Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

This site is an engaging way to send greetings to friends via Google Maps. The creator became interested in seeing how many buildings looked like letters of the alphabet when viewed in Google Maps so he decided to put them together as a way to send messages to friends. Just type in your message and it will be created using various buildings from around the world, your message can then be emailed to your friends. Each letter also includes a pop-up showing the name of the building and its location. Click here for an example of a message that can be created.
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tag(s): architecture (84), maps (224)

This site, created in the United Kingdom, offers many timelines with a simple click to launch an amazing 3-dimensional page. Timelines are organized by subject matter and include samplings from literature, sociology, history, everyday life, science, technology, explorers, medicine, and more. With another click, you can zoom from one century to another. Start in the 1210s and work your way through the years. View the context of history using visual artifacts from DaVinci's contemporaries to shopping in the 1890s. Connect historical events or technological accomplishments by seeing them alongside simultaneous events, precursors, or results. An additional option allows you to save favorite timelines and/or events. Although the main timeline requires flash which is no longer supported, the century timelines remain viewable and provide valuable information.

tag(s): europe (84), literature (221), politics (118)

Create a map from addresses collected in a Google spreadsheet. Create an account using your email or through a X (formerly Twitter) or Facebook account. Connect with your Google account or use the friendly step by step help to create one on this site. Collect addresses using a Google Spreadsheet. Create a map by choosing one of your spreadsheets where data has been collected. Instantly map these addresses using the map a list tool. Make your maps public or private and share with others by downloading the KML file for opening in Google Earth. Use the tutorials on the bottom menu for help with map a list.

tag(s): earth (182), maps (224)

This large variety of drawings and photographs is a great resource for K-12 students and teachers. Either choose from drawings or photographs related to science, social studies, math, and language arts. These images will support classroom instruction, presentations, multimedia projects, websites, or reports. Useful tags will help you search for images. Educational use of Edpic images is free of charge.

tag(s): animals (292), digital storytelling (156)

This is a site created in partnership with Google as a project to help generations share and talk more through social networking. The concept is that young people ask older people to share their photos; these photos are then uploaded through Google maps to show the world as it once was. The older pictures can be compared to today's images through Google street view. In addition to uploading photos, stories can also be shared about the time period and the pictures.

tag(s): cultures (226), maps (224)

This easy to use lesson plan is focused on helping students understand Chinese Mythology. The lesson suggests an informal discussion for assessment or to asses one of many activities suggested. The many recommended websites to look at and read, lend themselves to reading comprehesion stratigies.

tag(s): china (83), chinese (43), reading comprehension (152)

This page from EnchantedLearning has basic information about China, as well as map activities, printable booklets, information on Chinese culture and review activities. The map activities are as basic as coloring a map of China, to a more difficult plotting activity of major Chinese landmarks, rivers and geographic regions.

tag(s): china (83), chinese (43)

This site from "Mr.Donn," hosts lesson plans, interactives, and other resources to supplement a unit on Ancient or Modern China. The resources are grouped by historical period, touching upon topics such as the Song Dynasty, Marco Polo, and the Communist Revolution. Though TeachersFirst does not usually recommend lists of resources, this site has so many it made the exception!

tag(s): china (83), evolution (89)

Though we don't often recommend "lists" of links, this site hosts 19 links to games about or related to Ancient China. The games vary in age level and topic, ranging from Tangram squares, to review games and Calligraphy how-to's.

tag(s): china (83)

This site includes interactive maps for students to see and learn about countries and continents. There are maps for all the continents except Antarctica. The site also lets you show or hide names. If you choose to hide names, clicking on each country will provide you with the country name and it's capital. Be aware: there are some minor google advertisements at this website.

tag(s): continents (33), maps (224)

At Digital Karnak you will find videos, photos, models, and PDF files with every thing known about Karnak in Egypt, one of the largest temple complexes in the world. On this massive site you'll be able to view the ruins as they look today and models of how they must have looked in ancient times. There are four options to choose from at the top of the home page or at the bottom is a link for the "Temple Complex Overview." There is so much to see and learn about the Karnuk Temple and the surrounding area that this is a must see for anyone who teaches ancient Egyptian History. A caution about the videos, the beginning of the videos shows architectural type drawings and animations; the middle to end of the videos will show models of how the buildings must have looked. For younger students, the middle to end of the videos will be of more interest.

tag(s): egypt (59)

Wikimedia Commons is a huge database of free media files (images, sound, and video clips) available in a wide range of languages. You can both access or contribute files. Using the same technology as Wikipedia, you can edit, upload, and embed media file projects into any Wikimedia project. Every media file comes with a description, name of the author and complete licensing details. Search for videos, images, or sound media by keyword, content categories, nature, science, or society. This is an amazing resource to use when searching for any multimedia content.

tag(s): creative commons (28)

Prince William Sound Regional Citizen's Advisory Council provides a free curriculum that is geared toward teaching about oil and oil spills. While this curriculum is about Alaska's Exxon Valdez oil spill, the information would be very helpful in teaching about other oil spills in recent news. It would be a great place to help develop lessons where students compare and contrast two spills, their magnitude and their effects on the environment. Scroll to the bottom of the page to locate the lessons under Exxon Valdez Spill.

tag(s): disasters (37), environment (250), oil (22), oil spill (13)

Create an online portfolio created from your flickr set of specific photos. Choose your photos by choosing a set or a specific tag. Pictures are displayed in an elegant and beautiful format. Since Pullfolio is not flash based, the ipod/iphone app is another plus. Pullfolio instantly updates as you update your flickr set or continue to use the tag. Use the free version or go pro to use your own domain and access additional features.

tag(s): flickr (2), images (263), photography (131)

Created as the online version of Popular Science magazine, Popsci.com offers a great variety of science articles and authentic science work. Information on science, cars, technology and gadgets are searchable and easy to understand. The "DIY" section offers some wild and possibly adult level challenges that would be fun to consider by students. Be sure to check out the DIY options first, as some are not appropriate for middle school or immature high school students (such as making a flamethrower).

tag(s): machines (17), simple machines (20)

Go below the surface of the ocean to identify and understand the problem of the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Use this resource to bring home the fact that only a small amount of oil stays on the surface. Be sure to scroll up and down in the image as there is a lot of information there. Find additional fact sheets, news accounts, and footage of the oil spill disaster and its effects at the bottom of the page.

tag(s): mexico (45), oil (22), oil spill (13)

Soft Schools provides interactive quizzes and games for math, language arts, science, holidays, phonics, French, social studies, and more. Worksheets categorized under grade and subject level make this a great teacher resource.
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tag(s): calculators (36), grammar (137), quiz (66), quizzes (90)

Concerned about quality news? Voice of America's policy is to be a reliable and authoritative source of news. It claims accurate, objective, and comprehensive news reporting. It represents all of America without more focus on some segments than others, providing balance in the news. Find the most recent and pressing news stories along the top. Search news stories divided by categories such as US, Africa, Asia, Americas, Europe, Middle East, Economy, Education, Arts and Entertainment, Health, Environment, and more. View interactive resources such as a You Tube channel, podcasts, webcasts, and newsletters.

tag(s): news (225)

Find digital images that are available for use without violating copyright. This search tool finds images licensed for use under Creative Commons licensing. While most major search engines have advanced features that allow you to filter out content by copyright privileges, the CC search website makes it easy and convenient. Be sure to READ the information about verifying licensing. The results provide extensive options that can be legally (and ethically) used in wikis, blogs, reports, and more, as long as you provide the attribution information. What a fabulous tool for students to use for interactive or traditional projects!

tag(s): air (99), copyright (43), creative commons (28)

This site has 18 maps with coordinated lesson plans that are designed to help the K-12 student improve their map reading skills. Using historical maps, students learn about history and how geography has influenced that history. Sample themes include "Environmental History," "The Historical Geography of Transportation," "Political and Military History," and a few others. The themes each have lesson plans by grade level. Some parts of this site use Flash that is no longer supported, however, much of the information is still accessible and relevant for classroom use.

tag(s): critical thinking (137), maps (224), primary sources (119)