Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

Home page for the state's department of education.

Home page for the state's department of education.

Delaware Content Standards

Home page for the state's department of education.

Home page for the state's department of education.

Home page for the state's department of education.

Home page for the state's department of education.

Home page for the state's department of education.

Home page for the state's department of education.

Home page for the state's department of education.

As if traditional bullying were not enough, we now have cyberbullying! This web page offers a great explanation and examples of cyberbullying. It also lists strategies by which to help children who are being cyberbullied. Do not forget to visit the link provided that helps to locate cyberbullies and their web pages.

tag(s): internet safety (114), safety (68)

Create photo trading cards using images you upload or store on Flickr, Instagram, or Dropbox. Imagine having your students create study aides about famous people using images they draw and scan or photos of themselves impersonating the famous people, such as presidents, explorers, authors, and more. If you celebrate reading by having an "author's tea," why not follow up by asking students to make trading cards for the authors they "met"? Use a similar approach for famous historical figures or even for geometric shapes you photograph with the digital camera. If students write their own "biographies" of the shapes to study from, they will learn for sure! They can even trade each other for favorites.

tag(s): book reports (28), famous people (25), images (263)

This simple site allows you to report bullying at your school. Students, teachers, parents can click to report a bully and turn in a report so school administration can look into the incident. Though there is the potential for bogus reports, this site would likely work well with elementary students or even middle schoolers IF you explained it to them in advance and spoke specifically about the consequences of false reports. The benefit is that the service allows students to report an incident without fear that a bully might "see them in the office."

tag(s): bullying (48), cyberbullying (42), DAT device agnostic tool (146)

This compilation site describes websites that use music to teach language skills. Not only useful for limited English speakers, this site offers ideas for elementary teachers, as well, with specific songs and suggestions for including music as part of a regular lesson. You will find that addressing musical/rhythmic intelligence may draw in students who otherwise struggle. And all of them will find the different approach a refreshing change.

This is an excellent, frequently updated collection of links especially appropriate for ESL/ELL learners and instructors. The site's creator is a teacher himself. We do not usually list "hotlists" of links, but these are quite helpful for ESL teachers or those with ESL students in their classroom. Check here if you're looking for help with a specific language learning need or some new way to present standard materials. The teacher section include links categorized by native language so you can individualize your approach with different language learners.

This handy tool creates printables (Acrobat Reader format) to your specifications right from the web site. You can make calendars (customize, many options), musical staff paper, graph paper, and even an endless supply of sudoku puzzles! It is easy to figure out (simple pulldowns to make your choices). The Spanish language version is in development. Remember, this site uses Acrobat Reader, so you MUST have this plug-in. Get it (free) from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

tag(s): calendars (37), printables (36), sudoku (10)

Find a tech tip a day for the entire school year in this listing created by a teacher in Pennsylvania. You can also sign up to receive the tips via email if you wish.

The National Association of School Psychologists provides many suggestions for dealing with crisis situations. These include links and articles as well as specific actions schools can take in different crisis situations. There is contact information for providing an assistance team. There are also tips for students on dealing with upsetting times (available in multiple languages).

tag(s): psychology (65)

This lesson summary provides ways to help children of all ages deal with frightening news about school violence. Use these ideas on those terrible occasions when the students simply need to talk. The National Association of School Psychologists provides this "teachable moment" strategy to help.

tag(s): bullying (48), difficult conversations (57), natural disasters (19), school violence (10)