Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

Check your blogs, emails, and other written content for grammar and spelling using Grammarly. Consider it your second set of eyes for proofreading any document. Copy and paste text into Grammarly's text editor, or install the browser extension for use on Chrome, Firefox, and Safari. Grammarly also includes an add-in for Windows OS for use in Microsoft Word and Outlook. Use Grammarly to flag 250 types of errors, including context-optimized synonym suggestions. Click on underlined words to view and correct errors. This review is for the free edition of Grammarly, which includes the browser extension.

tag(s): editing (93), grammar (137), Microsoft (80), proofreading (21), spelling (97), writing (324)

Create and share interactive content with Playbuzz. Browse through to find and participate in polls, quizzes, trivia, and much more. Additional free features include a Video Snaps tool for sharing portions of a video and Flip Cards. Create an account, then make content to embed and engage with other participants. Warning: this site contains content that is not moderated, be sure to view information before sharing with students.

tag(s): DAT device agnostic tool (147), flash cards (44), polls and surveys (49), quiz (67), trivia (19), video (266)

Simplenote is a note-taking tool that updates information across all of your devices. Download the app for mobile devices and onto PCs. Notes update immediately, no need to save. Use the scroll bar to go back in time and find notes from a previous time. Use tags or search to find notes created. Simplenote also allows for collaboration with other users.

tag(s): DAT device agnostic tool (147), organizational skills (88)

Baamboozle is a quick and easy-to-use tool for playing and creating games. It doesn't require registration to play. Choose the "Games" link to go to all games saved on Baamboozle. Scroll through to view games, or search for a term. Divide the group into two teams and begin play. Each team chooses a number from the game board and answers the question. Check for accuracy; then, Baamboozle keeps track of scores. Use games found on the site, or create games on any device. Registration with email is necessary to create your own games.

tag(s): flash cards (44), game based learning (205), preK (271)

EasyWrite is a simple to use writing tool for creating easy to understand content. Just type your text into the text box and begin writing. EasyWrite highlights words not found in the 1,000 most commonly used words in the English language. At the time of this review, EasyWrite worked best with Chrome or Mozilla FireFox.

tag(s): digital storytelling (156), editing (93), multilingual (77), process writing (37), vocabulary (238), writers workshop (31), writing (324)

Discover a large variety of physics simulations and interactives at My Physics Lab. Each simulation also includes an explanation of the math and physics involved. Also, check out the How Does it Work? section of the site for help with the simulations and information on the math and software involved. Requires Java software.

tag(s): molecules (43), motion (47), newton (21)

Wall of Birds is a cool interactive map from Cornell's Bird Academy based on an epic mural Found at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. The site features species found around the world spanning 375 million years using content from the All About Birds website, reviewed here. The colorful world map depicts 243 birds, one from each taxonomic family, showing where to find each on the globe. Find extinct species on the mural in black-and-white, and you can zoom in and out and pan to see the progression of evolution that led to modern birds. Click on each bird picture and a window opens with its name, family name, natural history, a sound file of its call, and a map showing where to observe it. A social media aspect lets you vote for favorites and check out a leaderboard.

tag(s): birds (46), evolution (89), map skills (63), maps (220)

Discover and learn about changes to forests from around the world with this interactive tool. Explore the data from three different perspectives - countries, ecosystems, and hotspots. The Global Forest Change Explorer also includes a downloadable curriculum and a four-page questionnaire for students to guide them around the site and test knowledge.

tag(s): conservation (102), forests (30), maps (220)

Hundreds of teachable movies! That's how many lesson plans or guides you'll find at Teach With Movies. Search one of the numerous categories to locate the movie, documentary, or short you want. Some of the categories are Subject Matter (and not just math, science, history, etc.), Social-Emotional Learning (themes like Ambition, Coming of Age, and many others), Appropriate Age (three through adult), and Set Up the Sub (found on the top menu under Features), just to name a few. Lessons include a general summary of the film and discussion questions with answers. Most also include a rationale for using the movie, the subjects, topics, and themes, if there is a book - a bit of background and review of it, objectives, possible problems, historical context, and more. Of course, the topics for consideration depend on the film. Sign up for the newsletter to see when there are lesson guides for the newest movies. Whether culminating a unit or introducing one, using these lessons and guides along with the video will help to make a lasting impression about your topic.

tag(s): difficult conversations (57), essays (21), movies (54), questioning (36), social and emotional learning (103), social skills (22), worksheets (70), writing (324)

Find thousands of free images and stock photos for use with digital media at picjumbo. Preview and download images free of charge. Browse through categories or use the keyword search to view available images. Be aware: this site may have some topics not appropriate for the classroom. We suggest previewing images before allowing students to search independently.
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tag(s): creative commons (28), images (264), photography (131)

bioGraphic is a stunning multimedia magazine showcasing nature and solutions to sustaining life on earth. Scroll down the home page to browse through the latest articles and be prepared to be drawn in through the beautiful imagery included! Browse by specific topics such as wildlife, places, or people, or use the keyword search. Be sure to click on the three dots next to the search icon that enables you to choose from specific types of content such as videos, photos, or immersive experiences.

tag(s): animal homes (57), animals (294), deserts (16), habitats (92), multimedia (53), natural resources (37), oceans (149), rainforests (18)

The NASA SciFiles provides award-winning, inquiry-based and standards-based videos promoting STEM learning for students in grades 3-12. This section of Knowitall.org is designed to introduce students to NASA through the use of problem-based learning. Each series (topic) has four 15 minute videos, starring the Tree House Detectives solving problems and searching out answers using the scientific method. Find every area of STEM included in the series from environmental issues to space travel, energy to physical fitness, and everything else you can think of for STEM. Some specific sample topics include Case of the Shaky Quake, Case of the Galactic Vacation, Case of the Mysterious Material, Case of the "Wright" Invention, and too many more to name here.

tag(s): earthquakes (46), electricity (61), energy (133), fitness (39), flight (34), habitats (92), oceans (149), planets (113), plants (146), soil (16), sound (72), space (220), water cycle (22), weather (160)

Create 3D scenes using descriptive sentences to make images. WordsEye is a must see tool! After signing up with email or a Facebook account, use WordsEye on the web or iOS devices. There is an intro video that shows exactly how easy it is to use WordsEye. Click the blue WordsEye World text at the top of the page to find a thorough "About" page (with how-tos and FAQs). WordsEye also has an Instagram page with several other explainer videos, just click Word's Eye World on Instagram at the top of the page. Keep scenes private, publish to the gallery, or create a permalink (URL). A nice feature is that WordsEye will automatically credit you with any scene someone else uses or modifies (and vice-versa). If your district blocks YouTube, the videos may not be viewable.

tag(s): digital storytelling (156), images (264)

Create and design custom labels with Labeley. Choose from shapes, borders, backgrounds, and more to create your image. You need to create an account to save and work with finished designs. Once logged in, save your label and use provided links to share through social networking options. Another option for saving while logged in is to right click and save directly to your computer.

tag(s): digital storytelling (156), editing (93), images (264)

Design Challenge Learning offers several lesson plans correlated to Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards based on STEM concepts. Begin your search by choosing For Educators from the top menu. From there, find a menu on the left that has links to Lessons and Activities, Field Trips, Virtual Student Programming, and more. From Lessons and Activities you can browse content by subject and topic. Each lesson includes questioning prompts, vocabulary, standards, and information on core concepts.

tag(s): agriculture (51), architecture (76), commoncore (73), density (17), energy (133), forces (37), friction (9), gravity (43), heart (27), human body (93), magnetism (36), matter (45), motion (47), plants (146), simple machines (19), sound (72)

Discover the human story behind the periodic table of elements based on a PBS 3 hour-long series. This site includes links to view each episode in addition to many supplemental materials. Learn about the seven scientists featured in the show and explore the creation of the periodic table through video and images. Also, explore how discoveries about atoms changed the scientific world forever. Be sure to go to the section for teachers featuring a teacher's guide, additional videos, and hands-on classroom activities.

tag(s): atoms (43), biographies (94), matter (45), scientists (67)

Do you have a home library of cookbooks or magazines with recipes you want to try? How about a classroom library? Libib is a tool for cataloging books and other media in the cloud. Organize books, movies, music, magazines, and video games using Libib's cloud cataloging features. Catalog your media, then add tags, leave notes, and share with others. Gather opinions about current books and movies. Scan items or search using ISBN numbers to add cover art and other pertinent information automatically.

tag(s): book lists (167), DAT device agnostic tool (147), preK (271)

Try Engineering offers a wide variety of resources focused on engineering, computers, and associated careers. Explore the site as a student, teacher, parent, or counselor to learn more about planning a career path in engineering. Student information includes career profiles, games, and student opportunities to learn about different engineering options. Choose the teacher link to find complete lesson plans, activities, and featured engineers. Some of the lesson plans use YouTube for videos. If your district blocks YouTube, the videos may not be viewable.

tag(s): careers (157), computers (109), engineering (129)

SparkFun tutorials teach the basics (and beyond) of electronics. Over 400 tutorials include topics such as computers, circuits, and wearable technology. Browse through the list of tutorials, or choose topics by tags to find specific content. Each tutorial includes complete instructions as well as suggested reading lists to help fully develop the understanding of concepts used. Most projects require several different materials, be sure to check each tutorial's supply list before starting any project. Many projects have an intro video that resides on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, the videos may not be viewable.
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tag(s): circuits (20), computers (109), electricity (61), engineering (129), weather (160)

MathScienceMusic provides a large variety of free, engaging, resources to teach math, science, and music to students from kindergarten through college all created through a collaboration with Jazz legend, Herbie Hancock. Click letters on the homepage to begin your musical experience, then scroll down to view the available resources. Each group of resources includes a video introduction explaining the content. Some of the choices include Scratch Jazz (music and coding) and Groove Pizza (Shapes and Angles and Groove). All activities include a short description along with suggestions for appropriate grade level, concepts taught, and links to additional resources. The videos are hosted on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, then they may not be viewable.

tag(s): angles (52), animation (64), brain (56), coding (85), fractions (160), geometric shapes (134), india (32), multiples (15), music theory (46), musical instruments (52), musical notation (34), numbers (120), patterns (61), preK (271), ratios (47), sound (72)