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Spreaker - Spreaker Online Radio
Grades
1 to 12
6 Favorites
0 Comments
Create a live Internet radio show -- free -- with Spreaker! This super easy online tool creates podcasts instantly for you to share with your own URL, on Facebook, Google ...more
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Create a live Internet radio show -- free -- with Spreaker! This super easy online tool creates podcasts instantly for you to share with your own URL, on Facebook, Google +, Soundcloud, Twitter, or add to the Spreaker website. Follow others, or invite others to follow your podcasts. With a click of a button you are creating a live podcast. To create a podcast you do not need Flash. However, there are several tutorials, and these tutorials require flash. There is a free version and a more deluxe premium version. This review is for the free version.
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This site includes advertising.
tag(s): communication (133), podcasts (81), radio (20)
In the Classroom
Enjoy a live radio show from your classroom! Publish written pieces of writing, science reports, social studies reports, and any other reports you would like to share. Create a New Book or Book Review podcast for the media center. Link to your podcast URL on your class website. Publish directions to projects, explanations for difficult concepts, or even a radio show of you reading your favorite books for your students. Have upper elementary students take turns reading aloud for a podcast aimed at little reading buddies in kindergarten. Allow students to podcast to "pen pals" in faraway places. Record your school choir, orchestra group, poetry club, or drama club doing their best work or dramatic readings of Shakespeare soliloquies. Take your school newspaper to a new level with recorded radio articles. Be sure to include interviews with students, teachers, principals, parents, authors, artists, and almost anyone. In younger grades, use to save an audio portfolio of reading fluency, expression, or to aid with running records or even include writing. Be sure do this regularly throughout the year to analyze growth. Have fun at Halloween with your Halloween station filled with favorite spooky stories! Welcome your students to a new school year by sending them your message. Create messages for classmates who move away. Bring your foreign language classes an extra resource of your pronunciations whenever they need more practice. ESL/ELL, special education classes can often benefit from the extra explanations, practice, and elaborated instructions given at their own pace. The possibilities are endless! The site itself is a "web 2.0," social networking style site, so some schools may have it blocked. Ask about unblocking just YOUR teacher account so you can have students access it while at school and under your supervision.Edge Features:
Parent permission advised before posting student work created using this tool
Includes Interaction w general public/ public galleries with unmoderated content
Includes social features, such as "friends," comments, ratings by others
Requires registration/log-in (WITH email)
Premium version (not free) includes additional features or storage
Products can be embedded
Products can be shared by URL
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Presentation Tube - Dr. Alaa Sadik
Grades
K to 12
6 Favorites
0 Comments
Add narration to your PowerPoint presentations to create a great resource for any use. Download Presentation Tube and use the video presentation recorder to produce high quality, easily...more
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Add narration to your PowerPoint presentations to create a great resource for any use. Download Presentation Tube and use the video presentation recorder to produce high quality, easily shared, interactive videos. Combine all parts of the lesson: video, PowerPoint, images, Web sites, and even handwritten notes into the presentation. Upload and publish the finished video presentations to Presentation Tube. You can also post the URL or use the embed code on your own website, Facebook, or Twitter.
tag(s): video (260)
In the Classroom
Be sure that your teaching style fits the use of Presentation Tube before using in the classroom. Easily create presentations for students to access. Be sure to play with the software before using to create your first real product. Provide links to presentations on your wiki, blog, site, or other courseware site.Time is always short in the classroom, and sometimes it's hard to make time for oral presentations. Have the students use Presentation Tube to report out their research, and you and their peers can watch it and grade it any time. Or, have students post their Presentation Tube to your web page or TeacherTube reviewed here, and they can view and peer evaluate the projects. You may want to create your own rubric with student input for this. See a selection of rubric makers here on TeachersFirst. Another idea would be to have students create a Presentation Tube for the results of their research, and then pause and comment during an oral presentation to the class. Students with speech difficulties or challenges with English fluency will appreciate the opportunity to prerecord their presentations without an audience. High school students can also narrate a portfolio slide show for Art school applications or a show of accomplishments for college applications. Students can package book reviews or author reports to be shared in the media center. In primary grades, have students narrate their portion of a whole-class slide show, then share it with parents and grandparents by url. They can practice oral reading as they share their story slides.
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Oolone Visual Search Engine - Oolone
Grades
1 to 12
4 Favorites
0 Comments
Oolone visual search engine searches the web and shows the results as thumbnail images of each webpage. Oolone is ideal for those who are visual learners. (If you often recognize ...more
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Oolone visual search engine searches the web and shows the results as thumbnail images of each webpage. Oolone is ideal for those who are visual learners. (If you often recognize sites by their look rather than their words, this tool will hep you find the site you recall but cannot name.) Although this search engine appears "plain vanilla," its best features aren't obvious until you start using it. Hover over the thumbnails to get an enlarged view of each site without having to leave your search results. This allows you to spend less time on sites that don't fit your needs. Oolone doesn't track you so no ads appear.
tag(s): search engines (49)
In the Classroom
This site is perfect for your visual learners or weaker readers. Use this site on an interactive whiteboard to show students how to search for information. Use the page counter to show students how different search terms provide different results. Place on your class webpage for students to access at school and home. Be sure to check out their education page where you can find lesson ideas. Learning support and ESL/ELL students will appreciate being able to search without as much reading. Even very young students can LOOK for a site using this search tool, assuming they can type just a little bit.
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Peter Rabbit Fun and Games - Frederick Warne & Co.
Grades
K to 4
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Bring Beatrix Potter's incredible artistry to life. This whole site is fashioned into a virtual popup book where you can meet the characters, watch videos of the stories, play games,...more
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Bring Beatrix Potter's incredible artistry to life. This whole site is fashioned into a virtual popup book where you can meet the characters, watch videos of the stories, play games, and find fun things to make and do offline. Try to "Find Peter" (before Mr. McGregor does!), take part in an Easter egg hunt, collect snowflakes to earn special downloads, help Peter find his way through a maze, and play a vegetable picking game. Read character descriptions of each of Beatrix Potter's characters and even watch video clips of Peter Rabbit. Create an interactive Peter Rabbit puppet show and star in the puppet show by uploading a picture. Teacher's resources include six learning modules and printable posters and certificates.
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This site includes advertising.
tag(s): authors (105), easter (10), eggs (5), holidays (167), literature (218), preK (258)
In the Classroom
Invite your students to star in their own puppet show. Each show will be unique as students make decisions about what will happen to their characters. Share the activities and stories on your projector or interactive whiteboard. Allow students to view each other's puppet shows. After reading through character descriptions, students can write their own Peter Rabbit tale, staying true to the character traits they read about on the site. Create a class book of the students stories (each student contributing 1-2 pages). Use an online tool such as Bookemon, reviewed here.
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Magic Tree House - Random House Children's Books
Grades
K to 4
3 Favorites
0 Comments
Explore Magic Tree House Books online. Enter the Tree House and collect stamps for your passport by answering questions about each of the books or learn more about the Magic ...more
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Explore Magic Tree House Books online. Enter the Tree House and collect stamps for your passport by answering questions about each of the books or learn more about the Magic Tree House books by reading excerpts. There are engaging online games and printable activities to play and screen savers and wallpapers to download. Most are educational; however some are just "for fun" games. Print many lesson ideas and activities from the teacher tree located on the site. Registration with email is required to receive a passport that can be stamped as each book is completed. Complete individual activities without a passport or registration.
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tag(s): book lists (162), guided reading (33), literature (218), quizzes (89)
In the Classroom
Use quizzes from the site for a fun way for students to check comprehension and reflect on reading. Print passports from the site and stamp student passports as they finish reading each book. Use one email address to register all students. Or read tips for safely managing email registrations here. If you are reading the Magic Tree House books to your students, create a class passport for the year. Your whole class can help answer the questions to earn the stamps.
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Infographic of Infographics - Ivan Cash
Grades
6 to 12
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0 Comments
This infographic depicts the trends and design strategies used to convey information in today's infographics. See stats on the visual devices used, topics, locations, and informational...more
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This infographic depicts the trends and design strategies used to convey information in today's infographics. See stats on the visual devices used, topics, locations, and informational elements that are "trending" in infographic use. Whether you are an analytic person or a visual one, this site make you stop and think.
tag(s): graphic design (48), infographics (57)
In the Classroom
If you are assigning students to create infographics, this is a must-share. Have students explore this in small groups then find examples of the trend they find most interesting. Share their finds on a projector or interactive whiteboard. Better yet, share them on your class wiki so students can refer back to these ideas when they are "stuck" working on their own visual products. Art teachers can use this as an entry point into a graphic design unit. Reading teachers can use this to help students interpret and analyze the graphics that often accompany informational texts.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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NfbKids - The National Film Board of Canada
Grades
K to 4
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Explore, learn, and have some fun at this engaging site create by the National Film Board of Canada. The site is divided into seven different sections, each offering activities based...more
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Explore, learn, and have some fun at this engaging site create by the National Film Board of Canada. The site is divided into seven different sections, each offering activities based on themes such as seasons, story telling, and experiments. Learn more about the site by following the tutorial on the Cuckoo section. Learn about the seasons as you explore Ludovic's area. Dog Run teaches about pet ownership and dogs in general. Be sure to check out the Fun Stuff section that contains a wonderful story boarding activity as well as several "create a character" options for storytelling fun! Account registration isn't required to use the site; however, creating an account allows you to save and access activities at a later time.
tag(s): digital storytelling (144), interactive stories (22), preK (258), puzzles (143), seasons (36), stories and storytelling (42)
In the Classroom
Use the Fun Stuff portion of the site for creative writing activities. Have students create characters then write stories based on their adventures. Use the story board portion of the site on your interactive whiteboard (or projector) to create a story as a class. Challenge students to create their own stories incorporating different elements discussed on the story board. Share stories and create videos of students reading their creations. Share the videos on a site such as TeacherTube reviewed here. If you teach an animal unit or have pets week, be sure to include Dog Run!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Word Confusion - FunBrain
Grades
3 to 9
1 Favorites
0 Comments
Word Confusion challenges you to choose the correct word to complete the sentence from the pair of homonyms. There is no log in or password required, so just go to ...more
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Word Confusion challenges you to choose the correct word to complete the sentence from the pair of homonyms. There is no log in or password required, so just go to the site and get started. Do you hope for a lot of presents or presence? Do sentences have a clause or claws? There are two levels of difficulty to choose from which provide examples that might even stump the class wizards.
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This site includes advertising.
tag(s): editing (90), homonyms (8), spelling (95), vocabulary (236)
In the Classroom
This is a fun, useful interactive to practice frequently misused words like principal and principle or there and their. Project it on your classroom projector or interactive whiteboard. Students tend to remember homonyms better when they practice them in a fun context rather than repeated drills. Save (or bookmark) this site in your favorites and link it to your class web page for students to access it easily from home or classroom computers. Assign it for independent practice while in the computer lab or as a go-to-activity when students finish an assignment ahead of time.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Storyboarder (was Storyboard Generator) - Australian Centre for the Moving Image
Grades
4 to 12
8 Favorites
0 Comments
Though this site is about storyboarding for videos, the storyboard template and concepts can be used for any storytelling (books, comics, short stories, etc.). Try out this tool demonstrating...more
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Though this site is about storyboarding for videos, the storyboard template and concepts can be used for any storytelling (books, comics, short stories, etc.). Try out this tool demonstrating storyboarding concepts. You can build your own storyboard using resources from the free media library. Be sure to watch the introductory video (2 minutes) to understand some of the terminology used on this site. Choose Storyboards by hand from the top menu bar. Follow the directions for reviewing "shot types." Next, scroll down the page to find a script "The Deal" and a "shot list" for beginners. Print the storyboard, and continue following directions. Then, watch the eight and one half minute on digital storyboarding. Your created script that can be embedded, linked, or shared. Be sure to check out the many instruction videos included on the site for tips on creating storyboards. Registration with email is required to share and save storyboards.
tag(s): comics and cartoons (54), digital storytelling (144), images (257)
In the Classroom
Demonstrate how to create and use a storyboard using this tool on your interactive whiteboard (or projector). View stories from the gallery for inspiration before attempting to have students create their own. Create a storyboard and share when teaching creative writing techniques or story mapping. Have students tell the story they have viewed. Challenge students to create a storyboard of readings recently finished in class as a review of characters and story plot. Use storyboards as the first step in planning larger projects from plays to videos.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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KizClub Learning Resources for Kids - KizClub.com
Grades
K to 3
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Practice alphabet recognition, sound/symbol relationships, and early reading skills through printable activities. Activities are geared towards the preschool and young elementary school...more
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Practice alphabet recognition, sound/symbol relationships, and early reading skills through printable activities. Activities are geared towards the preschool and young elementary school child. Print games that practice rhyming and upper and lowercase letter matching. Print and share stories or use the phonics lessons and activities about consonants, vowels, and more. Additionally, the site provides activities for early education topics such as animals, colors, and shapes. All activities are in PDF format and most are available to print in either black and white or color. Printables are certainly not "high tech," but sometimes they are just what you need.
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This site includes advertising.
tag(s): alphabet (51), phonics (50), preK (258), printables (37), sight words (22), sounds (43), spelling (95)
In the Classroom
Print and use activities from the site in your classroom as a supplement to current materials, for centers, or individualized activities. Send home activities from the site for extra practice. Share the site with parents through your classroom website or newsletter for additional home practice with language arts skills.
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Digital Booktalk - Florida Gulf Coast University
Grades
K to 12
7 Favorites
1 Comments
On the Digital Booktalk site, find high-quality book trailers that will whet your appetite for a good book. Search for books by content level and interests. Then click on a ...more
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On the Digital Booktalk site, find high-quality book trailers that will whet your appetite for a good book. Search for books by content level and interests. Then click on a book to be taken to the book's page. Included on each page is a short video (some created by students), book synopsis, Lexile level, publication date, the number of pages, genre, and ISBN. Teachers, library/media specialists, and students can join the project and contribute videos. Read the "UB the Director" area ( UB=You Be) for Lessons and Activities.
tag(s): book lists (162), independent reading (86)
In the Classroom
Digital Booktalk is an excellent place for students to start their search for a book that will hold their interest. Find a book trailer to introduce a novel that the whole class will be reading or set up classroom computers with a link to Digital Booktalk where students can be inspired to find their next read. Have students create their own book talks and submit to share the videos on Digital Booktalk, or use a tool such as TeacherTube, reviewed here. Share this site on your teacher web page for students and families to access during the summer.Comments
What a terrific summer resource for students and parents!Patricia, NJ, Grades: 6 - 12
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21 Must-Read Books - Asian Pacific American Heritage Month - Amer. Indian Lib. Assn & the Asian/Pacific American Lib. Assn.
Grades
K to 12
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Enjoy perusing this list of Asian American children's books, divided by age groups. The lists include a wide range of selections, from picture books to young adult books and poetry....more
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Enjoy perusing this list of Asian American children's books, divided by age groups. The lists include a wide range of selections, from picture books to young adult books and poetry. There is also a list of recommended authors and illustrators. If you are interested in similar book lists, TeachersFirst's CurriConnects found here offers several other curriculum-related, leveled booklists.
tag(s): asia (69), book lists (162), chinese (44), cross cultural understanding (155), hawaii (7), independent reading (86), japanese (47), korea (19), vietnam (35)
In the Classroom
Refer your class to this list for multicultural reading and reports. If you have any ESL/ELL students from these areas, they may enjoy reading literature from (or about) their homeland. Challenge students to read one of the books on this list and research the location. Have cooperative learning groups create a mash-up map using one of the many TeachersFirst Edge Tools reviewed here. Some tool suggestions are (click on the tool name to access the review): Google My Maps, Adobe Creative Cloud Express for Education, StoryMap JS, Renderforest, and Genially.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Pigeon Presents - Hyperion Books for Children
Grades
K to 3
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Pigeon Presents is the website for award winning author Mo Willems. There are interactives, printables, author information, and teacher guides. Try activities such as the Elephant and...more
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Pigeon Presents is the website for award winning author Mo Willems. There are interactives, printables, author information, and teacher guides. Try activities such as the Elephant and Piggie Dance Game or the coloring page of the month. Watch video interviews of the author explaining his background and how some of the book characters were created. Information for teachers includes posters and guides for teaching with the books that include pre-reading activities, discussion questions, and hidden information found in the illustrations (see "Grownup stuff"). Be sure to check out the More Mo! link to find more games, books, and activities featuring Mo's friends. Some annoying ads may precede access into the site.
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This site includes advertising.
tag(s): authors (105), literature (218), preK (258), printables (37)
In the Classroom
Be sur to explore the "grownup stuff" area for activity ideas. After reading a Mo Willems book, show a video interview on your interactive whiteboard (or projector) to help students understand the work that goes into creating books and developing characters. Use the site when teaching an author study unit on Mo Willems books. Posters available on the site are perfect for use on classroom bulletin boards along with displaying student writing.
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Surface Languages - Moonface
Grades
3 to 12
1 Favorites
0 Comments
Surface Languages is free site to learn basic survival words and phrases on a variety of topics in 37 different languages. Learn phrases in Afrikaans, Slovak, Arabic, Spanish, Bosnian,...more
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Surface Languages is free site to learn basic survival words and phrases on a variety of topics in 37 different languages. Learn phrases in Afrikaans, Slovak, Arabic, Spanish, Bosnian, Swahili, Bulgarian, Swedish, Catalan, Turkish, Chinese, Ukrainian, Croatian, Urdu, Czech, Welsh, Danish, Yiddish, Dutch, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Italian, Latin, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, and Russian. Phrases are organized into topics so use is simple. In addition to reading and hearing the words and phrases pronounced, the site has the capability of creating flash cards for each lesson. You choose yes or no to indicate if the card has the correct meaning. It also offers multiple choice items to test listening skills for the language and translating from English to the target language.
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This site includes advertising.
tag(s): arabic (13), chinese (44), cultures (132), french (74), german (48), greek (33), hebrew (16), italian (28), latin (22), phrases (6), portuguese (22), russian (24), spanish (105)
In the Classroom
This site would be very handy in introduction (and level 1) world language classes. Use this site as a learning station or center. Use this site as a reference for checking meanings of foreign words and phrases. Use this site when students are preparing a project about another culture. If you have students in world language, world culture, or even language arts classes who need enrichment - send them to this site to learn the basics of a new language or look for roots that show in English. self-motivated gifted students or those planning a semester abroad can learn language basics on their own here. Be sure to include this site during "Children of the World Day" or family heritage day activities.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Book TV - National Cable Satellite Corporation & C-SPAN
Grades
6 to 12
0 Favorites
0 Comments
Watch and listen as popular authors talk about their nonfiction books on this C-SPAN companion website. Book TV features 48 continuous hours of nonfiction books every weekend. You can...more
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Watch and listen as popular authors talk about their nonfiction books on this C-SPAN companion website. Book TV features 48 continuous hours of nonfiction books every weekend. You can easily explore the archived programs, video library, or books and topics by searching the title, author, category, keyword, or browsing all of the listings. Watch the online videos or listen to podcasts of interviews with the authors from Book TV's After Words. There is a lot here to explore, and it appears to be ever-growing! You can find past telecast videos on YouTube, as well, in case you want to be able to download them to use offline. Click the YouTube menu. If your district blocks YouTube, then they may not be viewable.
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This site includes advertising.
tag(s): biographies (95), independent reading (86), interviews (14), politics (113)
In the Classroom
Use the online resources from this website to accompany your nonfiction literature. This collection is particularly useful when reading about historical figures. Make books and authors come alive for your students by accessing and projecting videos on your interactive whiteboard and sharing "Book Notes," biographies, and more. Lure students into independent reading by allowing them to explore the videos and find a book they might enjoy reading. After viewing a program or reading a book, have students share their opinions in a multimedia presentation using one of the many TeachersFirst Edge tools reviewed here. Some tool suggestions are (click on the tool name to access the review): Adobe Creative Cloud Express for Education, Vevox, Animatron, Renderforest, and Canva Inforgraphic Maker.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Team Fink Book Groups: Extreme Speed Booking - Anastasis Academy
Grades
4 to 12
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0 Comments
Get inspired and motivated to explore different books with Extreme Speed Booking. Choose the "Books" tab to find a list of books. Take two minutes to look at the first ...more
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Get inspired and motivated to explore different books with Extreme Speed Booking. Choose the "Books" tab to find a list of books. Take two minutes to look at the first book. Click to go directly to the Amazon preview of the book, including several pages of the first chapter(s). When two minutes is up, record your impressions of the book and move on to the next one on the list. There is a "share page" option on the site to record responses; however, these go back to the site owners.
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This site includes advertising.
tag(s): book lists (162), independent reading (86), literature (218)
In the Classroom
Inspire reluctant or hesitant readers with this site. Have the entire class participate in one session. Ring a bell every two minutes, allow one minute for quick responses, then move on to the next book. Create your own recording document similar to the one on the site using Google Docs, reviewed here. Explore the Find a Book portion of the site and create your own Extreme Speed Booking site. Tailor it to your students' needs or class content using an easy to use website creator such as Weebly, reviewed here, or a class wiki. Have students create their own speed booking website based on books they enjoy reading. Create a graph to record students' interests in books to post for reading choices.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Reading Bear - Watch, Know, Learn
Grades
K to 2
9 Favorites
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Reading Bear is a systematic program that teaches beginning vocabulary and concepts while introducing phonics patterns. The Getting Started video gives an overview of the program...more
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Reading Bear is a systematic program that teaches beginning vocabulary and concepts while introducing phonics patterns. The Getting Started video gives an overview of the program as it explains the software, videos, and tips for using the system. Choose from any phonics sounds or start from the beginning of the program. Then choose from different video or slideshow tutorials (such as sound it out quickly, let me sound it out, or audio and silent sentences). As sounds are pronounced, the corresponding letter is highlighted. Quizzes are available at the end of each section. Choose from different settings to adjust font, letter color, or order of presentation. At the time of this review, 16 presentations are available. The goal of the site is to create a total of 50 presentations. So check back often. Some of the video clips are hosted on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, then they may not be viewable.
In the Classroom
This is an excellent resource for use on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Choose from the different options when presenting letter sounds in your classroom to present letters in different formats. Create a link on classroom computers to use as a phonics center activity. Share this site with parents through your classroom website or newsletter as a wonderful way to practice and learn letter sounds at home. Use this site with ESL/ELL students. Speech pathologists and special education teachers may want to bookmark this excellent site, too.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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TED - TED staff
Grades
6 to 12
3 Favorites
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TED is the home of the award-winning TEDTalks video site, a small nonprofit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. In the beginning, the TEDTalks mission was to bring together people from...more
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TED is the home of the award-winning TEDTalks video site, a small nonprofit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. In the beginning, the TEDTalks mission was to bring together people from three worlds: Technology, Entertainment, and Design. However, its scope has broadened to challenge the world's most fascinating thinkers and doers to give the talk of their lives (in approximately 18 minutes or less). At the time of this review, TED.com has more than 1,100 of the best talks and performances by speakers with powerful ideas from around the world. The talks are free and the collection continues to grow. The goal of the foundation is to foster the spread of great ideas, thus it aims to provide a platform for the world's smartest thinkers, greatest visionaries, and most-inspiring teachers, so that millions of people can gain a better understanding of the biggest issues faced by the world, and a desire to help create a better future. Easily search the site by topics, disciplines, newest releases, or most favorite. TEDTalks offers subtitles in various languages which enhances the accessibility for the hearing-impaired, and for those who speak English as a second language.
In the Classroom
If you are looking for a clearinghouse that offers free inspiration from the world's most inspired thinkers, this ever-evolving site is perfect for engaging your students with digital videos of the global issues facing our world today. Use your projector or interactive whiteboard to project videos. Watch your students' enthusiastic reactions in science, social studies, or English classrooms as they view a TED video and then follow-up with a debate on the future or the impact of technology on society, or use them as a springboard for interesting writing prompts or to spark a discussion connected with a unit of study. Challenge students to do a compare/contrast activity using an online Venn Diagram tool (reviewed here). Most of the videos are less than twenty minutes, which makes it real doable to embed in a one-period class lesson.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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ICT Games - Literacy - James Barrett
Grades
K to 5
8 Favorites
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Check out these free interactive literacy games for the emergent learner. Practicing basic skills is an entertaining experience at ICT Games. The skills include: spelling patterns,...more
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Check out these free interactive literacy games for the emergent learner. Practicing basic skills is an entertaining experience at ICT Games. The skills include: spelling patterns, phoneme patterns, phonics, blending sounds, high frequency words, beginning science vocabulary, using rhyming to read new and unfamiliar words, and reading for understanding. It also has interactive dictionaries for the beginner through upper elementary learner. There is no registration required. Note that the site is from England, so there are minor spelling and terminology differences from U.S. English in a few games. Preview the specific game to be sure.
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This site includes advertising.
tag(s): dictionaries (48), literacy (110), preK (258), reading comprehension (142), rhymes (21), science of reading (33), spelling (95)
In the Classroom
Use your projector and interactive whiteboard to introduce the site. You might start with "The Wordy Woods," an interactive resource for displaying useful words. Start by checking the lists, and have students identify words they've already learned in class. Populate the "woods" with those first. Save this! Then, as students learn new words have them fill in the forest.ENL/ELL students with emergent literacy skills will benefit from this site by practicing spelling and reading skills. Make a shortcut to this site on classroom computers and use it as a center. Use a program like Symbaloo, reviewed here, to create link shortcuts on your student computers. Include a link to the ITC Games on your classroom website or blog for students to practice at home. This is a great site for students to use for additional practice on a skill that is difficult.
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Oxford Owl Reading - Oxford University Press
Grades
K to 6
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Find pre-reading and beginning reading help for the very youngest readers through the pre-teen years. From phonics lessons to online books to story videos read by professional story...more
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Find pre-reading and beginning reading help for the very youngest readers through the pre-teen years. From phonics lessons to online books to story videos read by professional story tellers, this site offers comprehensive reading help and activities for educators and parents. There are plenty of activities that accompany the free e-books. Many other activities encourage reading. On the e-book page are also suggestions for other similar or related books. In addition, a special section addresses the problem of reluctant male readers. Assistance for instructors is also available. Accompanying book lists are arranged by level of reader interest. Although the site has links to books for purchase, there is enough free material to warrant inclusion in your reading helps lists. British English speakers read the e-books, so be prepared for the difference in accents.
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This site includes advertising.
tag(s): independent reading (86), preK (258), reading lists (79), reading strategies (98)
In the Classroom
Use this site as an anticipatory set or "activator" to introduce one of the free online books on a projector or interactive whiteboard. Then encourage students to use it individually or in pairs. Refer your ENL/ESL and learning support students to this site for extra, assisted reading practice.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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