We are currently verifying that these resources no longer use Adobe Flash and will update the reviews shortly.
1410 Results | sort by:
The Enormous Kinder-Garden - Hubbard's Cupboard
Grades
K to 1
0 Favorites
0 Comments
The Enormous "Kinder" Garden is a lengthy theme unit for kindergarten classrooms that utilizes rich literature and tremendous cross-curricular activities. The unit touches upon several...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
The Enormous "Kinder" Garden is a lengthy theme unit for kindergarten classrooms that utilizes rich literature and tremendous cross-curricular activities. The unit touches upon several learning styles and national standards. It is a detailed and user-friendly theme that will have children completely immersed. The literature includes The Enormous Watermelon, The Enormous Potato, Jack and the Beanstalk , and others. Try adding the site ChooseMyPlate (reviewed here) and healthy eating habits to weave the district Health curriculum into the unit.
tag(s): myplate (18)
In the Classroom
Have students go on a simple, primary web quest for additional information relating to the foods listed in the theme. Use time in the computer lab or in small groups on a classroom computer cluster.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Book Wizard - Scholastic
Grades
K to 12
0 Favorites
0 Comments
Wizards perform magical feats, and this book wizard proves to be equally supernatural. Claiming to be the first book search engine for teachers, it is built on a database of ...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
Wizards perform magical feats, and this book wizard proves to be equally supernatural. Claiming to be the first book search engine for teachers, it is built on a database of 50,000 books from all publishers. Snazzy tools allow you to see the reading level of any book in several leveling systems, and use the BookAlike tool to see what books are similar to a particular well-loved book. Use the Discover New Books tool and you will find ready-made, themed lists. The Leveling Chart to find books by Guided Reading, Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA), and Lexile'''® Levels. This gives you the opportunity to buy them from Scholastic, but check your library first to find a free copy to use in class. Matching the right book to each individual student has never been easier.
tag(s): book lists (162), reading lists (79)
In the Classroom
Teachers, make sure your librarian and even parents know about this wonderful web tool. This could be set up as the homepage for several computers in the library, so students can plug in their levels, their interests, and then enjoy the book recommendations.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Rating (click star to set rating):
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Audio Stories for Children - Light Up Your Brain
Grades
K to 5
0 Favorites
0 Comments
Chuck Brown, the host of Light Up Your Brain , takes readers on audio adventures of timeless classics such as Cinderella and Peter Rabbit, as well as other various ...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
Chuck Brown, the host of Light Up Your Brain , takes readers on audio adventures of timeless classics such as Cinderella and Peter Rabbit, as well as other various stories. Mr. Brown records the stories and provides them on his web site for FREE! The site also offers user-friendly directions for listening and downloading the stories. You can download the stories as a zip file or use Windows Media Player. You can get Windows Media Player from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page..
tag(s): folktales (34)
In the Classroom
Use the stories during listening centers or as enrichment to a theme or shared/group reading during class. Play the stories on an interactive whiteboard or projector and have students draw pictures of the story. If copies of the story are available, have students follow along with a partner during the audio reading. Learning support teachers will like the option of offering stories in audio to help weaker readers.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Rating (click star to set rating):
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Mysterious Places: Ancient Civilizations Modern Mysteries - Mysterious Places
Grades
4 to 12
1 Favorites
0 Comments
Students are always fascinated by the mysteries of the past, and wondering how those in ancient history managed feats of construction that would be difficult even today. Perhaps nothing...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
Students are always fascinated by the mysteries of the past, and wondering how those in ancient history managed feats of construction that would be difficult even today. Perhaps nothing sparks student interest more than the phrase, "no one knows". This site seeks to explore several "mysterious places" in the world--places whose origins or purposes are lost to antiquity. Currently, the featured locations include Easter Island, Stonehenge, Chichen Itza, and the Maya (still under construction). Each section contains stunning photography, and a variety of resources on the history and mystery of the site. A section entitled "educator link" promises lesson plans and other teachers' resources, but is not finished. The site offers great potential, some of which has already been realized. It's worth checking out now, even though the Mayan links aren't available, and perhaps in the future when more of its resources are up and running.
In the Classroom
This site might be offered to students doing independent research or included as "real" mysteries during a reading or literature unit on mysteries. The information could augment a lesson plan from a standard text with its lovely photos. It could be an option for exploration by accelerated students who have completed a unit on ancient history. Teachers should be aware that there is an on-line forum as a part of this site which requires registration. Its content is completely peripheral to the site, and students should simply be instructed to avoid it.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Rating (click star to set rating):
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Hubbard's Cupboard - a joyful journey into learning - Hubbard's Cupboard
Grades
K to 1
2 Favorites
0 Comments
Hubbard's Cupboard provides early learning through reading activities, math connections, and art projects. The activities are user-friendly and are geared toward primary students. ...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
Hubbard's Cupboard provides early learning through reading activities, math connections, and art projects. The activities are user-friendly and are geared toward primary students.
tag(s): easter (10), eggs (5), holidays (167), literacy (110)
In the Classroom
Use the site as a guide for planning a traditional holiday celebration in your classroom!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Rating (click star to set rating):
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Reading A to Z - learninga-z.com
Grades
K to 6
1 Favorites
0 Comments
This site has downloadable, leveled reading books for sale, but there are plenty of free stories with illustrations. Along with the stories are worksheets to test reading comprehension,...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
This site has downloadable, leveled reading books for sale, but there are plenty of free stories with illustrations. Along with the stories are worksheets to test reading comprehension, focus on grammar from the stories, and review what took place in the story. The stories are organized by reading level, from A to Z. New free offerings appear frequently. Schools can apply for a free trial to check out the full offerings. Some stories are available in Spanish. The site offers other genres for free download including poetry, comics, pocket books, alphabet books, and wordless books. Phonics books complete the offerings.
Caution: although you are able to use many of these items for free, most downloads ask that you input your email address. You can bypass this by clicking submit without inputting your email address.
Caution: although you are able to use many of these items for free, most downloads ask that you input your email address. You can bypass this by clicking submit without inputting your email address.
tag(s): reading comprehension (142), worksheets (70)
In the Classroom
The books can be projected on an interactive whiteboard for students to highlight new vocabulary, signal words, etc. with their fingers then read independently. You may want to create a guided reacing activity using Read Ahead, reviewed here. Tell your students' parents about this site to encourage them to read or download and print more stories for their children. Include the link in your class newsletter or on your website. Beginning readers, ELL, and ENL students will enjoy the wordless books whose stories they can tell themselves or tell in their own languages. Students may want to make up their own wordless picture books after seeing some of these examples.
This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.
Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Rating (click star to set rating):
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Webbing into Literacy - University of Virginia Curry School of Education
Grades
K to 1
1 Favorites
0 Comments
Putting books into homes may be a daunting task; however, putting activity cards with well-loved nursery rhymes is more attainable. That is the philosophy behind this site, intended...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
Putting books into homes may be a daunting task; however, putting activity cards with well-loved nursery rhymes is more attainable. That is the philosophy behind this site, intended to put quality literature with accompanying activities into the hands of beginning readers. Use the menu bar at the top of the homepage to find a bundle of activities. From alphabet learning to simple reading of nursery rhymes and easy poems, this site will load your files with quality activities for the younger crowd and their families.
tag(s): alphabet (51), nursery rhymes (9), rhymes (21)
In the Classroom
Kindergarten teachers, make activity centers using these easy-to-print worksheets or send them home in a learning packet for additional practice. Intended for Head Start teachers, you will find most activities are perfect for Kindergarten students.
This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.
Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Rating (click star to set rating):
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
D.E.A.R. Day, April 12th - Reading Rockets
Grades
K to 12
0 Favorites
0 Comments
Promote reading by encouraging school-wide participation in the Drop Everything And Read campaign. If not school-wide, then definitely set aside 30 minutes on April 12 (or a nearby...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
Promote reading by encouraging school-wide participation in the Drop Everything And Read campaign. If not school-wide, then definitely set aside 30 minutes on April 12 (or a nearby date if April 12 falls on a weekend) to show that reading comes first. At this site, families are encouraged to read for 30 minutes, but teachers will glean essential information to make the event effective. This date has been chosen in honor of Beverly Cleary's birthday. Find information about some of her famous book characters, books suggestions, D.E.A.R. activity suggestions, reproducible pages, and more at this site.
tag(s): independent reading (86)
In the Classroom
Make sure you post this site's link to your teacher web page to encourage family reading on April 12. Teachers, click on the "Resources on silent reading" link to find free teacher resources to promote D.E.A.R.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Rating (click star to set rating):
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
UsingEnglish.com - UsingEnglish.com
Grades
5 to 12
0 Favorites
0 Comments
Check this site for things you need to help for ESL/ELL students. You will find lesson plans, reference links, grammar practice, reading comprehension work, tests, word lists for specific...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
Check this site for things you need to help for ESL/ELL students. You will find lesson plans, reference links, grammar practice, reading comprehension work, tests, word lists for specific tests, vocabulary offerings, professional articles, and more. The site is easy to searchand well organized, present exercises and tests in a consistent and easy to read format. The "question bank" offers difficult grammar points in a poll format, with results constantly renewed; some answers are obviously wrong, but grammar, too, has its debatable points! With free membership registration, teachers get access to even more activities, exercises, quizzes, games, a newsletter, and more. NOTE: There is a Forum (bulletin board) feature on this site. If your school does not permit students to use such tools, be sure to spell out the consequences as you tell students to avoid that area.
In the Classroom
Regular classroom teachers will want to use this site with ESL and ELL students fwhen they need a quick review on a specific grammar point. Use the professional articles for your own edification as well as links to other topics of interest.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Rating (click star to set rating):
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Junie B. Jones - Random House
Grades
1 to 5
3 Favorites
0 Comments
Cool Junie B. Jones activities abound at this fun site. Just click on the activities link to access the official scrapbook, joke book, diplomas, crafts, and much more. To learn ...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
Cool Junie B. Jones activities abound at this fun site. Just click on the activities link to access the official scrapbook, joke book, diplomas, crafts, and much more. To learn more about Barbara Park, the creator/author of Junie B. Jones, click on her biography. Of course, you'll want to begin your site tour by reading Junie's letter on the first link. Download a free Junie B. Jones screensaver to show your support of this famous character. Though the games still require Flash, nothing else does.
tag(s): printables (37)
In the Classroom
Have a Junie B. Jones Day and enjoy doing the many activities suggested at the site. Recruit a parent to round up the craft materials.Along with book reports, have a Junie "Show and Tell" of creative items to celebrate this famous character. Send a Junie e-card to invite other classes, via the link on the Activities page. Share this link on your teacher web page to promote independent reading, as well.
This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.
Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Rating (click star to set rating):
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
The World of Beverly Cleary - Beverly Cleary
Grades
1 to 7
1 Favorites
0 Comments
Ramona fans will celebrate when they visit this site. Watch the Today video On Beverly Cleary Turning 100. Look for oodles of background information for the Beverly Cleary's books on...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
Ramona fans will celebrate when they visit this site. Watch the Today video On Beverly Cleary Turning 100. Look for oodles of background information for the Beverly Cleary's books on your shelf.Take quizzes for how well you know the characters. Access author info and character studies with a click. There is even a link for Fun and Games. Bring your Cleary unit to life with this site. There area printable "Reading Guides" and"Teachering Guides" that require Adobe Acrobat.
tag(s): authors (105)
In the Classroom
Your class may want to send Ms. Cleary an old-fashioned snail mail letter, using her address at the bottom of her biography page. Instructions on how to have a successful Ramona party is at the bottom of the Fun and Games page. Have your students choose famous Cleary characters and compete answering the Trivia questions also found at Fun and Games. Include this page as a link from your teacher web page for students to access outside of class or when writing book reports.
This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.
Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Rating (click star to set rating):
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Writing Prompts/Journal Topics - CanTeach
Grades
2 to 8
0 Favorites
0 Comments
Are you continually looking for writing prompt ideas? As the title suggests, this site provides a lengthy list of simple writing prompts. The prompts could easily be tailored to grade...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
Are you continually looking for writing prompt ideas? As the title suggests, this site provides a lengthy list of simple writing prompts. The prompts could easily be tailored to grade level and writing ability as needed.
tag(s): writing (317), writing prompts (58)
In the Classroom
Use these prompts for morning work, journaling or blogging. Cut prompts into strips and place in a grab-bag. Have students "pull-a-prompt" from the grab bag as a guided reading center or after-lunch activity. The prompts could also be used as conversation starters during morning meetings.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Rating (click star to set rating):
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Interactives: Elements of a Story - Annenberg Media
Grades
1 to 5
5 Favorites
0 Comments
"A good story is like tasty soup." This website shares the secrets of creating a good story. They use the motivating story of Cinderella to share the elements of ...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
"A good story is like tasty soup." This website shares the secrets of creating a good story. They use the motivating story of Cinderella to share the elements of a good story: Setting, Characters, Sequence, Exposition, Conflict, Climax, and Resolution . After reading the story and learning about the important elements, students are challenged to create a story of their own.
tag(s): characterization (16), conflict resolution (9), folktales (34), plot (9), sequencing (17), setting (4), writing (317)
In the Classroom
What a motivating writing resource! Use your interactive whiteboard (or projector) to share this animated story of Cinderella. Continue the group activity by sharing the various elements of a good story. Ask your students to provide examples of other stories that offer great settings, characters, sequence, and other elements of a good story. Use Padlet, reviewed here, to create this list. Then brainstorm as a class a list of 4-5 ideas for each of the elements for a new story. Have a competent student (or yourself) type the ideas into Padlet or a document on a projector or write on the interactive whiteboard. Display the brainstorming lists of ideas for students to use to create their own stories. Or drag the possibilities into different combinations on the whiteboard. Allow the students to "think outside the box" and use ideas other than those listed on the screen.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Rating (click star to set rating):
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Literature Board Games - Gary Brooks
Grades
7 to 12
1 Favorites
0 Comments
This site is a practical explanation of how to create board games based on literature students have read. It gives the list of supplies needed and suggestions on how to ...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
This site is a practical explanation of how to create board games based on literature students have read. It gives the list of supplies needed and suggestions on how to encourage students to be original.
tag(s): literature (218)
In the Classroom
Using this idea as a "final" evaluation of text is a good way for students to remember. A more technologically advanced idea is for students to create a PowerPoint game or other multimedia presentation. Have the students share their projects on an interactive whiteboard or projector. Board games are also a more innovative way to have students do individual book reports, particularly if several students in the class are reading the same book.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Rating (click star to set rating):
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Loud Lit - Loudlit.org
Grades
1 to 12
2 Favorites
0 Comments
Loud Lit offers "literature for your ears and eyes" (although the site's visual appearance is quite plain!). This collaborative project with public domain offers recorded literature....more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
Loud Lit offers "literature for your ears and eyes" (although the site's visual appearance is quite plain!). This collaborative project with public domain offers recorded literature. You are given the options of listening to the literature, listening and reading the literature, or downloading the literature to an MP3 player. The number of items available for public use is constantly increasing. The current contents include novels, poetry, classic children's literature, a few historical items, and classic short stories. Some examples of the available literature includes A Tale of Two Cities, The Little Match Girl, The Gift of the Magi, The Declaration of Independence, The Gettysburg Address, and countless others. A separate column lets you know about newly recorded items.
tag(s): audio books (23), declaration of independence (15), gettysburg (15), gettysburg address (11), literature (218), poetry (190)
In the Classroom
This site is helpful for many subjects and grade levels. Have students use this website when they have to memorize poetry, the Gettysburg Address, or the Declaration of Independence. ESL and ELL students and many learning support students will benefit from the option of "reading" in multi-media format. Use the audio stories with younger students for listening skills. During a poetry unit, why not have students choose one of the poems to read and listen to? Have the students analyze and write in their journal about what they think the poem means. Replace paper journals by using a blog tool like edublogs, reviewed here. Then have the students share the original poem and their own opinions with the class, making this activity a listening, reading, writing, and speaking lesson. If you are into podcasting, enhance learning by encouraging students to create some of their own poetry readings with commentary.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Rating (click star to set rating):
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Lil' Fingers - David Lumerman
Grades
K to 1
1 Favorites
0 Comments
Little fingers meet big fun at this free interactive website. Designed with toddlers and Kindergarten kiddies in mind, this site offers storybooks, interactive games, holiday activities,...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
Little fingers meet big fun at this free interactive website. Designed with toddlers and Kindergarten kiddies in mind, this site offers storybooks, interactive games, holiday activities, coloring sheets, and much more. There are even interactive games for ABCs and telling time. Bright colors, quick loading pages, short stories, and extra large buttons (arrows) are just some of the features that make this site easy to use. When viewing the storybooks, just make sure you are not too hasty to click. Clicking your mouse too early may mean missing out of some of the animation. Warning - at the end of each storybook, a recommended book is featured. If you click on that recommendation, you will be taken to a retail book site.
In the Classroom
Primary teachers, make simple printed text from the storybooks to reinforce the reading skills. Use the holiday games to liven up your computer centers. During Kindergarten Open House, set up a computer center with the storybooks--ready for parent/child interaction. ESL and ELL teachers will appreciate the simplicity of the text for their beginning English-learner students.Be sure to provide this link in your class newsletter or on your class website.
This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.
Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Rating (click star to set rating):
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
The Case Files - The Franklin Institute
Grades
4 to 12
1 Favorites
0 Comments
This wonderfully informative website provides numerous "case files" about many famous people from the world of science and technology. There are five major areas including computing,...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
This wonderfully informative website provides numerous "case files" about many famous people from the world of science and technology. There are five major areas including computing, transportation, cosmic inquiry, energy, and communications. Click the names of the famous people to learn more about their specific inventions and/or contributions to science and technology. The downloadable PDF also includes images of artifacts from each scientist's life: diaries, writings, and more. Numerous famous scientists and inventors are included (Alexander Graham Bell, William Jennings, Marie Curie, Albert Einstein, Henry Ford, Catherine Gibbon, and many others).
tag(s): aviation (38), energy (130), inventors and inventions (71), scientists (63), transportation (32)
In the Classroom
Why not use this website as a resource for "case file" research projects. Assign each student (or groups of students) a different person to investigate. Weaker readers may need a partner with strong reading skills. Then have the students present a multimedia presentation about their "case file." Some tool suggestions are (click on the tool name to access the review): Adobe Creative Cloud Express for Education, Vevox, Animatron, Renderforest, and Microsoft PowerPoint Online. Or have a day when students actually portray their scientist and interact with others "in character."Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Rating (click star to set rating):
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Word Reference - wordreference.com
Grades
2 to 12
0 Favorites
0 Comments
This series of free translating dictionaries allows students to search to/from English in these languages: French, Spanish, Italian, Russian, and German. Once a definition comes up...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
This series of free translating dictionaries allows students to search to/from English in these languages: French, Spanish, Italian, Russian, and German. Once a definition comes up in English, there are links to other dictionary pages where the word appears in a sentence. You can click on the audio button to hear the word spoken in both languages. This feature is only available in more commonly used words
There are also immediate clicks to other languages, so a student could check the same word in Spanish and French very easily. In addition to the translation dictionaries, there are also "English Dictionaries" (non-interactive) available in Portuguese, Polish, Romanian, Czech, Turkish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Arabic (coming soon). Many of the foreign language dictionaries will increase in volume as the site developers add more vocabulary.
Be aware: this site does include minor advertisements. There is a link to Language Forums. It is probably best to advise students to stay away from the forums.
There are also immediate clicks to other languages, so a student could check the same word in Spanish and French very easily. In addition to the translation dictionaries, there are also "English Dictionaries" (non-interactive) available in Portuguese, Polish, Romanian, Czech, Turkish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Arabic (coming soon). Many of the foreign language dictionaries will increase in volume as the site developers add more vocabulary.
Be aware: this site does include minor advertisements. There is a link to Language Forums. It is probably best to advise students to stay away from the forums.
tag(s): chinese (44), dictionaries (48), italian (28), japan (56), japanese (47), korea (19), portuguese (22), russia (33), russian (24)
In the Classroom
Save this site in your favorites on your classroom computers for use by ESL/ELL and foreign language students or for use when studying derivations and word families in English (compare the same word across several languages to see how close they can be!). Students can take an active role in vocabulary preview work by using this site in prior to reading. Be sure to list this site on your class webpage so students can access this information both in and out of the classroom.If you are introducing new vocabulary words to your foreign language class. Have them use this site to find the appropriate translations. Then have the students work in cooperative learning groups to create online vocabulary guide books using a tool such at Bookemon (reviewed here). Have the groups share the online books on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Be sure to keep the links for future students to use the guides, as well.
Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Rating (click star to set rating):
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Storynory: Kids Audio Stories - Blog Relations: Matthew Lynn and Hugh Fraser
Grades
K to 5
0 Favorites
0 Comments
This site offers over 100 audio stories, downloadable to mp3 players. It also has constant updates, news about new offerings, and several complete books available as well. The stories...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
This site offers over 100 audio stories, downloadable to mp3 players. It also has constant updates, news about new offerings, and several complete books available as well. The stories available include animal stories, poems, fables and legends, modern stories, and some holiday stories. A few stories include an animated video. The text of the story is included, so students can follow along during the audio reading The audio quality is high, so enthusiasm will be contagious! This site does have some small unobtrusive advertisements. Be aware - this website is a blog, so students can add comments about a story (using first names only), if this is within your school policies.
In the Classroom
Beginning readers will enjoy this site as much as more capable readers, listening intently to the high quality presentation. Share this site with parents in your class newsletter or from your teacher web page. Use it also when you read Alice in Wonderland, and when you teach the concept of "series" stories (try the "Bertie" stories). ENL/ ELL and learning support students will benefit from reading and hearingstories at the same time. Project the story on an interactive whiteboard or projector with small groups of readers so students can follow along and even highlight words during the audio reading.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Rating (click star to set rating):
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
English: Reading Non-fiction Texts - BBC
Grades
9 to 12
0 Favorites
0 Comments
Although this page has been archived and is no longer updated, all links are functional. While this site was intended for British students taking a mandatory national exam, the...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
Although this page has been archived and is no longer updated, all links are functional. While this site was intended for British students taking a mandatory national exam, the methods used to teach students how to extract information from non-fiction texts is quite valuable to any student who has trouble finding the pertinent points. Many U.S. state reading exams include the same skills. The site gives students acronyms as mnemonics to remember key points, such as "mind the GAP." It walks students through purpose, audience, tone, genre, information, style, and language. The site also provides interactive quizzes to test students for recall as they go along. The pages are also printable. Be sure to explain to your students that "revise" in British English means the same as to "review" in the U.S.
tag(s): reading comprehension (142)
In the Classroom
Ready for the test? That's what they say... and with standardized testing on the rise, reading non-fiction text quickly and accurately becomes important. Using this site to quiz students on key elements such as purpose or tone makes it a bit of fun as well as learning. Set up computer stations for each section and have the students work through them at their own pace. Or perhaps use the handouts and play a Jeopardy game as either practice or review. Another idea: project the "tests" on an interactive whiteboard or projector so the entire class can participate together or compete as teams. Special ed or remedial teachers will love these activities for individual students who need re-teaching and extra practice with non-fiction.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Rating (click star to set rating):
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Close comment form