Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

With such poor results as a nation on geography testing, we all should try these geography games to build student knowledge of U.S. and world geography. Students can click on the region of the world and practice at different levels of difficulty. Even adults can find a challenge. Offered in a "dial up version" for those accessing the sites from a slower connection.

tag(s): capitals (16), continents (33), countries (73), maps (220)

These six puzzles, involving virtual matchsticks, require some clever out-of-the-box thinking. Follow the directions to create a specific number of equal rectangles by moving a limited number of matches. It's tougher than it looks. No hints given!

tag(s): puzzles (149)

Any Sudoku fans in your classroom? Send them to this site that provides problem-solving techniques, helpful for successfully conquering some of the most fiendish puzzles. Learn about crosshatching, slicing and dicing, and "penciling in." Discover the five rules that stress finding numbers for squares, rather than finding squares for umbers. This truly is a site for the Sudoku aficionados among us.

tag(s): puzzles (149), sudoku (10)

The challenge and creativity of the original board game comes alive in this virtual version. Review the available tools that can undo, redo, withdraw, sort, and even save an uncompleted game. Although this "solitaire" Scrabble game misses the group interaction of the traditional version, it provides a great opportunity for creative, independent thought related to spelling and vocabulary.

tag(s): spelling (98), vocabulary (238)

Most students are familiar with the traditional Mankala game that uses a rectangular wooden board and stones, but this online version adds a few interesting options and variations. Read the instructions carefully! Students can play against the computer or with a partner.

This collection of puzzles, riddles, brainteasers, and interactive tests challenges students to think outside of the box and improve their analytical skills while having fun. Puzzles are graded by level of difficulty and the amount of math needed to arrive at a solution.

tag(s): puzzles (149), riddles (15)

Make this virtual jigsaw puzzle site available for those inevitable moments of "downtime" in the classroom. Choose a topic from the gallery (preferably one that relates to your curriculum), select a level of difficulty (number of pieces), and start the challege. These puzzles are not only a lot of fun, but good exercises for developing spatial skills. The pop-ups are annoying but can be blocked by Windows XP. Allow time for the site to load. Check the Frequently Asked Questions link (at the bottom of the page)for troubleshooting if you are having difficulty making the puzzles work.

tag(s): puzzles (149)

This challenging, interactive word game is more than a "just-for-fun" activity. Students must use strategy and vocabulary skills to make changes to a starting word - one letter at a time - and form a new word. Each word morph can be solved in 10 moves or less, but must be completed within 5 minutes. A purposeful and competitive "filler" to add to a language arts class.

tag(s): thesaurus (22), vocabulary (238), word choice (14)

For students approaching that ever-important College Board test, this site is an invaluable resource. Features include a "question of the day," a series of practice questions that address math, critical reading, and writing skills, a review of the dreaded essay question, and a full-length practice test that can be downloaded and printed after completing free registration.

tag(s): college (45), test prep (69)

Experience an unforgettable game of chess with this interactive site that pits visitors against an artificial intelligence program. After moving your chess piece, watch your opponent's thought processes evolve as a visible network on the board. This is an awesome activity for students that truly enjoy a challenge.

tag(s): chess (2), logic (161)

Whether your students are learning how to spell the fifty states, reviewing chemistry terms, or trying out their foreign language skills, this collection of thematic hang-man games can provide a fun way to practice! Select a topic (most are curriculum-related, a few are just for fun) and try the interactive games, or print out the blank hang-man worksheets and create your own.

tag(s): grammar review (31)

This collection of games, and articles is designed to challenge students to use their problem solving skills. Activities are organized according to UK education system levels, but click on Help for an easy conversion guide. Each problem includes a question, related pictures or diagrams, a form for students to submit their solution, and helpful hints and notes for parents and teachers. A weekly challenge is also offered. Complete the free registration to participate in a discussion forum, pose questions online, or post messages.

tag(s): problem solving (233)

The weekly word puzzle from National Public Radio is not specifically designed for students, but these puzzles can help build vocabulary and word analysis skills in secondary students. The site presents recent puzzles, along with their answers.

This presentation by students and faculty at Trinity College, Hartford includes discussions of some of history's more famous cipher and encryption machines, including the infamous German enigma machines. Along the way, there's a presentation on some of the basics of encryption. Students interested in math or computer security will find this one an interesting introduction to a hugely complex topic.

tag(s): cryptography (5)

This one is tough to categorize. Enter a day of the year, and this site will tell you about important events, births, and deaths that have happened on that day. Try using this one to create a list of important events - covering a variety of subject areas - for an entire week.

tag(s): quiz (67)

Find yourself some serious puzzlers before heading off to solve the problems on this site maintained by an engineering honor society. While several of the problems at least appear to be solvable by mere mortals, others are clearly targeted to the pros. We offer these for secondary teachers who may be working with students interested in advanced math, logic, and physics. The site is drawn from a print publication, and answers are posted quarterly.

tag(s): puzzles (149)

With puzzles to make, puzzles to solve, and optical illusions to observe, this interactive site puts brains and eyes to the test. The site also has a maze maker, math games, word games, and tricks to perform. The "Puzzles to make" section has detailed directions and printable instructions for using these puzzles in the classroom.

tag(s): puzzles (149)

Here's a British site offering a steady diet of math problems for several different age groups. There are also regular "code" puzzles that challenge students to decrypt a message or hidden phrase.

tag(s): cryptography (5)

The design of this privately developed site shows its age, but users will find abundant content and visuals here. It just takes a little work. The site covers the evolution of technologies ranging from the earliest wax recordings to today's DVDs. Along the way, users can learn about the people and processes that have helped sound and video recording develop.

tag(s): inventors and inventions (80)

Why does that Harvest Moon appear so huge? This page from the Sandlot Science site offers an explanation that middle and high school students should find interesting. There's an interactive applet that illustrates how the phenomenon actually works. Try this one if you're studying astronomy, the solar system, or puzzles and illusions.

tag(s): moon (73), solar system (110)