262 mind-stretchers results | sort by:

Crash Course - John and Hank Green
Grades
6 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): animals (296), bacteria (22), bill of rights (32), body systems (41), chinese (45), constitution (95), declaration of independence (15), evolution (89), genetics (81), greeks (46), literature (222), meiosis (8), mitosis (9), nutrition (140), religions (95), rome (37), romeo and juliet (3), russia (35), shakespeare (99), water cycle (22)
In the Classroom
Use as a way to introduce new topics or subjects to establish background knowledge. Share these videos on your projector or interactive whiteboard to provide an introduction (or review) on various topics. Use as an alternate way to help motivate your tech savvy students. Use as an example for a group project with the students planning, writing, and producing an informational video in the subject you are studying. Enhance learning by having cooperative learning groups create videos using Typito,reviewed here, and share them on a site such as TeacherTube, reviewed here. Be sure to point out the steps followed in teaching and learning in the videos. Independent learners and gifted students will love the opportunity to learn on their own using these videos. Instead of "games" for times when student finish work early, why not share the link to this YouTube channel and encourage them to keep a blog using Blogger, reviewed here about what they discover.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Figure This - KnowNet Construction, Inc.
Grades
5 to 10tag(s): critical thinking (127), geometric shapes (135), logic (161), percent (59), probability (99), problem solving (232), statistics (121)
In the Classroom
In the classroom, use Figure This to help differentiate instruction for all levels, especially the high-achievers and gifted students. Allow students to work independently, or work in pairs to solve challenges. Introduce the challenge on your interactive whiteboard projector. Then allow students to dive into the challenge! Use for gifted enrichment, or even a Math Challenge Day for a reward. Offer extra credit for the number of challenges solved. Use as a model to allow students to create their own challenges. Add to your website as a fun resource for students and families.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Math Monday - National Museum of Mathematics
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): colors (64), fractions (160), geometric shapes (135), origami (15), pi (29), puzzles (149)
In the Classroom
Share articles with students and replicate activities included in the article. Share the video demonstrations on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Transform learning and challenge cooperative learning groups to create videos sharing problem solving techniques used during these lessons. Use a video creation tool such as MoocNote, reviewed here to create interactive lessons (can embed quizzes and documents), or Edpuzzle, reviewed here. Use activities in the article as inspiration for Math night activities or Math Fair projects.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Cyberchase - PBS KIDS
Grades
3 to 7tag(s): data (151), engineering (129), fractions (160), money (113), problem solving (232), sports (82), weather (160)
In the Classroom
Introduce math concepts in a unique way, using Cyberchase adventures on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Use this site at your centers/stations to practice, use, and apply math and science skills. Put a link on your class website for students to use for review, reinforcement, and enrichment.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Wolfram Demonstrations Project - Wolfram Mathematica
Grades
4 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): addition (129), animals (296), architecture (76), computers (108), division (98), fractions (160), geometric shapes (135), gravity (43), logic (161), maps (220), money (113), multiples (15), multiplication (122), plants (147), psychology (65), statistics (121), subtraction (110), weather (160)
In the Classroom
Explain how to use the Demonstrations on your interactive whiteboard (or projector). Allow students to explore on their own classroom computers. (Remember to download the CDF player onto each computer or request it in advance from your tech department.) Challenge students to create a talking avatar using a photo or other image (legally permitted for reproduction). Use avatars to explain activities performed using a Demonstration. Use a site such as Blabberize, reviewed here. The beauty of the demonstrations is that it allows students to manipulate and "play" to view the impact of changes made, allowing many opportunities for classroom discussion. Ask students to predict the impact of changes using the manipulate command; then discuss the actual impact as it occurs.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Mathematics Assessment Project - Shell Center for Mathematical Education
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): angles (52), area (53), assessment (144), charts and graphs (171), decimals (85), equations (119), estimation (33), measurement (122), negative numbers (13), percent (59), pythagorean theorem (19)
In the Classroom
Bookmark and save this site as a resource for classroom activities and assessments relating to Common Core standards. Share this site with others in your department as a resource for developing and implementing activity based lessons. View videos as part of your (and your department's) professional development sessions. This is an excellent site for any Math department head or curriculum leader to use when leading fellow teachers.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Math 10 - Yordan Petrov Petrov(Dancho)
Grades
3 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): division (98), equations (119), exponents (35), fractions (160), logic (161), mixed numbers (8), multiplication (122), operations (72), polynomials (20), probability (99), problem solving (232), pythagorean theorem (19), sequences (12), square roots (15)
In the Classroom
Share portions of the site as needed on your interactive whiteboard. Use the Problem Solver applications to demonstrate and share any problems you want to work out as a class. Have students use the Problem Solver and then write a journal entry describing the steps used in solving the problem. Assign different portions of the Math History section of the site to students to use when learning math history or as a backdrop to put concepts into context. Share this site on your website or blog as a resource for students to use at home. Use discussion topics from the site's forum in your classroom. An example would be to discuss the topic if math is the most boring or difficult subject and why.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Playfic - Andy Baio and Cooper McHatton
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): creative writing (124), creativity (86), digital storytelling (153), gamification (82), mysteries (23), puzzles (149)
In the Classroom
"Gamification" of learning is a hot topic in 21st century learning. Use this simple tool to make it happen. Use for any digital storytelling: fact or fiction. In social studies, have students create an interactive game based on life during the Depression or any historic era. Have them create a "Where in the world is ..." for geography. World language students could make a simple game (in the language they are studying) about daily life. Gifted students will love creating games on their favorite topics, so make this a research-and-create-a-game approach for independent projects. Science students could make a game about what might happen in certain weather or life as a fossil. Have your language arts students create mystery or survival stories or even a different ending to a story you've read together. Warning: all stories are PUBLIC and your students will be able to view other's stories. You'll either want to have a class account or monitor this closely.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Let's Play Math! - letsplaymath.net
Grades
K to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): mental math (19), preK (271), puzzles (149)
In the Classroom
Bookmark this blog to use as a resource for classroom lessons and activities. Subscribe to the blog or "like" the Facebook page to be notified when new posts appear. Share this link on your class website for students and parents to use at home.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Promethean Planet - Promethean, Inc
Grades
K to 12In the Classroom
Before you try any of these activities, think about how you can make the lesson more student-centered. Find ideas in TeachersFirst's Hands off, Vanna! Giving Students Control of Interactive Whiteboard Learning . Browse the site for interactive whiteboard resources to download for classroom use. Bookmark and save favorites for later use. Download any resource, then tweak it to your individual needs. Have questions about creating Promethean Flipcharts? Post your question on the technical board to receive helpful replies. If you have a SmartBoard, be sure to check out the SmartBoard lessons and resources page located here. You will need to download the ActivInspire software (free).Comments
This is the go-to site for Promethean flipchart downloads. Most files were created by teachers. The only downside is that the files are hit-or-miss. There are many gems, but you might have to browse some not-so-great files to find them.Tim, , Grades: 0 - 6
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Do Lectures - Talks That Inspire Action - The Chicken Shed
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): business (52), careers (145), creativity (86), debate (42), environment (252), nutrition (140), psychology (65), sociology (23), video (266)
In the Classroom
Do Lectures are a great place to find inspiration and new ideas for your classroom. Many of the videos connect today's real world with curriculum topics, even in entrepreneurship, health, or family and consumer science classes. Use Do Lecture videos as the perfect supplement or launching point for units of study in your classroom. Find a video that supports the topics happening in your classroom. Share on your website for student viewing. Use on your interactive whiteboard (or projector) for a whole class discussion. Stop the video at various points to discuss or debate ideas included. Challenge cooperative learning groups to create videos in response to videos viewed on Do Lectures or their own topic. Share the videos on a site such as TeacherTube reviewed here. Teachers of gifted could plan an entire unit of study around one video or have students select one to use as the launch point for an independent project.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Word Game Time - Copyright '''''''© 2011 Fila, LLC
Grades
K to 7This site includes advertising.
tag(s): capitals (16), countries (73), grammar (137), keyboarding (28), logic (161), reading comprehension (149), spelling (98), states (124)
In the Classroom
In your classroom, offer Word GameTime as a center. Have students keep a log of the games they successfully complete to earn classroom incentives. Find appropriate interactives by grade level or by subject area. Include this link on your class web page as a place for reinforcement or even enrichment.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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MathFlix - Loyola University Chicago School of Education
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): area (53), charts and graphs (171), decimals (85), estimation (33), fractions (160), inequalities (25), logic (161), money (113), numbers (120), patterns (62), percent (59), perimeter (20), polls and surveys (49), probability (99), problem solving (232), statistics (121), symmetry (27), variables (14), whole numbers (9)
In the Classroom
Bookmark this site as a resource for math videos to use on your interactive whiteboard or on classroom computers. Watch videos together to introduce or review classroom concepts. Or "flip" your classroom by sharing the videos or independent viewing before you discuss the topic in class. Share a link to videos on your classroom website or blog for students to use as a review resource at home. Share this entire site on your class website, wiki, or blog for alternative presentations of topics that are difficult. Challenge cooperative learning groups to create videos of their own on math concepts. Share the videos on a site such as TeacherTube.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Edsitement - EdSitement
Grades
K to 12tag(s): art history (103), cultures (180), Juneteenth (22), literacy (121)
In the Classroom
Use Edsitement for lesson ideas in language, history, literature, and cultures. Find multiple sources to give a deeper comprehension on the subject matter. In history classes, keep the ongoing calendar in your favorites to celebrate an important historical day every day. Lesson plans cover multiple grade levels in many different subject areas. Resources can enrich, or even to give further explanation to current topics of study.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Tesla - Master of Lightning - PBS
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): electricity (62), energy (132), industrial revolution (22), inventors and inventions (80), motion (49), radio (20)
In the Classroom
Add intrigue and mystery, to your science unit on electricity, motion, or inventors as you study the life and accomplishments of Nikola Tesla. Excellent lesson plans include a concrete understanding of potential energy, mechanical energy to electrical energy. Use on an interactive white board to begin your unit or create a "Who Dunnit" with electricity or radio. Follow the structure of ideas presented to create an online "famous scientist" wiki, blog or PowerPoint to add to your class website. Use a Socratic seminar to debate which scientist should get credit for the induction motor, radio, and even the Industrial Revolution. Use the readings for older students, advanced readers, or gifted students, as they are far above the reading level of elementary and early middle school students. In language arts, writing topics could include "What a shock electricity is in my life" and "Will the true inventor of electricity please stand up?" The ideas and resources are electrifying!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Spreaker - Spreaker Online Radio
Grades
1 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): communication (129), podcasts (107), radio (20)
In the Classroom
Enjoy a live radio show from your classroom! Publish written pieces of writing, science reports, social studies reports, and any other reports you would like to share. Create a New Book or Book Review podcast for the media center. Link to your podcast URL on your class website. Publish directions to projects, explanations for difficult concepts, or even a radio show of you reading your favorite books for your students. Have upper elementary students take turns reading aloud for a podcast aimed at little reading buddies in kindergarten. Allow students to podcast to "pen pals" in faraway places. Record your school choir, orchestra group, poetry club, or drama club doing their best work or dramatic readings of Shakespeare soliloquies. Take your school newspaper to a new level with recorded radio articles. Be sure to include interviews with students, teachers, principals, parents, authors, artists, and almost anyone. In younger grades, use to save an audio portfolio of reading fluency, expression, or to aid with running records or even include writing. Be sure do this regularly throughout the year to analyze growth. Have fun at Halloween with your Halloween station filled with favorite spooky stories! Welcome your students to a new school year by sending them your message. Create messages for classmates who move away. Bring your foreign language classes an extra resource of your pronunciations whenever they need more practice. ESL/ELL, special education classes can often benefit from the extra explanations, practice, and elaborated instructions given at their own pace. The possibilities are endless! The site itself is a "web 2.0," social networking style site, so some schools may have it blocked. Ask about unblocking just YOUR teacher account so you can have students access it while at school and under your supervision.Edge Features:
Parent permission advised before posting student work created using this tool
Includes Interaction w general public/ public galleries with unmoderated content
Includes social features, such as "friends," comments, ratings by others
Requires registration/log-in (WITH email)
Premium version (not free) includes additional features or storage
Products can be embedded
Products can be shared by URL
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Cut The Rope - ZeptoLab
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): inquiry (24), logic (161), problem solving (232)
In the Classroom
Use this game on classroom computers for a logic or problem solving center. Encourage students to share strategies that worked and didn't work and to consider the causes of each. Have them chart the various strategies they test and the results. If individual computeres aren't available, share this site on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Share a link to the site on your classroom website or newsletter for students to try at home.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Steve Spangler Sick Science Videos - Steve Spangler
Grades
K to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): experiments (55), optical illusions (10), solar energy (34), water (102)
In the Classroom
Show a video on your interactive whiteboard (or projector) as an introduction before conducting an experiment in class. Stop the video before the ending and have students predict what will happen. Have students journal their thoughts to the science at work in the video. Have students create their own comics to explain a topic using comic-creation tools from this collection. Share this site as a resource for science fair projects or for a school science night.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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I Speak Math - Julie Reulbach
Grades
5 to 10tag(s): charts and graphs (171), data (151)
In the Classroom
Use this site as a resource for finding varied math activities for your class. Search the site for math stations to find tips for running math stations in your classroom.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Number Warrior - Jason Dyer
Grades
6 to 12In the Classroom
Share puzzles from the sites for students to complete weekly or as homework. Then challenge students to create a talking avatar using a photo or other image (legally permitted to be reproduced). The avatars can be used to explain steps and logic used to complete puzzles. Use a site such as Blabberize, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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