TeachersFirst Resource Listings

Subject Results by title Records 1 to 20 of 20

Animals - National Geographic

Grades 0 to 12

Pandas and dolphins and deer - oh my! This website, created by National Geographic, offers an eclectic mix of reference information about numerous animals: fish, invertebrates, bugs, birds, reptiles, and others. The site truly has something for everyone. There are video clips, interactive challenges, research information, music clips, photos, and current event news stories. There is a link for kids (designed for the elementary grades) with some age-appropriate interactives, news stories, and videos. This site requires Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.
9482

In the Classroom:
Use this site for research projects or in science class while learning about various animals. Use your interactive whiteboard or projector to share some of the videos and "kids" interactives with your elementary students. Then provide individual computers (or set up a learning station) for students to explore the site on their own. Be sure to list this site on your class website or wiki for students to explore at home and use for homework and research projects.

Biology - Insects - Vocabulary University

Grades 5 to 12

Insects are the focus of this vocabulary site. Come to this site to find interactive puzzles, lesson plans, a word bank of 60 vocabulary words, discussion ideas, and more. Many of the activities are able to be printed FREE of charge. This site does have some basic advertisements.
9887

In the Classroom:
Use this site to enhance your biology lessons. The word bank could easily be used as vocabulary words for students to research on their own. Share the word puzzles on an interactive whiteboard or projector. Try the lesson ideas in your class. Have students attempt to create their own word puzzles about a biology topic that your class is studying. Use an online puzzle creation tool such as Just Crosswords reviewed here or Puzzlemaker, reviewed here.

BugGuide -

Grades 4 to 12

Search this site for images, information, helpful links, and suggested reading related to your favorite creepy-crawlies. Insects, spiders, and their related family members throughout the United States and Canada are represented. Content is provided by amateur naturalists with a penchant for bugs, so read the disclaimer and alert your students that not all information on the site may be completely accurate.
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Bugs in the Classroom - University of Kentucky

Grades 4 to 12

Here's a collection of pointers for students interested in keeping arthropods as pets - either at home or in the classroom. Not sure what to feed that Praying Mantis? The answers are here. There's even a special article on the details of keeping these critters in the classroom. Bookmark this one; it will come in handy one day.
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Build A Caterpillar - Scholastic

Grades 1 to 4

This website challenges students to build a caterpillar (and of course, learn scientific information). Students will learn about the caterpillar's environment, enemies, how caterpillars protect themselves, and more. This site presents students with various "scenes" (interactive pictures) that demonstrate how the caterpillar survives. The scenes allow students to change the color of the caterpillar, spine of the caterpillar, and other "extras." Tips and suggestions are provided. Students are provided with a text box on several of the "scenes" to explain WHY they made the changes that they created. This site requires Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.
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In the Classroom:
Share this site on an interactive whiteboard or projector to introduce the activity to your class. Then have students work with a partner to build a caterpillar. Have groups write about their choices as they work through the activity and print their results to discuss with the class or post on a bulletin board (there is a print button at the end of the activity).

Creature Feature - National Geographic Society

Grades 3 to 6

Students can safely explore and navigate through this site that lets them get up close and personal with dozens of wild critters. Each featured creature is introduced via an easy-to-read article, fun facts, video and audio files, and photos. Brainteaser questions and links to related sites are provided. A great resource for independent research on an animal of choice. This site requires Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.
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In the Classroom:
Share this site on an interactive whiteboard or projector to get your students "up close" to dinosaurs, bugs, or other animals. This site is a perfect addition to a research project.

Crimes Seen and Investigated - Why Files: University of Wisconsin

Grades 5 to 12

This site delves into forensic science and offers students a chance to solve a crime. Students begin to understand an underworld science by collecting clues of things left behind, namely bugs, maggots, and other disgusting creatures! The lesson plan includes readings, steps to solving the crime including collecting evidence, creating a DNA profile, evaluating the evidence, and listening to an expert. Standards are provided.

Be aware: at the time of this review, the link to the video mentioned in this lesson plan was not working properly. Our editors found it, so you can access it directly from here: http://www.nhm.ac.uk/nature-online/science-of-natural-history/forensic-sleuth/forensic-entomology/. This site does include some appropriate advertisements for the museum. The site requires Adobe Acrobat and Flash. Get both from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.
10098

In the Classroom:
Combine ideas from this site and the TeachersFirst "Who Did It" unit for a crime-solving extravaganza of science. Project this site on your classroom projector or interactive whiteboard to provide stimulation for the students about to embark on the crime solving. Divide your class into teams to collect, analyze and assess the clues left behind. Challenge students to create their own CSI investigation story or scene. Have students create an online book (story) about their mystery using a tool such as Bookemon reviewed here. Or have the groups create a video of their “forensic file” case using a sharing tool such as Teachers.TV reviewed here.

EcoKids - Earth Day Canada

Grades 0 to 8

This clever, creative, and entertaining resource is a must for elementary science classroom! Click to enter the Room 26: Kids or the Teachers' Lounge. Kids from all over the world can learn oodles from this Canadian ecology site. Teachers will find a trove of information and instructional materials as well. You will appreciate the Earth Day activities and information. There are also numerous educational interactives highlighting the food chain, bugs, animal adaptations, acid rain, transportation, and other topics. Students can participate in interactive stories; play and learn with more than 50 ecology-based on-line games and activities; learn about a variety of topics including wildlife, energy, and environment issues; and print out word games or coloring sheets.

Be aware: recently, this site started to offer certain features of the Teacher's Lounge to "members only." Membership is FREE, but does require an email address. The link for students does NOT require membership to access the interactives, information, or printables. This site requires Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.
9335

In the Classroom:
There is SO much to look at and explore, so browse through the offerings, create a plan for your students based on their age and ability level, then mark the site as a favorite on classroom computers. Upper elementary students can use it as an independent learning center. Younger children may need help with some of the text, so consider using an interactive whiteboard or projector and exploring the activities as a class. Click on “Downloads” on the bottom left to find printables, including coloring sheets of Canadian wildlife and various ecology-related worksheets and lesson plans. Click on the ‘games and activities’ tab and use the interactive whiteboard or projector for whole class eco-minded fun. ESL and ELL teachers, don’t miss the ‘teacher’ section for a cache of activities written for your ELL/ESL students. Interested students will use this one for hours, so some directions will be important for classroom use.

Explore Butterflies! - Academy of Natural Sciences

Grades 2 to 9

What can you do with butterflies? At this site you can test your "Butterfly Smarts" by choosing a level and answering questions to earn a butterfly badge. Correct answers are shown after you miss your only chance. Build a "Butterfly Habitat," by adding host plants, nectar plants, and landscaping to your field. You have a period of time to attract as many moths and butterflies as you can. You are limited in the amount of plants and may have to remove some in order to add another. Changes in butterfly and moth numbers are in real time in order to understand the ecosystem relationships. Information at the end reviews the butterflies attracted and recommendations for the future. Use the "Field" observation to identify the parts and uses of the Monarch butterfly. Learn about butterflies and "Climate Change" by answering questions and clicking on tabs to show the difference in temperatures over the years and in the projected future. This site requires Flash. Get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page. NOTE: The site takes TIME to load, even on a fast connection. Be patient!
9507

In the Classroom:
While discussing ecosystems or insects, use this site to either introduce or reinforce information learned in class. Use the "Butterfly Habitat" to introduce ecosystem topics and help students understand the interactivity between plants and animals as well as population density issues. Have students work in groups to attract butterflies and identify factors and plants that attract the most. Follow up with research about native butterflies as well as plants they are attracted to. If a plot of land is available in the school or community, have students plan and build a butterfly habitat. Observe and count the butterfly visitors as an additional science project. Be sure to use digital pictures as part of your documentation. Perhaps create a wiki about your butterfly project.

Firefly Watch - Museum of Science, Boston

Grades 0 to 5

Are Fireflies Disappearing? This participatory site explores this question and more. At this site students can join and volunteer to help the “cause,” make observations in their own backyards, track progress, help scientists map fireflies, and more! Check out the “Learn More About Getting Involved” link. Joining this site does require an email address. You may want to create your own Gmail account with up to 20 subaccounts for each group of students (by code name or number) within your classes. Here is a blog post that tells how.

In addition to the project, there is also a lot of reference information about fireflies (see the “Understanding Fireflies” link. Topics include types of fireflies, identifying gender, flashing facts, environmental factors, beware of imposters, and others.

This site requires Flash. Get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.
9751

In the Classroom:
What a fantastic class project or summer challenge. Share this site on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Have cooperative learning groups investigate various areas of this site and create multimedia presentations. How about an online book about Fireflies using a tool such as Bookemon. reviewed here. Or have students create online posters using a tool such as Project Poster (reviewed here.

Insect Records Catalog -

Grades 6 to 12

The University of Florida has compiled a listing of insects holding the record for the biggest, fastest, smallest, etc., etc. A good collection of insect trivia, as well as a potential starting point for a more serious exploration of insects and the way they live.
654

In the Classroom:
While some of the world records might make students a little queasy, (see the worlds biggest bug) this site would be an excellent way to get students interested in the study of insects. Share the site on an interactive whiteboard or projector, and allow students to explore it in groups. What would be interesting is to see how many record holders were local insects. Have students create a digital record book, including images on a site such as Bookemon, reviewed here.

Insectclopedia -

Grades 6 to 12

This large metasite offers a well-organized collection of scores of links relating to the study and categorization of insects. Like most sites of this nature, there are no explanations of the links, so you may have to hunt to find what you’re after. We’ve included this one because of the number of resources the authors have found.
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Katerpillars and Mystery Bugs - University of Kentucky Department of Etymology

Grades 2 to 8

This site provides activities, projects, games, and reading lists that can enhance a life science lesson on creepy-crawlies by introducing the real thing! Browse through the "Teacher/Parent Resource Materials" and check out the collection of units and lesson plans that require students to observe, interact with, and record their experiences with a variety of insects. The "Teacher’s Guide to Six-Legged Science" provides invaluable background information and helpful tips, especially for teachers who are a bit tentative about welcoming bugs into their classrooms.
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Nature Detectives - Heritage Lottery Fund

Grades 1 to 6

Have fun with educational nature games! Try your hand at a variety of activities such as spotted pacman, bubble bug, concrete poetry, a tree’s memory, changing bloom, badger wood, or dragon wood. Quizzes are found throughout the site on topics such as leaves, weather, or twigs. Educational activities and worksheets can be found on the site as well. Many of the games reinforce basic science concepts. The concrete poetry interactive is a new angle on a classroom creative writing favorite. Click schools for curriculum links and other items to use with students. This site requires Flash. Get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.
9623

In the Classroom:
Review material learned in class with related interactive activities. Students can try the activities and create strategy instructions for players to follow. Include the concrete poetry activity as a language arts connection to science class for your elementary students.

Nature: Crime Scene Creatures - PBS

Grades 6 to 12

What a fascinating website! Now you can teach scientific inquiry, biology, and chemistry with a CSI twist. Did you know that bugs and other small creatures are now being used to help forensic scientists solve murders and other mysteries? This website takes you behind the scenes to see exactly how biologists from around the world are using maggots, ants, and other animals to solve various crimes. These creatures help scientists to determine the time of death, track a killer's path, and even zero in on a specific suspect. Features of this website include a wonderfully-done interactive (determining the time of death), video clips, interviews with real scientists in the field, and much more. The interactive pages and video clips require FLASH. Get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page..
8760

In the Classroom:
Don't miss the AWESOME interactive activity (Determine the Time of Death). This educational activity is sure to grab the attention of your students, as they examine a crime scene and try to determine the time of death by using various bugs and other small creatures. Get your interactive whiteboard ready, and be prepared for an exciting class period. Stop to talk about inquiry process, dependent and independent variables, hypothesis, conclusions, and more, using this engaging interactive.

One minute wonders - BBC

Grades 0 to 8

View one minute wonders to learn great facts about a variety of science and social studies topics. There were 13 topics at the time of this review. Learn about a Northern Oriole that can eat 17 caterpillars in a minute, music in the 16th century, or vehicles in the world. Videos are entertaining and sure to capture student attention. After viewing videos, click on quizzes to check understanding.
10350

In the Classroom:
Use these minute-length videos to introduce a topic on your interactive whiteboard or projector. These would also make a great introduction to writing prompts or blog posts. Consider using these as examples for one minute projects for students to demonstrate understanding for any topic or content area (and make accompanying quizzes for their peers to try). Have cooperative learning groups view videos of their choice and add their findings to your class “One Minute Wonder Wiki.” Not comfortable with wikis? Have no wiki worries – check out the Teacher’s First Wiki Walk-Through reviewed here. In lower grades, have students plan and act out their own one minute wonder plays to explain something they have learned or simply share the videos as humorous but accurate portrayals of science topics. American students will need to grow accustomed to the British accents.

Pest World For Kids - National Pest Management Association

Grades 0 to 5

Students learn about biology, ecology, health, and the environment through the studies of pests. Lesson Plans are divided into younger and older elementary students. Younger students' lesson plans include "Intro to Pests" and "Totally Termites." Older students include inquiry based activities such as "Termitology" and "Before They Were Pests." The site includes games and documents. Click on "Amazing Pests" to learn fun pest facts and view a dictionary of pests. View "Threats and Prevention" to learn about the damage that pests can cause and ways to prevent infestation and damage. Play fun Learning Games such as "Name That Pest," "The Pest Rangers," and "Archibald's Adventures." The audio is sure to get student attention.

Note: Students can also send a pest card by entering a recipient's name and email address as well as their own name and email address. Many district's have policies prohibiting students from using a personal email address. Additionally, they can sign up for newsletters which require parent authorization for those under 13. Please check your district's policy concerning student email and Acceptable Use Policy Activities can be seen online and also downloaded as an Adobe PDF document. Perhaps you want to sign up as a teacher and share the email with your class on a bulletin board.This Site requires Flash. Get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.
9298

In the Classroom:
Use what students already know about pests to bring complex concepts such as social behavior and needs of organisms into focus. Students can use the site and create tip sheets for managing pests. Use multimedia programs such as PowerPoint and others to create these as a digital storytelling project. Students can also play the interactive games and write a story about life as a pest. Focus on the adaptations of pests to determine where they live and what other pests they are related to.

Pet Bugs -

Grades 4 to 12

Here’s more proof that you can find almost anything on the web. It’s a site all about keeping invertebrates – mostly insects – as pets. Want to know what to feed your pet tarantula? Look no further. Seriously, there’s a wealth of information on all manner of species here, whether your interest is in finding a unique pet or building a mini-ecosystem in your classroom.
3950

In the Classroom:
Seriously, there’s a wealth of information on all manner of species here, whether your interest is in finding a unique pet or building a mini-ecosystem in your classroom.

Sid the Science Kid - PBS Kids

Grades 0 to 2

Use this interactive (and entertaining) site to excite even the youngest students about science! There is so much to explore at this site. Sid, the Science Kid, mixes science with humor so be prepared for some giggles. The site features video clips, interactive educational games, a printable coloring book (which can also be read online), and lesson ideas (see the "Parents and Teachers" link). Examples of topics include the effects of heat, health, measurement, the five senses, and many others. This site requires Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.
1514

In the Classroom:
The possibilities at this site are endless. Make your first stop at the Parents and Teachers link. You may find a lesson plan or even short video to share with your class. Be sure to save this site in your favorites. Explore this site with your students on an interactive whiteboard or projector. Set-up learning centers using this website. Students may want to explore this site during independent time when other work is complete. You may also want to list this site on your class website (or on your class newsletter, if applicable).

See user comments on this resource. -

The Lost Ladybug Project - Cornell.edu

Grades 0 to 6

Join a citizen science project! Younger students especially are fascinated by ladybugs. This fabulous site is a great resource for learning how to collect ladybugs, photograph them, identify the different species, and report your findings. Pictures are uploaded to the site and information is compiled by Cornell to understand more about the decline in ladybug species. Visit other pages for information on "Ladybugs Found," and "Legends, Lore, Facts, and More." Other activities include a "Discover Life Ladybug page," "Insect Conservation Biology," "Cool Bug Stuff," and "Sweepnet Safari" among others. Links to other Cornell projects include "Cornell Lab of Ornithology," "Firefly Watch," "Project BudBurst," and "The Great Sunflower Project." Many of the activities at this site require Flash, get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.
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In the Classroom:
Expand your class activities from simple, traditional ones to collaborative, data-generating projects. Teach a unit on ecosystems and communities by evaluating and studying the insects and other organisms in the area. Discuss differences between species of ladybugs (if found). This can lead into discussions of biodiversity, classification, and habitats. Have students take pictures and count ladybugs both around the community, school, and home. Report findings to the site and use any information to plot locations of the various ladybugs in local and distant areas. Students will gain an understanding of the work of scientists on a problem and how to accumulate data and evidence. Students can even find areas where ladybugs are found and write a proposal to create a wildlife area there, if possible. Your students will beg you to include the link on your teacher web page so they can follow the project long after your class moves on.

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