Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

Sifting through the volume of information on the 2008 Presidential elections could be a full-time job! If you want a handful of sites that give you current, unbiased (as much as any political information can be!) data about the election, consider using this NPR site. It starts with a flash-enabled US map that is currently reflecting the status of primaries and caucuses. You can link to a nice side-by-side comparison of candidates' views on central issues like Iraq, the economy, health care, and climate change. There is a helpful primary calendar that keeps you posted on where we are in the process. Finally, there is updated news and commentary about the campaign season.

tag(s): elections (81), politics (118)

A compilation of data about fund-raising and the financing of political candidates in the United States, this site contains a massive amount of information. You can drill down to the zip code level and find out who in your local area is donating how much to which political candidates and parties. You can search by politician or by candidates and see where their financial support comes from. You can track particular issues or take a historical look at campaign and political finance.

tag(s): elections (81), politics (118)

Gapminder is an interactive site designed to present world demographic information in a highly visual way. Using either a world map, or a chart with "bubbles" sized according to each country's population, users can track 30 years of change in a wide variety of economic and social indicators (for example, population size, percentage of GNP dedicated to military spending, proportion of girls in school, infant mortality). Math teachers can use the site to demonstrate data analysis skills with meaningful data. Slides will save to your Google drive. Be sure to check out the Resources from the top menu

tag(s): data (150), demographics (14)

This site offers a wide variety of listening activities specifically for ESL students. The site is updated weekly with new interviews, games, news, talking points, and songs, all available for free. A huge audio archive stores items from previous weeks, months, and years. "Mixers" include opinions of several people. Students can listen to these short sessions, answer a main idea question and also see the transcript of the piece. Another feature allows users to see the transcript of interviews as they listen. There are quiz questions available after each interview. Video links connect users to offsite videos from a variety of courses; these are available with some articles and interviews.

Note: Teachers should PREVIEW content before using it in class or assigning it. Some slang and topics are not appropriate for younger students, though most of it is excellent. Downloads for mp3 players are available for free.

tag(s): listening (92), news (225)

This is a general "go-to" website all about social studies. There is information about current events, culture, holidays, languages, religion, economics, geography, maps, government, U.S. presidents, timelines, and many other social studies topics. The highlight of this website is the Current Events segment. This is an easy way to incorporate age-appropriate current events in your classroom.
Note: an annoying audio ad plays when you first enter the site. Turn OFF your sound!

tag(s): holidays (194), maps (224), presidents (135), renaissance (38), timelines (57)

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 (225)

This site has current movie reviews from the parents' point of view: What current movies are appropriate? What ages are they appropriate for? In addition to current films, there are reviews of TV programs, new DVD's, games, websites, books, music, etc. The site uses its own rating system: "Appropriate for age," "Know your kid," and "Not appropriate for age." Along with written reviews and Q/A approaches, there are video clips and tips. Each category of entertainment has several recommended and reviewed items with age ranges. There is also a newsletter and in-depth articles on subjects of concern to kids and parents.

tag(s): internet safety (116), movies (56), parents (54), safety (66)

This site serves as a launching pad for "newz crews": on line discussion groups focused on current events. The discussion groups (which students can join individually or as a class group with teacher oversight) are facilitated by a group of high school students with regular prompts to read a current events article and discuss its implications.

This is a New York Times lesson plan focused on a recent article about the personal lives of Presidential candidates. The lesson plan asks students to look at the extent to which candidates and their personal pasts will influence voters' willingness to support them, and focuses on the fact that several candidates have had messy divorces.

The lesson plan starts with the familiar "read the story and discuss" format, but there are a number of good essential questions and extension activities provided that could be tailored into a strong classroom plan. The lesson plans have cross-curricular suggestions, and are tied to standards.

tag(s): elections (81), presidents (135)

This website is all about Sudan. Visitors to this website will find a wealth of information including quizzes, interactive videos, diaries written by students, authentic pictures, a guide to what it means to be a refugee, information on Darfur and more. Though some of the activities require Flash, there is still a lot to be learned at this site.

tag(s): africa (170)

Although this site is no longer maintained, most links are working. This site provides information about Iraq and the war. There are information guides, quizzes, pictures and more. The BBC keeps this page very up-to-date. This site does a good job explaining the war and views of the war to children. Remember this site was created in Britain, so the comments and language are not American. This may surprise younger students at first but will provide a new angle. Though some of the activities require Flash, there is still a lot to be learned at this site.

tag(s): iraq (25)

Although this site is no longer maintained, most links are working. This site introduces students to the religion of Islam. There is a 26-minute video, which includes questions and answers submitted by students. There are also informative guides, chats, quizzes, pictures, interviews and much, much more. Though some of the activities require Flash, there is still a lot to be learned at this site.

tag(s): middle east (50)

This site provides an eclectic mix of information about the Middle East. The BBC has created this up-to-date website that includes information guides, interviews, message boards, pictures, quizzes and more. The message boards pose some interesting discussion questions for students. This is an excellent, student-friendly source for current events and debate background. It also provides short, non-fiction texts for comprehension practice with remedial readers.

tag(s): iran (8), iraq (25), israel (14), middle east (50)

This website introduces students to the children of Iraq and Iraq as a country. Highlights of this website include an interactive video clip (which requires FLASH), informational guides, pictures and many other resources. If you have students whose parents are serving in the military, this topic may be emotional, but it will also highlight what children all over the world have in common. Though some of the activitiesand the video requires Flash, there is still a lot to be learned at this site.

tag(s): iraq (25)

This site (created by BBC) includes a wealth of information on the continent of Africa. There are videos, music clips from each country, demographic information, authentic pictures and diary entries, interactive maps and numerous articles on specific topics relating to Africa. Though some of the activities require Flash, there is still a lot to be learned at this site.

tag(s): africa (170), climate (86), climate change (101)

Although this site is no longer maintained, most links are working. This site has factual information about arson. It includes video footage, authentic cases of arson, surveys, what to do to help, and more. Take advantage of this website, created especially for pre-teens and teenagers, as one of many current issues topics when studying current events or safety. Flash is required for the one video, however tand the reviewers didn't see any other Flash activities. There is a lot to learn from the material that doesn't require Flash.

tag(s): fire (23), fire prevention (17), fire safety (17), safety (66)

This website (created by BBC) is all about Antarctica. The focus is on research information about Antarctica, animals from Antarctica, Global Warming issues and a student's visit to Antarctica. Students will enjoy the pictures and games on this website. The use of a peer (student) visitor sharing information will make this site more appealing to students. Though some of the activities require Flash, there is still a lot to be learned at this site.

tag(s): antarctica (30), arctic (40)

DLTK has created this website that includes numerous crafts, poems, online puzzles, printable gifts, recipes and more.

tag(s): fathers day (17)

By signing up for a free membership, high school students have an opportunity to enter a network of students from around the world. Even without a membership, students can find basic information about countries of the world, articles relevant to international youth, and opportunities to learn about projects being undertaken by youth to support social justice and humanitarian concerns. Be sure to click Youth Resources on the top menu to find Action Guides for global problems to solve and Commit to Act. A membership to the offerings of this site is a wonderful open door to tolerance and world awareness for young people around the globe. After signing up, members can also have a classroom platform for use in developing collaborative projects, and see sections for educators.

tag(s): collaboration (94), cross cultural understanding (178), environment (250), Problem Based Learning (12), service projects (17), sustainability (51)

Find news articles, written by kids, for elementary students (perfect for practicing reading and understanding informational text). Kids Press offers news on current events nationwide and in the writer's hometown. This site features easy-to-read news articles and articles of general interest. In addition, you and your interested students can apply to become a Kid Reporter. Since 10 to 14-year-old children write many of the stories, they offer a unique perspective on current events.

tag(s): news (225)