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Alphabet Organizer - Read Write Think (Iron Monkey Interactive)
Grades
K to 12
2 Favorites
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This Alphabet Organizer makes learning words and terminology exciting-- and organized. All levels may use this -- from primary students learning the alphabet to secondary students...more
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This Alphabet Organizer makes learning words and terminology exciting-- and organized. All levels may use this -- from primary students learning the alphabet to secondary students learning advanced vocabulary. On the interactive keypad, type in the beginning letter of a word. Key in the rest of the word in the blanks provided. You also have the option of typing in the word's meaning. Once your list is entered, you may choose a booklet or chart format for presenting your information. Studying content-area words or vocabulary meanings has never been so easy.
tag(s): alphabet (46), vocabulary (255)
In the Classroom
Think outside the 'box' when considering this application. Teachers may opt to teach the elements of the story through entering character traits, setting, plot events, etc., then printing a chart to teach those concepts. Special Ed or ESL/ELL teachers will love using this organizer to help students organize new words they must learn. If students use a three-ring notebook, new words can be added over time. Mark this tool as a favorite on your classroom computer so students can access it as needed.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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American Centuries - Memorial Hall Museum Online
Grades
4 to 12
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There is so much to explore on this site; you will need to set some limits! Digital collections range from clothing to chronology, turn-of-the-century exhibits, in-the-classroom activities,...more
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There is so much to explore on this site; you will need to set some limits! Digital collections range from clothing to chronology, turn-of-the-century exhibits, in-the-classroom activities, curricula, New England architecture and tools, and manuscripts from people who lived at the time --this site is truly a museum on the web, made student-friendly. The activities section offers many ways to involve students with real objects from history. Students can actually hear some of the artists and writers read their own words--which is remarkable. If you teach American literature or history or are interested in artifacts from the past, this is a great site. If you choose, you or your students can create a login and save to "my collection."
tag(s): colonial america (86), england (49), slavery (81)
In the Classroom
Browse the collection for images and descriptions of specific artifacts. Explore themes like Shay's Rebellion, the lives of African-Americans in early rural New England, or the Civil War era in New England. Interactive activities let you look at Early American tools, examine artifacts using a 360-degree view, or see what clothing people wore (down to the underwear!) at the time. If you plan to share objects as part of a lesson, "collect" them in a personal collection so you can pull them up easily. Challenge secondary students to use the activity labeled "Create a chronology" to group artifacts from the collections to illustrate a concept, such as slavery, clothing, or background of an author, artist, or historical event. With younger students, use one or more activities on an interactive whiteboard or projector, or design a simple scavenger hunt within YOUR collection of objects to help students learn about colonial life and times. If you turn them loose on the entire site, you will never get them back.
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World News - WN Network
Grades
4 to 12
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This is a wonderful compilation site of news from all over the world. Users can read the home page or search news of a specific geographic region. An ...more
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This is a wonderful compilation site of news from all over the world. Users can read the home page or search news of a specific geographic region. An excellent plus here is the ability to choose to read the news in a variety of languages. World Photos today, multimedia, global weather, and sports are just a few of the many attractive sections that add to this site's appeal.
tag(s): news (223)
In the Classroom
Share this site with your school's foreign language teachers. Have students do comparisons between English and foreign language versions of the news. If you teach writing, you can find controversial topics as writing prompts for persuasive writing among the articles, as well, and have students find facts to support their positions. Make this site available from your teacher web page for current events assignments. Reading teachers will want to use the articles on an interactive whiteboard to teach main idea and summarizing: highlight key words to use in a main idea or summary sentence you write together below the article.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Hyper History Online - The World History Project
Grades
6 to 12
3 Favorites
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This comprehensive history/culture resource is the mother of all timelines with over 3000 years of history available in "synchronoptic" form, that is, in parallel timelines. Users...more
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This comprehensive history/culture resource is the mother of all timelines with over 3000 years of history available in "synchronoptic" form, that is, in parallel timelines. Users can view by searching year, event, people, stories, subjects, events, political movements, and maps. Constant updates to the events section and additional "people" lines ensure the timeliness of this amazing site. (The site does NOT include people who are still alive). The span of the timelines and people, events, and cultures is extensive. Timeline elements are clickable for more information. We recommend the site for grades 6 and up purely because of the level of exposure necessary to appreciate all the information and because of the reading level.
tag(s): biographies (97), politics (121)
In the Classroom
Use this site for context regarding what was going on all over the world at any given time, especially as you launch class discussion of a new topic or time period. Help students see relationships between what they know and what else was occurring at the same time. Use it to pose questions about how events and people may be related, as well. This site will work very well on a projector or interactive whiteboard.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Essay Exchange Unit - George Cassutto
Grades
9 to 12
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This unit plan gives students the opportunity to get feedback on their writing from a totally impartial source. Students research and write position papers on a variety of topics, working...more
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This unit plan gives students the opportunity to get feedback on their writing from a totally impartial source. Students research and write position papers on a variety of topics, working step by step from to thesis statement to writing. The students then email their papers via e-mail to other schools and students for feedback. The students' final papers are posted to the school's web site for global access.
While this site does give a template of lessons for students to follow as a guide, teachers have a wide range of flexibility with it. Topics can be about anything of your choosing; the length of time given to the lesson and the type and amount of feedback is controlled. While this project started within the subject of Social Studies, this unit can be used in conjunction with any subject.
While this site does give a template of lessons for students to follow as a guide, teachers have a wide range of flexibility with it. Topics can be about anything of your choosing; the length of time given to the lesson and the type and amount of feedback is controlled. While this project started within the subject of Social Studies, this unit can be used in conjunction with any subject.
tag(s): writing (309)
In the Classroom
Teachers can adapt the assignment to use other genres of expression to evaluate student performance. All subject area teachers can integrate the procedures listed to develop on-line projects for their students. The ideal places to post papers for feedback and final publication would be on a blog (for comments) or wiki (for collaborative editing and additions).Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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U.S. Presidential Speeches Tag Cloud - Chirag Mehta
Grades
9 to 12
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SHOW your students the changes in U.S. presidential politics and policy over time using this "tag cloud" of word frequencies from presidential speeches (and a few before we even HAD...more
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SHOW your students the changes in U.S. presidential politics and policy over time using this "tag cloud" of word frequencies from presidential speeches (and a few before we even HAD a president) 1776-2007. If you have never seen a tag cloud, it is simply a way of using the relative size of words to show the frequency with which that word appears. Slide the slider across the timeline at the top of the tag cloud to see words appear, shrink, disappear, etc from the language of U.S. leaders over time. Note the introduction of new terms (terrorism) and when they appear. What a marvelous way to build perspective on history and awareness of the importance of rhetoric in the role of a leader.
tag(s): debate (39), elections (87), politics (121), speech (66), speeches (22)
In the Classroom
Share the tag cloud on a projector-- or ideally interactive whiteboard-- as you ask students to hypothesize about the words that appear at key times: the start of a war, after Sept 11, etc. Then include the link on your teacher web page so you can assign them (in or out of class) to write an essay or prepare a visual presentation explaining why certain terms were vital in the political and policy landscape of the times. Using primary sources from the Library of Congress American Memory Collection, students can create multimedia (PowerPoint or video) shows "portraying" a year, decade, or era and the importance of its tagged words (Word art would make a great way to show the words on screen).With the 2008 presidential election quickly approaching, have students analyze presidential speeches and create their own Speech Tag Clouds about the message. Or have students create a "mock" candidate and then design a "tag cloud" about the candidate.
Note that this tag cloud site DOES identify its sources-- something you want to be sure to highlight to your students. Then ask if students think the choice of sources is the best possible--should it include others?
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Free Papercrafts - PaperToys.com
Grades
3 to 10
1 Favorites
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This crafty website provides students (and teachers) with directions to create paper toys. The patterns are printables on the web page. The website provides instructions for approximately...more
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This crafty website provides students (and teachers) with directions to create paper toys. The patterns are printables on the web page. The website provides instructions for approximately 100 unique models. The types of models vary from monuments (such as the Chrysler Building or the Eiffel Tower) to holiday creations. There are printable instructions provided for each model. This website is a refreshing activity for art classes, social studies classes or any class seeking a creative method to use to re-create famous monuments and other objects or buildings.
tag(s): architecture (82), paper folding (3)
In the Classroom
The paper folding activities would work well with cooperative learning groups. For example, during a unit on architecture or structures, have each group recreate a different monument or architectural design. Then teach about the various concepts of architecture by using the groups' models. Ask gifted/talented students to analyze how the paper fold-ups work then design a model of your school. Some of the options are purely entertainment oriented. You may want to print the paper patterns yourself instead of sending students to the site.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Radio Days: A Webquest - Tori Kenel
Grades
6 to 10
4 Favorites
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This is a simple webquest to introduce students to many of the techniques used in radio that are still used in film production today. It also familiarizes students with the ...more
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This is a simple webquest to introduce students to many of the techniques used in radio that are still used in film production today. It also familiarizes students with the era of radio -- an important experience for those trying to understand history of the first half of the twentieth century. The webquest is almost deceptively simple. The age of your students and the sophistication with which they approach the task can determine the level you want to teach. It includes the elements of typical webquests from introduction through evaluation in an easy, step-by-step manner.
tag(s): 1930s (40), 1940s (70), decades (6), radio (16), writing (309)
In the Classroom
Although this was written for 6-8th graders, it is a lesson easily adaptable to older students. The list of resources is very good, and the kinds of embellishments you can make on the tasks are limitless. It is a great project for students to work on in small groups, allowing students of all abilities an opportunity for success.If you ever considered podcasting, this webquest is the perfect lead-in. Your social studies(or language arts) students will love actually producing their scripts for "broadcast" on the web. Bring the 1930s to life in your classroom!
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Mayflower History - Caleb Johnson
Grades
2 to 12
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The Mayflower comes alive as you explore the passenger list with accompanying personal history and genealogy. Click on the Pilgrim History link for a history of Thanksgiving and other...more
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The Mayflower comes alive as you explore the passenger list with accompanying personal history and genealogy. Click on the Pilgrim History link for a history of Thanksgiving and other Mayflower-era topics, including authentic recipes.
tag(s): genealogy (8), pilgrims (13), primary sources (148), thanksgiving (25)
In the Classroom
Only a visit to a far away museum could get any better than having the full-text primary sources which are available with a click on the left menu. Enhance student learning and bring the Mayflower experience to life with Fakebook, reviewed here. Have students set up fictitious Fakebook page and become one of the voyagers. Perhaps students could adopt a Mayflower 'ancestor' and write how they are alike or unlike by setting up two Fakebook pages. Around Thanksgiving, teachers may want to try some of the original recipes for an authentic Mayflower 'flavor' to their lesson plans.
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Panoramas.dk
Grades
K to 12
6 Favorites
2 Comments
Have a high speed Internet connection? (Most schools do) Then you MUST visit these 3D virtual tours of beautiful sites all over the world with your students. Read the Welcome ...more
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Have a high speed Internet connection? (Most schools do) Then you MUST visit these 3D virtual tours of beautiful sites all over the world with your students. Read the Welcome message on the home page for directions and details, then explore the current features and several years of archives for 3D virtual tours from major world capitals to true "experiences" such as Times Square and white water rafting. Even the tour of a Banyan tree will amaze you. Bring the world into your classroom for geography, landforms, world cultures, foreign language study, or literary settings. Be in the midst of festivals or atop the Sydney Bridge.
tag(s): images (273), landforms (37), virtual field trips (149)
In the Classroom
Use a projector--or better yet, an interactive whiteboard--to take students atop the Eiffel Tower, to the high Sierras, or aboard a Mars explorer. Allow student to navigate on the whiteboard. Nte that Shift and Ctrl keys alow you to zoom, as well. Be sure to click at the top of the 3D view to Read More about the image. These tours will make landforms real, culture come alive, and science a visual art form. As you introduce terms and place, use images! You could even use a tour as a writing prompt for poetry or descriptive writing. Include the link on your teacher web page for students to "tour the world" outside of class or feature one location a week to broaden class horizons on a classroom desktop.Comments
What a GREAT idea! Thank you. I found one with mountain biking and vistas. I'll put it up early in the period and come back to it in the end and have them write their exit cards about it. Then I will revisit it in a week or two when we start talking about metaphorical language.Shirley, CA, Grades: 6 - 12
I plan to use this as a way to start the school year with my sixth grade G/T kids. I will display a panorama on an interactive whiteboard-- one of mountains with peaks and valleys. I will ask, "Why would I show you this and say that this is our classroom this year?" The students will write down an idea on a slip of paper, guessing why I might use this as an introduction to my class. They will most likely introduce all of the classroom conduct and learning environment issues that I want to touch upon that first day: peaks and valleys during the year, some rugged terrain, studying mountains and geography, some amazing views (everyone's opinions), and more. It will also get them thinking in analogies and allow me to see how quickly some of them do this and how literal others are.Thinking, PA, Grades: 5 - 10
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Acceptance Speech by Doris Voitier - Doris Voitier/ John F. Kennedy Memorial Library Foundation
Grades
K to 12
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Doris Voitier, Superintendent of the St. Bernard Parish Schools in New Orleans area gave this speech in acceptance of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation's Profiles in Courage Award...more
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Doris Voitier, Superintendent of the St. Bernard Parish Schools in New Orleans area gave this speech in acceptance of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation's Profiles in Courage Award in 2007. Her account of the challenges during and after Hurricane Katrina and the response by the staff of the St. Bernard Parish schools is awe-inspiring and heartening to educators. Her oral history also provides a powerful view of FEMA and the U.S. government from the eyes of hurricane survivors and local public officials.
TeachersFirst is fortunate to have Doris Voitier as a member of the board of directors of our parent company and is proud to congratulate her on this prestigious award.
TeachersFirst is fortunate to have Doris Voitier as a member of the board of directors of our parent company and is proud to congratulate her on this prestigious award.
tag(s): hurricanes (36)
In the Classroom
Educators anywhere will respond to this account on a very personal level. In the classroom, however, this account can also spark discussion about the role of the government in natural disasters, the structure and functions of local government agencies, such as the schools, and the very nature of local economies. Share this real-life story as the beginning of a class discussion on history, government, or economics at the local, state, and federal level.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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National Women's Hall of Fame - National Women's Hall of Fame
Grades
6 to 12
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The National Women's Hall of Fame celebrates the contributions of women to society and each year nominates outstanding women for inclusion. This site contains brief biographies of each...more
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The National Women's Hall of Fame celebrates the contributions of women to society and each year nominates outstanding women for inclusion. This site contains brief biographies of each of these women. Be sure to see the video interviews with many modern day women "heroes" such as former first lady Rosalynn Carter, pilot Emily Warner, astronomer Dr. Judith Pipher, and several others.
tag(s): famous people (40), women (191), womenchangemaker (81)
In the Classroom
This site would be useful as a resource for teachers who assign "heroes" biographies, particularly during Women's History month. As a class activity, or in small groups, brainstorm a list of modern women, not included on this site, for a future nomination. Challenge students to research one of these modern women and write up nominations. Create the new biographies, using the same format as this site, by using a tool like Sway, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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American Bald Eagle Information - Hope Rutledge
Grades
3 to 12
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This website is filled with wonderful information about our national bird, the American Bald Eagle. It is a detailed site, with topics ranging from nesting and migration to eyesight...more
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This website is filled with wonderful information about our national bird, the American Bald Eagle. It is a detailed site, with topics ranging from nesting and migration to eyesight and hearing. The site is easy to read and simple to navigate. Be sure to click on the Myths and Legends to see how the Bald Eagle has been viewed throughout history. Students with reading disabilities or low reading levels may need to some assistance with Native American verbiage.
tag(s): endangered species (28), species (15)
In the Classroom
Use this site as the starting point for individual and group projects. Save it on your desktop as a center or enrichment activity, especially during a unit on American symbols. Note that the images are strictly copyrighted (see the notice at the bottom).Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Renaissance: The Elizabethan World - Maggi Ros
Grades
4 to 12
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This site has links to everything you ever wanted to know about the Elizabeth world from a Compendium of Life in Elizabethan England to Heraldry to the transcripts of the ...more
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This site has links to everything you ever wanted to know about the Elizabeth world from a Compendium of Life in Elizabethan England to Heraldry to the transcripts of the trials of the Earls of Essex and Southampton. It also includes a link to a list of more than a hundred recommended sites for the Renaissance and Elizabethan times.Teachers of everything from world history to Shakespeare will find something to mine at this site. The Compendium of Elizabethan Life is especially interesting to those students who want to know "how things worked" 500 years ago in the time of Will Shakespeare. While this is a great research sourcefor Shakespeare, it is also good for drama, literature, and history for all sorts of activities.
tag(s): elizabethan (12), renaissance (36)
In the Classroom
Share this resource on your teacher web page for students to choose different research topics related to Elizabethan or Renaissance times. As you teach Shakespeare, bring up a daily "factoid," text snippet, or image on a projector to take students back in time before you start class.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Franklin Institute - The Franklin Institute Science Museum
Grades
2 to 12
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This website includes information about Benjamin Franklin, classroom lesson ideas, field trip ideas for visiting the Franklin Institute, and information about the museum's many unique...more
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This website includes information about Benjamin Franklin, classroom lesson ideas, field trip ideas for visiting the Franklin Institute, and information about the museum's many unique and educational exhibits. Ben Franklin is one of America's most colorful patriots. His accomplishments as legislator, diplomat, and scientist were recognized as extraordinary even in his own day. Philadelphia's Franklin Institute has a memorial to Franklin. You can include it in your Philadelphia visit, or learn more about it here.
tag(s): colonial america (86), franklin (12), philadelphia (7)
In the Classroom
Share this and other sections of the TeachersFirst Colonial America tour as part of your study of the colonies so students can see what these historic locations look like today.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Carpenters' Hall - Independence Hall Association
Grades
5 to 12
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Step inside one of Philadelphia's important Revolutionary-era landmarks with this concise virtual-tour stop from USHistory.org. The Carpenter's Hall page explains the building's connection...more
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Step inside one of Philadelphia's important Revolutionary-era landmarks with this concise virtual-tour stop from USHistory.org. The Carpenter's Hall page explains the building's connection to the First Continental Congress, the Carpenters' Company, architect Robert Smith, and the First Bank of the United States. Students can also examine details of the building's Georgian architecture, learn about people including George Washington, John Adams, Samuel Adams, and Patrick Henry, and explore several quick historical facts. An image and location map add visual context. Teachers should note that the page's tourism information is dated because it still says the building would be closed until December 2022. The official Carpenters' Hall site currently identifies the building as open to the public, so use that site for current visitor information.
tag(s): american revolution (97), colonial america (86), philadelphia (7)
In the Classroom
Share this and other sections of the TeachersFirst Colonial America tour as part of your study of the colonies so students can see what these historic locations look like today.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Freedom Trail - Boston National Historical Park
Grades
2 to 12
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Walk through the story of the American Revolution with the official website for Boston's 2.5-mile Freedom Trail, which connects 16 nationally significant historic sites. Students and...more
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Walk through the story of the American Revolution with the official website for Boston's 2.5-mile Freedom Trail, which connects 16 nationally significant historic sites. Students and teachers can explore museums, churches, meeting houses, burying grounds, parks, historic markers, and the USS Constitution, while the site supplies maps, site descriptions, tour information, virtual experiences, field-trip options, and an extensive education section. Ready-to-use materials include free distance-learning resources, hands-on activities, online exhibits, games, lesson plans, and a downloadable elementary guide that uses primary sources and multiple perspectives to examine the Puritans, revolutionary propaganda, the Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party, and Paul Revere's ride. Some offerings, including guided tours, curriculum products, and school programs, require payment or reservations.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): american revolution (97), boston (10), colonial america (86), game based learning (323), virtual field trips (149)
In the Classroom
Invite students to build an interactive geographic story with StoryMap JS, reviewed here, connecting Freedom Trail locations with historical images, quotations, and short explanations. Have students follow the official trail map and create a chronological route with Google My Maps, reviewed here showing how selected sites connect to events leading to the American Revolution. Assign small groups Patriot, Loyalist, British soldier, merchant, woman, or enslaved-person perspectives from the teaching guide, then have each group prepare and perform a town-meeting role-play about taxation or independence.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Pyramids: The Inside Story - NOVA: PBS
Grades
5 to 12
1 Favorites
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Learn about each Egyptian pyramid by following explorers through the excavations, and learn about the exciting history of pyramid discovery and uncovering! View detailed inside views...more
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Learn about each Egyptian pyramid by following explorers through the excavations, and learn about the exciting history of pyramid discovery and uncovering! View detailed inside views of each site. Learn how to decipher hieroglyphics as you make your way through this fascinating site. Read about current digs and restoration efforts. Though the virtual exploration portions of the site require Quicktime (Flash), most of the site does not. There is plenty to learn here!
tag(s): archeology (26), egypt (60), pyramids (24)
In the Classroom
Use the lesson plan to build a scale model of a pyramid in your classroom or assign your students to explore the pyramids and collect information to compare them to burial customs of other ancient civilizations. You will definitely want to make this site available as a link from your teacher web page for further exploration. Teachers of gifted could use this as a springboard for an entire Egypt unit.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Fort Matanzas
Grades
K to 12
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Explore Spanish colonial history and Florida's coastal ecosystems through the National Park Service's Fort Matanzas National Monument website. The site focuses on the fortified coquina...more
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Explore Spanish colonial history and Florida's coastal ecosystems through the National Park Service's Fort Matanzas National Monument website. The site focuses on the fortified coquina watchtower completed in 1742 to protect the southern approach to Spanish St. Augustine, and introduces nearly 300 acres of dunes, salt marsh, maritime forest, beaches, plants, and wildlife. Teachers will find ready-to-go educational materials especially useful, including lesson plans, virtual experiences, field-trip resources, Junior Ranger activities, short videos, and distance-learning opportunities. Lessons connect history, primary-source analysis, science, climate change, and environmental studies, with materials available for learners from prekindergarten through high school. Some additional park videos link to YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, you may not be able to view the videos.
tag(s): climate change (112), colonial america (86), ecosystems (112), preK (327), primary sources (148)
In the Classroom
Invite students to complete an exit-ticket argument answering whether Fort Matanzas should be preserved and what responsibilities citizens have toward historic and natural resources. Use the NPS discussion questions as a starting point, then have students cite one historical and one environmental piece of evidence from the site. Have students compare Fort Matanzas with another colonial fort by sorting similarities and differences in purpose, materials, geography, and defensive design, then record their conclusions with 2 and 3 Interactive Venn Diagrams by Class Tools, reviewed here. Students can finish by arguing which fort was best suited to its location.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Colonial Williamsburg: Virtual Tours of the Town - Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Grades
5 to 12
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Walk through the streets of Colonial Williamsburg and learn about the many inhabitants and buildings along the way. This amazing virtual tour through the streets makes it seem like...more
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Walk through the streets of Colonial Williamsburg and learn about the many inhabitants and buildings along the way. This amazing virtual tour through the streets makes it seem like you are there. This site is actually part of the Williamsburg Interactive page, but its value to historical understanding warranted its own TeachersFirst review. Click your cursor on buildings and you'll be taken to just that area. Then, you will be given information about that area and its inhabitants. Follow the links to additional web pages for more information.
tag(s): colonial america (86), virtual field trips (149), williamsburg (6)
In the Classroom
If you have a whiteboard or projector, you will have a captivated class. Individual or paired computer experience will allow your students to walk through the streets on their own. How about having a cyber-scavenger hunt? You will need to walk through the town yourself to find tidbits along the way, then later, ask the students to find them. They must give you the location where they were found.Younger students will need to be shown how to cyber-walk through the streets. You can ask them to report to you about the citizens they meet along the way. Ask students to draw their own colonial town based upon a layout like Williamsburg.
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