TeachersFirst - Featured Sites: Week of Jul 9, 2017
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
Telegra.ph - telegra.ph
Grades
2 to 12tag(s): blogs (66), communication (136), writing (315)
In the Classroom
Use this tool as an easy to use blogging tool in the classroom and in every subject area. Use in language arts classes to strengthen students' writing ability and 21st century skills. Teach about proper commenting etiquette on simple first blog posts. Use for student-written book reviews for the school library. Use as a tool for class or parent communication. Engage students in discussions on current events, independent reading, literature, and more. Ask students to play the role of a historical figure and write about their viewpoints or experiences. Use the site as a forum for any simulated or real task. Invite parents to join to give their points of view on upcoming elections or public policy issues by commenting on student posts. Share a blog in even the youngest of classes, for parents to use to learn about a specific unit of study, field trips, and more. Use this site in world language classes to have students write a blog entry in the new language. Include the principal or superintendent in class discussions of students' rights as you study the Constitution. Create incredible discussions of environmental, political, or economic issues. Create a standing assignment for elementary and middle schoolers on snow days. Have students write a post about the snow using Telegra.ph and share the URL on a class wiki. Post the various links on the class web page so students can comment on each other's posts after they come in from sledding.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Text2VoiceOver - ResponsiveVoice
Grades
K to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): communication (136), text to speech (19), video (257)
In the Classroom
Use Text2VoiceOver to add comments and instructions to any YouTube video (or your own video) your students view. Share specific tips, ask questions, or add additional details to content. Have students create a voiceover to share their thoughts on a video, or ask questions to clarify content.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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SoundGator - soundgator.com
Grades
K to 12In the Classroom
Use the many files on SoundGator to add interest to multimedia presentations and as part of your digital storytelling needs. To create a digital story use a tool like Book Creator, reviewed here. Find a large variety of tools for multimedia presentations at TeachersFirst Edge tools, reviewed here.''''''?Choose an interesting sound to share with students as a creative writing story starter. If your students enjoy creating podcasts and videos, share this site as an excellent resource for adding interest and drama to their presentations.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Bingo Card Generator - My Free Bingo Cards
Grades
K to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): game based learning (171), printables (37), worksheets (70)
In the Classroom
Having the ability to play the Bingo game online is perfect for those who are beginning to integrate technology into their classroom. Use the Bingo Card Generator to create Bingo games to review any topic with small groups. Instead of saying the word that is on the Bingo card, give the definition (so students must find the term) or a math problem whose answer is among those on the card. Create sight word bingo cards for younger students and ESL/ELL students. Bingo is an excellent review tool for science or social studies. Put a short description of a vocabulary word into the space. Tell students the name of the vocabulary word and see if they can find it on the Bingo card. Encourage students to create bingo games for each other as a review or to engage the audience during oral presentations. Learning support teachers can create them together with students as an engaging way to review. World language teachers (and students) can create bingo cards to reinforce vocabulary.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Add Text - FlamingText.com Pty Ltd.
Grades
4 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): creativity (92), DAT device agnostic tool (143), digital storytelling (141), editing (92), images (269)
In the Classroom
Use Add Text to add captions to images to create memes or posters for your bulletin boards. Use this easy tool with students during back to school time as a way for them to get to know each other. Have students upload a picture of themselves doing their favorite activity and label it with amusing text or a favorite quote (or song lyrics?). Have them upload images that represent their interests and character traits. Print the images with text for a back to school bulletin board. Use after a field trip for students to write captions on the photos they took. Be sure to share the photos on your class webpage, blog, or wiki. Haven't started blogging yet? Check out TeachersFirst's Blog Basics. For other uses, have students practice new words in a world language class by labeling and identifying images in that language. Help ENL/ESL students learn English by labeling the images. Create writing prompts using several annotated images. Have students create annotated images to explain key terms in science class. In ELA class, make homophone or vocabulary images to show the correct word along with a picture that explains it.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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SignUp - Volunteer Spot
Grades
K to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): calendars (40), parent conferences (24)
In the Classroom
Teachers can use this for conference night sign-ups; parents can see time slots available immediately and choose what is best for them. This is also great to use for classroom volunteer schedules, class snack sign-ups, and more. School organizations such as PTO's can use this to schedule volunteers for fundraisers, library helpers, and any other activities requiring a volunteer pool. After creating an event, be sure to post the link to the sign up on your class webpage, blog, and in class newsletters. Teachers will also love using this to organize faculty events and more.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Smilebox - Smilebox, Inc.
Grades
5 to 12tag(s): blogs (66), images (269), movies (51), photography (130), slides (45)
In the Classroom
Upload images from your computer. You can save web images or use screen shots, as well, to be used in your creations. Watch copyright! Check out Awesome Screenshot, reviewed here, for details for a screen shot taker. From there, it is easy to simply click and follow the on screen instructions. The program is simple to navigate and very user friendly for those who are accustomed to web tools.With the variety of formats, Smilebox has a wide variety of applications in any type of classroom! For basic technology integration extend learning with this tool. Use in history class to have students create collages of different periods of time such as the American Civil War. Create topics such as the Lincoln's Election, the Gettysburg Address, Battle of Antietam, Emancipation Proclamation, Battle of Gettysburg, and Lee's Surrender. Have pairs or groups of three select topics at random, and then have them create a collage or "scrapbook" of the event. Try having students choose a role from which to create their assignment such as a Rebel soldier, a Union Soldier, a volunteer nurse, a mother or father of children fighting on different sides of the war, etc. Have students collect copyright free images online for their use or create their own by reenacting and creating visuals to take pictures for their productions. Unleash student creativity by showing them this tool as resource in creating presentations and projects for your class and others. What a fabulous tool to use on the first day of school (as a welcome), beginning of a new unit, or back to school night with the parents! Elementary classes could create whole-class scrapbooks of curriculum projects, such as their science garden or Colonial Days celebration.
Edge Features:
Parent permission advised before posting student work created using this tool
Includes Interaction w general public/ public galleries with unmoderated content
Requires registration/log-in (WITH email)
Premium version (not free) includes additional features or storage
Products can be embedded
Products can be shared by URL
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Animoto - Animoto Productions
Grades
8 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): animation (62), images (269), movies (51), photography (130), slides (45), video (257)
In the Classroom
Demonstrate how to sign up for Animoto and how to use it to students on an interactive whiteboard or with a projector. Students need the basic understanding of how to upload pictures, videos, and other media, especially a student adding personalized content. Use stock images and media available through the site if you prefer. Once you are registered, simply click on the create button and follow the onscreen instructions. If adding personal images and video, the program allows searching through your computer files. Add music from the site bank or from personal music sources (copyright-free, of course). Finalize the video with the last click and view your video. Share easily from the codes or export tools provided. Use Animoto to make commercials, science fair previews, and animated shorts in any content area. Have students make "advertisements" for an organism or a literary character. Make a travel commercial for a country being studied or for cultural sites in a world language class. Be sure to share the presentations on your projector or interactive whiteboard.Edge Features:
Parent permission advised before posting student work created using this tool
Includes Interaction w general public/ public galleries with unmoderated content
Includes social features, such as "friends," comments, ratings by others
Requires registration/log-in (WITH email)
Premium version (not free) includes additional features or storage
Products can be embedded
Products can be shared by URL
Includes teacher tools for registering and/or monitoring students
Comments
My favorite movie site.Barbara, , Grades: 0 - 12
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