Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

Looking for review materials for a variety of classes? Use for a wide range of curriculum topics. (A "learning object" is any kind of interactive activity, animation, video, audio file, etc, that can be used for learning.) This site is great for introductory, reinforcement, or review materials. Find most of the relevant topics by using the search bar. Choose from many subjects such as biology, biochemistry, chemistry, math, sociology, world languages, and written communication, among others. Gifted students or those who learn well independently can study Chinese and other topics not easily available in their school using WISC-Onkine.

tag(s): animals (295), business (52), cells (82), chinese (45), grammar (137), grammar review (31), life cycles (21), microscopes (10), plants (146), psychology (65), sentences (22), sociology (23), speech (69)

Create definition lists easily and completely. Simply enter the terms, and click "generate" to create a list of words with definitions. View synonyms, download as a document, or email your list to others. Be aware: there are no filters on this definition site, so ANY word (appropriate or not) can easily be searched by students. Use under teacher supervision with students likely to enter inappropriate terms for immature reactions.
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tag(s): dictionaries (47), synonyms (15), vocabulary (238), vocabulary development (94), word study (59)

Create your own rubric for multimedia and other projects or search the gallery from many that already exist for all grade levels. (Also use the gallery to get great project ideas!) Search the type of rubric or project to find a related rubric. Use the buttons at the bottom to preview, edit (customize and save your own version from existing ones), or copy. Share by URL or embed code in a wiki, blog, or site. Keep bookmarked rubrics in your account on the site. Create free personal or group accounts (for educators). Create classes, join educator groups, and more.

tag(s): assessment (147), rubrics (37)

This site offers printable worksheets for practice in Arithmetic, Algebra 1 and 2, Geometry, and Trigonometry. Each topic includes several sub-topics such as factoring, simplifying equations, sum and product of roots, and more. Each worksheet offers an example problem, practice problems, and mixed-practice homework problems. Answer keys are also included. In addition to the worksheets, links are provided to web resources for each concept that include additional information and interactive images.

tag(s): angles (52), equations (119), factors (29), operations (72), worksheets (69)

Virtual Nerd is a FREE unique, online resource offering students real help in math. Current topics include middle grades math through algebra 2, geometry, and SAT math topics. Within each topic are many subtopics offering videos along with a written explanation of the problem.
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tag(s): equations (119), functions (52), test prep (69), tutorials (52), variables (14), video (266)

This site offers an interesting, visual look at the U. S. National Debt in real time. Many different categories are included making this quite complicated looking; however it offers a real-time snapshot of the country's complicated balance sheet. In addition to the National Debt, there are categories for debt per person and amount of debt per taxpayer. Other statistics include largest budget items, money creation, U.S. population, and much more. Definitions and sources of information can be found by mousing over the item, then looking at the U.S. debt logo at the top of the page.

tag(s): charts and graphs (171), data (151), financial literacy (93), statistics (121)

This website aims to be the online hub for everything related to Pi, and to promote fun with math! Although a portion of the site contains links to shopping for Pi-related items, there are many valuable resources within the site to use in the classroom. Beginners can learn about Pi through the short explanation at the Learn About Pi link. Under the Celebrate Pi tab, be sure to look at Ways to Celebrate Pi Day for ten classroom ideas - suggestions include eating pie, contests for memorizing the most digits, Pi research ideas, and more.
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tag(s): flips (6), pi (29), puzzles (149), vocabulary (238)

This site offers several different resources and materials for learning Algebra and Pre-Calculus. There is an Arithmetic, Algebra, and Pre-Calculus dictionary which contains in-depth explanation for terms found in these courses. Most explanations include images and written definitions of concepts. The link to lessons contains many Geometry and Algebra lessons including warm-ups, vocabulary, and assignments. The link to "Good Stuff" includes interactives, graph paper, and masters of activities. The site is a little difficult to navigate, especially within the lessons section; however, the material is useful and would complement any resources already being used in the classroom and are worth exploring.

tag(s): charts and graphs (171), dictionaries (47), vocabulary (238)

This site offers many puzzles and math logic activities in an easy to use format. Puzzles are sorted by difficulty level and topic such as logic, geometry, or math. New puzzles are indicated on the home page and is updated often. There is also a quiz of the day and that solution can be accessed without registration. Puzzles can be accessed without registering to the site; however, to receive solutions, you must register then solutions will be sent via email. You may want to consider setting up a separate email account (gmail) specifically for the site so that each student doesn't have to register individually.
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tag(s): logic (161), puzzles (149)

This site offers explanations for trigonometric functions and identifies the most important formulas as a basis for learning and understanding trigonometry. The concept is that student learning will increase with understanding of basic concepts instead of memorizing all formulas by rote without comprehension of meaning. Although a little dry and void of many illustrations, the site may be helpful for studying and learning basis trigonometric concepts. There is a printable version of the site which can be used for student journals or notebooks.

tag(s): functions (52), test prep (69)

This very simple looking site offers some valuable resources for Arithmetic, Trigonometry, and Functions. Each of these links provide basic information and facts for each of the topics through written explanations and images. Some of the explanations tend to get complicated and may be overwhelming; however, they may be useful as a starting point for classroom conversations when introducing or reviewing topics. Gifted students may appreciate this site as a way to receive more in-depth information on common math topics.

tag(s): functions (52), gifted (66)

This site offers a searchable database of lesson plans in all subjects and grade levels. Searches can be performed by subject area, grade level, and/or keywords. A short summary of each lesson is offered with the search results, lessons contain an overview, content standards (state and national), learning objectives, materials needed, procedures, and assessments. Remediation and Extension activities are also included. Some lessons also include variations added by site users.

tag(s): resources (84)

Did you ever wonder what you weigh on other planets? This site offers the opportunity to compare the effect of gravity across our universe in a personal way. Simply input your weight to find out what you would weigh on other planets, moons, and even stars. Be sure to check out the explanations and information provided below the weight calculations. Information is provided on mass, weight, gravity, and distance, and the formula for calculating the weights are provided.

tag(s): density (18), gravity (43), mass (19), planets (113)

Create and administer tests easily with this resource. ExamGeneral is free to use (unless you decide to sell your tests). ExamGeneral receives a portion of the revenue as well as a nominal up-front fee if you do sell. Follow the detailed tutorial for help in using the site. Create a class and even define whether students require a subscription. Use the class ID for students to use to join your class. Create test templates, tests, schedule tests, and view results from your dashboard. Secret URL's are generated for each exam. Choose to auto grade your exam, create a time limit, and other parameters of the exam.

tag(s): quizzes (90), test prep (69)

Find a wealth of ideas and tips for using technology in your classroom. Tammy Worcester, an instructional technology specialist for ESSDACK and ISTE presenter, compiles her tips of the week here. Other portions of the site include her book sales and paid training and consultation services. See a list of over 100 technology of the week tips, such as creating lesson plans as a Google spreadsheet, sharing lesson plans using Google, as well as publishing them. Follow simple step by step instructions with screen shots embedded for even the most wary technology user. You will also find lists of internet resources given by category. Find 18 ideas and activities explained in simple formats. Some activities include: All about me scavenger hunt, idiom slide show, multiplication charts, Tall Tales, and poetry. This site is ever-growing, so check back often.
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tag(s): folktales (34), idioms (30), number sense (69), operations (72), tutorials (52)

Use this free site for mind mapping (concept maps) and collaboration. Sign up is easy by using existing Google/OpenID/Facebook logins or creating a new login. Review the simple tutorial after sign up for the basics. The FREE account is only for ONE user. So if you plan to have students use the site, you will have to have each student register individually, or each group create an individual account. Note that free accounts make all your "slates" public for others to collaborate/change.

View the video for a quick introduction on copying, moving, and linking boxes. Use the template panel to drop nodes needed for your new slate into the drop panel. Hovering over the box shows tools for editing text, creating links to other boxes (click and hold on the icon while dragging to another box.) Control the colors, borders, template, etc. in the right navigation pane. Export your slate to a pdf document or create an embed code to place into a wiki or blog.

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

Have a student stumped by homework? Find exercises and extra help in various subject areas in this kid-friendly site. Navigate through the various resources and friendly graphics to areas of the site such as "Sweet Stuff" which features neat interactives, "Needed Knowledge" with great tips, "Book review" to view video book reviews, and "Getting Historical." Watch informative (don't confuse with boring) videos of various math problems whether it be basic math, solving word problems, or even geometry. Find videos for other subjects such as science, language arts, social studies, health, and art. Review information in various subjects by trying age-appropriate interactives.

tag(s): homework (29), tutorials (52)

This resource contains great review information, test questions, and other materials for several content areas. The materials included for review are a great way to identify the basic material needed for the understanding of Chemistry, Physics, Geometry, Algebra, U.S. and Global History, Earth Science, and the Living Environment.

tag(s): test prep (69)

This site was created by a university-level Math instructor; however, it can be useful for high school Math students and teachers also. Contained within the site are downloadable notes and tutorials for Algebra, Calculus I, 2, and 3, Linear Algebra, and Differential Equations. Each set of notes is quite in-depth and includes detailed definitions, examples, and tips. Notes can also be printed in PDF form. Be sure to scroll down to the bottom portion of the site for an Algebra/Trig review, Common Math errors, and advice on how to study Math.

tag(s): functions (52), test prep (69), tutorials (52)

If you are looking for many different variations of math puzzles, look here. This site contains many puzzles of all kinds, together with links to other puzzles and mathematical recreation pages. The puzzles are marvelous, though many are a bit hard to understand -- often the author starts talking about a group of puzzles without explaining what the puzzle is. You may also have to work your way through some other random thoughts by the author; however, the puzzles on the page are worth sifting through the page to find them. Puzzles are listed in order of being added to the site, it may be easier to find items by looking on the right-hand side of the page and following the links listed under "Math Games". Activities are listed here by title without any explanation or picture, it would have been easier if they were in alphabetical order; however, this is still easier to find than scrolling through the long page of activities.

tag(s): logic (161), problem solving (233), puzzles (149), trivia (19)