718 current-events results | sort by:

Winter Olympics: South Korean President hopes Winter Games bring 'inter-Korean' Peace - CNN
Grades
7 to 12This site includes advertising.
In the Classroom
Although this article is short, it has many possibilities for use to introduce debate and discussion about the role of the Olympics in international politics. Share the article with students to read at home or independently at school before the start of the Olympics. Gather student comments and reactions to the article using an online bulletin board like Lino, reviewed here. As the winter Olympics progress, ask students to share articles reinforcing or reputing the president's view on a blogging site such as Telegra.ph, reviewed here. With Telegra.ph you just click on an icon to upload images from your computer, add a YouTube or Vimeo link. This blog creator requires no registration. Use Gravity, reviewed here to record student video discussions of interactions between Olympic nations and predictions on how those interactions may or may not lead to long-lasting peace. As a final presentation, ask students to use Odyssey, reviewed here, to analyze events and stories from the Olympic games. Odyssey allows you to create stories using the power of maps and geography.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!).
PyeongChang 2018 - The International Olympic Committee
Grades
K to 12tag(s): countries (72), korea (21), olympics (44), sports (81)
In the Classroom
Bookmark this site for use during the 2018 Winter Olympics to find daily events and up to date information on medals earned by individual countries. Instead of just viewing daily information, involve your classroom by creating your own spreadsheets to record and view medal counts by nation, athletes, and sports. Take this a step further by converting your spreadsheet into a more visual table format using Tableizer, reviewed here. Incorporate the Winter Olympics into your social studies lessons to learn more about the participating nations. Use Google Maps to locate countries, then have students create an Image Annotator, reviewed here, to share information about that country including population information, athletes, sports represented, and geography. After completion of the Olympics, ask students to create a multimedia presentation sharing their observations from the Olympics and new information learned using a tool like Sway, reviewed here. Sway is an easy to use tool from Microsoft offering many features to create interactive reports and presentations.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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!).
Above the Noise - KQED
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): character education (78), drugs and alcohol (28), social media (48), social networking (61), social skills (22), sociology (23), video (264)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the educator guide by clicking the link to the PBS Learning section for your selection and explore big questions found within each episode. Subscribe to this channel to receive notifications of new video additions. Use a tool such as MoocNote, reviewed here, to add questions directly into the YouTube videos for students to complete as a blended, flipped, or remote learning lesson and before (classroom) instruction. Use a tool such as Voxer, reviewed here, for students to discuss their thoughts on the topic of each video.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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 Climate Explorer - globalchange.gov
Grades
8 to 12tag(s): climate (82), climate change (94), floods (10), temperature (35), weather (160)
In the Classroom
Bookmark and share this resource for student research into climate change anywhere in the world. Have groups of students work on different perspectives of climate change including rainfall, annual and monthly temperature change over time, population density, or flooding changes. Have students make an impressive, interactive poster, infographics, chart or multimedia presentation sharing their findings using Genially, reviewed here. Genially allows you to add polls, videos, embeds, web links, PowerPoint, PDfs, and more to any presentation.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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!).
Year-End Roundup, 2016-2017: Questions for Writing and Discussion - New York Times/The Learning Network
Grades
7 to 12tag(s): debate (42), persuasive writing (58), process writing (37), writers workshop (31), writing (323)
In the Classroom
Bookmark and save this site as a resource for writing prompts, current events discussions, or as a springboard to debate topics. Before writing, encourage students to research their topic and take notes. Use an online note-taking site like Google Keep, reviewed here, to save and share notes. Have students share their completed projects in a blog and ask for feedback from their peers using Telegra.ph, reviewed here. There is no registration with Telegra.ph and you just click on an icon to upload images from your computer, add YouTube or Vimeo links. Take completed writing projects one step further and ask students to create a Odyssey, reviewed here. Odyssey offers the ability to tell a story through interactive maps including video, images, and more.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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!).
Syrian Journey: Choose Your Own Escape Route - BBC
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): middle east (49), problem solving (228)
In the Classroom
Include this interactive with any lessons on current events or the Middle East. Allow students to explore on their own to learn about the choices faced by the refugees and the outcomes of their decisions. Share the locations using Google Earth, reviewed here. Have students use Fakebook, reviewed here, to create a "fake" page similar in style to Facebook about a refugee as they attempt to make their way out of Syria. Alternatively, have a student or group of students write a memoir in the voice(s) of a refugee about their experiences using Book Creator, reviewed here, or Ourboox, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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!).
GNG Webcast Series - Global Nomads Group
Grades
8 to 12tag(s): collaboration (90), critical thinking (122), cross cultural understanding (172), OER (43), point of view (8)
In the Classroom
Discover the many previously recorded webcasts and free lessons to share a global perspective on many issues in your classroom. Create an online survey or a poll using Poll Everywhere, reviewed here, to have the class vote on an upcoming webcast in which to participate. If you have a Skype teaching partner, consider completing activities together as part of your participation in the webcasts. After completing activities on this site, have students make a multimedia presentation sharing what they have learned using Sway, reviewed here, or Canva, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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!).
Miles of Ice Collapsing Into the Sea - New York Times
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): antarctica (30), climate (82), climate change (94), oceans (147)
In the Classroom
Include these animations and text with any lessons on climate change, oceans, or weather. Enhance learning and build student understanding for your weaker readers and ENL students by creating and sharing a guided reading activity with Read Ahead, reviewed here, prior to reading. Share the locations using Google Earth, reviewed here, and have students research other locations experiencing the effects of climate change.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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!).
Climate Kids Time Machine - NASA
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): carbon (17), climate (82), climate change (94), earth (184), oceans (147), temperature (35)
In the Classroom
Share these timelines on your interactive whiteboard as an introduction to your unit on weather and climate change. Include a link to the site on your class webpage and classroom computers for students to explore on their own. Have students research causes for climate change, then make a multimedia presentation using Powtoon, reviewed here, or Sway, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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!).
Childnet Resources - Childnet International
Grades
K to 12tag(s): cyberbullying (40), internet safety (113)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the many free resources found on the site including classroom lessons about cyberbullying and Internet safety. Share information with parents on your website or during Open House activities. Redefine learning by having students make a multimedia presentation such as a poster, brochure, or infographic about information learned using Visme, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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!).
Human Influence on Ecology Mapped - Erle Ellis
Grades
8 to 12tag(s): biomes (110), conservation (97), ecology (102), population (50)
In the Classroom
Share this video as part of your unit on biomes, conservation, or world populations. Use an online tool such as Interactive Two Circle Venn Diagram, reviewed here, to compare and contrast the proposal to current definitions of biomes. Then have students debate the pros and cons of the proposal outlined in the video using a tool such as Thinkalong, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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!).
Social Media: Digital Literacy + Citizenship - New York City Department of Education
Grades
K to 12tag(s): digital citizenship (85), internet safety (113), social media (48)
In the Classroom
Share information from this site with your peers and other staff members as you work to develop guidelines for social media lessons and acceptable use in the classroom. Include a link to this site on your class webpage for parent use at home. During your social media lessons have students share tips and ideas using Padlet, reviewed here. The Padlet application creates free online bulletin boards. Sort ideas on the Padlet into columns based on different social situations, types of online media, or consequences of inappropriate behavior. Challenge cooperative learning groups to create weekly social media advice videos using a tool like Typito, reviewed here, which is a simple tool to use to modify student technology use. Then share the videos on a site such as TeacherTube reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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!).
Hardcore History - Dan Carlin
Grades
8 to 12tag(s): germany (28), greeks (41), nuclear energy (20), religions (90), romans (40), world war 1 (77), world war 2 (160)
In the Classroom
Include portions (or all) of these podcasts as part of your in-depth look at historical events. Have cooperative learning groups create their own podcasts discussing events and characters in history. Use a site such as Podcast Generator, reviewed here. Use an online tool such a Lucidchart, reviewed here, to create diagrams, mindmaps, and other visual graphic organizers to organize historical information. Create a link to podcasts on your class page for students to listen to at home, then discuss in class. Alternatively, flip your class and have students view and react to the podcasts on YouTube using VideoANT, reviewed here. With VideoANT student's can add comments and ask questions as they watch videos.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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!).
Mind Over Media - Media Education Lab
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): advertising (26), critical thinking (122), OER (43), propaganda (8)
In the Classroom
Discover the many ready-to-go free lesson ideas to include with classroom discussions of propaganda and persuasive advertising techniques. Share the Learn section with students as part of a flipped lesson, then have students provide examples of propaganda they find on TV or the Internet. Ask students to find advertising demonstrating two opposing points of view, then, with younger or less technically experienced students, use an online tool such as Interactive Two Circle Venn Diagram, reviewed here to compare and contrast information found. With older or more technically experienced students, use a tool such as Whimsical Mind Maps, reviewed here to create charts or a mind map to make the comparison.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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!).
EarthCam Live Webcam Network - EarthCam, Inc
Grades
K to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): cultures (172), globe (12), maps (215), webcams (19)
In the Classroom
This site would be an excellent addition to any science, social studies, or world cultures class. Teachers click on a webcam in different parts of the world to see things like weather and basic geography. Share the videos on an interactive whiteboard or with a projector. In early elementary, use webcams to introduce the world visually with a projector or on an interactive whiteboard. Select specific webcams and create shortcuts on classroom computer desktops for students to "see what's happening" on a certain continent as you study the seven continents. Use this resource to visit different areas that have been effected by natural disasters. Use animal webcams for students to observe animal behavior and keep a "lab journal" of what they see. Instead of the traditional paper and pencil "lab journal," have students keep a virtual journal about what they are learning. Use an easy virtual journaling tool such as Penzu, reviewed here. With Penzu you can add images or your own artwork as illustrations. Challenge students to further research the animal(s) they observed and to create an interactive map showing where the animals can be found with a tool like MapHub, reviewed here. With MapHub students can include display markers featuring text, photos, and videos!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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!).
Teaching Children Philosophy - Book Modules - TeachingChildrenPhilosophy.org and Squire Family Foundation
Grades
K to 12tag(s): brain (56), character education (78), cross cultural understanding (172), cultures (172), ethics (21), logic (161), psychology (65), religions (90)
In the Classroom
Although created using children's books, this site is perfect for introducing philosophical discussions to students of any age. Choose two books that represent different sides of an issue to share with your class. Create a mind map including different ideas represented within topics using a tool such as Mindmeister, reviewed here. Then have students create an annotated image demonstrating their viewpoint including text boxes and related links using a tool such as Google Drawings, reviewed here. Google Drawings allows you to annotate an image with links to videos, text, websites, and more. Not familiar with Google Drawings? Watch an archived OK2Ask session to learn how to use: OK2Ask Google Drawings, here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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!).
ToonyTool - ToonyTool
Grades
2 to 12tag(s): comics and cartoons (55), communication (129), creative writing (124), digital storytelling (153), summarizing (23)
In the Classroom
There is a multitude of ways to use comics/cartoons in the classroom. For instance, create one-page discussion starters to help students keep up with current political issues. Use comics to show sequencing of events, for example, explain the sequence of a story, a science concept, or current event! When studying about characterization, create a dialog to show (not tell) about a character. Use comic strips for literature responses. Another idea - why not use the comics for conflict resolution or other guidance issues (such as bullying). Sometimes it is easier for students to write it down (or draw the pictures) than use the actual words. Emotional support and autistic support teachers can work with students to create strips about appropriate interpersonal responses and feelings. World language and ENL/ESL teachers can assign students to create dialogue strips as an alternative to traditional written assessments; summarize through a comic. Challenge students who move through other assignments more quickly to create a cartoon for review of a topic studied in class. Make a class book of the comics created throughout the year using Book Creator, reviewed here. Book Creator includes features for students to easily create digital books using their own text, videos, and images.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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!).
When Tragedy Hits - NewseumEd
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): journalism (73), media literacy (107), news (228)
In the Classroom
Read all materials before presenting this simulation to the class. You may decide participation may be too difficult for some students - those with a personal connection to this or similar tragedies. Make a copy of Setting the Scene and Scenarios for each student. Project the PDFs with the projector and ask students to volunteer for a read-aloud - read-around with all listening to one person and then another. Use the accompanying discussion questions. Consider giving all students a chance to voice their opinions (even the shyest and quiet ones) by using a tool like Backchannel Chat, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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!).
World Press Freedom Map - NewseumEd
Grades
7 to 12tag(s): freedom of speech (14), journalism (73), media literacy (107), news (228), newspapers (92)
In the Classroom
Begin by showing students the Freedom House interactive map and read the information in the right column about what a genuinely free press is. Compare that info to a partly free press (explained just under it). Then have students work in small groups or with a partner to fill out the worksheet/chart. Complete a class discussion of the chart, and then have the small groups or pairs choose one of the countries with partial freedom of the press and research what other freedoms the U.S. enjoys that are restricted or repressed for the citizens of that country. Add these to the chart. Challenge students to convert their paper worksheet/chart to an online digital infographic to present their findings using Visme, reviewed here, or to set up their own graphic organizer to show the comparisons using an online tool such as TUZZit, reviewed here. TUZZit allows you to create diagrams, mindmaps, and other visual graphic organizers.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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!).
Who, Me? Biased? - New York Times
Grades
5 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): bias (27), black history (130), bullying (48), character education (78), civil rights (201), difficult conversations (57), diversity (39), racism (79), tolerance (8)
In the Classroom
Share videos with students either with a projector, an interactive whiteboard, or use the link or embed codes on your class website to view at home. Have students view from home and enhance learning using Acclaim, reviewed here where you can stop the video and ask questions about the parts where students may need clarification right on the video! Have cooperative learning groups extend their learning by creating podcasts sharing their insight into biases and racism along with suggestions on ways to address each problem. Use a site such as podOmatic, reviewed here. Share this site with your school's counselor for use with ongoing lessons in tolerance and diversity.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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