Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

Create your own "Face card" playing cards, inserting a different face on each card. Simply upload your image using the link at the bottom of the page, adjust the size and location of the picture with the included tools, then save to your own computer to reprint as needed. With a little instruction, students can help. Add fun and personalization to playing cards using this card generator tool!
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tag(s): images (263)

Join Mobileread, a social networking site for eBooks. View as a guest, or join to be able to submit a nomination or comment to a discussion thread. Find free eBooks, eBook lending libraries, eBook reviews, Notable eBook uploads, and poetry. Discover latest technology, audio books, hardware reviews, and accessories. Conversion, reading software, and authoring software fulfill your Ebook needs. Get mobile links, Ebook blogs, web clipping software, or Mobile Mobilereads. The option to choose a language is available to accommodate for ELL/ESL readers. Be aware: This site has a lot of public interaction. Either explore the site yourself for whole group activities or monitor carefully.
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tag(s): audio books (26), book lists (167), ebooks (43), social networking (61)

This kids' branch of Learn English (created in the UK) contains interactives, short stories, crafts, songs, and even an opportunity for students to help their younger brothers and sisters learn English. A free log-in allows you access to printed versions of the stories (with questions), the ability to make comments, enter competitions, answer polls, and even create a "character." Another log in for teachers and parents opens up suggestions for teaching and using the resources of the site. Professionals can also find video tips and access to helpful articles. Access to the site is available in other languages such as Chinese and French, all aimed at teaching English. A text help feature using "BrowseAloud" opens up the English learning to students with vision or reading challenges. Note that vocabulary used is British, so you may need to explain a few words to US or Canadian students, e.g. "rubbish bin."
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tag(s): interactive stories (22), preK (270), songs (46), vocabulary development (94)

Find a comprehensive list of sources for eBooks and ways to use them. Dr. Terry Cavanaugh has a wide variety of information dedicated to using eBooks in the classroom. Find links for online libraries, news, blogs, history, platforms, features, accommodations, samples, and borrowing guidelines. A section entitled educational applications, features creating eBooks with PowerPoint, digital Big Books, and eBooks in higher education. Classroom lesson ideas along with reading strategies help you incorporate eBooks into your curriculum. A link to the Florida recommended eBook list is also given. Find advice on video book talks, Book trading with eBooks, and an online Book cataloging library resource tool. A section for books promoting eBooks use in the classrooms lists resources to make you proficient. Find samples for creating eBooks to fit into your own classroom needs.

tag(s): ebooks (43), reading strategies (96)

Have you ever wanted to see your own face on a dollar bill? Use this online image editor to personalized bills with your own picture. Just upload your picture (or any image) using the photo link at the bottom of the page. Images can be moved around within the picture frame, and there is an option to adjust the image size by zooming in or out. Save the edited image by right-clicking the image and selecting "save" to download the output image to your computer. Then print the dollar bill with your image. The site offers currency from many different countries from Antarctica to Yugoslavia, and you can create posters, decks of cards, and more.
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tag(s): currency (14), financial literacy (93), money (113)

Word Hippo is a word study tool for synonyms, antonyms, and more. Look for rhyming words, opposites, translations to a variety of languages, plurals, definitions and uses for the word, etc. The site also makes suggestions for other words in case you might have made a typo or do not know the spelling. As with any other reference, students should be cautioned to be sure these are accurate definitions needed for the context in which they are studying the words. You will want to spell out consequences and/or supervise to be sure students are not searching for inappropriate words, but the most egregious words of bad taste do not appear to be available for search at this site.
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tag(s): antonyms (12), dictionaries (47), spelling (98), synonyms (15), vocabulary (238), vocabulary development (94), word study (59)

This isn't just another flashcard creator; link your flashcards to related textbook(s). The term "notecards" in this case is synonymous with "flashcards." Search through a gallery of ready-made flashcards by topic or the name of the textbook. Use the multiple choice test from the flashcards as an additional study aid. You can also print the flashcards to study offline the old fashioned way.
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tag(s): flash cards (44)

Whether you have a favorite professor or elementary teacher, here is a way to thank them publicly. It's very simple. There is no registration. Click on "Submit a Story" to fill in the teacher name, what you are thanking him/her for, and other details. You can include your Twitter picture. You can even email the letter to the teacher. Read the letters posted by others. This site could be used for thanking a favorite past teacher, or anyone affiliated with a school. There is a multitude of people who work in schools and are kind to children.

tag(s): letter writing (19)

Use Educreations' simple web-based whiteboard for the iPad app to record lessons and share with your students. Create your course(s) and control privacy settings from the beginning. Make the content public, private to your students, or private to all within the school. Create a lesson by using the online whiteboard and your microphone. Easily upload images from your computer and switch between whiteboard screens. Click on the Students tab to provide a link for students to be able to find your course. Students can self-register using the unique classroom code. Each lesson has a unique URL you can share, as well. Students can access your lessons via the web or an iPad. You can remove students from registration lists in this section.
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tag(s): blended learning (37), homework (29), remote learning (54), Teacher Utilities (198), video (266)

This site is a collection of listening and/or listening/reading exercises that use the technique of total physical response. The student must listen to a phrase and select the correct picture that corresponds to it. The author of the site suggests trying the activity before clicking to see that the right answer has been selected. The collection of 30 plus exercises uses stick figurines and a loosely connected theme for each separate page. These exercises and directions were created in the Netherlands, and clearly the directions were not written by a strong English language speaker, but the exercises themselves are quite useful.

tag(s): listening (93)

Wridea is an idea management, brainstorming, and collaboration tool. It's a place to organize and categorize your ideas, share them with others for input, and store them. To collaborate using this tool, you must have individual memberships (email required). Note that maps that are shared can be seen by the public, but not altered. You specify the members who may collaborate and make alterations. At this time, this site does not work properly in Internet Explorer. However, it is a great tool to use in Firefox, Safari, Chrome, or other browsers.

tag(s): brainstorming (18), concept mapping (15), graphic organizers (48), mind map (27), organizational skills (88)

Draw A Stickman is a delightful, entertaining site that encourages creativity and fun! This is a mini interactive story that has students reading and following directions, solving mysteries, thinking creatively, and solving problems. Start by selecting an episode, then begin the adventure, you draw a simple stick figure and then bring him or her to life. Your figure is faced with several challenges; you must follow directions and draw several props for your stick figure to use. You will love the hero of the story (the character you created) and the villain (a dragon). Finished stories can be replayed or shared on Facebook or email. There is also an online gallery for students to explore and view others' creations.

tag(s): creative writing (124), digital storytelling (154), directions (11), drawing (61), interactive stories (22)

This is a marvelous collective resource for any teachers of ELL/ESL students and even for teachers of other languages. The range of offerings goes from lesson plans and activities to games to grammar explanations and more. There are also teaching tips and informative articles. The overall ESL Base website also has job-finding and other important information for ESL/ELL teachers worldwide. The GRAMMAR section of this site would be useful to any class learning proper grammar (articles, reflexive pronouns, passive voice, and more). (This website does not use American English, so you may notice some slightly different spellings if using this is American schools. For example, practice is practise.
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tag(s): grammar (137), grammar review (31), professional development (385), resources (83), verbs (26)

Behavior Doctor Seminars offers resources to be used in schoolwide "Behavior Interventions and Supports." The site offers paid seminars; instead you can start positive behavioral interventions in the classroom or even schoolwide. Try these positive behavior interventions at home as well. The interventions are powerful and may sound a little too "happy" at times. But you get more with sugar than vinegar! The topics vary greatly and include parenting articles such as "100 Free Ways Parents Can Reward Their Children" and teaching articles such as "Desk Fairy Coupon for Neat Desks." There is something here for all grade levels.

tag(s): behavior (45), classroom management (120), organizational skills (88), parent conferences (21), parents (57), Special Needs (53)

Jump into fiction and poetry with fictionteachers.com. Find information about teaching reading, poetry, readers theater, and inviting such authors to visit your classroom. Write a Girls to the Rescue, a mini mystery, or a new fangled fairy tale. Lesson plans have creative ideas to inspire students, teachers, and parents.
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tag(s): poetry (193), readers theater (12)

This site is a wiki that allows ENL/ELL teachers to share helpful websites, games, presentations, and songs with other ENL/ELL instructors. There are PowerPoint presentations, games, templates, tutorials, songs, and more... all ready to go! You don't need to join the wiki to enjoy the games, PowerPoints, etc., but , by joining the workspace, you can comment on materials and methods, and add your own activities. Another benefit of joining is that all members receive notification of changes and new activities added to the wiki, in their email.

tag(s): directions (11), grammar (137), songs (46), vocabulary (238), writing (325)

This site provides resources for educators interested in improving students mathematics learning and development. The site includes video examples of innovative teaching methods and tools for immediate use in classrooms. Each grade level offers links to Core Ideas and most offer MARS Tasks, Rubrics, and Analysis. The MARS Task is where lesson ideas are found. These lessons are available in portions (task, rubric, questions, etc.), or as a large downloadable file containing all portions of the lesson. Be sure to click on the Common Core Resources to find tasks and materials, by grade level or standard, you can use immediately. Many other resources are available such as a school-wide problem of the month, professional development resources, and administrative leadership resources. Be sure to take the video tour of the site as an overview of all that is available.

tag(s): commoncore (73), number sense (69), place value (34), probability (99), problem solving (233), rubrics (37), statistics (121), teaching strategies (50), video (266)

Enter the world of assisted learning with Word Talk, a free plugin for use with Microsoft Word. This software downloads onto unlimited computers for educational use. A talking dictionary assists with definition and spelling. The ability to turn the words into MP3 format is available. This plugin has won the Microsoft Innovative Teacher Award.

tag(s): dictionaries (47), Microsoft (80), text to speech (20)

Socrative is a smart student response system -- the answer to not having expensive "educational clickers" in your classroom. Socrative works on tablets, smartphones, iPod Touch, laptops, and others. There is an introductory video demonstrating teacher and student logins and how your class will interact in real-time. You can create your own multiple choice, true/false, and short answer questions. You may also choose to use one of their ready-made activities as exit tickets, thoughtful questions, or games. See your students' responses in an Excel file or view online as a Google spreadsheet. Multiple choice questions are automatically corrected.

tag(s): chat (41), DAT device agnostic tool (147), game based learning (205), gamification (83), polls and surveys (49), questioning (36), social networking (61)

This site offers more than just worksheets. Choose from over 17,000 worksheets and lesson plans for teaching English, make a word search or word scramble, or generate "double puzzles." Find worksheets by selecting topics including grammar and vocabulary, or use the search feature to find specific topics of interest. This site also includes many ESL essentials including games and ideas for focused lessons.
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tag(s): creative writing (124), descriptive writing (42), grammar review (31), listening (93), multilingual (77), pronunciation (34), reading comprehension (149), speaking (26), Teacher Utilities (198), vocabulary (238), vocabulary development (94)