TeachersFirst - Featured Sites: Week of Sep 30, 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
Free Image Resources - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12
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This curated list of resources provides free image tools. As educators, it is important for us to set good examples of digital citizenship. Image usage is a perfect time to ...more
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This curated list of resources provides free image tools. As educators, it is important for us to set good examples of digital citizenship. Image usage is a perfect time to discuss the important topics of copyright, Creative Commons, and more. Use your discussions related to copyright and Creative Commons to fuel the discussion about digital citizenship. Read the classroom use suggestions for additional ideas about how to implement these tools in your classroom.
tag(s): copyright (39), creative commons (26), images (258)
In the Classroom
Use these tools to help students to understand digital citizenship, copyright, Creative Commons, and more. Find tools for students to use to locate "safe" images to use for projects and even within your own lessons.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Elementary School Cyber Education Initiative (ESCEI) - Air Force Association
Grades
K to 12
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The ESCEI is part of the Air Force Associations CyberPatriot program. On this page find and download a kit with everything you need for teaching your K-6 students about digital ...more
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The ESCEI is part of the Air Force Associations CyberPatriot program. On this page find and download a kit with everything you need for teaching your K-6 students about digital safety! Fill out the registration form and submit. You will quickly receive a link for downloading the kit which needs to be un-zipped and takes about five minutes. You'll find cover letters to parents, guardians, and educators, three interactive learning modules about online safety and cybersecurity principles, slides for classroom instruction, and a complete instructors guide (with descriptions for each module, vocabulary, games to print, and more). Students will learn basic computing skills to how to deal with complex issues like phishing and malware. Be sure to see the supplemental activities and videos. Though the lessons are labeled up to sixth grade, they are adaptable for eighth grade and ninth grade.
From this landing page also find the home page with all the information about CyberPatriot and check out the competitions that are for middle school, high school, and beyond. CyberPatriot brings you these real-world competitions in conjunction with the Cisco Networking Challenge. There is online training for competitors. Videos on this site reside on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, the videos may not be viewable.
From this landing page also find the home page with all the information about CyberPatriot and check out the competitions that are for middle school, high school, and beyond. CyberPatriot brings you these real-world competitions in conjunction with the Cisco Networking Challenge. There is online training for competitors. Videos on this site reside on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, the videos may not be viewable.
tag(s): computers (108), cyberbullying (42), digital citizenship (84), internet safety (111), STEM (331)
In the Classroom
Include materials from this site with any lessons or units for on online safety. For basic technology integration, have older students use a video response tool like Gravity, reviewed here to reflect on their learning and share tips for their peers. Next, have small groups of students share and compare their notes. Students can then use their notes as a storyboard to organize a presentation for their peers, sharing safety tips. With their storyboards, students or student groups can create online books sharing cybersafety tips using Book Creator, reviewed here. Book Creator includes tools for making digital books that include images, text, and audio recordings. As a modification to the above, instead of using Book Creator, challenge students to create a multimedia presentation with a tool like Genially, reviewed here, or Powtoon, reviewed here. Include links to learning modules on a bookmarking tool like Symbaloo, reviewed here, on classroom computers for students to easily access materials.High school students and tech-savvy middle school students may be interested in the competitions, which focus on network security. The competition would be ideal for students who are interested in pursuing a career in IT or computer science.
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Google Help - Google Support
Grades
K to 12
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Explore educational videos providing help with Google products on this YouTube Channel. The site provides playlists offering support for Chromebooks, protecting and using Google accounts,...more
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Explore educational videos providing help with Google products on this YouTube Channel. The site provides playlists offering support for Chromebooks, protecting and using Google accounts, using Gmail and Drive, and much more. Choose individual videos or select playlists by topic to find up to date help in using Google tools. If your district blocks YouTube, the videos may not be viewable.
tag(s): Google (21)
In the Classroom
Bookmark this site on classroom computers for easy reference when working with Google products. Have students create their own support videos using a tool like Powtoon, reviewed here, or Clipchamp, reviewed here, for any technology issues that arise in your classroom. Remember, you can take screenshots (Printscrn button on Windows or Command+Shift+4 on Mac), and include those in a video. You will need to convert the screenshot to a JPG. This can be done easily and quickly using CloudConvert, reviewed here. Share the students created videos using a tool such as SchoolTube, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Computational Thinking - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12
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Dig into the meaning of computational thinking with this collection of resources. Computational thinking is expressing solutions so that humans and computers can understand them. A...more
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Dig into the meaning of computational thinking with this collection of resources. Computational thinking is expressing solutions so that humans and computers can understand them. A great way to visualize how to embed it in your classroom is to have the students think like the physicist, economist, artist, mathematician, etc. to identify the problems that need to be explored. This is not programming computers but logical ways for problem-solving. It is a problem-solving tool for every classroom that has students think like a problem solver and use higher level cognitive skills.
tag(s): computational thinking (37), engineering (140), logic (158), problem solving (243), STEM (331)
In the Classroom
Bring problem-solving and computational thinking into your classroom with these tools. Share on your class website, projector, whiteboard, or on individual devices. Topics range from coding to charts to logic.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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TechTerms Computer Dictionary - Sharpened Productions
Grades
6 to 12
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Expert and newbie tech users will appreciate this dictionary providing definitions of Internet and computer terms in easy to understand language. Search for any phrase or word or browse...more
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Expert and newbie tech users will appreciate this dictionary providing definitions of Internet and computer terms in easy to understand language. Search for any phrase or word or browse through recent additions to the dictionary. In addition to the dictionary, this site includes monthly quizzes. Choose the quizzes link to access archives dating back to 2011.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): computers (108), dictionaries (48), quizzes (86), STEM (331)
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
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Digital Citizenship Resources - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12
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This editor's choice curated list of reviewed resources focuses on digital citizenship. Explore topics such as: protecting your digital footprint, protecting your identity, "netiquette,"...more
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This editor's choice curated list of reviewed resources focuses on digital citizenship. Explore topics such as: protecting your digital footprint, protecting your identity, "netiquette," and much more. Find varying levels of information for different age groups and materials to help parents cooperate in educating their children about digital citizenship.
tag(s): digital citizenship (84), internet safety (111)
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
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Baamboozle - baamboozle.com
Grades
K to 12
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Baamboozle is a quick and easy-to-use tool for playing and creating games. It doesn't require registration to play. Choose the "Games" link to go to all games saved on Baamboozle. ...more
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Baamboozle is a quick and easy-to-use tool for playing and creating games. It doesn't require registration to play. Choose the "Games" link to go to all games saved on Baamboozle. Scroll through to view games, or search for a term. Divide the group into two teams and begin play. Each team chooses a number from the game board and answers the question. Check for accuracy; then, Baamboozle keeps track of scores. Use games found on the site, or create games on any device. Registration with email is necessary to create your own games.
tag(s): flash cards (43), game based learning (215), preK (288)
In the Classroom
Save Baamboozle in your bag of tricks for a quick review of any content. Engage students by having them create games to share with the class when reviewing for quizzes and tests. Bring excitement to professional development by creating a Baamboozle with materials you are sharing. Be sure to provide a link to Baamboozle games on your class website for students to play at home. Use Baamboozle if your class is remote learningAdd your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Digital Compass - Common Sense Media
Grades
5 to 9
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Digital Compass is an animated, interactive design intended to teach middle school students about digital citizenship. Each of the eight characters demonstrates a different topic, such...more
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Digital Compass is an animated, interactive design intended to teach middle school students about digital citizenship. Each of the eight characters demonstrates a different topic, such as cyberbullying and Internet safety. Along the way, players choose various options. Some choices have positive results, and others have negative consequences. This tool is also available in Spanish. Find an Educator Guide for suggestions on how to use this tool in the classroom, along with PDFs for a Quick Start Guide and the Teacher's Guide. As of June 30, 2025, Digital Compass will be retired; however, some features may remain available indefinitely.
tag(s): digital citizenship (84), internet safety (111)
In the Classroom
This site is perfect to incorporate into any digital citizenship lessons. Complete activities together on your interactive whiteboard while making appropriate and inappropriate choices along the way. Create a link on your class website or blog for use at home. Be sure to share Digital Compass with parents to use as part of their online safety discussions at home. Enhance students' learning and create a simple infographic sharing their findings using Canva Infographic Maker, reviewed here.
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USPTO - United States Patent and Trademark Office - United States Patent and Trademark Office
Grades
3 to 12
2 Favorites
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The United States Patent and Trademark Office offers a wide range of resources to help children of all ages understand patents, trademarks, and the importance of protecting intellectual...more
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The United States Patent and Trademark Office offers a wide range of resources to help children of all ages understand patents, trademarks, and the importance of protecting intellectual property. Students can explore inventor trading cards that highlight influential innovators, participate in activities tailored to different grade levels, and watch videos that explain patents and trademarks in clear, age-appropriate ways. Video topics include inventions such as driverless cars and electronic tattoos, along with other examples of cutting-edge science and innovation. These resources support STEM and maker space lessons by encouraging creativity, design thinking, and problem-solving. While many videos can be viewed directly on the site, some are also available through YouTube, which may not be accessible in all school districts.
tag(s): crafts (90), digital citizenship (84), inventors and inventions (83), sound (72), sports (84), STEM (331)
In the Classroom
Begin by showing the video Extraordinary Innovations on the USPTO site using a projector or interactive whiteboard. Have students work in teams to design a simple prototype or sketch an invention idea, explaining what problem it solves and how it might be patented. They can make the prototypes digitally with an online tool such as Delightex, reviewed here or Tinkercad, reviewed here. Organize an "Innovation Fair" where students present their invention ideas or research projects, complete with mock patent applications and inventor trading cards they design themselves.
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