2792 social-studies results | sort by:
Halloween Activities for Your Classroom - Nearpod
Grades
K to 6tag(s): fall festival (14), game based learning (242), halloween (46)
In the Classroom
Assign the interactive Nearpod slide deck on Halloween's origins and traditions, followed by a Think-Pair-Share discussion comparing holiday customs around the world. Use Nearpod's Collaborate Board for students to brainstorm eerie settings, character traits, and plot twists before writing their own short Halloween stories. Launch a Nearpod "Time to Climb" quiz with Halloween trivia or themed academic questions to energize students at the start of class.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Halloween Activities and Lesson Plans - AFT's Share My Lesson
Grades
K to 12In the Classroom
Have students predict, measure, and record data on a pumpkin's weight, circumference, and number of seeds. Use the "Oozing Pumpkin" activity for an exciting, hands-on lesson on chemical reactions. Use creative writing prompts from this collection to inspire students to craft short Halloween-themed stories that incorporate literary devices such as simile and personification. Provide recycled materials for students to design and build their own "monster" creations, and then have them write descriptive paragraphs or backstories for their inventions.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Science and Technology - PBS Learning
Grades
2 to 12tag(s): 1920s (25), 1940s (68), 1950s (32), 1960s (54), 1970s (30), 1980s (21), cold war (38), inventors and inventions (83), space (236), world war 1 (84)
In the Classroom
After watching "Tesla: Early Experiments with Wireless Power," students can continue to research Tesla's history by completing a timeline using Time Graphics Timeline Maker, reviewed here. After watching Sputnik's Launch Begins the Space Race | Chasing the Moon, students can use Google Drawings, reviewed here to compare and contrast the space race between the United States and Russia. Students can also research using Kiddle, reviewed here about what advancements have been made in fire safety, work conditions, and immigration since the Triangle Fire.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
OK2Ask: Interactive Lessons with Canva's AI Magic Tools - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12Take your Canva skills to the next level by harnessing the power of AI to create more engaging and interactive instructional materials. In this workshop, you'll discover how Canva's AI Magic features can streamline your lesson preparation, generate creative content, and enhance student learning experiences. Learn to use AI-powered tools for text generation, image creation, and design enhancement while maintaining pedagogical effectiveness. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Master Canva's AI Magic tools (Magic Design, Magic Edit, and Magic Write) to enhance instructional materials. 2. Create differentiated learning resources using AI-assisted features while maintaining instructional integrity. 3. Develop practical strategies for incorporating AI-enhanced Canva projects into existing lesson plans and assignments. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): artificial intelligence (218), creating media (16), OK2Askarchive (71), professional development (273)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Once registered, find additional reference materials, tutorials, and how-to information to help you review or extend your knowledge from the session in the handout posted on the session landing page. Resources may include additional ideas and examples on integrating the tools and strategies shared in classroom instruction. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Harvard Project Zero Thinking Routines 7 Think Pair Share - Madame Sensei
Grades
K to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): brain (55), teaching strategies (59), thinking routines (23), thinking skills (56)
In the Classroom
Begin a new unit by showing students an image, a short video clip, or an artifact related to the topic. Have them record what they see, what they think it means, and what they wonder about. As a class, brainstorm what students think they know, what puzzles or questions they have, and how they could explore further. Have them post ideas on a shared chart or Padlet, reviewed here to revisit and update throughout the unit. Use the Compass Points Routine (N = Needs, E = Excitements, S = Suggestions, W = Worries) before a group project or discussion. It helps students clarify their thoughts, consider multiple perspectives, and make balanced decisions.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Thinking Routine Templates - TPT
Grades
K to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): brainstorming (17), graphic organizers (50), teaching strategies (59), thinking routines (23), thinking skills (56)
In the Classroom
Begin a new topic with an image, artifact, or short video clip. Have students use a See, Think, Wonder organizer to record observations, inferences, and questions. Have students complete a 3-2-1 Bridge before and after learning a concept (3 thoughts, 2 questions, 1 analogy). Using one of the printable templates available on the page, students can develop a claim about a topic, find supporting evidence, and pose further questions.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Free - See, Think, Wonder - TPT
Grades
K to 6This site includes advertising.
tag(s): brain (55), graphic organizers (50), teaching strategies (59), thinking routines (23), thinking skills (56)
In the Classroom
Display an intriguing image, artifact, or chart at the beginning of class. Using a See, Think, Wonder graphic organizer, have students jot down what they notice, what they infer, and what they're curious about. This works well as a warm-up for ELA, science, or social studies lessons. After reading a short story, article, or poem, students can complete a See, Think, Wonder reflection to analyze characters, themes, and emotions. They can use the free printable templates to guide their responses. Present a visual math pattern or real-world image involving shapes, symmetry, or data. Have students use the See, Think, Wonder framework to describe what they observe, hypothesize relationships, and pose questions for deeper exploration.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
6 Essential Thinking Routines you Need in your Repertoire - Thinking Museum
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): brain (55), inquiry (29), perspective (24), podcasts (134), puzzles (150), summarizing (24), teaching strategies (59), thinking routines (23), thinking skills (56)
In the Classroom
Display several images, artifacts, or short text excerpts around the room. Students can rotate in groups, using the See, Think, Wonder routine at each station to record their observations, interpretations, and questions on sticky notes or a shared Padlet, reviewed here. After reading a story or historical event, have students "step inside" the mind of a character or figure. Next, they can write or record brief reflections from that person's perspective, describing their thoughts, feelings, and motivations. Using Creative Questions, students can brainstorm inquiry-based questions related to a class topic (e.g., "What would happen if...?" or "Why does this matter today?"). Post them on a question wall to inspire deeper research or writing projects.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
MusicFX - Google Labs
Grades
K to 12tag(s): artificial intelligence (218), songs (47)
In the Classroom
Share music clips with students and ask them to describe the tone and emotions of the music. Create music to use as background for presentations, such as digital books made with Book Creator reviewed here or presentations made with Google Slides reviewed here. Use MusicFX to create relaxing music, then turn on looping to play as background during classroom work times. If your students create podcasts, design prompts to use as introductions and endings for their recordings.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Educational Resources: People and Society - U.S. National Science Foundation
Grades
K to 12In the Classroom
Students can play the games on Whyville. Students can create an infographic using Canva Infographic Creator < a href="/single.cfm?id=17570">reviewed here to explain why we should be worried about climate change. Students can also visit the Utah Education Network to continue their learning on various concepts.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
National Reading Month - Van Andel Institute for Education
Grades
K to 8tag(s): digital reading (18), STEM (331)
In the Classroom
Have students complete the Story Quest activity by choosing a reading-themed mission from the slides, and create a comic strip on paper or using Free Comic Strip Maker reviewed here. Set up a classroom "passport" system where students stamp their passports after reading books from different regions. Pair a STEM-based story (like Rosie Revere, Engineer) with a hands-on engineering challenge, such as building a simple machine or bridge using classroom materials to solve a problem from the book. After reading a book with a strong setting or theme, have students design and build a model (using paper, recyclables, or digital tools like Tinkercad reviewed here) that represents a key element, such as a character's home or an invention from the story.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Earth Day Explorers - Van Andel Institute for Education
Grades
K to 8tag(s): earth (188), earth day (61), environment (245), recycling (43), STEM (331)
In the Classroom
Students can create a public service announcement using Buzzsprout, reviewed here while completing the "Take Action" lesson. Students can upload their "art" to Seesaw, reviewed here after completing their "Found Art" artwork. Students can use Book Creator, reviewed here to create a book on all the animals that they learned about from the "Wonderful World Scavenger Hunt" activity.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Queen Lili'uokalani - Unladylike 2020
Grades
4 to 8tag(s): composers (21), hawaii (9), thinking routines (23), women (175), womenchangemaker (70)
In the Classroom
Introduce students to the song "Aloha E'Oe," composed by Queen Lili'uokalani. Listen to a recording and read translated lyrics. Have students interpret the meaning of the song and consider its emotional and historical significance. Students create a two-column chart: one side for Queen Lili'uokalani's goals as a leader, and the other for the goals of the U.S. government during the annexation of Hawaii. Discuss how these perspectives clashed and what values were in conflict. Share the video with students about Queen Lili'uokalani. As they watch, they jot down key words or phrases that stand out to them. Afterward, they can write a brief journal entry from the perspective of the queen or a Hawaiian citizen during her reign. Take advantage of the perspective-taking resources available from Project Zero Thinking Routines.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
ImageFX - Google Labs
Grades
K to 12tag(s): artificial intelligence (218), creativity (80), editing (82), graphic design (49), images (250)
In the Classroom
Use ImageFX to generate images to accompany students' creative writing projects or as inspiration for a creative writing assignment. Enhance learning by using AI-generated images as prompts for language learners to practice vocabulary, grammar, and oral or written descriptions. Create images to add to presentations, slides, or websites. Challenge students to describe famous artworks and use AI to recreate them, comparing the results and discussing descriptive language and interpretation. Visit The National Gallery of Art reviewed here to search for artists and works of art to try to duplicate using ImageFX.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Heritage Month - Van Andel Institute for Education
Grades
K to 8In the Classroom
Students can create their own "STEAM Dream Team" digital breakout using Genially reviewed here. Students can use Padlet reviewed here to create their own "Make it Real Wall." Additionally, students can use Seesaw reviewed here as they are completing the activities from the "Celebrating Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Daily Calendar Activities."Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Ynes Mexia - Unladylike 2020
Grades
4 to 8tag(s): explorers (63), plants (140), scientists (70), women (175), womenchangemaker (70)
In the Classroom
Challenge your students to imagine they are botanists like Mexia. They can invent a new plant species and draw it, labeling its parts and describing where it grows, what it needs, and how it helps people or the planet. Take students outside for a nature walk, where they can sketch or describe the plants in a science journal. After watching the video, extend the learning by asking students to create a "passport" for Ynes Mexia, including facts about her life, the countries she explored, and key discoveries. They can decorate it with stamps, maps, or sketches of plants. Teachers can make a template for a digital passport on Book Creator reviewed here or Genially reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Dia De Los Muertos Celebration in the Classroom - Sonrisas Spanish
Grades
3 to 8tag(s): fall festival (14), holidays (233), mexico (52)
In the Classroom
Students can participate in the activities that are posted in the blog. Students can host a virtual Q&A with someone who celebrates the holiday using Adobe Podcast, reviewed here. Another idea, have students use Storyboard That, reviewed here to create a nonfiction writing piece about the holiday.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Day of the Dead/Dia de los Muerto - PBS
Grades
K to 5tag(s): fall festival (14), halloween (46), holidays (233), mexico (52)
In the Classroom
Students can use Lino, reviewed here to create a virtual bulletin board of information that they learned. Students can use Google Drawing, reviewed here to compare and contrast Day of the Dead to another holiday. Students can create books using Book Creator, reviewed here about facts and traditions about the holiday.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Bring Dia de los Muertos Activities to Your Classroom - Newsela
Grades
3 to 8tag(s): fall festival (14), halloween (46), holidays (233), mexico (52)
In the Classroom
Students can use 2 and 3 Circle Interactive Venn Diagrams by Class Tools, reviewed here to compare and contrast Dia de los Muertos with one of the holidays featured on the site. Students can create a timeline for the history of the holiday using Timeline JS, reviewed here. Finally, students can use FlexClip, reviewed here to create videos explaining traditions and/or customs of people who celebrate Dia de los Muertos.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Dia De Los Muertos Printables - IXL Learning
Grades
K to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): fall festival (14), halloween (46), holidays (233), mexico (52), worksheets (71)
In the Classroom
Bookmark and save this site to access a wealth of resources for teaching about Dia de los Muertos. Extend learning by asking students to compare and contrast holiday traditions between Halloween and Dia de los Muertos by creating Venn Diagrams using the Venn Diagram Creator by Canva, reviewed here. Many of the free materials are available in Spanish; use these items to teach basic Spanish words and phrases. Use Blooket, reviewed here to create games that reinforce understanding of this Mexican holiday. Search the Booklet library to find many pre-made games about the Day of the Dead that are ready to use for different grade levels.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).

Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Close comment form