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Wordsmyth Kids! - Wordsmyth
Grades
K to 5
2 Favorites
0 Comments
Wordsmyth Kids! is a visual dictionary for young children. Search for any word to read the definition, view an image, see the Spanish translation, and hear the word pronounced (click...more
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Wordsmyth Kids! is a visual dictionary for young children. Search for any word to read the definition, view an image, see the Spanish translation, and hear the word pronounced (click the little speaker). Choose "Places with this word" to find books and activities that include the word. Every icon will "speak" if you roll the mouse over it, so navigating is easy for almost anyone, even low level readers. Be sure to check out tools at the bottom of the page in the World portion of the site to add labels, highlight different areas of pictures, and launch activities using the kite icon.
tag(s): dictionaries (57), parts of speech (67), spanish (108), thesaurus (24), vocabulary development (125)
In the Classroom
This site is a must-add to any elementary classroom's bookmarks! Demonstrate Wordsmyth Kids! on your classroom whiteboard or projector, bookmark it in your favorites, and make it directly available to students from your class webpage. Tell parents about it, too. Elementary students will enjoy defining their spelling words or content area vocabulary. Have students categorize words by parts of speech or create a list of synonyms. Have students create their own word "sticky note boards" for new vocabulary words using a tool such as Lino, reviewed here (no membership required) to create and share their sticky notes. Be sure to share this site with parents for use at home too! Speech and language and ESL/ELL teachers will love the audio possibilities and the activities related to many of the basic vocabulary groups, such as animals, etc.
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Eventbrite - Kevin and Julia Hartz
Grades
K to 12
2 Favorites
0 Comments
Eventbrite is an all-in-one event planning solution. Create your event page including logos, images, and other pertinent information using the templates provided. Take advantage of...more
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Eventbrite is an all-in-one event planning solution. Create your event page including logos, images, and other pertinent information using the templates provided. Take advantage of the option for creating bar coded tickets to send to participants (choose free tickets for the free account, paid tickets have a small charge to cover credit card costs). Once your event page is ready, get the word out using Eventbrite tools such as emailing personalized invitations or various social media options. Use the mobile features to check attendees in at your event and scan bar coded invitations.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): calendars (45)
In the Classroom
Use Eventbrite to increase excitement for any classroom event. Be creative and have students attend an "event" to review for exams (with bar coded tickets they can earn by sharing a student-made review activity). Offer tickets to in class enrichment "events" for those who test out of a unit. Have student groups design "events" instead of giving class presentations. The "event" could be a quiz show or game session that teaches a curriculum topic, such as "World War Wonders." Have your class work together to plan a culminating "event" such as a tea for famous Americans, and issue invitations and tickets to students who play the parts of the people they researched. Invite parents to Open Houses and Conferences. (Perhaps provide a small door prize for those using the Eventbrite app as their admission ticket!) Use Eventbrite to manage events with limited seating or a limited number of participants. If you provide professional development sessions, this is an excellent way to spread the word and manage participation. If you are an advisor for a school club, this tool would make club-sponsored events easier to organize.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 shared by URL
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Powtoon - powtoon.com
Grades
K to 12
6 Favorites
0 Comments
PowToon is an amazing, free, animated presentation tool. Choose from one of many templates available to edit, or start from scratch. Then start making magic! Label your title and description....more
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PowToon is an amazing, free, animated presentation tool. Choose from one of many templates available to edit, or start from scratch. Then start making magic! Label your title and description. Modify slides by changing text, font, image holders, and props. Preview your creation at any time with the play button. Stop and make changes as needed. Change styles easily by choosing a different style within the program. Select from the royalty free music options offered by Powtoon to enhance your presentation. Share the finished presentation via social media buttons on your page to Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and other popular pages or export to YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, then using YouTube may not be your best option. Use the embed code provided to easily embed in your website or blog -- or simply share your Powtoon using the URL provided. Exports are not included with the free membership plan. Email is required to register and use Powtoon.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): animation (65), digital storytelling (154), movies (70), multimedia (62), slides (65)
In the Classroom
Challenge older students to create their own PowToons. Students can use PowToon to share their ideas or to "prototype" an idea. Students can create videos to show math processes, explanations of complex concepts, review new learning, teach others, explain scientific processes, tell stories, or present research. The possibilities are really endless, and students will come up with hundreds more uses. Flip your classroom using PowToon presentations. Use PowToon to create teacher-authored animations for students in ANY grade. This is a great way to present new information or ideas for discussion. It is an easy way to share information with the class when a substitute is in your classroom. Embed your PowToon creations on your website or blog for students to review at home. Use a PowToon on the first day of school to explain class rules or give an exciting introduction to the year ahead. Use PowToon to create movies or presentations for back to school night or conference nights to display on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Teacher-librarians can ask students to create PowToon book reviews to share kiosk style in the library/media center.Edge Features:
Includes an education-only area for teachers and students
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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Me Make Monster! Custom - Me Make Monster
Grades
K to 5
1 Favorites
0 Comments
Calling all Frankenstein scientists (and artists) to create a monster! Create your own creatures by choosing from faces, eyes, mouth, nose, hair, eyebrows, legs, arms, skin, clothes,...more
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Calling all Frankenstein scientists (and artists) to create a monster! Create your own creatures by choosing from faces, eyes, mouth, nose, hair, eyebrows, legs, arms, skin, clothes, and more! Give your monster a name, and you are done. Share using various social networks or email. You can also easily save your monster to your own computer.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): creative writing (168), descriptive writing (42), halloween (39)
In the Classroom
Share how to use this engaging site on your projector or interactive whiteboard. Have students create and share their monster creature as an icebreaker activity. In language arts classes, use monsters as an avatar in introducing lesson concepts, reviewing, and questioning sessions. Create stories featuring the students' monsters! Monsters can give summary reviews of correct or incorrect information. Create multimedia stories describing the monsters and have students present information using their creatures using UTellStory, reviewed here. This tool allows narrating and adding text to a picture. Create Halloween fun monsters galore! As a class incentive, earn monsters as a reward system for academic achievement or behavior. In science create monsters suited to different habitats, predators, jobs, or adaptations. Create monsters during the first week of school for students to introduce themselves, and post them on your class wiki along with their explanations.Edge Features:
Premium version (not free) includes additional features or storage
Products can be embedded
Products can be shared by URL
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Green Forest - jayzeebear.com
Grades
K to 4
1 Favorites
0 Comments
Enter the Green Forest for early literacy and math activities for preschool and early elementary. Find interactives with ABC's, colors, numbers, and memory with Dreamer, the Baby Blue...more
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Enter the Green Forest for early literacy and math activities for preschool and early elementary. Find interactives with ABC's, colors, numbers, and memory with Dreamer, the Baby Blue Bird. Jayzee Bear's world (for ages 4 and up) includes interactives for practicing counting, beginning letter sounds, identifying shapes, coloring, memory games, and more. In Conkee's world, ages 6 and up, enjoy singing along, practicing time, reading books, and solving math problems. Red's house, ages 8 and up, explores outer space, goes on map adventures, finds nocturnal animals, unscrambles words, reads illustrated books, practices math skills, and shows how to make origami creations. Tito's world, ages 9 and up, practices time concepts, math, reading with books, discovering germs and bacteria, and a word search puzzle. Some of the activities require Java. You may need to adjust security settings on your computer for them to run.
tag(s): alphabet (90), bacteria (30), colors (80), counting (119), geometric shapes (163), literacy (107), maps (291), preK (289), songs (53), space (214), time (141)
In the Classroom
If you teach preschool or early elementary, take a look at this eclectic website. You are sure to find plenty to use as a learning center. You may want to demonstrate how to use the site on your projector or interactive whiteboard. This is an excellent site to use for remedial work or to challenge with the extra motivation of technology! Offer it on your class website for offer parents to reinforce concepts at home. Reinforce early phonological awareness and phonemic awareness concepts, math practice, reading, science, and geography. Differentiation is easy with this site's many different levels and activities. After school programs can bookmark this site for all ages and abilities. Share it at parent nights for families to use at home.
This resource requires Adobe Flash and PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.
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OK2Ask'®: Introduction to Writing with Common Core - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12
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This recording of an OK2Ask online professional development session from March 2014, opens in Adobe Connect. Writing is an important and powerful way to build and assess student understanding....more
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This recording of an OK2Ask online professional development session from March 2014, opens in Adobe Connect. Writing is an important and powerful way to build and assess student understanding. This fast paced session will help you find ideas and resources to implement Common Core ELA/Writing and science or social studies literacy standards as part of writing across your curriculum. This session is appropriate for teachers at ALL technology comfort levels. As a result of this session and through individual follow-up, teachers will: Explore a sampling of web-based writing tools and resources, including Common Core-appropriate writing prompts, word choice/vocabulary resources, common error help, tools for citations and research, writing templates, and more; Refer to Common Core to guide in selection of appropriate resources; Locate specific TeachersFirst writing resources appropriate for the his/her subject and grade level; Consider possible writing projects or activities that students can do in his/her classes using web-based resources; and (followup) Implement Common Core appropriate writing lesson(s) with students using web-based tools. Applicable NETS-T standards (2008)*: 1c, 2a, c; 3a, b, d. Please read the full text at ISTE's NETS-T page
tag(s): commoncore (96), writing (363)
In the Classroom
Having trouble finding great writing resources for your classroom? Take your writing to the next level using the resources shared during this session. Learn more about the Common Core and how to implement the standards in your writing lessons. Take a look at the resource page full of GREAT ideas! Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.
This resource requires Adobe Flash.
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Tocomail - Tocobox
Grades
2 to 6
1 Favorites
0 Comments
Tocomail is a safe and simple email service just for kids. Create a parent email account and build a safe contact list for kids to email with. Once the account ...more
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Tocomail is a safe and simple email service just for kids. Create a parent email account and build a safe contact list for kids to email with. Once the account is set up, kids receive and send emails in a kid-friendly format. Tocomail includes additional features such as custom avatars, a drawing board, and a picture timeline. Receive email online or through free apps for iPhones and iPads. (An Android app is in the works.) Premium features (not free) allow parents more detailed controls.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): digital citizenship (63), internet safety (105)
In the Classroom
Have students use Tocomail (with parent approval, of course) to correspond with each other from home with homework questions. Cooperate with parents to use Tocomail as a resource for teaching Internet safety and acceptable use of email. Ask them to set up accounts for their children and notify them when you will be asking students to write emails so they can see and monitor what children write along with you. Share with parents through your newsletter, back to school night, or blog as an alternative to typical email accounts. Together you can build good digital citizens and make electronic communication fun! Have students write you a "friendly letter" email for homework. Have them write an opinion piece with "arguments" a la Common Core and email it to a local official such as the school principal (and cc you so you can grade it). Encourage your ELL students to practice authentic writing skills by having them write emails to relatives.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Florida Memory - The State Archives of Florida
Grades
4 to 12
3 Favorites
0 Comments
The State Archives of Florida provides online access to resources that had a significant impact in Florida's history. The collection includes over 176,000 photographs, more than 110...more
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The State Archives of Florida provides online access to resources that had a significant impact in Florida's history. The collection includes over 176,000 photographs, more than 110 videos, an audio collection, historical and genealogical collection, exhibits, and an online classroom. The online classroom contains lesson plans, online activities, and primary documents of Florida's past. Enjoy folk music from Florida's past or look at Florida in the Civil War. There is a lot here to explore about Florida and beyond.
tag(s): black history (60), civil war (145), florida (11), hurricanes (38), states (162)
In the Classroom
In the classroom, integrate primary documents in addition to your text to get a broader picture of history, even if you are not teaching specifically about Florida. Take a closer look at history, through the multiple aspects of video, audio, laws, and land grants. Look at perspectives of Civil War from a southern state. Make biographies of Florida residents come alive with the culture of their time. Compare and contrast Florida and another state. Use an online tool such as the Interactive Two Circle Venn Diagram (reviewed here). Examine the history of space through NASA. You and your students can discover how Civil Rights progressed in Florida. Look at the history of the Seminole tribe as you study native Americans. Challenge students to create an infographic using Easel.ly, reviewed here, or Venngage, reviewed here, about a certain period in Florida's history or to compare Florida and other states. Before beginning the infographic, have students brainstorm or collect ideas on a collaborative bulletin board like Scrumblr reviewed here (quick start- no membership required!). Use this resource to meet Common Core standards about primary sources or writing. Challenge students to produce digital writing and interact with others online.
This resource requires Adobe Flash and PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.
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Wibki - Roy Pessis
Grades
K to 12
2 Favorites
0 Comments
Bookmark your favorite web resources in a visual interface with Wibki. Instead of just creating a long list of bookmarks, use Wibki to organize your favorite resources through categories...more
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Bookmark your favorite web resources in a visual interface with Wibki. Instead of just creating a long list of bookmarks, use Wibki to organize your favorite resources through categories and labels you choose. Through the use of icons, Wibki displays each bookmark in a visually appealing display, making them easy to find and use. View up to 40 icons at one time. This view is especially handy on a tablet. Registration is required (with email.) Share any link on Twitter or Facebook by clicking the edit (pencil) icon in the link. Use the Discover link to find new favorites offered by Wibki editors weekly. Click on the star to add to any of your categories. Add the bookmarklet to your browser bar to quickly add any website as a favorite. Wibki works well with touch and click features on any device.
tag(s): bookmarks (62), DAT device agnostic tool (167)
In the Classroom
Create a Wibki of the most used sites for your class. Link to teacher web pages, webquests, resource sites for your subject, and any other resource that is helpful for students. Consider creating a login for the whole class to update with suggestions from class members. Be sure to link your Wibki on a computer center in your room for easy access. Since icons are shown rather than words, you could use this site with your nonreaders. Create a Wibki mix for parents and students to access at home before tests. Team up with other teachers in your subject/grade to create chapter by chapter Wibkis for all your students.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Noisli - Stefano Merlo
Grades
K to 12
6 Favorites
0 Comments
Stressed? Unable to concentrate or complete a task? This tool will generate background sounds and colors to create a positive thinking environment! Choose from a variety of sounds that...more
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Stressed? Unable to concentrate or complete a task? This tool will generate background sounds and colors to create a positive thinking environment! Choose from a variety of sounds that sooth and relax while promoting creative productivity. These sounds are much better than plain, white noise. Classic sounds for relaxation include thunder, rain, waves, summer night, forest, white noise, and more. Even Coffee House is a sound that is the general hum of a business and not distracting to your work. As the music plays, the background color changes through a variety of harmonious colors to match the mood of the sound. Click on multiple sounds to create your own mix that is sure to please. Note: Be patient for the music to start, and be sure to click the icon again to stop it before choosing another sound if not mixing them. There is also a link to click and be taken to a blank writing page. (It may not be a white background though, but rather red, yellow, or green.) Click on the lines on the right side of the site to access the writing area. Click the arrow to SAVE your work. Use the music to inspire your writing.
tag(s): creative writing (168), learning styles (19), sounds (68)
In the Classroom
Be sure to share this link with students (and their parents) looking for less distracting sounds while brainstorming or working. Reading a book to the class or conducting a science lab? Turn up your speakers and use these background sounds as mood music to set the stage for your story. Why not listen to waves or water while studying it! Play a few minutes of relaxing sounds before a major test. Let a student "DJ" create a class relaxation or creativity soundscape. Consider using as background sounds for student presentations. Have students make a multimedia presentation using one of the many TeachersFirst Edge tools reviewed here. Use the writing tool available at this site to motivate your students with music, color, and more. If you talk with students about discovering their own learning styles, offer this site as a suggestion for them to try while prewriting or studying for tests. Emotional support (and autistic support) teachers may want to experiment to see if these sounds can help their students. Some students may find them overstimulating, while others may find the sounds very helpful.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Bringit - Lisa Bouchard and Charles Forcey
Grades
K to 12
1 Favorites
0 Comments
Be an organization rockstar with Bringit! Use Bringit as a free and easy way to organize people and events and to maintain updates in real time. Create sign up sheets...more
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Be an organization rockstar with Bringit! Use Bringit as a free and easy way to organize people and events and to maintain updates in real time. Create sign up sheets for easy online access. (Those signing up do not need a Bringit account.) Add items, times, tasks, or whatever you need to your sign up sheet. Share the link using the URL or share through social networking links. Customize your sign up sheet to allow others to add information if desired. Two days before the date of the event, those who sign up will receive an automated reminder.
tag(s): organizational skills (129)
In the Classroom
The possibilities are endless. Use this for planning parties, bringing in materials for projects, and any other activity that requires coordination. If you have limited technology availability, this is a great way for teachers or students to sign up for time slots to use laptops, iPads, video cameras, or a podcast recording station. Go paperless with your signups! Organize your parent/teacher conferences. Plan student research of class projects using this resource. Help students build organizational skills by having them "plan" a mythical (or actual) event such as a museum opening for their Famous Americans exhibit. Use this tool for your high school club or sports team to organize their own events.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Zeemaps - Zee Source
Grades
4 to 12
0 Favorites
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Generate maps with unlimited markers easily with this tool! NO membership is required to create, save, or collaborate on maps, and you do not need to install software. Enter a ...more
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Generate maps with unlimited markers easily with this tool! NO membership is required to create, save, or collaborate on maps, and you do not need to install software. Enter a title, description (optional), an admin password for others to collaborate, and a starting location to create your map. Add simple or detailed markers to your map. Input data from multiple formats: KML, CSV, Excel, and more. Add video, audio, and information to each of the markers. Markers can also be customized icons. Be sure to check out the menu options available such as Additions, where areas of the map can be highlighted and Annotations can be added to the markers. Share your map by URL or publish in a webpage.
tag(s): directions (19), map skills (81), maps (291)
In the Classroom
If you teach geography, this one is a must. It is also helpful for showing students WHERE a story or news event takes place. Teach map skills by letting students explore and annotate their own community. This site is great on an interactive whiteboard or projector. Create multiple markers for various points within your community. Annotate the markers with specific information that students research. Remember to create an admin password (and save it somewhere safe!) for others to collaborate on the map. Research various places around the world, and create markers of must-see places, historical finds, and other locations of interest. Create a map of news hot spots around the world. In Biology, find places where environmental or biodiversity concerns are occurring. Collaborate on a map to include annotated information of student research about these problems. Create a map to introduce various cultures around the world. Enter video, audio, information, and links that students can use to "uncover" the content to be learned.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Knowledge Adventure - Knowledge Adventure, Inc
Grades
K to 6
1 Favorites
0 Comments
Find educational activities to reinforce skills for preschool through elementary school students at Knowledge Adventure. Browse by grade, subject, or age. View a list of all games in...more
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Find educational activities to reinforce skills for preschool through elementary school students at Knowledge Adventure. Browse by grade, subject, or age. View a list of all games in alphabetical order. Choose any game then read the short instructions before playing. Explore activities to practice typing, sight words, counting, memory puzzles, logic, science, art, color, and more. Most of the activities at the site appear to have been created by Knowledge Adventures, but some were created by other sites and included here (such as JumpStart). 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): alphabet (90), capitals (24), counting (119), keyboarding (37), logic (236), preK (289), puzzles (206), sight words (37), spelling (166), word choice (27)
In the Classroom
Share (and have a student demonstrate) this site on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Be sure to include this site on your class web page for students to access both in and outside of class for further practice. Create links to specific skill games on classroom computers for center time or indoor recess. There are some advertisements on the right side. Warn your students to avoid them.
This resource requires Adobe Flash.
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QwikSlides - Russel Tarr
Grades
K to 12
2 Favorites
0 Comments
Create quick and easy slides and presentations that are viewable on any device. The best part is that no email or registration (or special software) is required! Click the edit ...more
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Create quick and easy slides and presentations that are viewable on any device. The best part is that no email or registration (or special software) is required! Click the edit icon (pencil) to begin adding text. Each line of text will create a new slide. The more your add to a line, the smaller your text will be. Edit font and background options as desired. Add the URL of any image or video to embed directly into your slide presentation. When finished, click on the gear icon for the URL, embed code, or even a QR Code image!
tag(s): images (277), qr codes (22), slides (65), video (272)
In the Classroom
Use Qwikslide to create quick slideshows for any classroom use. Easily share slides with information or (online) images on your website or blog to remind students about a project or assignment. Have students create presentations to "introduce" themselves to the class during the first week of school. Create a slide show to introduce any unit and have students guess what they will be learning. Create a Qwikslide easily "on the fly" as a review resource to embed on your class website or blog. Use the QR Code feature to add information to textbooks, on student of the week displays, or to Science fair projects! Students can easily create mini-advertisements for books by entering their text here and sharing via a QR code pasted on the book jacket. This site is perfect for your BYOD (bring your own device) classroom, since it is viewable on any device. Make quick "cue cards" for students to read their lines off a projector or interactive whiteboard for a video or school news broadcast! Paste your school or class announcements into slides and embed them on the class or school website. Have your world language or ELL students write messages in their new language for a classroom "activity tour" and convert them into QR codes to post around the room. Their classmates can "tour" the room and follow the directions for each activity using their smartphones to read the codes. Activities could include speaking, following directions such as "touch your nose" or question/answer about an image.Even the youngest gifted students can create simple presentations to go beyond regular curriculum in your class. Be sure to show young ones how to copy/paste the url for their finished work to send it to you or mark it in Favorites on the classroom computer or iPad. Have them make slide shows telling a story, explaining about a famous person, and more. During a unit on plants, have them create a guide to plant care or a show about the world's strangest plants. Have them write and illustrate slides as book reviews for independent reading they have done. This tool is simple enough for any student who can read.
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Wordsmyth - Wordsmyth
Grades
K to 12
2 Favorites
0 Comments
Keep the dictionary on the shelf and tap into the power of words with Wordsmyth, an online dictionary, thesaurus, and word reference tool. There are three "levels" of readers...more
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Keep the dictionary on the shelf and tap into the power of words with Wordsmyth, an online dictionary, thesaurus, and word reference tool. There are three "levels" of readers included at this site. WILD (Wordsmyth Illustrated Learner's Dictionary) is an online dictionary designed for K-3 early readers (or ESL/ELL students). Each entry includes a written definition with audio available. For older elementary students, try Word Explorer, containing words, synonyms, word mapping ideas, and more. You will also find images and animations for many topics including; the human body, the human mind, everyday life, history and culture, communication, living world, physical world, natural environment, economy, and government and law. The highest level (Comprehensive Dictionary-Thesaurus Suite) includes three reading levels and thousands of images to explore. It also offers definitions at three reading levels (great for differentiating). Outside of the three main references, there is much to explore. The search feature finds words with similar spelling. Use the anagram feature to help to form words with given letters in your Scrabble game. The Crossword Puzzle finds words using key words and the number of letters in a word. If you register (free version, but requires email) you can create and save up to 10 word activities with up to 12 words per activity. Quizmaker makes fill in the blank, matching, and multiple choice quizzes. Design customized glossary pages with the words you choose with your applicable definition. Add the widget to your toolbar, a floating widget, or embed on your school web page. Check the blog for the word of the day, new entries, games, and upcoming teachers' tools, and roots and affixes.
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tag(s): crosswords (18), dictionaries (57), preK (289), quizzes (99), spelling (166), thesaurus (24), vocabulary (325), vocabulary development (125), word study (79)
In the Classroom
Capture your students with the power of words at all levels. Keep this link on your toolbar as a quick reference for easy access to improve reading comprehension and writing word variety. When starting a new content area unit, challenge your gifted students with advanced vocabulary words. In your school library, make this handy reference available for everyone as a bookmark and on your online reference page. In primary grades or with ELL students, bookmark the WILD section for easy access. Share vocabulary words with young students on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Share the word of the day with your students at all levels and explore together. Create your own glossary page for up to 10 teaching units. Provide support for struggling readers or ESL/ELL students by showing them how to access and use this site. Encourage word games such as Scrabble, Upwords, or crossword puzzles, with Wordsmyth as a partner! Share this site on your class website for gifted students to explore at home (or in class) and find new challenging vocabulary to stretch their minds!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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VideoANT - Regents of the University of Minnesota
Grades
4 to 12
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VideoANT is an annotation tool for use with YouTube, Flash videos, mp4 and .mov formats. Create and share your annotated videos without ever leaving VideoANT. Launch VideoANT and sign...more
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VideoANT is an annotation tool for use with YouTube, Flash videos, mp4 and .mov formats. Create and share your annotated videos without ever leaving VideoANT. Launch VideoANT and sign in using Google+, Facebook, or Twitter. You may also sign in as a guest (email required). As a guest you will not have as many options for sharing your completed videos. Upload a video file or enter the url for a YouTube video. Browse your YouTube account uploads and choose a video to annotate. Begin and stop your video at any time to add a subject line and content. When finished, choose from sharing options using the link, embed code (not available for guest users), or export as various video file types. Privacy options include making ANTS (your annotated videos) public or private for only those with the link. Share using the annotate link to allow others to contribute to your video, or use the view link for viewing only. If your school blocks YouTube, these videos may not be viewable. Create and download your videos at home to bring them in to school "on a stick."
tag(s): media literacy (58), video (272)
In the Classroom
If you are lucky enough to have a (BYOD) Bring Your Own Device classroom, allow students to add comments as you watch videos on your projector or interactive whiteboard. Share the "Ant" link and have students add comments and questions to any YouTube video. This works for any subject. Identify examples of foreshadowing in dramatic videos. Add questions to math explanations. Identify landforms with videos from different locations. If you joined the site, use the embed code to add annotated videos to your class website or blog. Ask students to contribute comments directly onto the video. 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, etc.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Inch by Inch, Row by Row: Read-Alouds for Gardens - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 6
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This TeachersFirst page is a list of read-alouds (by grade level) offering a sampling of books and websites to get you started with school or home gardens, gardening, and farm-based...more
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This TeachersFirst page is a list of read-alouds (by grade level) offering a sampling of books and websites to get you started with school or home gardens, gardening, and farm-based education. Gardens provide a myriad of opportunities to integrate curriculum and solve real-world problems. This read-aloud list includes a wealth of excellent books--both fictional and informational-- for teaching topics such as the life cycle of plants, the scientific method, what plants need to thrive, ecosystems, food chains, soil science, and more as you plan and work on your garden (or simply imagine a virtual garden). There are numerous helpful resources and lesson plans included, along with some grant ideas to purchase materials for a garden. Connect with both Common Core and Next Gen science standards using gardens as an entry point. If food and nutrition are more of a focus, you will want to check out another article from the Help! I lost my library/media specialist! series.
tag(s): book lists (132), life cycles (25), plants (153), soil (19)
In the Classroom
This read-aloud is a good starting point for a unit on plants, ecosystems, or soil. What a perfect way to integrate spring garden planting, literacy, and a GROWING understanding of science. Mark it in your favorites for early spring and be sure to request some of the books on interlibrary loan if you do not have them in your school. Explore the lesson plan options or incorporate this with your existing lessons on plants. You might even consider working across grade levels and subjects and planning a school garden together. Your health/PE teacher will probably join in the effort!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Grow For It - North Carolina 4H
Grades
2 to 12
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Grow For It offers lessons and resources for exploring agriculture, natural resources, and insects! Download several different lessons correlated to Common Core and/or North...more
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Grow For It offers lessons and resources for exploring agriculture, natural resources, and insects! Download several different lessons correlated to Common Core and/or North Carolina Standards. Find teaching materials about gardening, insects, and soil erosion. Some lessons offer additional materials not included as part of teacher training, provided by 4H services. However, free materials include detailed lessons and activities worth exploring. Be sure to explore other links for grant opportunities, weekend projects, and a "Plant Geek Pledge."
tag(s): agriculture (56), ecosystems (89), erosion (17), insects (70), natural resources (60), plants (153), soil (19)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the free lesson plans included on the Grow For It site as part of a plant or nutrition unit. Share ideas from the site with parents interested in helping set up a school or classroom garden. Once you have started your garden, have students upload a photo they have taken and add voice bubbles to explain what they learned using a tool such as Superlame, reviewed here. Ask a local 4H leader or Coop Extension Agent to come to your classroom to discuss local plants and gardening ideas.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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WordDraw - Free Word Newsletter Templates - worddraw.com
Grades
K to 12
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WordDraw offers a variety of newsletter and flyer templates designed for classroom use in Microsoft Word format. Scroll through the home page to find templates for each grade level,...more
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WordDraw offers a variety of newsletter and flyer templates designed for classroom use in Microsoft Word format. Scroll through the home page to find templates for each grade level, holidays, back to school, and more. To view all school templates choose the "School Templates" link at the very bottom of each page. Other options include Business and Family templates. Click any link to view a short description and larger image of the template. Choose "Template Download" to save directly to your computer. Modify any design after downloading by clicking in text boxes to add text or change text box properties. Modify the color, size, and font. Use templates on all versions of Microsoft Word 2000 and after. Don't have Word? Many of the templates can be saved to your computer (without opening) then uploaded to Google Docs/Drive (reviewed here) with the option set to CONVERT them to Google's format and used there. Note that most of the text is designed to go inside text boxes, so you have to double click the text box to edit the words.
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tag(s): back to school (58), newspapers (95)
In the Classroom
Download and save templates for use throughout the year. Use templates to create newsletters for your class. Customize any of the offerings to fit your personal needs and teaching situation. Share flyer templates with students (once they have basic computer and keyboarding skills) so they can use them in designing posters, flyers, and resumes. Be sure to demonstrate how to edit on a projector or interactive whiteboard if students are unfamiliar with text boxes.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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National Geographic Young Explorer! - National Geographic
Grades
K to 2
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Visit the online version of National Geographic Young Explorer! to find audio-enhanced editions of their magazine featuring text, audio readings, and illustrations. Simply click...more
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Visit the online version of National Geographic Young Explorer! to find audio-enhanced editions of their magazine featuring text, audio readings, and illustrations. Simply click to hear the words read to you. The oral reading is clear and somewhat slower than natural speech. It highlights each word as it is read. Browse through More Issues to view available stories dating back to 2007. There are teachers' guides available to help with the use of the articles. These interactive versions do not require Flash so can be used on iPads!
tag(s): audio books (31), guided reading (47), vocabulary development (125)
In the Classroom
Looking for some new ways to bring literacy into your science lessons? Are you implementing Common Core? Find accessible, informational texts (non-fiction) at this site. The teachers' guides have tons of information, worksheets for the students, and answer keys. The Teacher tab also includes downloadable Spanish versions of some issues as well as a Flash-based "projector" version of the issue to maximize screen size. Have your students compare information from the article to information from other sources, such as magazines, newspapers, or web pages or their own background knowledge. Have them ask or write a series of questions about the parts of the article where they would like to know more. Use this site in your BYOD classroom (with headsets or earbuds). View a story on the interactive whiteboard or projector. Set up a science/reading learning station using this website. Your ELL and learning support students will benefit from seeing and hearing the text at the same time. Set up a read-and-listen station in your library/media center too!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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