Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

The British Museum presents this visually stunning site about the "cradle of civilization," Mesopotamia. Approach your study from one of several perspectives: geography, time, gods and goddesses, or writing. Each module has information, some extension narrative, and a challenge game (with requires Shockwave). For teachers, the best part is the Staffroom section which offers step by step information about using the site in the classroom. Start there to quickly discover how you can best use this resource.

tag(s): architecture (75), mesopotamia (32), middle east (50), writing (325)

This site challenges your group to act as chief water engineers, creating an aqueduct for the ancient Roman city of Aqueductis. You have the choice of five different structures to build the duct. When you put the items in the correct order, the city will receive water. Also, take a look at "Let's Build An Aqueduct!", that uses popcycle sticks to build the aqueduct. oth acBtivities have a materials list and you will need to download directions in PDF or Word format.

tag(s): problem solving (233), romans (52), rome (37), water (102)

As part of their extensive site for vocabulary, roots, and more, Vocabulary.com has added a themed area for Ancient Egypt. Find interactive vocabulary activities using Ancient Egypt vocabulary words. You will also find printable crosswords, fill in the blanks and more, all using the same 18 theme words. This and other "themes" available on the site will make vocabulary development fun.

tag(s): egypt (56), vocabulary (238)

This online library provides instant access to many classic Greco-Roman authors, as well as links to several important Chinese and Persian classical writers. All translated works are available in complete form; a search feature allows students to do a detailed search if they have the title they want. Otherwise, the browse feature allows them to scan the complete list of offerings. The site includes over 400 works of classical literature written by nearly 60 different authors. This site has aBuy Books link, be sure to instruct students to steer clear from there.

tag(s): chinese (45), greek (47), greeks (46), latin (23), literature (221), rome (37)

Use the "On Roman Numerals" page to learn how Roman Numerals are used. Visit the Roma Nova main page for more information about Roman culture.

tag(s): latin (23), roman numerals (7), rome (37)

Ancient mysteries can be a sure-fire way to get students excited about history. The gigantic statues on Easter Island are one of those mysteries. This site, associated with a NOVA episode, provides a lot of engaging information about the statues. There are shockwave-enabled exercises that challenge students to try and virtually move one of the statues, to compare the weight of the statues with other ancient monoliths, and an interactive map of the island. Understanding the amazing skills and abilities of these "primitive" people can give students insight into the development of technology over time.

tag(s): landforms (39), oceans (149), south america (47)

Need a PowerPoint? Check this site first to find one on a topic you need from the vast array available. The free PowerPoints and interactive activities are easily downloaded. To find the FREE PowerPoint presentations, click on the FREE Presentations in PowerPoint Format link found directly under the red train. There are literally hundreds of topics (over 1,200 at the time of this review). Topics are listed in alphabetical order. There are so many topics: Plagiarism, Integers, Interjections, IQ Tests, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Graphic Organizers, Graphs, Gold Rush, the Bible, Economics, Amelia Earhart (and many other heroes), Descriptive Writing, Coral Reefs, Civil Rights Movement, Autism, Ancient Civilizations, Presidents, Louisiana Purchase, Money, Music Instruments, How to Write an Outline, Rosa Parks, Resumes, Terrorism, Vietnam War, and many MANY others. Primary teachers will appreciate simple activities on Dolch words and other sight vocabulary! Pages are arranged in topics such as "Plants and Animals," "World History," "Biology, Chemistry, and Physics," and "Problem Solving." There are many professional topics on exceptionalities, as well. Each page includes a vast array of subtopics. Other links on the page include "Greta's Game Station" and "Hannah's Help" which offers information on researching.

tag(s): 20th century (62), adhd (28), back to school (55), electricity (61), flight (34), inventors and inventions (80), literature (221), parts of speech (39), polar (10), politics (118), speech (69), states (124), war of 1812 (15), world war 1 (77), world war 2 (161)

Looking for some new tricks to teaching this genre (fairy tales, folktales, and Myths) to your students? Check out this site that provides lesson plans, interactives, class activities, reproducible pages, and more. The lesson plans and activities are divided by grade level (K-3, 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12). The site says that the lessons (for all levels) will take approximately one day/class period.

tag(s): air (101), folktales (34)

Don't let the simple appearance fool you! This site is a smorgasbord of interactive lessons on history, English, and music. Wonderful for the Humanities teacher, it allows teachers of any of those subjects to pick and choose what best fits their plans. Some examples of topics include archaeology, ancient Rome, South American Empires, ancient Egypt, ancient Greece, letter writing, gorgeous grammar, common spelling errors, the Renaissance, the Middle Ages, poetry, the theatre, film, composers, and at least twenty other topics. The site declares itself "student self-directed (self-explanatory)." The links are functional, the graphics are attractive, and, while some of the activities are simple and straightforward, many of them take students into analysis and synthesis without them even realizing they are thinking on higher levels and producing work with more depth.

tag(s): australia (28), civil rights (209), grammar (137), listening (93), medieval (32), poetry (193), renaissance (38), spelling (98)

Lead your students on an exploration of the art of Ancient Egypt! The Metropolitan Museum of Art has created a treasure trove of lesson plans and activities built around their stellar Egyptian collection. The educational resources integrate Egyptian art into language arts, social studies, math, science, and visual and performing arts. This would be a terrific launch point for a gifted enrichment unit. Dig into the Resources area to get an overview of the printable worksheets, bibliographies, maps, and online features. Be sure to click on the Curriculum Connection area for specific lesson plans and activities for your students.

tag(s): egypt (56)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City offers this site. View World Maps, Timelines, Thematic Essays, and more. Click on the "Works of Art" link to search by time period, geographical region, or thematic category. Time periods include 8000 BC to the present. Thematic categories include African, Renaissance, Colonial, Medieval, Modern, and more. The timeline features nearly every continent and many categories of art.

tag(s): art history (102), medieval (32), renaissance (38)

Rome Reborn is, as its title implies, a digital representation of Rome on June 21, 320 AD. Currently, several views and videos are available. The clips look like a cross between a "Google Earth" fly-in and the backdrop for a video game. While they have the potential to give students a "you are there" vision of ancient Rome,

tag(s): latin (23), rome (37)

Learn about each Egyptian pyramid by following explorers through the excavations, and learn about the exciting history of pyramid discovery and uncovering! View detailed inside views of each site. Learn how to decipher hieroglyphics as you make your way through this fascinating site. Read about current digs and restoration efforts. Though the virtual exploration portions of the site require Quicktime (Flash), most of the site does not. There is plenty to learn here!

tag(s): archeology (28), egypt (56), pyramids (21)

This archaeological site is interactive, educational and engaging. This site has numerous activities and facts. Some of the topics include "Inca Investigation", "The Ancient City of Petra" and "Up Close With a Zapotec Urn". The "Big Idea" link provides an overview of archeology. The interactive activities are diverse and informative. Though the games on this site require Flash, there is still plenty to learn and do.

tag(s): archeology (28)

Find out about the history, heroes, and patterns behind the epic poem, with this middle-school level lesson. Students can learn to recognize the epic hero cycle, and the patterns and events characteristic of this genre. The lesson also introduces students to the mnemonic devices used by generations of storytellers to help with recall of long and often complicated tales. Includes downloadable worksheets, a glossary of literary terms, and ideas for lesson extensions. Aligned to Standards.

tag(s): poetry (193)

This online tool lets you create a timeline of an individual's life using dates from 1000 AD to the present year. Enter the person's name and dates, add events (historic or personal) and their beginning/ending dates, and click the "generate" button.

tag(s): timelines (56)

Take a virtual field trip though the pyramids, temples, and architecture of ancient Egypt. The most impressive feature of the site is a self-guided QuickTime tour through the Land of the Pharaohs that offers dozens of impressive 360 degree photos. Originally designed as a companion site to a NOVA program, the site could be the focus of a great computer lab activity for an ancient history unit.

tag(s): egypt (56), pyramids (21)

Who were the very first Americans? This site explores evidence found by archeologists, examines artifacts found throughout the United States, and involves visitors in interpreting Stone Age tools. Includes interactive activities and a downloadable teacher's guide. Though some of the features require Flash, there is so much to see and do on this site, it's worth a visit.

tag(s): archeology (28)

What can artifacts reveal about the ancient men and women who created them? This site encourages students to think about the type of information human-made objects can reveal about people of the past and present. The three print-friendly lesson plans are the true treasures on this site. With incredible detail they walk through the process of setting up a series of archaeological tasks and provide related worksheets and charts. Topics explored include identifying artifacts, dating soil layers, and interpreting artifacts using typology.

tag(s): archeology (28)