Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

Find two downloadable images for 11 by 17 posters about multiple intelligences in comic form. The first poster represents the different types of intelligences, such as musical or linguistic. The second poster breaks down steps to use when working with different types of intelligences. For full information, click the link that leads to the full six page essay about multiple intelligences. Also check out the link at the bottom of the page to "psst! teachers!" to another multiple intelligences comic book.

tag(s): back to school (55), comics and cartoons (55), multiple intelligences (7)

Connect with students and scientists all over the world conducting science using GLOBE. GLOBE Scientists post their thoughts, comments, and philosophies about science topics that are sure to meet your curricular needs. Reading the blog entries is open to everyone (no registration). You must register with an email address at the bottom of the page for this free site to share comments and discuss the topics. Anonymous comments are not allowed, and moderators approve all posts before showing on the blog. This is a great science collaboration location!

tag(s): asia (116), climate (84), earth (184), europe (84), scientists (67), seasons (37), soil (16), watersheds (8), weather (160)

PDF Mergy is a tool for combining multiple PDF documents into one file. Select files from your computer or Google Drive account to merge, drag, and drop to reorder, if desired. Click the merge button when ready. When the merge is complete, save the new file to your computer or Google Drive with any name you choose.
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tag(s): classroom management (120)

Compress images to a manageable size easily using Compress Now. Upload any image file up to 9 MB in size, slide the slider to choose the percentage of compression, and view the result. Click download to save to your computer. Although this tool is recommended for all ages, elementary students would not use it, but their teachers can!

tag(s): images (263)

Serving Up MyPlate is a collection of classroom materials for elementary and middle school teachers that integrates nutrition education into Math, Science, English Language Arts, and Health. The site includes Teacher Guides, songs, posters, parent handouts, games, and graphics for school meals. Choose from three different teacher guides based on grade levels to view or download in PDF format. Guides include lessons correlated to Common Core standards and include student handouts. Elementary schools participating in the National School Lunch Program or other Child Nutrition program may order free copies of several items including posters, curriculum, CDs, and handouts using the order form available on the site.

tag(s): myplate (18), nutrition (140)

Find lesson plans at the Pulitzer Center for grades 3-12 that identify global issues and ways to address them. Topics include subjects such as International Adoptions: Ethics and Effects and America's Responsibility for the Welfare and Safety of Chinese Workers and many other intriguing topics. Each lesson plan includes big ideas, essential questions, Common Core standards, vocabulary, assessments, and additional resources. Bring lessons to life through journalist visits (in larger cities) or Skype visits.

tag(s): africa (148), careers (156), china (81), debate (42), earthquakes (46), ethics (21), food chains (19), hiv/aids (15), india (32), journalism (74), media literacy (109), water (102), women (150)

Donna Young has created a website full of ideas for home, homeschooling, and classrooms. Home ideas include planning, meal preparation, and simple household tips. In the homeschool area, find information about why to do homeschooling, how to do homeschooling, and resources for homeschooling. There are a variety of resources for the classroom on the subjects of art, English, math, science, handwriting, and history. The math section contains resources for time, graph paper, fact cards in triangle format or regular in all operations, coordinate planes, drawing to scale, and drill pages. Explore the many resources in English, spelling, vocabulary ideas, and dictionary skills, book reviews, and planning. In science, investigate a nature journal, lunar eclipse, topic ideas, science art, and labs. An extensive handwriting section provides many resources for all styles and types of charts, guides, and practices. Presented, too, are art books, drawing, shading, perspective ideas, color, color theory, and themes. You can sign up for updates or take part in the blog.

tag(s): colors (64), drawing (61), flash cards (44), handwriting (15), journals (15), manipulatives (9), moon (73), perspective (14), themes (16), worksheets (69)

Watch full length documentaries online for free. Find your favorites through daily suggestions, browsing the top 100, or searching categories: 9/11, activism, art, aviation, business, comedy, crime, disaster, drugs, economics, environmental, food/drink, health, media, medicine, music, nature, performing arts, philosophy, political, religion, science, social, sport, strange, technology, travel, and many more. Look at film festivals and films featured in each. If you do not find what you are looking for, submit your request. A link to Amazon brings you to DVD's. Some are free, and others are for sale.
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tag(s): video (266)

Create your own interactive version of any PDF document or text using Active Textbook. Don't let the term "textbook" fool you. This tool can work with fiction and non-fiction or ANY combination. Add an existing document to begin. Use the site's tools to enhance with multimedia, links, notes, bookmarks, and more. Use social networking tools to exchange ideas and questions with other readers. Customizing features allow for private viewing, tags, inclusion into courses, and enabling or disabling comments. Save up to 500 pages or 50MB using the free version of the site.
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tag(s): digital storytelling (154), ebooks (43)

This resource is an interactive story that explores energy, renewable and nonrenewable resources, and topics of energy creation and transfer. Read the supporting information, try the interactives, and more with this engaging website. There is a quiz to test your knowledge.

tag(s): energy (133), natural resources (37), solar energy (34)

Create your own matching games with Match the Memory. You can also play a ready-made memory game. Create your memory cards using themes provided. Customize cards with text, picture only, or using other options. Easily add images, videos, events, and links to personalize a game. Choose a public or private option for sharing. Registration isn't required; however, it offers the option of editing games at a later date.
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tag(s): puzzles (149)

This site offers extensive resources about learning disabilities. A good place to start is to use the search box and find Learning Disabilities: An overview, to read an article explaining what is (and isn't) considered to be a learning disability, along with what to look for when considering learning disabilities. Search through resources sorted by grade level or by specific topics such as ADHD and autism. Another interesting section discusses assistive technologies available for reading, writing, and listening.
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tag(s): adhd (28), autism (15), dyslexia (11), learning disability (21), preK (271), professional development (385), Special Needs (53)

At UCAR find games, activities, and lessons built around the theme of our atmosphere including weather, climate, and sun and space. Visit the Learning Zone to view video and images identifying changes in the atmosphere and greenhouse effect on the earth. Try interactives such as the solar eclipse memory game. Explore the climate sensitivity calculator. Be sure to check out the teachers' section of Spark to find several classroom activities divided into the topics of weather, climate change, and atmosphere and chemistry activities.

tag(s): atmosphere (22), climate (84), climate change (99), glaciers (17), hurricanes (32), snow (17), solar energy (34), sun (71), tornadoes (14), weather (160)

Rewordify helps you understand what you read. Paste any text or website into the box to rewordify the text into simpler language. Easier to understand words replace difficult text shown with highlighting. Click on the highlighting to view the original, more difficult word(s). View excellent student and teacher demonstrations showing how to use the website. You have the option to choose how Rewordify displays the results using the options in the settings. Several options allow for easy personalization of results.

tag(s): multilingual (77), reading comprehension (149), vocabulary (238), vocabulary development (94)

Find many ideas for games from categories such as online games, printable games, or behavior charts. Other ideas offered are for outdoor games, classroom games, board games, card games, and many more. Choose an item of interest; then read instructions and print activities if included.
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tag(s): behavior (45), preK (271), printables (36), puzzles (149)

Turn meaningful words into beautiful images in just seconds using Quozio. Paste or type your quote into the quote box or use the site's bookmarklet to highlight text from the web to use as your quote. Enter who said it. Scroll through background images available to use with your quote. When finished, share via Pinterest, Facebook, or email. You can also RIGHT click the image to SAVE image as and download a copy to your computer for printing or use elsewhere. Register on Quozio using your email to save quotes directly on the Quozio site.

tag(s): bulletin boards (15), images (263), quotations (19), writing prompts (61)

Create matching and multiple choice quizzes. Register on the site using email to begin. Choose "manage quizzes" to create your first quiz. Provide a name, description, and begin adding quiz questions and answer options. Save and preview as often as desired until satisfied with the quiz. Quizdini supports HTML, so adding links to outside content within quizzes will make each quiz unique. Share completed quizzes using the URL in your browser bar displaying the finished quiz.

tag(s): quiz (67), quizzes (90)

Twiddla is an online meeting space and collaboration tool that is like having a whiteboard skin placed over any website or image so you can draw and more. Discover options available in the practice area named the Sandbox. Choose options for collaboration such as a url, uploaded image or document, or collaborate together on a blank screen. Use the Invite button to share the collaboration url via email or copy/paste. Take a snapshot of your session at any time and export as an image. Pro Accounts offer additional features, such as screen captures and password protection. Receive these services free as an educator, find the directions in the FAQ.
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tag(s): design (79), editing (93), iwb (31), note taking (36)

Diamonds are forever, and so are diamante poems created on this free site. Find a great tool to shape up your poets through the structure of a seven lined diamante poem. Learn about the diamond-shaped poems that use specific types of words for each line. Rhyming isn't needed, but needn't be impeded. Describe a central topic or two opposing topics like night and day. View the examples before creating your poem. Each screen provides an organizer for any poet to complete. Click on the parts of speech for definitions while composing poems. Edit your poem, if needed, before printing, downloading it as a PDF, or sharing through email. Save your draft to continue at a later date. This site is a must during poetry month in April.

tag(s): antonyms (12), firstday (22), parts of speech (39), poetry (193), rhymes (22), synonyms (15)

PreKinders offers printables and teaching ideas for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten teachers. Explore the learning areas to find quick and easy activities for literacy, math, and more. Choose from themes such as fairy tales and families. Search through the many printables in all subject areas as well as classroom management checklists, assessments, and posters.
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tag(s): alphabet (53), alphabetical order (8), back to school (55), classroom management (120), colors (64), counting (60), magnetism (36), musical instruments (52), numbers (120), nursery rhymes (9), preK (271), songs (46), sounds (43), weather (160)