906 current-events results | sort by:

Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears - The Ohio State University, College of Ed. and Human Ecology
Grades
K to 12tag(s): animals (322), arctic (46), climate (95), energy (207), habitats (106), plants (174), tundra (20), water (134)
In the Classroom
Use this site for information about the arctic. Use this site for students to research and report to the class. Use the information for a Did You Know poster activity or as an introduction to lessons in class. Take advantage of the many free lesson plans! Have student groups explore specific topics and create an interactive book to share with the class. Try Ourboox, reviewed here. Ourboox creates beautiful page-flipping digital books in minutes, and you can embed video, music, animation, games, maps and more.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Timeline: US-Cuba Relations - Council on Foreign Relations
Grades
6 to 12In the Classroom
No lesson on the Spanish American War, the Cold War, or US diplomatic relations within the Americas is complete without an examination of the tensions between the US and Cuba. The timeline is suitable for use on an interactive whiteboard or projector. Share or embed this tool into a classroom website or blog.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
LearnEnglish232.com - learnenglish232.com
Grades
8 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): idioms (45), podcasts (57), slang (15), vocabulary development (124)
In the Classroom
As a class, listen to a podcast and ask students to discuss the news story they heard. Share the video clips on your interactive whiteboard or projector. In pairs have students list idioms they did not understand. Create another list of new vocabulary words. Have students try Funnelbrain, reviewed here, to create flashcards of the new idioms and vocabulary to help them bring the words into their active vocabulary.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
The Knotted Line - Evan Bissell
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): 1700s (29), 1800s (48), 1900s (36), 20th century (50), freedom of speech (11), immigration (60), media literacy (65)
In the Classroom
The Knotted Line is perfect for use on your interactive whiteboard (or projector) as you introduce and explore this site together. After introducing this site, have students explore on their own. Use this as a starting point to research and gather information on each topic. Have students create timelines depicting what they learned about each topic. Use a tool such as Capzles, reviewed here, which allows for music, photos, videos, and more on the timeline.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Recycling Facts Guide - Recycling Facts Guide
Grades
7 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): conservation (128), consumers (18), recycling (60), resources (107)
In the Classroom
Use the information on this site to inform students about the various items that can be recycled. Consider using the site as background information for student created surveys for students and their families to complete. Use the information from the surveys to develop a campaign to bring awareness to consumption and use patterns that can save money for families as well as landfill space. Create a survey or a poll using Obsurvey, reviewed here. Use this site for meeting the Common Core Standards for nonfiction reading. Provide a link to the Recycling Facts Guide on your class website. Create a student project where students use information on this site to create a campaign to promote awareness about recycling. Debate recycling and recycling programs by comparing information from this site and others as well as misconceptions many may have. Use the information here to establish a recycling campaign in your school or community. Use this site as inspiration to write a story or cartoon based on the life of a particular resource.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Penguins: Everything You Need - Scholastic Inc
Grades
K to 8This site includes advertising.
tag(s): adaptations (19), animals (322), antarctica (30), arctic (46), preK (288)
In the Classroom
Use these literary resources to meet your Common Core standards for narrative and informational text. Integrate your language arts into your science curriculum while studying animals, adaptation, or habitats. Participate in reading and writing penguin fun. Share text on your interactive whiteboard and focus on main idea, details, inferences, sentence types, note taking, or characteristics of great writing. Start with informational pieces and then lead into narrative books for a deeper comprehension. After reading informational articles, have students write a narrative integrating details for the setting and penguin information into their stories. Post the stories on your blog or class website. Use digital storytelling to make it come alive.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
News in Pictures - BBC
Grades
5 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): news (262), newspapers (96), photography (156)
In the Classroom
Use the photos on this page as a jumping off site for many activities. Challenge students to read about the same topic/news using a different site and then writing a comparison essay. Students can submit their own photos for consideration. Students can learn summary writing by looking at these photos and writing briefly what happened. Have students create a multimedia presentation using Thinglink, reviewed here.This site allows users to narrate a picture. Challenge students to upload a copyright-safe photo, and then narrate as if it were a news report. Students of multiple ability levels can respond to the photos, each at their own ability level.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
WE THE ECONOMY 20 Short Films You Can't Afford to Miss - Vulcan Productions/Cinelan
Grades
9 to 12tag(s): DAT device agnostic tool (179), money (185), supply and demand (5)
In the Classroom
Sign up to download the support materials and plan one or several lessons to demystify the economy as part of a civics/government class or an economics course. Assign students to watch films in small groups and create digital booklets explaining the key concepts to the class using a multimedia tool such as Calameo, reviewed here. As economic issues come up in current events or during an election cycle, use these films to explain the underlying issues.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
The Center on Congress - Indiana University
Grades
7 to 12tag(s): branches of government (49), civil rights (119), comics and cartoons (65), congress (32), politics (97), primary sources (93), womens suffrage (25)
In the Classroom
Clearly, this is a great resource for those teaching civics or US government. These activities will also be useful to US History teachers, as the issues covered span important political eras. For example, there are activities related to women's suffrage, the child labor movement, the GI Bill and the development of the Interstate Highway system. Lesson plans range from those designed to cover several days, to short "Congressional moments" videos perfect for introducing a concept or sparking class discussion. A number of the lesson plans and activities are designed specifically for iPads. Of note also is the fact that the video clips on the site are not links to YouTube, so will not pose an access problem for school districts that block the site.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
IFL Science - IFL Science
Grades
7 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): brain (68), environment (325)
In the Classroom
Share this site for students to explore informational articles related to what they are currently studying or to explore the many aspects of science not included in standard school curriculum. Challenge student partners to find an article they enjoy and share it creatively as a poster or mock interview with the scientists involved. They can use a simple tool such as Magazine Cover Maker (reviewed here) or actually make a video "interview" and share it on TeacherTube (reviewed here). Have your gifted students explore articles to extend required curriculum. Use this site for career day explorations about the many places where scientists work.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
PBS Newshour Extra - PBS NewsHour Productions LLC
Grades
7 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): civil rights (119), elections (73), holocaust (41), memorial day (13), news (262), poetry (219), video (278), women (94)
In the Classroom
Watch the news together on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Allow students to watch independently on laptops or at a learning station. Use any video or article as a current events writing prompt. Challenge students to create blog posts about them. If you are beginning the process of integrating technology, have students create blogs sharing their learning and understanding using Pen.io, reviewed here. This blog creator requires no registration. Don't forget the many free lesson plans (already aligned to Common Core standards). Click on the Lesson Plans link to explore the countless topics available (Poetry, Veterans, Elections, Ebola, Civil Rights, and more). For articles and videos about conflicts and tension, you might want to have your students engage in a debate using a tool such as ProConIt, reviewed here. Keep your class up-to-date on the news using this site. Provide this link on your class website for students (and families) to access both in and out of your classroom.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Interactive Science and Technology Timeline - ITN Source
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): 1900s (36), 1910s (8), 1920s (14), 1930s (13), 1940s (12), 1950s (10), 1960s (26), 1970s (11), 1980s (8), 20th century (50), aircraft (25), timelines (59)
In the Classroom
View the timeline on your interactive whiteboard (or projector) to help students understand the many changes in technology in the past 100+ years. Use the timeline to introduce a unit on any decade of the 1900s. Challenge students to research events further. Have students use Fakebook (reviewed here) to create a "fake" page similar in style to Facebook about a president, famous scientist, or other person from a particular era shared in the video clips.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Listen Current - Listen Current
Grades
6 to 12This site includes advertising.
In the Classroom
Carving out some regular classroom time for students to "put on their listening ears" and focus on an auditory experience helps develop an important learning skill. Share the stories on a projector or interactive whiteboard. If you are in a BYOD classroom, have students listen on their own computers (with earbuds). Start the day with a short (4-5 minute) current event story and keep students engaged in timely news discussions. Choose a keyword or topic relevant to an ongoing lesson and introduce authentic participant voices to the discussion. Flip your classroom and have students listen to the story at home before the lesson. Have students report back to the class or a small group about what they learned. Consider using these audio lessons for English language learners to develop their skills using rich, relevant content.Comments
Engaging, CCSS-aligned, and easy to use. Highly recommend.Warren, TN, Grades: 6 - 12
Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes - Lowell Milken Center
Grades
5 to 12tag(s): heroes (24)
In the Classroom
Share stories from the Unsung Heroes project on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Discuss traits that make a hero and find inspiration to search for heroes in your everyday lives. Use this site as a starting point for individual or group projects. All types of classes can complete a project about an unsung hero. P.E. classes can find out about veterans, surfers, or car accident victims who have lost limbs and used their challenges to make a difference. Math and science students can complete an Internet search for high school inventors. Students could also search through old Scholastic Scope magazines for articles about young people who have overcome adversity. Have students create an annotated image of a hero including text boxes and related links using a tool such as Thinglink, reviewed here. Have students use Fakebook, reviewed here, to create a "fake" page similar in style to Facebook about a hero they have chosen.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Wake Up, America! World War I Propaganda Posters - University of North Carolina
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): advertising (33), england (56), europe (74), france (37), germany (28), propaganda (11), world war 1 (55)
In the Classroom
The study of propaganda is an important adjunct to understanding how governments can shape the views of their citizens; the US is no exception. This slideshow can provide visual impact to a discussion of the US decision to enter World War I. Are there images used today that are designed to change public opinion? How can we learn to recognize propaganda and distinguish it from more unbiased information? Use this tool in art class and challenge students to create their own propaganda (or advertisement) posters. Discuss what moods certain colors evoke in the pictures. Unfortunately, there seems to be no good way to present the images full screen, which would give them more impact on an interactive whiteboard or projector. The slideshow would also be a useful resource for students researching propaganda in general.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Fort McMoney - David Dufresne
Grades
10 to 12tag(s): canada (31), environment (325), oil (40)
In the Classroom
Explore and experiment with the simulation so you understand it or have a small team of students preview it to explain it to the class. Set up games for use on classroom computers to avoid students viewing the trailer for episode one. View the trailer for episode two together on your interactive whiteboard to introduce the activities to your class. Use the simulation of Fort McMoney as an ongoing classroom project while studying the environmental impact of government and business decisions. Create several groups in your class to participate and compare results of the different interactives. Have students create maps using Animaps (reviewed here) with locations facing important impact on the environment. Students can add text, images, and location stops!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Heganoo - Heganoo Team
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): creative writing (165), descriptive writing (40), digital storytelling (155), maps (298), writing (365)
In the Classroom
Use maps for current events, geography, or much more. Use your interactive whiteboard or projector and show a sampler of Showcase maps to students. For example, share Great Women in History and The American Revolution. Consider asking a small team of students to create a Heganoo about a historic event or environmental issue you are studying. Have the student team demonstrate to the class how they created the project and how to use Heganoo at the same time. Heganoo would make a great project for any subject area. Students can create a Heganoo about a battle, a natural disaster, a famous scientist or mathematician, an author's life, or a short story you just read. Creating a Heganoo would be a good project for your gifted students to extend their learning about any subject.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
25 Maps and Charts That Explain America Today - Washington Post
Grades
8 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): demographics (19), financial literacy (87), maps (298), politics (97), religions (68)
In the Classroom
This site is excellent for enrichment or critical thinking about the U.S. and societal/governmental issues. Display a map on your projector or interactive whiteboard during political campaigns to ask why different politicians/parties have gained a foothold in certain states or locations. Include links to specific maps from it on your class web page for students to access both in and out of class. Have students create a simple infographic sharing their findings using Venngage reviewed here. Have students create maps including local information using Animaps (reviewed here). Students can add text, images, and location stops!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Venue - venue.com
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): digital storytelling (155), forests (32), genetics (88), geology (81), maps (298), STEM (174)
In the Classroom
In a geography or social studies class, begin discussions of certain locations by starting with a Venue story. In language arts or science classes begin discussions with the science behind the story. Zoom the map out to find artistic and historic markers in your area. Explore photographs to serve as inspiration for stories. Students can choose a location to research and report on to the class. Use this as an inspiration to create your own "Venue" in your area. Students can find interesting places in your area, research the history, collect images, videos, and interviews associated with the place or an event. This would be a perfect cross curricular project! Create an online display of the student work using a wiki or blog.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Ask for Evidence - askforevidence.org
Grades
8 to 12tag(s): advertising (33), evaluating sources (16), media literacy (65), politics (97)
In the Classroom
Use this site when discussing political or advertising claims with your students. Build critical thinking and questioning skills. Share specific articles with students as young as upper elementary. Share the "Understand Evidence" portion of the site with students before they begin any investigational reports or persuasive writing pieces. Use specific articles rather than the full site with less mature students. This site will give them experience reading informational text on claims they wonder about. Partner weaker readers with others who may be able to help them read the text-heavy articles. Have students create a simple infographic sharing their findings using Easel.ly, reviewed here, or Venngage, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Close comment form