Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

This huge collection of downloadable worksheets covers all major subject areas - from geography and reading, to science and spelling. New choices are added on a regular basis, so check back often. Please read and follow the copyright guidelines provided on the site.

tag(s): spelling (97), worksheets (69)

Looking for a good icebreaker for the first week of school? This interpersonal activity will help students get to know you and each other while having a lot of fun. A printable questionnaire and scavenger hunt sheet are included.

tag(s): back to school (55), firstday (22)

These "short and sweet" tips and hints covering everything from classroom management to bulletin board designs have been created for teachers by teachers. Select a topic from the navigation bar on the left and check out the offerings. If you're looking for lesson plans, this is not the site for you, but if you need some fresh ideas to incorporate into your classroom, this site is worth exploring.

tag(s): classroom management (120), teaching strategies (50)

As the school year begins, you might find that you need a little extra inspiration, so check out this collection of materials that can make your classroom run more smoothly. Offerings include downloadable bookmarks for students, lesson plan templates and forms, as well as links to calendar makers, worksheet generators, and assessment tools and so much more.

This lengthy article challenging many education schools' current assumptions about the essentials of teacher training is sure to spark a lively discussion in any teachers' lounge. Which is more important, a sound theoretical foundation or an emphasis on practical skills and critical thinking? Are teachers facilitators, mentors, or a bit of each? Agree or not, this one will certainly prompt some reflections on how you teach, and why.

tag(s): new york (24)

While they're not all strictly educational, this sampling of winning web sites, along with a large number of nominees, makes for an interesting barometer of how the Web is being used by scores of disciplines and in hundreds of ways. Try a sampling of these sites for a taste of what's possible on the web.

tag(s): design (79)

Use this handy online tool to generate tests using a variety of formats - multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, true and false, short answers, and more. Just complete a free registration, then start creating and customizing your assessment. Follow the prompts to select font size and style, choose a format, enter each question and answer, and print the test and answer key. Your tests are saved online and can be easily accessed or edited from anywhere.

tag(s): quiz (67)

Elementary and middle school teachers can tap into this series of free online, closed-captioned videos for help with meeting the demands of No Child Left Behind. The videos highlight real-world, research-based practices and effective instructional methods for teaching language arts, math, and science. Complete a free registration to access all of the materials on the site. A high speed connection is a must.

Professional development activities are just a mouse click away. This exceptional online library contains hundreds of educational videos, covering all grade levels and content areas. Search by discipline, grade, or keyword and complete a free registration to view the materials. Check out the broadcast schedule for a list of daily simulcasts. A high-speed connection is a must.

This extensive resource provides science teachers at every grade level with continually updated performance tasks, scoring rubrics, and student examples that are directly aligned to National Science Education Standards. Click on the standards for a particular grade level and view the bank of related assessments and performance tasks. Complete instructions for implementing the task are included under "administrative procedures." The "guided tour" is highly recommended for first-time users.

tag(s): assessment (147)

Avoid the frustration of sending students to a site populated by dead links. Just enter a URL into this handy online and let it check to see if there are any broken text or image links on the page. Dr. Watson will also spell check a site, generate Word counts, and compute download speeds.

Tired of having yellow sticky notes pasted all over your desk? This free downloadable PC software can unclutter your desk and make your life easier. The program is small (less than 600 kb), easy to use, and oh so helpful.

Improve your students' online research skills with this helpful guide to using Google. Features of the search engines are explained (did you know that the search box can be used as a calculator or that you can receive email Google news alerts when a phrase you wish to track shows up in the news?), and searching tips are provided. You'll have fun with this one.

tag(s): search strategies (22)

Browse through this collection of time-saving templates for everything from award certificates to calendars and graphic organizers. Edit the templates to fit your needs, then save and print as desired.

tag(s): calendars (37)

Design your own crossword puzzle using vocabulary or concepts that you've covered in class. You choose the size and complexity; the online tool does the rest. After entering words and accompanying hints, users can create a printable puzzle with the click of a mouse. An online cryptogram maker, a puzzle-solver tool, and links to ready-made puzzles are also provided.

tag(s): puzzles (149)

This collection of downloadable templates provides great ideas for using Excel spreadsheets to create timelines across the curriculum. Visit the resource links for timeline content and interactive timeline tools.

tag(s): spreadsheets (23), teaching strategies (50), timelines (56)

This large variety of clip art images and photographs is a great resource for K-12 students and teachers. No cost is involved for educational use, but make sure that you read the site's copyright information. This site is SLOW to open, so be patient.

tag(s): air (101)

Knowing the specific rules about copyright terms can be a definite benefit when copying or scanning. This easy-to-read chart outlines the point at which published or unpublished materials enter the public domain. It may be more information than you care to know about the public domain, but it will keep you legal!

tag(s): air (101), copyright (44)

Test your working knowledge of copyright laws with this interactive tutorial that addresses the underlying principles behind copyright laws in the U.S., outlines requirements for copyright protection, and discusses parameters for use of copyrighted materials. As the tutorial progresses, visitors are presented with quizzes in the form of scenarios requiring a decision. It's entertaining, enlightening, and extremely helpful in clarifying copyright issues. You may even want to share this resource with your high school students before sending them off to college.

tag(s): air (101), copyright (44)

This concise little article is packed with information on how the brain is structured and how teachers can be more effective in establishing "brain friendly" communication. Practical ideas on how to differentiate instruction are provided.

tag(s): thinking skills (17)