TeachersFirst - Featured Sites: Week of Jan 21, 2024
Here are this week's features. Clicking the tags in the description area of each listing will present a list of other resources with this topic. | Click here to return to the Featured Sites Archive
Paint With Music - Google Arts and Culture
Grades
K to 12
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What if you could hear a painting? This experiment from Google Arts and Culture offers four different canvases to use brushstrokes that translate into music. First, create your unique...more
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What if you could hear a painting? This experiment from Google Arts and Culture offers four different canvases to use brushstrokes that translate into music. First, create your unique piece by selecting a canvas, then choose an instrument to draw on your palette. Next, if desired, toggle the scale on or off to view the placement of your strokes. Finally, share completed works onto Google Classroom, with the URL created or other social media options.
tag(s): drawing (59), music theory (45), musical instruments (46), musical notation (35), painting (56)
In the Classroom
This Google Arts and Culture Experiment is an engaging tool to introduce painting and musical composition. Share this site for students to explore in the computer lab or as part of computer center time. If you have Google Classroom, ask students to share their favorite compositions directly into your classroom. If you don't use Google Classroom, show students how to find the URL for their creation and create a Padlet, reviewed here, for students to share their links. Create columns in the Padlet for different canvases offered on the experiment and ask students to reflect upon their creation and why they chose it as a favorite. Encourage students to turn the scales on and off to understand what happens with the different placement of paint strokes on their composition.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Wordle - Josh Wardle
Grades
3 to 12
1 Favorites
0 Comments
Wordle is a deceptively easy-looking word game that promotes problem-solving and strategy skills to solve a daily five-letter word. Players get six chances to solve for the word of...more
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Wordle is a deceptively easy-looking word game that promotes problem-solving and strategy skills to solve a daily five-letter word. Players get six chances to solve for the word of the day. Correct letters in the proper place are highlighted green, letters in the word but the wrong location are marked yellow and gray boxes indicate the letter is not in the word. After solving the puzzle, a colored grid shows your progress through each step toward solving the daily task.
tag(s): game based learning (169), puzzles (143), vocabulary (237)
In the Classroom
Include Wordle as part of daily classroom activities in many ways. For example, ask students to solve Wordle individually or as part of a collaborative group. Encourage students to discuss helpful strategies in solving the puzzle, such as starting words that include several vowels--experiment by beginning with the same word each day or using different daily choices. Create a daily graph that shares the results of your class's attempts in solving the daily puzzle. Data Gif Maker, reviewed here, is a very easy to use graphing tool to quickly share results. Consider making personalized Wordles based on reading vocabulary, science terms, or student names using My Wordle, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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My Crossword Maker - Crossword Hobbyist Inc.
Grades
K to 12
1 Favorites
0 Comments
Create crossword puzzles or word searches, or browse through the variety of free options available on My Crossword Maker. Complete the crosswords online or use the provided links to...more
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Create crossword puzzles or word searches, or browse through the variety of free options available on My Crossword Maker. Complete the crosswords online or use the provided links to print or save as a PDF. Browse to find crosswords by grade level, subject, holidays, and more.
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This site includes advertising.
tag(s): addition (128), african american (111), american revolution (82), civil war (134), cold war (30), colonial america (95), colonization (20), crosswords (19), cultures (132), darwin (13), division (98), fractions (159), french (74), grammar (133), holidays (163), latin (22), literature (217), martin luther king (43), multiplication (122), musical instruments (46), poetry (189), presidents (121), puzzles (143), religions (75), shakespeare (93), spanish (105), spelling (95), sports (77), states (122), subtraction (109), vocabulary (237), world war 1 (72), world war 2 (149), writing (315)
In the Classroom
Create a link to puzzles on classroom computers for students to use for vocabulary review. Have students create and share their own crossword puzzles with classmates. Include student-created crossword puzzles into multimedia presentations of research projects. Encourage students to use vocabulary terms in writing and speaking projects.
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Puzzle Prime - Puzzle Prime
Grades
6 to 12
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0 Comments
Puzzle Prime is an excellent collection of some of the best puzzles, games, and illusions on the Internet. Run by a small group of mathematicians, content is carefully selected to ...more
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Puzzle Prime is an excellent collection of some of the best puzzles, games, and illusions on the Internet. Run by a small group of mathematicians, content is carefully selected to meet their high standards. Select a puzzle by type, skill level, or topic. When ready, click the solution to find puzzle answers.
tag(s): logic (164), problem solving (226), puzzles (143)
In the Classroom
Share a link to Puzzle Prime on classroom computers and your class website for students to access on any device. Consider having a "puzzle of the week" activity for students to complete on their own or in groups using activities on this site. Ask students to demonstrate their thinking process in completing puzzles by demonstrating on an interactive whiteboard or with a projector. Take this a step further and ask student to create a video explanation using a tool like Screencastify, reviewed here, and share them on a site such as TeacherTube reviewed here. Use these puzzles as examples and encourage students to create their puzzles for others to solve. Have cooperative learning groups create podcasts sharing problem and puzzle solving tips; for this, use a site such as podOmatic, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Ribbet - Ribbet Inc
Grades
K to 12
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Ribbet is an online photo editing and sharing site that doesn't require sign-up, download, or installation. Follow prompts to upload images, then use Ribbet's editing tools to crop,...more
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Ribbet is an online photo editing and sharing site that doesn't require sign-up, download, or installation. Follow prompts to upload images, then use Ribbet's editing tools to crop, resize, and fine tune the photo. Liven-up images with stickers, filters, or create collages and more with Ribbet's additional photo tools. When finished, download the picture to your computer or share to Facebook and photo storage sites using the links provided. Free registration allows members to save images and editing history to Ribbet.
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This site includes advertising.
tag(s): editing (90), images (264), photography (126)
In the Classroom
Use Ribbet anytime photos need to be edited on class blogs, wikis, or sites. Encourage older students to use this tool themselves on images for projects or presentations. Use Ribbet to edit pictures to look "old" when doing historical reports or to set a mood. In primary grades, use this tool to edit pictures from a field trip, science experiments, and more. Share the editing process with younger students using an interactive whiteboard or projector, and edit the project together!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Google Photos - Google
Grades
K to 12
5 Favorites
1 Comments
Find, organize, edit, and share your photos from one place with Google Photos. Automatically upload pictures from any device to one storage platform. Use keywords to locate any uploaded...more
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Find, organize, edit, and share your photos from one place with Google Photos. Automatically upload pictures from any device to one storage platform. Use keywords to locate any uploaded image. Use the editing tools to create animated GIF's from images or combine related images and videos into a movie with a matching soundtrack. Google Photos allows you to upload photos from any mobile device and provides free unlimited storage for photos up to 16 megapixels or videos up to 1080 HD.
tag(s): DAT device agnostic tool (143), images (264), Storage (6), video (259)
In the Classroom
Create a classroom Google account for students to upload video projects or images for projects. Share raw materials for student multimedia projects, such as photos of lab experiments or local historic sites. Share classroom projects privately and easily from your Google account. In elementary classrooms, teachers can use this tool to share photos from field trips, assemblies, project presentations, and other special events. Share the password with parents only. Have older students create their own Google account for collaborating on multimedia projects.Comments
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MDC Online - Missouri Department of Conservation
Grades
1 to 8
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Find information for backyard wildlife adventurers at this free site! View information on hunting and trapping, backyard habitats, and more. Be sure to check out the Discover Nature...more
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Find information for backyard wildlife adventurers at this free site! View information on hunting and trapping, backyard habitats, and more. Be sure to check out the Discover Nature tab to view the Teacher Portal and for recipes using animals and plants common to Missouri. (If you live in an entirely different area, you can compare what Missouri has with what you have!) Cick the Wild Life tab at the to to browse through Field Guides organized by species group. There are video clips. Some are hosted on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, then they may not be viewable.
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This site includes advertising.
tag(s): animal homes (56), animals (281), cooking (30), environment (240), forests (28), trees (18)
In the Classroom
Use this site when discussing ecology, wildlife, or nature in general. View the Outdoor Recreation and Wildlife Cameras links under the Discover tab for great ideas to get out into nature or view wildlife. Use a webcam for students to practice scientific observation! Choose a recipe from the Cooking link to create and share with others. Give students an opportunity to look at the material around the site and share what they find with others in the class. Be sure to include this link when providing resources for students to generate reports or presentations on wildlife and nature.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Grow For It - North Carolina 4H
Grades
2 to 12
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Grow For It offers lessons and resources for exploring agriculture, natural resources, and insects! Download several different lessons correlated to Common Core and/or North...more
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Grow For It offers lessons and resources for exploring agriculture, natural resources, and insects! Download several different lessons correlated to Common Core and/or North Carolina Standards. Find teaching materials about gardening, insects, and soil erosion. Some lessons offer additional materials not included as part of teacher training, provided by 4H services. However, free materials include detailed lessons and activities worth exploring. Be sure to explore other links for grant opportunities, weekend projects, and a "Plant Geek Pledge."
tag(s): agriculture (49), ecosystems (73), erosion (14), insects (69), natural resources (37), nutrition (134), plants (145), soil (16)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the free lesson plans included on the Grow For It site as part of a plant or nutrition unit. Share ideas from the site with parents interested in helping set up a school or classroom garden. Once you have started your garden, engage students by having them upload a photo they have taken and add their voice to explain what they learned using a tool such as Blabberize, reviewed here. Ask a local 4H leader or Coop Extension Agent to come to your classroom to discuss local plants and gardening ideas.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Artyfactory - Artyfactory.com
Grades
1 to 12
2 Favorites
0 Comments
Learn to draw, paint, or design following step-by-step tutorials from Artyfactory. Discover basic techniques of drawing and painting through Still Life lessons. Practice perspective,...more
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Learn to draw, paint, or design following step-by-step tutorials from Artyfactory. Discover basic techniques of drawing and painting through Still Life lessons. Practice perspective, proportions, drawing animals and portraits, and more. Artyfactory's slideshows are an engaging way to increase your knowledge of art, art appreciation, and design.
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This site includes advertising.
tag(s): africa (137), art history (86), artists (77), bulletin boards (14), design (82), egypt (46), perspective (11)
In the Classroom
In the art classroom, find ways to add technology to instruction using your projector or interactive whiteboard and demonstrating different techniques found on Artyfactory. For project based learning in any class, share this tool as a resource to add visual impact to students' research projects. Social studies teachers can include lessons about making African masks during units about that continent. Include Egyptian Hieroglyphic Alphabet, Cartouche, and Gods during a unit on the Egyptians. Science (or geometry) teachers will want to explore the lessons on visual patterns in nature as a way to capture the interest of your visual learners. Use these tutorials to integrate visual arts into any topic. Encourage your artistically inclined students to explore on their own. Explore this site before a trip to an art museum or to find inspiration for a display or culminating project in any teaching unit. You may even find some bulletin board ideas for your classroom! Ask students to extend their learning and document the stages by taking photos of their art and editing them and making a collage with Photopea, reviewed here. Encourage older students to keep their work in a portfolio for future use with Spaces, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Foodista - Foodista
Grades
3 to 12
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Foodista is a community of food lovers who share and exchange all things food! Find recipes and cooking ideas, food news, holiday ideas, health and nutrition, video directions, questions...more
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Foodista is a community of food lovers who share and exchange all things food! Find recipes and cooking ideas, food news, holiday ideas, health and nutrition, video directions, questions and answers, blogs, and an RSS feed. Add a recipe or share on social media The videos are hosted on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, then they may not be viewable.
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This site includes advertising.
In the Classroom
Capture every student's heart (or stomach) with Foodista! Introduce on your interactive whiteboard or projector for learning how to write, read, and follow directions. This site is sure to make some stomachs grumble and some mouths water! In math class, explore or multiply fractions used in recipes. In science, Family and Consumer Science (FACS), or health class, explore the nutrition side of Foodista. Help students gain a better understanding of diabetes or food allergies. Use to create food for special celebrations of literature or in social studies as you study cultures around the world. Allow students to choose food for special class celebrations. In your FACS class, use the blog area as a weekly update for new recipe, home care, and nutrition ideas.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Take Me Fishing - Fishopedia - The Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation
Grades
3 to 12
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Learn about all different species of fish in the United States and around the world. This site packs an aquatic animal punch! Explore the Fishopedia to learn facts about different ...more
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Learn about all different species of fish in the United States and around the world. This site packs an aquatic animal punch! Explore the Fishopedia to learn facts about different types of fish such as where they live, what type of food they eat, and how to catch them. There are even sections about fishing safely and conserving fish and their native habitats.
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This site includes advertising.
tag(s): animals (281), conservation (83), environment (240), fish (18)
In the Classroom
Use this resource to help your students learn more about local fish and the effects of human behavior on aquatic life. Have students use a fish to tell its own story with the additional assistance of a tool like Blabberize, reviewed here, where you can make your fish "talk!" Use in environmental science courses to help students understand sustainability and conservation. Try using it as part of practice for Envirothon competitions. Perhaps even start a wildlife club and use this site to prepare for a field trip of fishing.
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The Science of Cooking - Edinformatics.com
Grades
7 to 12
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Interested in the chemical changes that occur during cooking? Have food related cooking questions? Find your answer here on this free site. Learn proper food cooking techniques and...more
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Interested in the chemical changes that occur during cooking? Have food related cooking questions? Find your answer here on this free site. Learn proper food cooking techniques and identify the science behind them. The menu at the top offers topic such as Recipes, Cooking Techniques, a Food Encyclopedia, and more.
tag(s): cooking (30)
In the Classroom
Identify the various techniques and science behind them. For example, browning meat is called the Malliard reaction. Understanding why this brings out the best flavor in the meat is interesting. Learn about sugar substitutes, its use in cooking, and relationship to flavor. Identify taste and how we are able to sense tastes at the molecular level. Follow discussion of techniques with actual use of the technique and resultant taste tests. During a cooking lesson, why not have cooperative learning groups try something they learned? Video their "experiment" and share with the class (and parents) using a tool such as TeacherTube, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Fishbanks: A Renewable Resource Management Simulation - Defra
Grades
9 to 12
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This is an online simulation game focusing on sustainable fishing. Students can manipulate variables (numbers of fishing boats, catch quotas) and see how those changes affect both the...more
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This is an online simulation game focusing on sustainable fishing. Students can manipulate variables (numbers of fishing boats, catch quotas) and see how those changes affect both the bottom line and the environment. Each change results in a year's worth of data (up to 15 year's worth), and then reactions from different stakeholders. The game can be played as one, but other participants will need to be online, or as a group. Register with your school email to get a code to set up your class, which could take two business days.
tag(s): environment (240), financial literacy (92), fish (18), resources (88), sustainability (44)
In the Classroom
The game could be helpful in showing students that "success" in a business that affects the environment can be measured in a number of ways: cash flow, environmental impact, community support. The game could be played cooperatively by groups of students on an interactive whiteboard, or could be played individually by students, as long as other players are online. Since it's available on-line, students could be instructed to play the game at home or during study halls and then be prepared to share their individual data in group discussion.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Kids Gardening - National Gardening Association
Grades
3 to 8
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Get involved with gardening throughout the community using ideas from Kids Gardening! Scroll down the home page to see an overview of what is offered for educators and caregivers (at-home...more
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Get involved with gardening throughout the community using ideas from Kids Gardening! Scroll down the home page to see an overview of what is offered for educators and caregivers (at-home activities and more). Then, explore the menu at the top to see all topics available. For instance, under the What's New tab, you will find The Latest, Garden Stories, and Recent Posts. Next, click Learning Tools to see specifics for Getting Started for Educators and Caregivers. The Learning Tools tab also offers Resources and Activities for Play and Learning, and Growing a Garden. Choose from these categories to find how-to guides, lessons, and projects. Learn how to make the most of "gardening moments." Be sure to take some time to explore this site for many valuable ideas for indoor and outdoor gardening projects.
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This site includes advertising.
In the Classroom
If you aren't lucky enough to have outdoor gardening space, take advantage of ideas offered for indoor gardens, such as terrariums and container gardening. Check out the extensive lesson library to search by theme, standards, season, and more. You will also find lessons and activities appropriate for science and math. Use the Growing Poems, found here, to enhance your classroom poetry unit. Whatever activities you choose, have students record the growth in their garden or container by taking photos. As a summation for your gardening project use Photo Joiner Collage Maker, reviewed here, to create a collage of your garden photos with special effects, text, frames, and more.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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