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The Kids Should See This - Rion Nakaya
Grades
K to 8
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This site offers media (found on YouTube, Vimeo, and Flickr) on a broad spectrum of topics, not created for kids but appropriate and interesting for children 3 years old and ...more
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This site offers media (found on YouTube, Vimeo, and Flickr) on a broad spectrum of topics, not created for kids but appropriate and interesting for children 3 years old and up. Media isn't divided into categories. The newest items appear first. However, you can search the site by keyword. Information ranges from animal stories of a dog without legs to video of Ella Fitzgerald scatting. Obviously, this site is updated frequently, so contents will change. Students and adults alike will love browsing for interesting stories and information.
tag(s): news (222), speaking (23), writing prompts (56)
In the Classroom
Check first to be sure the media are not blocked by school web filtering. Choose one item from the site to share on your interactive whiteboard or projector as a class discussion starter on current topics or as a lead-in to a lesson. (Example: show the YouTube video about order of the planets when beginning an astronomy unit). Share the site with students and let them explore to find interesting topics for research reports. Ask students to choose one item from the site to share with other students as a way to practice oral presentation skills. Use videos or images as writing prompts or blog prompts. ESL/ELL students can practice their language skills by retelling a favorite video. Challenge your students to create their own informative videos on a topic that your class is exploring. Share the videos using a site such as TeacherTube reviewed here.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Kids Web Japan - Ministry of Foreign Affairs Japan
Grades
3 to 9
2 Favorites
0 Comments
This site introduces Japan to school-aged students around the world. It is divided into several sections to explore, beginning with Explore Japan (scroll down to Learn), which includes...more
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This site introduces Japan to school-aged students around the world. It is divided into several sections to explore, beginning with Explore Japan (scroll down to Learn), which includes maps, calendars, and basic facts about Japan. The Play section covers popular culture, including Japan's biggest fads, virtual culture to try online, games, and quizzes. Another interesting part of the site is the Explore section, which lets you discover different aspects of the country, from climate to housing and government. In the Try box, you can learn about Japanese schools, cities, and young artists, plus get information and virtual visits to different areas of the country. This site is viewable in seven different languages.
tag(s): cross cultural understanding (167), japan (61), virtual field trips (154)
In the Classroom
Introduce this site on your interactive whiteboard and let students explore it on their own or in pairs. Use the site to create Venn Diagrams to compare and contrast life in Japan and the United States. Take a virtual field trip to Japan by exploring different cities and cultural activities offered on the site. Find a recipe for one of the Japanese foods listed on the site and make it to try in class. Assign cooperative learning groups a specific part of this site to explore. Challenge groups to choose and make a multimedia presentation using Genially, reviewed here, where they will find interactive presentations, images, infographics, charts, and more.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Soungle - Southern Codes
Grades
5 to 12
3 Favorites
0 Comments
Royalty Free Sound Effects Library for Download by Soungle.com is a go-to resource to keep in your bookmarked favorites for easy, free downloads of sounds, and the best part ...more
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Royalty Free Sound Effects Library for Download by Soungle.com is a go-to resource to keep in your bookmarked favorites for easy, free downloads of sounds, and the best part is it is searchable! The sound effects are short, and there is no membership required. Cautionary advice would be to direct students to type in a search term and avoid clicking on word links which will actually lead away from the webpage.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
In the Classroom
Try sharing this resource with students when they are creating podcasts, slideshows, and other media projects. This would also be great for performance groups such as drama clubs or musicals that need sound effects. Very creative students might like to actually tell a story through nothing but sound effects. Have them try making a "sound rebus" story on your class wiki, with words and sound links to tell what happens. Download sound effects and add them, worry-free, to projects or productions. Make sure students realize that "royalty free" does not dismiss the need to give proper credit for their source!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Blackbaseball's Negro Baseball Leagues - Blackbaseball
Grades
6 to 12
3 Favorites
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This updated site from the National Baseball Hall of Fame is part of the Hall's Black Baseball Initiative and is designed especially for students ages 8-12. The WE PLAY! section ...more
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This updated site from the National Baseball Hall of Fame is part of the Hall's Black Baseball Initiative and is designed especially for students ages 8-12. The WE PLAY! section explores the history of Black baseball from the late 1800s through the Negro Leagues, the integration of Major League Baseball, and the broader Civil Rights Movement. Through interactive activities, videos, historical photographs, player stories, timelines, and primary-source materials, students learn about the athletes, teams, and communities that helped shape both baseball and American history. The site also connects to the Hall of Fame's new exhibit, The Souls of the Game: Voices of Black Baseball, which highlights the experiences of Black players from the sport's earliest days to the present. Educators will find free classroom resources, lesson materials, and activities that encourage students to explore themes of perseverance, equality, leadership, and social change. Some videos may be hosted on YouTube; if your district blocks YouTube, those resources may not be accessible.
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This site includes advertising.
tag(s): 20th century (170), baseball (36), black history (133), civil rights (228), sports (106)
In the Classroom
Use the site as a resource during Black History Month for students who are researching the Negro Baseball Leagues or players who were part of the leagues. Tie together current events (during baseball season) with this historical site. Have cooperative learning groups create venn diagrams using an online tool such as the Interactive the Two Circle Venn Diagram, reviewed here to compare the Negro Baseball Leagues to the baseball teams of today. What was the same, what is different? The site might also be useful in discussions of the Civil Rights movement or as a part of a look at segregation in the early 20th century. Check back frequently, as the site is clearly expanding and will have more information in the future.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Paper Rater - paperrater.com
Grades
6 to 12
18 Favorites
0 Comments
At Paper Rater you can check your grammar, detect plagiarism, and find writing suggestions all at one place. Use this site for sixth grade writing and above. With the free ...more
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At Paper Rater you can check your grammar, detect plagiarism, and find writing suggestions all at one place. Use this site for sixth grade writing and above. With the free version you are able to check for plagiarism, grammar, vocabulary, word choice and style (transitions). No login is required. PaperRater offers a premium version for a fee.
tag(s): book reports (26), editing (98), essays (15), grammar (142), plagiarism (33), proofreading (18), writing (304)
In the Classroom
Users must be able to find their document and copy and paste into the correct fields. Follow the easy directions to determine grammar errors and create a better document. Use without a login or sign up. Have students use Paper Rater to check their rough drafts. Have students work in pairs, as a peer review, to help each other improve their papers using the suggestions given by Paper Rater. Provide this link on your class website for students to access both in and out of the classroom.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Everyday Mysteries - Library of Congress
Grades
3 to 12
1 Favorites
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Find answers to the most interesting and intriguing questions that can be asked. Uncover cool science facts by looking at these answers. Enter a search term to find related questions...more
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Find answers to the most interesting and intriguing questions that can be asked. Uncover cool science facts by looking at these answers. Enter a search term to find related questions and answers. Browse categories such as Agriculture, Zoology, Meteorolgy, Food and Nutrition, and Technology. View related resources and other interesting information on each page.
tag(s): agriculture (52), animals (281), climate (99), energy (136), planets (122), plants (141), questioning (37), resources (79), seasons (59)
In the Classroom
Use as a reference to answer questions that students have. Use this site to also apply information learned in the classroom. For example, when discussing light energy and wavelengths, use the explanation of why it is hot in the summer and cold in the winter to apply the information about energy and wavelength. Follow the use of this site with related labs and other activities. Follow up also with more research. For example, after learning about how an hour glass works, research, report, or create other timepieces used throughout history focusing on the advantages and disadvantages as well as the limitations and changes in technology over time.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Number Base Clock - Shodor
Grades
3 to 12
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This site provides practice in converting from base 10 to other values up to base 16. Three clocks are displayed and options are provided for choosing the value used on ...more
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This site provides practice in converting from base 10 to other values up to base 16. Three clocks are displayed and options are provided for choosing the value used on the clocks. Upon entering the choice, the hands on the clock turn to show the appropriate representation in the chosen base. The learner section provides information on base number systems and how they have been used in the past. The instructor section provides links to standards, place value in the curriculum, possible issues that may arise in the classroom and links to additional resources including an activity sheet.
tag(s): base ten (5), number sense (75)
In the Classroom
Provide students with the exploration questions and let them work with a partner to solve. Display the site on the interactive whiteboard or projector as a springboard to introduction of bases other than the base 10 system. Use when studying Ancient Mayans to demonstrate their counting system that used base 20.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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WordSift - Stanford University
Grades
4 to 12
10 Favorites
0 Comments
WordSift helps anyone easily sift through texts -- just copy and paste any text into WordSift and you can engage in a verbal quick-capture! The program helps quickly identify important...more
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WordSift helps anyone easily sift through texts -- just copy and paste any text into WordSift and you can engage in a verbal quick-capture! The program helps quickly identify important words in the text. After entering text, several items will appear; first, a word cloud will display the 50 most frequently used words in the text. The most frequently used word will display as a word web in a visual thesaurus. Google image and video search results are also shown. One interesting feature is the ability to click on any word in the word cloud to display it in the thesaurus and in Google image and video searches. A great way to understand the WordSift tool is to try one of the sample texts offered, such as Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech. Be sure to check out the "About" link to discover many ideas for use in the classroom. Tips and videos are also available as guides. If you type in a shorter sentence, the site still creates a word cloud using its own related words (not in your original text). Be aware of the advertisements that appear with the word clouds. Advise students not to click on the ads.
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This site includes advertising.
tag(s): dictionaries (40), reading comprehension (146), reading strategies (85), thesaurus (21), vocabulary (260), vocabulary development (112), word clouds (12), word study (59)
In the Classroom
This is a classic tool to promote "before reading" strategies and vocabulary development. Use WordSift to preview text to be used in class and define vocabulary before reading to increase reading comprehension. Have students use WordSift with different portions of text to identify key words and vocabulary for class presentations. Use WordSift to discuss different meanings of words using images presented through the site. This site isn't only for English teachers, share with Science and Social Studies teachers to use in their classrooms with reading texts in their content areas. ENL/ELL and learning support teachers will want to share this as a support for any reading assigned in regular classes. Be sure to show students how to copy/paste to WordSift texts from informational web pages and news stories on the web, as well. Share this link as a Favorite on your public page so students can use it anytime.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Old Radio World - OldRadioWorld.com
Grades
4 to 12
6 Favorites
0 Comments
Find a treasury of old radio shows from the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. There are seven genres from which to choose (comedy, mystery, western, drama, etc.), and each genre has ...more
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Find a treasury of old radio shows from the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. There are seven genres from which to choose (comedy, mystery, western, drama, etc.), and each genre has at least ten different old radio shows for your selection. There is a miscellaneous section that has such treasures as "Voices From History," "World War II News Broadcasts," and "Fireside Chat with Franklin D. Roosevelt." Downloading of the Mp3 files takes a while, so be patient.
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This site includes advertising.
tag(s): 1930s (39), 1940s (68), 1950s (33), 20th century (170), listening (120), oral history (16), radio (16), world war 2 (169)
In the Classroom
As a class, listen to a couple of radio shows, taking note of the sound effects heard. Use your interactive whiteboard or projector to list the sounds. Have the class speculate about what objects could have created each sound. Post the radio site on your web page and assign the students to determine what household objects are responsible for the sounds for homework. Back in class the next day, use your interactive white board to share the student discoveries. From here it would be natural to have your students create a two- or three-minute radio show for a topic being studied in history or science. Students could also turn part of a short story into reader's theater (including sound effects) and record it as a radio broadcast. Use a site such as PodOmatic reviewed here. Another idea would be to introduce a unit on the 20th century, the Great Depression, or WWII or by having the class listen to a broadcast from that time period. Have them experience radio as it was, with everyone huddled around to listen (and no multitasking!). Talk about how the changes in entertainment formats have changed the way we interact in our homes. To hone in listening skills, you could create a worksheet with questions to answer, or have students take two column notes, asking questions about what they are hearing in the left column.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Multicultural Canada: Wayang Kulit - Lynn Copeland, Simon Fraser University
Grades
3 to 12
2 Favorites
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This unique site by Multicultural Canada is part of a digitization project that aims to tell the stories of the cultures that make up Canada. Other modules include Chinese, ...more
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This unique site by Multicultural Canada is part of a digitization project that aims to tell the stories of the cultures that make up Canada. Other modules include Chinese, Japanese, Scottish, Indonesian, Italian, Jewish, Vietnamese, and Pakistani collections. Detailed lesson plans, related resources, and rubrics are included. In this module, Simon Fraser University shares its collection of Wayang Kulit, or Indonesian shadow puppetry. Wayang Kulit often portrays moral or political messages. The university featured the exhibit, Crossing Oceans, Crossing Cultures, which includes the shadow puppets and stories about good and evil, respect, duty, friendship, and loyalty. The website shows some Wayang Kulit shadow puppets and provides information on traditional stories. Photographs of several intricate shadow puppets are included. Ideas for projects using a variety of free downloads are suggested. There is also an introductory video.
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This site includes advertising.
tag(s): canada (23), myths and legends (44), readers theater (13), stories and storytelling (81)
In the Classroom
In language arts classes, students study universal stories and myths while discovering Indonesian culture and shadow puppetry. Dramatize the elements of good versus evil, characterization, and plot. Discover a unique twist to Readers' Theater. Storyboarding opportunities allow for simpler construction of a story performance, with fewer background scenery or props required. Sound and musical accompaniment can enhance the creativity of the performance. Reluctant readers through gifted learners will enjoy the flexibility and creativity of shadow puppetry.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Science Bob Q&A - Steve Galgas
Grades
3 to 9
1 Favorites
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This webpage provides weekly answers to student submitted questions. Answers are student friendly, and offer pictures to help explain the answer. ...more
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This webpage provides weekly answers to student submitted questions. Answers are student friendly, and offer pictures to help explain the answer.
tag(s): questioning (37)
In the Classroom
Use questions as a good bank of "hooks" to start classroom discussions on various topics. Allow students time to expand the question and arrive at their own answers, and then have them view the actual given answer. From here, students can accept or reject the answer by finding more information on the topic.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Topmark Interactive Whiteboard Resources - Topmarks
Grades
K to 12
6 Favorites
0 Comments
This wonderful collection of interactive whiteboard activities is designed for students ages 3 to 18. Topics include Math, Literacy, Science, Physics, History, Art, Music, and Religion....more
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This wonderful collection of interactive whiteboard activities is designed for students ages 3 to 18. Topics include Math, Literacy, Science, Physics, History, Art, Music, and Religion. Within each topic are categories to help narrow down search results. Activities contain a short summary, a link to the resource, and some have objectives. Because this is a British site, be aware that some vocabulary and content may be unfamiliar to American students, so preview carefully before using.
tag(s): descriptive writing (41), energy (136), environment (245), forces (54), grammar (142), literacy (122), literature (214), map skills (68), maps (222), novels (33), persuasive writing (46), poetry (194), preK (352), religions (120), rhythm (22), rivers (17), seasons (59), shakespeare (99), speeches (21), spelling (96), water cycle (25), weather (170)
In the Classroom
Use activities offered on the site on your interactive whiteboard or projector either as a whole class activity or use your whiteboard as one of the learning centers in your class. Share with parents on your blog or classroom newsletter as a resource for practice at home.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Central Park Conservancy - Central Park Conservancy
Grades
4 to 12
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This site, created by the Central Park Conservancy, provides some interesting features about the park which includes history and films and famous photographs taken in the park. There...more
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This site, created by the Central Park Conservancy, provides some interesting features about the park which includes history and films and famous photographs taken in the park. There is tour and event information, so whether you're planning a virtual field trip or an actual field trip to Central park, this site is worth your viewing.
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This site includes advertising.
tag(s): animals (281), environment (245), national parks (30), plants (141), trees (18), virtual field trips (154)
In the Classroom
Use this resource to plan a trip to the park. Or, create a virtual field trip by designating specific places on the website that students have to visit. Have students locate different buildings, art, and trees in the park. It could be a great way to do a virtual leaf collection (in this case - tree collection) with the site's tree database. Have students find at least ten different trees and then create a presentation providing different information about those trees, including their locations in the park. Assign small groups to explore one facet of this site and create a multimedia presentation using Renderforest reviewed here, and Genially reviewed here. Use the site to help teach geography content such as latitude and longitude by having the students create a map to "escape the park."Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Online Conversion - Robert Fogt
Grades
3 to 12
1 Favorites
0 Comments
This site is the ultimate resource for any measurement or conversion need. Calculators are included for Math, Science, Cooking, Time, and much more. Categories are listed in alphabetical...more
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This site is the ultimate resource for any measurement or conversion need. Calculators are included for Math, Science, Cooking, Time, and much more. Categories are listed in alphabetical order from Acceleration to Weight/Mass. Within each category are the different converters/calculators. For example, after choosing volume, choices include acres, barrels (dry, federal, liquid, and wine), cubic units, gallons, quarts, teaspoons, yards, and more. Other interesting conversions include your weight on other planets, your age in dog years, and translations to and from Pig Latin. You are sure to find exactly the conversion you need on this site, along with others to use just for fun!
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This site includes advertising.
tag(s): conversions (34), measurement (123), temperature (32), time (98)
In the Classroom
Following a lesson on conversions, allow students to access the site to check answers. Mark this site in your favorites and share it on your TeachersFirst public page for quick access. Use as a handy resource on your interactive whiteboard or projector anytime that conversions come up in your classroom. Share this site with students through your class web page or TeachersFirst public page as a resource to use outside of class-- even when cooking with mom or dad!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Money Instructor - Money Instructor
Grades
K to 12
2 Favorites
0 Comments
This site is a wonderful resource for any teacher looking for lessons, worksheets, activities, and articles related to money. Although this is a subscription site, many of the resources...more
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This site is a wonderful resource for any teacher looking for lessons, worksheets, activities, and articles related to money. Although this is a subscription site, many of the resources are free without any kind of registration. You can also register to receive limited access to some of the site's other resources. Categories include basic money skills, earning/spending, saving/investing, and careers/business. Elementary lessons include worksheets, coloring pages, and activities that include printables and online games. Other categories include lessons on taxes, insurance, investing, using an ATM and much more.
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tag(s): business (51), careers (184), financial literacy (90), investing (7), money (112)
In the Classroom
Print off worksheets to use in your classroom. Search for lessons on any money-related topic you are studying in your classroom. Elementary teachers: be sure to check out the lesson "Teaching Elementary Money Skills." In secondary classrooms, check out the lessons on savings and investing, business and career, and more. Create a link to the interactives on your classroom computers to use as a center or for free time.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Student Produced Video Field Trips - TeachersFirst
Grades
4 to 12
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What is a student created video field trip? Simply put, it is an experience where a group of students goes to a site to shoot video, interviews, etc. and streams ...more
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What is a student created video field trip? Simply put, it is an experience where a group of students goes to a site to shoot video, interviews, etc. and streams the video (live and archived) to students, parents, and others unable to attend in person. TeachersFirst shares this how-to and why-to so you and your students will try it. Expand each point within these pages to learn what to do in detail---and skip the steps you already know or that don't apply!
In the Classroom
Read through the step by step and get started! TeachersFirst offers all the practical advice you need to try this 21st century approach to real world learning.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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TeachersFirst Brain Twisters - TeachersFirst
Grades
3 to 9
46 Favorites
0 Comments
These ten-question quizzes are refreshed each Friday -- one edition for middle school students and one for elementary students. Questions are presented one at a time as multiple-choice....more
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These ten-question quizzes are refreshed each Friday -- one edition for middle school students and one for elementary students. Questions are presented one at a time as multiple-choice. You have only ONE try to select the correct answer, so think carefully! Points are awarded for each correct answer, up to a possible 100. When you finish, you see your score. Questions are intentionally designed to stretch thinking: 5-point questions tend to fall at the knowledge/comprehension/application level of Bloom's taxonomy; 10-pointers are more likely cross-curricular; and 20-pointers require analytical thinking, broader experience, or knowledge of current events -- and may benefit from more than one student's input. Printable versions are available for both editions, along with answers to the previous week's Twisters. A new version is also available for students to take on mobile devices.
In the Classroom
Brain Twisters work well as a whole-class activity projected on a screen or interactive whiteboard, with students pooling their knowledge to work through questions as a team. Thinking aloud together -- eliminating wrong answers, testing possibilities, debating what they know -- builds both content knowledge and test-taking strategies. Alternatively, use them in small groups with assigned roles: a moderator to guide discussion, a keyboarder to submit answers, and researchers to look up what the group doesn't know. This makes Brain Twisters a natural fit for teaching information literacy and research skills in a high-motivation context.Offer Twisters as an enrichment challenge or extra-credit option for students to complete at home -- consider giving credit simply for completing the quiz rather than for the score, since family members may want to help. The printable version and last week's answers make it easy to use Brain Twisters even without live internet access. Be sure to mark this as a favorite and share it on your class webpage.
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The 50 States - TeachersFirst
Grades
4 to 8
18 Favorites
1 Comments
TeachersFirst's states project for students combines the usual "almanac" facts with narratives on native people, early history, economy, and landforms and geography. The result is a...more
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TeachersFirst's states project for students combines the usual "almanac" facts with narratives on native people, early history, economy, and landforms and geography. The result is a one-stop site for upper elementary and middle school students studying their own states, or someone else's.
tag(s): california (18), new york (23), states (127), texas (8)
In the Classroom
Use this site on a projector or interactive whiteboard to discuss and informally assess prior knowledge as you start your study of the 50 states. One easy use would be for testing students on knowledge of the capitals. Open the site on the interactive whiteboard or projector, and you can test students not only by state recognition on the map but with what the capitals are. State location and capitol information are not clearly stated until clicked on, so this would be a fairly easy formative assessment or review of the information.Comments
Great resource!Ladisha, VA, Grades: 9 - 12
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Plagiarism Checker - Darren Horn
Grades
6 to 12
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This site allows users to check a document or web page for evidence of plagiarism for free. Type or copy/paste text from parts of the document or website and click ...more
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This site allows users to check a document or web page for evidence of plagiarism for free. Type or copy/paste text from parts of the document or website and click search. Of course, you will need electronic copies of student work to easily copy/paste! Plagiarism Checker provides links to web-based text similar to that being searched. Note that this tool does not check against print material, such as books. It searches only the web for similar passages.
tag(s): plagiarism (33)
In the Classroom
Students can use this plagiarism checker to be sure they are turning in original work. Teachers can use this service to check the work of students (submitted electronically). Students should create accounts with their parents to check their work at home. Model this site to explain what plagiarism IS and how students can avoid it. The hands-on experience will help them understand this challenging concept. You might even want to provide several examples of plagiarized writing as an exercise for student to check and correct before they copy/paste their way to trouble in a research assignment. Another interesting exercise for researchers is to locate an article on a how-to topic, such as "How to Paint a Room," then see how many sites use the exact same text. As a class, discuss whether this proliferation is good or bad (is the web spreading misinformation, too?).Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Important Dates and Events in History - Hisdates.com
Grades
6 to 12
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Find out what happened on any date in history with this informative site. Each event is listed with a short description. Historic events are listed chronologically from oldest to current...more
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Find out what happened on any date in history with this informative site. Each event is listed with a short description. Historic events are listed chronologically from oldest to current times. (Some dates are several pages long, be sure to click the "read more" link to continue to newer dates.) Information includes birthdays, discoveries, events, and more. Searches by specific years, months, and famous birthdays. You are able to add events and comments. Note that the general public can also add comments, so preview before projecting in class!
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
In the Classroom
Use this site to display an interesting "this day in history" on your interactive whiteboard or projector each day. Use as a resource for students to research events during historical time periods being studied in class. Create a scavenger hunt to review dates in history - give students a list of events and have students find them on the calendar. For a more in=depth experience, share Teachers First's Dates that Matter, then have students create their own set of Dates That Matter style question prompts and provide a "Why Does it Matter" response for one of the events found here. Share their student-created Dates That Matter in PowerPoint slides or using an online presentation tool.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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