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World Press Freedom Map - NewseumEd
Grades
7 to 12tag(s): freedom of speech (14), journalism (74), media literacy (109), news (228), newspapers (93)
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.Who, Me? Biased? - New York Times
Grades
5 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): bias (27), black history (133), bullying (48), character education (79), civil rights (209), difficult conversations (57), diversity (40), 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.Vanishing: The Extinction Crisis is Far Worse than you Think - CNN
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): animals (294), conservation (102), earth (184), earth day (60), endangered species (27), habitats (92)
In the Classroom
This site is perfect for use on interactive whiteboards as an introduction to any unit on animals, habitats, or earth conservation. Explore together, then allow students to explore in depth on their own. Have students either individually or as groups choose a topic found on this site to research further. If you are new to integrating technology you may want to have students create a presentation using Visme, reviewed here. Looking for something different? Have students use Microsoft Sway, reviewed here, to create an interactive presentation including charts, videos, and images.World of 7 Billion - Population Connection
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): conservation (102), environment (252), population (51)
In the Classroom
Encourage students to take part in World of 7 Billion's annual video contest. Benefit from the free lessons for middle and high school students as well as the ideas for school-wide events. Provide time for students to browse through the site and to generate questions about it. Brainstorm not only questions but what students learned from it. Allow groups time to research the economic and social issues that have caused such a change in population and how people live. Challenge students to create a presentation with their findings using Prezi, reviewed here. Have students use a mapping tool such as Zeemaps, reviewed here, to create a map of population changes around the world (with audio stories and pictures included)!Pic4Carto - Adrien Pavie
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): images (263), map skills (63), maps (220)
In the Classroom
Use any part of this map for your school projects. Share the maps on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Have students create stories about visiting in these places to share with others. Challenge students to create a digital presentation on a map location rather than write an essay or present a paper poster. If you're just beginning the process of integrating technology in your classroom, use Prezi, reviewed here, which is much like PowerPoint or Keynote but allows for "zoomable" content. If you are more experienced in the integration of technology, try Lucidpress, reviewed here, where students could produce a variety of products. If you teach geography, Pic4Carto is a must; it is also helpful for showing students WHERE a story or news event takes place. If you have a new road in your area, share the difference between this map and older ones found online.Born Free USA - Belton Mouras and Ken Guerrero
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): animals (294), service projects (17)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the free lesson plans and more to include with your animal unit. After introducing the site with a projector or on an interactive whiteboard, allow older students to explore on their own then choose a topic of interest for further research. Have students make a multimedia presentation or create a digital story about their animal topic using Adobe Creative Cloud Express for Education, reviewed here. Younger students could create a digital story around their animal topic using My Storybook, reviewed here. Consider bringing in a local animal advocate to speak to your class about issues in your area. Post a link to this website for students to share with parents at home.Virtual Debate - South Orange Middle School and others
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): debate (42), persuasive writing (58), problem solving (233)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the many resources on the Virtual Debate site and enroll your class in a debate. Be sure to preview previous debates with your students and use already-created materials as you prepare. Even if you don't want to participate through this site, the many available materials offer a rich opportunity for including debate in your classroom. Consider creating your own debate (virtual or not) with another classroom in your school or district. Topics could include any curricular or current events topic such as use of social media, elections, or environmental issues. One bonus of using debates in the classroom is the many opportunities to engage students in non-fiction writing to meet Common Core Standards.The Lowdown - KQED News
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): commoncore (73), journalism (74), multimedia (53), news (228), newspapers (93)
In the Classroom
Achieve two goals with this very people-friendly site: provide quality non-fiction reading materials and the latest in current events. Use this site to differentiate reading materials by student interest. Encourage students to explore the site on their own. Be sure to include a link on classroom computers and your class website for students to access at any time. Flip your class and assign the reading to do at home. Then, have students create a simple infographic sharing findings from The Lowdown with their classmates using Infogram, reviewed here. Have cooperative learning groups create weekly podcasts with news from around the world. Use a site such as podOmatic, reviewed here.Constitute - Comparative Constitutions Project - Univ of Texas at Austin
Grades
8 to 12tag(s): civil rights (209), constitution (96), cross cultural understanding (173), cultures (180)
In the Classroom
Share Constitute on an interactive whiteboard or projector as part of any lessons studying nations around the world. Compare constitutions when discussing current events and cultural differences. Use an online tool such as the Interactive Two Circle Venn Diagram, reviewed here, to demonstrate differences and similarities. Flip learning by sharing a comparison you create, then have students study comparisons before class discussions of materials.Seven Digital Deadly Sins - Guardian Weekend Magazine
Grades
9 to 12tag(s): digital citizenship (85), professional development (385), social media (48)
In the Classroom
Be very careful if using this in a classroom as there are discussions of items not appropriate for general consumption, and may be more appropriate as inspiration for discussing the main "sins" in your classroom. At a minimum, be sure to view and screen portions of the site for appropriateness before sharing with students. Have students create an online graph using ChartGizmo, reviewed here, to analyze their digital usage. Share ideas and reflections comparing the positives of digital media versus the negative impacts. Exchange information from the site with your colleagues and school counselors as part of any professional development or discussions about the use of social media and digital tools. Share with parents who have concerns about their student's digital usage.iCivics, Win the White House - iCivics
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): elections (82), presidents (135)
In the Classroom
Start out using this site with your projector or interactive whiteboard with the whole class. Walk through the beginning of the game and demonstrate the built-in help which is useful for students who might need additional guidance. Have individuals play or create small group teams of campaign staff to guide the candidates. Students or groups may play multiple times. After registering, the site will save games and students can send messages. Use the Achievements badges and points for student assessments. Have students research the debate topics and compare the different aspects of the game to real-life examples in the news. An easy to use Extension Pack for Teachers provides more activities and assessments.Diversity Toolkit - USC School of Social Work
Grades
9 to 12tag(s): cross cultural understanding (173), cultures (180), difficult conversations (57), diversity (40), identity (29)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the activities shared within the guide to use as part of community building in your classroom or to teach diversity and encourage self identity. Have students create a word cloud of the important terms they learn from this site using a tool such as WordItOut, reviewed here. Before and after activities have students or groups collect ideas and thoughts about diversity using Dotstorming, reviewed here. The Dotstorming application creates free online bulletin boards. Embed Dotstorming on your class website for students to access at home.STEM in 30 - Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
Grades
5 to 10tag(s): aviation (40), earth (184), earth day (60), ecology (103), ecosystems (83), flight (34), mars (26), molecules (43), space (222), STEM (297), world war 1 (77)
In the Classroom
For your blended or flipped classroom, share webinars on your class website for students to view at home. Replace pen and paper writing journals by writeing a blog entry that shares their learning and understanding. Use a tool like Telegra.ph, reviewed here. This blog creator requires no registration. If you are teaching younger students and looking for an easy way to integrate technology and check for understanding, challenge your students to create a blog using edublog, reviewed here. Check the site's homepage for upcoming webinars, then participate with your class. Check X (formerly Twitter) to see if your class can follow any of the presenting scientists. If you are lucky enough to live in the Washington, DC area, contact the museum to attend a live taping. After viewing a webinar, have students enhance their learning by creating a multimedia presentation using Visme, reviewed here. Visme allows you to narrate slides. Challenge students to find a photo (legally permitted to be reproduced), and then narrate the photo as if it is a news report. STEM in 30 is also a great resource for gifted students to get involved with their own challenges and pursuits.Weather Underground - Hurricane and Tropical Cyclones
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): disasters (37), hurricanes (32), weather (160)
In the Classroom
Introduce the class to the most current hurricanes forming with a projector or interactive whiteboard. Challenge students to find similar hurricanes from the past and ask them to make a prediction about the current one. Have them prove their predictions using a tool like the interactive Venn Diagram Three Circle, or the Interactive Two Circle Venn Diagram.Civil Rights Movement Interactive Map - NewseumEd
Grades
8 to 12tag(s): black history (133), civil rights (209), newspapers (93)
In the Classroom
Share a link to this site on your class website and allow students to explore on their own. Discuss their findings and interpretations of media coverage of civil rights events in class. Replace pen and paper and use an online tool such as Interactive Two Circle Venn Diagram, reviewed here, to compare and contrast media coverage in two different cities. Enhance learning by asking students to investigate newspapers from additional locations, then create a presentation sharing their findings using Presentious, reviewed here.Making a Change: The First Amendment and the Civil Rights Movement - NewseumED
Grades
8 to 12tag(s): black history (133), civil rights (209), constitution (96), cultures (180), journalism (74), media literacy (109), newspapers (93)
In the Classroom
Use any or all of the units and interactives with any Civil Rights lessons; this site isn't just for Black History Month! Share with journalism students as they explore the role of the press in shaping and telling the story of a nation. Have small groups or pairs of students enhance their learning by making a multimedia presentation exploring the First Amendment and the role of the press using a tool such as Sway, reviewed here. With the web-based Sway, you can include text, images, and video. To illustrate different press coverage around the nation, have students modify their learning by creating maps using Zeemaps, reviewed here. This tool allows students to create audio recordings AND choose a location on a map where the news report takes place.'What's News?' Video Lesson - NewseumED
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): journalism (74), news (228), newspapers (93)
In the Classroom
Using the Activity lesson plan/viewing guide, share the before viewing discussion with the class. Consider giving all students a chance to voice their opinions (even the shyest ones) by using a tool like Backchannel Chat, reviewed here. Then, show the video to the whole class, or "flip" the class and have students watch it at home. Either way, the viewing guide questions could be inserted into the video using a tool such as edpuzzle, reviewed here. After the video, use the discussion questions and Backchannel Chat again. Next, have students (or small groups) choose one of the extension activities to complete and share with classmates. Lastly, have students (or small groups) choose one of the extension activities to complete and share with classmates.The reviewers at TeachersFirst have some suggestions for online tools to use for those final (extension) projects: Items 1 and 2 suggest creating a video newscast or newspaper. Consider starting with Copy Edit This!, reviewed here, to give students in the a look at newspaper editing. Possibly follow these up with Pulitzer Center Lesson Plans, reviewed here, that shows students how to identify global issues.
If you don't feel comfortable showing student faces on the Internet via video, you may want to have them create a radio show instead; for that use Anchor, reviewed here, provides free podcasting tools.
Item 3 includes a timeline. Have students create an interactive timeline (it can include text, images and collaboration) using Sutori, reviewed here. Items 4, 6, and 7 suggest making a collage. An easy online tool such as Fotojet, reviewed here, will make beautiful collages for your student projects. Item 5 suggests you use Facebook. If your district blocks Facebook, use Fakebook, reviewed here. For managing projects like #8-10 use a tool like Google Keep, reviewed here, and an animated, multimeda presentation tool like Animatron Studio's Presentation Maker, reviewed here.
Believe It or Not? - NewseumED
Grades
8 to 12tag(s): evaluating sources (29), media literacy (109), news (228)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the free lessons, discussion questions, sample articles, and worksheets offered for use in your classroom. Divide students into small groups and assign different discussion questions and activities to each group. Allow all older students to have a voice (and engage their interest) in the small group by using a chat service like Flock, reviewed here. Enhance learning by challenging the small groups to create a slide presentation using the free Microsoft PowerPoint Online, reviewed here, demonstrating information learned. With the online PowerPoint students can add videos, images and documents making them all interactive. Note: with Flock students can also start planning the presentation and keep the plan for 30 days. If you cannot make a field trip to the Newseum for the Gallery Guide Handout, you can do a Google search for Who Controls the News and find many free resources.Nature Video YouTube Channel - Nature.com
Grades
8 to 12tag(s): animals (294), anthropology (10), cells (82), climate (84), human body (93), planets (113), stars (71)
In the Classroom
Flip your classroom and use a video as homework. Have students take notes on the material and write down questions they still have and topics that confuse them. Or, use a tool like playposit, (formerly eduCanon), reviewed here, for students to pause videos and ask or answer questions right on the video. These activities can uncover misconceptions. Show the video to the class, and then discuss the concept at length. To share a single video from this site without all the YouTube clutter, use a tool such as View Pure, reviewed here, and create a shortcut to the View Pure page directly on the desktop. For more advanced classes, provide time for students to choose a video to view and research the underlying concept.World Population History - Population Connection
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): advanced placement (26), conservation (102), environment (252), population (51)