TeachersFirst - Featured Sites: Week of May 8, 2016
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
Wattpad - Allen Lau & Ivan Yuen
Grades
10 to 12tag(s): creative writing (122), DAT device agnostic tool (143), ebooks (38), independent reading (85)
In the Classroom
Share Wattpad with students as a resource for free, online reading material. Caution is necessary with this site because it is completely open to the public. Be aware of what your district's restrictions are regarding this kind of activity. Depending on your circumstances and school district policies, this site might best be used under a teacher login. You can put models up on your interactive whiteboard for students to respond to either individually or as a class. You might have reactions to some of the stories or have students write their own critiques of the spotlighted work before sharing what others on the site have posted. Using Wattpad in class might also encourage students to seek out writing on their own and may encourage them to bring in their writing for their classmate's comments. This site might also be a good venue for students who work together on a high school literary magazine or for high school gifted students seeking writing mentors outside of the school community (with parent permission, of course).You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Sejda - Sejda
Grades
K to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): conversions (36), worksheets (70)
In the Classroom
Use this site to work with PDF files in many ways. If you need just a page or two from a large PDF file, perhaps a worksheet to send home to an absentee student, easily extract it to send. Combine class projects received as individual PDFs to create a complete class book by merging all files. Combine several lessons into one whole unit by merging files. Make combined PDFs available as downloads from your class web page so students "get it all together." Teachers at all grades can use this tool, and older students may find it handy for their own use.Edge Features:
Parent permission advised before posting student work created using this tool
Premium version (not free) includes additional features or storage
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Quizlet Live - Quizlet
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): collaboration (85), DAT device agnostic tool (143), game based learning (171), quizzes (90), spelling (95), vocabulary (235), word study (58)
In the Classroom
Use Quizlet Live to introduce new topics or content, or as a review before testing. Quizlet Live would be an excellent tool for the start of the year to help students get to know each other, or use throughout the year to have students work with different students in cooperative learning activities.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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MoocNote - MoocNote.com
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): note taking (34), organizational skills (90), video (256)
In the Classroom
Be sure to view the User manual link at the bottom of the page for directions about how to use MoocNote. Share YouTube playlists with students using MoocNotes, add questions or additional information for student viewing. Only registered users can access your videos so that each student will need his own account. Another option is to set up a single teacher account and have all the students use the class login to avoid safety concerns. They could add their own information by including their code-name on notes. This tool would be perfect for adding student accountability to the flipped or blended classroom!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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GooseChase edu - Andrew Cross
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): creativity (92), DAT device agnostic tool (143), game based learning (171), gamification (74)
In the Classroom
Use GooseChase in your classroom as part of your project based learning activities. Assign a series of activities to groups for completion. Differentiate projects based on student interest and ability. Use one of the many educational games already in the library to see great examples of how to use GooseChase for any subject area. GooseChase would be an excellent addition to staff meetings. Have participants locate information on websites, textbooks, or throughout your school as part of professional development. Create a GooseChase for students as part of a nature walk outside of your school, ask younger students to find different geometric shapes, or have students draw pictures of main characters in books as part of a GooseChase mission.Edge Features:
Includes an education-only area for teachers and students
Requires registration/log-in (WITH email)
Premium version (not free) includes additional features or storage
Multiple users can collaborate on the same project
Includes teacher tools for registering and/or monitoring students
Requires download/installation of software
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LivingTree - livingtree.com
Grades
K to 12tag(s): classroom management (128), communication (136), DAT device agnostic tool (143), organizational skills (90)
In the Classroom
Use LivingTree to manage and organize any classroom. Maintain a classroom calendar, with automatic reminders, so students can easily find due dates and deadlines for homework and projects. Share information with parents to keep them up to date. Use the discussion feature as a resource for keeping students involved over long holidays or on a snow day.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Smithsonian Learning Lab - The Smithsonian Center for Learning and Digital Access
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): animals (278), architecture (64), art history (85), aviation (38), black history (121), civil war (133), dinosaurs (38), explorers (64), images (270), inventors and inventions (71), Learning Management Systems (22), oceans (146), scientists (62), shakespeare (93), Teacher Utilities (146), volcanoes (55)
In the Classroom
The Smithsonian Learning Lab is a must-add to your list of classroom bookmarks! Search for collections and information throughout the year on all topics. Add a link to classroom computers for the entire site or specific collections. Be sure to take advantage of the many features of this site to create customized collections, then have students add additional resources. Have students create quizzes for review of topics. Enhance student learning by challenging them to create a simple infographic sharing their findings using Canva Infographic Maker, reviewed here.Comments
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