TeachersFirst - Featured Sites: Week of Jul 15, 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 go to the Featured Sites Archive
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3D Apollo 11 Command Module - Smithsonian Museum
Grades
4 to 12
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Take a virtual 3D tour of the Apollo 11 Command Module, Columbia, home of the astronauts of the first manned lunar mission in 1969. Select from 27 slides to view ...more
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Take a virtual 3D tour of the Apollo 11 Command Module, Columbia, home of the astronauts of the first manned lunar mission in 1969. Select from 27 slides to view different portions of the module, then use your mouse to move around the image. Each slide also contains a short description of the content shown. In addition to the 3D tour, this site includes many downloads including models for 3D printers and models for use with VR headsets. 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): explorers (68), moon (74), space (225), STEM (187), virtual field trips (55)
In the Classroom
Bookmark this site on classroom computers for students to explore during your space unit or when studying modern explorers. Introduce the site on your interactive whiteboard to demonstrate the different features before having students explore on their own. Use Wakelet, reviewed here to curate and share additional web resources about space exploration as a class, or have students create their own Wakelet sharing resources found through individual research. As a culminating project, have students create an interactive timeline using Timelinely, reviewed here or choose from other timeline creation tools located here to tell the story of space exploration and man's mission to the moon.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Women with Altitude - NetFlights
Grades
6 to 12
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Discover the stories of women achieving aviation firsts through this interactive timeline. The timeline begins with the first woman to receive a pilot's license, Raymonde de Laroche,...more
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Discover the stories of women achieving aviation firsts through this interactive timeline. The timeline begins with the first woman to receive a pilot's license, Raymonde de Laroche, in 1910 and continues through present time. Each entry shares an image and short presentation on the individual woman's accomplishment in aviation.
tag(s): aviation (35), biographies (92), flight (32), pioneers (9), women (96)
In the Classroom
Share this timeline when studying pioneers in different fields or include in Women's History Month lessons. Each entry provides a short introduction to the featured woman. Challenge students to use the entry as a starting point to research the aviator more fully. Have students save their resources using a bookmarking tool like SearchTeam, reviewed here and include a link to their resources with the final project. SearchTeam allows users to collaborate and add notes to bookmarks making this a useful tool for use with group projects. Ask students to create their own timelines exploring the life of a famous pioneer using Timeline Maker, reviewed here or choose from other timeline creation tools located here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Universe and Space - Science Resources - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12
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Find engaging tools related to the universe and space in this curated list. Read the descriptions to find out whether a site sounds right for what you want to know. ...more
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Find engaging tools related to the universe and space in this curated list. Read the descriptions to find out whether a site sounds right for what you want to know. There are some sites specifically for elementary grades, although most are for secondary. Read through the content sites and find lesson ideas and interactives. If you want to explore even more information, peruse the additional tagged list of resources related to space.
tag(s): space (225)
In the Classroom
If you are teaching about the universe and space, be sure to bookmark (or save) this collection. There are resources here for all grades, plus many extra tools on the tagged list. Share sites on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Provide the link on your class website for students to access both in and out of class.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Moon Phases and Seasons - Science Resources - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12
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This curated list of resources will help you research information about moon phases and the seasons. Read the descriptions to find out whether a site sounds right for what you ...more
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This curated list of resources will help you research information about moon phases and the seasons. Read the descriptions to find out whether a site sounds right for what you want to know. Some sites may be more challenging reading, while others may offer solid basic information. Be sure to try several sources. Explore the lesson ideas, interactives, and content sites. If you are looking for even MORE resources, check out the links to the tagged resources for seasons and moon.
In the Classroom
Find resources for all grades with great ideas in each review! Share these sites on your interactive whiteboard or have students explore on individual devices. Use these tools for review before the test or for research options. Share the link to this page on your class website.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Challenger Center - Challenger Center
Grades
3 to 12
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The Challenger Center provides lessons and resources dedicated to continuing the work of the Challenger mission and crew after the shuttle tragedy in 1986. Select the STEM Resources...more
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The Challenger Center provides lessons and resources dedicated to continuing the work of the Challenger mission and crew after the shuttle tragedy in 1986. Select the STEM Resources link to find lessons sorted by grade levels. These lessons include the lost lessons of Christa McAuliffe that were supposed to take place during her time in space. Other lessons take students on explorations of space travel through meal planning, finding coordinates, and locating and rescuing a lost teammate.
tag(s): careers (144), experiments (70), explorers (68), gravity (49), moon (74), solar system (121), space (225), stars (68), STEM (187)
In the Classroom
Add the Challenger Center to your resources for teaching about outer space. As you begin your unit, create a Padlet, reviewed here, to organize and share information learned. Have students make flashcards and quizzes to review information learned using a site like Study Droid, reviewed here. As a culminating project, have students create explainer videos of any concept using My Simpleshow, reviewed here.
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Amazing Space - Space Telescope Science Institute's Office of Public Outreach
Grades
3 to 12
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This site shares lessons and resources to learn more about the Hubble and James Webb space telescopes. Choose from the many resources sorted by topics including gravity, space history,...more
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This site shares lessons and resources to learn more about the Hubble and James Webb space telescopes. Choose from the many resources sorted by topics including gravity, space history, and more. The Online Explorations offer opportunities to play an interactive card game with solar system trading cards or use real data from the Hubble Telescope to make conjectures about the universe. Additional resources on this site include fully detailed lesson plans correlated to standards, graphic organizers, and up to date information with the latest space telescope related news.
tag(s): gravity (49), measurement (178), solar system (121), space (225), stars (68), statistics (128), STEM (187), telescopes (10)
In the Classroom
Be sure to bookmark this site if you teach space science for the many available resources shared with educators. Take advantage of the free lesson plans and interactives. Share how to use interactives on your whiteboard or with a projector then let students explore on classroom computers or their own device. Include a link to interactives on your class website for students to access from home. Use an online portfolio site like Seesaw, reviewed here, for younger students, or bulb, reviewed here, for older students to collect artifacts and share their thoughts throughout your space unit. Take student learning a step further and ask them to use an augmented reality application like HP Reveal, reviewed here, to create an augmented reality display of different portions of our solar system.
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Ready Jet Go! - PBS Kids
Grades
K to 6
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Ready Jet Go! is a PBS Kids animated series to help children learn about astronomy and earth science concepts. This site features characters from the series in games, videos, and ...more
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Ready Jet Go! is a PBS Kids animated series to help children learn about astronomy and earth science concepts. This site features characters from the series in games, videos, and activities. Watch full episodes, connect to the live Space Station feed, or learn about spacecraft from Astronaut Amy's short videos.
tag(s): gravity (49), moon (74), planets (129), preK (286), solar system (121), space (225), stars (68), sun (68), temperature (33)
In the Classroom
Use this site as a learning station or center. Be sure to include a link on your class web page for use at home. If you're beginning to integrate technology in your class or have younger students, create a word cloud of the important terms students learn from this site using a tool such as Word Clouds For Kids, reviewed here. Alternatively, these students could use an online poster creator such as Printing Press, reviewed here, to present information learned about space. Teachers more advance with integrating technology, or who have older students could use Wordle, reviewed here, or an online poster creator such as Canva, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Exploratorium - Exploratorium
Grades
4 to 12
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Explore, play, and discover at the website for Exploratorium in San Francisco. This very comprehensive site is part of their learning laboratory exploring the world through science,...more
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Explore, play, and discover at the website for Exploratorium in San Francisco. This very comprehensive site is part of their learning laboratory exploring the world through science, art, and human perception. Choose from the many different offerings including blogs, videos, and websites or explore by topic. If you teach science, you will want to bookmark this site for use all year long!
tag(s): atmosphere (29), colors (79), earth (224), electricity (92), energy (209), geology (81), light (53), magnetism (39), matter (61), motion (70), oceans (164), optical illusions (13), optics (14), sound (106), space (225), STEM (187), temperature (33), time (140), water (134)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the many resources found on Exploratorium to supplement science lessons. Resources include animations, songs, activities, and more. Share this site with students to use as inspiration for science fair projects. After using resources from the site, have students make a multimedia presentation including information learned using Sway, reviewed here. Sway creates unique multimedia projects using text, images, and media. Change the look of your Sway using the Mood and Remix tools to change the color palette, layout, and fonts. Alternatively, choose one of the many TeachersFirst Edge tools, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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CurriConnects Book List - Flight and Things that Fly - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12
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Read about the many ways that people have used flying machines and the many creatures that fly with books from this leveled booklist. Learn how things fly--either by nature or ...more
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Read about the many ways that people have used flying machines and the many creatures that fly with books from this leveled booklist. Learn how things fly--either by nature or human engineering! Read about birds, aircraft, and the people who have pioneered human flight. The Wright Brothers were not the only ones who took to the sky! How does flight work? Some fiction, and some non-fiction, all these books will inspire young aviators, animal scientists, designers, and engineers. This list is particularly rich in offerings for elementary and middle school, with some offerings for high school level readers, as well.
tag(s): aeronautics (13), animals (322), aviation (35), book lists (131), flight (32), STEM (187), wright brothers (19)
In the Classroom
Have students choose a book they can connect to concepts you are studying in science class or have them choose a book of interest and generate a list of questions they would like to investigate further. Share this list with students during your study of the physics of flight and aerodynamics. Include it during study of sophisticated engineering design or of basic concepts such as gravity and air flow. As you study animal adaptations and the differences among species, look closely at how birds fly and how man-made flying machines mimic some of their capabilities. The non-fiction selections offer possible informational texts to practice Common Core science literacy skills.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Sun Moon Scope - Sunaeon
Grades
4 to 12
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Use this well designed 3D simulation to show the position of the sun and moon from any point on Earth. See the positions instantly in real time or choose a ...more
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Use this well designed 3D simulation to show the position of the sun and moon from any point on Earth. See the positions instantly in real time or choose a past or future time. Hover over the Moon to view the current moon phase. Sunrise and sunset times are also given. Choose different locations on Earth (it gives you the latitude and longitude) to see the differences. There is a lot of information hidden in the interactive, so explore carefully.
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This site includes advertising.
tag(s): map skills (80), moon (74), seasons (35), sun (68), time zones (9)
In the Classroom
The change in seasons is a difficult concept for students to understand. Use this interactive tool to show the sun's position at various times of the year and how the sunrise and sunset times change. This is terrific to share on an interactive whiteboard or projector, then have elementary (or even middle school) students "act out" the roles of sun. moon, and earth by moving about the room. Turn down the music to avoid distraction. Show how sunrise and sunset are also different at various points on the globe. Allow students the opportunity to play with the tool first and ask them what they notice and what questions they have. Inquire together to understand the various concepts. Share on an interactive whiteboard or projector with a student emcee to run the inquiry. Be sure to include this site with your study of map skills, longitude, and latitude so students can see how our maps and nature's actions fit together.
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Amelia Earhart - The Official Website - Family of Amelia Earhart
Grades
6 to 12
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The Official website of Amelia Earhart is an informational website intended to honor the life, the legend, and the career of Amelia Earhart. It contains a vast amount of information...more
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The Official website of Amelia Earhart is an informational website intended to honor the life, the legend, and the career of Amelia Earhart. It contains a vast amount of information about her life and career. The most extensive part of the site is the "Biography." Other portions contain her achievements, quotes, photos, videos, and fast facts. Another interesting portion of the site is the News section which has links to recent stories and news articles about Amelia Earhart. Scroll down the "Home" page to preview the movie Amelia, you may want to share this with your class - or not. Preview beforehand.
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This site includes advertising.
tag(s): aviation (35), careers (144), famous people (23), flight (32), women (96)
In the Classroom
Share this site with students when researching famous Americans, women, flight, or careers. Have students use a mapping tool such as Google Earth, reviewed here, to create an audio (and visual) tour of Amelia Earhart's journeys. Her story could also offer a powerful writing prompt for an essay about people who take on formidable challenges/adventures.
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The Wilbur and Orville Wright Papers - Library of Congress
Grades
6 to 12
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The Library of Congress offers this collection of photographs, letters, and other documents related to the lives of aviation pioneers Wilbur and Orville Wright. Images and documents...more
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The Library of Congress offers this collection of photographs, letters, and other documents related to the lives of aviation pioneers Wilbur and Orville Wright. Images and documents in the archive provide primary sources on the history of flight. The archive is easy to navigate and includes a timeline of the brothers' lives, a family tree hyperlinked to relevant documents, and the expected photographs of Wilbur and Orville and their flying machines. Of special interest to many would be the story of the brothers' early failed enterprises, demonstrating that even famous inventors fail before finding success, as well as the many letters between the Wrights and other well known people of the time such as Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh.
tag(s): aviation (35), flight (32), inventors and inventions (90), wright brothers (19)
In the Classroom
Students doing research on the Wright brothers will find this site invaluable. Have students work in cooperative learning groups and research a specific topic found at this site. Ask students to take notes with an online tool like Simplenote, reviewed here. Have them share the info they learned with their small group. Tell students to be sure to save the URL to share their notes and questions with you and their peers. Simplenote allows you to access and update across all devices. Challenge students to create a multimedia presentation using a tool such as Zeemaps, reviewed here. Zeemaps allows students to create audio recordings AND choose a location (on a map) where the story takes place. Students could use Adobe Spark, reviewed here, and create and interactive poster for their presentation.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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How Things Fly - Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
Grades
4 to 12
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How Things Fly offers a self guided, interactive resource to understand how space and air flight happen. This site delivers information clearly and effectively about lift, drag, thrust,...more
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How Things Fly offers a self guided, interactive resource to understand how space and air flight happen. This site delivers information clearly and effectively about lift, drag, thrust, and weight. It is very easy to navigate and there is a ton of information to gained! This answers a lot of questions that students tend to ask when talking about space and some physics.
tag(s): aircraft (25), aviation (35), flight (32), space (225)
In the Classroom
Choose a type of flight to have students study and assign that part of the website as a web search with a question sheet. Or have students create their own journey by picking a learning path using Symbaloo Learning Paths, reviewed here, and then explain what they learn as they go through the activity in writing. Before writing, have students organize their thoughts about what they learn with a tool such as bubbl.us, reviewed here.
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Man Soars Into Flight - Resources - TeachersFirst
Grades
1 to 12
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This collection of flight-related resources was originally featured in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Wright Brothers historic 1903 accomplishments in Kitty Hawk. This collection...more
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This collection of flight-related resources was originally featured in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Wright Brothers historic 1903 accomplishments in Kitty Hawk. This collection provides many angles on the Wright brothers, flight, and the science and major figures involved in manned flight.
tag(s): famous people (23), flight (32), inventors and inventions (90), wright brothers (19)
In the Classroom
Use this collection as a starting point for flight-related investigations by student groups. This project could also be an option during a broader unit on invention or the lives of scientists or famous Americans. Ask students to create a multimedia "poster" depicting some aspect of the Wright Brothers' work or a principle of aerodynamics that made it all possible. Use a simple software tool such as PowerPoint or a rich, online tool such as Sway, reviewed here, to create and share the projects.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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