TeachersFirst - Featured Sites: Week of Feb 25, 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
Cabinet of Curiosities - Philippe Cousteau Jr.
Grades
6 to 12
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Cabinet of Curiosities is a site created by the grandson of famed oceanographer Jacques Cousteau to introduce STEM careers to young people. Links within the cabinet take users to eight...more
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Cabinet of Curiosities is a site created by the grandson of famed oceanographer Jacques Cousteau to introduce STEM careers to young people. Links within the cabinet take users to eight different categories including short video explanations by professionals within the field. Click on any image within the cabinet to view a short description of an item used for a STEM career and one or more videos. If your district blocks YouTube, then they may not be viewable. You could always view the videos at home and bring them to class "on a stick" to share. Use a tool such as ClipGrab, reviewed here, to download the videos from YouTube.
tag(s): anthropology (12), careers (145), communication (13), ecology (133), engineering (133), marine biology (36), oceans (166), STEM (190)
In the Classroom
Bookmark and save to use when exploring career options with students. Ask students to use information found on this site and others to create an infographic sharing information about a chosen career. Canva, reviewed here, offers many templates for creating infographics. To increase student knowledge of options within STEM careers, have groups of students create a weekly podcast sharing different career fields. Buzzsprout, reviewed here, is an online tool to use when creating and hosting podcasts.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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MatchCollege - MatchCollege.com
Grades
8 to 12
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Choosing a college is one of the most important decisions students will make. MatchCollege is a search directory for finding information on over 8,000 institutions based on several...more
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Choosing a college is one of the most important decisions students will make. MatchCollege is a search directory for finding information on over 8,000 institutions based on several different choices including degrees offered, athletics, financial assistance, and more. In addition to the search features, this site includes a blog and articles featuring information on searching and becoming successful in your college career.
In the Classroom
Share this site with students and parents to use as a resource for making college decisions. Help students organize their findings by using an online diagramming tool like Lucidchart, reviewed here, to create diagrams, mindmaps, and other visual graphic organizers. Save information gathered into PDF documents, then use Flipsnack, reviewed here, to turn their PDFs into an online flippable book. If you only have a word doc use PDFaid, reviewed here, to convert them to PDF format. As students near a final decision, use Google My Maps, reviewed here, to create a virtual visit to their college of choice.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Typely - typely.com
Grades
4 to 12
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Typely is a free online proofreading tool. In comparison to other grammar checkers, this tool focuses on usage errors instead of grammatical errors. Typely provides feedback on common...more
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Typely is a free online proofreading tool. In comparison to other grammar checkers, this tool focuses on usage errors instead of grammatical errors. Typely provides feedback on common mistakes including redundancy, sexism, and misspellings among others. Copy and paste your text into the editor to view results. Use settings to change the appearance of your text and use of Typely. When finished, save your document to your computer or create a Typely account to save online.
tag(s): editing (74), grammar (210), proofreading (25), spelling (166), writing (363)
In the Classroom
Bookmark Typely for use with any writing projects to allow students to concentrate on content instead of grammar. Be sure to share a link on your class webpage and classroom computers for students to use with written work. Ask students to analyze their writing by sharing a before and after analysis as a one-time blog post using Telegra.ph, reviewed here, or as part of their digital portfolio using bulb, reviewed here as a digital portfolio tool.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Understood - Understood.org USA LLC
Grades
K to 12
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Understood is an online collaboration of 15 non-profit organizations with a goal to provide learning resources for students aged 3-20. The site offers thousands of articles, decision...more
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Understood is an online collaboration of 15 non-profit organizations with a goal to provide learning resources for students aged 3-20. The site offers thousands of articles, decision guides, quizzes, and more. Also, choose from unique tools such as the Parenting Coach, Tech Finder, and Through Your Child's Eyes (simulations of different learning issues). Use the Parent Toolkit to find personalized resources available by topic, grade, or learning disorder. Videos reside on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, the videos may not be viewable. You could always view them at home and bring them to class "on a stick" to share. Use a tool such as ClipGrab, reviewed here, to download the videos from YouTube.
tag(s): emotions (37), learning disability (18), learning styles (20), preK (284), professional development (160), Special Needs (35)
In the Classroom
Bookmark this site as an excellent tool for finding learning resources for classroom students and sharing with parents. Be sure to share a link to the site with parents on your class website or newsletter. Use items found on this site as part of your professional development activities. Organize participant's thoughts and ideas using a mind mapping tool like MindMup, reviewed here. Share websites, articles, and resources related to your topic using a bookmarking tool such as SearchTeam, reviewed here. SearchTeam allows you to share resources and add comments making collaboration easy for participants. Expand your learning and collaboration efforts using a tool like FlipGrid, reviewed here. FlipGrid is a video response tool that allows you to record a question and gather video responses. As a final product and follow-up to send to your participants, share information learned from this site and others through a multimedia presentation with Sway, reviewed here. Sway is an easy to use tool for creating professional-looking online presentations including video, images, text, and more.
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Above the Noise - KQED
Grades
6 to 12
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This YouTube Channel, created for middle and high school students digs deeper into issues (environmental, health, social and more) affecting their lives. Based on science and research,...more
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This YouTube Channel, created for middle and high school students digs deeper into issues (environmental, health, social and more) affecting their lives. Based on science and research, episodes provide information to help teens make informed conclusions on topics like fake news and social media. The classroom guide for teachers provides discussion questions for use before, during, and after videos along with alignment to Common Core Standards. If your district blocks YouTube, the videos may not be viewable. You could always view them at home and bring them to class "on a stick" to share. Use a tool such as Freemake Video Converter, reviewed here, to download the videos from YouTube.
tag(s): drugs and alcohol (25), social media (28), social networking (109), social skills (22), sociology (22), video (275)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the classroom guide to explore big questions found within each episode. Subscribe to this channel to receive notifications of new video additions. Use a tool such as Vizia, reviewed here, to add questions directly into the YouTube videos for students to complete as a flipped lesson before classroom instruction. Use a tool such as Voxer, reviewed here, for students to discuss their thoughts on the topic of each video.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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kudoswall - Nikhil Vootkur and Jag Vootkur
Grades
K to 12
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kudoswall is a free online portfolio-building tool. Upload images to document accomplishments, talents, and experiences. Add and sort information into categories documenting sports,...more
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kudoswall is a free online portfolio-building tool. Upload images to document accomplishments, talents, and experiences. Add and sort information into categories documenting sports, academic, volunteer, or other topics. kudoswall automatically creates a portfolio for sharing or updating at any time.
tag(s): assessment (117), classroom management (153), portfolios (30)
In the Classroom
Record classroom activities and student learning with photos or written anecdotes. Show students how to create a portfolio, then document their learning and make comments in their portfolio. Share portfolios with parents, not just at conference time, but anytime the student portfolio is updated to keep parents in the loop.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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e-Books from Bill Zimmerman - Bill Zimmerman
Grades
5 to 12
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Discover your writer's voice with these free interactive e-Books. Choose from several book titles to begin an interactive digital journey diary. Each title opens in a new tab as a ...more
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Discover your writer's voice with these free interactive e-Books. Choose from several book titles to begin an interactive digital journey diary. Each title opens in a new tab as a PDF document. Scroll through to read the book and add your comments and answers to questions within the allocated areas. When finished, save your document to print or continue adding diary responses.
tag(s): comics and cartoons (62), ebooks (39), journals (21), writing (363), writing prompts (92)
In the Classroom
Share the e-Books from this site as an alternative to traditional writing prompts. Share with your school's guidance counselors as a resource for allowing students to express their feelings on a variety of topics. Have students create blogs to reflect on their learning using Telegra.ph, here. Telegra.ph will create a "quick and easy" blog to be used one time only. A unique URL is provided, and with Telegra.ph you just click on an icon to upload images from your computer, add a YouTube or Vimeo, or Twitter links. It's as easy as using a basic Word program! Challenge students to create an online comic sharing their perspective on one of the books. It's a good idea to require students to create a rough draft of their comic using Printable Comic Strip Templates, reviewed here. You might want to have students in grades 1-3 use ToonyTool, reviewed here, while older students can just use Zimmerman's favorite Make Beliefs Comix, reviewed here, to create their final copy.
This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.
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Raise.me - Raise Labs, Inc.
Grades
7 to 12
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Raise.me offers students the opportunity to start earning micro-scholarship money from over 200 colleges and universities as early as 9th grade. After signing up students add their...more
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Raise.me offers students the opportunity to start earning micro-scholarship money from over 200 colleges and universities as early as 9th grade. After signing up students add their achievements including grades, sports involvement, and volunteer activities to their portfolio. Participating colleges award small scholarships when you attend their school.
tag(s): college (49), financial aid (16)
In the Classroom
Share Raise.me with high school students as an opportunity for earning scholarship money. Feature this site in lessons with middle and high school students as an example of activities that earn scholarship money and increase the likelihood of acceptance to chosen colleges and universities. For students who haven't chosen a preferred school, Raise.me provides an opportunity to learn more about different colleges through those that offer the most scholarship money based on students' activities and interests.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Manufacture Your Future - Discovery Education & Alcoa Foundation
Grades
3 to 12
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Manufacture Your Future offers STEM-based lessons, virtual field trips, and information about careers in the manufacturing industry. Virtual field trips take viewers on tours of Alcoa...more
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Manufacture Your Future offers STEM-based lessons, virtual field trips, and information about careers in the manufacturing industry. Virtual field trips take viewers on tours of Alcoa plants featuring the use of robotics and the expertise of engineers and designers. Parent modules include information on facilitating conversations in careers at home. Lesson plans challenge students to design shoes, robots, and explore manufacturing careers.
tag(s): careers (145), design (88), engineering (133), STEM (190)
In the Classroom
Discover the many free resources on this site as part of career exploration lessons. View videos together, or have students view on their own. Take a virtual field trip to a manufacturing plant to learn more about design and the manufacturing process. Challenge students to create a simple infographic sharing information about manufacturing careers using Easel.ly, reviewed here, or have them create an interactive poster using Lucidpress, reviewed here. Ask students to use Fakebook, reviewed here, to create a "fake" page similar in style to Facebook about a week in the life of an engineer or designer.
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How to Become a Teacher - tobecomeateacher.org
Grades
9 to 12
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So you want to be a teacher? How to Become a Teacher is your one-stop shopping place for information. Explore paths to teaching by state, subject, or grade level. Research ...more
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So you want to be a teacher? How to Become a Teacher is your one-stop shopping place for information. Explore paths to teaching by state, subject, or grade level. Research schools offering education degrees by state, scholarship opportunities, and take practice PRAXIS tests as you prepare to complete your teaching degree.
In the Classroom
This site is perfect for student use to research careers in education. Have interested students research schools and information in obtaining a teaching degree in their field of interest, then create a simple infographic sharing their findings using Venngage, reviewed here. Ask students to create a career information board by collecting ideas and findings using Padlet, reviewed here. The Padlet application creates free online bulletin boards.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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GoodCall Scholarship Search - GoodCall, LLC
Grades
9 to 12
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GoodCall offers a scholarship search engine sortable by several different criteria options. Choose options to search by ethnicity, gender, major, location, or application type. Create...more
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GoodCall offers a scholarship search engine sortable by several different criteria options. Choose options to search by ethnicity, gender, major, location, or application type. Create a free account to curate scholarship opportunities of interest. Other features of membership allow you to receive notification of similar opportunities and track applications in progress.
tag(s): college (49), financial aid (16)
In the Classroom
This is a useful site to include with information on college search strategies; consider bookmarking it for college bound students. This tool is helpful for high school guidance counselors or teachers who work with juniors and seniors. Provide the link on your class website for families to access and explore at home.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Ready. Set. Grad. - Washington Student Achievement Council
Grades
6 to 12
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Ready.Set.Grad. is a complete resource for parents, educators, and students in 6th grade and beyond to prepare for high school graduation and beyond. The site's online tools provide...more
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Ready.Set.Grad. is a complete resource for parents, educators, and students in 6th grade and beyond to prepare for high school graduation and beyond. The site's online tools provide information to reach individual goals of college admission, vocational training, or certificate programs. Choose a grade level to learn more about steps to take along the way. Be sure also to check out content for finding financial aid as well as resources for parents and educators. Though this site focuses on Washington State colleges, most of the information will apply to any college and college applicant. Videos on the site reside on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, the videos may not be viewable. You could always view them at home and bring them to class "on a stick" to share. Use a tool such as Freemake Video Converter, reviewed here, to download the videos from YouTube.
tag(s): careers (145), college (49), financial aid (16)
In the Classroom
Middle school and high school teachers will want to create a link to this site on your class websites. Share with parents as an excellent resource for how students should prepare for college as early as 6th grade. Share this site with your school's guidance counselors for use when career planning with students. Ask students to explore this site then prepare a plan that guides them toward their selected career goal. Use a tool like Scrumy, reviewed here, to create their plan. Next have students create a simple infographic sharing their findings using Easel.ly, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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FreeCodeCamp - Quincy Larson
Grades
9 to 12
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FreeCodeCamp offers self-paced training in coding, followed by practice building projects for non-profit sources. The site includes 100's of challenges featuring many different types...more
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FreeCodeCamp offers self-paced training in coding, followed by practice building projects for non-profit sources. The site includes 100's of challenges featuring many different types of coding programs. Participate in FreeCodeCamp's curriculum to earn up to four standardized certifications in software development recognized by technology employers. Chat rooms provide assistance and support to participants working through certifications. FreeCodeCamp provides assistance in obtaining employment to users who complete certifications on the site.
tag(s): careers (145), coding (66), Computational Thinking (17), computers (100), critical thinking (118), problem solving (294)
In the Classroom
Browse through the menu of activities in each of the certifications to find lessons for stand-alone topics such as adding images to websites or working with different HTML features. Sign up isn't necessary to view lessons, only to save progress when working through certifications. Share FreeCodeCamp with students who have an interest in coding and computers. Encourage students to complete certifications to include with college applications. Share with students who may not have an interest in college, but have an interest in computers, coding, and gaming.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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ASVAB Practice Test Online - ASVAB Practice Test Online
Grades
10 to 12
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The ASVAB Test (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) is designed to be taken by incoming members of the military to determine aptitude for different areas of the service. This...more
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The ASVAB Test (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) is designed to be taken by incoming members of the military to determine aptitude for different areas of the service. This site provides questions emulating the test for anyone to take to help identify areas of interest and likely successful career choices. Take any or all portions online using the site, including science, math, word knowledge, paragraph comprehension, and mechanical options. In addition to practice tests, this site provides information about ASVAB testing, videos, and history. If your district blocks YouTube, the videos may not be viewable. You could always view them at home and bring them to class "on a stick" to share. Use a tool such as Freemake Video Converter, reviewed here, to download the videos from YouTube.
In the Classroom
Share with students to take as practice for upcoming ASVAB testing at your school. ASVAB testing isn't just for students interested in a military career. Any student who is questioning what career path to take may want to take a practice test to find areas of interest to pursue.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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