TeachersFirst - Featured Sites: Week of Sep 27, 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
Global Trend Map - Paul Bourke
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): cross cultural understanding (176), maps (223), news (228)
In the Classroom
This site is excellent for enrichment during current events lessons. World language classes can keep up with hot topics in the countries where the language they are learning is spoken. Include this link on your class web page for students to access both in and out of class. Challenge students to compare and contrast trends across different countries using an online tool such as Interactive Two Circle Venn Diagram, reviewed here. Have students create a presentation on any of the trending topics using Swipe, reviewed here.Scaling Everest - Washington Post-Richard Johnson, Bonnie Berkowitz, Lazaro Gamio
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): field trips (8), mountains (10), virtual field trips (131)
In the Classroom
Use this site as an activator, introducing the topic of Mt. Everest, Nepal, or the Himalayas. This website would benefit a Geography class, exploring the significance of the Himalayas while simultaneously studying the geographic forces that made the mountain chain. Modify learning and have students create timelines of a Mount Everest adventure (with music, photos, videos, and more) using Timeline JS, reviewed here. Enhance learning and have students use Fakebook, reviewed here, to create a "fake" page similar in style to Facebook about climbing Mount Everest from the perspective of the climber or a Sherpa guide. This is perfect informational reading (with images and charts) to meet Common Core Standards.180 Days: Challenge - PBS
Grades
K to 12tag(s): classroom management (119), professional development (390)
In the Classroom
Take the 180 Days Challenge as part of your professional development activities. Use individual scenarios as a prompt for discussions within your school or grade level. Be sure to share this site with other teachers and administrators as part of your ongoing teaching discussions. Use videos found on the 180 Days Challenge to discuss how your school handles different classroom situations.Word Cloud Generator - Jason Davies
Grades
4 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): angles (52), measurement (122), word clouds (13)
In the Classroom
This site is perfect for use on an interactive whiteboard or projector to combine language and math lessons. Allow students to play with the options for angles to view changes made to word clouds. Create and print word clouds with different angle setups to display on your classroom bulletin board. Have gifted students read how the word cloud generator works and see if they can create their own.Merlin Photo ID - Beta - The Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Grades
K to 12tag(s): birds (46), DAT device agnostic tool (146), ecosystems (83), habitats (92)
In the Classroom
Use this app when out in the field with your students for any reason and for any subject. Encourage observation by students in identifying birds that are located in your community. Follow the identification of the bird by creating related art, music, poetry, or stories. In Biology, identify how the bird fits into the food chain. Identify the plant species that each bird uses for food or shelter. In Math, map the sightings of birds, looking at density of various species.Our Giant Pandas - Adelaide Zoo
Grades
3 to 9tag(s): animal homes (57), animals (293), australia (29), habitats (92)
In the Classroom
Add this site to your collection of resources when studying endangered animals, Australia, or conservation. Include this site on your class web page for students and parents to access as a reference. Have students create a simple infographic sharing their findings using Venngage, reviewed here. Have students create maps using MapHub, reviewed here, showing locations where pandas live.Tom Richey's YouTube Channel for AP History - Tom Richey
Grades
9 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): 1700s (36), 1800s (75), 1900s (72), advanced placement (26), american revolution (83), black history (134), colonial america (95), england (50), france (41), germany (28), greece (47), greeks (46), industrial revolution (22), jefferson (19), romans (52), rome (37), russia (36), spain (13), video (267), washington (28), world war 1 (79)
In the Classroom
Mark this one in your teacher favorites to find videos to use in AP History and Government classes. Be sure to share videos with students and parents, especially videos with study plans for AP tests. Create a link to this YouTube channel on your class website or blog for students to access at home.Prairie Pollination - The Manitoba Museum
Grades
5 to 12tag(s): canada (24), habitats (92), insects (67), plants (147), prairie (6)
In the Classroom
This site presents the topic of pollination in many ways making this concept easier for students to understand. Share the site on an interactive whiteboard or projector, and then break students into small groups to explore independently. Consider using this site before starting a unit on pollination or plants. Have students create a simple infographic sharing their findings using Venngage, reviewed here.CheckiO - CheckiO
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): coding (86), critical thinking (135), problem solving (233)