing how skills transfer across disciplines and contexts, interactive analogy activities and pattern-recognition challenges that strengthen connection-making, KWL charts that help students link new learning to past experiences, lesson plans featuring real-world application projects and cross-curricular problem-solving tasks, and transfer journals where students document how they've repurposed their knowledge. These resources are packed with practical strategies and real examples to help your students tap into what they already know and make those "aha!" connections across everything they're learning and doing.
tag(s): thinking skills (84)
In the Classroom
Share these resources with your students to learn more about applying past knowledge to new situations. Share a link to this collection on your school web page. Find resources to incorporate into your lessons.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Thinking about Thinking (Metacognition) - Habit of the Mind - TeachersFirst
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K to 12
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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
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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 (84)
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
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Thinking Flexibly (Habit of the Mind) - TeachersFirst
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K to 12
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Learn about Thinking Flexibly, a Habit of Mind--the ability to change perspectives, generate alternatives, and look at situations from multiple angles to discover new possibilities....more
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Learn about Thinking Flexibly, a Habit of Mind--the ability to change perspectives, generate alternatives, and look at situations from multiple angles to discover new possibilities. In an ever-changing world, we've gathered a variety of tools to help you foster creativity, adaptability, and the ability to generate alternatives in your classroom. This creative habit empowers students to find multiple approaches to solving problems, adapt their strategies when circumstances change, and consider different viewpoints in discussions and debates. In this collection, you'll find interactive simulations and virtual labs that require students to adapt their strategies to succeed, as well as digital platforms for brainstorming and mind mapping that encourage diverse solutions. You will also discover brain teaser puzzles (and digital escapes) that require multiple solution pathways, interactive activities that challenge students to explore alternative perspectives, printable and virtual graphic organizers for comparing different approaches and options, lesson plans featuring open-ended problems with no single "right" answer, and debate protocols that encourage respectful consideration of opposing views. By deliberately incorporating these resources into your daily routines and creating a classroom culture that celebrates diverse thinking, you'll help students develop the mental agility and adaptability essential for navigating our ever-changing world.
tag(s): flexibility (7)
In the Classroom
Discover new tools to try in your classroom that foster flexible thinking. Also, explore the professional resources (for you). Each review includes classroom use ideas. Read the details of each tool and find the ones that will work for you and your students.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Listening with Understanding and Empathy (Habit of the Mind) - TeachersFirst
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K to 12
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Discover our collection of resources on the Habit of Mind of Listening with Understanding and Empathy--the practice of devoting genuine mental energy to another person's thoughts and...more
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Discover our collection of resources on the Habit of Mind of Listening with Understanding and Empathy--the practice of devoting genuine mental energy to another person's thoughts and ideas while making a sincere effort to perceive their point of view and emotions. This vital habit helps students move beyond simply hearing words to truly understanding others by asking clarifying questions, considering perspectives different from their own, and giving their full attention during conversations. In a world of constant communication, we've gathered a variety of tools to help you teach students to listen beyond the words and to make an effort to perceive another person's perspective. In this collection, you'll find things like video examples demonstrating active listening skills and empathetic responses, role-playing activities and conversation scenarios that practice perspective-taking, printable question stems and sentence starters to guide meaningful dialogue, lesson plans featuring partner interviews and collaborative discussion protocols, and reflection journals where students can explore different viewpoints, as well as digital platforms for structured discussions and collaborative storytelling. As you weave these resources into your daily routines, you'll create a classroom where students practice understanding one another, which helps foster a culture of respect and genuine connection.
In the Classroom
Share these resources with your students to learn more about listening with understanding and empathy. Share a link to this collection on your school web page and in your school newsletter (or email). Find resources to incorporate into your lessons.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Questioning and Posing Problems (Habit of the Mind) - TeachersFirst
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K to 12
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Investigate our collection of resources on the Habit of Mind of Questioning and Posing Problems--the curious practice of asking yourself "How can I find out?", developing powerful questioning...more
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Investigate our collection of resources on the Habit of Mind of Questioning and Posing Problems--the curious practice of asking yourself "How can I find out?", developing powerful questioning strategies, and actively seeking problems to solve with a commitment to excellence and a relentless pursuit of precision. This inquiry-driven habit empowers students to ask meaningful "why" and "what if" questions, identify gaps in their understanding, and formulate questions that deepen learning and spark new discoveries. In this collection, you'll find video examples of scientists, innovators, and students modeling effective questioning techniques, interactive inquiry activities and problem-finding challenges that stimulate curiosity, interactive checklists and digital rubrics that help students verify their work against clear criteria, question stems and wondering journals to capture emerging thoughts, lesson plans featuring Socratic seminars and question formulation techniques, and mystery scenarios that require students to generate their own investigative questions. With these resources, your students will gain practical strategies and examples to help them double-check their work, verify information, and strive for the highest level of quality in all their endeavors.
tag(s): questioning (36), thinking skills (84)
In the Classroom
Help your students learn and practice questioning and posing questions. 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
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Winter Solstice Resources - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12
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Bring the magic of the winter solstice into your classroom with activities that blend science, culture, and creativity! The shortest day of the year (December 21st in the Northern Hemisphere)...more
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Bring the magic of the winter solstice into your classroom with activities that blend science, culture, and creativity! The shortest day of the year (December 21st in the Northern Hemisphere) offers a perfect opportunity to explore Earth's tilt and orbit through hands-on demonstrations with globes and flashlights, helping students visualize why we experience different amounts of daylight throughout the year. You can also take a multicultural approach by learning about how different societies have celebrated this astronomical event for thousands of years--from Stonehenge's ancient alignment with the solstice sunrise to festivals like Yule, Dongzhi, and Inti Raymi that honor the return of longer days. Creative activities might include graphing sunrise and sunset times throughout the year, writing poetry about light and darkness, creating winter solstice lanterns, or researching how animals and plants respond to changing daylight. These resources not only teach important STEM concepts about astronomy and seasons, but also foster appreciation for diverse cultural traditions and our shared human experience of observing the natural world.
In the Classroom
Help your students learn more about the winter solstice. Find resources on this list for students to use in cooperative learning groups. Read each resource's Classroom Use section to learn how to incorporate its information into your lessons.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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