TeachersFirst - Featured Sites: Week of Nov 12, 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
3x3 Links - Federico Elles
Grades
K to 12
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3x3 Links is a bookmarking site that organizes saved websites into a 3x3 grid. Add items as a link to any website or create a folder that links to a ...more
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3x3 Links is a bookmarking site that organizes saved websites into a 3x3 grid. Add items as a link to any website or create a folder that links to a new grid with websites you add. Customize your page to include a personalized URL, add a background image or color, and include or delete captions.
In the Classroom
3x3 Links is an excellent tool for efficiently managing online resources in your classroom. For younger students, use this site as the home page on classroom computers. Add direct links to sites for student use or create folders for each subject. This site allows the creation of multiple grids, create a grid for each content unit or semester. Use the embed code to add the grid to your class webpage. For older students, this site is perfect for organizing and sharing resources for study or research projects. As an example, if your students are doing a research report on a state, ask them to create a grid to include folders linking to different topics including famous people, population information, geography, and history. Although there is an option to create up to 9 cubes in your grid, it isn't necessary so the number of cubes can be suited to fit your needs.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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LyricsTraining - LyricsTraining.com
Grades
4 to 12
1 Favorites
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Learn a language through favorite music videos with LyricsTraining. This very engaging site offers an extensive collection of videos in several genres. Choose from top lyrics to begin...more
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Learn a language through favorite music videos with LyricsTraining. This very engaging site offers an extensive collection of videos in several genres. Choose from top lyrics to begin or scroll through the home page to view new lyrics. Select a language to narrow down choices. Once you select a video, choose from four different levels - the hardest requires you to fill in all the words of the song! Choose also to fill in the blanks or select responses from the four provided options. Registration isn't required; however, it allows you to save favorites and create your own customized exercises. If your district blocks YouTube, then the videos may not be viewable.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): DAT device agnostic tool (143), french (74), german (48), italian (28), japanese (47), multilingual (65), portuguese (22), spanish (105)
In the Classroom
Ways to use this site are limited only by your imagination! Share with ENL/ESL learners for practice in English. The many choices on this site assure that all viewers will find music to enjoy. Foreign language learners will love practicing their new language using options on the site. Be sure to share a link on your class website and school computers for practice at home and during independent work time. Use this site as a 5-minute transition at the beginning or end of class. Register on the site and create customized exercises to meet the needs of your students, or let them create practice activities for fellow class members.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Sticky Notes: Just Popped Up! - Ukiv
Grades
4 to 12
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Do you always place sticky notes on your computer screen? This Chrome extension is for you. This simple design allows you to add a note to your screen with one ...more
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Do you always place sticky notes on your computer screen? This Chrome extension is for you. This simple design allows you to add a note to your screen with one click. Change font size, color, and themes to personalize your stickies. View your notes across devices when logged in to Chrome. Be sure to watch for updates to include multiple sticky notes and features for sharing.
tag(s): brainstorming (16), note taking (34), organizational skills (90)
In the Classroom
Make notes for conferences, lab materials, books needed, or even parent conferences on any web page. Add sticky notes to any webpage or PDF shared with students on your interactive whiteboard to remind them of the necessary information or as a list of important items to watch for when viewing a page. Create a list of vocabulary words from any website as you view it together. Share this extension for students to use on their device for note-taking.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Loose Canon - Julia Franks
Grades
K to 12
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Create excitement about books and promote the love of reading with Loose Canon. This site provides over 9000 book recommendations to view by subject or grade level. Create a free ...more
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Create excitement about books and promote the love of reading with Loose Canon. This site provides over 9000 book recommendations to view by subject or grade level. Create a free classroom account to add your books and recommendations by your students. Free accounts allow up to 60 participants to share and compare texts. Be sure also to view the resources provided by Loose Canon. This portion of the site shares assessment, classroom activities, and reading research to viewers without requiring registration. Included is approximately a five minute video explaining reading workshop and features of Loose Cannon. This video resides on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, the video may not be viewable.
tag(s): book lists (161), book reports (28), classroom management (128)
In the Classroom
Share Loose Canon with your students as an extensive resource for finding and comparing books to read. Use materials found on this site to create collaborative Literature Circles in your classroom. If you create an account with Loose Canon, ask students to share their thoughts on books read in school and at home by reviewing and rating it on Loose Canon. These reviews can be made public, or students can keep them private. Take your reading reflections a step further and transform classroom technology use by asking students to share their thoughts through a multimedia presentation using an interactive tool like Sway, reviewed here, that allows you to include images, links, and videos.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Social Media: Digital Literacy + Citizenship - New York City Department of Education
Grades
K to 12
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Find social media guidelines for students, parents, and educators at this site from the New York City Department of Education. The section for students includes information and activities...more
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Find social media guidelines for students, parents, and educators at this site from the New York City Department of Education. The section for students includes information and activities for students 13 years and older and those younger than 13. For parents, the site details the family's role in responsible social media behavior. Educator information includes staff guidelines as well as teacher guides to student social media.
tag(s): digital citizenship (89), internet safety (113), social media (53)
In the Classroom
Share information from this site with your peers and other staff members as you work to develop guidelines for social media lessons and acceptable use in the classroom. Include a link to this site on your class webpage for parent use at home. During your social media lessons have students share tips and ideas using Padlet, reviewed here. The Padlet application creates free online bulletin boards. Sort ideas on the Padlet into columns based on different social situations, types of online media, or consequences of inappropriate behavior. Challenge cooperative learning groups to create weekly social media advice videos using a tool like Typito, reviewed here, which is a simple tool to use to modify student technology use. Then share the videos on a site such as TeacherTube reviewed here.
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fabmarks - FabMarks.com
Grades
8 to 12
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FabMarks provides online test preparation for standardized tests including PSAT, SAT, ACT, and GMAT. Prepare for testing through the site's videos, practice questions, and assessments....more
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FabMarks provides online test preparation for standardized tests including PSAT, SAT, ACT, and GMAT. Prepare for testing through the site's videos, practice questions, and assessments. Choose your test to begin, then select from the study planner or practice tests. Registration isn't required; however, it allows you to save and view progress throughout the training materials.
tag(s): assessment (147), test prep (66)
In the Classroom
Share this site on your class website with students to use in place of worksheets or other printed test prep materials. Encourage students to create their own account and take advantage of the lessons and assessments provided. As students progress through the practice materials, encourage them to share suggestions for problem-solving and test-taking with other students. Ask students to create a portfolio including annotated images to reflect and share their progress in test preparation using a tool such as Spaces, reviewed here. Have cooperative learning groups create podcasts sharing their ideas using a site such as Podcast Generator, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Random Name/Word Picker - Russel Tarr
Grades
K to 12
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When it seems the same students always volunteer with answers and help, try the Random Name Picker. Get your entire class involved using this colorful "game-like" tool. This colorful...more
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When it seems the same students always volunteer with answers and help, try the Random Name Picker. Get your entire class involved using this colorful "game-like" tool. This colorful wheel clicks when you spin. It cheers when you land on a name. The site uses HTML5 so it will work on iPads as well as laptops and PCs. There is no registration required. Input the names, (enter each name or word on a different line, copy and paste from a spreadsheet or word document if available), save your lists with a password, and embed the Picker into your blog or website. You can even get a QR code. Choose the typewriter to view a scrambled word letter-by-letter. The fruit machine reveals a choice with a slot machine, choose the button Remove to delete used names/words from the list as you play. For safety, use first names only!
tag(s): classroom management (128), Teacher Utilities (146)
In the Classroom
The obvious use for this tool is for selecting students to answer a question or do an activity. Other uses could include forming groups/pairs or creating seating charts. Allow students to use it when it's time to choose the next student. Instead of names, enter activities for P.E., rainy day recess activities, the next book your class will read together, or anything where you need to make a choice. Use for vocabulary practice, too. You may want to save one wheel as a template when you know you'll be selecting several students. That way you can remove names from the list on the wheel you are using, but will have the original for the next time.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Printable Paper - printablepaper.net
Grades
K to 12
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Download and print many types of papers easily from Printable Paper. Lose the excuse, "I don't have any graph (or other) paper!" Choose from popular types such as lined paper ...more
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Download and print many types of papers easily from Printable Paper. Lose the excuse, "I don't have any graph (or other) paper!" Choose from popular types such as lined paper (college or wide rule), several forms of graph paper, letter templates, and much more. Use the categories listing to find specific options to narrow your search such as different forms of penmanship paper, score sheets, or music papers. There are even several different comic page templates and storyboard templates for storytelling or story mapping. Click on any paper image to download in PDF format. A special heading for teacher resources includes lesson plan paper and more. The specialty papers include doorhanger patterns to decorate and cut out. Don't miss the printable games.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): charts and graphs (169), comics and cartoons (53), handwriting (16), letter writing (18), musical notation (35), preK (254)
In the Classroom
This site is a must bookmark for classroom use. Use anytime you need graph paper, writing paper, music sheets, etc. Share a link on your classroom website for student use at home. Share this site with parents at Back to School Night. Share this site with older students the first week of school. Now there is no excuse for not doing homework because of not having the correct type of paper! Some of the papers have alternate uses, such as using quilting graph paper to create and study geometric shapes.
This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.
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Donna Young Printables and Resources - Donna Young
Grades
K to 5
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Donna Young has created a website full of ideas for home, homeschooling, and classrooms. Home ideas include planning, meal preparation, and simple household tips. In the homeschool...more
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Donna Young has created a website full of ideas for home, homeschooling, and classrooms. Home ideas include planning, meal preparation, and simple household tips. In the homeschool area, find information about why to do homeschooling, how to do homeschooling, and resources for homeschooling. There are a variety of resources for the classroom on the subjects of art, English, math, science, handwriting, and history. The math section contains resources for time, graph paper, fact cards in triangle format or regular in all operations, coordinate planes, drawing to scale, and drill pages. Explore the many resources in English, spelling, vocabulary ideas, and dictionary skills, book reviews, and planning. In science, investigate a nature journal, lunar eclipse, topic ideas, science art, and labs. An extensive handwriting section provides many resources for all styles and types of charts, guides, and practices. Presented, too, are art books, drawing, shading, perspective ideas, color, color theory, and themes. You can sign up for updates or take part in the blog.
tag(s): colors (65), drawing (59), flash cards (42), handwriting (16), journals (15), manipulatives (8), moon (70), perspective (11), themes (11), worksheets (70)
In the Classroom
In your classroom find basic resources for manipulatives or basic practice drills. List as a resource for basics needed for subjects. Parents will appreciate the information on the research, how to's, and starting points to begin research.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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TeachersFirst Brain Twister - TeachersFirst
Grades
3 to 9
46 Favorites
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These ten question quizzes, written by Thinking Teachers, are changed each Friday and are ready to go with one edition for middle school students and one for elementary students. The...more
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These ten question quizzes, written by Thinking Teachers, are changed each Friday and are ready to go with one edition for middle school students and one for elementary students. The quiz presents ten questions, one at a time. You have only ONE try to pick the correct answer, so think carefully. You get points for each correct answer, totaling up to a possible 100. When you finish, you see your score and how long you spent. Questions are intended to stretch your thinking. Printable versions are available along with answers to the previous week's Twister. A new version of the Twister is mobile-friendly and adjusts to any screen size. Take the Twister with you wherever you go!
In the Classroom
Since elementary and middle school curriculum content varies from location to location, it is unlikely that every question will fall within the scope of your school's curriculum. High point questions may fall outside standard classroom fare. Five-point questions tend to be at the knowledge/comprehension/application level of Bloom's taxonomy and closer to "normal" content. Ten pointers are more likely cross-curricular application/analysis, and twenty pointers require analytical thinking and a wider experience level, such as knowledge of current events or information beyond normal curricula. Twenty pointers may require more than one student's input.Do the questions as a whole-class activity with a projector or interactive whiteboard with students contributing the portions of knowledge they do know toward solving the question. Using teamwork and thinking aloud can often help the group reach a conclusion that no single member could do on his/her own. They can each test different math answers to see which one is correct. This process will not only foster thinking aloud and group communication, but also model test-taking skills for multiple choice.
Alternatively, do the Twister in small groups, with one student an answer entry but others as researchers on neighboring computers to find out what the group does not know. It may be helpful to assign roles: moderator (assigns what to find out and helps the group reach consensus), keyboarder (enters responses, may conduct research in a new window), or researchers (find information as assigned). Use the Twisters to model and teach information literacy skills in a high-motivation activity. Or offer the Twisters as an enrichment challenge or extra credit option for students to do at home. Ask parents to be on the honor system to sign a note indicating the score their child achieved. Since parents may be overly interested in helping, you may want to simply give extra credit for anyone completing the quiz, no matter the score. Be sure to mark this ready to go exclusive in your favorites and share it on your teacher class web page.
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E.ggTimer.com - David LeMieux and Ben Lew
Grades
K to 12
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This site provides an online FULL-SCREEN timer. Set the online timer to count down from any number. Simply type in the exact amount of time that you want to countdown ...more
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This site provides an online FULL-SCREEN timer. Set the online timer to count down from any number. Simply type in the exact amount of time that you want to countdown into the white text box. You can count by seconds, minutes, hours, days, or even years!
In the Classroom
What a fabulous alternative to a traditional egg timer. Project the time on an interactive whiteboard or with a projector while students take a test, solve a drag and drop, practice speeches, rotate between learning centers, or during cooperative learning groups. Be sure to turn up the volume for the "time's-up" alert! As you teach basic concepts of time in primary grades, use this timer for students to understand the real concepts of one minute or ten seconds. Show the relationships between minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, etc. You can even use it to teach counting backward from 60!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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