Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

Create learning games with the AI-based Learning Game Generator for any topic or grade level. Begin by adding vital information, including grade level, learning outcome or objective, and the game's length. The Game Generator provides a document with instructions for playing the game, any required materials, and setup instructions. Use the provided tools to request changes to create a game that works for your classroom. Copy or download the document using the Manage Content Dropbox options when satisfied.
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tag(s): artificial intelligence (177), assessment (147), Formative Assessment (74), game based learning (205), gamification (83), Teacher Utilities (198)

Planning lessons that provide engaging activities and meet curriculum standards can be challenging. The Plan My Lesson Tool uses AI to match both objectives in just a few seconds. After selecting start, complete the form by adding grade level or band, subject, and learning outcome and selecting to generate the result. After creating the document, use additional features to edit and adjust the activity to fit your needs. You can also choose sections of the document to request changes by chatting with Beans, this site's chatbot. Find options to download or export the finished document by visiting the Manage Content dropbox at the top of the page. You do need to create a free account to access this feature.

tag(s): artificial intelligence (177), professional development (385), Teacher Utilities (198)

Yourway offers a suite of AI-generated tools for educators. Choose from many generators to create lesson plans, assessments, and classroom activities. After selecting a generator, follow the prompt to access a form to add information such as grade level, topic or learning objective, and other directions. After the tool generates a response, you can request changes, edit the information manually, or save the document. Choose the Manage Document dropdown box to copy the document to your clipboard, save it as a PDF file, export it to Google Docs, or download your activity as a Microsoft .docx file. As you create activities, they are saved in the My Content area to revisit and reuse as needed.
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tag(s): artificial intelligence (177), assessment (147), cross cultural understanding (173), differentiation (84), rubrics (37), social and emotional learning (102), Teacher Utilities (198), vocabulary (238)

PBS Kids Design Squad features four activities: Design, Build, Watch, and Games. In the Design section, you can draw scenes of the outdoors, fashion, sports, food, animals, and more. In the Building section, you can create buildings, machines, toys, and vehicles. The Watch section features videos on learning with the Design Squad, do-it-yourself, and clips. The fidget games from the Games section include learning about electricity, farm life, natural disasters, and floods.

tag(s): crafts (64), design (79), engineering (129), game based learning (205), machines (17), musical instruments (52)

The Getty Museum's Arts and Science: A Curriculum for K-12 teachers focuses on the science of art production and conservation and the scientific skills of investigation and experimentation; it supports student proficiency in science and visual art. On the right side, "For the Classroom" links directly to lesson plans, image banks, timeline, glossary, print and web resources, and standard charts. The featured lesson topics are titled: Insect Anatomy and the Scientist as Illustrator, Capturing Light: The Science of Photography, and Fighting Corrosion to Save an Ancient Greek Bronze. Each lesson has a time allotted, overview, objectives, materials, steps, assessment, and extensions. Each lesson is divided into beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels. The lessons are aligned with the Common Core Standards for English Language Arts.

tag(s): insects (69), photography (130)

The Getty Center's Historical Witness, Social Messaging lessons explore how art can provoke dialogue regarding the costs and consequences of important events in U.S. and world history while simultaneously effecting social change and increasing awareness among individuals and governments. On the right side, "For the Classroom" links directly to lesson plans, image banks, related works of art, glossary, print and web resources, and standards charts. Click Lesson Plans from the menu on the right to find the eight lesson topics featured; they include: Breaking the Chains, Rising Out of Circumstances, Celebration and Satire, Depicting Women and Class in a Global Society, Flawed Democracies, Human Rights, Land Use and Lawmaking in California, The Many Different Sides of War, What Is Work and Who Are the Workers?, and Putting a Spin on Current Events. Each lesson has a time allotted, overview, objectives, materials, steps, assessment, and extensions. Each lesson is divided into beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels. The lessons are aligned to the California Visual Arts Standards, History-Social Science Content Standards for California Public Schools, and the Common Core Standards for English Language Arts.

tag(s): art history (103), images (263), photography (130)

The Getty Center's Who's Afraid of Contemporary Art? challenges students to discover how "traditional" works of art have inspired and informed contemporary artists. On the right side, "For the Classroom" links directly to lesson plans, image banks about contemporary art, and a glossary bank. The four lessons featured are titled A Bug's Journey, Chairs, Rooms, and Time Travel, Moving Pictures, Moving Stories, and Sculptural Space/s. Each lesson tells you the time allotted, an overview, the objectives, materials, steps, assessment, and extensions. The lessons are aligned with the California Visual Arts Standards and the Common Core Standards for English Language Arts.

tag(s): art history (103), artists (85)

Follow two curious mice, August and Pearl, as they explore the artwork in over one hundred museums worldwide. Their easy-to-understand observations and conversations provide a unique and playful perspective. After launching the activity, choose to explore by art or museum view. Replay conversations and toggle on subtitles if desired. After listening to the conversation, return to choose a new selection or choose the link to explore other art available in the museum.

tag(s): artificial intelligence (177), artists (85), museums (52)

Mayan Masks gives a brief overview of the importance and value of masks in the Mayan civilization. It also briefly describes the different types of masks that the Mayans created. Finally, it challenges you to design your mask.

tag(s): crafts (64), mayans (23), mexico (37), south america (47)

Maya Archaeologist is a free website that shares information on the making of jewelry and music in the Mayan civilization. The site includes videos on jade and musical instruments. Additionally, it gives step-by-step directions on how to make the Mayan death mask, headdress, and whistle.

tag(s): art history (103), mayans (23), south america (47)

The Getty Center's Artful Women shares lessons of women artists who overcame a male-dominated discipline. On the right side, "For the Classroom" links directly to lesson plans on the themes of adornment, women as artists, and women's roles in the family. Each lesson has a time estimate, overview, objectives, materials, steps, assessment, and extensions. The lessons are aligned with the California State Content Standards for visual arts, English, History, and Common Core Standards.

tag(s): women (151), womenchangemaker (37)

Explore this valuable tool for educators; it offers curated collections of primary sources, historical documents, and research materials across a wide range of subjects. These guides help teachers incorporate authentic historical artifacts, government records, and literary works into their lessons, enhancing students' critical thinking and research skills. With ready-to-use teaching resources, topic guides, and bibliographies, this site supports interdisciplinary learning and provides rich content for inquiry-based projects in history, literature, civics, and more.

tag(s): african american (115), architecture (75), black history (133), branches of government (65), civil rights (209), civil war (139), conservation (102), energy (133), engineering (129), environment (252), foreign policy (13), hispanic (36), industrialization (12), jews (33), latin (23), literature (222), middle east (50), native americans (109), nutrition (140), photography (130), politics (118), population (51), religions (95), Research (87), sports (82), statistics (121), Teacher Utilities (198), women (151), womenchangemaker (37), womens suffrage (52)

NPR (National Public Radio) is a valuable resource for educators, offering high-quality news, podcasts, and articles on current events, culture, science, and history. The site features engaging audio stories, in-depth journalism, and educational content that can enhance classroom discussions and critical thinking skills. Teachers can use NPR's stories to connect lessons to real-world events, introduce students to diverse perspectives, and encourage media literacy. Additionally, NPR's student-friendly resources, such as NPR Ed and Student Podcast Challenge, provide interactive and project-based learning opportunities.

tag(s): civil rights (209), cultures (180), journalism (74), news (229), podcasts (108), scientists (67), space (222)

The Getty website "Gods, Heroes, and Monsters: Mythology in European Art" is designed to help explore the intersection of mythology and art with their students. This resource includes detailed lesson plans that guide students in analyzing artworks inspired by Greek, Roman, and other cultural myths. Lessons cover topics such as identifying mythological characters, interpreting stories depicted in art, and understanding the cultural significance of myths. The curriculum features engaging activities like comparing myths across cultures, creating visual representations of mythological tales, and exploring the symbolism in famous artworks. With printable resources, discussion prompts, and project ideas, this curriculum supports teachers in fostering a deeper appreciation of mythology and its influence on art.

tag(s): europe (84), greek (47), myths and legends (37), romans (52)

This Getty website offers a curriculum, Expressing Emotions Through Art, designed to help primary teachers integrate art into their classrooms. This resource provides engaging lesson plans that teach students to identify, understand, and express emotions using visual art as a medium. Activities include analyzing famous artworks, creating their own art pieces, and discussing how emotions are conveyed through colors, shapes, and composition. The curriculum consists of printable materials, interactive exercises, and clear learning objectives, making it an excellent tool for fostering emotional literacy and creativity in young learners.

tag(s): art history (103), emotions (49), social and emotional learning (102)

The Getty Education website offers extensive curricula and classroom resources designed to integrate art into various subjects. Teachers can explore ready-to-use lesson plans, activities, and multimedia content tailored for diverse grade levels and subjects, such as history, language arts, and visual arts. The resources emphasize critical thinking, creativity, and cultural understanding, featuring topics like ancient civilizations, photography, and visual storytelling. These materials align with academic standards and include educator guides, worksheets, and interactive experiences, making them an invaluable tool for enriching classroom instruction through the power of art. The videos are hosted on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, then they may not be viewable.

tag(s): critical thinking (127), interactive stories (22), multimedia (53), photography (130), stories and storytelling (58)

The Getty Education website's "Explore Art & Science with Getty Education" resource explores the fascinating intersection of art and science, offering educators a wealth of tools to bring this interdisciplinary approach into their classrooms. This section features lesson plans, videos, and interactive activities that highlight how artists incorporate scientific ideas and technologies into their work, from studying light and color to using advanced materials and processes. The resources are designed for elementary educators and support STEAM education by encouraging students to think critically and creatively about how art and science shape the world around them.

tag(s): colors (64), light (56), STEM (297)

Google Arts and Culture combines the magic of AI with Google Maps to create an audio tour of cultural landmarks worldwide. After launching the experiment, you can click any pin on the map to begin the tour or select from options that include landmarks, nature, archaeology, and cultural institutions. After choosing a pin, the map opens in street view, and the AI-generated audio commentary begins. Use the arrow to move the panoramic image around, take a snapshot, generate a new commentary, or choose the blue button to record a question and receive an audio response.

tag(s): archeology (28), artificial intelligence (177), deserts (16), forests (30), landmarks (22), maps (220), museums (52), virtual field trips (128)

"Creatability by Google Experiments" is a collection of accessible web-based tools designed to explore creative ways of making art, music, and storytelling through technology. These experiments use artificial intelligence and innovative interfaces to make creative expression more inclusive, particularly for individuals with disabilities. Tools include music-making with gestures, visual art generation through voice input, and interactive storytelling. Teachers can use these tools to inspire students in STEAM activities, foster creativity, and highlight the role of technology in breaking barriers. The website offers an engaging platform for students to experiment with new artistic and technological expression forms.

tag(s): Accessibility (11), artificial intelligence (177), creativity (86), disabilities (32), STEM (297)

Internet Archive is a massive digital library offering free access to millions of books, movies, music, websites, and more. Use this resource to find historical documents, classic literature, educational videos, and archived websites to support lessons in almost any subject. The "Wayback Machine" is especially useful for exploring the history of websites, while the extensive eBook and audio collections can enhance reading assignments. Internet Archive is a great tool for expanding classroom materials and encouraging independent research or exploration.

tag(s): audio books (26), digital storytelling (154), ebooks (43), literature (222), media literacy (109), movies (54)