Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

This lesson plan provides a framework for discussing immigration from multiple points of view. Check out the left menu for materials you will need, and there are links to a partial transcript of a NewsHour segment that features the voices of immigrants from different countries. There is a good set of essential questions for discussion related to the issue of immigration. The focus of the lesson is that life experiences shape attitudes toward immigration, and that there are many points of view. Students are encouraged to role play a point of view different from their own. Finally, there is a quick quiz (and Key) that could be used to establish prior knowledge about immigration. On a topic that can be highly emotional, this lesson simply lays out the viewpoints, rather than taking sides.

tag(s): immigration (68), migration (45)

A great source of primary documents covering many topics of interest to grade school children including the real stories some of the people killed on Sept. 11. Although this is usually a pay site ($9.95/yr), free membership is available for educators, schools, and libraries. Each feature article is divided into "Story Chapter Links" and highlighted vocabulary clicks to photographs, maps, artifacts, documents, audio-visual clips, and articles with more information about the word. Topics offered include history, culture, literature, disasters, and media. You can find passages on topics related to almost any student's interests and use the resources to teacher reading skills. In December, 2006, Awesome Stories announced free accounts for individuals, as well, but for a "limited time." If you would like your students to be abe to use it at home, consider setting up accounts for students, as well, while they are free.

tag(s): dinosaurs (43), disasters (37), literature (222), movies (54), space (222)

This site is affiliated with the PBS NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, and presents a lesson plan focused on Supreme Court nominations and the ongoing balance of power in the US government. There are excellent discussion guides, a link to streaming video from the NewsHour, with an accompanying transcript that can be distributed, and a PDF version of a Chicago Tribune article on the issue. There is a nice vocabulary list. There is a good handout on the process of nominating a Supreme Court judge and a worksheet that accompanies it.

tag(s): supreme court (27)

VOA offers audio and written radio scripts of a wide range of news stories in areas including science, agriculture, culture, health, and education. The language used is simple, and the stories are read more slowly than the average radio broadcast. The site includes its own dictionary ("Word Book") and pronunciation guide, as well as links to many other features. Contains RealAudio and MP3 downloadable audio files. If you have high speed internet, you can also use the streaming option.

tag(s): agriculture (49), news (229)

Part of "Interesting Things for ESL Students," this unadorned site changes daily and provides common slang (near the top of the page), idioms, or proverbs and definitions plus daily grammar quizzes. It also features an audio broadcast of a simplified news release backed up with archives (Click on links below Listening). Also available is a multilingual translating dictionary and access to three top search engines.

tag(s): grammar (137), idioms (30), news (229), slang (15), verbs (26)

The CIA's Factbook is pretty dry reading, but this site does provide some of the history of Korea, including the post-World War II division into North and South. There are other facts about culture, government, and economy, but North Korea remains one of the world's least-known and least-understood nations. Could be a useful reference for discussion of current events or a research source for projects on countries.

tag(s): korea (21)

Produced by a talented, well-trained group of college students, this online audio resource - available as podcasts, through RSS syndication, and on the web, presents detailed, well-researched short reports about the war in Iraq. Many segments include on-the-scene interviews with Iraqis and troops in the field. The site also includes a collection of background reports, like "Iraq 101" that help provide context for the reporting

tag(s): blogs (65), iraq (26), terrorism (41)

In May, 2006, an unusual international consortium signed a treaty that could lead to the eventual construction of the world's first commercial fusion reactor. With it would come the key to almost limitless energy. This backgrounder from a similar European consortium provides a much more basic introduction to how fusion works and why it presents such a challenge.

tag(s): energy (133), nuclear energy (20)

Head to this site to subscribe to a free, weekly podcast on interesting news and developments in all areas of science. These weekly audio files run 3-5 minutes each. While not designed specifically for instructional use, they provide current science news in an easily accessible format.

tag(s): news (229)

Just how effective are the six key issues of President Bush's domestic agenda? This lesson gives students a chance to assume the role of political analyst as they critically examine the Bush administration. The goal is to create a report card addressing the efficacy of selected domestic topics. Includes suggestions for interdisciplinary activities and projects. Aligned to standards.

tag(s): foreign policy (13), presidents (135)

The CDC's home page for information on "bird flu" (avian influenza) offers a variety of content written at an adult level, including basic fact sheets, current outbreak updates, etc. Used selectively, this information offers an authoritative look at the evolution of this new disease and the international response to its spread.

tag(s): diseases (67)

NPR's collection of stories about the Roberts nomination includes background on his career, a look at the confirmation process, and discussions of Roberts and the rare opportunity to fill two court vacancies. Useful for individual or group use.

tag(s): senate (10), supreme court (27)

Reuters' new photo service offers several image collections, including a review of every week and month. Users will need to scroll down the page a bit to find it, but the images are striking, covering a wide variety of issues and events.

tag(s): news (229)

Here's a collection of resources that teachers can use to help students understand the effects of an active volcano on the surrounding habitats. You'll also find a nice collection of information on the history of the volcano itself. Worth a visit if you're planning a unit on volcanoes or national forests.

tag(s): forests (30), volcanoes (55)

Despite its untimely crash to earth, the Genesis spaceship still managed to bring back tiny samplings of raw material from the sun for eager scientists to analyze. This site provides an overview of the entire mission, video clips, photographs, and descriptions of the processes scientists are using to investigate the Genesis canister and its contents. Younger students will enjoy the interactive games and activities related to the mission and follow-up investigation by NASA. Be sure to check out the Creator's Kitchen for teacher resources and suggestions. A few resources on this site require Flash or QuickTime, however, there is so much more here that doesn't that it's worth a look by you and your students

tag(s): nasa (30), solar system (110), space (222), sun (71)

How often do your students come across unfamiliar acronyms related to current events, science, or computer technology? These pesky words and abbreviations can be a major source of confusion, but this site helps make sense of the often overwhelming jungle of acronyms. Enter the acronym in question, and be rewarded with a complete list of definitions with links to more specific explanations. The site even addresses slang and "chat" acronyms that are used frequently by kids, but may mystify many teachers!

tag(s): slang (15)

Library specialist Linda C. Joseph has assembled a useful, interactive, and entertaining collection of resources for students and teachers. Use the "primary source of the month" feature to spark discussions about why such a resource is so valuable. Links to Web treasure hunts, projects, and helpful how-to advice on a variety of Internet-related topics are included.

tag(s): resources (84)

This site from the PBS Frontline series offers regular reports, video, and images that are extended versions of earlier video reporting. Topics vary, and the editorial slant is not often without its own point of view. That said, the content can be good for getting students to answer the question, "What do you think?"

tag(s): news (229)

BBC's presentation on the key players in today's Iraq will help teachers and students sort out both the individuals and the many movements and factions that are now vying for influence in that nation. This one would make a great backgrounder for a discussion on balancing power in Iraq in the effort to build a democratic government there.

tag(s): iraq (26)

This site has been archived but can be accessed. National Public Radio's web content about the ongoing rebuilding efforts in Iraq offers a nice blend of interviews, factual reporting, and images from the scene. There's an emphasis on political, economic, cultural, and military issues and their relationships with one another. Try this one as a starting point for an in-depth current events discussion.
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tag(s): iraq (26)