TeachersFirst - Featured Sites: Week of Aug 17, 2025
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
Instructional Playlists - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12
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Curious about how to create instructional playlists that boost student engagement and autonomy? This professional learning module walks you through the what, why, and how of instructional...more
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Curious about how to create instructional playlists that boost student engagement and autonomy? This professional learning module walks you through the what, why, and how of instructional playlists. First, you'll learn what playlists are and how they differ from traditional assignments. Then, explore the benefits of using playlists to personalize learning and increase student voice and choice. You'll also review key planning steps and see classroom examples in action. Finally, gather practical tips and templates to start building your instructional playlists. Use these resources to design flexible, student-centered lessons that support differentiation and deeper learning. This self-paced online unit offers a 1-hour professional development certificate.
tag(s): teaching strategies (52)
In the Classroom
Try using instructional playlists in your classroom to give students more voice, choice, and ownership over their learning.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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TeachersFirst: Differentiated Instruction Professional Learning Module - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12
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This five-part learning model provides guidance and support to educators as they tailor instruction to meet the many differing needs of their students. Module one begins with a short...more
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This five-part learning model provides guidance and support to educators as they tailor instruction to meet the many differing needs of their students. Module one begins with a short overview of differentiating the learning process and shares several technology tools to support successful differentiation. Other models discuss differentiating the learning environment, products, and content; the final module helps pull all the information together as part of a cohesive learning unit. Professional learning credits are available; follow the provided link to receive a link to the course assessment.
tag(s): differentiation (77), professional development (271)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the many instructional ideas and resources to support differentiation in your classroom. Visit TeachersFirst to find many other resources for classroom differentiation, such as the archives of online professional learning sessions, OK2Ask: Playlists to Personalize Learning, reviewed here and OK2Ask: Engage & Inspire: Choice Boards for Differentiation Pt. 2, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Resources for using Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Productivity - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12
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Learn about and explore artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and tools educators can use to automate administrative tasks and improve student learning outcomes using the resources...more
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Learn about and explore artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and tools educators can use to automate administrative tasks and improve student learning outcomes using the resources in this collection. These tools can help leverage AI's power to increase your productivity and efficiency in the classroom. Many tools can also allow AI to personalize student learning experiences and optimize lesson planning.
tag(s): artificial intelligence (217), differentiation (77), personalized learning (7), Teacher Utilities (198), writing prompts (59)
In the Classroom
Use this collection to save time doing many tasks, from creating assessments to writing prompts, rewriting your emails in a new tone, and much more. Bookmark this site to use to find new ways to increase your productivity and lower your time required using the power of AI!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Class Companion - Class Companion
Grades
9 to 12
1 Favorites
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Class Companion offers the power of AI (artificial intelligence) to provide assignments and feedback for written tasks. Import assignments using any of three methods - import a project...more
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Class Companion offers the power of AI (artificial intelligence) to provide assignments and feedback for written tasks. Import assignments using any of three methods - import a project from your device's documents using copy and paste, create a task from scratch, or use an assignment from Class Companion's library. Choose from the essay or short response format. Class Companion analyzes the text and allows teachers to customize options before assigning them to students; options include a selection of rubrics, questions about the piece, and the number of attempts students have to submit a correct response. Students access Class Companion by the provided link shared from your account. As students complete the activities, Class Companion provides feedback on their responses.
tag(s): artificial intelligence (217), assessment (134), differentiation (77), feedback (11), writing (311)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the tutorials provided by Class Companion to learn how to customize lessons and feedback to engage and motivate students. As you become familiar with using the tools found in this resource, learn how to enhance student learning by providing them with options to dispute the AI feedback, which encourages critical thinking skills. Use Class Companion's built-in feedback tools for AP classes to provide low-stakes and unlimited practice for upcoming exams. Use the reporting tools available on the site to share feedback on student growth with individual students to encourage reflective learning practices.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Diffit - Adam Black and Vlad Gutkovich
Grades
2 to 12
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Diffit is a tool that helps teachers differentiate lessons using any text, article, or web page. To use Diffit, you need to create a free account. Then, select one of ...more
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Diffit is a tool that helps teachers differentiate lessons using any text, article, or web page. To use Diffit, you need to create a free account. Then, select one of three options: Literally Anything, Books, Text, PDF, Link, or Vocabulary. Then, choose the approximate reading level you want for the differentiated materials. After entering all the necessary information, click Generate Output. Diffit will produce an adaptive reading passage, a summary, key vocabulary words, multiple-choice and short-answer questions, and open-ended prompts. All of the generated content can be edited or added to. Use the dropdown box to adjust the reading level or language. Share the materials with students by copying them into a document, printing, or exporting them to Google Docs/Forms. Diffit premium is free for 60 days and after that the free features change monthly. Also, there is a Certified Teacher program to get free access to premium features. You can share your code to get extended access to those premium features.
tag(s): artificial intelligence (217), assessment (134), differentiation (77), multilingual (71)
In the Classroom
Use Diffit to quickly adapt and differentiate text or content by reading level and language needs. Use Diffit to translate text into the native language of multilingual learners and generate comprehension questions. Differentiate text for special needs students or gifted students based on their ability. Engage students in the learning process by copying the questions generated by Diffit into an interactive quiz format resource such as Blooket, reviewed here. Extend learning by asking students to respond to the open-ended questions by sharing a video response using Gravity, reviewed here. Encourage students to show creativity in Flip by using the included features in the camera, such as images, filters, and stickers.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Annotate - Simpliphi, Inc.
Grades
K to 12
1 Favorites
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Annotate offers several tools that allow educators to use their whiteboards while remaining completely mobile in the classroom. Use the projection feature to project information from...more
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Annotate offers several tools that allow educators to use their whiteboards while remaining completely mobile in the classroom. Use the projection feature to project information from a mobile device onto your whiteboard from anywhere in the room. Free plans offer up to two hours of screen sharing daily. Add the optional extension to Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge browsers to annotate web pages, take screen captures, and highlight online information. Enroll up to ten students in a course to allow students to follow your screen on their device. Once you create a class, use Annotate to live stream information, take assessments, and schedule homework. Annotate also has a built-in graphing calculator that is handy for math instructors.
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This site includes advertising.
tag(s): collaboration (79), differentiation (77), iwb (28)
In the Classroom
Use Annotate.net as a resource for using your whiteboard while still maintaining the freedom to interact with students in other classroom areas than standing at the front. Move around the room as you use Annotate to find examples of misinformation or difficulty with work, highlight student examples that share innovative thinking, or take advantage of teachable moments as they arise. Hand your device over to students to demonstrate their understanding of concepts or highlight questions they may have.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Boddle Learning - Boddle Learning Inc
Grades
K to 6
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Boddle is an engaging math learning platform for grades K-6 that adapts to student ability levels. Create your account and classroom to begin. Add your students manually or import information...more
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Boddle is an engaging math learning platform for grades K-6 that adapts to student ability levels. Create your account and classroom to begin. Add your students manually or import information from Google Classroom. When created, share your classroom using the link to Boddle and your class code. Additional options include creating assignments that have specific skills for the entire class or individual students. As students engage in Boggle, view results, and progress on your teacher dashboard. Free accounts include access to games and the learning platform but don't include the professional development offered within the site.
tag(s): differentiation (77), Learning Management Systems (19), Online Learning (32), Teacher Utilities (198)
In the Classroom
Use Boddle to differentiate math instruction for your students. Include a link to Boddle on classroom computers for use during math centers, and provide a link on your classroom website for your blended classroom or for students to play at home. Share with parents to create individual accounts for use at home. Include Boddle with other online math programs using a bookmarking tool such as Symbaloo, reviewed here for easy access by students.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Open Up Resources - Open Up Resources
Grades
K to 8
2 Favorites
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Access high-quality math and language arts resources on Open Up Resources. Register on the site to view and gain access to course materials. Select the grade level and choose the ...more
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Access high-quality math and language arts resources on Open Up Resources. Register on the site to view and gain access to course materials. Select the grade level and choose the teacher, parent, or student materials. The math curriculum supports grades 6-8 and high school content; English language arts (ELA) is available in grades K-8. Content is divided into units and lessons and includes all materials except assessments. Provide additional information related to your school affiliation to gain access to available assessments. Other options include downloading resources as a print file or import into a Microsoft OneNote Class Notebook.
tag(s): data (152), decimals (85), differentiation (77), exponents (35), factoring (25), fractions (160), guided reading (32), measurement (124), OER (38), remote learning (31), transformations (12), writing (311)
In the Classroom
Include this site to supplement your current ELA and math curriculum. Use the resources to differentiate instruction for gifted students in lower grades or as remediation for struggling students in older grades. Be sure to take advantage of the family materials providing explanations of math content and strategies for problem-solving. Use the student materials for differentiating instruction, as homework, or in remote learning situations. Have students share their math explanations, reading strategies and more with video explanations using a tool like Gravity, reviewed here. Gravity provides a tool for video responses to a question along with comments from peers. Extend learning by asking students to create and share their own math problems, along with suggestions for learning. Use a tool like Sway, reviewed here. Sway is a presentation tool that offers multimedia options, including text, video, and images.
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For the Teachers - For the Teachers
Grades
K to 12
3 Favorites
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For the Teachers contains an incredible number of lesson ideas, differentiation tips, instructional strategies, and much more for all teachers. Search for specific content using the...more
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For the Teachers contains an incredible number of lesson ideas, differentiation tips, instructional strategies, and much more for all teachers. Search for specific content using the keyword search or scroll down the home page to find some of the site's most popular content. There is a great deal of useful content on the site to explore, of note is the Reading Skills for Big Kids and Differentiation links. The Reading Skills for Big Kids includes skill-based lesson plans for use with the many included leveled articles. The Differentiation portion of the site provides specific ideas and tools to differentiate content, assessment, and lesson activities and materials. Warning: Anything that says Download is an advertisement for a different program.
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This site includes advertising.
tag(s): characterization (19), charts and graphs (167), constitution (101), differentiation (77), graphic organizers (51), inferencing (7), mean (20), measurement (124), median (17), mode (14), multiplication (120), patterns (65), place value (34), plot (15), reading comprehension (143), rubrics (35), sequencing (17)
In the Classroom
Be sure to bookmark this site to save as a favorite to find lesson ideas and activities throughout the school year. When planning for a substitute, look through the site to find useful ideas for lessons and planning organizers. There is so much material here to use, consider exploring the site with peers using techniques similar to a book study. Divide the site into sections to discuss at different times of your study. Organize your favorite materials from this site and your other resources using Padlet, reviewed here. Share your Padlet with peers to collaborate and create a useful time for organizing and sharing your favorite teaching materials. Supplement information included on report cards by using a site like Seesaw, reviewed here, to create portfolios for your students to demonstrate progress in reading, math, and other content areas. Include student-created projects based on activities found on For the Teachers.
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Thrively - Thrively
Grades
1 to 12
4 Favorites
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Thrively is a free tool that gives strengths and interests assessments in an engaging and entertaining way. Based on twenty-three factors and developed for children, you receive a profile...more
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Thrively is a free tool that gives strengths and interests assessments in an engaging and entertaining way. Based on twenty-three factors and developed for children, you receive a profile that is personal, positive, and celebrates each child's core strengths and unique talents. Children, teachers, and parents all have a dashboard displaying activities and videos selected specifically for the child's strengths and interests. Explore a comprehensive activity index with over 120,000 activities and hundreds of videos designed to inspire. The videos feature interesting ideas, leaders, and a range of insights into careers and opportunities that are a good fit for the child's unique strengths. The Activity Boards are a way to discover and research the activities and collect them all in one place. If your district blocks YouTube, the videos may not be viewable.
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This site includes advertising.
tag(s): back to school (55), differentiation (77), multiple intelligences (7), social and emotional learning (111), Special Needs (49), Teacher Utilities (198)
In the Classroom
Begin your school year with a more personal touch, by knowing what your students' interests are. On the teacher dashboard, examine each student and match interest to activities to differentiate instruction. Students can explore careers, apps, and activities matching their profile. With interest and strengths targeted, you can sail smoothly into a highly engaged class of individualized learning. During career explorations, open up worlds of possibilities for students and families to begin planning a successful path. Add a link to this tool to your class website for possible enrichment activities for families. Offer suggestions to parents for enriching after school activities found around your area.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Quizalize - Zzish
Grades
4 to 12
7 Favorites
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Track learning in real-time with Quizalize. Student answers are color-coded on the teacher dashboard for ease in identifying who needs more help. Create scrambled word, multiple choice...more
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Track learning in real-time with Quizalize. Student answers are color-coded on the teacher dashboard for ease in identifying who needs more help. Create scrambled word, multiple choice questions, and ChapGPT quizzes, and each question can have a custom timer. View reports for each student's progress and learning gaps. Create a quiz or select one from Quizalize's growing library. Quizzes can be "gamified" by showing the teacher dashboard as a leaderboard to see progress against other contestents. Quizalize works on any device with a browser and Internet connection. Sign up with an email and password. Create a quiz, assign it to classes, get a code, give it to students, and let the fun begin! The free account provides 3 classes and 5 activities.
tag(s): differentiation (77), game based learning (214), gamification (75), polls and surveys (42), quizzes (86)
In the Classroom
Make a class challenge! Create practice quizzes to review the material just learned in class. Use an interactive whiteboard or projector for students to view the "leaderboard" (teacher dashboard) as in a game. Students score more points by answering questions quickly. As with other tools with a leaderboard, it is helpful to have a collaborative environment where competition is not the goal, instead working together and improving is important. Use Quizalize as a formative assessment and to differentiate to see what material needs more review with classes (or individual students). Use this tool often to obtain a snapshot of each student's understanding of content (subtopic/standards); quickly see who understands a concept and who needs some individualized practice. Share with students as a resource for creating quizzes for studying at home. When students are using surveys and polls for reports, introduce them to Quizalize since it works on any device. Share quizzes with your fellow teachers.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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MathGames - TeachMe, Inc.
Grades
K to 8
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MathGames offers a large variety of math activities and interactive questions for grades preK-8 all fully aligned to Common Core Standards. Choose a grade to start, or choose by skills....more
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MathGames offers a large variety of math activities and interactive questions for grades preK-8 all fully aligned to Common Core Standards. Choose a grade to start, or choose by skills. Other options allow you to choose by grade level standards. Registration isn't necessary to play individual games; however, enrollment as a teacher provides additional features. Input your class to receive detailed progress reports as well as leaderboards and student competitions.
tag(s): addition (128), charts and graphs (167), differentiation (77), division (96), equations (119), estimation (33), fractions (160), game based learning (214), geometric shapes (138), measurement (124), mental math (18), multiples (15), multiplication (120), patterns (65), pi (28), preK (289), ratios (47), statistics (117), subtraction (110), time (91)
In the Classroom
MathGames is perfect for practice with many different math concepts. Include a link to games on your class website or classroom computers. Be sure to share games with parents for play at home. Take advantage of the free registration to register your class to follow student progress and challenge students to increase scores. Enhance learning goals by asking students to write blog entries sharing their learning and understanding for each game using Telegra.ph, reviewed here. This blog creator requires no registration. If you are teaching younger students and looking for an easy way to integrate technology and check for understanding, challenge your students to create a blog using edublogs, reviewed here. Take this a step further and extend students' learning by picking the game they learned the most from and make a feature video about it using Typito, reviewed here. If you teach using Common Core Standards, MathGames is excellent for finding practice activities aligned to the standards. Measure student growth for Common Core Standards using Edulastic, reviewed here. MathGames is perfect for remote or blended learning due to its detailed progress reports.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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