Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

This helpful guide provides specific information for effectively using the Response to Intervention (RTI) process. The article begins with a review of RTI strategies then provides specific teaching strategies for each of the three tiers. Be sure also to check out the accompanying infographic, found here, that provides an excellent summary of RTI information.

tag(s): assessment (147), data (151), gamification (83), professional development (385), teaching strategies (50)

ProProfs Brain Games allows you to play or create puzzles and games. Choose from created games in formats including hangman, crosswords, word scrambles, tic tac toe, and more. Create a free account to make your own puzzles using the game choices provided. Creating puzzle options includes options for levels of difficulty and personalization of images and vocabulary.

tag(s): game based learning (205), gamification (83), logic (161), problem solving (233), puzzles (149)

Does giving a presentation make you nervous? Perhaps you envy those who make presenting look easy? This infographic packed with tips and advice provides solutions to everyday concerns about speaking in public. Scroll through to find common problems and how to address them. Other information includes planning, preparation, and delivery tips for getting the most out of any presentation.
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tag(s): infographics (56), speaking (26), speeches (23)

Create crossword puzzles, word searches, and bingo cards quickly with WordMint. Create your free account to begin, then choose an activity to set up and enter terms. When finished, print and save your puzzle including an answer key and student copies. WordMint also contains an extensive database of already made word searches and puzzles that don't require registration to use, find the links to them at the bottom of the home page.

tag(s): crosswords (19), game based learning (205), puzzles (149)

Kodu is a software download for creating Windows PC games through a simple programming language. Download Kodu for free from the Microsoft Fuse Lab (there are "Get Kodu" buttons on the home page and the tips page). The software allows you to create and personalize virtual worlds through point and click options. Additional options offer "if this, then that" personalization to add variety to the game. Under Resources find the "Other Resources" and click Video to see "Getting Started" tutorial and "Biginner Videos" that reside on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, the videos may not be viewable. A download is also available for Xbox games; however, it is not free.

tag(s): coding (85), game based learning (205), gamification (83), makerspace (40), Microsoft (80)

Creative Writing Now offers a broad array of resources supporting the writing of fiction, poetry, and drama. Choose from tabs at the top of the page to find creative writing ideas and prompts, writing guides, and tips for writers. Creative Writing Now also offers free online courses with topics including Endless Story Ideas, Story Structure, and Bringing Characters to Life.

tag(s): creative writing (124), poetry (193), stories and storytelling (58), writing (325)

Increase your knowledge of the world and geography in an entertaining way with GameOn.World. Select from one of the nine categories (Sports, Entertainment, Science, Cities, Facts, People/Things, and more), and challenge others to join in using the Game I.D. and their name. Play GameOn.World on any device with Internet access; No registration is required! Switch the audio on or off at the bottom of the screen.

tag(s): famous people (19), game based learning (205), sports (82), trivia (19)

As part of their extensive vocabulary site, MyVocabulary.com includes over 90 word puzzles practicing Greek and Latin root words. This site includes alignment of activities to Common Core Standards. Find 90 additional prefix studies on page 2 here.
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tag(s): grammar (137), grammar review (31), prefixes (10), root words (10), spelling (98), vocabulary (238), word study (59)

Create and collaborate with up to 10 others using this online whiteboard, no registration necessary. Optional registration allows you to save whiteboards for later use. Give your whiteboard a name and choose your board size to begin. Options allow for customizing the look of the whiteboard, adding a chat box, and uploading images. Share with other users using the provided link or with your personalized code. NoteBookCast is compatible with many devices making it easy for everyone to work together.

tag(s): collaboration (93), drawing (61), iwb (31)

Learn a language through favorite music videos with LyricsTraining. This very engaging site offers an extensive collection of videos in several genres. Choose from top lyrics to begin or scroll through the home page to view new lyrics. Select a language to narrow down choices. Once you select a video, choose from four different levels - the hardest requires you to fill in all the words of the song! Choose also to fill in the blanks or select responses from the four provided options. Registration isn't required; however, it allows you to save favorites and create your own customized exercises. If your district blocks YouTube, then the videos may not be viewable.
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tag(s): DAT device agnostic tool (147), french (75), german (49), italian (31), japanese (47), multilingual (77), portuguese (22), spanish (109), video (266)

Create excitement about books and promote the love of reading with Loose Canon. This site provides over 9000 book recommendations to view by subject or grade level. Create a free classroom account to add your books and recommendations by your students. Free accounts allow up to 60 participants to share and compare texts. Be sure also to view the resources provided by Loose Canon. This portion of the site shares assessment, classroom activities, and reading research to viewers without requiring registration. Included is approximately a five minute video explaining reading workshop and features of Loose Cannon. This video resides on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, the video may not be viewable.

tag(s): book lists (167), book reports (28), classroom management (120)

Let's face it, creating proper citations is difficult due to the many different formats and the variety of sources cited. EduBirdie helps with this problem with its Auto Citer. Click Citation Generators from the top menu and then choose the type of format you need. The three step procedure begins at the top menu with choosing the type of work that is cited then moves on to adding requested information to the form generator. Click "Generate Citation" to complete your citation ready to copy and paste into any document.

tag(s): citations (33), plagiarism (34), Research (87)

Formilla is a live chat widget add-on for your website. Compatible with all formats, Formilla is customizable for different languages and appearance. Free accounts include access to one website, one chat agent, and up to 30 chats/emails.
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tag(s): chat (41), communication (129), multilingual (77)

Expresso is a tool to improve and analyze writing through providing data to enhance your writing style. Paste your work into Expresso to analyze your sample. Expresso's analysis provides a significant amount of data including the number of weak verbs in your writing, frequently used words, and readability statistics. Take full advantage of the power of this site by exploring how to use the sections in the metrics information menu and the site's tutorial.

tag(s): editing (93), grammar (137), proofreading (21), spelling (98), writing (325)

Drag, upload, or paste text files to convert your text to speech instantly. Choose from many voice and language options for replay. Other options allow control over the speed of your speech replay. Use the upload icon to save to your computer.
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tag(s): chinese (45), french (75), german (49), multilingual (77), spanish (109), text to speech (20)

Build an emoji with Bitmoji. Bitmoji is an Android and Apple app, also available as a Chrome extension. Use email to create an account then follow prompts to create an emoji with your likeness; save it as a PNG to your computer, Google Drive, or Microsoft OneDrive. The fun starts after creating your emoji! Choose from countless options to share your Bitmoji in emails, messages, as an avatar (even inserting it into your favorite games), or anywhere you communicate online.

tag(s): creativity (86), DAT device agnostic tool (147), emotions (49), faces (5), images (263)

The purpose of this blog and the accompanying podcast and videos is to support "a vibrant, encouraging, stimulating community of teachers, supporting each other toward excellence." General education, resource, and ESL/ELL teachers will find plenty of subjects of interest. Choose from broad topics including instruction, classroom management, or technology for ideas in honing your craft through topics of interest to any teacher. Dig deeper to find leadership ideas and hot topics. Check further down the page to browse and find information on specific subjects and grade levels.

tag(s): classroom management (120), learning styles (18), multilingual (77), parent conferences (21), parents (57), professional development (385)

Citation Generator creates citations for books, movies, and websites in several different formats. Choose the type of source, then select the citation type from four options, and enter the title or URL. Submit to receive results, then copy and paste into any document. The Citation Generator also includes a button to add to your browser. Drag the button to the bookmarks bar to receive one-click citations from any URL you visit.

tag(s): citations (33), copyright (44), plagiarism (34)

Capture your entire screen, or just a part of it with this easy to use screen recorder that includes audio. Download and install the launcher required for your operating system then follow prompts to set up your recording. Save in several popular video formats or directly upload your recording to YouTube, Dropbox, or Google Drive.

tag(s): communication (129), tutorials (52), video (266)

PlayPhrase.me teaches common English phrases and words through the use of video clips from T.V. and movies. Type a phrase to watch and hear it said in many different ways. Create a free account to view the phrases used converted to another language of your choosing. Use the tool bars under each video to replay clips, add to favorites, or add text over the video.

tag(s): vocabulary (238), vocabulary development (94)