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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Earth Science Resources - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12
Explore this editor's choice collection of resources related to earth science. This is a perfect list to share during Earth Science Week in October, or anytime throughout the year....more
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Explore this editor's choice collection of resources related to earth science. This is a perfect list to share during Earth Science Week in October, or anytime throughout the year. Read the descriptions to find out whether a site sounds right for what you want to know. Don't miss the "In the classroom" ideas for specific projects or ideas for before, during, and after reading. There is also an additional link to all of TeachersFirst's resources tagged Earth.
tag(s): earth (183), rock cycle (12), weather (161)
In the Classroom
This collection includes resources for all grades. Each review includes several classroom use ideas. These are excellent tools to use to study for the big test! Save (or bookmark) this list for students to use to review. Explore the activities suggested.Earthquake Resources - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12This collection of reviewed resources from TeachersFirst is selected to help teachers and students understand how earthquakes happen and learn about famous earthquakes in history. Also...more
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This collection of reviewed resources from TeachersFirst is selected to help teachers and students understand how earthquakes happen and learn about famous earthquakes in history. Also included are sites and tools well suited for projects about earthquakes.
tag(s): earthquakes (47), plate tectonics (23)
In the Classroom
Share this collection as a Favorite on your TeachersFirst public page so students can use the resources as part of a project during your unit on plate tectonics or natural disasters. Use the collection as a starting point, noting the resources that are more challenging for your more able students.Easter Resources - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 8Find resources and activities appropriate for Easter in this collection from TeachersFirst. Most are suited for elementary, and a few for middle school. ...more
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Find resources and activities appropriate for Easter in this collection from TeachersFirst. Most are suited for elementary, and a few for middle school.
tag(s): easter (10)
In the Classroom
Use these resources to connect Easter to your curriculum in almost any subject or select one or two ideas to highlight along with your regular lessons.Ecology - Science Resources - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12Uncover resources related to ecology. This curated list of resources will help you research information and deepen your understanding. Read the descriptions to find out whether a site...more
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Uncover resources related to ecology. This curated list of resources will help you research information and deepen your understanding. Read the descriptions to find out whether a site sounds right for what you want to know. Some sites may be more challenging reading, while others may offer solid basic information. Be sure to try several sources. If you cannot find what you need here, you may want to try searching on TeachersFirst for specific keywords.
tag(s): ecology (103)
In the Classroom
Each review in this collection includes several classroom use ideas. Be sure to view the full review to see the classroom use ideas. These are excellent tools to use to study for the big test! Save (or bookmark) this list for students to use to review.Economics and Money: TeachersFirst Editors' Choices - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12Understanding how world economic systems work can mystify even the experts, but all of us need to understand the basics of how an economy functions, especially as current events challenge...more
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Understanding how world economic systems work can mystify even the experts, but all of us need to understand the basics of how an economy functions, especially as current events challenge us to adjust to tough times. This special collection of resources has been hand-picked by the editors of TeachersFirst from among our many reviewed resources on economics and money. These selections were chosen to help students (and families) grasp basic economic principles, personal financial planning, and banking at an age-appropriate level.
tag(s): financial literacy (95), money (114), recession (2)
In the Classroom
Browse these editors' choice resources to find the best for your classroom needs. Don't forget that you can use economics information to teach math concepts. Make your lessons relevant in today's world by connecting the economic concepts as you teach writing, reading, and more. As your students master the concept, have them create a "Kids Guide to the Economy" on a class wiki or make videos on single concepts to be shared via tools such as SchoolTube, reviewed here, or TeacherTube, reviewed here.Educational Podcasts for Students - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12In this collection, we share many educational podcasts for students of all ages in various subject areas. The act of listening to podcasts offers many benefits to our students. The...more
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In this collection, we share many educational podcasts for students of all ages in various subject areas. The act of listening to podcasts offers many benefits to our students. The podcasts are available anytime, making them ideal for in-person, remote, blended, and flipped instruction. Students can listen a second time to deepen their understanding.
tag(s): podcasts (114)
In the Classroom
Share these podcasts with your students to use when learning related material. Share a link to this collection on your school web page and in your school newsletter (or email). Find podcasts to incorporate into your lessons.Election Resources - Teachersfirst
Grades
K to 12Whether it is a presidential year or an off-year election cycle, there are many excellent election resources on the web to help your students understand and become involved in the ...more
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Whether it is a presidential year or an off-year election cycle, there are many excellent election resources on the web to help your students understand and become involved in the electoral process. This collection highlights the TeachersFirst editors' favorite election resources for all levels.
If you wish to choose from a more extensive list election-related resources or to narrow your list for a specific topic and grade level, try entering your topic and elections as search terms in the TeachersFirst keyword search (under Search menu), setting the grade level you seek, as well.
tag(s): elections (81)
In the Classroom
Use this handy "spcial topics" collection to find just the right student activity or reference information when you are studying elections. You can also share it on your teacher web page as an "approved" list of election resources for home and school study.Energy, Force, and Motion - Science Resources - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12Navigate this collection of resources to find information about energy, force, and motion. Read the descriptions to find out whether a site sounds right for what you want to know. ...more
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Navigate this collection of resources to find information about energy, force, and motion. Read the descriptions to find out whether a site sounds right for what you want to know. Some sites may be more challenging reading, while others may offer solid basic information. Some of the sites also provide interactives or lesson plans/activities.
In the Classroom
Find energy, force, and motion resources for all grades. Activity and lesson ideas are included with each review.Escape Room Resources - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12Looking to add some mystery and excitement to your classroom? Digital escape rooms combine critical thinking, problem-solving, and immersive storytelling into engaging educational experiences....more
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Looking to add some mystery and excitement to your classroom? Digital escape rooms combine critical thinking, problem-solving, and immersive storytelling into engaging educational experiences. We've curated a collection of free tools and resources that make it easy to both play and create digital escape rooms for any subject area or grade level. Whether you're new to educational escape rooms or a seasoned puzzle master, you'll find everything from ready-to-use templates and step-by-step creation guides to inspiring examples that showcase creative ways to transform your curriculum into thrilling digital adventures.
tag(s): digital escapes (17), game based learning (207), mysteries (24)
In the Classroom
Share these tools on your class website or blog for students to use both in and out of the classroom. Use these tools to differentiate and reach all students at the various levels. Challenge your students to create their own escape games to review content or for acceleration options.Evolution - Science Resources - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12Uncover resources related to evolution. Introduce your class to Darwin. Read the descriptions to find out whether a site sounds right for what you want to know. Some sites may ...more
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Uncover resources related to evolution. Introduce your class to Darwin. Read the descriptions to find out whether a site sounds right for what you want to know. Some sites may be more challenging reading, while others may offer solid basic information. Be sure to try several sources. We have included a mix of interactives, lesson ideas, content, and more.
In the Classroom
List these tools on your website for students to use for review and preparation for a test. Share the interactive sites on your projector with the class. Have students work in cooperative learning groups and investigate the sites.Fall Celebrations and Halloween - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12Find resources and activities appropriate for Halloween or Fall Festivals in this collection from TeachersFirst. Most are appropriate for younger grades with a few ideas for secondary....more
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Find resources and activities appropriate for Halloween or Fall Festivals in this collection from TeachersFirst. Most are appropriate for younger grades with a few ideas for secondary.
tag(s): halloween (33)
In the Classroom
Use these resources to connect Halloween or Fall Festival to your curriculum in almost any subject or select one or two ideas to highlight along with your regular lessons.Family Consumer Science Resources - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12Family Consumer Science (FCS), also sometimes referred to as Home Economics, is a subject that encompasses many topics, including food science and preparation, human development, personal...more
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Family Consumer Science (FCS), also sometimes referred to as Home Economics, is a subject that encompasses many topics, including food science and preparation, human development, personal finance, family finance, wellness and nutrition, apparel and sewing, interior design, and more. This curated list of reviewed resources includes all of these topics and others related to FCS. We have included resources for all grades.
tag(s): child development (24), cooking (33), family (49), financial literacy (95), nutrition (139)
In the Classroom
Encourage your students' understanding of family consumer science using this curated collection. Share these resources with your colleagues and students by emailing the page or sharing the link from your school web page and in your school newsletter. Find resources to incorporate into your FCS lessons.Fire Prevention and Safety Resources - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12Whether you teach about fire safety during National Fire Prevention Week each fall or as part of a general unit on safety, this collection of reviewed resources from TeachersFirst is...more
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Whether you teach about fire safety during National Fire Prevention Week each fall or as part of a general unit on safety, this collection of reviewed resources from TeachersFirst is selected to help teachers and students understand the basics of fire safety and planning for emergencies.
tag(s): fire (22), fire prevention (16), fire safety (16), safety (68)
In the Classroom
Use the resources on this site to help prepare and teach peers and students about Fire Safety. Share the link on your teacher web page to allow students to access the resources both in and out of the classroom!First Day of School Icebreakers - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12No matter what level you teach, establishing rapport with a new group of students is key to knowing how to help them learn. Here is a list of reviewed resources ...more
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No matter what level you teach, establishing rapport with a new group of students is key to knowing how to help them learn. Here is a list of reviewed resources that offer a chance for you and your students to get to know one another.
In the Classroom
Mark this list in your favorites to try new ideas on the first day of school or even at the start of a new marking period.Formative Assessment Resources - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12Formative assessment is a term that refers to a wide variety of strategies and methods that teachers use to provide ongoing feedback to students. Before the final assessment, a formative...more
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Formative assessment is a term that refers to a wide variety of strategies and methods that teachers use to provide ongoing feedback to students. Before the final assessment, a formative assessment evaluates student comprehension, academic progress during lessons, and learning needs. These assessments help teachers check for understanding, determine skills mastery, and choose topics to review. Peruse the resources shared in this collection to find unique and engaging tools to use as you assess your students throughout your daily lessons.
tag(s): assessment (146), Formative Assessment (73), game based learning (207), polls and surveys (49)
In the Classroom
Find new tools to try in your classroom to create formative assessment activities! This curated list includes professional learning resources, polls, gaming tools, and other strategies to use to gauge a "quick check" of student understanding. Each review includes classroom use ideas. Read the details of each tool and find the ones that will work best for your students.Free Image Resources - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12This curated list of resources provides free image tools. As educators, it is important for us to set good examples of digital citizenship. Image usage is a perfect time to ...more
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This curated list of resources provides free image tools. As educators, it is important for us to set good examples of digital citizenship. Image usage is a perfect time to discuss the important topics of copyright, Creative Commons, and more. Use your discussions related to copyright and Creative Commons to fuel the discussion about digital citizenship. Read the classroom use suggestions for additional ideas about how to implement these tools in your classroom.
tag(s): copyright (43), creative commons (28), images (263)
In the Classroom
Use these tools to help students to understand digital citizenship, copyright, Creative Commons, and more. Find tools for students to use to locate "safe" images to use for projects and even within your own lessons.Game-Based Learning for Littles - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 4This collection combines various educational games, playful simulations, and engaging digital experiences tailored specifically for kindergarten through second-grade students. By harnessing...more
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This collection combines various educational games, playful simulations, and engaging digital experiences tailored specifically for kindergarten through second-grade students. By harnessing children's natural enthusiasm for play, these resources transform early learning into an adventure, making foundational skills in literacy, numeracy, and critical thinking feel like exciting discoveries rather than academic tasks. Games are a great way to level the playing field for students needing extra help. Our collection of game-based resources provides an innovative approach to laying a strong educational foundation to inspire a lifelong love of learning.
tag(s): critical thinking (136), game based learning (207), gamification (85), preK (286)
In the Classroom
Share these tools on your class website or blog for students to use both in and out of the classroom. Use these tools to differentiate and reach all students at the various levels. Challenge your students to create their own games to review content or acceleration options.Game-Based Learning for Multilingual Students - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12Dive into this dynamic collection of resources designed to revolutionize language acquisition and content mastery for multilingual learners with games! This collection includes educational...more
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Dive into this dynamic collection of resources designed to revolutionize language acquisition and content mastery for multilingual learners with games! This collection includes educational games, interactive simulations, and immersive digital experiences tailored to support multilingual students' academic journey. By leveraging the power of gamification, these resources create a learning environment where language barriers dissolve and understanding flourishes across multiple subjects. Games in this collection include some that are ready-to-go and others that you can design yourself. View all of our resources tagged for multilingual learners.
tag(s): game based learning (207), gamification (85), multilingual (78)
In the Classroom
Find new tools, strategies, and games for your multilingual students. Use these tools to differentiate and reach all students at the various levels. Challenge your students to create their games to review content or for acceleration options. Share this list on your class website for families to use at home. This list includes resources for elementary and secondary students.Game-Based Learning Resources - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12This collection of reviewed resources from TeachersFirst is selected to help teachers and students learn about game-based learning and how to incorporate games into teaching and learning....more
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This collection of reviewed resources from TeachersFirst is selected to help teachers and students learn about game-based learning and how to incorporate games into teaching and learning. Engage your students in the way they love to learn - games! Explore resources for quick practice or create your own games using these tools. Nurture problem solving, logic, and creativity.
tag(s): coding (86), differentiation (85), game based learning (207), gamification (85), logic (161)
In the Classroom
Share these tools on your class website or blog for students to use both in and out of the classroom. Use these tools to differentiate and reach all students at the various levels. Challenge your students to create their own games for review of content or acceleration options.Gamification Resources - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12This collection of reviewed resources from TeachersFirst is selected to help teachers and students learn about and use gamification in the classroom. Various subject areas are included...more
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This collection of reviewed resources from TeachersFirst is selected to help teachers and students learn about and use gamification in the classroom. Various subject areas are included in the collection. Explore online workshops to learn more about gamification. Find tools that you can use to gamify your classroom. Remember to start small with gamification and add more to your gamification "toolbox" as you are more comfortable.
tag(s): coding (86), game based learning (207), gamification (85), polls and surveys (49)