Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

PBS Kids' focus is mainly educational activities and videos for kids in Preschool, Kindergarten, and Primary age students. For younger students, select games, videos, and activities about well-known characters like Clifford the Big Red Dog, Arthur, Peg and Cat, Dr. Seuss, and more. Clicking All Games will give you 29 categories to choose from, for example, Team Work, Feelings, Engineering, Spelling, Reading, Healthy Habits, and many more. Click New Games to find topics such as Guess the Feeling, World Orchestra, and others to help familiarize youngsters with flight, trains, counting, and well, you name it, and PBS Kids probably has it!

tag(s): DAT device agnostic tool (147), game based learning (205), literacy (122), preK (271), video (266)

This site offers a large assortment of ready to print worksheets with preschool through high school content. The majority of materials focus on content for elementary and junior high levels. Choose a topic and use the topic list on the left side of the screen to narrow down to specific needs. Be sure to check out the Teacher Printables section; this includes many helpful printables for report card comments, parent information, and organization.
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tag(s): calendars (37), grammar review (31), graphic organizers (48), holidays (187), organizational skills (88), substitutes (25), worksheets (69)

Learn a language through favorite music videos with LyricsTraining. This very engaging site offers an extensive collection of videos in several genres. Choose from top lyrics to begin or scroll through the home page to view new lyrics. Select a language to narrow down choices. Once you select a video, choose from four different levels - the hardest requires you to fill in all the words of the song! Choose also to fill in the blanks or select responses from the four provided options. Registration isn't required; however, it allows you to save favorites and create your own customized exercises. If your district blocks YouTube, then the videos may not be viewable.
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tag(s): DAT device agnostic tool (147), french (75), german (49), italian (31), japanese (47), multilingual (77), portuguese (22), spanish (109), video (266)

Microsoft Translator provides translation between languages in two ways. Use this tool to converse with single participants or groups via iOS or Android devices, or a computer. Begin by choosing "start conversation" and enter your name and language choice. Microsoft Translator provides a code to share with participants to log into the conversation on their device using the Translator website or app. There are two options: click on the conversation option to start a conversation, and then speak or type your words - participants on the other end hear and view text in their desired language. Option 2 is to click on the text option to translate text. Copy and paste text or a webpage URL into the first box and choose "Translate." Translator converts the text into your choice from many different languages. At the time of this review Translator works in 10 languages and 100 people can participate in one conversation.

tag(s): chinese (45), DAT device agnostic tool (147), french (75), german (49), greek (47), hebrew (16), italian (31), japanese (47), Microsoft (80), russian (26), spanish (109)

PlayPhrase.me teaches common English phrases and words through the use of video clips from T.V. and movies. Type a phrase to watch and hear it said in many different ways. Create a free account to view the phrases used converted to another language of your choosing. Use the tool bars under each video to replay clips, add to favorites, or add text over the video.

tag(s): vocabulary (238), vocabulary development (94)

LanguageTool is a spelling and language checker for English, French, and more than 20 other languages. Copy and paste your text to check for spelling and grammatical errors. Use the drop-down boxes to change language preferences. LanguageTool also offers browser add-ons for downloading on Chrome and Firefox, and add-ons for Google Docs, LibreOffice, and OpenOffice.

tag(s): editing (93), french (75), german (49), grammar (137), portuguese (22), spanish (109), spelling (98), writing (325)

Convert any text to audio with this very easy to use tool. Copy and paste, or type text to begin. Select the language from the several available choices, choose a voice and pace of reading. When finished, create your audio file to listen to online or download as an MP3.
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tag(s): french (75), german (49), italian (31), listening (93), multilingual (77), portuguese (22), russian (26), spanish (109), text to speech (20)

Do you need new ideas for a Christmas Around the World celebration or a unit about Spain? Try some authentic Spanish dessert recipes for starters. The easy to follow directions along with vibrant images offer interesting suggestions to liven up any event. Also on this site is "15 Spanish Christmas Recipes For A Traditional Holiday Feast." Be sure to check those out, too!
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tag(s): christmas (38), cooking (32), cross cultural understanding (173), cultures (180), holidays (187), spain (13)

Create a world language learning plan with the Vocabulary Trainer. Use dropdown boxes to select your native language and a language to learn or practice. Other options include different course levels and options such as business vocabulary. Tools in the program allow you to set up a personalized learning plan, including time set aside for learning and days of the week to practice.

tag(s): arabic (13), chinese (45), french (75), german (49), greek (47), hebrew (16), italian (31), japanese (47), multilingual (77), spanish (109)

Langscape is an interactive map of almost 7000 languages from around the world. The site offers three main features: an interactive map, a text identification tool, and a language familiarization game. Click on a map location to view a pop-up box with the name or names of languages spoken and location by longitude and latitude. Click on the name of the language to find basic data (underneath the map) about the language and its speakers. Underneath the map, find icons to learn more about the language, choose the music-note to listen to MP3 recordings of the language. The page icon leads to other Internet resources for learning about the language chosen. Be sure to drop down the Discover link at the top of the page to find the K-12 educators guide, a complete guide on how to use the site as well as lessons linked to Social Studies Standards.

tag(s): arabic (13), chinese (45), cultures (180), french (75), german (49), greek (47), hebrew (16), italian (31), landforms (39), latin (23), map skills (63), maps (220), phrases (6), portuguese (22), russian (26), spanish (109)

This PDF file offers a traditional (but reliable) look at Cinco de Mayo, beyond the food and fun! Learn about the historical impact of the holiday and its significance to Mexicans (and folks from other countries, as well). This pdf is set up as a study guide. It includes historical information, curriculum links (history, world cultures, and social studies), vocabulary words, discussion questions, extension activities, map challenges, related literature, and websites for additional information.

tag(s): cinco de mayo (10), mexico (37)

Help Noah learn Spanish with Abuela, Coco, and Pequeno, his Spanish speaking friends. Navigate through interactive games and adventure videos using both Spanish and English. Don't miss the free printables. Find Noah engaged in dialogue saying words in English, a character repeats in Spanish, and Noah repeats the Spanish word. Print-out activities include: coloring a playground by Spanish numbers, learning the names of tools and eating utensils in Spanish, practice Spanish colors, and play Spanish Bingo. Turn on closed captioning to see the Spanish word as it is spoken.

tag(s): cinco de mayo (10), multilingual (77), spanish (109)

Join the National Park Service and become a Junior Ranger Online! Don your ranger hat and go for a virtual tour and watch videos. Explore the online interactives, including visits to the Everglades and Aztec Ruins National Monument in New Mexico. Choose from over 150 printable activities that offer opportunities to explore careers, build monuments, and learn about national parks across the United States. Learn how to complete activities and receive a Junior Ranger Badge and Certificate from the National Parks Service. The National Park Service also offers materials for educators, although they are a little difficult to find. Select the Menu icon with three bars and click on Educators or go here. Find lesson plans and activities using a keyword search and filters by subject, grade level, and Common Core Standards.

tag(s): animals (295), landmarks (22), national parks (29), plants (146), virtual field trips (128)

Use these interactives to learn up to twenty-one new languages (English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Chinese, Lithuanian, and more) by choosing from various options that include matching images to a spoken word, filling in the blanks, or multiple choice responses. Audio options are available for non-readers. No registration is required. Registration allows you to save your progress and compete to earn the highest scores in each activity.

tag(s): arabic (13), chinese (45), french (75), german (49), italian (31), multilingual (77), portuguese (22), spanish (109)

The Free Dictionary is much more than a dictionary; it also includes a thesaurus, encyclopedias, a literature reference library, and lots more! Browse the home page to find Word of the Day, Article of the Day, In the News, Quotations, Today's Birthday and Holiday, and Hangman. Choose the Spelling Bee to test spelling skills in levels. Your ESL/ELL students can discover and "play" with English words using this site. Browse to find dictionaries for many other languages and specialized needs such as medical and legal dictionaries.

tag(s): dictionaries (47), quotations (19), thesaurus (22), vocabulary development (94), word choice (14)

Are you looking for other educators to follow on X (formerly Twitter)? Check out this lengthy list of educator X (formerly Twitter) handles arranged by subject. The easiest way to view the full document is to click the link located under the heading "A Twitter Win." This link leads to a Google document with headings for all content areas as well as Ed Tech, Counselors, Administrators, and more. Use the scroll bar at the bottom of the document to view all categories. Add your own Twitter handle in the appropriate category for inclusion on this document.
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tag(s): social networking (61), twitter (13)

Pumarosa is a totally bilingual Spanish-English site. The three levels orally teach helpful English words in translation from survival skills at the beginning level to citizenship topics at the highest level. (The Civics section is actually bilingual, basic U.S. social studies!) All words, phrases, and dialogues are available so you can hear (by clicking the little ear icon) and repeat the item as often as desired. Most lessons are based on learning vocabulary and dialogue, and everything is available in both languages simultaneously. After you do the initial lesson, a wide variety of exercises help you practice what you are learning. You can select as few or as many as you feel you need. The spoken Spanish is at a more natural rate than the English, which is a bit slower than normal speech. An additional phonics section explains and pronounces basic sounds in English. The language of instruction is Spanish and the target language to be learned is English. Accompanying workbooks and printed materials are available for a cost but are not necessary for you to learn.

tag(s): american flag (7), branches of government (65), declaration of independence (16), listening (93), spanish (109), vocabulary development (94)

Engage young children in this colorful site, packed with songs, interactive audio books, art and music interactives, and emergent reading activities. Reaching a wide range of grades, this site offers over 50 different engaging activities. Visit the stories made by children. The free part of this site includes a great variety of topics: Boston Tea Party, alphabet, making mistakes, metamorphosis, Mars, a variety of popular children's songs, nouns, upper case and lower case, Beatrix Potter, jokes, Bach & Van Gogh, Mona and Beethoven, and much more! Some of the activities are also available in Spanish. Check out Teachers at the bottom of the page for Lesson Plans.
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tag(s): alphabet (53), independent reading (81), preK (271), sight words (23), songs (46), video (266)

Practice and learn basic words and vocabulary in Spanish, French, Italian, Arabic, Portuguese, German, Czech, and Russian. Imendi is a flashcard activity featuring various languages in a drag and drop format. Choose your language to begin. You can choose between a random lesson or select a lesson topic from the dropdown menu on the upper left corner of the page. The upper left is also where you can choose to look at different vocaulary lists or use the "all words" option. Match new language terms to the English word then quickly view results and start over with a new set of cards. These are quick and easy reviews. Use the non-English speaking option to translate from any included language back to English.
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tag(s): arabic (13), french (75), german (49), italian (31), multilingual (77), portuguese (22), russian (26), spanish (109)