Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

PBS commentator Hedrick Smith's latest articulation of current "school reform" efforts concentrates on the factors common to several school districts that have achieved notable successes at improving both teaching and student performance. While not designed to please everyone, teachers will want to peruse the extensive text content on this site for ideas they might adapt to their own situations.

tag(s): design (79), teaching strategies (52)

This article, published in the George Lucas Foundation's Edutopia online journal, argues that the rigid time schedules found in most schools work to the detriment of both teachers and their students. It argues for a reexamination of some of the practices common in most schools, and suggests the consequences of continuing with current patterns.

tag(s): professional development (390)

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 (66)

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 (146)

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 (52), timelines (57)

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 (100)

If your local library just can't help, try this online service that puts you in contact with Library of Congress research librarians. Live chats are available for some topics. Other inquiries will receive a response within 5 days. Be sure to read the Reference Correspondence Policy at the bottom of the home page for directives on how this resource should be used. This is an "adult" reference tool, not a student's homework assistance hotline!

tag(s): resources (83)

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 (100), copyright (43)

This searchable site is designed to give educators direction and advice when teaching the scientific theory of evolution. Common misconceptions, supporting evidence, and basic elements of the theory are provided along with tips on how to identify and deal with problems that may arise when teaching evolution in the classroom. A glossary and links to teacher resources are also included.

tag(s): evolution (88)

The University of Wisconsin created this site as a resource to help secondary science teachers develop modeling techniques for use in teaching several science concepts. The site presents each of these in some detail, with an eye toward giving science teachers the ability to develop model-based teaching approaches for other topics. This would be a great resource to use as a starting point for a professional inservice or a summer workshop.

tag(s): modeling (8)

Here's a research-based site that will interest teachers working to improving their proficiency with technology or administrators who need better information gathering tools. This Rand study offers suggestions on effective survey design and administration techniques, the unique factors present in web and e-mail based surveys, and a look at the attractive speed with which researchers can develop and collect information using these technologies. For those who depend on accurate responses, this could be useful information.

Educators who have lamented the demise of the AskERIC service will welcome its new incarnation, offering a robust, up-to-date collection of theme-based educator resources, and wealth of lesson plans, and archives of past questions. Managed by the Information Institute of Syracuse, the new format greatly enhances usability. Kudos!

tag(s): professional development (390)