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Juneteenth Activities and Lesson Plans for Students - Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Shaped Staff
Grades
K to 12tag(s): 1800s (77), civil rights (218), emancipation proclamation (14), Juneteenth (22), slavery (78)
In the Classroom
Include the teaching ideas and activities provided on this site with your other lessons on Juneteenth, Emancipation, or slavery. Engage students in learning about Juneteenth by sharing a timeline of events leading up to Emancipation and beyond, including the recognition of Juneteenth nationally. Create your timeline using the timeline creator Wikipedia Timeline Generator, reviewed here, provided by Class tools. Extend learning by asking students to share their understanding of Juneteenth using a presentation tool such as Genially, reviewed here, to create interactive images and presentations. Once you are signed in, members can search Genially's Inspiration area to find a reproducible template for a Juneteenth interactive image.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Free Comic Strip Maker - Adobe Express
Grades
K to 12tag(s): comics and cartoons (54), graphic design (50)
In the Classroom
Engage students by using the templates to display the day's vocabulary word, the math puzzle of the week, or a concept your students are learning in social studies or science, for example. Have students create comic strips for dialog-writing lessons, summarizing, predicting, and retelling stories. Use comic strips for literature responses. For pre-reading students, create a comic of pictures and tell the story based on the pictures/scenes. It's a good idea to require students to create a rough draft of their comic using Printable Comic Strip Templates, reviewed here. Make a class book of the comics created throughout the year. That book is likely to become a class favorite! Use comics to show the sequencing of events. For example, when studying characterization, they create a dialog to show (not tell) about a character. World language and ENL/ESL teachers can assign students to create dialog strips as an alternative to a formal assessment. Have students share all of their comics on your interactive whiteboard or projector.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Felt - Interactive Map Creator - felt.com
Grades
K to 12tag(s): map skills (63), maps (219)
In the Classroom
Visualizing data and creating maps just became easier for teachers and students. Help your students understand current events worldwide by creating a map and embedding it on your classroom website or learning management system. For example, use maps in science to track migration patterns, explore climates, or map weather events. Teachers of students aged 13+ years can have students create and edit maps in real-time from anywhere. Build upon your student's knowledge by adding layers to your maps to show new information. Teachers of younger students can create maps for student viewing to map a story or show animal habitats.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Free Video Downloader Online - Geekersoft
Grades
K to 12tag(s): movies (55), multimedia (55)
In the Classroom
Many schools and districts block YouTube; use this resource to download videos for classroom viewing. Share videos on classroom devices for students to view anytime, even when Internet access is unavailable. Use this tool to download and save videos you wish to show students, especially if they are blocked at school. Save video conversions to a USB stick for easy viewing on many devices.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Geekersoft PDF Converter Online - Geekersoft
Grades
K to 12tag(s): conversions (39), editing (86), worksheets (72)
In the Classroom
Bookmark and save this site for any number of classroom uses. Convert PDF worksheets to Word documents, then edit and change information to fit your needs. Differentiate learning by adapting information on a PDF document to fit the learning needs of students that need additional support or provide extended education for gifted and advanced learners. Take advantage of file converters such as this one to create unique class books. For example, after converting a PDF template to a Word document for students to create a newsletter about features of different states, convert each student's word document back to a PDF file using PDFaid, reviewed here. Then upload all class newsletters into one document using PDF to Flipbook Converter, reviewed here to create an online flippable book.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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AI PNG Enlarger - Background Generator
Grades
K to 12This site includes advertising.
In the Classroom
PNG images often lose quality when enlarged; using this program offers the opportunity to retain image quality for multiple applications. For example, increase the size of PNG images when creating presentations made with Google Slides, reviewed here, or to include images on web pages created on sites such as Carrd, reviewed here. Share this site with students for book reports, research presentations, or any other digital writing projects to enhance the quality of finished work and provide additional options for including images.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Journalism in Action - PBS Newshour Classroom
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): 1700s (31), 1800s (77), 1900s (80), 20th century (169), american revolution (89), civil rights (218), civil war (141), immigrants (45), immigration (79), journalism (74), mental health (57), presidents (145), Research (78), vietnam (39), womens suffrage (63), world war 2 (168)
In the Classroom
This site is a must-have for middle and high school social studies teachers. Allow several days for students to complete individual case studies; if time is an issue, assign portions of a case instead of completing the entire activity. Another option is to share a case study as an ongoing flipped learning activity to complete over two or more weeks or as a supplement for gifted students to use as an independent learning activity. If assigning as a long-term activity, ensure students complete the registration and save their work. Then, as students complete the final activity of writing a news story, share their articles as a PDF using PDF Convertor, reviewed here, then upload all of the PDFs to the PDF to Flipbook Converter, reviewed here, to create a flippable magazine that includes all student-written articles.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Ditch That Textbook - Matt Miller
Grades
K to 12tag(s): assessment (134), blogs (71), Formative Assessment (42), Google (21), professional development (270)
In the Classroom
This resource is a treasure trove for new and experienced teachers, bookmark and save it for use throughout the year. If you are looking for the latest teaching trends, take advantage of the many templates and ideas shared through the blog. For those wanting to try new ideas, begin with the free templates that make it easy to introduce gamification and interactive activities into any classroom. Ditch That Textbook is an excellent site to use for ongoing professional development. Choose a blog post or activity monthly to discuss with peers and implement in your classroom. Use a curation tool such as Wakelet, reviewed here, to share and discuss resources found on Ditch that Textbook along with your ideas as a way to easily access your favorite ideas.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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National Museum of the American Indian - Smithsonian Institution
Grades
K to 12tag(s): explorers (66), native americans (116), primary sources (118), professional development (270), thanksgiving (25), westward expansion (41)
In the Classroom
Be sure to bookmark this site for use with lessons on Thanksgiving, using primary sources, or when teaching about Native Americans. Consider using curation tools such as Padlet, reviewed here, or Wakelet, reviewed here, to organize resources for easy retrieval. Padlet and Wakelet are also handy when sharing information and resources with students. As you begin your lessons on American Indians, begin with a formative assessment to gauge your students' understanding of the topic. Use an easy online quiz tool such as Baamboozle, reviewed here, to engage students in your learning activities. As you continue in your lessons, continue to motivate and engage students using Wooclap, reviewed here, to review information either in class or as a homework activity. Instead of testing to assess knowledge upon completing your unit, offer students the opportunity to share their understanding of content in various ways. Examples include creating an infographic using Canva Infographic Maker, reviewed here, an explainer video made using Clipchamp, reviewed here, and an interactive map built using Google My Maps, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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TEACHFLIX - Ditch That Textbook
Grades
K to 12tag(s): coding (89), computational thinking (37), computers (108), digital citizenship (84), engineering (140), problem solving (243), social and emotional learning (114), STEM (331), virtual field trips (132)
In the Classroom
Use this curated collection of videos to engage students in lessons in all subjects. Use edpuzzle, reviewed here, to enhance the video content by adding comments, questions, and more within the video. Create interactive lessons with videos from this collection, formative assessments, and other interactive content using Pear Deck, reviewed here, to present material in a deeper, more robust manner. Upon completion of your lesson, extend learning by asking students to share their learning using a simple web page builder such as Straw.Page, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Picryl - GetArchive
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): creative commons (26), images (258), primary sources (118), search engines (45)
In the Classroom
Share this link with students and make it available on classroom computers. Consider using a curation tool such as Skloog, reviewed here or Symbaloo Edu, reviewed here, to share Picryl and other sites easily with students. Picryl provides an excellent opportunity to include lessons on copyright and fair use. Find many resources that teach and provide an understanding of fair use at the TeachersFirst Copyright and Fair Use Resources Special Topics Page located here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Native American Heritage Collection - PBS LearningMedia
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): native americans (116)
In the Classroom
Use this collection during Native American Heritage month to dive deeply into studying America's Indigenous people and culture. Teachers can enhance learning by downloading videos and creating interactive questions using tools such as Edpuzzle, reviewed here. Resources from this collection include support materials that you can use with Kami, reviewed here, or upload to your learning management system. Many included resources have comprehension or discussion questions that classes can discuss digitally with tools such as FigJam, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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iThrive Sim: Follow the Facts - ithrive games
Grades
9 to 12tag(s): bias (28), game based learning (215), journalism (74), media literacy (105), simulations (38), social and emotional learning (114)
In the Classroom
Engage your high school students with iThrive Sim: Follow the Facts. The game-based simulation includes teacher preparation, pre-simulation, and optional post-simulation activities. The entire simulation takes about two thirty-minute sessions total to play. Teachers should plan for the full simulation and activities to take at least five 45-minute class periods. A complete implementation guide is included. Civics topics include effective sourcing of information, SEL skills include understanding bias and collaboration.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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iThrive Sim: Leading Though Crisis - ithrive games
Grades
9 to 12tag(s): game based learning (215), simulations (38), social and emotional learning (114)
In the Classroom
Engage your high school students with iThrive Sim: Leading Through Crisis. The game-based simulation includes teacher preparation, pre-simulation, and optional post-simulation activities. The full simulation takes about two thirty-minute sessions total to play. Teachers should plan for the entire simulation and activities to take at least five 45-minute class periods. A complete implementation guide is included. Civics topics include the 25th Amendment and the Presidential Cabinet, SEL skills include decision-making.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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iThrive Sim: Lives in Balance - ithrive games
Grades
9 to 12tag(s): game based learning (215), simulations (38), social and emotional learning (114)
In the Classroom
Engage your high school students with iThrive Sim: Lives in Balance. The game-based simulation includes teacher preparation, pre-simulation, and optional post-simulation activities. The full simulation takes about 35 minutes to play. Therefore, teachers should plan for the entire simulation and activities to take at least three 45-minute class periods. A complete implementation guide is included. Civics topics include the 10th Amendment and Federalism, and SEL skills include decision-making, compromise, and advocacy.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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iThrive Sim- Digital Simulation Games - ithrive games
Grades
9 to 12tag(s): collaboration (80), flipped learning (4), game based learning (215), Online Learning (32), simulations (38), social and emotional learning (114)
In the Classroom
Teachers can find links to individual games, downloadable curricula for various video games, lesson plans, and teaching resources. These game simulations are designed to build skills in decision-making, understanding bias, compromise, advocacy, and collaboration among students. The games support face-to-face interaction and can also be adapted to the needs of online and hybrid learning environments.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Perusall - Perusall
Grades
9 to 12tag(s): blended learning (27), classroom management (106), collaboration (80), flipped learning (4), Learning Management Systems (18), OER (38), remote learning (31), Teacher Utilities (194)
In the Classroom
Find many options for OER materials at the TeachersFirst Open Educational Resources Special Topics Page, found here. Engage students by using Perusall as part of remote learning lessons, blended learning, or flipped lessons. Perusall is an excellent tool to use as an introduction to new learning materials; ask students to read and respond to a text, then use student responses to guide your learning activities. Extend learning by responding to student comments with links to additional support materials such as videos, online articles, or infographics. As an enhanced learning activity, ask students to select a portion of the material shared in Perusall to begin an extended research project. Ask students to share their learning using one of the many free presentation tools on the TeachersFirst Edge. Some tool suggestions are (click on the tool name to access the review): Adobe Creative Cloud Express for Education, Animatron, Renderforest, and Google Slides.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Password Folder - PasswordFolder.net
Grades
K to 12tag(s): digital citizenship (84), internet safety (111), Teacher Utilities (194)
In the Classroom
Add Password Folder to your Windows device for many different uses. For example, protect sensitive student files, private data, or financial information. In addition, use a password when sharing files with parents to ensure that only authorized viewers access personal information. Adding a password to folders also provides an extra layer of security if your device is hacked.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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PDF Converter - PDF Candy
Grades
K to 12tag(s): conversions (39), editing (86), worksheets (72)
In the Classroom
Bookmark and save PDF Converter for any number of classroom uses. Easily convert any document into a PDF for easy sharing and use, add comments and notes to PDF documents, or convert PDF files to images or PowerPoint presentations. Use the Sign PDF option to make classroom documents electronic; for example, use this option for field trip permissions or to verify that parents view essential information. Use the Protect PDF resource to add a password to sensitive documents. Use the merge tool to combine several PDF documents submitted by students to create a class book, then use PDF to Flipbook Converter, reviewed here to make an online flippable book for all to view and enjoy.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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How to Research: Ultimate Guide [+Online Tools] - IvyPanda
Grades
5 to 12tag(s): presentations (22), process writing (35), Research (78), writing (308)
In the Classroom
This article is quite lengthy, but it provides students with a great deal of information on research and reporting researched information. At a minimum, share the provided link to the step-by-step image with students to use as a reference guide. For more in-depth lessons, break down the information into smaller pieces and include them in your current research project lessons. Consider using a curation tool such as Padlet, reviewed here, to share this resource and others with students to guide research projects. For example, include a column with tools for evaluating sources such as Checkology, reviewed here, and another column with online tools to create citations such as MyBib, reviewed here. Offer students an option of different tools to create and share their presentations, including Ourboox, reviewed here, to create a digital flipbook or Powtoon, reviewed here, as an option for video presentations.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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