Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

This all-encompassing atlas site provides a broad variety of information and activities. The subject areas include agriculture, biology, boundaries, climate, environment, geology, government, history, mapping, transportation, people, and water. All of the subjects incorporate the United States (for example, the agriculture pages discuss the agriculture of the USA). The map features are phenomenal and include both printable maps and "dynamic maps" which are interactive and awesome! Some of interactive maps include topics such as relief and elevation, West Nile virus, volcanoes and more. This site is a perfect addition to any science class that is studying volcanoes, climate, biology and more. It is also useful in a geography class studying the various uses and types of maps.

tag(s): agriculture (51), climate (84), environment (252), geology (62), maps (220)

This is a wonderful compilation site of news from all over the world. Users can read the home page or search news of a specific geographic region. An excellent plus here is the ability to choose to read the news in a variety of languages. World Photos today, multimedia, global weather, and sports are just a few of the many attractive sections that add to this site's appeal.

tag(s): news (228)

Although this site is no longer maintained, most links are working. This site provides information about Iraq and the war. There are information guides, quizzes, pictures and more. The BBC keeps this page very up-to-date. This site does a good job explaining the war and views of the war to children. Remember this site was created in Britain, so the comments and language are not American. This may surprise younger students at first but will provide a new angle. Though some of the activities require Flash, there is still a lot to be learned at this site.

tag(s): iraq (26)

Find everything you need to commemorate Independence Day with your students at TeacherVision's Fourth of July - Teacher Resources. Some of the featured resources are short Educational Videos, Activities, Printables, Choice Boards, Lesson Plans, Art and Music Activities, and still, there is more! This site is a MUST-see for ideas for observing July 4th with your students. The Free plan offers three resources.

tag(s): holidays (187), july 4th (12)

This unique site is all about being prepared for emergencies and was created by the Department of Homeland Security. The information is presented in a "Kid Friendly", non-scary manner. Topics include "Be Informed," "Plan Ahead," "Take Action," and "Kids." There are also interactive games and resources for students, teachers, and parents. Specific emergency situations include tornadoes, hurricanes, tsunamis, fires, floods and terrorism. There are activity books in English, Spanish, and several other languages in PDF formant

tag(s): fire (22), fire prevention (16), fire safety (16), floods (10), hurricanes (32), safety (68), sun (71), terrorism (41), tornadoes (14), tsunamis (15)

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 (221), movies (54), space (223)

Here are economics lessons for elementary through high school students that explores the rights of individuals versus the obligations of government to preserve and protect natural resources. The site presents opposing economic theories and asks students to evaluate the merits of each as they apply to a hypothetical example. While written as an economics lesson, this example could also work as part of a government class. Aligned to national standards. Many engaging and relevant lessons that are highly engaging.

tag(s): natural resources (37), resources (83)

The cherished right of Freedom of Speech is carefully analyzed in this thoughtful unit plan that illustrates the delicate balance between rights and responsibilities in a free society. A series of six lessons guides upper elementary students through an authentic scenario in which the expressive rights of individuals are in question, provides connections to constitutional interpretations, and analyzes related Supreme Court cases. Aligned to Standards.

tag(s): bill of rights (33), freedom of speech (14), speech (69)

Pick your grade level and take a virtual field trip through the FBI with this interactive site that provides an excellent overview of the organization and its many functions. Students can learn about fingerprinting, DNA analysis, polygraph tests, and much more. Each informational segment is followed by a printable review game. The links to Safety Tips, Working Dogs, and Games are also worth exploring.

tag(s): dna (43), forensics (12)

This practical research tool provides useful, kid-friendly information about each of the fifty states. Students can learn about the census, discover state-related facts, and test their knowledge with some challenging quiz questions. An interactive map serves as an easy navigational tool to reveal state-by-state information including total population, urban and rural residences, school enrollment, and languages spoken.

tag(s): states (124)

This site offers instructions for proper flag folding, along with a discussion of the symbolism contained in the flag folding ceremony.

tag(s): flags (18)

Created by the White House, this "inside look" starts with several historical, humorous tidbits about family life in the White House, and then moves on to many wonderful collections to investigate. All of the collections have photos, images and interviews. There are also a number of historical tidbits scattered through the site - just enough to show how the nation's first home has changed over the years. Add this one to your list of "What's it really like???" sites.

tag(s): white house (16)

Minimal historical information, basic almanac facts, interesting lists of "famous sons and daughters." This site is far from one-stop shopping, but there's useful information here.

tag(s): states (124)

This site offers metalists (most of the content isn't theirs) for each state, including bios of presidents from that state, attractions, public records, and more. There's much more than history items at this site, which may or may not be an advantage.
This site includes advertising.

tag(s): states (124)

The National Park's site on the Boston Naval Shipyard.

tag(s): navy (8)

Humor for election day (based on the election of 2000). Although this resource was created for the 2000 election, the background information and story is valuable for teaching about elections in general and for comparing elections as part of U.S. history.

tag(s): elections (82)

The Biographical Directory of the United States Congress gives biographies of current and past members of Congress dating back to the 1st Continental Congress to now. The site allows you to search by Congress number, party, position, and state.

tag(s): congress (40)

Though the title is probably misleading, this site's collection of information about the presidencies of our nation's leaders has plenty of facts, but little context. One of the more interesting features are the links to historical documents from different presidencies. This one's useful for very basic research, but it lacks the "who did what" aspects that can make history really interesting.

tag(s): presidents (135)

This is a brief snapshot into what Exit polls were like at the 2000 election for President and congress

tag(s): elections (82)

Homepage of the Democratic National Committee.

tag(s): politics (118)