Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

This site offers all information on World Maths Day, usually held in March. World Maths Day has taken place each year since 2007. They plan to add science challenges. Students play at home and at school against other students around the world in live games of mental arithmetic. Each game lasts for 60 seconds and students can play up to 100 games, earning points for their personal tally. The students who answer the most questions correctly appear on the Hall of Fame. There are 5 different levels of play, 20 games on each level. All participants receive a digital certificate of achievement. Site resources include teacher and student quick launches, technical guides, and printable posters for the classroom.

tag(s): competitions (10), puzzles (149), seasonal (16)

This site provides interactives for practicing many different math skills. Each are categorized by a theme such as number facts, money, and subtraction. For those not sure what activity to try, recommended interactives by grade level are listed on the left portion of the site. On the right is a list of activities included under each category. This site has a lot to explore for all elementary students.
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tag(s): addition (129), money (113), patterns (61), preK (270), subtraction (110), time (91)

This activity begins building that foundation by working with 5's. Several different options are offered such as identifying the number of items in the 5 frame, identifying the number of items missing in the frame, building the given number, and adding items to fill the frame. Also available is a lesson plan for focusing on the number 2.

tag(s): counting (60), numbers (120)

This site provides a scientific calculator and standard calculator that can be displayed on an interactive whiteboard/projector or embedded into a website or blog. The calculator has a dropdown box to display the recent history of calculations which may be useful to retrieve recent problems. To embed the calculator into a blog or website, find the "widget" link in the top, right-hand portion of the website. After clicking the link, copy and paste the code to embed the calculator horizontally, vertically, or with a minimal (just standard calculator) display.
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tag(s): calculators (36), operations (72)

This site provides many different math activities for students. Directions are provided at the beginning of each interactive, some are for more than one player. At the bottom of the site there is a key that helps explain what skill(s) each activity teaches/practices. Click on "Search" to search the interactives for specific skills. Teachers may also want to take advantage of the free worksheet generators and math videos. Worksheets can be created for elapsed time, telling time, or addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Video directions are provided to help with the creation of worksheets.
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tag(s): addition (129), division (98), money (113), multiplication (122), operations (72), subtraction (110), time (91), worksheets (69)

MathLibs offers multiplication practice and short slide presentations on various math strands. Multiplication practice is in the format of a word problem. Before starting the problems, players input several different names based on prompts. The prompts ask for teacher's names, boys and girls names, annoying boys names, etc. (like Mad Libs). These names are then inserted into the word problems to be solved. The slide presentations offer short tutorials on numbers, patterns, measurement, geometry, graphing, and probability.

tag(s): charts and graphs (171), measurement (122), numbers (120), patterns (61), probability (99)

Practice mathematics operations in this highly personalized format. Choose from online math problems or printable worksheets. Next choose an operation from addition, subtraction, division, or multiplication. Within each of these operations are choices for different levels such as single, double digit, or triple digit. Choices are also available for the number of problems to be completed.

tag(s): addition (129), division (98), multiplication (122), operations (72), subtraction (110)

This is a simple connect-the-dots game using numbers 1 up to 50. Several different puzzles are offered for students to choose from. Connect the dots in the correct order and the completed picture is shown (in color.) Puzzles are printable so can also be used by all students at one time for a classroom activity. The image size is not large, so those with poor mouse-skills may have trouble clicking on the small numbers/dots.

tag(s): counting (60), puzzles (149)

Create simple audio podcasts using this online tool and the free space they provide. Simply put, this tool lets you create and place sound recordings online for people to listen to and/or download from the web. There are MANY free podcasts in a variety of subject areas (art, health, technology, music, business, and more.) We have linked this review directly to the K-12 area within the site. The site includes some social networking tools, so some schools may have it blocked. The site is a "general public" site, so the home page has links to recent podcasts that may not be appropriate for young people. Find the home page by clicking the logo "podOmatic" to find directions for creating a podOmatic podcast. Essentially you will attach a mike or use your built-in computer mike; create the podcast by clicking a record button, (you may have to tell your computer to "allow" the site to access your mike). Choose a background for your podcast page. Share it with others using one of several sharing options on the "My Podcast" tab, including copying the link. Listeners can listen to it online or download to their MP3 player. You can also create a "minicast" with a simple upload of images and audio that turns your images into a short video. Transitions are also available for your minicast. Share through a blog, on X (formerly Twitter), a link or directly to Facebook. There are limits to the amount of file storage for free accounts. The site will tell you how much space each podcast takes and how much you have left. podOmatic does not allow memberships for those under 13. podOmatic now has a free iOS and Android apps.

tag(s): communication (129), DAT device agnostic tool (147), digital storytelling (154), podcasts (108)

Looking for easier ways to share images? Pronounced "Imager," this site is easy to use. Use the super-simple photo-sharing site to upload photos or insert image URL addresses. Click the upload button or enter the URL of the image from the Internet (obtainable by right clicking the online image and selecting "properties" or "Get info"). No need to register for an account. Uploaded images are private and only the person who uploaded has the URL of the image. Use the simple editing options to be sure the image fits in the blog, wiki, or site you are using it on. File upload is limited to 2 MB. Use a direct link or embed code to share your uploaded image wherever you need. Use caution when sharing this site with students. Content is not filtered and may contain inappropriate language.

tag(s): images (263), photography (130)

Have no fear, SlideShare is here! Whether you consider yourself techno phobic or ultra savvy, this site offers something for every level of user. This site hosts tons of prefabricated slide shows or Power Point presentations, and considers itself the largest presentation sharing website available. As educators, we know the value of professional borrowing and this site puts slide show resources for any content area right at your fingertips. For the more daring, upload your own slide presentation creations. Once posted, you can see how many people have viewed your show. View comments left by people who have viewed your show to gain feedback and participate in educational discussion. Shows can be embedded in blogs, social networking sites, or downloaded to your computer (Where - YES! You can edit it to suit your specific needs!) This is not a slide show creation tool, but rather a sharing resource for educators and civilians alike.
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tag(s): images (263), photography (130), slides (43)

Use Alternative to... and find a new alternative to one of your favorite online tools. Use the social-network powered database to suggest the new application. Find featured applications ready to view. Use the tabs below to find the applications with the "Most views," "Most likes," "Recent," or even those that do not have an alternative. Join/follow the site to vote on favorite and alternative apps as well as uploading new applications to be considered.
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tag(s): social networking (61)

Popplet combines a great number of features for creating mindmaps into one package. Share and collaborate with others. Create detailed and easily customized mindmaps. After creating a free account, click the "public popplets" tab at the top to see many differnt kinds of example Popplets for inspiration. Change the color of Popplets (mindmap boxes). Draw or insert images and videos from Flickr, Facebook, You Tube, and even your desktop. When you begin your Popplet, follow the mini-tutorial that appears to quickly learn the features. Create one Popplet for free. Though Popplet looks simple and limited, it is probably one of the easiest to use. Have an iPad? Use the Popplet app!

tag(s): concept mapping (15), mind map (27), myplate (18)

This online tool lets you and your students create a collaborative "space" online in any subject, allowing as many people as you want to edit, make changes, add new content, etc. You may be familiar with wikipedia, but wikis can be so much more! A recent poll of "high tech" educators cited wikis as the one web-based tool they could not live without! If you have not tried a wiki yet, visit the TeachersFirst Wiki Walk-Through for a detailed, step-by-step explanation and starter help, including dozens of ideas for ways to use a wiki in your classroom.

If you are not sure which wiki tool is best for you, see our detailed TeachersFirst review of PBWorks (formerly PBWiki) features, pros, and cons(done as part of the TeachersFirst Wiki Walk-Through). Ignore the persistent and pervasive suggestions that you upgrade to a fee-based membership!

tag(s): social networking (61), wikis (14)

Ever think that you could look more professional if you used a teleprompter just like the President? Try this free version then! Simply copy and paste your text into the field, highlight words if desired, and then click "Start prompt." Click play on the next screen to start the prompter. Speed up or slow down the speed of the prompter using the "+" or "-" buttons. The size of the prompter text can also be increased easily. Users must be able to copy and past text from one application to another. Player controls look much like standard video player controls. Follow the demo to watch how it is used or take a few moments to play with it. Close the site, and the information in the prompter is lost.
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tag(s): speeches (23)