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The Latin Rhythms of Despacito - Teach Rock
Grades
4 to 8tag(s): hispanic (36), music theory (46), rhythm (21)
In the Classroom
Play short clips of Reggaeton, Musica Jibara, Cumbia, and Salsa to introduce students to the rhythms discussed in the lesson. Ask students to identify the unique rhythm patterns in each style and discuss how these rhythms are used in modern music. Divide the class into small groups, each assigned to one of the four Latin genres (Reggaeton, Musica Jibara, Cumbia, Salsa). Have groups create a playlist of songs that exemplify the genre and explain why these songs fit within the musical style. Introduce students to the dance styles associated with each genre (e.g., salsa dancing and Reggaeton movement). Discuss how music and dance are culturally interconnected and how they reflect the communities from which they originated. Have students listen to "Despacito" and analyze the lyrics for their cultural references, themes, and storytelling techniques. Students could compare the lyrics of "Despacito" to another popular song, discussing similarities and differences in themes, cultural references, and music styles. Compare lyrics using a tool such as ClassTools Interactive Venn Diagrams reviewed here. You can click on the right side to choose between a two or three-circle Venn diagram.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Mayans - Teacher Planet
Grades
3 to 8This site includes advertising.
tag(s): mayans (23), mexico (37), south america (47)
In the Classroom
Make a 3D model of a Mayan pyramid. Consider using technology such as CoSpaces, reviewed here. Have students make a Mayan calendar. Students can use Mayan glyphs and write messages to each other to decode. In ELA class, students can write short stories mentioning daily activities they learned in class for a cross-curricular activity. Create and share the stories using Sway, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Mayan Empire - PBS LearningMedia
Grades
6 to 12In the Classroom
Set up stations around the classroom with images and short descriptions of Mayan achievements (architecture, astronomy, writing, calendar system). Have students rotate in small groups, taking notes and discussing how each achievement impacted Mayan society. Introduce students to the Mayan writing system by showing examples of glyphs. Then, have them create glyphs to represent their names or a short message. They can trade with classmates to decode each other's symbols! Have students create a Venn diagram comparing the Mayan civilization to modern society. Topics could include government, architecture, writing, and timekeeping. Consider using Canva, reviewed here to make the Venn diagram online. Students can work in pairs or small groups to create a mini "Maya codex" using folded paper, illustrating aspects of Mayan daily life, beliefs, or achievements. Encourage students to include drawings and glyphs to mimic the real codices.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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PBS Learning Media's Agriculture collection - PBS Learning Media's Agriculture collection
Grades
K to 12tag(s): agriculture (49), careers (145), ecology (103), food chains (19)
In the Classroom
Skim through the lessons available on the site to find ideal resources for your lessons. Have students watch two videos on the same topic and compare and contrast them using Figjam, reviewed here. Have students create a word cloud with WordClouds, reviewed here with all words associated with agriculture that the class generates.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Mayan Civilization Lesson Plan: Time, Continuity, and Change - BrainPOP
Grades
3 to 8In the Classroom
Use the Make-a-Movie feature under Deepen and Extend to create a video diary from the perspective of a person living in Maya society that describes a day in your life. Make a concept map using BrainPOP's Make-a-Map feature or MindMup reviewed here identifying key features and contributions of Maya society and culture. Creative Coding on the BrainPOP website can enable students to code a museum with artifacts representing key elements of Maya civilization.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Teach Democracy - Teach Democracy
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): bill of rights (32), civil rights (207), constitution (95), democracy (24)
In the Classroom
Based on the "Electoral College" lesson plan, organize a classroom mock election. Students can research candidates or create fictional platforms, hold debates, and vote, experiencing firsthand the process of elections and the importance of civic engagement. Inspired by the lessons on community engagement, challenge students to identify a local issue they care about (such as recycling, public transportation, or voting rights) and develop a plan to take action. They can create petitions, host awareness campaigns, or present their project to local leaders or school administrators. Use a list of key civics terms from the Teach Democracy collection (like "democracy," "rights," and "constitution") and challenge students to define each term, then use it in a sentence. To gamify the lesson, turn it into a class competition or game like "Jeopardy!" to test their knowledge. Use Classroom Jeopardy, reviewed here to make a game board.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Getty Center's Who's Afraid of Contemporary Art? - The Getty Center's Who's Afraid of Contemporary Art?
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): art history (103), artists (85)
In the Classroom
Share the lessons on the site with your class. Students can use Ourboox, reviewed here to create a book on different contemporary artists. Students could also virtually visit a museum or gallery that hosts a contemporary art collection.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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SDGs - 17 BookWidgets Lessons - BookWidgets
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): climate change (98), cross cultural understanding (173), energy (132), flash cards (44), nutrition (140), sustainability (50), timelines (56), women (150)
In the Classroom
Bookmark and save this resource to find activities and ideas to use when planning activities related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Find additional resources on the TeachersFirst Special Topics Page: Resources Related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reviewed here. Use the activities as inspiration to increase student engagement and understanding of the SDGs. For example, after viewing the invention timeline, ask students to research a specific invention or inventor, then create a timeline using templates available on Canva Timeline Infographic Templates, reviewed here or Genially, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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13th Amendment to the Constitution - Library of Congress
Grades
7 to 12tag(s): civil rights (207), constitution (95), emancipation proclamation (13), slavery (79)
In the Classroom
Students can use free online tools like Class Tools, reviewed here or Google Slides, reviewed here to create an interactive timeline that tracks the events leading to the passage of the 13th Amendment. They can include key moments such as the Emancipation Proclamation, debates in Congress, and the ratification process. Students work in pairs or small groups to record a short podcast episode discussing the significance of the 13th Amendment and its legacy today. Online tools such as Acast, reviewed here or Spotify for Podcastors, reviewed here can be used. Students can incorporate quotes from historical figures, reflections on modern civil rights issues, and their interpretations of how the amendment has shaped U.S. history. Have students create a Venn diagram comparing the abolition of slavery in the 19th century to modern-day issues surrounding freedom and justice. The Venn diagram can be completed on paper or online using Venn Diagram Creator, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Mice in the Museum - Google Arts and Culture
Grades
K to 12tag(s): artificial intelligence (172), artists (85), museums (52)
In the Classroom
Mice in the Museum's playful conversations and perspectives offer an opportunity to introduce art and artists in a way that engages learners in a new way. Share this site with students and encourage them to explore the artwork and learn about artists that interest them. Use Project Zero Thinking Routines, reviewed here, such as See, Think, Wonder, to enhance student learning and discuss their findings. Extend learning by asking students to research their favorite artist and share their findings with the class by creating a short animated video using Animate from Audio, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Geography - American Association of Geographers and Esri
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): climate (85), critical thinking (127), cultures (180), ecosystems (82), maps (220), multimedia (52)
In the Classroom
Have students explore Geography.com to find answers to questions about landforms, climates, and world regions. Create a bingo-style worksheet with prompts like "Find a fact about the Amazon Rainforest" or "Identify a country with multiple time zones". Using interactive maps from Geography.com, students choose a continent or country to study, and create an illustrated map that includes physical features, climate zones, and key cultural landmarks. Students can present their maps and explain how geography affects life in that region. Each student picks a country or city and writes five geography-based clues about it. Clues should include landforms, climate, population, or cultural features found on Geography.com.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Getty Center's Scenes from the Headlines - The Getty Center's Scenes from the Headlines
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): images (263), newspapers (93), writing (325)
In the Classroom
Share the lessons as presented on the site. Challenge students to a debate about which of the images was the most noteworthy or influential. Students can use an online debate tool like Kialo Edu reviewed here. Students can also research more about the time period featured in each image and the impacts that occurred.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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African American Artists: Collection Connection - Library of Congress
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): african american (112), art history (103), black history (133), civil rights (207)
In the Classroom
Have students create a short podcast or audio recording using tools like Spotify for Podcastors, reviewed here or Buzzsprout, reviewed here discussing the artist's life, struggles, and contributions to art history. Have students use the Library of Congress website and virtual exhibits to explore and identify a piece of artwork by an African American artist. They can create a short multimedia presentation using Google Slides, reviewed here or Canva, reviewed here analyzing the artist's background, themes, and techniques. Use a free timeline creation tool and assign each student an artist or movement. Use a free timeline creation tool such as Time Graphics Timeline Maker, reviewed here or Timeline Infographic Templates, reviewed here to research and add to the timeline, including images and brief descriptions.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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6888th Central Postal Directory Battilion - Library of Congress
Grades
7 to 12tag(s): black history (133), civil rights (207), women (150), womenchangemaker (36), world war 2 (161)
In the Classroom
Ask students to write letters imagining they are members of the 6888th Battalion, describing their experiences and feelings about their mission. Using a tool like Google Earth, reviewed here students can map the journey of the 6888th Battalion, highlighting key locations like Birmingham, England, and Rouen, France. Include descriptions of the battalion's challenges and accomplishments at each site. Assign students to create a podcast episode or short video using tools like Spotify for Podcastors, reviewed here or Buzzsprout, reviewed here where they tell the story of the battalion's contributions. They can include interviews (real or role-played), primary source excerpts, and reflections on the battalion's legacy.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Nature Conservatory Youth Education Resources for Ages 11-14 - Nature Conservatory Youth Education Resources for Ages 11-14
Grades
6 to 8tag(s): climate (85), climate change (98), environment (252), sustainability (50)
In the Classroom
Share the lessons offered on the website. Students can document their experiences and learning using Elementari, reviewed here, Google Slides, reviewed here, or a podcast using Acast, reviewed here. Have students create flyers (using Canva Edu, reviewed here) and public service announcements to share the importance of keeping the environment clean.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Maya Archaeologist - Dr. Diane Davies
Grades
3 to 8tag(s): art history (103), mayans (23), south america (47)
In the Classroom
Students can complete the activities on the website. Students can research more about the usage of jade and other precious metals and their functions. Finally, students can use Google Drawings, reviewed here to compare the different materials that Mayans used with other civilizations.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Mayan Civilization Primary Resource - National Geographic Kids
Grades
5 to 8tag(s): mayans (23), south america (47)
In the Classroom
Students can complete the activities on the website. Students can use Google Drawings, reviewed here to compare the Mayan civilization to another ancient civilization. Finally, students can use Stickies.io, reviewed here to post facts that they learned about the Mayan civilization.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Indigenous Rights and Controversy over Hawaii's Maunakea Telescope - Facing History & Ourselves
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): hawaii (9), native americans (111), telescopes (11)
In the Classroom
Students can engage in the lesson as it is on the website. Students can create a timeline using Google Drawings, reviewed here. Students can debate these issues by providing reasons for or against them. Students can use an online debate tool like Kialo Edu reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Google Indoor Map - Google
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): DAT device agnostic tool (147), digital literacy (6), map skills (63), maps (220), problem solving (232), virtual field trips (128)
In the Classroom
Use this platform to plan field trips or as a tool in geography and technology lessons. Challenge students to plan routes through indoor maps of airports, malls, or stadiums. Analyze how indoor maps highlight accessible routes and features in public spaces. Discuss inclusivity in design and how technology can assist people with disabilities. Provide scenarios where students must solve problems using indoor maps (ex., locate emergency exits or the nearest restroom). Introduce the technology behind indoor mapping, such as GPS, Wi-Fi, and floor-plan digitization.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Fact Check Tools - Google
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): critical thinking (127), digital literacy (6), media literacy (108)
In the Classroom
This tool can be used for in-depth research projects, debate preparation, and discussions on current events. Students can investigate claims in the news and analyze the spread of misinformation. Introduce the tool in media literacy classes to teach students how to evaluate the credibility of online sources. Encourage them to check claims they encounter on social media or during research projects. For journalism, communication, and political science courses, the tool can be a resource for analyzing media bias, verifying sources, and conducting research. Teachers can use the tool as part of professional development to improve their understanding of fact-checking and how to teach these skills effectively to their students.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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