TeachersFirst - Featured Sites: Week of Oct 16, 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
My Media Choices - Common Sense Education
Grades
3 to 5tag(s): digital citizenship (89), internet safety (112), media literacy (108)
In the Classroom
Although created for fourth grade, this lesson works well for grades three through five, with possible adaptations for additional grade levels. First, engage students by conducting a poll or survey of the different types of media your students regularly consume. For example, use a simple polling tool such as Kahoot reviewed here, or take a more in-depth survey using Microsoft Forms, reviewed here. Instead of completing worksheets as a paper and pencil activity, convert the worksheets into an interactive document using Google Docs, reviewed here, and assign within Google Classroom. Add questions or comments to the included video using EdPuzzle, reviewed here, to enhance learning. As an extension activity, ask students to share tips for safe media use by creating short videos to share on your class and school's websites. Use Adobe Creative Cloud Express Video Maker, reviewed here, to create engaging videos from scratch or by using the templates provided.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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OK2Ask: Google Drawings in the Classroom - TeachersFirst
Grades
1 to 12Refresh your classroom...more
Refresh your classroom activities using Google Drawings. Learn to design interactive images, labeling activities, and timelines that engage students and deepen content-area knowledge. These resources can bring additional context to your instruction and be used across content areas and grade levels. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Learn how to create three types of instructional activities using Google Drawings; 2. Identify ways in which Google Drawings can be used to support instruction; and 3. Create an instructional activity that can be used in class. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): drawing (61), Google (50), professional development (403)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: Blended and Remote Learning with Microsoft Forms - TeachersFirst
Grades
2 to 12Microsoft Forms is...more
Microsoft Forms is often overlooked when discussing free tools for blended and remote instruction. Join us for this session and learn to use Forms to personalize instruction, accommodate learner differences, foster independent learning, and implement formative and summative assessments. Come prepared to explore and add this tool to your teaching toolkit. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Learn the basic functions of Microsoft Forms; 2. Understand how to use Forms to support remote instruction; and 3. Create a form for instructional use or data collection. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): blended learning (36), Formative Assessment (77), Microsoft (80), professional development (403), remote learning (54)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: Fostering Accountability: Media Literacy in the Classroom - TeachersFirst
Grades
1 to 12As digital media increasingly...more
As digital media increasingly replaces traditional media, students must have the skills to think critically about these new types of texts. Media literacy - the ability to skillfully read and write in a wide range of message forms - allows students to identify themes and issues emerging from popular culture and has related standards that have been incorporated across content areas and grade levels nationwide. Join us to learn more about this information age survival skill. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Understand the importance of teaching media literacy in the classroom; 2. Explore media literacy resources; and 3. Learn to use the five key questions of media literacy when planning lessons. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): media literacy (108), professional development (403)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: Google MANIA - Google Keep in the Classroom - TeachersFirst
Grades
3 to 12Take organizing, notetaking,...more
Take organizing, notetaking, and collaborating to new heights with Google Keep - a tool that is simple, powerful and free. Learn how to maximize student productivity with great features for capturing ideas, collaborating on projects, curating resources, receiving reminders, and taking notes. Learn how to incorporate text, images, audio, and drawings in color-coded virtual sticky notes and checklists and keep your classroom workflow smooth and on task with Google Keep. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Learn the basics of using Google Keep for organization; 2. Explore strategies for enhancing notetaking and resource curation; and 3. Share ideas for using Google Keep in the classroom. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): Google (50), organizational skills (89), professional development (403)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Resources related to Source Reliability/Checking Sources - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12tag(s): evaluating sources (28), media literacy (108), Research (85)
In the Classroom
We have included resources for all grades. Remember, our "In the Classroom" suggestions with each reviewed resource, give you ideas about using these tools in your classroom.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Alison - Mike Feerick
Grades
10 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): business (52), careers (140), chinese (44), coding (89), communication (139), engineering (127), french (75), german (47), literature (219), multilingual (70), OER (43), Online Learning (42), politics (116), psychology (64), sociology (23), spanish (108), STEM (287)
In the Classroom
Use Alison to find professional learning courses, learn the basics of a new language, or for personal development. Share Alison with students to learn skills not offered in school or share with ENL/ESL students to use when learning English. Use Alison with student cohorts interested in learning about a new topic or preparing for college-level courses.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Education for the Real World - EVERFI
Grades
2 to 12tag(s): cross cultural understanding (170), financial literacy (91), game based learning (183), literacy (118), mental health (35), social and emotional learning (98), STEM (287), Teacher Utilities (174)
In the Classroom
Discover the many free resources on this site to provide individual lessons or complete learning units for your students. As students complete assignments, use the many offerings found at Class Tools, reviewed here, to enhance learning through creating timelines, completing graphic organizers, and more. For activities that include new vocabulary, use a digital game creation site such as Baamboozle, reviewed here, to review and practice new words and terms. Have students show what they know upon completion of any of the activities using Adobe Express for Education, reviewed here, to create a collage, poster, flyer, or multimedia presentation sharing their knowledge of the subject.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Microsoft Learn - Microsoft
Grades
8 to 12tag(s): communication (139), computers (110), Microsoft (80), OER (43), STEM (287)
In the Classroom
Share the Learn site with students interested in learning more about technology and considering careers in computer programming. Have students choose courses of interest to complete on their own as part of a computer technology course. Share with the leader of after-school computer clubs to supplement their current material. You may also be interested in these printable, quick guides on how to use many of the most popular Microsoft products, such as Immersive Reader, Live Captions, and Reading Coach, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Media Literacy - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12tag(s): critical thinking (120), cyberbullying (40), digital citizenship (89), evaluating sources (28), internet safety (112), media literacy (108), news (228), primary sources (119), professional development (403), social media (53)
In the Classroom
Today's messages come in many forms and literacy can no longer refer simply to the ability to read and write. Prepare your students to be literate citizens with this collection. Many are ideal for whole-group instruction, while others would work best on individual devices. Read the reviews to find classroom use ideas with each review. Although the list of tools is mainly geared towards grades 4-8, there are a few resources for the primary grades.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Open Learning Initiative - Carnegie Mellon University
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): chinese (44), classroom management (123), design (81), engineering (127), french (75), logic (162), OER (43), Online Learning (42), probability (98), psychology (64), statistics (121), STEM (287)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of content in courses to supplement your current lessons. No registration is required to access and view course information. Share this site with gifted students or students with interests in specific academic areas not covered in your current curriculum. Create a course and offer it to your students for greater interaction and learning through community building. Find great ideas from other existing courses. Teachers of gifted can use courses to challenge students in their areas of interest. You can also have gifted students create or collaborate on a student-made "course." Explore the topics for some new, engaging topics to round out your own expertise. Allow students to enroll in a course that would fit into their career goals as an exploratory opportunity in that field. The Open Learning Initiative would also be perfect for setting up directions and steps for any projects you require students to do for your class. The program will integrate with some learning management systems.Edge Features:
Includes an education-only area for teachers and students
Parent permission advised before posting student work created using this tool
Premium version (not free) includes additional features or storage
Products can be shared by URL
Multiple users can collaborate on the same project
Includes teacher tools for registering and/or monitoring students
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Smithsonian Learning Lab - The Smithsonian Center for Learning and Digital Access
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): animals (295), architecture (72), art history (92), aviation (40), black history (130), civil war (136), dinosaurs (42), explorers (65), images (261), inventors and inventions (77), Learning Management Systems (20), oceans (148), scientists (62), shakespeare (99), Teacher Utilities (174), volcanoes (54)
In the Classroom
The Smithsonian Learning Lab is a must-add to your list of classroom bookmarks! Search for collections and information throughout the year on all topics. Add a link to classroom computers for the entire site or specific collections. Be sure to take advantage of the many features of this site to create customized collections, then have students add additional resources. Have students create quizzes for review of topics. Enhance student learning by challenging them to create a simple infographic sharing their findings using Canva Infographic Maker, reviewed here.Comments
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X (formerly Twitter) for Teachers - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12tag(s): social networking (64), twitter (18)
In the Classroom
There is a wealth of information about X (formerly Twitter) on this site, so you will want to bookmark it in your favorites to return to often. Make this page a must-learn for teaching in the 21st century. Refer this tutorial to other teachers and administrators in your building. Once you finish with module 1 you will have a X (formerly Twitter) account of your own. Follow @teachersfirst, @OK2Ask, and our lead Thinking Teacher @morerukus2, and we will surely welcome you!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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