TeachersFirst - What's Popular

This page shares the 25 resources most frequently marked as Favorites by TeachersFirst Members in the past 60 days. See what tops the list of TeachersFirst's database of well over 15,000+ educator-reviewed web resources. Find out what other teachers are excited about. Not a TeachersFirst member yet? See the time saving benefits of free TeachersFirst membership.
Media Smarts - Canada's Centre for Digital and Media Literacy
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): media literacy (88)
In the Classroom
Bookmark this site to explore and use with lessons related to digital and media literacy. Share articles on gender and body image with students. Engage students by having them create a word cloud of the important terms they learn from this site using a tool such as WordItOut, reviewed here. Enhance learning by having students find examples on T.V. and use an online poster creator, such as PicLits, reviewed here to demonstrate examples. Give students a choice and have students create a simple infographic sharing their findings using Venngage, reviewed here, instead of the poster.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Teaching Digital Citizenship - Cable Impacts
Grades
4 to 8tag(s): copyright (43), cyberbullying (44), digital citizenship (78), media literacy (88), plagiarism (30)
In the Classroom
At the beginning of the year, use the lessons included as a basis for developing a school digital citizenship program or even use with your own class. Use at a parents' informational night to describe the type of lessons that help address responsible digital citizens. Post a link on your class website for parents to view at home. Create a school mission statement regarding technology use or rules for technology. When doing research projects, be sure to review. If you want to use the Media Literacy YouTube videos, consider flipping your classroom and having students to watch the videos residing on YouTube at home, you may want to use edpuzzle, reviewed here, to add your own voice or add questions within the video and hold students accountable.Comments
This is an articulate and smart program. The videos and materials support the three strands of digital citizenship: safety and security; literacy; and ethical and responsible use.Patricia, NJ, Grades: 6 - 12
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Teacherstack - Teacherstack
Grades
K to 6tag(s): classroom management (136), Teacher Utilities (125)
In the Classroom
Use Teacherstack to manage everyday classroom routines easily. Display on your whiteboard to help students understand group rotation schedules, use the time and transition sound to keep everyone on schedule. Start with longer transition times as you introduce station rotations, then reduce the time as students understand rotation procedures. Create a to-do list to display and share with reminders of upcoming events throughout the day. A to-do list is beneficial for use on days when there are disruptions to normal routines and schedules, such as early release days or special events.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Teachers' Guide to Cranky Uncle - John Cook
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): DAT device agnostic tool (134), digital citizenship (78), game based learning (158), internet safety (110), media literacy (88), social media (44)
In the Classroom
Add this game to your toolkit of lessons and activities when teaching Internet safety and media literacy skills. The Teachers' Guide already includes many ideas on integrating the game into classroom lessons and includes using technology to enhance and extend learning. Use these ideas as a starting point to build student engagement and help them understand the real-world applications for the information found in the game. For example, use the suggested Padlet, reviewed here, activity to compile quiz questions as suggested in Activity 5. After completing that activity, have students create their own videos, fake social media posts, or news articles that contain misinformation and create quiz questions for their peers to complete. Adobe Creative Cloud Express for Education, reviewed here, is an excellent tool for students to use when creating websites, flyers, and infographics. As a final project, and to extend learning, have students share what they learned with others by producing podcasts using Buzzsprout, reviewed here, or digital books for younger students using Book Creator, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: Tech Integration Made Easy with Animoto - TeachersFirst
Grades
2 to 12Engage students...more
Engage students and deepen content area knowledge by using Animoto to create instructional videos. Use text, audio, and video to provide additional context to content area instruction for your students or use student-created videos as formative assessment. Learn with other educators and brainstorm ways you and your students can use Animoto in the classroom. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Learn basic use of Animoto; 2. Explore three different ways to use Animoto in the classroom; and 3. Plan for the use of Animoto in instruction. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): Formative Assessment (44), professional development (304), video (243)
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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Vizzlo - Vizzlo.com
Grades
K to 12tag(s): charts and graphs (164), data (132)
In the Classroom
Bookmark this site to share data through many different formats and representations. Collect data in your classroom and quickly create a graph to represent it, then choose another design to share the data in another way. Share your charts by adding links or uploading images to blogs, wikis, or websites--share graphs on an interactive whiteboard or projector for better data analysis by the class. Graph results of a test, answers from students, favorite foods, fictitious budgets, class schedules, and anything applicable in your classroom. Use an informational text, and have students create a pie chart to understand how to read charts accompanying the nonfiction texts. Have cooperative learning groups create graphs to share on the class wiki. Create quick pie charts on your interactive whiteboard whenever you count class votes or encounter other data so students "see" data visualized regularly; visual students will have another way to absorb the information. Keep the link handy on your web page for you and your students to access it quickly in or out of class.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Mind Over Media - Media Education Lab
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): advertising (23), critical thinking (104), OER (39), propaganda (9)
In the Classroom
Discover the many ready-to-go free lesson ideas to include with classroom discussions of propaganda and persuasive advertising techniques. Share the Learn section with students as part of a flipped lesson, then have students provide examples of propaganda they find on TV or the Internet. Ask students to find advertising demonstrating two opposing points of view, then, with younger or less technically experienced students, use an online tool such as Interactive Two Circle Venn Diagram, reviewed here, to compare and contrast information found. With older or more technically experienced students, use a tool such as XMind, reviewed here, to create a chart or mind map to make the comparison.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Twitter Chat: Tech Tools for Collaboration - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12tag(s): collaboration (82), twitterchatarchive (136)
In the Classroom
Find tech tools to foster student collaboration! Share this chat with your colleagues looking for sites and information related to collaboration. Explore the various tools that are shared.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Project-Based Learning - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12tag(s): problem solving (219), Project Based Learning (13)
In the Classroom
Find new tools to try in your classroom to create project-based learning! Each review includes classroom use ideas. Read the details of each tool and find the ones that will work best for your students.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Problem-Based Learning Resources - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12tag(s): Problem Based Learning (12), problem solving (219), STEM (227)
In the Classroom
Help your students to practice problem-solving skills using these engaging resources. Share these resources with your colleagues and school parents by emailing the page or sharing the link from your school web page and in your school newsletter.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Certify'em - Gleeda Software, LLC
Grades
K to 12tag(s): assessment (122), Teacher Utilities (125)
In the Classroom
Certify'em is an excellent addition to every Google Forms members' toolbox. Create and share certificates with students for successful completion of quizzes and tests. Use Certify'em as a means for differentiating instruction by allowing students to take a pre-assessment test before starting a new unit. If they obtain a certificate, offer an alternative extended learning activity. Use this add-on to "certify" students for various classroom needs, such as learning safety procedures before starting a science lab activity or to "certify" students to take care of class pets.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Twitter Chat: The Essentials of ePortfolios - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12tag(s): portfolios (24), twitterchatarchive (136)
In the Classroom
Find resources and information about ePortfolios. Share this chat with your colleagues looking for tools and resources on ePortfolios.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Wheel of Names - Martin Omander and Google
Grades
K to 12tag(s): classroom management (136), preK (239), Teacher Utilities (125)
In the Classroom
Use the Wheel of Names to randomly call students during class discussions. Add images instead of names to make the wheel more interesting. In addition to the obvious use for calling names, use this random wheel in a variety of different ways. Add dates onto the wheel when reviewing events in history, review vocabulary, instead of student names add character names from novels for students to discuss, add books to determine the next read-aloud, the list goes on and on! Be sure to save the wheel with the names of class members so that it is ready to go at any time.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: Resource Roundup: Free Tools from the Edge - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12Looking for new tech...more
Looking for new tech tools? Go to the cutting edge with TeachersFirst! Discover tools you and your students can use to create images, timelines, whiteboards, mind maps, and more. Learn how the TeachersFirst Edge collection is organized so you can find a tool that fits your needs. Get inspired and explore classroom applications for time-saving tools in this fast-paced session. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Explore the categories and tools reviewed in TeachersFirst Edge; 2. Plan to implement an Edge resource for student-centered use as part of an upcoming teaching unit; and 3. Use an Edge tool to create an instructional learning object. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): professional development (304)
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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Wordle - Josh Wardle
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): game based learning (158), puzzles (143), vocabulary (230)
In the Classroom
Include Wordle as part of daily classroom activities in many ways. For example, ask students to solve Wordle individually or as part of a collaborative group. Encourage students to discuss helpful strategies in solving the puzzle, such as starting words that include several vowels--experiment by beginning with the same word each day or using different daily choices. Create a daily graph that shares the results of your class's attempts in solving the daily puzzle. Data Gif Maker, reviewed here, is a very easy to use graphing tool to quickly share results. Consider making personalized Wordles based on reading vocabulary, science terms, or student names using My Wordle, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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My Wordle - Pallav Agarwal and Pulkit Agarwal
Grades
K to 12tag(s): ELL/ESL (20), game based learning (158), sight words (22), spelling (90), vocabulary (230)
In the Classroom
Use this Wordle generator in various ways in any classroom for increasing problem-solving and strategy skills. When using with young students, generate three or four-letter Wordles for students to attempt with partners. Provide a list of sight words if needed to avoid frustration. When teaching older students, develop Wordles to solve using vocabulary words, weekly spelling lists, science terms, or historical characters. Provide this site to students and create Wordles to share with their peers. Include a link on classroom computers during computer centers or as an activity when finished with daily assignments. Using this site is an excellent way to include ENL/ESL students in classroom activities by creating a word from their native language. Include others in your school community or parents by developing and sharing Wordles for your school or classroom site. Your imagination only limits the possibilities of creating and sharing personalized Wordles!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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LanguageTool - LanguageTool.org
Grades
K to 12tag(s): editing (79), french (71), german (45), grammar (135), portuguese (21), spanish (97), spelling (90), writing (289)
In the Classroom
Use this visual revision program with students who are ready to refine and improve their writing. Have students copy and paste writing projects into the text editor for a final check for spelling and grammar mistakes after making their last revisions. Continued use of a language checking tool helps students correct writing on their own after seeing common errors in their writing. Never send out a newsletter or post to your web page with spelling or grammar errors again! Use LanguageTool to spell check and suggest corrections for any published writing projects.Comments
Good contentSajit, ZAC, Grades: 8 - 12
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Open Up Resources - Open Up Resources
Grades
K to 8tag(s): data (132), decimals (89), differentiation (68), exponents (36), factoring (25), fractions (164), guided reading (35), measurement (130), OER (39), remote learning (51), transformations (12), writing (289)
In the Classroom
Include this site to supplement your current ELA and math curriculum. Use the resources to differentiate instruction for gifted students in lower grades or as remediation for struggling students in older grades. Be sure to take advantage of the family materials providing explanations of math content and strategies for problem-solving. Use the student materials for differentiating instruction, as homework, or in remote learning situations. Have students share their math explanations, reading strategies and more with video explanations using a tool like Flip, reviewed here. Flip provides a tool for video responses to a question along with comments from peers. Extend learning by asking students to create and share their own math problems, along with suggestions for learning. Use a tool like Sway, reviewed here. Sway is a presentation tool that offers multimedia options, including text, video, and images.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: 3 Cool Tools for Digital Portfolios - TeachersFirst
Grades
3 to 12There are many reasons...more
There are many reasons to use portfolios in the classroom - documenting student growth, reflecting on assignments, and developing communication skills are just a few. But once you've decided to implement them, how do you decide what tools will work best for your class? Join us and learn about free digital portfolio tools that can be used in multiple instructional settings. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Learn about three tools for creating student portfolios; 2. Share ideas on ways to use portfolios; and 3. Plan to use portfolios in your instructional setting. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): portfolios (24), professional development (304)
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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Free Avatar Creator - Adobe Express
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): creativity (94), emotions (45), faces (6), social and emotional learning (61)
In the Classroom
Include this site in many classroom activities in many different learning activities. For example, ask students to design an avatar for a character in a book they are reading and add text about their character. Create avatars for famous people in history to summarize their stories. Ask students to create avatars to use for reports and blog posts. For example, when using Edublogs, reviewed here, ask students to add their avatar image to their blog post as a replacement for a picture. Ask students to create avatars for parent/teacher conferences. When conferencing with the parent, share their student's avatar on the interactive whiteboard or within your remote conferencing app. Ask the student to include text that tells about their educational progress. Use avatars as part of social-emotional learning lessons to share their emotions using the characters and features found within the avatar templates.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Twitter Chat: Make That MakerSpace! - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12tag(s): collaboration (82), makerspace (42), STEM (227), twitterchatarchive (136)
In the Classroom
Find tools and resources to create or expand a makerspace! Share this chat with your colleagues looking for sites and information related to makerspaces. Explore the various tools that are shared.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: Supporting Students Learning English as a New Language (ENL) with Google Tools - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12Do you work with students...more
Do you work with students whose primary language is not English? Google's suite of free products includes several features that can help your students leverage their native language as they practice literacy skills. Join this session to learn about Google tools that will support your students learning English as a New Language (ENL). As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Understand instructional approaches that are consistent with Universal Design for Learning (UDL); 2. Learn about tools that facilitate UDL practices in support of ENL students; and 3. Plan for the instructional use of the UDL-friendly strategies taught. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): ELL/ESL (20), Google (36), professional development (304)
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: 3 Cool Tools for Curation - TeachersFirst
Grades
2 to 12Want to help students...more
Want to help students work on their critical thinking skills? Teach them to be curators! Curation is a skill that supports student knowledge creation and encourages analysis. In this session you will learn the basics of curation for digital learning and how to integrate curation into class projects. Leave with an example collection that demonstrates what you've learned about the topic. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Understand the dual approach to curation; 2. Explore three tools students can use to curate web-based items; and 3. Learn how the use of curation can support student knowledge creation. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): curation (28), professional development (304)
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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Ruff Ruffman - Humble Media Genius - PBS Kids
Grades
1 to 6tag(s): digital citizenship (78), internet safety (110)
In the Classroom
Introduce Ruff Ruffman with a projector or interactive whiteboard, showing students all of the different questions Ruff will answer. Then either view the video shorts and quizzes as a class, or allow students to view the video shorts and take the interactive quizzes at a computer center. As a substitute for paper and pencil, have students use a video response tool like Flip, reviewed here, to reflect on their learning and share tips for their peers. To extend student learning, require students to view their peer's reflections and make thoughtful comments.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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ytCropper - 10 Best Design
Grades
K to 12tag(s): conversions (33), movies (55), video (243)
In the Classroom
Use ytCropper to highlight specific information from YouTube videos for student use. After creating a shortened clip, encourage students to predict what comes next or use the segment before showing the entire video. Flip your classroom and ask students to use ytCropper to share important information from videos or highlight portions that need further clarification. Using shorter video segments offers many opportunities to use video clips within other online tools. For example, have students change their learning by creating a ThingLink, reviewed here, including a shortened video clip, images, and text to describe the stages of plant growth, introduce a political figure, or provide background for a novel. Thinglink presents a variety of levels for technology use depending on teacher requirements for the project, or even student ability; it allows for adding narration, videos, text and links to help explain what certain parts of the topic are about. Ask students to include shorter clips within multimedia projects created using a tool like Adobe Creative Cloud Express for Education, reviewed here, to redefine classroom technology use and their learning and understanding.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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