TeachersFirst - Featured Sites: Week of Feb 11, 2018
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
KidzSearch - KidzSearch.com
Grades
K to 8This site includes advertising.
tag(s): internet safety (112), search engines (49)
In the Classroom
Use KidzSearch as the default search engine on classroom computers. Share this site on an interactive whiteboard or with a projector to demonstrate how to search and use filters efficiently. Include a link to the site on your classroom webpage to share with parents. Bookmark sites found while using KidzSeach with a tool like Symbaloo, reviewed here, to easily locate them later. Combine information from KidzSearch with your other lesson content and use an interactive lesson tool like Vibby, reviewed here, to share content with embedded quizzes and videos.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!).
Room Escape Maker - doctorfou.com
Grades
8 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): game based learning (171), gamification (74), makerspace (41)
In the Classroom
Increase student engagement in any subject through this form of gameplay! Create games to introduce main concepts within the escape room. Ask students to create a game using the information they have learned to share with fellow students. Before creating a game, have students map out information and strategies they will include in a blog format using a tool like edublog, reviewed here. Ask fellow students to share comments describing their problem-solving process as they try to escape the room.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!).
Moonshot Learning - Moonshot Learning
Grades
9 to 12tag(s): commoncore (75), computers (105), ethics (23), financial literacy (91), genetics (76)
In the Classroom
Use Moonshot Learning activities across the curriculum and to differentiate instruction based on student interest. Many of these activities are perfect for extension activities and for use with Gifted students. After completing activities found on this site have students create a multimedia presentation using Genial.ly, reviewed here. Genial.ly allows you to add polls, audio, videos, embeds, web links, PowerPoint, PDfs, and more.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!).
Stockio - stockio.com
Grades
K to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): creative commons (29), images (270), photography (131)
In the Classroom
Before using, share this site with students on an interactive whiteboard or with a projector and demonstrate how to save files. Ads by images can be deceiving and lead to other download sites, not to the download of your requested file.Use Stockio in the classroom any time images are needed for projects, even if the project is not put on a website for others to see. Even though the site says "no attribution required," it is a good idea to have students acknowledge, or as the site says "appreciate," the origin of the image; this will help to get them into the habit of citing their sources. Student groups can use Stockio to find the best image to use for a project collectively. Challenge students to create personalized images (with text) using PicFont, reviewed here. Teachers can collect images for use on their interactive whiteboard for sorting activities (monocots and dicots, producers and consumers, etc.). Use images as a writing prompt or in poetry collections. Art teachers can find images for students to use as references or in photo-montages (with attribution or "appreciation" as they say on the site). For an easy online photo editor and montage maker, try using Pixlr, reviewed here. Elementary teachers can use images from this site as part of student-run interactive whiteboard activities, such as labeling parts of plants. Speech and language or ESL/ELL teachers can find images to use in vocabulary development activities. World language teachers can find cultural photos to use in oral exercises.
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!).
TechTerms Computer Dictionary - Sharpened Productions
Grades
6 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): computers (105), dictionaries (48), quizzes (90), STEM (259)
In the Classroom
Save this site on your computer and student computers to quickly look up any technology terms. Have students create online posters individually or together as a class sharing technology terms using a tool such as Web Poster Wizard, reviewed here, or PicLits, reviewed here. Consolidate information learned from the site to create an annotated image including text boxes and related links using a tool such as Image Annotator, reviewed here. Take your student's learning to a higher level and ask them to create commercials or short video discussions of technology using a tool such as Powtoon, reviewed here, then share them using a tool such as SchoolTube, 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!).
Web Literacy for Student Fact-Checkers - Michael A. Caulfield
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): ebooks (38), internet safety (112)
In the Classroom
Include this ebook with your resources when teaching online safety to students. Share a link on your class website or newsletter for parents. The short chapters work well with providing a lesson of the week with different techniques for determining the validity of web content. Share portions of the book on your interactive whiteboard or projector during classroom discussion. Use your smart board tools to highlight important content as you take a look at online information together as a class. No smart board? No problem! Use your projector and eMargin, reviewed here, to highlight and annotate as a class. Use an online tool such as Interactive Two Circle Venn Diagram, reviewed here, to compare and contrast different versions of an online article. When finished, have students make a multimedia presentation using one of the many TeachersFirst Edge tools to share their research into online information. Some tool suggestions are (click on the tool name to access the review): Visme, Adobe Creative Cloud Express for Education, Kizoa, and Clipchamp.As an ongoing activity have students create blogs sharing online safety tips using Telegra.ph, here. There is no registration with Telegra.ph, and you'll get a unique URL for sharing. With Telegra.ph you just click on an icon to upload images from your computer, add a YouTube or Vimeo, or Twitter links.
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!).
Typing Trainer - Typing Master, Inc
Grades
K to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): game based learning (171), keyboarding (28)
In the Classroom
This site includes many ads. Before having students use the tools on their own, share this site on an interactive whiteboard or with a projector and demonstrate how to avoid the advertisements. Once students understand how to use the site, share a link on classroom computers and your class website for individual practice. Challenge students to increase typing speed and create a spreadsheet to record progress. Convert spreadsheets into a more visual table format using Tableizer, reviewed here. Have cooperative learning groups create podcasts with a typing tip of the week to share with the class. Use a site such as podOmatic, reviewed here. Be sure they type their script ahead of time!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!).
Digital Citizenship Resources - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12tag(s): digital citizenship (83), internet safety (112)
In the Classroom
Use this entire collection or simply select the best ones for YOUR students to continually model good digital citizenship. Share the links with parents and among your colleagues so you can promote positive action instead of fear about the Internet.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!).
Coding In the Classroom Resources - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12tag(s): coding (87), computational thinking (41), computers (105), critical thinking (112), design (82), makerspace (41), problem solving (225), STEM (259)
In the Classroom
Explore these resources for use with after-school computer clubs or as an excellent tool when recruiting skilled parent volunteers. Turn the intimidating content of computer programming into an exciting learning adventure for all with these helpful sites!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!).
Digital Learning Day - Alliance for Excellent Education
Grades
K to 12tag(s): digital citizenship (83), digital storytelling (142), modeling (8), preK (254)
In the Classroom
Celebrate Digital Learning Day in your school by sharing this site and ideas for digital learning both in and out of school. Suggest to your PTO/PTA that they host a family digital learning evening on or about the same date. Bookmark and save this site to find digital learning ideas throughout the year and to plan special events for a midwinter Digital Learning Day celebration. Share with colleagues as a 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!).
Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Close comment form