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Voice of America - Broadcasting Board of Governors
Grades
4 to 12
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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...more
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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 (222)
In the Classroom
View news stories and compare them to similar stories in different news media. Discuss the differences and similarities of these stories and use a Venn diagram to portray. Try using the tool "Interactive Two Circle Venn Diagram" (reviewed here).Discuss the focus of each article and reasons for the focus. Answer what the reporter is trying to convince and possible bias in various stories. Create an essay, letter, or blog post outlining viewpoints and linking these various sources for greater understanding of issues and how they are represented in the media. Have students share their letters or essays on a podcast using a tool such as (reviewed here).
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openverse - Word Press - Creative Commons
Grades
4 to 12
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Find digital images that are available for use without violating copyright. This search tool finds images licensed under Creative Commons. While most major search engines offer advanced...more
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Find digital images that are available for use without violating copyright. This search tool finds images licensed under Creative Commons. While most major search engines offer advanced features to filter content by copyright status, 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): copyright (39), creative commons (29), images (276)
In the Classroom
Teaching students to understand and respect the copyright of digital information can be complicated and overwhelming. The first step in helping students understand digital copyright is to have them explore the terms of use and copyright for a variety of information. Create a scavenger hunt for students to find the terms of service and/or copyright for common websites. Once they realize that not all information is "free" for them to use, introduce the Creative Commons website and the symbols used to describe how the content is licensed. Use an interactive whiteboard or projector to demonstrate how to search using the CC search site. Perform searches that yield results that show several different types of licenses. Discuss each type using scenarios of how users can and cannot use information. As an extension activity for this site, students can create their own work and publish it using a Creative Commons license. The work can be as simple as using a digital picture or as complex as creating a derivative artwork, such as a collage or a "photoshopped" image. It can be published on a commercial site, such as Flickr, or on your school webpage. Make sure to follow any school guidelines before publishing student work. Perhaps you can create a class wiki of annotated creative images created by students with explanations of where they found the "parts" and how they created the original works from these parts. What an excellent model to share with future students, as well. Teachers will also appreciate being able to find images you can freely use on class web pages and in online project samples, etc. (with attribution).Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Math Maps - Tom Barrett
Grades
K to 6
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This site is an interactive, collaborative project that uses Google maps with you and your students to provide content. You can also see Math maps created by others. By following ...more
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This site is an interactive, collaborative project that uses Google maps with you and your students to provide content. You can also see Math maps created by others. By following the directions, you can create math problems utilizing information from your own city or town. Once the math problems are posted on the map, you can tweet or blog to inform others about them. In addition to creating problems, your students can view the contributions of others and solve real world math problems. Be aware: pop-up messages do appear across the bottom of the screen. These messages are recent posts to the site. Teachers who wish to contribute must submit a Gmail address to be offered access to add their own "Maths Maps." (Note to U.S. educators and students: What you know as "math" is known as "maths" in the UK, Australia, and some other countries. The "s" is NOT a typo!)
tag(s): map skills (68), maps (222), measurement (123)
In the Classroom
What makes this site special is that the content comes directly from educators and students. Use the existing math problems as a challenge activity or to demonstrate how math can be used in the real world. Share the maps and math questions on your interactive whiteboard or projector. The different pin colors represent different age groups so you can choose appropriately leveled math problems. You can easily differentiate for individuals by telling them which color to explore. This site is a great way to get your students to learn more about their community. Have your students research a community spot and create a math problem about it as a class. Enter the information onto the map together or under teacher supervision for other classes all over the world to use. Allow students to explore on their own and keep a math log of all the problems they found and solved on a "trip around the world with math."Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Dare to Compare - Nation Center for Education Statistics
Grades
4 to 12
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Students will enjoy comparing their knowledge with students around the country and the world through the interactive quizzes on this site. Six subject categories are offered (math,...more
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Students will enjoy comparing their knowledge with students around the country and the world through the interactive quizzes on this site. Six subject categories are offered (math, civics, history, geography, science, and economics)at 3 different grade levels (4th, 8th, and 12th). You can also choose 5, 10, 15, or 20 questions. Upon completion of quizzes, scores are shown along with all correct answers. Questions are provided from Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), Civic Education Study (CivEd) and National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) - all are institutes which are involved in assessing student achievement and performance. The questions are higher level, and many include diagrams and other visual aids.
In the Classroom
Introduce this site on your interactive whiteboard or projector as a pre-assessment for a new unit or as a mind bending class challenge. Reinforce and review lessons previously learned with your students. This is a terrific site during the run-up to high stakes testing. Use the questions as classroom conversation starters after taking the quizzes. Print out questions from the quizzes and provide your students with the correct answers and see if they can match them up with the questions. List this link on your class website for students to practice at home. Challenge small groups of students to create their own set of 5 questions about a current unit of study and create a multimedia presentation. Why not have cooperative learning groups create online books (one question per page) using a tool such as Bookemon, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Estuaries.gov - NOAA
Grades
K to 12
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Learn about estuaries using this interactive site. Bring to life our nation's estuaries. Participate in field trips to bring these precious coastal environments into the classroom....more
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Learn about estuaries using this interactive site. Bring to life our nation's estuaries. Participate in field trips to bring these precious coastal environments into the classroom. Use technology, data, and inquiry to learn about estuaries and coastal environments. Gain a perspective of the ecological, economic, and other benefits of estuaries. Follow EstuaryLive to experience a field trip to an estuary, compare different estuaries around the United States, and interact with scientists and other resources. Click on EstuaryLive for great interactive resources, Science and Data to read and interpret data, and About Estuaries for some great information.
In the Classroom
Find an unbelievable amount of information on this site. For example, click the Educators tab and then Life Science. Find some incredible activities such as "Survival in an Estuary." View Curriculum Overview for great classroom ideas and suggestions for management. Observe images and data under Science and Data and then under the Visualizations tab. Find data already packaged into Data Lessons as well. Students find games and other interesting activities under the Students tab.
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Google for Education - Google
Grades
K to 12
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Google for Education's Learning Center Course Catalog is a comprehensive professional development platform offering free training for educators at all skill levels. The catalog includes...more
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Google for Education's Learning Center Course Catalog is a comprehensive professional development platform offering free training for educators at all skill levels. The catalog includes a variety of learning resources ranging from quick, focused Google lessons that take under 10 minutes to complete, to in-depth courses organized into units that require 30 minutes to a few hours of study time. Sample topics include "Manage Your Files in Google Drive," "Organize and Search Your Gmail," "Create Surveys and Quizzes in Google Forms," and many others. Teachers can filter courses by their expertise level (such as beginner) and build a customized learning curriculum to master Google education tools for classroom use and beyond. The platform also features community-created resources--guides and video tutorials submitted by fellow educators--allowing teachers to learn practical tips and strategies from peers who are implementing these tools in real classrooms. This structured approach helps educators become more effective by progressively developing their technology integration skills.
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This site includes advertising.
tag(s): Google (22), organizational skills (92), professional development (307)
In the Classroom
Even those familiar with the Google tools will find information and uses they did not know about. Consider posting a link to your class web page for parents and students to access. Also, share this resource with your colleagues.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Moviesheets - Christopher Sheehan
Grades
6 to 12
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MovieSheets is a searchable database of teacher-created worksheets designed to accompany movies used in the classroom. In addition to browsing by title, teachers can filter worksheets...more
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MovieSheets is a searchable database of teacher-created worksheets designed to accompany movies used in the classroom. In addition to browsing by title, teachers can filter worksheets by subject area, grade level, and skills, making it easier to find materials that align with instructional goals. The site offers worksheets in both PDF and Word formats, allowing teachers to edit and customize questions as needed. Because resources are user-submitted, all materials should be previewed carefully for quality, appropriateness, and classroom fit. Teachers should also follow district and school guidelines regarding movie use, including licensing and content considerations. MovieSheets works best as a supplement to instruction, providing structured discussion and reflection, while still pairing films with interactive, thought-provoking activities beyond the worksheets themselves.
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This site includes advertising.
tag(s): business (51), climate (99), geology (59), holidays (292), movies (51)
In the Classroom
Use the worksheets to get students thinking about the science (or math, or other subjects) beyond these videos. Encourage students to create their own questions from the movie (reminding them of its relevance to your subject area), choose the best worksheets to use, and submit them. Require students to add thought-provoking questions tied to the content for further consideration. Use questions that go beyond factual recall to tie concepts together, explain phenomena, or uncover misconceptions. Continue the discussion of concepts beyond the paper through open discussion or blog posts. Rather than creating a worksheet, have your students create an interactive online poster using Genially, reviewed here.
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Science & Math - New York Times
Grades
7 to 12
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Tie math and reading into a neat little package in this convenient lesson plan page from the New York Times. With the daunting task of trying to have students see ...more
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Tie math and reading into a neat little package in this convenient lesson plan page from the New York Times. With the daunting task of trying to have students see the connection between algebra techniques and the real world, this tool is a must-have in the math teacher's arsenal. The site provides clear lesson plans that only require a quick read before implementing, along with links to different Times content.
tag(s): charts and graphs (183), statistics (127)
In the Classroom
Use the lessons found on this page to enhance mathematics class curriculum. Have students work on activities independently on laptops in class. If computer access is limited, print out activities and have students work in groups on calculations and guide them using the interactive whiteboard or projector. This also provides the automatic connection between real life and the math strategies and concepts. Take advantage of these timely topics. Be sure to save this site in your favorites and check back often for some fresh ideas.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Legends of America - Legends of America.org
Grades
6 to 9
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Although this site offers a huge collection of information on topics of American History. Everything from Prohibition & Depression Gangsters & Outlaws to The Louisiana Purchase to Outlaws...more
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Although this site offers a huge collection of information on topics of American History. Everything from Prohibition & Depression Gangsters & Outlaws to The Louisiana Purchase to Outlaws of the American West to the Sixties - The New Generation and countless others. Many of the topics that are either explained or mentioned are linked to more information on key terms. There are a few advertisement distractions on the site, however, they are minimal. This site is great for introduction and research! Text-based selections would also work well for comprehension practice, such as finding main idea or summarizing.
tag(s): 1800s (90), 1910s (30), 1920s (26), 1930s (39), 1940s (68), 20th century (170), louisiana purchase (6), photography (136), westward expansion (42)
In the Classroom
This website would be an excellent resource for researching in American History courses. Challenge students to take the information beyond plain vanilla. Try having students create an online tour of places along the Oregon Trail or a tour of mining towns of the gold rush. Have students use a mapping tool such as Zeemaps, reviewed here, to create a map of the historic locations (with audio stories and pictures included)! Or challenge students to narrate an image using Thinglink, reviewed here. Thinglink site allows users to narrate a picture.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Temperate Oceans - MBGnet
Grades
4 to 10
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This colorful and informative site provides information about oceans. Specific topics include "How the Ocean Refreshes Itself," "Ocean Animals," "Food from the Ocean," and several others....more
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This colorful and informative site provides information about oceans. Specific topics include "How the Ocean Refreshes Itself," "Ocean Animals," "Food from the Ocean," and several others. Many of the topics include interactive presentations. There is also a link to find more "Ocean Links."
In the Classroom
If your class is learning about the oceans of the world, delve even "deeper" by sharing this site on your projector or interactive whiteboard. Have cooperative learning groups explore specific areas of this site and create a multimedia presentation to share with the class. Have students create a PowerPoint Online, reviewed here. This tool allows for narrating and adding text to a picture. Challenge students to find a photo (legally permitted to be uploaded), and then narrate the photo as if it were a news report. To find Creative Commons images for student projects (with credit, of course), try Vecteezy, reviewed here. Or, bring even more geography skills into the project by having groups create a Zeemaps, reviewed here, sharing exactly WHERE the oceans are located (with audio stories and pictures included)!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Shmoop US History - Shmoop
Grades
9 to 12
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Useful for either teachers or students, Shmoop is a virtual cram session on a variety of topics. In this history section, choose a time period and you get a tabbed ...more
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Useful for either teachers or students, Shmoop is a virtual cram session on a variety of topics. In this history section, choose a time period and you get a tabbed overview of the era including a quick review, a more in-depth coverage, a timeline, important people, fun facts, web links, and a test review. There are featured stories, Hot Topics, and study guides. It's all written in a breezy, accessible style that students will appreciate, but it's not superficial.
tag(s): blues (19), civil war (148), constitution (108), fashion (14), gold rush (20), war of 1812 (14)
In the Classroom
Students will love this site for reviewing and preparing for exams. Share this link on your class website for students to access both in and out of the classroom. Take advantage of the FREE study guides. Why not have cooperative learning groups investigate specific topics relative to your current unit of study and create multimedia presentation. Create podcasts, using a site such as PodOmatic, reviewed here. Have students create a Have students create an annotated image including text boxes and related links using a tool such as Thinglink, reviewed here. Challenge students to find a photo (legally permitted to be reproduced), and then narrate the photo as if it is a news report about the event or topic. To find Creative Commons images for student projects (with credit, of course), try Vecteezy, reviewed here. Teachers can also use this site to differentiate between the typical lectures used to teach a US history project. Use the images on this site to create a "picture walk" in your classroom, introducing any one of the topics offered. Select 10-15 of the more powerful and diverse images, hanging them up in different locations around your classroom. Have students rotate around the classroom every 30-45 seconds, jotting down what they observe and infer about each image until the entire class has completed the circuit. After the class is back in their seats, have a class discussion based on what they observed and what this says about the topic.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Caves at Lascaux - French Ministry of Culture
Grades
6 to 12
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This latest redesign of the Lascaux tour offered by the French government takes viewers on a video tour of the famous French caves. As you walk along, pop-ups label the ...more
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This latest redesign of the Lascaux tour offered by the French government takes viewers on a video tour of the famous French caves. As you walk along, pop-ups label the drawings being viewed. An outline map on the lower right side of the screen shows the path the "walker" is taking and indicates where the viewer is at any given point in the tour. In addition to the video walk, information about the caves appears in "Chapters," which students can click on. The original version of this site is in French. The left sidebar offers options to view the site in French, English, German, or Spanish. This link automatically opens to the English version of the site.
tag(s): caves (7), europe (83), france (38), maps (222), painting (49)
In the Classroom
Introduce this site on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Since many of the functions work on mouse-over -- not click -- you may want to use a human being to operate the actual computer mouse, since many whiteboards do not "know" where you are mousing until you click! Then have students explore this site independently or in small groups. This is a great addition to a French or Art class. Challenge students in your class to narrate an image orally in French as they present it on the big screen or have them create their own narrated "cave paintings" using a tool such as ThingLink, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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International Kids Club - Planet Pals
Grades
2 to 10
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This International Kids Club site has activities, books, and crafts to help students understand each other around the world. Information links include lots of material on world clocks,...more
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This International Kids Club site has activities, books, and crafts to help students understand each other around the world. Information links include lots of material on world clocks, religions, customs, organizations, and art. Specific links include "I" Kids, "I" Share, "I" Shop, "I" Learn, "I" Craft, and "I" Play. One fun part is finding out how speakers of different languages think animals sound. What is "meow" in an Asian language, for example? Sound files give examples of the sounds of many languages, as well. Some of the links are slow to open at times, so you may want to open them before you are ready to use them in class.
In the Classroom
Use parts of this site when doing units on prejudice, diversity, and discrimination. Refer students to do research in some of the books listed here on those subjects. Have students interview people from other cultures to check the information given here on aspects of their cultures. Do they agree with what is said here? Even younger students will enjoy learning about flags and peace symbols. Make the craft links available for students doing reports on different countries or preparing for an International Day. Have students copy flags or other country symbols. Ask them to create their own "country" from these models. Challenge cooperative learning groups to research a specific topic at this site and prepare a podcast to share with the class using podOmatic, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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350.org - 350.org
Grades
5 to 12
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Join the movement to urge citizens and lawmakers to take steps to reduce global CO2 levels to the number 350. Click on the "About Us" tab to learn the science, ...more
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Join the movement to urge citizens and lawmakers to take steps to reduce global CO2 levels to the number 350. Click on the "About Us" tab to learn the science, hear about the actions, and view media. Participate in activities such as "Days of Action." Register and sign up for email and text messages. Tip: rather than using your personal or work email, create a free Gmail account to use for memberships. If you plan to have students register individually, you may want to create your own Gmail account with up to 20 subaccounts for each group of students (by code name or number) within your classes. IIf you plan to have students register individually, you may want to create your own Gmail account with up to 20 subaccounts for each group of students (by code name or number) within your classes. Here is a blog post that tells how to set up GMail subaccounts to use for any online membership service.Learn from people around the world about how they are spreading the word about climate change.
tag(s): climate (99), climate change (112), earth (187), earth day (62), environment (245)
In the Classroom
View resources from around the world to look at the organized events conducted. Use these ideas to create a local event or identify the ways others have created communities around global climate action. Use information on the site to create Public Service Announcements, newsletters, or blog posts. Invite students to research sites on both sides of the issue, analyze them, and check information for accuracy. Create a blogging challenge or pledge for students to follow for forty days as a way to create change one family at a time. How about creating a 40 day class wiki about 350 and other global climate action? Not comfortable with wikis? Have no wiki worries - check out the TeachersFirst's Wiki Walk-Through.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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ScribbleMaps - Scribble Maps
Grades
2 to 12
10 Favorites
0 Comments
Scribble Maps is a browser-based mapping tool that lets users create personalized maps with markers, text labels, lines, shapes, and images. Use it to highlight geographic features,...more
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Scribble Maps is a browser-based mapping tool that lets users create personalized maps with markers, text labels, lines, shapes, and images. Use it to highlight geographic features, trace journeys, identify important locations, or illustrate connections between places. Search for a starting location, choose an available map style, and customize your annotations using color and styling tools. You can begin without registering, although saving and feature limits apply. The free plan includes basic mapping tools and allows up to five lifetime saved maps; additional tools, privacy controls, and export options require a paid plan. Share completed maps through view-only links, or use separate edit links when collaborating. Maps can also be embedded in websites, and supported export options allow map data to be used in other applications, including Google Earth and Google My Maps. Free saved maps are public, so avoid including private student information. A Help Center provides tutorials and step-by-step instructions for creating, saving, and sharing maps.
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tag(s): directions (7), geology (59), landforms (38), landmarks (20), map skills (68), maps (222), space (249)
In the Classroom
Students and teachers will want to keep a written record or map URLS and passwords for future reference. Model this for students so they do not lose hours of work! Teachers can prepare partially-made maps or maps for students to make corrections and changes by giving the students the URL, then having them SAVE the map with a NEW ID. To SAVE the map with a new name and URL, click "Save map" in the menu, then enter your OWN map ID. Students could use a code including their initials, such as SJ12-3-09 for a map made by Sally Jones on Dec 3, 2009. Teachers should PASSWORD protect their originals so changes can only be saved under a new name. Similarly, if a student saves the map with a map password, they don't have to worry about other students vandalizing their work. But they DO need to remember the password! Wise teachers will keep a class list of maps and passwords for forgetful students! In primary grades, make maps of your local community together on your interactive whiteboard as you teach basic map skills. Create your own "key" with symbols you choose for playgrounds, etc. Have students help map locations of favorite playgrounds, grandparents' houses, stores, etc. as they gain basic understanding of map skills. Make sure you allow students to operate the tools! Save the map and share it as a link from your class web site (or embed it there). Keep names generic so it is "safe." Other ideas to challenge gifted student beyond the curriculum or elevate challenge for small groups include: natural resource maps, immigration maps, maps of civil war battles day by day, maps of key sites in the life of a famous person, artist, or author, maps of the settings in a novel, landform maps of a continent or state, "My life" maps of places important to an elementary student's family, annotated watershed maps of pollution sources, maps of the water cycle, maps of constellations in the night sky created by students to demonstrate understanding, maps of a dream community to be built in a vacant area (desert), including the water sources, etc. that will be needed, maps of a redesigned city/town on top of its current map. Teachers can provide map challenges or templates to be completed or corrected, including maps where students must label distances and cardinal directions between points (using map scale and skills). Or provide a teacher-created map with labels in the wrong places for students to correct the landforms, resources, etc. What will YOU do with Scribble Maps?Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Global Issues - Global Issues
Grades
9 to 12
4 Favorites
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Global Issues are on students' minds and apply to a variety of classes. Use this site to find articles (frequently updated) on and related topics. You can print pages or ...more
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Global Issues are on students' minds and apply to a variety of classes. Use this site to find articles (frequently updated) on and related topics. You can print pages or email/bookmark them for someone interested. Use an RSS feed to stay up to date on changes to the site. Although many articles are written by the site owner, they include extensive facts, graphs, links, and charts.
tag(s): cross cultural understanding (167), cultures (302), news (222), social justice (44)
In the Classroom
Use this site to raise awareness of global issues or as material to teach critical research or expository writing. Students can research other sources to verify or debunk the article's claims. Students can analyze information from various sources for bias and factual accuracy. Have students use this as one of several sources for support in persuasive essays or letters to the editor. Use the articles to practice key reading skills, such as identifying the main idea and summarizing, by marking up the article on an interactive whiteboard. Students can also post findings, viewpoints, and solutions onto a personal or class blog. Have cooperative learning groups choose a topic to research and become "experts" about. Have groups create multimedia presentations to share with the class. Have students create a multimedia presentation using ThingLink, reviewed here. Challenge students to find a related photo (legally permitted to be reproduced), and then narrate the photo as if it is a news report. To find Creative Commons images for student projects (with credit, of course), try Vecteezy, reviewed here. Have students use a mapping tool such as Zeemaps, reviewed here, to create a map (with audio) where the global issues are taking place. Another option is to have students create videos and share them on a tool such as SchoolTube, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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WordSearchFun.com - WordSearchFun.com
Grades
3 to 12
4 Favorites
0 Comments
Use this site to find some GREAT word searches that are ready to go! Whatever topic you are looking for, you just might find a word search here. If you ...more
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Use this site to find some GREAT word searches that are ready to go! Whatever topic you are looking for, you just might find a word search here. If you can't find one, make your OWN ONLINE word search. What a fantastic tool to use and/or create in any subject!
tag(s): photography (136), puzzles (178)
In the Classroom
Share the relevant word searches on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Have cooperative learning groups practice spelling or vocabulary words by creating their own word search. List this site on your class website for students to use both in and out of the classroom. This is a great one for those word search lovers in your class. Why not have students use a whole-class account to make their own word searches to challenge each other with new vocabulary and terms?Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Olympic Sports - Myvocabulary.com
Grades
4 to 10
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As part of their extensive site for vocabulary, roots, and more, MyVocabulary.com has added a themed area for the Olympics. Find interactive vocabulary activities using Olympics-related...more
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As part of their extensive site for vocabulary, roots, and more, MyVocabulary.com has added a themed area for the Olympics. Find interactive vocabulary activities using Olympics-related vocabulary words. You will also find printable crosswords, fill in the blanks and more, all using the same theme words. This and other "themes" available on the site will make vocabulary development fun.
tag(s): olympics (64), sports (106), vocabulary (260)
In the Classroom
Share the puzzles on your interactive whiteboard or projector or make them available as links on your teacher public page. Have students (or groups) create their own illustrated dictionaries of terms using a tool such as Bookemon, reviewed here. As you add more vocabulary lists during the year, have them select their favorite 6-10 terms from each list to add to their "book."Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Museum of Underwater Archaeology - The Museum of Underwater Archaeology
Grades
4 to 12
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Many museum sites are little more than a set of on-line directions to get to the brick-and-mortar museum and a few promotional photographs. This site, however, is designed to be ...more
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Many museum sites are little more than a set of on-line directions to get to the brick-and-mortar museum and a few promotional photographs. This site, however, is designed to be used as an online museum. You can start by searching the museum by geographic location or keyword. You can also search by time period from the "Teaching Kit" area. Or click on one of the featured exhibits which range from excavations of the CSS Alabama, the remains of an 18th century fleet sunk in New York's Lake George, to the HMS Serapis. A link to a "teachers' kit" gives information about ordering (free with the exception of shipping costs) a hands-on set of materials to keep and get free updates for as long as they would like to use it. For younger students, there is a slide show that introduces the concepts of underwater archaeology in an interactive whiteboard-friendly format (see featured exhibit: A Children's Introduction).
tag(s): oceans (141)
In the Classroom
Who isn't fascinated by treasure buried under the seas? This site will help you sneak in history lessons by engaging students in the process of underwater archaeology. The site also makes a strong effort to integrate various curriculum areas from art to biology along with the historical importance of various excavations. Students might also want to follow one of the underwater blogs with information about ongoing projects. Have cooperative learning groups create a multimedia project related to one of the blog stories. For visual students, use an online poster creator such as Padlet. Have students use a tool such as Zeemaps. Zeemaps allows students to create audio recordings AND choose a location (on a map) where the story takes place.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Life and Voyages of Henry Hudson - Ian Chadwick
Grades
7 to 12
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This site details the life and many attempted voyages of the English explorer Henry Hudson. Although the site is very "wordy," it is very inclusive and excellent for research. It ...more
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This site details the life and many attempted voyages of the English explorer Henry Hudson. Although the site is very "wordy," it is very inclusive and excellent for research. It includes a lot of facts, maps, information about each voyage, information about nautical measurements, and details about his ships and crews. The information and maps available here are based on the author combing historical books and documents and information. An extensive bibliography and list of weblinks relating to Hudson adds interest to the maps and history on the site.
In the Classroom
Have the students make a cumulative map of all Hudson's voyages together in order for them to get a chance to become intimately familiar with the map making process. Try a site such as Zeemaps, reviewed here. Zeemaps allows students to create audio recordings AND choose a location on a map where each story takes place. Have each cooperative learning group focus on a different exploration. Compare their creations with the online map which has all four voyages combined. Assign students in a group each a few pages of an imagined journal Henry might have written on each voyage. The most interesting part will be to imagine what happened to him after people no longer heard from him! Use this site as the starting point for individual research papers. Encourage students to find other resources that contribute to their knowledge of Henry Hudson. Have students write a talk Hudson might give if he suddenly woke up today (like Rip Van Winkle). Or make it more Web 2.0 and have students write blog entries. The text passages on this site are also ideal for reading comprehension practice. Project them on an interactive whiteboard for practice in main idea, summarizing, and more.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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