Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

This site has assembled statistical data about the best and worst schools, public and private, state by state. Besides ranking, the site compares schools by student test scores. It also offers tons of other data about student and teacher make up. The school search feature is invaluable to parents who are contemplating moving their student to a different school, district, or area. Before moving, parents can check the school in the area and even find a list of homes for sale in the district.
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tag(s): statistics (121)

Use the self-scoring Learning Styles Assessment and Multiple Intelligences Inventory to determine student learning styles as you begin your unit on study skills or psychology. Students can complete both forms on paper and use the accompanying scoring page to determine their "learning style" and multiple intelligence strengths. Psychology or guidance classes or learning support teachers may want to explore other aspects of tutorial as well.

tag(s): learning styles (18), psychology (65)

Publications from the Department of Education

tag(s): careers (156), resources (84)

This site offers suggestions and examples of different types of questions to include in classrooms. Each type of question is explained and sample questions are included. For a visual explanation of how questions work together, choose the Essential Questions link and scroll down to the diagram showing that this is center of all questions, then all other types of question serve to illuminating the Essential Questions. Links are included to additional information on each of the topics.

tag(s): critical thinking (127), questioning (36)

State standards for Colorado

Do Something.org is one of the largest organizations in the United States that helps young people take action to promote causes they care about and motivates them with realistic, creative inspiration to establish a culture of volunteerism. By tapping into the web, television, mobile devices, and popular media, Do Something.org empowers and celebrates today's youth as the "Do Something" generation: teenagers who recognize the need to do something, believe in their ability to get it done, and then take action. Explore this site for ideas for starting your own project and browse the many causes and volunteer opportunities already in your own area and beyond. Help students discover ways to make a difference. The rules are simple: No Money, No Car, and No Adults permitted for putting your plans into action.

There are suggestions, resources, and support to empower young people and give them the energy to take action and make a difference. Whether their passion is to feed the homeless, end bullying, help even the playing field of educational inequalities, or many more needy causes, this website is chock full of easy to access information and strategies that encourage teenagers to decide for themselves how they can contribute their time and desire to make a difference.

tag(s): character education (79), Project Based Learning (23), service projects (17)

Make IEP (Individualized Educational Plan) reading easy with 15 separate fact sheets presented for school based disorders. This is a great resource whether you are a school psychologist, social worker, speech/language pathologist, special education teacher, classroom teacher, or school administrator. The list is organized alphabetically starting with ADHD-Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and runs the gamut of all kinds of disabilities in the areas of behavior, developmental, emotional, hearing, learning, reading, speech/language, and vision. Each fact sheet provides an easy to understand description of the disorder, numerous identifying characteristics, as well as classroom implications, practical tips for teachers, a glossary of acronyms such as OCD for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and additional resources.

tag(s): disabilities (32), Special Needs (53), speech (69)

This site provides professional resources, articles, and handouts for parents, teachers, counselors and librarians to use to educate themselves and students about cyberbullying. Nancy Willard is the head of the center. She is one of the top U.S. researchers and voices on Internet Safety and teaching about responsible Internet use. There are some materials for sale on this site, but there is plenty that is free.

tag(s): bullying (48), cyberbullying (40), internet safety (114), safety (68)

This site provides parents and educators with handouts, publications, and videos that can be used to educate students, parents and teachers about cyberbullying. This website is updated frequently, so check back often as you teach your students about the dangers of cyberbullying.

tag(s): bullying (48), cyberbullying (40), internet safety (114), safety (68)

Are you looking for some "fresh" ideas to put an end to bullying in your classroom but are not sure where or how to start? Well, you are in the right place. This web site brings attention to No Name-Calling Week: an annual week of realistic educational activities designed to end all types of name-calling. No Name-Calling Week was inspired by the young adult novel, The Misfits, and presents an opportunity to address bullying as an increasingly, ongoing issue. Whether you are a teacher, student, administrator, counselor, or parent, there is an abundance of useful ideas, activities, and materials for elementary, middle, and high schools to promote anti-bullying awareness, and they are all free!

tag(s): bullying (48), character education (79), sports (82), tolerance (8)

Here you will find a quick and interesting learning styles quiz for your students to take. You don't need to sign in. No email address or registration is required. Once you've found your dominate style there is a description, and, best of all, tips for the best way for you to learn. Some of the learning styles also include possible career choices.

tag(s): learning styles (18), multiple intelligences (7)

icould.com is a career exploration website, built with the look and feel of a social networking site. The interface is modern and will appeal to students who appreciate a multi-media approach to learning things. There is a database of videos about various careers, a career survey (which requires registration and login to get the results), and a whole collection of stories about career exploration. You can also access podcasts about careers here, and post comments and read others' posts.

While the site may be useful as one of several career exploration sites out there, be aware that there are social networking aspects which involve user-generated posts and content; preview carefully before deciding whether to bookmark this site or recommend it to students.

tag(s): careers (156)

This site provides information for kids, parents, and educators on the topic of cyberbullying. Learn what cyberbullying is, prevention, what's the law, and more. Each section is broken down by age groups (ages 7-10, 11-13, or 14-17). Each age level includes the following areas: Are you a cyberbully?, Take 5!, Ms. Parry's guide to correct online etiquette (Netiquette), and "Because I can."

tag(s): bullying (48), cyberbullying (40), internet safety (114), safety (68)

Download a free planning guide and additional resource materials for Red Ribbon week. The National Family Partnership was the sponsor of the first Red Ribbon week back in 1988. They work to educate youth about dangers of underage drinking and drug abuse. Articles on this site include tips on how to prevent substance abuse and inspire adults to participate in drug prevention activities.

tag(s): red ribbon week (9)

Are you looking for a way to motivate girls to pursue science? SciGirls is the spot on the web for you! SciGirls, created by PBS, has all of the archived episodes of this show online. More than this, some projects can be done and a place to add your very own project. The format for the projects is similar to a simplified lab report. The audio directions and onscreen instructions offer easy access to all areas of the site.

tag(s): careers (156), coding (85), women (151)

Information provided from the United States Air Force about career opportunities - for officers or enlisted.

tag(s): careers (156), college (45)

The title says it all: This is a guide to engineering for girls. Find answers to such questions as: "Why Should I Become An Engineer?" see descriptions of engineering careers, meet inspiring women engineers, and Learn How to Become an Engineer. Under Try This find several Design Challenges such as Designing an Eyecase, a Sorting Machine, Build a Bridge and a few others.

tag(s): careers (156), engineering (129), STEM (297)