Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

CloudConvert is a file conversion tool. Upload any file to convert to a different format. Select files from your Google Drive, DropBox, or computer to begin. Choose the format for conversion. For example, convert an avi movie file to a different movie format such as mp4 or an audio file. Choose an option to receive your new file by email or directly into your DropBox (reviewed here ). This tool is particularly helpful for mobile device users because it can manage conversions of files both stored and converted in the cloud.

EZVid is a video screencasting tool that captures everything that appears on your Windows computer screen. Once recorded, you can edit videos, add voice, add text, draw directly on the screen image, or control playback speed. Be sure to watch the video tutorial for all features. Upload finished videos directly to YouTube. Once uploaded, share using social networking links. At the time of this review, this tool was not compatible with a MAC. The website does offer some suggestions to MAC users (such as using Bootcamp). If your school blocks YouTube, you will not be able to use this site while at school.
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tag(s): video (266)

Just as the name says, Online Voice Recorder allows you to record your voice from your computer and save the file. With no membership required, this is a free and simple recording treasure! Simply push the record button and follow screen prompts to ALLOW the application access to your computer's microphone. Talk as long as desired. Then listen to the recorded playback. Trim and edit the length using easy sliders as desired. Save your finished version in MP3 format using the link.
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tag(s): blended learning (37), communication (129), fluency (26), preK (270), speech (69), spelling (97)

Create dice using the templates provided at the Dice Collector's page! Choose from many original choices displayed on the site, such as phases of the moon, the earth, and various versions of numbered dice. Click on any image to view the template full size, then print, fold, and put together.

tag(s): earth (184), moon (73), preK (270), probability (99)

Find full length lesson plans for many subjects at Lesson This! For example, there is Pumpkin Addition and Subtraction (perfect for a fall math lesson). Scroll through the latest posts or browse by learning objectives, tags, materials, or grade level using the boxes on the right side of the home page. Each lesson states objectives, lists materials required (with links to print-ables if needed), and includes complete directions. Many also include pictures of the activity.
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tag(s): christmas (38), colors (63), counting (60), crafts (64), descriptive writing (42), drawing (61), halloween (32), holidays (187), nutrition (140), parts of speech (39), patterns (61), preK (270), recycling (45), symmetry (26), valentines day (11)

Imagine a one-stop site for creating, editing, and distributing your school supply list and wish list to parents and others. That's TeacherLists. Create an account, find your school, and begin a supply list or wish list. Personalize your list with a short welcome statement, if desired. Choose from categories to add items. Categories include most popular items as well as specific items such as paper, pencils, or health and cleaning supplies. Include the quantity for each student, add a short note, and save when complete. Share your final list through email, direct url link, or several social networking links.

tag(s): classroom management (120), preK (270)

Visit this incredible site to bring students of all ages into a positive relationship with food by connecting it with nature and culture. Click Resources from the top menu bar and the Resource Library to discover a sustainable food curriculum that includes Farm to School ideas and much more. This project shares a food curriculum for schools around the world to put into practice. Search and explore inspiring ideas, programs that work, and the voices of the movement. Add your own story or classroom to the project to share with others around the world.

tag(s): nutrition (140), plants (146), sustainability (50)

Use this tool to find the calories and nutrient content of a large variety of foods found in the popular chains. Search a variety of restaurant names or search categories of foods from the chains. This site features a search bar for finding the nutrient information of the food easily. Nutrition facts include carbohydrates, fiber, fats (saturated, cholesterol, and trans fat), proteins, and sodium.

tag(s): calories (6), myplate (18), nutrition (140), obesity (8)

Create, share, and edit a variety of lists using FlexLists. Give your list a name. Choose from list options such as projects, addresses, to-do lists, and more. Add information manually or import using options provided. Keep lists private or email to others using options such as read only, read/add, or full editing permission. Registration isn't necessary; however, it allows you to easily find and share saved lists.

tag(s): classroom management (120), organizational skills (88)

Create your own character icon (or avatar) for free with Portrait Illustration Maker. Customize your character with all of the options on the site. Select your hairstyle, face line, eyes, eyebrows, nose, mouth, coloration, as well as other effects and accessories. Click Download to save your completed character as a PNG (or other file format) to use on a website or blog. Click Alignment to select GIF or JPG file format or to add a Word that will appear the top of the image. Images are 96 by 96 pixels (quite small). Use the delete button to start over or to make a new character. Portrait Illustration Maker offers a FREE iOS and Android app for mobile devices.
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tag(s): creativity (86), DAT device agnostic tool (147), emotions (49), faces (5)

Find high quality science interactives on diverse content topics: balanced diet, cell division and cancer, and population growth among many others. Choose an age range to find interactives for that level or use the search bar to look for a specific topic. Many interactives include teacher information and worksheets. Explore the teacher's section to find an excellent resource library with animations, diagrams, and student worksheets. The student portion of the site includes games and information on newly updated content. In the parents section, there are activities for younger students as well as biology resources for older students. This site originates in the UK, so U.S. users will notice some slightly different spelling and/or terminology.

tag(s): bacteria (22), body systems (40), cells (82), diseases (66), genetics (80), habitats (92), heart (27), human body (93), matter (45), nutrition (140), periodic table (44), population (51), respiration (11)

Make quizzes from ready-made quiz show templates or create your own using this free tool. NO membership is required, but you will need to remember the password you add to the quizzes you create so you can return to and edit it. Templates can be edited to suit your purpose. Some of the general topics include most subject areas (history, math, science, social studies, languages, and technology). There is also an area related to sports and games. It is helpful to know some html code to make your quiz look the way you wish it to (boldface, etc.), but there are reminders at the side to help with this option. Note that the quizzes do NOT score your results and are intended to be played orally (Jeopardy style).
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tag(s): quiz (67), quizzes (90)

Create your own cloze quizzes out of any piece of text. Paste the text into the box and select how you want the cloze test made. Select different sentence functions. Choose to have every few words eliminated, or choose your own items to be removed for the cloze. Participants can choose either interactive or text only quizzes. The missing words appear at the top of the quiz. With the interactive quiz, the player types the missing word in the blanks. The site has a lot of flexibility in creating cloze tests. The site will work with world languages as well, but instructors have to choose the every few words option since the site will not recognize, for example, prepositions in another language.

tag(s): quizzes (90), reading comprehension (149), reading strategies (96)

Science 101 is a science Internet portal. Although rather "plain vanilla," this site has a LOT to explore. After choosing a subject area: astronomy, bacteria, biology, books, calculations, chemistry, data, earth, electronics, or ethics, find articles or website links for further information. This site includes over 30 subject areas on a variety of science and math topics. Use as a resource to begin explorations. Some links may lead to flash activities, not all browsers support flash.
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tag(s): resources (83), science fairs (20), scientific method (48)

Find engaging, challenging units to begin your Common Core journey. Intel Education Units are complete and include assessment tools. Search by grade level or subject. Find the basics for planning units. Also find sequencing maps, sequencing activities, classification charts, and prioritizing listings. Instructional Strategies include activating prior knowledge, graphic organizers, cooperative learning, and questioning strategies.

tag(s): literacy (121)

Want to know more about the efforts to save all the sharks in our oceans? Use this site to understand the efforts of research organizations to comprehend the many mysteries of sharks: Where do they breed? Where do sharks live and roam? In order to protect these predators better, we need to understand more about their lives. Why save sharks? They are an important predator that keeps all the other predator/prey balances in check. Find research that has been documented in periodicals, papers, and the news. Scroll to the bottom of the page to find "Useful Links," then clickTracker to find the locations of tagged sharks. Clicking on the dot brings up information about the shark including its location when tagged. Click View More to bring up additional information including all the places the shark has been. View YouTube videos and photos of their expeditions and tagging of the sharks. The videos are hosted on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, then they may not be viewable.
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tag(s): animals (294), marine biology (31), oceans (149)

Create, collect, organize, and share video collections from YouTube and Vimeo easily with Huzzaz. Build a video library around any topic with just a few clicks. Click and drag the Huzzaz bookmarklet to your browser toolbar. Anytime you see a video, click the bookmarklet to save. Rearrange videos in your collection as desired. Add tags and brief descriptions. Add additional videos as desired. Share complete collections using links for Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and email. If your district blocks YouTube, then you may have to limit your choices to Vimeo.

tag(s): bookmarks (43), movies (54), video (266)

If you use Dropbox or Box to collect student work, don't miss this site! Use this tool to move files out of Dropbox or Box and into a different or private folder for grading. This is especially useful if you have a "Turn In" folder where students place completed assignments. Use to sort pictures or videos easily and make the organization of Dropbox easy and automatic. Login easily with your Dropbox account. Create "rules" in this tool that are automatically used in your Dropbox account to move your files around to folders you designate. Files and folders are checked against these rules frequently to keep your Dropbox or Box account neat and tidy.

tag(s): images (263), video (266), writing (324)

Populr is an easy to use SINGLE web page creation tool. This tool is intended to create simple, quick pages that still look good. Sign up using your email, Facebook, or Google to begin. Choose from different theme options or begin with a blank page to create your own web page. Edit easily with drop-down boxes for changing colors, fonts, and more. View short video tutorials each step of the way explaining available features. Collaborate with others by enabling the collaboration link. Enable the clone link for others to duplicate your page and create their own version. The free version of the site allows unlimited published pages, video recording, and a 12mb document limit. Note: There are examples from the general public available from the home page. Although none seems inappropriate at this time, you might want to preview before sharing with students.

tag(s): blogs (65), communication (129), portfolios (23), social networking (61)