Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

This guide provides educators with information and resources to find projects and collaborations with educators around the world. Use the different categories to learn, connect, search, and submit ideas for collaboration. Educators looking for suggestions will find the search and project areas especially helpful. Use these portions of the site to find free lesson plans, project ideas, and much more.

tag(s): collaboration (87), cross cultural understanding (157)

Google Jamboard is a collaborative, online whiteboard application. Use the tool options to access the pen, eraser, add sticky notes, and upload images. Jamboard also includes some limited options to change the background. Add "frames" to create whiteboard displays similar to a slide show. Email the link to your board to add collaborators using the share icon. Be sure to select the drop-down box to add collaborators as editors, not just viewers. When finished, use the three dots near the top of the page to rename your Jamboard, download your work as a PDF, save as an image. All work automatically saves within your Google Drive account. In October of 2024 Google Jamboard will sunset (close down). Jamboards will not be supported after December 31, 2024. Import your current Jamboards into Figjam, reviewed here, using the "Import" button so you don't lose access to those files after Jamboard shuts down.

tag(s): collaboration (87), images (271), iwb (32), Whiteboard (8)

Collaborate with classrooms around the world through this story-telling project. Sign up to create your collaborative tale based on a book and told through five different activities (find these by clicking Resources). Work together with your assigned partner to define topics of study (each class chooses their own based on their own needs). Once started, participate in the five activities by completing each segment within 48 hours. The complete project takes place within a two-week time frame. Both classes use Adobe Creative Cloud Express, reviewed here, to share their final stories. To participate, complete the Google Form application on the Travelling Tales website.

tag(s): collaboration (87), cross cultural understanding (157), digital storytelling (141)

Global Problem Solvers is a free program designed as a supplemental resource for grades 4-8 to teach global social responsibility. The program features two seasons of materials with seven episodes per season. Within each episode, Global Problem Solvers travels the world through videos solving problems while encouraging participants to become problem-solvers and critical thinkers. The series includes teacher's guides for both seasons, storyboards, and scripts.

tag(s): character education (76), critical thinking (112), cross cultural understanding (157), Problem Based Learning (13), problem solving (226), sociology (22), sustainability (44)

Empatico matches classrooms of students aged 8-10 with other similar classrooms around the world with standards-based lessons incorporated through video conferencing. Follow the six easy steps to enroll your class and match to another classroom interested in similar activities as your class. Choose from Spark (2-3 hour) or Fire (8-12 hour) activities, each spread over multiple visits.

tag(s): climate (80), collaboration (87), commoncore (75), communication (136), cross cultural understanding (157), cultures (132), family (53), globe (12), maps (209), weather (163)

Flip (formerly Flipgrid) is a free video discussion tool with capabilities for sharing student responses through video. You can use Google, Microsoft, or your email address to create an account. Begin by clicking Getting Started from the bottom menu, then find the link to the Educator Toolkit and just follow the Toolkit simple steps to create a group. Be sure to copy the link for your group. Easy-to-follow directions guide you through the process of setting up a video response. Members will create a goup by clicking +Create from the left menu on your dashboard. When finished, use links to share the URL or embed your Flip into a website. Students access your Flip using the access code when sharing your topic, with the custom QR code, or through the unique URL created. In addition, share topics directly to Google Classroom, Remind, Microsoft Teams, or use the embed code to insert into a website. Be sure to investigate ideas from other educators in the at the Community Moments, found on the bottom menu. On the bottom menu you will also find the Help Center for Remote Learning. Flip is available in Spanish, too!

tag(s): assessment (147), collaboration (87), communication (136), DAT device agnostic tool (143), Microsoft (84), remote learning (61), video (257)

LivingTree is an online collaborative tool for teachers, parents, and students. Share messages, photos, files, and more in 100+ languages instantly. Create a shared calendar for all members to access and contribute information. Calendars offer the ability for parents and volunteers to easily sign up for events such as conferences and field trips. There are introductory videos, and video guides for teachers, parents, administrators, and organizations. If your district blocks YouTube, the videos may not be viewable.

tag(s): classroom management (128), communication (136), DAT device agnostic tool (143), organizational skills (90)

Join the Global Virtual Classroom (GVC) and bring students from other regions and countries into your classroom - virtually! Global Virtual Classroom has been around for a long time and has learned what is needed to create global citizens. They've done everything for you from Lessons, Resources, a Mini Web Design Contest (completed with another class and on a world issue), and a Web Design Contest completed with just your class), to directions for becoming part of the community, providing a list of other educators who would like to participate, and a Clubhouse for your students. Be sure to register by mid September each year!

tag(s): collaboration (87), communication (136), competitions (10), cross cultural understanding (157), cultures (132), wikis (15)

Create a Twitter wall and fake tweet quickly and easily by entering minimal information. Enter a (fake) user name, full name of the person you are impersonating, your tweet, and a date to show on the tweet. Your tweet will appear on a wall with an image of that person ready to share through links provided at the bottom of the page. Twister also includes several ideas for consideration when creating an update such as possible hashtags and most important moments to include. Share via social networks or simply COPY the URL of your finished Twister page to share it. There is also an option to save as a PDF for easy printing.

tag(s): creative writing (122), digital storytelling (141), social networking (68)

Looking for engaging interactives for math, language arts, geography, and even more? Look no further than this colorful site. These activities are great ways to build skills and work on math and language arts concepts for all students. The activities are divided into multi-player and single-player games in such categories as "Addition and Subtraction," "Multiplication and Division," and "Fraction and Ratios." There are also language arts interactives! After signing up, enroll your students in the Free membership, assign games, and keep track of student progress. Arcademics uses HTML5, so you can use any device with a web browser. Find apps for Android and iOS, too. HTML5 allows students to play together from any device, anywhere; this means students can play some of the games with classes around the world. Talk about collaboration! Need help? See the step by step instructions for troubleshooting available at the FAQ link. Access information for grade levels, subjects, and more across the top of the website. To choose a game, roll your mouse over it to see its title, then click. Read the quick introduction to understand the activity. Provide direction in whether students should enter a player name or use the randomly generated name from the site. Choose to play a new game or join an existing game. Create a private game if you wish, which requires password creation. No email address or personal information is required for these excellent practice activities. There is a subscription (at a cost) offer for this site. This review is for the free portion of this resource "The free Arcademics Basic includes student powerups and achieivements, but no data analysis."
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tag(s): addition (128), collaboration (87), DAT device agnostic tool (143), division (98), fractions (159), game based learning (171), multiplication (122), ratios (47), subtraction (109), verbs (27), vision (45), vowels (6)

Padlet is an application to create an online bulletin board that you can use to display information for any topic. There are seven different layouts to choose from that allow you the ability to present information in various ways, create maps, and make timelines. Easily create an account and build a new board. Add images, links, videos, columns for sorting or refining organization, and more. Return to your Padlet to add additional information at any time and collaborate with others. Settings offer options to make Padlets open for public contributions, private, or moderated by you (you approve all contributions before they show). Free accounts allow you to make 3 Padlets that include search, themes, stats, premium wallpapers, and cross-device support for uploaded videos. You can always delete an old Padlet to make a new one. Find Video tutorials and Examples by scrolling to the bottom menu and finding "Support" on the left side of the page. This is a device-agnostic tool, available on the web but also available for free as both an Android and iOS app. Use it from any device or move between several devices and still access your work. App and web versions vary slightly.

tag(s): bulletin boards (14), DAT device agnostic tool (143), images (271), timelines (49)