TeachersFirst - Featured Sites: Week of Aug 21, 2022
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
National Park Service - National Park Service
Grades
5 to 12
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Celebrate and learn about America's national parks through the home page of the National Park Service. This site provides comprehensive information on planning a park visit, exploring...more
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Celebrate and learn about America's national parks through the home page of the National Park Service. This site provides comprehensive information on planning a park visit, exploring nature, and getting involved as a volunteer. Choose from a variety of lesson plans sortable by subject, grade level, and Common Core Standards. Find the lessons by clicking on the site menu, then slide over to Learn & Explore, slide down to Educators, choose your topic. Most lessons will have a download button to print lessons using the link to the PDF file. The National Park Service also offers several resources to loan to classrooms such as traveling trunks. Although traveling trunks ship for free; you pay for return shipping.
tag(s): animal homes (56), animals (280), habitats (87), national parks (27)
In the Classroom
Bookmark and save this site to use with a wide variety of language arts, science, and social studies activities. Take advantage of the free lesson plans to include with your classroom activities. Include the section for kids with your other bookmarks on classroom computers for students to explore during science centers or during free reading time as a non-fiction selection. Share images from the media gallery with students as you study biomes, states, or historic areas of the United States. As students learn about different parks around the country, ask them to modify their technology use to create infographics using Canva Infographic Maker, reviewed here, to share facts and information. Transform student technology use even further by asking students to use Google My Maps, reviewed here, to create a virtual field trip to a national park or across different biomes found in the United States. Include this site with your history lessons then ask students to use eStory, reviewed here, to create an animated map telling the story of historic events including text, images, historical maps, and more.
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Anyplace America - AnyplaceAmerica.com
Grades
4 to 12
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Anyplace America provides an extensive resource of free topographical maps of the United States. Choose maps by water, land or man-made features, or browse maps featuring each state....more
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Anyplace America provides an extensive resource of free topographical maps of the United States. Choose maps by water, land or man-made features, or browse maps featuring each state. Maps include local information as well as nearby points of interest, weather statistics, and photographs. Most also have a link to download a color PDF of the featured map. Google and the U.S. Geological Survey provide the maps used on this site.
tag(s): bridges (11), glaciers (17), landforms (38), maps (209), mountains (10), national parks (27), natural resources (37), rivers (13), volcanoes (55), water (101)
In the Classroom
Bookmark this site to use when teaching about landforms, bodies of waters, or geographic features. Be sure to create a link on classroom computers or your class website for students to access at any time. Have students use a mapping tool such as MapHub, reviewed here, to create a map of local landforms with audio stories and pictures included.
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The Hidden Worlds of the National Parks - Google Arts & Culture
Grades
4 to 12
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Follow National Park Rangers on a remarkable journey in these 360-degree videos. Guides take viewers into the most interesting, yet unknown, places in six different park locations....more
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Follow National Park Rangers on a remarkable journey in these 360-degree videos. Guides take viewers into the most interesting, yet unknown, places in six different park locations. Choose a park to begin your journey, then after a short introduction, explore locations dragging the mouse or cursor around to view these sites from every angle. As you explore, guides provide additional information on each location.
tag(s): alaska (20), florida (10), hawaii (7), landforms (38), national parks (27), states (122), utah (2), video (257), virtual field trips (80)
In the Classroom
Share this beautiful site and images on an interactive whiteboard or with a projector, then have students explore on their own. This site can be included with many different geography units to teach landforms found around the United States. Use as a starting point to learn more about our National Parks and Parks Service. Enhance learning by having students create an annotated image of other interesting geographic locations using a tool such as Google Drawings, reviewed here. Google Drawings allows you to annotate an image with links to videos, text, websites, and more. Not familiar with Google Drawings? Watch an archived OK2Ask session to learn how to use: OK2Ask Google Drawings, here. Challenge cooperative learning groups to create videos using FlexClip, reviewed here, of behind the scenes information from your hometown, then share them on a site such as TeacherTube, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Open Parks Network - Clemson University and the National Park Service
Grades
4 to 12
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The Open Parks Network offers over 900,000 digitized images of cultural heritage objects and 1.5 million pages of literature from the National Park Service. Use the keyword search to...more
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The Open Parks Network offers over 900,000 digitized images of cultural heritage objects and 1.5 million pages of literature from the National Park Service. Use the keyword search to find specific information, or scroll through the home page to browse by parks or collections. Also, use the Explore tab to find resources located on maps. Use the "Draw Bounding Box" option to narrow your search to any particular boundary.
tag(s): images (270), national parks (27), primary sources (115)
In the Classroom
Bookmark this site to use throughout the year to find images and other primary sources for United States locations. Encourage your students to use this tool for projects. Include this site on your class webpage for students and parents to access as a reference. Challenge students to find a photo (legally permitted for reproduction), and then narrate the photo as if it is a news report. Have students create a multimedia presentation using Slidestory Publisher, reviewed here. This site allows you to narrate a picture. Challenge students to find a photo (legally permitted to be reproduced), and then add music to their narration. Here is a royalty free music site, Joystock reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Tour of National Parks Geology - National Park Service
Grades
6 to 12
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Explore the many different kinds of geology available for viewing at the United States National Parks with this online tour. Choose from various categories to find links to parks with...more
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Explore the many different kinds of geology available for viewing at the United States National Parks with this online tour. Choose from various categories to find links to parks with that geologic theme. Some also include a short description of geologic features. Although this site looks quite simple, there is an abundance of information available for learning about geographic features around the United States.
tag(s): caves (6), fossils (39), geology (64), glaciers (17), mountains (10), national parks (27), plate tectonics (20), rivers (13), rocks (36), soil (16), volcanoes (55)
In the Classroom
Use this site as an anticipatory set or "activator" to introduce a unit or lesson on geographic features on a projector or interactive whiteboard. After sharing, allow students to explore on their own. Share the locations using Google Earth, reviewed here, and have students add placeholders and information about each site.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Arizona Kid's Page - State of Arizona
Grades
3 to 8
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Learn more about the state of Arizona with this site offering facts and information just for kids. Choose the Natural Wonders link to learn about the many natural wonders and ...more
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Learn more about the state of Arizona with this site offering facts and information just for kids. Choose the Natural Wonders link to learn about the many natural wonders and national parks within the state such as the Grand Canyon, the town of Tombstone, and the Apache Trail. Get a all sorts of information on the state by choosing the Arizona Library that includes an Activity Book, Almanac, Research Topics, and more. Check out the left menu on the library page for even more topics. Learn about state facts, emblems, motto, and much more in the State Facts section (did you know Arizona has official state neckwear?). Be sure to view the state photos section for realistic images of many portions of the state and of it's natural wonders here.
tag(s): national parks (27), native americans (91), natural resources (37), westward expansion (38)
In the Classroom
Share this site with students when working on state research projects. Display photos included on the site with your interactive whiteboard or projector when discussing Arizona, the Grand Canyon, or other areas of the state. Copy and use the coloring pages with the state seal, flag, and other images when learning about the state of Arizona. Rather than having students create a traditional research project, enhance learning by having students create a multimedia presentation using Thinglink, reviewed here. This site allows you to narrate a picture.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Central Park Conservancy - Central Park Conservancy
Grades
4 to 12
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This site, created by the Central Park Conservancy, provides some interesting features about the park which includes history and films and famous photographs taken in the park. There...more
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This site, created by the Central Park Conservancy, provides some interesting features about the park which includes history and films and famous photographs taken in the park. There is tour and event information, so whether you're planning a virtual field trip or an actual field trip to Central park, this site is worth your viewing.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): animals (280), environment (240), national parks (27), plants (144), trees (18), virtual field trips (80)
In the Classroom
Use this resource to plan a trip to the park. Or, create a virtual field trip by designating specific places on the website that students have to visit. Have students locate different buildings, art, and trees in the park. It could be a great way to do a virtual leaf collection (in this case - tree collection) with the site's tree database. Have students find at least ten different trees and then create a presentation providing different information about those trees, including their locations in the park. Assign small groups to explore one facet of this site and create a multimedia presentation using one of many TeachersFirst Edge tools reviewed here. Some tool suggestions are (click on the tool name to access the review): PBWorks (wiki), Site123 (blog/webpage), Renderforest (newscast video), and Genially (poster/bulletin board).Use the site to help teach geography content such as latitude and longitude by having the students create a map to "escape the park."Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Geology and Ecology of National Parks - 3D parks - USGS
Grades
1 to 12
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Make landforms and geology REAL to your students. This site offers a rich collection of 3D photography and tours of the geology of U.S. National Parks. Use these activities with ...more
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Make landforms and geology REAL to your students. This site offers a rich collection of 3D photography and tours of the geology of U.S. National Parks. Use these activities with a variety of ages of students. Choose National Parks to view or print pictures. Pictures (anaglyphs) are best viewed with cheap 3D glasses (just like the movies!) Non 3D images are also found on the site. Pictures are not copyrighted and can be used for any presentation or format as long as you give credit to the site and the USGS. Each National Park has a link to the 3D image, regular image, link to the park website, and a link to other information that includes stratigraphy, virtual tours, or other links. Click "Educational Resources" on the bottom menu for ideas at different grade levels.
tag(s): geology (64), images (270), landforms (38), national parks (27)
In the Classroom
Students can look at pictures and decide upon common features they see. Display images side by side on your interactive whiteboard and note the features using the pen tools. Research or explanations about the features can lead to additional research into the natural processes that created them. Students can write "what is it?" clues to identify specific National Parks for others to identify. Share them on your class wiki for others to solve. Since the images are in the public domain, students can download them to include on the "answers" page of the wiki!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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National Park Photographs - National Park Service
Grades
4 to 12
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The National Park Service manages both an incredible inventory of natural wonders and many of America's most historic places. This site makes professional quality images of these -...more
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The National Park Service manages both an incredible inventory of natural wonders and many of America's most historic places. This site makes professional quality images of these - searchable by park - available for classroom use. In a world where copyright is always an issue, this site is a welcome addition.
tag(s): air (106), images (270), national parks (27), photography (131)
In the Classroom
Use this site to search for images of a particular region being studied in a Physical geography class. These images can be incorporated into lectures, projects, displays etc. Just research before-hand what parks are in the specific area, and search away!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Park Service Images, Webcams, and Videos - National Park Service
Grades
1 to 12
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This National Park Service has a gigantic collection of public domain images, audio, and webcams from America's National Parks. Use the menu bar on the left to search the site ...more
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This National Park Service has a gigantic collection of public domain images, audio, and webcams from America's National Parks. Use the menu bar on the left to search the site by Type or Location. This collection could be a beneficial resource for multimedia research projects.
tag(s): images (270), national parks (27), video (257), webcams (10)
In the Classroom
Whether your class is doing a state study, creating a brochure for a vacation, studying American history, looking at women in history, or one of the numerous other topics you can find on our National Parks site, you will want to bookmark this. Consider using Wakelet, reviewed here, to curate and share resources with students. Include videos, articles, and other relevant information in your Wakelet collection.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Olympic - National Parks Conservation Society
Grades
6 to 12
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The National Parks Conservation Associaiton offers this site about the of coastal habitats of Olympic park. Read a mystery about the Lady of the Lake and the risks to the ...more
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The National Parks Conservation Associaiton offers this site about the of coastal habitats of Olympic park. Read a mystery about the Lady of the Lake and the risks to the park from low flying air tours.
tag(s): conservation (83), coral (10), environment (240), forests (28), national parks (27), reefs (5), wetlands (6)
In the Classroom
After students have read about the Lady of the Lake, assign small groups of students to explore the other five mysteries that happened in one of the National Parks. Enhance learning by having students create a presentation for the other groups to learn about their mystery. Use Genially, Genial.ly, reviewed here, where students can choolse the format of their presentation from posters, videos, and infographics where they can insert maps, surveys, video, audio and more.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Women's History - National Sites - National Park Service
Grades
6 to 12
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Explore this page from the National Park Service with a list and links for dozens of locations where significant events in the history of women in America took place. While ...more
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Explore this page from the National Park Service with a list and links for dozens of locations where significant events in the history of women in America took place. While some of these will be familiar, many are not, and the stories of how these locations were critical to changing women's roles in America could make a fascinating study. Scroll down the page to read brief biographies of these Women and click the woman's name on the right menu to read more about her and the park.
tag(s): african american (109), black history (123), national parks (27), women (137)
In the Classroom
Have small groups of students or pairs locate a historic location that is in your county, state, or a nearby state to read about. Challenge small groups of students or pairs to present their findings of the location using an interactive map tool like Zeemaps, reviewed here. Zeemaps allows students to create audio recordings AND choose various locations on a map where the report takes place. Then they can create a Fakebook page, reviewed here, similar in style to Facebook, about the woman who is associated with the location.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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NPS for Teachers - National Park Service
Grades
1 to 12
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The National Park Service Resources for teachers is a site you won't want to miss. First, find resources by subject, grade level, or common core standards; or use the search ...more
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The National Park Service Resources for teachers is a site you won't want to miss. First, find resources by subject, grade level, or common core standards; or use the search bar for specific topics like Virtual field trips, George Washington, biology, geometry, or any topic you need. Then, scrolling down the page, find resources for Teaching with Historic Places, Teacher Ranger Program, Every Kid Outdoors, and even Spaceflight Explorer Junior. Under these topics, find additional resources for educators.
tag(s): national parks (27), virtual field trips (80)
In the Classroom
Whether you want your students to go on a virtual field trip, are studying American history, you're using blended or distance learning, you want to give your students a different take on math, science, art, or many other topics you will find something here for you and your students.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Castillo de San Marcos - National Park Service
Grades
1 to 12
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Take a virtual tour of Castillo de San Marcos, the oldest masonarey fort in the United Sates. An introductory video with audio and captions will start your journey. Scrolling down ...more
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Take a virtual tour of Castillo de San Marcos, the oldest masonarey fort in the United Sates. An introductory video with audio and captions will start your journey. Scrolling down the page clidk Castillo Videos to view several short, informative videos about the history of Castillo (along with slavery, the underground railroad, and more). Click the Education tab to find a virtual field trip with a lesson plan, and the navigation seems more directed for students.
tag(s): black history (123), florida (10), national parks (27), slavery (75), virtual field trips (80)
In the Classroom
If you are studying U.S. history, the history of Florida, or Black history, you will want to bookmark this site. Introduce the site by viewing several of the videos as a class, or if you have a blended class or are on distance learning, you can adapt the videos using your or your student's comments and questions with Moocnote http://www.teachersfirst.com/single.cfm?id=17266. Moocnote allows adding questions, comments, links, etc to any video.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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