Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

Create learning games with the AI-based Learning Game Generator for any topic or grade level. Begin by adding vital information, including grade level, learning outcome or objective, and the game's length. The Game Generator provides a document with instructions for playing the game, any required materials, and setup instructions. Use the provided tools to request changes to create a game that works for your classroom. Copy or download the document using the Manage Content Dropbox options when satisfied.
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tag(s): artificial intelligence (177), assessment (147), Formative Assessment (74), game based learning (205), gamification (83), Teacher Utilities (198)

Planning lessons that provide engaging activities and meet curriculum standards can be challenging. The Plan My Lesson Tool uses AI to match both objectives in just a few seconds. After selecting start, complete the form by adding grade level or band, subject, and learning outcome and selecting to generate the result. After creating the document, use additional features to edit and adjust the activity to fit your needs. You can also choose sections of the document to request changes by chatting with Beans, this site's chatbot. Find options to download or export the finished document by visiting the Manage Content dropbox at the top of the page. You do need to create a free account to access this feature.

tag(s): artificial intelligence (177), professional development (385), Teacher Utilities (198)

Yourway offers a suite of AI-generated tools for educators. Choose from many generators to create lesson plans, assessments, and classroom activities. After selecting a generator, follow the prompt to access a form to add information such as grade level, topic or learning objective, and other directions. After the tool generates a response, you can request changes, edit the information manually, or save the document. Choose the Manage Document dropdown box to copy the document to your clipboard, save it as a PDF file, export it to Google Docs, or download your activity as a Microsoft .docx file. As you create activities, they are saved in the My Content area to revisit and reuse as needed.
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tag(s): artificial intelligence (177), assessment (147), cross cultural understanding (173), differentiation (84), rubrics (37), social and emotional learning (102), Teacher Utilities (198), vocabulary (238)

PBS Kids Design Squad features four activities: Design, Build, Watch, and Games. In the Design section, you can draw scenes of the outdoors, fashion, sports, food, animals, and more. In the Building section, you can create buildings, machines, toys, and vehicles. The Watch section features videos on learning with the Design Squad, do-it-yourself, and clips. The fidget games from the Games section include learning about electricity, farm life, natural disasters, and floods.

tag(s): crafts (64), design (79), engineering (129), game based learning (205), machines (17), musical instruments (52)

The Getty Museum's Exploring Photographs provides the tools to analyze photography and enhance learning on any theme, topic, or historical period expressed or documented in photographs. On the right side, "For the Classroom" links directly to lesson plans, image bank, analyzing photographs, CA State Standards Chart, and National Standards Chart. The three lessons featured are Visual Analysis Methods, A Closer Look, and Writing the Artist's Statement. Each lesson has a time allotted, overview, objectives, materials, steps, assessment, and extensions. The lessons are aligned with the Common Core Standards.

tag(s): critical thinking (127), images (263), photography (130)

The Getty Museum's Arts and Science: A Curriculum for K-12 teachers focuses on the science of art production and conservation and the scientific skills of investigation and experimentation; it supports student proficiency in science and visual art. On the right side, "For the Classroom" links directly to lesson plans, image banks, timeline, glossary, print and web resources, and standard charts. The featured lesson topics are titled: Insect Anatomy and the Scientist as Illustrator, Capturing Light: The Science of Photography, and Fighting Corrosion to Save an Ancient Greek Bronze. Each lesson has a time allotted, overview, objectives, materials, steps, assessment, and extensions. Each lesson is divided into beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels. The lessons are aligned with the Common Core Standards for English Language Arts.

tag(s): insects (69), photography (130)

The Getty Center's Historical Witness, Social Messaging lessons explore how art can provoke dialogue regarding the costs and consequences of important events in U.S. and world history while simultaneously effecting social change and increasing awareness among individuals and governments. On the right side, "For the Classroom" links directly to lesson plans, image banks, related works of art, glossary, print and web resources, and standards charts. Click Lesson Plans from the menu on the right to find the eight lesson topics featured; they include: Breaking the Chains, Rising Out of Circumstances, Celebration and Satire, Depicting Women and Class in a Global Society, Flawed Democracies, Human Rights, Land Use and Lawmaking in California, The Many Different Sides of War, What Is Work and Who Are the Workers?, and Putting a Spin on Current Events. Each lesson has a time allotted, overview, objectives, materials, steps, assessment, and extensions. Each lesson is divided into beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels. The lessons are aligned to the California Visual Arts Standards, History-Social Science Content Standards for California Public Schools, and the Common Core Standards for English Language Arts.

tag(s): art history (103), images (263), photography (130)

The Getty Center's Who's Afraid of Contemporary Art? challenges students to discover how "traditional" works of art have inspired and informed contemporary artists. On the right side, "For the Classroom" links directly to lesson plans, image banks about contemporary art, and a glossary bank. The four lessons featured are titled A Bug's Journey, Chairs, Rooms, and Time Travel, Moving Pictures, Moving Stories, and Sculptural Space/s. Each lesson tells you the time allotted, an overview, the objectives, materials, steps, assessment, and extensions. The lessons are aligned with the California Visual Arts Standards and the Common Core Standards for English Language Arts.

tag(s): art history (103), artists (85)

Follow two curious mice, August and Pearl, as they explore the artwork in over one hundred museums worldwide. Their easy-to-understand observations and conversations provide a unique and playful perspective. After launching the activity, choose to explore by art or museum view. Replay conversations and toggle on subtitles if desired. After listening to the conversation, return to choose a new selection or choose the link to explore other art available in the museum.

tag(s): artificial intelligence (177), artists (85), museums (52)

Mayan Masks gives a brief overview of the importance and value of masks in the Mayan civilization. It also briefly describes the different types of masks that the Mayans created. Finally, it challenges you to design your mask.

tag(s): crafts (64), mayans (23), mexico (37), south america (47)

Maya Archaeologist is a free website that shares information on the making of jewelry and music in the Mayan civilization. The site includes videos on jade and musical instruments. Additionally, it gives step-by-step directions on how to make the Mayan death mask, headdress, and whistle.

tag(s): art history (103), mayans (23), south america (47)

The Getty Center's Artful Women shares lessons of women artists who overcame a male-dominated discipline. On the right side, "For the Classroom" links directly to lesson plans on the themes of adornment, women as artists, and women's roles in the family. Each lesson has a time estimate, overview, objectives, materials, steps, assessment, and extensions. The lessons are aligned with the California State Content Standards for visual arts, English, History, and Common Core Standards.

tag(s): women (150), womenchangemaker (36)

Remini AI is a photo and video enhancement tool that uses advanced AI technology to restore old or blurry images, sharpen details, and improve resolution. The website offers a free version where you can enhance photos by watching ads, making it accessible for occasional use or small projects. This platform can be a useful resource for educational projects involving historical photos or creative presentations.
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tag(s): artificial intelligence (177), photography (130), Teacher Utilities (198)

Explore this valuable tool for educators; it offers curated collections of primary sources, historical documents, and research materials across a wide range of subjects. These guides help teachers incorporate authentic historical artifacts, government records, and literary works into their lessons, enhancing students' critical thinking and research skills. With ready-to-use teaching resources, topic guides, and bibliographies, this site supports interdisciplinary learning and provides rich content for inquiry-based projects in history, literature, civics, and more.

tag(s): african american (115), architecture (75), black history (133), branches of government (65), civil rights (209), civil war (139), conservation (102), energy (133), engineering (129), environment (252), foreign policy (13), hispanic (36), industrialization (12), jews (33), latin (23), literature (222), middle east (50), native americans (109), nutrition (140), photography (130), politics (118), population (51), religions (95), Research (87), sports (82), statistics (121), Teacher Utilities (198), women (150), womenchangemaker (36), womens suffrage (52)

NPR (National Public Radio) is a valuable resource for educators, offering high-quality news, podcasts, and articles on current events, culture, science, and history. The site features engaging audio stories, in-depth journalism, and educational content that can enhance classroom discussions and critical thinking skills. Teachers can use NPR's stories to connect lessons to real-world events, introduce students to diverse perspectives, and encourage media literacy. Additionally, NPR's student-friendly resources, such as NPR Ed and Student Podcast Challenge, provide interactive and project-based learning opportunities.

tag(s): civil rights (209), cultures (180), journalism (74), news (229), podcasts (108), scientists (67), space (222)

The Getty website offers the ESL Curriculum: Intermediate/Advanced Level, a comprehensive resource designed to support students at higher levels of English proficiency. The curriculum features lesson plans integrating art with language learning, focusing on complex vocabulary, grammar structures, and advanced speaking, reading, writing, and listening skills. Activities include analyzing and discussing artwork, writing detailed critiques, comparing cultural representations in art, and creating sophisticated narratives or essays inspired by visual art. This curriculum provides teachers with interactive tools to deepen students' understanding of English while fostering critical thinking and artistic expression.

tag(s): art history (103), enrichment (13), grammar (137), multilingual (77), speaking (26), writing (325)

The Getty website provides the ESL Curriculum: Intermediate Level, designed to support English as a Second Language (ESL) students in advancing their language skills through art. The curriculum offers lesson plans that focus on expanding vocabulary, improving grammar, and developing speaking, reading, writing, and listening skills. Activities include describing artworks using more complex sentence structures, comparing and contrasting visual elements, and creating short narratives or dialogues inspired by art. With its emphasis on cultural exploration and interactive learning, this curriculum helps intermediate students deepen their understanding of English while engaging with the visual arts.

tag(s): art history (103), cross cultural understanding (173), enrichment (13), grammar (137), multilingual (77), speaking (26), stories and storytelling (58), writing (325)

The Getty website offers the English as a Second Language (ESL) Curriculum: Learning Language Through Art, a resource designed to help mulitlingual students build language skills while exploring art. The curriculum includes engaging lesson plans integrating visual art with vocabulary building, listening, speaking, reading, and writing activities. Lessons focus on analyzing artworks to develop descriptive language, storytelling skills, and cultural awareness. Students are encouraged to interact with art by describing visual elements, creating narratives based on artworks, and participating in group discussions. With adaptable materials and clear instructions, this curriculum supports teachers in fostering language acquisition through meaningful, creative, and culturally enriching activities.

tag(s): art history (103), cross cultural understanding (173), enrichment (13), listening (93), multilingual (77), speaking (26), stories and storytelling (58), vocabulary (238), vocabulary development (94), writing (325)

The Getty website "Gods, Heroes, and Monsters: Mythology in European Art" is designed to help explore the intersection of mythology and art with their students. This resource includes detailed lesson plans that guide students in analyzing artworks inspired by Greek, Roman, and other cultural myths. Lessons cover topics such as identifying mythological characters, interpreting stories depicted in art, and understanding the cultural significance of myths. The curriculum features engaging activities like comparing myths across cultures, creating visual representations of mythological tales, and exploring the symbolism in famous artworks. With printable resources, discussion prompts, and project ideas, this curriculum supports teachers in fostering a deeper appreciation of mythology and its influence on art.

tag(s): europe (84), greek (47), myths and legends (37), romans (52)

This Getty website offers a curriculum, Expressing Emotions Through Art, designed to help primary teachers integrate art into their classrooms. This resource provides engaging lesson plans that teach students to identify, understand, and express emotions using visual art as a medium. Activities include analyzing famous artworks, creating their own art pieces, and discussing how emotions are conveyed through colors, shapes, and composition. The curriculum consists of printable materials, interactive exercises, and clear learning objectives, making it an excellent tool for fostering emotional literacy and creativity in young learners.

tag(s): art history (103), emotions (49), social and emotional learning (102)