Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

The Explore Films website offers a rich collection of documentary films focused on nature, wildlife, and cultural stories from around the globe. Teachers can utilize this resource to enhance science, geography, and social studies lessons. The films are categorized into several themes, including Nature, Animals, Culture, and Adventure, providing diverse content that can grab students' interests and foster discussions on environmental conservation, biodiversity, and global cultures. Each film aims to educate and inspire viewers, making it an excellent tool for enriching classroom learning and encouraging a deeper understanding of our world. If your district blocks YouTube, then the videos may not be viewable.

tag(s): animals (295), biodiversity (36), conservation (102), cultures (180), video (266)

The Cliffs of Moher Virtual Tour website offers an immersive online experience that allows teachers and students to explore one of Ireland's most iconic natural landmarks. This interactive platform features stunning panoramic views, informative audio guides, and educational resources about the cliffs' geology, ecology, and cultural significance. It provides a unique opportunity for classroom learning about environmental science, geography, and tourism while increasing students' interest in global landmarks. This website uses YouTube, so if your district blocks it, you will be unable to see the videos.
This site includes advertising.

tag(s): ireland (11), virtual field trips (128)

The U.S. Antarctic Program website provides classroom teachers with a unique resource featuring live webcams from three key locations in Antarctica: the South Pole Station, Palmer Station, and McMurdo Station. These webcams allow students to observe real-time conditions in one of the most remote environments on Earth. Teachers can incorporate these feeds into lesson plans on topics such as polar climates, ecosystems, or the scientific research conducted in Antarctica. In addition to live video, the site offers interactive maps, video clips, and educational resources on Antarctic science, climate, and wildlife.

tag(s): antarctica (30), virtual field trips (128)

Skyline Webcams provides a selection of five different live webcams showcasing various breathtaking locations across the Maldives. Use these real-time views to explore diverse landscapes and environments, such as beaches, lagoons, and island resorts. The live feeds can enrich lessons on geography, ecosystems, or climate, offering students an exciting virtual exploration of one of the world's most beautiful destinations. Additionally, use the webcams as engaging visual aids for writing prompts or discussions on topics like tourism, conservation, and island life. If your district blocks YouTube, then the videos may not be viewable.
This site includes advertising.

tag(s): asia (116), webcams (19)

The National Geographic interactive website on the Son Doong Cave offers a stunning virtual exploration of the world's largest cave, located in Vietnam. Through panoramic images, videos, and detailed descriptions, students can discover unique ecosystems, ancient formations, and underground rivers. This resource is ideal for earth science, geography, or environmental studies classes, providing a real-world example of geological processes and biodiversity.
This site includes advertising.

tag(s): asia (116), biodiversity (36), caves (7), ecosystems (83), vietnam (38)

The Google Arts & Culture website offers a virtual tour of the Sydney Opera House, allowing teachers to guide students through its iconic architecture and cultural significance. This interactive tool provides immersive views and historical context, making it a valuable resource for art, history, and architecture lessons. It's an engaging way to explore this world-renowned landmark without leaving the classroom or spending any money.

tag(s): australia (28), virtual field trips (128)

The Niagara Falls Live website offers a comprehensive guide for visitors and educators looking to explore one of the world's most famous natural attractions. It features live camera feeds of the falls, detailed visitor information, and facts about the history and geography of Niagara Falls. The site provides a "window" into the power and beauty of the falls, which can be used to engage students in lessons on natural wonders, erosion, and the significance of water in both geography and history. This resource is perfect for virtual field trips or nature-related discussions in the classroom. If your district blocks YouTube, then the videos may not be viewable.
This site includes advertising.

tag(s): canada (24), virtual field trips (128)

Rock your lessons using popular music and pop culture to engage students. The standards-aligned lessons provide interdisciplinary connections using music as the starting point for in-depth explorations and guided activities. Use the search feature to find lessons and collections sorted by subject, music genre, type of activity, and topic. Subjects range from Civics to CTE to STEAM to Art/Design and many others. Each lesson begins with an essential question and includes procedures, student handouts, and videos.

tag(s): artists (85), cross cultural understanding (173), dance (31), empathy (34), jazz (16), musical instruments (52), social and emotional learning (102), sociology (23), STEM (297)

Voices of Youth is UNICEF's digital community where young people can share opinions and discuss topics that are important to them. Students participate by submitting posts sharing their views on environmental, health, and social issues. Because the site is all about supporting students as changemakers through storytelling, blogging, filming, and interviewing, it includes a resource section that shares tools to improve multimedia, communication, and advocacy skills.

tag(s): disabilities (32), environment (252), hiv/aids (15), inequalities (25), mental health (48), school violence (10), sustainability (50)

This page of The History Channel features Take a Veteran to School Day. Here, you can register for this special day and get How to Guides, Curriculum and Planning Guides, Student Participation Forms, Additional Resources, and a few others in PDF format. The History Channel's Teacher Resources section provides a wealth of materials to support educators in teaching about veterans across various grade levels. It offers lesson plans, video clips, interactive activities, and primary source documents that bring historical events to life. The site also features multimedia content such as documentaries and curated video series, making it a dynamic and engaging tool for enhancing history lessons in the classroom. The videos are hosted on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, then they may not be viewable.
This site includes advertising.

tag(s): terrorism (41), veterans (27), vietnam (38), world war 1 (77), world war 2 (161)

Discover the magic of Venice from your classroom with WorldCams' live feed of St. Mark's Basin. This streaming view captures the iconic beauty of one of Italy's most breathtaking locations, giving your students a front-row seat to the gondolas, bustling waterfront, and historic architecture. Whether you're teaching geography and culture or just looking for a calming visual, this live webcam offers a unique opportunity to spark curiosity and inspire discussion about the rich history and culture of Venice.
This site includes advertising.

tag(s): cultures (180), italy (30), webcams (19)

Crash Course History of Science is a free digital tool with forty-six history of science videos. The series of videos explores the scientific methods by answering and exploring how big questions get answered. Videos start with scientists including Aristotle and Galileo and span throughout history to explore medieval China, India, Einstein, ecology, gender science, and more. Videos, on average, are approximately twelve minutes. This site uses YouTube and has commercials before each video. Some videos have warnings for graphic violence. If your district blocks YouTube, the videos might not be viewable.
This site includes advertising.

tag(s): brain (56), computers (109), ecology (103), electricity (61), genetics (80), medieval (32), scientific method (48), scientists (67)

Crash Course Geography is a free digital tool that contains fifty geography videos. The series is divided into physical geography (above and below the Earth's surface) and human geography (how humans occupy the Earth's surface). Geography videos include how oceans circulate, what cyclones are, how rivers shape the landscape, and what holds a country together or tears it apart. Videos range between ten to twelve minutes. This site uses YouTube and has commercials before each video. Some videos share additional sites for further exploration.
This site includes advertising.

tag(s): countries (73), earth (184), oceans (149), rivers (16)

This lesson plan is perfect for teaching middle to high school students the importance of Veterans Day. It has a thorough list of activities, including a warm-up activity to provide background information on veterans' experiences during war. It covers the challenges they face after serving, the struggle they face when their benefits are delayed, PTSD, and the difficulties women veterans encounter. The lesson plan is detailed with step-by-step directions and includes video resources and links to helpful websites to enhance the classroom experience. The website uses YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, the videos may not be viewable in your classroom. Be aware that there is some partner advertising on the resource links provided.

tag(s): veterans (27), women (151), world war 1 (77), world war 2 (161)

The Crash Course has over 45 videos on topics ranging from Anatomy to Zoology, Artificial Intelligence to Outbreak Science. There are the more common topics one might want to learn about, like Ecology, Films, Geography, and much more. All videos are free to watch. Each video also includes a short description (some with lesson stem ideas). Crash Course videos are hosted on YouTube. If your district/school blocks YouTube, they may not be viewable. The good news for teachers whose schools block YouTube is that you can download the video if you fill out a form. Go to the Download tab from the top menu, select Students & Teachers, scroll down the page, and follow the directions.

tag(s): artificial intelligence (177), black history (133), branches of government (65), business (52), climate (84), computers (109), copyright (44), ecology (103), energy (133), engineering (129), human body (93), literature (222), media literacy (109), myths and legends (37), plants (146), politics (118), space (222), statistics (121), video (266), zoology (18)

The Smithsonian Museum shares this website explaining the history behind Hispanic Heritage Month and provides numerous resources for learning more about Latino American experiences. Visit the different areas of the site to learn about Latino culture, Independence Days, food, art, and famous Latinos; another portion of the site shares educational resources, including teaching and learning resources.

tag(s): artists (85), central america (20), cross cultural understanding (173), dance (31), hispanic (36), south america (47), women (151)

Test your visual knowledge of the world by choosing from various geography games. Ultimate Backdrop asks participants to locate places on a map using artwork, Cat Explorer places cats in well-known locations, and other games use movie scenes, vintage photos, and more to challenge players. Select any game to begin, then drop a pin on the map where you think the image belongs and click submit to earn points.
This site includes advertising.

tag(s): countries (73), game based learning (205), maps (220)

This official Olympics site includes everything you need to know to follow the 2024 Olympic Games and learn about the event's history, the participants, and the stories behind each sport. Membership isn't required; however, free registration allows you to stream live events, follow the journey of favorite athletes and teams, and access exclusive Olympic news.

tag(s): countries (73), france (41), olympics (45), sports (82)

Follow the United States Olympic athletes at this interactive website, including those participating in the Paralympics. Find current news about the athletes and discover athletes who qualify from your state. Use the links at the top of the site to quickly sort information by athletes, schedule, news, and sport.
This site includes advertising.

tag(s): disabilities (32), france (41), olympics (45), sports (82)

National Geographic Education shares many classroom resources for all grade levels, including videos, interactives, maps, and more. Use the keyword search to find content related to specific content, filter by grade, type of learning materials, and subject, or browse the site to view some of the latest resources. Although registration isn't required, creating an account allows members to bookmark and save favorite resources.

tag(s): africa (148), amazon (11), animals (295), antarctica (30), anthropology (10), australia (28), biodiversity (36), birds (46), cells (82), climate (84), climate change (99), conservation (102), constitution (96), continents (33), countries (73), diseases (67), earth (184), earthquakes (46), egypt (56), engineering (129), erosion (15), explorers (64), fish (18), hurricanes (32), mammals (22), mayans (23), migration (45), molecules (44), moon (73), natural disasters (18), natural resources (37), nutrition (140), oceans (149), plants (146), pollution (52), population (51), religions (95), reproduction (7), reptiles (12), romans (52), slavery (79), sociology (23), solar system (110), space (222), volcanoes (55), weather (160), world war 2 (161)