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PBS's East Meets West: The Impact of Trade on Europe and China - PBS's East Meets West: The Impact of Trade on Europe and China
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): china (81)
In the Classroom
Students can create a trade timeline from Ancient China to the Western World by using Timeline Maker, reviewed here. Students can create a 3D diorama of the trade route from east to west. Students can research all the items that were traded, who created them, and who purchased them.PBS's Influence of Buddhism (Cultural Diffusion) | The Story of China - PBS's Influence of Buddhism (Cultural Diffusion) | The Story of
Grades
3 to 12In the Classroom
Students can compare Buddhism to another religion using Canva's Venn Diagram Creator, reviewed here. Students can research the impact of Buddhism in Ancient China. Finally, students can create a timeline of how religion changed over time using Timelinely, reviewed here.Learn German Easily - Lucas Kern
Grades
6 to 12In the Classroom
After students learn basic phrases and vocabulary from the website, pair them up to create and perform short dialogues or skits using what they've learned. This helps reinforce pronunciation and conversational skills. Use vocabulary lists from the website to create Bingo cards or an online game such as Quizizz, reviewed here. Use the website to select a "Phrase of the Day." Write it on the board each morning, and challenge students to use it in sentences or classroom interactions throughout the day.Explore the Blue: 360 Lake Ontario Schooner St. Peter - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): archeology (28), canada (24), virtual field trips (128)
In the Classroom
Have students imagine they were aboard the schooner St. Peter during its final voyage and write a first-person narrative or diary entry describing the events leading up to the wreck, integrating historical facts from the tour. Introduce students to the basics of sonar and photogrammetry using videos or interactive simulations (provided in the lesson plan or online). Have students design a simple map of the shipwreck site, mimicking sonar scans. This could be done with grid paper or use an online tool such as Google Drawings, reviewed here or Google My Maps, reviewed here. Students can take the 360 virtual tour of the schooner St. Peter using computers or VR devices. Have students write a reflection or create a storyboard or use a resource such as Story Maps, reviewed here about what they observed, focusing on the ship's structure, artifacts, and underwater environment.Expeditions Pro - Singleton Technology Limited
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): augmented reality (9), virtual field trips (128)
In the Classroom
Begin a unit with a virtual field trip using ExpeditionsPro to introduce students to a topic like ancient Egypt, space exploration, or marine biology. Allow students to explore immersive environments using AR/VR features and discuss their first impressions. Students work in small groups to design a virtual field trip based on a topic they're studying (ex., famous landmarks, ecosystems, or historical events). Using ExpeditionsPro, they add images, videos, and descriptions to create an engaging tour. Teachers can design a virtual scavenger hunt within a tour. For example, students could look for specific artifacts in a museum tour or identify types of plants in a rainforest tour.The Rise and Fall of History's First Empire - TED-Ed
Grades
6 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): asia (116), cultures (180), mesopotamia (32)
In the Classroom
Assign students to research another ancient empire (ex., Egypt, Indus Valley, or China). In a short presentation, they can compare its achievements, government, and eventual decline with Sumer. The presentation can be made using Google Slides, reviewed here, or they can make a webpage using a tool such as Webnode, reviewed here. Have students make maps of Mesopotamia in Google My Maps, reviewed here, and locate key cities like Ur and Uruk. Discuss how geography (rivers, fertile land) influenced Sumer's development and why these features were vital to survival. Students could also use Timeline Infographic Templates, reviewed here to create a visual timeline of key events from Sumer's history based on the video. Include the development of cities, cuneiform writing, and other milestones.Internet Archive - Brewster Kahle
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): audio books (26), digital storytelling (154), ebooks (43), literature (221), media literacy (109), movies (54)
In the Classroom
Make a digital scavenger hunt by creating a list of questions or tasks that require students to search for answers using the Internet Archive, such as finding a historical document or an old movie clip. Encourage students to find supplementary materials, like old videos, music, or texts, to add depth to a research project or presentation on a historical or cultural topic. Use the Wayback Machine to explore how a popular website looked at different points in history. Discuss how technology and design have changed over time. Assign students to locate and analyze primary source documents, such as speeches, newspapers, or historical books, to support history or social studies lessons.Asia for Educators - Columbia University
Grades
K to 12In the Classroom
Introduce the Chinese Zodiac. Students learn about the animals and the characteristics of each sign. Have students create masks or drawings of their zodiac animals and share how their traits might influence their personalities. Teach students the history of the Great Wall of China using the website's lesson plans. Have them construct a model of the Wall using craft supplies. Simulate the Silk Road by assigning students roles as traders, buyers, and travelers. Use replica trade goods like silk, spices, or ceramics (real or paper props).Khan Academy- Silk Road - Khan Academy
Grades
6 to 12In the Classroom
Create a classroom simulation where students act as traders along the Silk Road. Assign groups specific goods (ex., silk, spices, glass) and cities, and have them "trade" with each other, considering the challenges of travel, costs, and demand. Divide students into groups to design a mock museum exhibit about the Silk Road. Each group focuses on one aspect: trade goods, religions, technology, or geography. Use digital maps or printed maps to trace the routes of the Silk Road. Have students identify key cities, trade items, and geographical challenges. To enhance learning they can use an online tool such as Google My Maps, reviewed here.Mesopotamia Outline Map - Don Dellinger
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): asia (116), map skills (63), maps (220), mesopotamia (32)
In the Classroom
Draw and analyze ancient trade routes and discuss what goods were traded and how geography influenced commerce. Have students label key rivers, cities, and regions. Assign groups to research cities or regions on the map and present their findings. Discuss how the rivers influenced agriculture, led to the invention of irrigation, or caused environmental challenges.National Geographic Earthquake Collection - National Geographic
Grades
4 to 10tag(s): earthquakes (46), natural disasters (18), plate tectonics (22)
In the Classroom
Have students use the National Geographic MapMaker tool to plot recent earthquake data. They can identify patterns in earthquake locations and explore how they relate to tectonic plate boundaries. Set up a simple hands-on activity where students build structures using blocks or Jenga pieces. Use a shake table (or improvise one) to simulate an earthquake and observe the impact on their designs. Use the site's interactive diagrams to examine major fault lines like the San Andreas Fault. Pair this with research on historical earthquakes, such as the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, to analyze causes and effects. Students can work in groups to create a safety guide for their school or home, including what to do before, during, and after an earthquake. They can use a tool like Book Creator, reviewed here or ePubEditor, reviewed here.Mesopotamia Smartboard Review - Not provided
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): asia (116), cultures (180), mesopotamia (32), slides (43)
In the Classroom
Use the information in the slides to create a game using Quizizz, reviewed here or Gimkit, reviewed here that can be used to help review. Have students work in collaborative groups to work through the links on the slides. Have students compare and contrast Mesopotamia with another ancient culture.Sagrada Family Vista Familia Virtual Tour - Fundacio Junta Constructora del Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada
Grades
5 to 12tag(s): europe (84), spain (13), spanish (109), virtual field trips (128)
In the Classroom
While exploring the tour, students can journal their observations, describing details and questions they have about Gaudi's choices. In Spanish class, students can write a descriptive paragraph in Spanish about the basilica, focusing on vocabulary related to art and architecture. Students can sketch parts of the basilica, focusing on Gaudi's unique designs, and then share interpretations of their meanings or symbolism. Have students research Catalan culture, noting how it influenced Gaudi's design, and present findings in small groups.Hispanic Heritage Month - National Education Association
Grades
K to 12tag(s): central america (20), cross cultural understanding (173), cultures (180), dance (31), hispanic (36), south america (47)
In the Classroom
Have students select a country from the Hispanic world and research its culture, traditions, and famous figures. They can create a presentation or a digital poster to share with the class, allowing students to explore diverse aspects of Hispanic heritage using a platform such as Canva, reviewed here. Using a large map of Latin America and Spain, have students pin locations based on historical events or contributions of notable Hispanic individuals discussed in class using a resource such as Google My Maps, reviewed here. Invite a guest speaker from the local Hispanic community or arrange a virtual field trip to a Hispanic cultural center or museum. Introduce students to traditional Hispanic music and dance styles like salsa, flamenco, or mariachi.Malbork Castle - wkraj.pl
Grades
4 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): architecture (75), europe (84), medieval (32), virtual field trips (128)
In the Classroom
After exploring the castle, have students research a specific architectural feature (ex.:vaulted ceilings or decorative elements). They can present findings on why these elements were important in medieval castle design and defense. Assign students to research the Teutonic Knights' history, focusing on their role in Europe and why they built Malbork Castle. Students could create a brief presentation or write a report, connecting their lessons with their virtual tour observations. Students can create a diorama or 3D model (digitally with a tool like Clipdrop, reviewed here) of Malbork Castle or specific sections of it, focusing on accurate representations of the architectural features observed in the tour.Blair Castle - Blair Charitable Trust
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): architecture (75), europe (84), scotland (8), virtual field trips (128)
In the Classroom
Students can sketch the castle's distinct architecture or specific rooms they find most interesting from the virtual tour. Pair this with a short description of how the architecture reflects Scotland's history or culture, helping students connect art and historical design elements. Using an online mapping tool such as Google My Maps, reviewed here, students can mark Blair Castle and other significant Scottish castles, noting historical events associated with each one. Have students choose an art piece or artifact they saw in the virtual tour and create their own version, along with a paragraph explaining how their piece reflects Scottish culture to explore symbolism. Make a scavenger hunt of items or locations to explore on the virtual field trip.MapChart United States Map - MapChart
Grades
2 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): map skills (63), maps (220), north america (15), population (51), states (124)
In the Classroom
Students can use MapChart.net to color-code states after identifying their capitals. For example, they can mark states where they correctly recall the capital in green and those they need to study in red. Afterward, they can download and print the map for study guides. During a lesson on government and elections, students can color the map to simulate an electoral vote count. Students could also research population density and important landmarks of various U.S. states and then use different colors to represent high-density and low-density areas on the map. During a history lesson on westward expansion, students can use this site to highlight the territories acquired through different treaties (ex, the Louisiana Purchase and Oregon Trail).The Institute for Curriculum Services (ICS) - The Institute for Curriculum Services
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): arab (12), bias (27), environment (252), immigration (68), israel (14), jews (33), maps (220), religions (95)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of this site's many offerings to find lessons and support materials for teaching about antisemitism, the Middle East, and Ancient Israel. For example, maps can be shared with students to provide the context of the changing regional boundaries in the Mideast over time and ask them to research events that led to changing boundaries. Engage students while sharing maps and documents by using Annotate, reviewed here to create flipped lessons. While using Annotate, create clips with video explanations and add assessments to your documents. Extend learning by asking groups of students to choose a topic or specific region to actively explore the events and problems and how they relate to modern-day difficulties in the region as a project-based learning activity. Find more information and resources for project-based learning at TeachersFirst Special Topics Page: Project-Based Learning, here.Mpala Live! - Mpala Research Center
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): africa (148), biodiversity (36), conservation (102), ecology (103), habitats (92)
In the Classroom
Have students watch a live cam for a set period and record observations about animal behaviors, habitats, and interactions. Encourage students to note patterns, movements, and any interesting behaviors and share their observations with the class, comparing findings to discuss the diversity of animal behaviors. After learning about the endangered species featured on Mpala Live!, students can design their own wildlife conservation campaigns. Students can research an animal they watch on the live cam and make a presentation using Genially, reviewed here with their findings.The Aquarium of the Pacific - Aquarium of the Pacific
Grades
K to 12tag(s): adaptations (16), conservation (102), environment (252), marine biology (31), STEM (297)