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#GoOpenVA - Virginia Department of Education
Grades
K to 12
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#GoOpenVA is an open education resource (OER) collection of digital materials and activities shared by Virginia teachers. This source provides materials for use with or without modifications...more
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#GoOpenVA is an open education resource (OER) collection of digital materials and activities shared by Virginia teachers. This source provides materials for use with or without modifications and doesn't require copyright attribution. First, use the search feature to look by a keyword, subject, education level, or standard content. The advanced feature includes additional options, including search by language, type of materials, and rating. After selecting a resource, view pertinent information, including a short description, correlation to standards, and more. Next, choose the "view resource" link to access and download any relevant materials.
In the Classroom
Bookmark #GoOpenVA to use as your first stop in lesson planning. Take advantage of the search filters to narrow down the content and grade-level information to suit your needs. This website is also an excellent resource for finding materials to differentiate instruction. Use higher-level activities to challenge gifted students and search for content for remediation. As you gather resources into a collection, or lesson plans, be sure to think about ways to incorporate technology in meaningful ways to enhance and extend learning.
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#TeachLivingPoets - Melissa Alter Smith
Grades
8 to 12
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#TeachLivingPoets is a robust resource that seeks to get contemporary poetry into the hands of students. Among its goals is the desire to provide students with "poetry that reflects...more
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#TeachLivingPoets is a robust resource that seeks to get contemporary poetry into the hands of students. Among its goals is the desire to provide students with "poetry that reflects their identities, backgrounds, and present circumstances." Subscribe to and follow the site's blog to read about the use of poetry in classrooms. Find specific teaching content at the link for hyperdocs. This portion of the site contains many lessons featuring a variety of poets and styles. Browse the virtual library and find poets as a resource for locating diverse poetry examples. Finally, visit the Poetry Review portion of #TeachLivingPoets to find reviews written by teachers for teachers.
In the Classroom
Bookmark and save this site as a resource for finding and including contemporary poets and poems in your poetry units. Share with students, then have them browse through the site to find poets that appeal to them. Curate and share favorites using Milanote, reviewed here. Milanote is a virtual tool for organizing information that allows you to upload images, files, links, and notes. Ask students to share information about favorite poets, portions of poems, or lists of favorite phrases from poems they have read. Use Perusall, reviewed here to enhance learning through collaborative discussions of the text of poems. Perusall includes tools for providing group discussions along with areas for individuals to add notes for personal use. Create groups within Perusall based on your students' interests and preferred poets. Enhance learning by asking students to write poems of their own or share a poetry reading of a favorite poem. Use a podcasting tool such as PodcastGenerator, reviewed here, to record and share audio and video recordings of student poetry readings.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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100 Free Short Stories for ESL - Rong-Chang Li & Bill Bailey
Grades
6 to 12
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This website provides a large collection of short stories selected for beginning and advanced beginning ESL students. The subject matter of many stories is not appropriate for younger...more
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This website provides a large collection of short stories selected for beginning and advanced beginning ESL students. The subject matter of many stories is not appropriate for younger students. Some include topics you would find in newspaper articles, and some deal with dating. Preview! Some stories on the website allow you to read the story yourself or click on the speaker icon to hear the story read aloud. The site could also be used to provide extra reading and reading/listening for struggling readers. There are also an online dictionary, great follow-up activities to check comprehension, and crossword puzzles. The questions and other review activities provide immediate feedback. There are numerous advertisements. Be sure to show your student how to use the site and not click the ads.
In the Classroom
Share these activities with individual students as an assignment or independent practice on your classroom computer and as a link from your web site. The reading and activities are easy to work on independently because of the listening feature and the available dictionary. Don't forget to provide headphones. Provide this link for the families of ESL/ELL students to read (or listen) to the stories together.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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1000 Images on the Tip of my Tongue - Centre collegial de developpement de materiel didactique
Grades
5 to 12
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This tri-lingual site: English, French, and Spanish, presents idioms organized in categories. After choosing a category, students see a list of matching expressions. They can hear...more
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This tri-lingual site: English, French, and Spanish, presents idioms organized in categories. After choosing a category, students see a list of matching expressions. They can hear the idioms pronounced and used in sentences. This site offers a new and different feature than most idiom sites: a link to an equivalent idiom in French or Spanish! The only idioms here are idioms with similar expressions in the three languages, though they are not directly translated. By clicking on Activities, students can see selected idioms in animated cartoons with sound; there is also the text of the utterance available at another click. This site requires Flash. Get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.
In the Classroom
Use this in reading classes studying English idioms and figures of speech or in middle level French and Spanish classes to help students remember idioms in those languages by aligning them with similar expressions in English. Include the site in your class web page for easy access from computer labs or home.Challenge your class to create an illustrated idiom wiki in English or the language you are studying, adding digital pictures to "illustrate" the idiom literally and in its figurative meaning: Ex. "feeling blue" with a photo of a person shaded blue, then one of a SAD person. Be sure to include the text and a link to the page on this site for visitors to hear the clip, as well.
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101 Things You Can Do in the First Three Weeks of Class - Joyce Povlacs Lunde
Grades
K to 12
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The first three weeks of school set the tone for the entire year. Even if you didn't have a "great" first day (or week) of school, there is still time ...more
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The first three weeks of school set the tone for the entire year. Even if you didn't have a "great" first day (or week) of school, there is still time to change the mood of your classroom! This list provides many suggestions for getting off to a great start. Although created for college teachers, most content is appropriate for all grade levels. Scroll through each section to find ideas for transitioning to a new grade level, keeping students' attention, providing support, building community, and much more. Although this site is rather "plain vanilla," it is packed full of wonderful "sprinkles" to start your year off great!
In the Classroom
Use ideas from this site during back to school staff meetings to motivate teachers as they begin a new year. Share it with your student teacher before he/she gets started. Challenge yourself and other department members to check off as many items on the list as you can. Keep this list up on your computer as a reminder through the day. Revisit this site each year as a reminder of starting each school year on the right foot! Why not bookmark this site (or save in your favorites), so it is easy to find each year?Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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180 Days: Challenge - PBS
Grades
K to 12
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The 180 Days Challenge is based on the PBS series 180 Days: Hartsville documentary. Take the challenge as a teacher, administrator, or parent to answer problem-based scenarios related...more
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The 180 Days Challenge is based on the PBS series 180 Days: Hartsville documentary. Take the challenge as a teacher, administrator, or parent to answer problem-based scenarios related to education. After completion, view results that provide insight into your education style and how it relates to the current educational climate. In addition to the challenge questions, this site includes several video excerpts from the series featuring events such as conferences and a discussion of generational poverty. If your district blocks YouTube, they may not be viewable.
In the Classroom
Take the 180 Days Challenge as part of your professional development activities. Use individual scenarios as a prompt for discussions within your school or grade level. Be sure to share this site with other teachers and administrators as part of your ongoing teaching discussions. Use videos found on the 180 Days Challenge to discuss how your school handles different classroom situations.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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20 Questions - 20Q.netInc.
Grades
5 to 12
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This intriguing site has the you choose an "answer," and then the computer asks 20 questions trying to determine what your answer is. The answers to the 20 questions aren't ...more
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This intriguing site has the you choose an "answer," and then the computer asks 20 questions trying to determine what your answer is. The answers to the 20 questions aren't just YES or NO; they also include SOMETIMES, PROBABLY, IRRELEVANT, and others.
When you arrive at the site, click your language (there are MANY languages from which to choose). Enter your gender, age, and location (optional). Then choose the "game" you wish to try. Some are more commercial (Disney, The Simpsons, or Star Trek). Others have educational value (Harry Potter, Earth, or Classic, Famous people). This is an interesting and challenging activity. There are disclaimers that the "game gets smarter" the more you play because the game compiles facts over time. It is involving and entertaining to play. The site does include some advertisements.
When you arrive at the site, click your language (there are MANY languages from which to choose). Enter your gender, age, and location (optional). Then choose the "game" you wish to try. Some are more commercial (Disney, The Simpsons, or Star Trek). Others have educational value (Harry Potter, Earth, or Classic, Famous people). This is an interesting and challenging activity. There are disclaimers that the "game gets smarter" the more you play because the game compiles facts over time. It is involving and entertaining to play. The site does include some advertisements.
In the Classroom
Share this site on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Teachers could have students research a person, place or thing and then use their research to play twenty questions against the computer. It could also be used as review if posted to the class wiki and then completed independently by students at home. Use this as a first day or first week activity, have students try the 20 question game about names and see if the computer can figure out their name. Use the Earth activity for geography practice in cooperative learning groups or as a class activity. In world language classes, choose the appropriate language to practice vocabulary about animals and other categories of information. Extend learning by having students create their own 20 question activity and quiz the class! Use Involve.me, reviewed here, What a great culminating project in any class. You will be teaching HOTS (higher order thinking skills) as students use classification to create their questions.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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2014 Sochi Olympics Fast Facts - CNN
Grades
7 to 12
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Prepare for the 2014 Olympics with these fast facts about Sochi, Russia. Information includes a short background on the city of Sochi. There is also background on controversies surrounding...more
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Prepare for the 2014 Olympics with these fast facts about Sochi, Russia. Information includes a short background on the city of Sochi. There is also background on controversies surrounding the choice of a Russian city for the Winter Olympics. Explore an interesting timeline beginning with the choice of Sochi for the 2014 Olympics through November 2013 with the Olympic torch's involvement with a spacewalk as part of the Olympic torch relay.
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In the Classroom
Share information from this article as part of your preparation for the Winter Olympics. Have students create timelines (with music, photos, videos, and more) using Timeline JS, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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21 Must-Read Books - Asian Pacific American Heritage Month - Amer. Indian Lib. Assn & the Asian/Pacific American Lib. Assn.
Grades
K to 12
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Enjoy perusing this list of Asian American children's books, divided by age groups. The lists include a wide range of selections, from picture books to young adult books and poetry....more
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Enjoy perusing this list of Asian American children's books, divided by age groups. The lists include a wide range of selections, from picture books to young adult books and poetry. There is also a list of recommended authors and illustrators. If you are interested in similar book lists, TeachersFirst's CurriConnects found here offers several other curriculum-related, leveled booklists.
In the Classroom
Refer your class to this list for multicultural reading and reports. If you have any ESL/ELL students from these areas, they may enjoy reading literature from (or about) their homeland. Challenge students to read one of the books on this list and research the location. Have cooperative learning groups create a mash-up map using one of the many TeachersFirst Edge Tools reviewed here. Some tool suggestions are (click on the tool name to access the review): Google My Maps, Adobe Creative Cloud Express for Education, StoryMap JS, Renderforest, and Genially.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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230+ Accessibility Improvements Added to Book Creator - Book Creator/Dan Kemp
Grades
K to 12
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This article shares many accessibility features added to Book Creator, reviewed here that offers options that make it easier for all students to access...more
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This article shares many accessibility features added to Book Creator, reviewed here that offers options that make it easier for all students to access and use Book Creator. Highlights include dictation support for over 120 languages, video captions, and transcripts to audio recordings. Other additions include features that improve color contrast to make reading more accessible for all and screen reader support. Learn more about how this supports educators by watching the included video that shares the updated features and has suggestions for differentiating lessons using Book Creator.
In the Classroom
Bookmark and save this article to support your use of Book Creator in your classroom and develop your understanding of how to use this resource to differentiate learning for all students. Learn how to use Book Creator in your classroom by visiting Supporting Language Learners with Book Creator, reviewed here and completing the Book Creator Certified Author course, Book Creator, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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25 Moments That Changed America - Time Magazine
Grades
6 to 12
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Take a look at what leading experts consider the 25 moments that changed 20th century America in this interesting list from Time. Click through the slideshow or view all moments ...more
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Take a look at what leading experts consider the 25 moments that changed 20th century America in this interesting list from Time. Click through the slideshow or view all moments in one list. Each event, listed in chronological order, also includes a summary and photograph. A few also include a video clip. Click on the links at the bottom of each moment to view more information from the Time Vault.
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In the Classroom
Use this site to introduce any lesson or unit on 20th century America with an interactive whiteboard or projector. At the end of a 20th century unit, have students create their own list individually or as a group before sharing this site. This site contains many events that may be unfamiliar to most younger Americans, use it as an opportunity to explore these events further. Have students create an annotated image including text boxes and related links using a tool such as Google Drawings, reviewed here, to share information from different events. Google Drawings allows you to annotate an image with links to videos, text, websites, and more. Not familiar with Google Drawings? Watch an archived OK2Ask session to learn how to use: OK2Ask Google Drawings, here.This is a good informational reading source to help meet your Common Core Standards.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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360Cities - 360 Cities s.r.o.
Grades
K to 12
4 Favorites
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The 360Cities panoramas are a new way to showcase places, businesses, and events from around the world. Looking for a new virtual field trip? 360Cities will have your students spinning...more
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The 360Cities panoramas are a new way to showcase places, businesses, and events from around the world. Looking for a new virtual field trip? 360Cities will have your students spinning in circles with excitement. The pictures are out of this world! View 360 degree panoramic pictures from Mars or under the sea. Travel to snowy mountain tops and many more of the Internet's largest collection of uploaded panoramic images. 360Cities panoramic aerial shots are also available as well as navigable views of cities, natural landscapes, and more. The most popular panoramic pictures are listed for your convenience. This website has panoramic views of all Seven Wonders of the World, which include the Colosseum in Rome, The Great Wall of China, Petra in Jordan, The Taj Mahal in India, Machu Picchu in Peru, Christ Redeemer in Rio, and Chichen Itza in Mexico. Are you looking for a site to showcase your own panoramic shots or do you want to learn how to take panoramic shots? 360Cities "how to" section offers tools to create and upload your own panoramic pictures. View the existing pictures for free or use an email address to create a free account to upload your own panoramic pictures. Paid upgrades are available. 360Cities also has an app for iOS devices. View the 360Cities blog linked on the site for more information.
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In the Classroom
The 360Cities panoramic pictures provide a vivid visual experience to enhance any lesson. Students can search and view the panoramic setting of a reading passage or novel. Need to paint a picture for students about a historical topic? View the image on 360Cities. Activate schema with these vivid images. Bring Science to life as you explore the many natural wonders of our world and even space. Explore these exciting worlds through the panoramic pictures. Visit businesses and famous landmarks around the world for a free virtual tour. Looking for creative writing prompts? Use the images for poems or story starters. Teaching geometry? Have students locate geometric figures in the pictures. Provide students an image and challenge them to create a virtual tour as they explore the image. Use web 2.0 tools or the students' artistic talents to create travel brochures for the panoramic pictures. You or students can also create your own guided tours. Learn how to embed a tour on your blog. Record the tours as a screencast or present orally. Use the "how-to" section to have your students create their own panoramic pictures. Take a panoramic shot of your classroom to post on your website or blog. Use DSLR cameras or cell phones to create your panoramic pictures.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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3Cs Classroom - Starts With Us
Grades
8 to 12
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3 Cs stands for Curiosity, Compassion, and Courage. Designed for high school teachers, the Start With Us 3Cs program will foster curiosity, compassion, and courage. There is a free...more
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3 Cs stands for Curiosity, Compassion, and Courage. Designed for high school teachers, the Start With Us 3Cs program will foster curiosity, compassion, and courage. There is a free curriculum toolkit to encourage inquiry, listening, and self-expression. Sign in with your email to find an introductory letter and an On-Boarding document that thoroughly explains the 3Cs Classroom program. Each "C" has three lessons. Each lesson has a lesson plan, slides, and a handout. There are additional resources for each of the Cs, too. Elementary teachers, look at this exceptional program to see how you can incorporate parts of it for your students.
In the Classroom
The Cs curriculum is an excellent approach to your subject matter all year. Start with this program and expand on what students have learned through all your units. You don't have to include all 3Cs with every unit. Have students work in pairs or small groups to create a podcast using Pinecast, reviewed here about something they want to know more about in your curriculum. Creating a podcast about something they want to know more about fosters inquiry. Working in small groups encourages communication, and through both, students should begin to feel courage about their research skills and interacting with others.
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3x3 Links - Federico Elles
Grades
K to 12
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3x3 Links is a bookmarking site that organizes saved websites into a 3x3 grid. Add items as a link to any website or create a folder that links to a ...more
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3x3 Links is a bookmarking site that organizes saved websites into a 3x3 grid. Add items as a link to any website or create a folder that links to a new grid with websites you add. Customize your page to include a personalized URL, add a background image or color, and include or delete captions.
In the Classroom
3x3 Links is an excellent tool for efficiently managing online resources in your classroom. For younger students, use this site as the home page on classroom computers. Add direct links to sites for student use or create folders for each subject. This site allows the creation of multiple grids, create a grid for each content unit or semester. Use the embed code to add the grid to your class webpage. For older students, this site is perfect for organizing and sharing resources for study or research projects. As an example, if your students are doing a research report on a state, ask them to create a grid to include folders linking to different topics including famous people, population information, geography, and history. Although there is an option to create up to 9 cubes in your grid, it isn't necessary so the number of cubes can be suited to fit your needs.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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40 Amazing Educational Virtual Field Trips: No Permission Slips Needed - Kimmie Fink
Grades
K to 12
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On this We Are Teachers page, find a curated list of virtual field trip resources to enhance students' learning experiences. These virtual experiences allow students to explore museums,...more
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On this We Are Teachers page, find a curated list of virtual field trip resources to enhance students' learning experiences. These virtual experiences allow students to explore museums, historical sites, natural wonders, and other educational destinations from the comfort of their classrooms or homes! On this site, you'll find descriptions and links to various virtual field trip opportunities, and some resources provide tips for integrating them into lesson plans and activities. Many of these virtual trips are available on multiple YouTube channels. If your district blocks YouTube, the videos may not be viewable. In addition, some of these virtual field trips are sourced from several other sites and organizations; we advise that you review the privacy policies of these external sites to ensure compliance with their district's privacy policies.
In the Classroom
Virtual field trips can immerse students in diverse learning experiences that allow teachers to go beyond the boundaries of their classroom. Find a virtual field trip that is relevant or connected to an upcoming unit. Begin by conducting an anonymous poll using a tool like Poll Everywhere, reviewed here or Mentimeter, reviewed here showing images from one of the virtual field trips you've chosen. Display images showcasing significant landmarks, main attractions, or features of the location. Students can post their wonderings, insights, or prior knowledge about the destination based solely on the images. This can ignite curiosity and generate excitement as students speculate about where the destination is. After gathering students' responses, announce that you'll be "taking them there" virtually through an upcoming virtual field trip! During the virtual field trip, integrate presentation tools using Pear Deck, reviewed here. Incorporate interactive question slides throughout the virtual field trip to prompt students to reflect on their learning, make connections, and apply their knowledge. You can even intersperse the presentation with interactive quizzes, polls, or collaborative brainstorming sessions. You can use this to keep the field trip active and engaging rather than a passive sit-and-get activity. Wrap it up by challenging students to become virtual field trip creators! Let them select a destination they want to "visit" and design an ideal virtual field trip experience for their peers. You can provide a template or criteria for students to consider when planning their virtual field trips. Students can use creation tools such as Google Slides, reviewed here or Canva Education Templates, reviewed here to create brochures or presentations that outline the details of their virtual field trip. Then, set a time for their "field trip pitch day," where students present their virtual field trip proposals to their classmates!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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40 Interesting Ways to Use QR Codes in the Classroom - Tom Barrett
Grades
3 to 12
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Find ideas for using QR codes in the classroom. This slideshow is a must-see to get many unique ideas for using QR codes. Examples include adding QR codes to worksheets ...more
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Find ideas for using QR codes in the classroom. This slideshow is a must-see to get many unique ideas for using QR codes. Examples include adding QR codes to worksheets for students to check answers or to go to a video explanation for completing the worksheet. Another idea: print a QR code on a sticker and place into textbooks for students to access additional content. Add to displays or bulletin boards to make them interactive. There are many great ideas shared on this site. It is definitely worth a visit for anyone using or wanting to use QR codes in their classroom. Of course, you do need to have devices that can read the QR codes; smart phones and iTouches work well.
In the Classroom
Choose one of the ideas suggested in the slideshow as a starting point for using QR codes. Try additional ideas one at a time. Share the slideshow with other teachers and split up the ideas for each to become an "expert" in one of the strategies. Share your experiences as you learn together. Challenge your students to dream up other uses for the codes. As a service project, students could create a QR code school "tour" or add QR codes for students to use while waiting in the cafeteria line to access nutrition information about today's menu.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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401 Prompts for Argumentative/Persuasive writing - New York Times
Grades
7 to 12
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Find the updated link "401 prompts from the New York Times" (NYT) Learning Network's Student Opinion feature. Discover a multitude of topics of interest to teens and students will have...more
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Find the updated link "401 prompts from the New York Times" (NYT) Learning Network's Student Opinion feature. Discover a multitude of topics of interest to teens and students will have an opinion about at least a few of them! However, their opinion is not all they are supposed to give. To submit, teens will need to have evidence-based, concise editorials much like the ones the NYT publishes daily. Once submitted the NYT and the Center for News Literacy at Stony Brook University will use a rubric to select winners, and then publish those on The Learning Network. We suggest obtaining parental permission before submitting anything. If interested, you can also find a link for 650 prompts for narative and personal writing.
In the Classroom
English/writing, social studies, and current events teachers are sure to find something here for their students to write about. Introduce a few of the prompts and the winning student editorials using an interactive whiteboard or projector to get students interested. Have students define what concise means and what it should mean in their writing. Point out the good writing habits of the student winners. Students should read the NYT's article(s) that give information about the topic of the prompt(s). At this time, you could have students choose a topic, or you could select several from which students could choose. You could also use one prompt a day as an opener or closer quick write. Another idea would be to have students respond on a class blog to the prompts and then make comments on each other's opinions. Haven't started blogging yet? Check out TeachersFirst's Blog Basics.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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4teachers.org - ALTEC.org
Grades
K to 12
8 Favorites
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At 4teachers.org find resources to help infuse and develop your classroom technology with online tools and resources for teachers and students. Discover ways to integrate technology...more
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At 4teachers.org find resources to help infuse and develop your classroom technology with online tools and resources for teachers and students. Discover ways to integrate technology with teacher success stories, technology assessment, resources in Spanish, and technology use policies and safety. Educator's resources include: explore assessment, technology planning, special needs, assistive technology, grant resources, and bilingual tutorials.
You will also find links to make your own rubrics (or adapt others), adapt or create problem-based checklists, find Webquests or Thinkquests, find tools for students to write persuasively, and you can view online lessons or create your own. Those are just a few of the resources you'll find at 4teachers.org. Enjoy 4teachers video channel to see tutorials and educational videos. You might also consider joining in a weekly teacher blog on structured topics and see the featured site of the week.
This site includes advertising.
You will also find links to make your own rubrics (or adapt others), adapt or create problem-based checklists, find Webquests or Thinkquests, find tools for students to write persuasively, and you can view online lessons or create your own. Those are just a few of the resources you'll find at 4teachers.org. Enjoy 4teachers video channel to see tutorials and educational videos. You might also consider joining in a weekly teacher blog on structured topics and see the featured site of the week.
This site includes advertising.
In the Classroom
This site is a great site to begin with basic understanding of technology in education. Tutorials explain many of the basics educators must have. Ready to use lessons, rubrics, and calendar resources are easily available. This is also a great site for Spanish resources. Share with colleagues to help boost your technology savvy classroom!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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5 Minute Mystery - Mystery Competition, LLC
Grades
4 to 12
14 Favorites
0 Comments
This mystery reading game helps increase reading comprehension and critical thinking skills in an innovative way. The basic game is free. You can sign up to have two mysteries a ...more
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This mystery reading game helps increase reading comprehension and critical thinking skills in an innovative way. The basic game is free. You can sign up to have two mysteries a week sent to you, or you can use their archive. There is an indepth "How to Play" section, on the top menu bar, where you can read the instructions. After reading a mystery you select the correct sentences that are clues, and select a character that the clue either exonerates or implicates. Points are awarded for each clue you get correct. You can set up a leaque or several leagues to track students' performance and progress.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
In the Classroom
Use your projector or interactive whiteboard to show your students the directions for getting points by selecting the correct clues and solving the mystery. To begin with, as a class, read a mystery and discuss what the clues might be and whether they implicate or exonerate each suspect. Once the students have volunteered their ideas for which sentences are clues, submit them to see the score. The program will highlight the answers you should have had, if you got any wrong. Model for your students a discussion about why those are the correct answers and why the ones they submitted weren't. Eventually they can have this discussion by themselves in small groups. Those of you with multiple classes will want to create a league for each class.Eventually you can have small groups of students compete against each other by creating leagues. Have your students come to consensus about the clue sentences and who the real perpetrator is by voting using Tricider, reviewed here, or Vevox, reviewed here.
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50 Mini-Lessons for Teaching Student Research Skills - Kathleen Morris
Grades
5 to 12
1 Favorites
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This PDF provides quick and useful tips for teaching research skills to students from the middle primary grades through high school. The author offers a variety of topics, including...more
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This PDF provides quick and useful tips for teaching research skills to students from the middle primary grades through high school. The author offers a variety of topics, including searching, clarifying, and citing sources, and then gives ideas for activities to teach the skill. The information on the site is concise and to the point, making it perfect for use as a resource in all classrooms.
In the Classroom
Bookmark this page to use as a reference when teaching research skills. Consider using this site as a beginning outline of research skills to teach throughout the year then divide each topic into a unit for planning purposes. Use digital tools to reinforce and enhance the lessons. For example, when using the ideas for teaching how to clarify questions, begin with choosing a topic idea. It states to write as many questions as you can for an idea such as koalas. Gather student ideas on your whiteboard, then create a word cloud using Wordsift, reviewed here, to highlight recurring ideas and thoughts. Use this information as a starting point for research, and ask students to share online information into Padlet, reviewed here. Ask older students to use Fiskkit, reviewed here, as a collaborative tool for sharing and discussing online articles. Fiskkit includes tools for sharing online articles and adding highlights and notes with others. Upon completion of research projects, ask students to share their learning using a multimedia presentation tool like Adobe Creative Cloud Express for Education, reviewed here. Have students include original work, images, videos, and more to share their research projects.
This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.
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