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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Finding Humor (Habit of the Mind) - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12tag(s): humor (15), thinking skills (72)
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.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Taking Responsible Risks (Habit of the Mind) - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12tag(s): thinking skills (72)
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
Grades
K to 12tag(s): thinking skills (72), visual thinking (7)
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 12tag(s): senses (21), thinking skills (72)
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
Grades
K to 12tag(s): creativity (82), makerspace (39), thinking skills (72)
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
Grades
K to 12tag(s): communication (117), thinking skills (72)
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
Grades
K to 12tag(s): thinking skills (72)
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 12tag(s): thinking skills (72)
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
Grades
K to 12tag(s): thinking skills (72)
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
Grades
K to 12tag(s): thinking skills (72)
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
Grades
K to 12tag(s): thinking skills (72)
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
Grades
K to 12tag(s): flexibility (5)
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
Grades
K to 12In 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
Grades
K to 12tag(s): questioning (34), thinking skills (72)
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 12In 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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Project Zero Thinking Routines - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12tag(s): thinking routines (26), thinking skills (72)
In the Classroom
Explore this collection to learn more about Thinking Routines and how to implement them in your lessons. Begin by selecting a routine that aligns with your learning objective--such as "See, Think, Wonder" for developing observation skills or "Think, Pair, Share" for collaborative processing--then model it explicitly before having students practice it regularly. As routines become familiar through repeated use, students internalize these cognitive frameworks and begin applying them independently, transforming your classroom into a culture where thoughtful inquiry and reflection become natural habits.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Native Americans' Contributions to American Culture - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12tag(s): native americans (130)
In the Classroom
Explore this collection featuring the fascinating impact of Native Americans. Look at each resource's "Classroom Use" section for creative ideas on weaving these materials into your lessons.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Hispanic Americans' Contributions to American Culture - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12tag(s): hispanic (53)
In the Classroom
Help your students learn more about the countless contributions of Hispanic Americans. 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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Jewish Americans' Contributions to American Culture - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12In the Classroom
Share these resources with your students to learn about Jewish Americans' contributions. 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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Asian Americans' Contributions to American Culture - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12tag(s): asia (134)
In the Classroom
Dive into this collection featuring the fascinating impact of Asian-Americans. Look at each resource's "Classroom Use" section for creative ideas on weaving these materials into your lessons.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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