Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

Though Windows to the Universe is basically a science site, it has many links that will connect science with language arts, history, and math. Find an abundance of information and activities for your classroom. There are numerous science categories, and within each category you can choose "Beginner," "Intermediate," or "Advanced." You can also see the site in Spanish. This site has excellent visuals and numerous topics, and several educational interactives (under "Games"). Don't miss it! The audio has been updated to MP3, however, the Interactives and Videos require Flash or QuickTime, regardless, there is so much more to do and learn at this site that it is worth a visit.

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Looking for ways to link current science events and skills such as reading and writing across the curriculum in your science classroom? Visit this ideal internet location! Created by the people of the New York Times, this lesson plan idea page has all the tools to put together quick, technology, reading and science based lessons in a fraction of the time it would take to pool the resources on your own.

tag(s): cross cultural understanding (173), main idea (8), news (228)

What is Watch Know Learn? Short for "You Watch, You Know, You Learn" it provides explanations for students. Finding bits of information to help students can be frustrating as resources are disorganized on the web and may be hard to find." Watch Know Learn" is a free site that organizes small video clips to help with the understanding of a variety of topics in subject areas. Search by age (3-18+). You can click and drag the age filter to the youngest and oldest ages to include. Videos are also organized by sequence of topics taught. The site is an ongoing project with input from educators and organizations interested in education of children. Registration is not required to view the videos. Creating and saving videos to the site, as well as commenting, require registration. You can monitor site recent changes and additions using the "Change Log."

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Use this tool to "draw" on and label any map available through Google Maps, including maps of the night sky! No registration or email required! Create a colorful, personalized map with added scribbles and labels. Add your choice of place marker labels for geology locations, people, etc. There are even little icons available to use. Your drawing, or "Scribble Map" is then available to share by URL, email, or print. Slightly more savvy users can download, save as a KML file (readable in Google Maps or Google Earth), or embed the map in another site. The tools include sharing the map on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter), as well. Add images by pasting in their URLs. Drawing tools include lines, circles, place pointers, text labels, and color/size/transparency controls for all tools. Place pointers can be edited by selecting them (arrow tool), then clicking the small pencil. This site does include Ads and all the normal controls of Google maps, including satellite, map, terrain, hybrid views and Night Sky. See a sample Scribble Map created by the TeachersFirst editors (drag the map with your mouse!). Explore the tools and MENU options at the top left when you start out. Try the different Maps views (lower right) and zoom controls. Search for a starter location using the search at the top left, just below the tools. There is no help available, but it is easy to do basic maps. Share, save, etc. by clicking Menu (top left). When you first save a map, it will ask you to create a password for that map to use to edit it later. Note that if you SAVE a map and share it by URL, those accessing it will be able to use the tools and change the map. If you want them to see it without changing it, you will need to embed it in a blog, wiki, or other web site. The map ID can be changed and customized by simply typing in your own choice of ID when you are saving the map.
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tag(s): directions (11), geology (62), landforms (39), landmarks (22), map skills (63), maps (220), space (222)

Looking for simple ways to showcase simple math and science concepts? No money for classroom materials? Look no further. Use these simple instructions for making educational toys using everyday materials. Each toy easily demonstrates concepts that are basic for understanding processes of science. View an unbelievable amount of toys under the following categories: "Amazing Astronomy," "Pumps from the Dump," "Math Magic," "Paper Fun," Tipping Toppling Toys," Motor and Generator," "Electricity and Magnetism," "Newton Unplugged," "Fun with Pressure," "Fun with Light," "Toys from Trash," "Simple Sounds," "Strong Structures," "Flying Toys," "Force Fun," "Spinning Toys," and others. View annotated photos of the construction process or download detailed instructions. This site requires adobe Acrobat. Get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

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Download free shareware games to encourage thinking and practice identifying geometric shapes. Many of the downloads are games, while others provide opportunities to view computer art and find the hidden geometry or for students to create their own! There are also activities connecting math to physics and astronomy.

Be sure to check with your technology department about the ability to download these applications to school computers. Many districts have restrictions on the ability to download. Click on each game icon to read a description of the games included and some uses. Games are Mac and Windows compatible. Read their FAQ link with each set of games for the most asked questions about the shareware. Once downloaded, to "stop" a program, click Esc. If you are not allowed to install software on your own, share these powerful games with your math or art supervisors so they can advocate for you with the tech folks.

tag(s): geometric shapes (134), symmetry (26), tessellations (3)

Come to this site to learn more about space! This site features several interactive puzzles, a word bank of about 30 vocabulary words, an "alphalary" of solar system terms, and more. Many of the activities are able to be printed FREE of charge.

tag(s): solar system (110), space (222), vocabulary (238)

Use this free application to create accurate 3D models of the solar system. Show the planets and orbits as well as the sun and the moon. View detailed information of the physical and chemical make-up of the planets, the energy of the sun, and details of solar eclipse. View all images in great color. Change orbit views or tilt and rotate orbits to other angles. Speed up or slow down the movement of the solar system. Application download is for Windows PC only and appears NOT to work with Vista.

tag(s): planets (113), solar system (110)

View outstanding and remarkable pictures taken from the Hubble Space Telescope. Click on "Information Center" for information about the gallery, the project, frequently asked questions, and other astronomy resources. View the "Image Gallery" by category (Galaxies, Nebulae, Star Fields and Globular clusters, or Solar System Objects,) an index view, or a gallery view. The "Pan and Zoom Gallery" uses Flash to provide controls to navigate the image as well as zoom in and out. View pictures in the "Black and White Gallery" as well as beautiful "Hubble Art." Click on any image in the "Black and white Gallery" to view the image, learn about the image, and choose picture formats. This site requires Flash. Get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

tag(s): solar system (110), space (222)

Use this comprehensive site to learn about the planets of the solar system as well as other objects. Use the "Stargazing" tab to view "Constellation Guide," "Moon Phases," "Eclipeses," and more. Under the "Classroom" tab find resources such as "Lesson Plans," and "Classroom Activities," There are lessons from K-12. In the "Astro Guide" section, you will find a wealth of information and pictures about the Sun, inner planets, outer planets, and minor bodies. View past and future planned space missions. Links to keywords allow for a greater understanding of the material. Activities in the "Resources" section are listed along the side with appropriate ages. Ask Merlin provides questions and their answers. A tab to the "Gift Shop" is available, so students should be cautioned. Some of the classroom activities require Adobe Reader.

tag(s): moon (73), planets (113), solar system (110), space (222)

The Mars Rover is providing information continually. Use this site to keep track of recent findings, developments, and understandings from the Mars Rover. This site appears as a series of news articles listed in reverse chronological order along with their abstracts. Click on each newsworthy item to learn more information. Additional links are provided in each article. A Spaceref directory can be found that links to additional Mars related topics on the Spacref.com website. There are some advertisements at this website.

tag(s): mars (26), planets (113), solar system (110)

Here's a planet-by-planet introduction to the solar system which features stunning photographs and supporting content. If you are thinking that there are eight planets and not nine, you are right, and the website points out that fact. This continually-updated site has much of the latest research on all planets, moons, and other bodies in our solar system. This site goes beyond the pictures that are courtesy of NASA as well as the information learned from countless missions. The site also provides insight into how to view planets with binoculars and other materials as well as information on mythology and history. View the movies provided and listen to the recorded sounds. Gain a renewed appreciation of the solar system using this informative site. This site does include some advertising. But it is not distracting from the great content.
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tag(s): moon (73), planets (113), solar system (110)

This site provides answers to many questions about the solar system, including information about planets, constellations, deep space, space exploration, and the universe. Click on any category to begin an in-depth explanation that goes several levels deeper. The site also includes an astronomy dictionary and links to news about space related topics.

tag(s): earth (184), planets (113), solar system (110), space (222)

Use this site to understand the ozone and how it affects our air quality and life here on Earth. Satellite imagery of ozone holes includes an updated daily picture and comparison over the last decades. NASA facts listed on the side include an opportunity to learn more about the information presented, watch satellite images from the last 7 days, view animations, compare year-to-date, and look at the annual records since 1979 using "Ozone Hole Watch." Information about the ozone and how it is measured is explained in detail here. "Explore the ozone with NASA" by viewing a short video that outlines the ozone and discusses new research and climate change. Use the "Resources for News Media" to view the Multimedia gallery for pictures of the largest ozone hole on record, the Arctic vortex, and Earth's Atmospheric Layers. Information about ozone depleting chemicals and ozone chemistry is also found here. View video of the ozone missions from NASA. "Ozone Hole 101" provides basic content about the ozone that is easy to understand for students. Read interesting information such as "Ozone levels drop when hurricanes are strengthening" and "Ozone hole is a double record breaker."

tag(s): earth (184), earth day (60), environment (252), ozone (7)

This wonderfully informative website provides numerous "case files" about many famous people from the world of science and technology. There are five major areas including computing, transportation, cosmic inquiry, energy, and communications. Click the names of the famous people to learn more about their specific inventions and/or contributions to science and technology. The downloadable PDF also includes images of artifacts from each scientist's life: diaries, writings, and more. Numerous famous scientists and inventors are included (Alexander Graham Bell, William Jennings, Marie Curie, Albert Einstein, Henry Ford, Catherine Gibbon, and many others).

tag(s): aviation (40), energy (133), inventors and inventions (80), scientists (67), transportation (30)

This website shows how the solar system rotates as time passes. Click "Visible" Solar System to start the simulation. Use the date and time controls to manipulate "time." You can also see the skies from the ground, view the sun in relation to the earth and other planets, and more. Students will marvel at the comet simulation and the comet and eclipse predictors. The website also features information on each separate planet and alternate historical views of the solar system, including the Copernican and the Jovian. The site requires JAVA. Get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page..

tag(s): earth (184), moon (73), planets (113), sun (71)

Students will love to see this! Start outside the Milky Way galaxy and zoom in through powers of ten until you see the smallest part of a proton in an atom on a leaf. The site further explains exponential notation (for older students). Although the content appears at first to be geared to older students, the Student Activities (lesson plans) are for elementary and middle school. Other pages on the site include "Optics Timeline," "Student Activities," "Teacher Resources," and "Tutorials." Tutorials require Java. Use the activities to explore photography, lenses and prisms, colors, shadows, crystals, and other topics. Activities explain how things work such as cameras, eyeglasses, and telescopes. The Teacher resources follow the student activities by providing an online activity guidebook.

tag(s): photography (130), space (222)

Leonardo da Vinci is one of history's greatest geniuses. This site looks at Leonardo's work in ways that highlight how comprehensive and interdisciplinary his impact has been. Of course, you can examine his individual works of art, but this site is organized along threads, which you can access through a traditional menu or through an interactive web. Follow Leonardo's influence in math, through his inventions, in his understanding of the human body or his examination of the natural world. There is an abundance of information to learn on this site, however, there are also some just-plain-fun flash-enabled games to play like making the Mona Lisa smile broadly by correctly answering questions about her, practice mirror writing, or see if you can power his glider across a ravine.

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Discover hundreds of resources for educators of students of all ages to support STEM curriculum at this site provided by NASA. Interactive games, activities, lessons, videos, facts, projects...the NASA list of resources is vast. Use the keyword search to find content by specific topic or select from the grade level bands to view resources. The content also includes the latest space station updates and opportunities for educators. Be sure to follow the link to NASA Wavelength to find the large database of lessons searchable by topic, grade level, instructional strategy, and type of resource. TeachersFirst lists many individual activities and lessons, but this well-designed teacher portal will give you access to even more. Explore this site for a wealth of information about NASA, space, math, and science in general. From history to the present, your students will grow in NASA knowledge as they interact with the site. All ages, from preschool to college, can find appropriate information at this site.

tag(s): moon (73), nasa (30), planets (113), robotics (24), space (222), STEM (297), sun (71)

Celebrate NASA's 50th anniversary with 50 historic images. Browse through the presentation to find spectacular pictures of planets, astronauts on the moon, and much more. Download images in full size, original quality, or other options. Each image includes a short description of the content. Select the link to the original 50th-anniversary site for additional but limited content, including a postcard gallery and the original 2008 Folklife Festival webpage.

tag(s): gravity (43), moon (73), nasa (30), solar system (110), space (222), STEM (297)