Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

PBS Learning Media's Agriculture collection features various resources, including videos, audio, documents, lesson plans, and collections for grades kindergarten through 12. There are over nine hundred resources available to search. Videos are available on going green, genetically modified food, the food chain, regenerative agriculture, and many more. Lesson plans include organic v, non-organic farming, the food chain, global oneness project, and more. Lesson plans contain a summary, time allotted, learning objectives, preparation, procedure, and standards. Filters are available to sort by grade level, subject, resource type, length of video/audio, language, accessibility, and additional features. You can share everything in the collection via Google Classroom, a link to students, and social sharing. Members can build on the lessons once they log into the site.

tag(s): agriculture (52), careers (183), ecology (105), food chains (19)

The Google Machine Learning Crash Course is a free, comprehensive resource designed to introduce educators and learners to machine learning (ML) fundamentals. It offers engaging video lessons, practical exercises, and real-world case studies to help users understand core ML concepts, such as supervised learning, neural networks, and fairness in AI. With interactive coding examples in TensorFlow, the course provides hands-on experience, making complex topics more accessible. It is Ideal for teachers looking to integrate emerging technologies into their curriculum or to enhance their own understanding, this resource requires no prior ML experience and is an excellent starting point for exploring artificial intelligence in the classroom. If your district blocks YouTube, then the videos may not be viewable.

tag(s): artificial intelligence (189), careers (183), machines (17)

The "Build Your Future with Google" scholarship website offers a range of scholarship opportunities to help students pursue careers in technology and STEM-related fields. Teachers can use this resource to inspire students by sharing real-world pathways to careers in tech. Educators can integrate the website into lessons about career exploration, encouraging students to research scholarships that align with their interests. It can also serve as a starting point for discussions about the skills needed in technology-driven careers and the importance of planning for higher education. Additionally, teachers can guide students in crafting strong scholarship applications, emphasizing writing skills and personal storytelling. The reference videos are hosted on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, then they may not be viewable.

tag(s): careers (183), engineering (137), interviews (17), scientists (71), STEM (312)

ChatPDF is a versatile tool that allows you to interact with PDF documents through AI-driven chat functionality. Teachers can upload any PDF file--such as textbooks, research articles, lesson plans, or study guides--and ask questions to get relevant information quickly. ChatPDF provides answers in a conversational format, making it easier to analyze, summarize, and understand complex materials. This platform is beneficial for preparing lesson content, creating quizzes, or encouraging students to explore academic texts independently.

tag(s): artificial intelligence (189), Teacher Utilities (201)

The Virtual Field Trip on Manufacturing the Future of Aviation is a free video series that shows three Boeing manufacturing facilities (Renton, WA, Portland, OR, and Salt Lake City, Utah) up close. The videos show how mechatronics, robotics, and ergonomics are shaping the future of aviation manufacturing. Additionally, various skilled STEM professionals share how they use cutting-edge tech to solve real-world challenges.

tag(s): aviation (41), flight (34), STEM (312), virtual field trips (132)

School Library NJ is a free resource that allows access to information resources that enhance the teaching and learning experience to enrich literacy experiences. The website has a wealth of resources, including elementary, middle, and high school parents, educators, administrators, and librarians. Each subcategory has links to websites, including e-books, read-alouds, annotating, college and career searches, internet safety, virtual field trips, and more.

tag(s): audio books (29), ebooks (47), parents (54), test prep (69)

KudosWall is an AI-powered resume and portfolio builder that helps students showcase their achievements, skills, and projects. They can easily create unique portfolios with photos, videos, and documents. Teachers can use this tool to help students organize their accomplishments, set goals, and prepare for the future. It's simple to use and works for students of all ages, making it a great resource for building resumes for college or job applications. Kudoswall offers a free version with limited features.

tag(s): artificial intelligence (189), assessment (146), careers (183), classroom management (118), portfolios (24)

Crash Course Business contains seventeen videos on soft skills. This series explains soft skills, including communication, teamwork, negotiations, conflict resolution, tough professional conversations, and how to take care of yourself. Topics of the videos include resume writing, interviewing, time management, negotiation tactics and preparedness, and fairness. Videos, on average, are just over eleven minutes. This site uses YouTube and has commercials before each video.
This site includes advertising.

tag(s): business (54), interviews (17), organizational skills (88)

Use the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve your current resume or build an impressive new resume that brings your strengths to the forefront while saving valuable time. Begin by signing up with your Google, Dropbox, or LinkedIn account, then select to enhance a current resume or create a new resume. resume.co guides users through each step to add personal information, professional summary, employment information, skills, and education. Choose from several templates to design a document in different styles, then view the steps to improve your resume. When complete, download the resume to your device. In addition to building resumes, resume.co shares more than one hundred examples of resumes for different jobs, including writing guides.

tag(s): artificial intelligence (189), careers (183), portfolios (24), writing (322)

Are you ready to inspire future entrepreneurs in your classroom? Crash Course Business: Entrepreneurship offers engaging, bite-sized video lessons that make it easy to introduce students to the world of business. This video series covers everything from the initial idea and marketing to finances and growth strategies; these episodes simplify key concepts, helping students grasp entrepreneurial skills in a fun, relatable way. Perfect for high school classrooms, this series equips students with the tools they need to think critically, innovate, and potentially launch their own ventures. Be aware this website uses YouTube, so if your school doesn't allow YouTube, this may not be a good resource for you.
This site includes advertising.

tag(s): business (54), investing (8)

Crash Course Film Production is a free digital tool that contains fifteen film production videos. This series explores how to turn an idea into something an audience will be interested in for a movie and how to get people to make it. Additionally, it shares the process of casting, selecting a crew, editing, and releasing it, the various jobs within a movie production, and the cost of production. Videos range between nine to twelve minutes. This site uses YouTube and has commercials before each video.
This site includes advertising.

tag(s): movies (56)

Reflect is a well-being app that uses check-ins to support connections in learning communities and promote a culture of self-awareness and empathy. Reflect is built into Teams education accounts and requires signing in with a valid school account to use within Google Classroom, Canvas, and other Learning Management Systems. Some available activities include brain breaks, guided meditation, and 2-minute stretching routines.

tag(s): classroom management (118), communication (130), social and emotional learning (110), Teacher Utilities (201)

Learn about the world of fashion design from the experts at Parsons School of Design by auditing this free four-week course provided by Coursera. Course topics include the fashion design process, sustainable fashion, collaborative design, and interpreting fashion trends and forecasting. The system is 100% online and self-paced; start at any time. Learning occurs through watching videos, reading shared articles, and then taking quizzes and submitting short writing activities. An option is available to receive a certificate for a fee to share the successful completion of the course. This course is the second of a three-part series, Transforming the Fashion Business Specialization. Click the Go To Class tab on the right to begin.

tag(s): careers (183), design (80), fashion (14), Online Learning (36)

Nova Education provides STEM activities and lessons based on the popular PBS series Nova. Information on the site includes articles, videos, and links to external websites. Scroll down to find filters to sort the content by media types, categories, and newer or older additions. The media types category allows users to find lesson plans, collections, teacher guides, and more. Each lesson plan includes detailed instructions, student handouts, and correlation to Next Generation Science Standards.

tag(s): archeology (30), engineering (137), environment (250), forensics (12), paleontology (28), space (220)

This simulation lets participants become project managers of a complex project such as a new construction, hardware, or software project. Along the way, they learn how to manage budgets, schedules, and staff and time management skills while receiving detailed feedback on the project's progress. Begin your project by selecting the "play simulation" link in the box near the bottom of the page; then, students select to play as an individual or class. Choose the educator link to verify that you are an educator and receive a code to set up your class.

tag(s): careers (183), gifted (65), Project Based Learning (23), STEM (312)

Google's Women Techmakers program shares resources, tells the stories of women techmakers, and provides visibility to events and tools for women interested in technology. Sign up to receive notifications for enrollment in the Ambassador program, which includes over 1000 women who champion diversity and inclusion in technology. Create a profile to join Google's Women Techmakers program to receive updates and early access to workshops and events. Visit the initiatives portion of the site to learn about Black Women in Tech, International Women's Day, and Hackathon, as well as tools and training for improving women's online safety. The videos are hosted on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, then they may not be viewable.

tag(s): careers (183), professional development (395), STEM (312), women (154), womenchangemaker (39)

Upschool provides many free learning opportunities aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The core of Upschool's content includes a selection of 10-week and short courses with topics such as The Solar System and Beyond and The Importance of Mountains. Additional learning opportunities include Social Scenarios, Comprehension Corner, SDG Challenges, and Teacher Training. Upschool also has a library of over one hundred books submitted by authors with a special message to share. Read the books online or download them as a PDF for free. Many of the books also include teaching resources such as task cards.

tag(s): animals (292), antarctica (30), careers (183), climate (86), earth (182), explorers (64), food chains (19), gifted (65), glaciers (17), journalism (74), mountains (10), oceans (149), Online Learning (36), photography (131), planets (113), plants (148), rainforests (18), social and emotional learning (110), solar system (107), sustainability (51), weather (160), writing (322)

BBC Bitesize for Secondary is an extensive online resource designed specifically for secondary students. The site offers a wide range of learning materials for all subjects including, Mathematics, English, Science, Geography, History, and more. Each subject is broken down into manageable topics, featuring easy-to-understand notes, interactive activities, and quizzes to reinforce learning and test understanding. The site includes animations and graphics to explain complex concepts, particularly useful in subjects like Science and Math. Additionally, guides and articles offer study and revision tips, exam preparation strategies, and advice on coping with school-related stress. While this site is focused on UK studies, the content can easily be used by any country; just use the search feature to find content. Students can save content, which requires account creation. Please be mindful of your district's policy on student account creation before having students sign up. The videos on this site are only available if you reside in the UK, however there are interactives and a lot of content to help your students understand the concepts.

tag(s): careers (183), homework (28), organizational skills (88), quizzes (90), resources (83)

Interview Warmup provides practice and insights into responses as a way to prepare for interviews in different fields. Choose to begin practicing, then select an area for your focus. Options include Cybersecurity, Project Management, IT Support, Data Analytics, and more. If your chosen field isn't designated, select general to practice interviewing for any occupation. Interview Warmup asks five interview questions to help practice for upcoming interviews. Enter the response using your device's microphone or keyboard. After entering an answer, select the provided links to highlight areas in your response that address your use of job-related terms, talking points, or most-used words. Dig into the response further by choosing from sub-categories that provide examples to use in interview responses, such as skills you bring to the role, lessons learned, and future goals. After completing all five answers, Interview Warmup summarizes your responses and insights into your use of job-related terms, most-used words, and the talking points covered. In addition to the Interview Warmup activity, visit the three dots at the top-right-hand side of the page to find an informative section containing interview tips. Interview Warmup is only available on the Chrome browser.

tag(s): careers (183), interviews (17), questioning (36)