TeachersFirst - Featured Sites: Week of Nov 22, 2015
Here are this week's features. Clicking the tags in the description area of each listing will present a list of other resources with this topic. | Click here to return to the Featured Sites Archive
turnitin - Source Educational Evaluation Rubric (SEER) - turnitin
Grades
6 to 12
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Find an interactive rubric for evaluating the quality of Internet sources students use in academic writing and projects. Fill out a short registration form to have immediate free access...more
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Find an interactive rubric for evaluating the quality of Internet sources students use in academic writing and projects. Fill out a short registration form to have immediate free access to the rubric as a PDF. The criteria for the rubric includes Authoritative, Educational Value, Intent, Originality, and Quality. Below the rubric see an example of three popular sites evaluated with SEER and the scores given for each criterion. Download the rubric to your computer. Once filled in save it to your computer and print.
tag(s): evaluating sources (28), media literacy (102), rubrics (33)
In the Classroom
Share this rubric with middle and high school students with your projector or on an interactive whiteboard. Ask students to suggest a popular site for referencing in papers and projects. Use the rubric together and evaluate the site. Break students into small groups and have them evaluate several sites. Make these sites you have already evaluated, and then have the students evaluate them until you know most students agree on what makes a Highly Creditable site compared to a Creditable or Discreditable site. At the end of the activity give a quick assessment. This way students who do not feel sure about evaluating a site have the opportunity to let you know. Consider using Quizalize, reviewed here, for a more in-depth assessment.
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X (formerly Twitter) in Elementary: The #Grammar911 Project - Victoria Olson
Grades
2 to 8
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Engage your students as they practice and learn appropriate grammar with this X (formerly Twitter) hashtag project. Follow the four posted steps to model, send, and correct "messy"...more
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Engage your students as they practice and learn appropriate grammar with this X (formerly Twitter) hashtag project. Follow the four posted steps to model, send, and correct "messy" sentences with your students. Be sure to do a X (formerly Twitter) search for #grammar911 for any inappropriate comments before sharing with your students. Although this lesson was created to accompany Daily 5 activities, it can easily be used with any grammar curriculum or lesson.
tag(s): grammar (133), grammar review (31), twitter (19)
In the Classroom
Instead of using #grammar911, change your hashtag to a more personal one (such as #yourclassname grammar911) to avoid encountering public Xs (formerly tweets) and comments. Use this idea for other Language Arts activities. For example, how about #spelling911 or #punctuation911? What a novel way for all students, including ENL/ELL students, to learn this. Looking for more ways to use X (formerly Twitter) in the classroom? Read more about X (formerly Twitter) at TeachersFirst's X (formerly Twitter) for Teachers page.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Global Flow of People - Nikola Sander, Guy J. Abel, and Ramon Bauer
Grades
7 to 12
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Investigate migration patterns around the world from 1990 through 2010 with this interactive chart. Choose a five-year period for an overall view of global migration during that time....more
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Investigate migration patterns around the world from 1990 through 2010 with this interactive chart. Choose a five-year period for an overall view of global migration during that time. Click on individual regions to narrow down information on migration from country to country. Be sure to click on both individual lines and countries to take advantage of all the information this resource has to offer. Information for 2005-2010 is available for download as a two-sided poster using the link near the bottom of the website.
tag(s): continents (32), countries (69), cross cultural understanding (157), migration (44)
In the Classroom
Share The Global Flow of People with a projector or on an interactive whiteboard as part of any global studies unit. After finding the numbers of people migrating, have students brainstorm or collect ideas for the reasons of migration on a collaborative bulletin board like Scrumblr, reviewed here, quick start- no membership required. Challenge students to explore further and share their findings with a multimedia presentation using one of the many TeachersFirst Edge tools reviewed here.
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What has the United Nations ever done for you? - The Guardian
Grades
6 to 12
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This interactive offers the opportunity to view what the United Nations has done to help people of all ages from around the world. Choose a persona by entering gender, age, ...more
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This interactive offers the opportunity to view what the United Nations has done to help people of all ages from around the world. Choose a persona by entering gender, age, and country to view a list of ways the United Nations has had a positive influence on their situation. Categories include items such as Human Rights, Child Mortality, and Cultural Heritage. The site was created in the UK, so some of the pronunciations and spellings may differ from those in American English.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): cross cultural understanding (157), cultures (132), united nations (6)
In the Classroom
Introduce this site on an interactive whiteboard or projector. Allow students to explore on their own. Social studies teachers will want to bookmark this interactive for use throughout the year as students learn about different countries and cultures. Instead of paper notecards enhance student learning by having them use Simplenote, reviewed here, to take digital notes; tell students to be sure to save the URL to share their notes and questions with you and their peers. updates across all devices Then, modify technology use by challenging students create a simple infographic sharing their findings using Canva Infographic Maker, reviewed here, to explain what they learned from this site.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Vibby - Ari Cohen and Ivo Sluganovic
Grades
4 to 12
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Highlight, annotate, and share parts of any YouTube, Google Drive, Vimeo, (and others) videos with Vibby. Create an account then paste in the URL of any YouTube video. Choose the ...more
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Highlight, annotate, and share parts of any YouTube, Google Drive, Vimeo, (and others) videos with Vibby. Create an account then paste in the URL of any YouTube video. Choose the start and stop points of any area to highlight and type in notes of up to 500 characters. Follow prompts to finish creating your "vib" then share using social networking links or the direct URL. Use the embed code to embed the "vib" directly into a blog or website. If your district blocks YouTube, then they may not be viewable.
tag(s): video (257)
In the Classroom
Use Vibby as part of your flipped classroom. Have students watch a YouTube video at home and highlight different portions with questions and observations. Use Vibby in any subject! Ask ESL/ELL and resource students to write text to explain concepts by rewording, or to ask questions about the parts they do not understand. Identify examples of foreshadowing in dramatic videos. Add questions to math explanations. Identify landforms with videos from different locations. Use the embed code to add annotated videos to your class website or blog. Share this site as a way to review before tests. Have media literacy students use the annotation feature to critique videos for bias, poor writing, weak information, and more.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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ProfRobBob's YouTube Channel - Rob Tarrou
Grades
7 to 12
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This YouTube channel includes a growing selection of math instruction videos for Algebra through AP Statistics. Browse through videos on the home page or go to the site's playlists...more
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This YouTube channel includes a growing selection of math instruction videos for Algebra through AP Statistics. Browse through videos on the home page or go to the site's playlists for videos grouped by topic. If your district blocks YouTube, then they may not be viewable.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): angles (51), area (52), charts and graphs (169), equations (119), factoring (25), functions (52), inequalities (23), polynomials (20), probability (96), problem solving (226), quadratics (26), statistics (114), video (257), volume (34)
In the Classroom
Share these videos on an interactive whiteboard or projector. FLIP your classroom and have students view the videos at home to discuss and apply the next day in class (this is an excellent option if your school blocks YouTube). Use the videos to introduce or practice any math topic and assign others from the series for homework. Be sure to provide this link on your class website for students (and their families) to access at home for additional math practice.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Thrively - Thrively
Grades
1 to 12
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Thrively is a free tool that gives strengths and interests assessments in an engaging and entertaining way. Based on twenty-three factors and developed for children, you receive a profile...more
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Thrively is a free tool that gives strengths and interests assessments in an engaging and entertaining way. Based on twenty-three factors and developed for children, you receive a profile that is personal, positive, and celebrates each child's core strengths and unique talents. Children, teachers, and parents all have a dashboard displaying activities and videos selected specifically for the child's strengths and interests. Explore a comprehensive activity index with over 120,000 activities and hundreds of videos designed to inspire. The videos feature interesting ideas, leaders, and a range of insights into careers and opportunities that are a good fit for the child's unique strengths. The Activity Boards are a way to discover and research the activities and collect them all in one place. If your district blocks YouTube, the videos may not be viewable.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): back to school (63), differentiation (84), multiple intelligences (7), social and emotional learning (81), Special Needs (53), Teacher Utilities (146)
In the Classroom
Begin your school year with a more personal touch, by knowing what your students' interests are. On the teacher dashboard, examine each student and match interest to activities to differentiate instruction. Students can explore careers, apps, and activities matching their profile. With interest and strengths targeted, you can sail smoothly into a highly engaged class of individualized learning. During career explorations, open up worlds of possibilities for students and families to begin planning a successful path. Add a link to this tool to your class website for possible enrichment activities for families. Offer suggestions to parents for enriching after school activities found around your area.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Boomerang for Gmail - Bavdin
Grades
1 to 12
2 Favorites
0 Comments
Download Boomerang to organize your Gmail! Schedule when to send messages, remind yourself to follow up if you do not get a reply email, and mark emails that you need ...more
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Download Boomerang to organize your Gmail! Schedule when to send messages, remind yourself to follow up if you do not get a reply email, and mark emails that you need to read at a later time. The basic plan is free and includes most features.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): organizational skills (90)
In the Classroom
Let Boomerrang simplify your email life. Start the beginning of school with welcoming emails to each student/family. Schedule emails with newsletters, timely events, or parent conference reminders in exactly the right time! Design unit newsletters to coincide with your lessons time periods. Schedule birthday wishes or even schedule emails to remind yourself of an important event. You will never forget to collect all responses or assignments with a reminder email. Manage daily or weekly parent reports with ease and timeliness. Share at Meet the Teacher Nights or Curriculum Chats to help parents improve organizational skills for their student.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Drama Notebook - Janea Dahl
Grades
4 to 12
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Find free plays, drama games, and help for teaching a drama class at Drama Notebook. Click on the Free Stuff in the menu at the top and find hundreds of ...more
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Find free plays, drama games, and help for teaching a drama class at Drama Notebook. Click on the Free Stuff in the menu at the top and find hundreds of short plays and over forty classic games for kids and teens. Search through the play categories such as Fairy, Folk, Tall Tales, Scripts Based on Children's Books, Holidays, Free Plays for Ages 12 and Up, and several more. Each play states how many parts and the approximate time for the duration of the play. Plays open in a new link in PDF. View any and all of these with no registration.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): acting (18), plays (27), readers theater (10)
In the Classroom
Mark this one in your favorites. Take advantage of the free activities (labeled as drama games) in any class to create a positive class environment. Get drama students warmed up and then challenge them to come up with a game that is similar. Use this site as the starting point for group projects like having the students write and produce their own play(s). Let student groups select from the scripts, to record their own audio podcasts of a play, illustrated with a selection of copyright-safe images or student drawings. Use a site such as PodOmatic, reviewed here. Challenge cooperative learning groups to create videos of the plays they write and produce. Share the videos on a site such as TeacherTube, reviewed here. Create audio of ESL/ELL students performing the plays to practice English speaking skills.
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