Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

Add a voiceover to any YouTube video or video on your computer choosing from 15 different voices and 13 languages with Text2VoiceOver. Select the "Create VoiceOver" button to begin, then choose from options to select your video. Once the video loads, select the location for your voiceover and follow directions for adding text and choosing from voice options. Be sure to watch the tutorial video with complete instructions for using the site and generating your voiceover. If your district blocks YouTube, the video may not be viewable.
This site includes advertising.

tag(s): communication (129), text to speech (20), video (266)

Do you need sound effects to spice up a presentation? SoundGator contains a large variety of free audio sound effects for personal use. Search for any sound, or use categories to browse through available files. Click any file to preview the file, then choose from options for use. Share via email, copy the embed code for use on web pages, or download to your computer. Downloading and sharing requires registration on the SoundGator site.

tag(s): sound (72), sounds (43)

Create Bingo cards quickly and easily with the Bingo Card Generator. Insert your title, add your list of words, then choose options to personalize the look of your Bingo Cards. When finished, select the option to print 30 free cards. One unique feature of this site allows users to play online, just share the link provided after choosing print. Players click on the called words on their online bingo card when given the link for the games.
This site includes advertising.

tag(s): game based learning (205), printables (36), worksheets (69)

Illuminations offers over twenty interactives and activities specifically for teaching the Algebra strand in 9th through 12th grade. The large variety of interactives and activities provides opportunities for exploring how to solve equations, substitute in variable expressions, and expand and factor, practice arithmetic and algebraic skills, and investigate the important concept of equivalence; investigate tangent lines, derivatives, and area under a curve, and a lot more. You'll also find Dynamic Paper (create math manipulatives, such as pentagonal pyramid, a set of pattern blocks, a number line, and so on; all these in the size and shape you need). All interactives include complete instructions, an exploration, and correlation to standards.

tag(s): charts and graphs (171), critical thinking (127), data (151), functions (52), geometric shapes (135), number lines (33), percent (59), pi (29), quadratics (27), ratios (47)

Turn uncomfortable, sensitive topic discussions in your classroom into a learning tool for developing critical thinking skills with NewseumEd's guidelines for helping you and your students discuss issues respectfully. Topics like racial tensions, politics, and religion can become a classroom learning tool to teach the art of dialogue and to increase respectful public speaking, confidence, engagement, and listening skills. Read and use the four guidelines: confidence in your content, respectfulness of your participants, asking questions, and encouraging debate, and be the best the facilitator you can be. You must be a registered NewseumEd member to access this resource; however, membership is free.

tag(s): character education (79), debate (42), difficult conversations (57), listening (93), speaking (26)

Speechnotes provides a distraction-free, easy to use speech to text notepad for use with Chrome browsers. Just click on the microphone to begin speaking. Be sure to view the hints for inserting punctuation. When finished, email or print your document. Saving options allow you to upload files to Google Drive or download as a text file. This tool is for speech to text, not text to speech.

tag(s): communication (129), multilingual (77), speech (69), writing (325)

The Flipped Learning Global Initiative is an international collaboration of educators and researchers committed to flipped learning. This site offers online webinars along with archives of previous webinars for professional development. Be sure to check out the Flipped Learning Technology Selection located in the Training section to enroll in a free one-hour course outlining the mistakes to avoid with flipped learning. The community portion of the site includes a forum for interacting with educators from around the world to discuss flipped learning. The archived webinars reside on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, the videos may not be viewable.

tag(s): learning styles (18), professional development (385)

Create forms for virtually any need using Google Forms, part of Google's online suite of document tools. Begin with included templates, or start with a blank form to create polls, sign-ups, registrations, and much more. Choose from multiple response options including short answer, multiple choice, and check boxes. Options also allow you to incorporate images and YouTube videos directly into any form. You have the ability to make questions required or optional. Once shared, receive responses in real-time within the "Responses" tab or link to a Google Sheets spreadsheet.

tag(s): polls and surveys (49), spreadsheets (23)

The Math and Science Concept Map is an interactive, customizable concept map demonstrating the interrelationships between math and science concepts. Choose or search for an idea to open up the map. Expand the map further by clicking on an item. Learn more about individual terms by selecting a "details" box; those link to videos and reading materials providing further information. You may want to view the explanatory video before exploring the concept map to get an overall understanding of this map and how it works. In order to explore all the features for this concept map, it is best to use the FireFox browser. The explanatory video resides on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, the video may not be viewable.

tag(s): concept mapping (15), pi (29), STEM (297)

World of 7 Billion provides a broad variety of resources and information for teaching about world population. Discover the ever changing world and United State's current population count near the top of each page. Explore the Teachers Resources for activities to use with middle and high school students. Encourage students to participate in the annual video challenge contest sponsored by the site highlighting different global challenges with prizes up to $1,000.

tag(s): conservation (102), environment (252), population (51)

The Microsoft Educator Community has transformed into Microsoft Learn with all new, in-demand educator training and professional development. Find Product guides for Teams for education, Immersive Reader, Reading Progress, Flip, Minecraft: Education Edition, and more. Be sure to browse the Educator programs and access the Highlighted instructor materials. Of course, there is a blog, a help center, a training and events calendar, and just about anything else you may need. You can find all of this by scrolling down the page or using the dropdown menus at the top. Microsoft Learn also has Learn TV accessed from the top menu. Learn TV has a variety of shows, such as Mixed Reality Dev Days, where you can learn to create mixed reality and metaverse experiences; other titles include Hello World, Ask the Expert, Code Stories, The Internet of Things Show, and several others. Microsoft has partnered with Flip, reviewed here, to provide virtual field trips and live events, find them in the Discovery area of Flip. A list of additional training sessions and virtual events provided by Microsoft are located here. Follow directions to link your Educator Community account with the new Microsoft Learn program, so you don't lose your achievements and transcripts, or you can create a new account.

tag(s): collaboration (93), Microsoft (80), preK (271), professional development (385), social networking (61), STEM (297), virtual field trips (128)

CK-12 Common Core Math Standards provides an extensive collection of math content for grades six and higher. Use the browser to find lessons and activities for concepts and correlated standards. Most of the lessons have a short explanatory video. Create an account to save and assign to your classes, add to your library, or share to groups. CK-12 also offers the option of setting up a Flexbook Textbook with your personalized content. If your district blocks YouTube, the videos may not be viewable.

tag(s): commoncore (73), equations (119), geometric shapes (135), probability (99), professional development (385), ratios (47), statistics (121)

Infographic Portal offers an extensive collection of infographics sub-divided into several categories. In addition to viewing infographics on the site, under Infographic Designers, see design tips, and then submit original designs for inclusion on the site. Choose categories from topics listed at the top of the website with an orange background. Infographics in the education section include titles such as Verb Grammar Rules: Your Complete Handbook and A Typical School Week Around the World. Be sure to review the site before sharing with students, some images may not be suitable for all ages or school-appropriate.

tag(s): digital storytelling (154), infographics (56), professional development (385)

Taskade is an easy to use to-do list creator and manager. Just start typing to create a list, no registration required. As soon as you start the list, a link appears for sharing and collaborating. To save, create a free account with a username, email, and password to find and manage previous items. Taskade is not just an easy list creator; it is a very powerful tool with video conferencing, an activity feed, and recent projects. Taskade is the answer for remote teams to work together. Change the theme when you click to share a list on Facebook (but you don't have to share; just open one of them and go back to your list to change the theme). You can even add Taskade to your Chrome browser for easy access or when you open a new tab your current list will appear as the opening page!

tag(s): DAT device agnostic tool (147), note taking (36), organizational skills (88), video (266)

Randomly select a name for any activity with Name Picker Ninja. Add your list of names, and Go! Highlight and delete the list of names given with the tool, and replace them with your names. Click Go! The Name Picker Ninja will scroll through the list and stop on a random name. Delete that name and continue. Alternatively, if you want to keep all names active, click Go! again.

tag(s): classroom management (120), gamification (83), preK (271)

Podcast Generator is a free download for uploading and publishing audio and video podcasts. Install the software using the three-step setup wizard to begin. The generator also includes options for customizing the appearance of podcasts using themes. Podcast Generator works on most desktops, laptops and web browsers, AND this download seamlessly integrates with the Apple store for uploading podcasts to iTunes.
This site includes advertising.

tag(s): blended learning (37), communication (129), podcasts (108), video (266)

aysmetrica is an interesting web browser extension designed to adjust the spaces in text to create an easier reading experience. View the examples on the How it Works page to understand what aysmetrica offers and why it makes reading easier in many instances. Reduce cognitive load by creating chunks of text instead of one space between each word; this makes content easier to read and understand. Use the slider to adjust the amount of formatting provided. Be sure to follow the links, found in the top menu under More, to download the free browser extension for aysmetrica for personal use. This site requires email registration.
This site includes advertising.

tag(s): multilingual (77), reading comprehension (149), reading strategies (96)

Collaborate and annotate online using eMargin. Create an account using your email to get started. Begin annotating using text you upload from your computer, enter a URL, or copy and paste text. Once text is available, use the dashboard to highlight with your choice of colors, add notes or tags, or search for specific words or phrases. Create groups to share and collaborate on annotations.

tag(s): collaboration (93), note taking (36), questioning (36)

Text Mode is an easy-to-install extension for Chrome browsers that removes all information from web pages except text. Convert distracting, hard to follow web pages into clean black and white text with a click of a button. Once installed, click the "T" on your browser toolbar to turn Text Mode on or off when viewing any page.

tag(s): media literacy (109), multilingual (77), reading comprehension (149)