2495 reading results | sort by:
return to subject listing
Google Data Studio - Google
Grades
3 to 12
0 Favorites
0 Comments
Google Data Studio is a free web-based data visualization and reporting tool that allows teachers and schools to turn spreadsheets and other data sources into interactive dashboards,...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
Google Data Studio is a free web-based data visualization and reporting tool that allows teachers and schools to turn spreadsheets and other data sources into interactive dashboards, charts, and reports. Educators can connect data from Google Sheets, Forms, Analytics, and many other sources to create customizable visuals that help track student progress, assessment results, attendance, survey responses, and classroom trends. The platform supports real-time collaboration and easy sharing, making it useful for professional learning communities, administrators, and teachers looking to make data-driven instructional decisions. Its drag-and-drop design tools and interactive filters also make it accessible to educators new to data visualization.
tag(s): artificial intelligence (346), charts and graphs (184), data (212), spreadsheets (23)
In the Classroom
Create collaborative social studies or science inquiry projects in which groups gather research data and design dashboards to explain topics such as weather patterns, population growth, or environmental changes. Teachers can build classroom management or assessment dashboards that display formative assessment trends, attendance, participation, or benchmark growth to guide small-group instruction and enrichment activities. Use Google Data Studio during math lessons to help students interpret real-world data. Students can compare statistics, analyze class averages, or track progress on fluency and goal-setting activities through visual reports.Edge Features:
Parent permission advised before posting student work created using this tool
Requires registration/log-in (WITH email)
Premium version (not free) includes additional features or storage
Products can be embedded
Products can be shared by URL
Multiple users can collaborate on the same project
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Flip Education - Flip Education
Grades
K to 12
0 Favorites
0 Comments
Flip Education offers a free, standards-aligned active-learning curriculum for 19 subjects and all grade levels from kindergarten through twelfth grade. Browse by grade level or search...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
Flip Education offers a free, standards-aligned active-learning curriculum for 19 subjects and all grade levels from kindergarten through twelfth grade. Browse by grade level or search units and topics to find available content. Choose a topic and an activity to access unit plans that include learning objectives, vocabulary, and active-learning ideas. Free plans also include the ability to create up to 5 free missions, each with additional materials, including a structured lesson with timed phases, teacher instructions, student activity steps, and printable materials.
tag(s): artificial intelligence (346), commoncore (63), Teacher Utilities (222)
In the Classroom
Use the free features available from Flip Education to supplement your current planning resources and provide fresh ideas for classroom instruction, or as a resource when planning for a substitute. Extend the learning activities available by using an AI tool such as Magic School, reviewed here, to differentiate instruction, create rubrics for assessing student projects, or generate original texts to accompany the materials.
This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.
Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Rating (click star to set rating):
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Cinco de Mayo for Kids: Its History + Activities and Crafts - KidsKonnect
Grades
2 to 8
0 Favorites
0 Comments
This article from KidsKonnect provides a kid-friendly overview of Cinco de Mayo, combining historical background with engaging classroom activities and crafts. It explains the significance...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
This article from KidsKonnect provides a kid-friendly overview of Cinco de Mayo, combining historical background with engaging classroom activities and crafts. It explains the significance of the holiday, including the Mexican victory at the Battle of Puebla. It explores how citizens celebrate Cinco de Mayo in both Mexico and the United States. In addition to informational content, the site offers a variety of ready-to-use resources such as worksheets, games, and hands-on craft ideas designed to make learning interactive and fun. Overall, it serves as a well-rounded resource that blends history, culture, and creative activities to support student understanding and engagement
tag(s): cinco de mayo (28), crafts (114), cultures (292), game based learning (320), holidays (293), mexico (69)
In the Classroom
Have students imagine they are reporters in 1862 and create a newspaper headline and short article about the Battle of Puebla. Using Google My Map, reviewed here, have students label the location of the Battle of Puebla and add symbols or drawings to represent key events. Provide students with statements about Cinco de Mayo and have them sort them into fact or myth categories.
This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.
Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Rating (click star to set rating):
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
MeiGen - MeiGen
Grades
6 to 12
0 Favorites
0 Comments
MeiGen is a web-based AI image-creation and inspiration tool that simplifies browsing, reusing, and generating prompts for AI images. The platform offers a vast library of AI-generated...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
MeiGen is a web-based AI image-creation and inspiration tool that simplifies browsing, reusing, and generating prompts for AI images. The platform offers a vast library of AI-generated images and prompts, allowing users to search and explore. By opening an image, users can view the full prompt and explore the information it contains. This feature empowers users to understand the underlying concepts and then reuse or modify prompts to generate new, unique outputs. A standout feature of MeiGen is its ability to instantly access an image's prompt by simply selecting it.
Additionally, users can reuse the prompt as a starting point for generating their own variations. MeiGen also provides tools for prompt refinement and browsing by style or subject, making it easier to transition from inspiration to a usable prompt without having to write everything from scratch. Free accounts include daily generation credits; however, registration isn't required to open images in the gallery and view the prompt. Creating a free account enables users to save and access their favorite images and generate new ones.
tag(s): artificial intelligence (346), creativity (93), graphic design (54), images (273)
In the Classroom
Use MeiGen in your lessons on creating AI images effectively, and include images in presentations and reports. For example, find and save images of passports with built-in 3D dioramas, and share the prompts with students to use when creating images for reports on countries, or select images with four frames with different poses for students to use as a back-to-school activity to share their interests when getting to know new classmates. Have students create multimedia presentations that include images using Canva for Education.Edge Features:
Parent permission advised before posting student work created using this tool
Includes Interaction w general public/ public galleries with unmoderated content
Includes social features, such as "friends," comments, ratings by others
Premium version (not free) includes additional features or storage
Products can be shared by URL
Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Rating (click star to set rating):
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Overleaf - Overleaf
Grades
K to 12
0 Favorites
0 Comments
Overleaf is a browser-based writing tool for creating well-formatted documents such as journal articles, reports, and presentations. It is especially helpful for projects that include...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
Overleaf is a browser-based writing tool for creating well-formatted documents such as journal articles, reports, and presentations. It is especially helpful for projects that include math, equations, or structured layouts, which are often needed in K-12 educational materials. It provides a live PDF preview as you type, which helps you quickly check formatting without extra steps, and it runs entirely online, so there is no software to install or manage across devices. The free plan includes unlimited projects, access to templates such as reports and handouts, real-time collaboration with one other editor, and unlimited viewers, which supports basic teamwork.
tag(s): collaboration (139), editing (96), presentations (47)
In the Classroom
Use Overleaf to support a range of K-12 classroom tasks where clear formatting, structure, and collaboration matter. Create and share assignment or note templates that students can open and edit as their own copies, helping standardize formatting and save setup time. Students can work individually or with one partner to draft reports, lab write-ups, or math-heavy documents, using the live preview to check their work as they go. Because everything runs in a browser, it works well alongside tools like Google Docs for drafting ideas first, then moving polished content into Overleaf for final formatting, or Google Sheets to track project links and submissions for simple organization.Edge Features:
Requires registration/log-in (WITH email)
Premium version (not free) includes additional features or storage
Multiple users can collaborate on the same project
Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Rating (click star to set rating):
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
VEED - VEED
Grades
4 to 12
0 Favorites
0 Comments
VEED is a cloud-based video creation and editing platform that allows teachers and students to easily record, edit, and enhance videos using AI-powered tools such as automatic subtitles,...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
VEED is a cloud-based video creation and editing platform that allows teachers and students to easily record, edit, and enhance videos using AI-powered tools such as automatic subtitles, screen recording, voice dubbing, and background noise removal. Its simple, browser-based interface makes it accessible to beginners while still offering features such as templates, stock media, and collaboration tools for group projects. The platform offers a free plan that includes basic video editing, subtitle generation, templates, and screen recording, but videos are limited in length, exported at 720p, and include a VEED watermark.
tag(s): artificial intelligence (346), digital storytelling (180), editing (96)
In the Classroom
Students can create short video summaries of a story or informational text, adding captions and visuals to highlight key ideas and practice summarizing skills. Students can design a digital storytelling project where they narrate an original story or personal narrative, using video clips, images, and voiceovers to bring their writing to life. Students can record and reflect on their learning by creating video journals that explain what they learned, the challenges they faced, and their goals for improvement.Edge Features:
Parent permission advised before posting student work created using this tool
Requires registration/log-in (WITH email)
Premium version (not free) includes additional features or storage
Products can be embedded
Products can be shared by URL
Multiple users can collaborate on the same project
Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Rating (click star to set rating):
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Tinkering Projects - Exploratorium
Grades
3 to 12
0 Favorites
0 Comments
Exploratorium's Tinkering Projects features a rich collection of free, hands-on STEAM activities that encourage students to explore science, engineering, art, and design through creative...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
Exploratorium's Tinkering Projects features a rich collection of free, hands-on STEAM activities that encourage students to explore science, engineering, art, and design through creative problem-solving. Browse dozens of open-ended projects such as creating balancing sculptures, animating everyday objects, building chain reactions, designing marble machines, experimenting with light and shadow, and bringing stories to life. Each project includes step-by-step instructions, a materials list, facilitation tips, and, when appropriate, downloadable PDF handouts to support classroom or makerspace use. Activities promote inquiry, collaboration, and learning by doing, making them easy to adapt for a variety of grade levels and learning environments.
tag(s): animation (71), creativity (93), images (273), inquiry (38), makerspace (44), STEM (380)
In the Classroom
When participating in the Bring a Book to Life lesson, students can use Scratch, reviewed here to code their animations. Students can use Stop Motion with Google Slides, reviewed here during the Making Faces lesson. Students can post their pictures from the Light Painting lesson on a virtual bulletin board such as Lino, reviewed here.
This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.
Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Rating (click star to set rating):
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
descript - Descript
Grades
6 to 12
0 Favorites
0 Comments
Descript is an AI-powered tool that allows teachers and students to create, edit, and publish audio and video projects such as podcasts, presentations, and screencasts by simply editing...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
Descript is an AI-powered tool that allows teachers and students to create, edit, and publish audio and video projects such as podcasts, presentations, and screencasts by simply editing text transcripts, making it especially user-friendly for classroom use. It combines recording, transcription, screen capture, and editing into a single platform, along with AI features such as filler-word removal and voice generation. The platform offers a free plan that includes basic editing tools, text-based transcription, screen recording, about 1 hour of transcription or recording per month, limited AI features, and 720p video exports that may include a watermark. This free version is ideal for trying out the tool or completing small projects, while more advanced features and higher usage limits require a paid subscription.
tag(s): artificial intelligence (346), digital storytelling (180), presentations (47)
In the Classroom
In small groups, students can produce a news-style video report on a social studies or science topic, using collaboration features to assign roles such as writer, speaker, and editor. Ask students to revise their writing by recording themselves reading it aloud, then using the transcript feature to identify errors, improve sentence fluency, and strengthen word choice. Descript is a useful tool for creating instructional or how-to videos that explain concepts students have learned, such as grammar skills or reading strategies, helping reinforce understanding while teaching others.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Rating (click star to set rating):
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Free Explainer Video Maker - Canva
Grades
K to 12
0 Favorites
0 Comments
Canva for Education's, reviewed here, Explainer Video Maker allows students and teachers to create engaging explainer videos using ready-made templates,...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
Canva for Education's, reviewed here, Explainer Video Maker allows students and teachers to create engaging explainer videos using ready-made templates, drag-and-drop tools, animations, graphics, music, and voiceovers. Teachers can use it to introduce new topics, model thinking, or have students demonstrate understanding through short videos. The platform is beginner-friendly and supports creativity, storytelling, and visual communication, making it a strong fit for project-based learning, presentations, and cross-subject digital storytelling. Students can work individually or collaboratively, and share projects via link or embedded for easy presentation or classroom sharing.
tag(s): animation (71), collaboration (139), digital storytelling (180), presentations (47), Project Based Learning (29)
In the Classroom
Have students create short videos explaining a concept they've learned (such as a math strategy, a scientific process, or a historical event). Ask students to choose a vocabulary word or key concept and create a short animated explanation. Use Canva's Explainer Video Maker to design a short video to raise awareness about a social issue, community topic, or school initiative.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Rating (click star to set rating):
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Digital Jigsaw Puzzles - Smithsonian Libraries and Archives
Grades
3 to 12
0 Favorites
0 Comments
The Smithsonian Libraries and Archives blog post on puzzles offers a collection of interactive digital jigsaw puzzles created from images in the Smithsonian's open-access collections....more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
The Smithsonian Libraries and Archives blog post on puzzles offers a collection of interactive digital jigsaw puzzles created from images in the Smithsonian's open-access collections. These puzzles allow users to explore historical photographs and artifacts in an engaging, hands-on way while also learning about the stories behind each image. The puzzles are typically customizable in difficulty, making them accessible to a range of learners and playable directly within the blog. This resource provides teachers with a creative way to incorporate primary sources, visual literacy, and historical inquiry into classroom activities while promoting problem-solving and engagement.
tag(s): artists (102), enrichment (17), puzzles (171)
In the Classroom
After completing a puzzle, students use the See-Think-Wonder strategy to record observations, inferences, and questions about the image, helping build critical thinking and visual literacy skills. Have students analyze the completed puzzle image as a primary source by identifying details, context clues, and possible perspectives. Then have them write a short paragraph explaining what the image reveals about a specific time period or topic. Have students write a narrative, diary entry, or short story inspired by the completed puzzle image.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Rating (click star to set rating):
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
EduGems - Eric Curts
Grades
K to 12
0 Favorites
0 Comments
EduGems is a free, teacher-friendly website created by Eric Curts that provides a growing collection of ready-to-use AI prompts, called "Gems," designed specifically for use with Google...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
EduGems is a free, teacher-friendly website created by Eric Curts that provides a growing collection of ready-to-use AI prompts, called "Gems," designed specifically for use with Google Gemini. These prebuilt prompts help educators quickly generate lesson plans, activities, assessments, and instructional materials without starting from scratch, saving time while supporting high-quality instruction. The site is organized into categories such as curriculum design, literacy, student activities, and professional tasks, and each Gem can be used as-is or copied and customized to fit specific classroom needs, making it a flexible and practical tool for integrating AI into everyday teaching.
tag(s): artificial intelligence (346), Teacher Utilities (222)
In the Classroom
Use a Gem to quickly create a fun lesson hook, such as a mystery scenario, creative prompt, or thought-provoking question, to spark student interest at the start of a lesson. Generate differentiated writing prompts for students based on ability levels or interests to help all learners engage with the content. Generate a menu of activity options for a unit and let students choose how they demonstrate their understanding, increasing ownership and engagement. Learn more about how to create and use Gems by viewing the archive of OK2Ask: Google Gems Basics: Personalized, interactive, and safe AI learning experiences, available here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Rating (click star to set rating):
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Plotted - Plotted
Grades
6 to 12
0 Favorites
0 Comments
Plotted is a free interactive tool that helps readers visualize and share the journeys in their favorite books. By combining maps with literary analysis, the site allows you to track...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
Plotted is a free interactive tool that helps readers visualize and share the journeys in their favorite books. By combining maps with literary analysis, the site allows you to track a character's path through either a real-world location or a custom-uploaded fantasy map. You can place interactive plots on the map, which serve as digital markers containing text descriptions, book quotes, or analyses of specific scenes. Create an account to create a new map by adding a title, choosing a fantasy or real-world option, adding a description, and optional book information. Click on the map to add and label locations. Each map project is shareable via a unique URL, enabling a community of readers to explore different geographic interpretations of the same story. The platform is highly accessible to any age group capable of reading and identifying locations, making it a versatile resource for upper elementary students mapping a picture-book journey or high schoolers analyzing complex global migrations in a novel.
tag(s): digital storytelling (180), maps (221)
In the Classroom
Transform a literature unit by having students create a visual geography of a protagonist's emotional and physical journey. For a middle school lesson on a novel like A Long Walk to Water, students can plot the specific coordinates of the character's travels across Africa and add reflections on how the character overcame obstacles at each location. After completing their interactive map, students can summarize the overarching themes by creating an engaging presentation with Gamma, reviewed here. To extend the project into a collaborative discussion, have students share their map links on a digital bulletin board using Lino, reviewed here, where peers can leave sticky note comments comparing different mapping choices. This approach moves beyond traditional book reports by requiring students to synthesize geographic data with narrative evidence to show a deeper understanding of the story's progression.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Rating (click star to set rating):
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Puzzle Cutter - Figma
Grades
4 to 12
0 Favorites
0 Comments
The Puzzle Cutter plugin on Figma, reviewed here is a creative design tool that allows users to quickly divide images or frames into puzzle-like pieces...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
The Puzzle Cutter plugin on Figma, reviewed here is a creative design tool that allows users to quickly divide images or frames into puzzle-like pieces within a Figma project. Use the puzzle cutter to transform visuals into interactive jigsaw-style layouts, making it useful for designing games, presentations, or engaging digital activities. As part of Figma's plugin ecosystem, it enhances the platform's collaborative design features by automating a time-consuming task, helping users focus on creativity and interactive learning experiences.
tag(s): game based learning (320), presentations (47), puzzles (171)
In the Classroom
Have students create a puzzle based on an important scene or a story summary. Classmates can solve the puzzle, then explain how the image connects to key themes, characters, or events. Have students create an image representing a vocabulary word or concept, then turn it into a puzzle. Peers can solve the puzzle and infer the word's meaning based on visual clues before checking the definition. In small groups, have students each design one section of a larger image (such as a map, diagram, or story sequence). After combining and cutting it into a puzzle, the groups can exchange with another team to solve and interpret the completed work.Edge Features:
Parent permission advised before posting student work created using this tool
Includes Interaction w general public/ public galleries with unmoderated content
Includes social features, such as "friends," comments, ratings by others
Requires registration/log-in (WITH email)
Premium version (not free) includes additional features or storage
Products can be embedded
Products can be shared by URL
Multiple users can collaborate on the same project
Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Rating (click star to set rating):
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Reading Treks: Uprising - TeachersFirst
Grades
5 to 8
0 Favorites
0 Comments
Uprising tells the powerful, interwoven stories of Bella, Yetta, and Jane--three young women from vastly different backgrounds living in New York City in 1911. This Reading Trek includes...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
Uprising tells the powerful, interwoven stories of Bella, Yetta, and Jane--three young women from vastly different backgrounds living in New York City in 1911. This Reading Trek includes interactive maps--available as both a Google My Maps link and a downloadable Google Earth (KMZ) file--that trace key locations from the story. There is also a downloadable teacher guide (PDF) to support classroom instruction and provide activities and extensions.
tag(s): 1910s (29), fire (25), Reading Treks (56)
In the Classroom
Use the interactive Google My Maps or Google Earth file to trace Bella, Yetta, and Jane's paths through 1911 New York City, helping students visualize the neighborhoods, factories, and social divides that shaped their different lives. As students explore each location, they can research its historical significance, including the real Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, around which the novel is built. Pair this map exploration with the teacher guide's activities and extensions.
This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.
Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Rating (click star to set rating):
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Reading Treks: Prairie Lotus - TeachersFirst
Grades
5 to 8
0 Favorites
0 Comments
Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park is a historical fiction novel set in the Dakota Territory in the 1880s. It follows Hanna, a half-Chinese, half-white girl who moves with her ...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park is a historical fiction novel set in the Dakota Territory in the 1880s. It follows Hanna, a half-Chinese, half-white girl who moves with her father to a small frontier town after her mother's death. Hanna dreams of becoming a dressmaker and finishing school, but she faces discrimination and exclusion because of her Asian heritage. Despite the racism and prejudice around her, Hanna remains determined to honor her mother's legacy and find acceptance in the community. Through resilience, courage, and kindness, she begins to carve out a place for herself on the American prairie. This Reading Trek includes interactive maps (available as both a Google My Maps link and a downloadable Google Earth (KMZ) file). The maps trace key locations from the story. There is also a teacher guide (PDF) with classroom activities and extension activities.
tag(s): 1800s (90), racism (82), Reading Treks (56), westward expansion (42)
In the Classroom
Use the interactive maps to have students trace Hanna's journey to the Dakota Territory, visualizing the frontier landscape and the distances families traveled during Westward Expansion. As students explore each stop, they can research the historical context of the 1880s frontier, including the experiences of mixed-race and immigrant families during this era. Pair this map exploration with the teacher guide's activities to examine themes of identity, prejudice, resilience, and belonging.
This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.
Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Rating (click star to set rating):
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Reading Treks: A Long Walk to Water - TeachersFirst
Grades
5 to 8
0 Favorites
0 Comments
A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park is based on a true story and alternates between the stories of two characters living in Sudan at different times. One ...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park is based on a true story and alternates between the stories of two characters living in Sudan at different times. One narrative follows Salva Dut, an eleven-year-old boy forced to flee his village during the Second Sudanese Civil War in 1985, facing danger, hunger, and exhaustion as he becomes one of the Lost Boys of Sudan. The second story follows Nya, a young girl in 2008 who spends hours each day walking to fetch water for her family. Their stories ultimately intersect as Salva helps bring clean water to villages like Nya's through his real-life organization Water for South Sudan, revealing the power of perseverance, hope, and community.
This Reading Trek includes interactive maps-available as both a Google My Maps link and a downloadable Google Earth (KMZ) file- that trace the characters' journeys and key locations from the story. There is also a downloadable teacher guide (PDF) to support classroom instruction and discussion.
This Reading Trek includes interactive maps-available as both a Google My Maps link and a downloadable Google Earth (KMZ) file- that trace the characters' journeys and key locations from the story. There is also a downloadable teacher guide (PDF) to support classroom instruction and discussion.
tag(s): africa (162), Reading Treks (56), water (106)
In the Classroom
Bring the story to life by having students trace Salva and Nya's journeys using the interactive Google My Maps or Google Earth file to help them visualize the vast distances traveled and Sudan's geography. As they explore each location, students can pause to research the historical and cultural context -- connecting the novel's dual timelines to the actual Sudanese Civil War and ongoing water access issues. The teacher guide's discussion questions and activities pair well with this map exploration, whether used for whole-class discussion, literature circles, or independent research projects on themes of resilience, survival, and access to clean water.
This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.
Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Rating (click star to set rating):
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Reading Treks: Black Was The Ink - TeachersFirst
Grades
7 to 9
0 Favorites
0 Comments
Black Was the Ink is a literary journey based on Michelle Coles's novel, following Malcolm, a modern-day African-American teen confronting personal struggles and systemic injustice....more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
Black Was the Ink is a literary journey based on Michelle Coles's novel, following Malcolm, a modern-day African-American teen confronting personal struggles and systemic injustice. This Reading Trek includes interactive maps (Google My Map and Google Earth Map) that trace locations tied to the story, along with a downloadable teacher guide (PDF) to support classroom use, making it easy to bring the book's settings and themes to life for students. The teacher guide includes many activity ideas related to the book and the maps.
tag(s): civil war (145), diversity (56), identity (42), Reading Treks (56)
In the Classroom
Pair the interactive maps with the teacher guide to turn Black Was the Ink into an immersive, cross-curricular experience. As students follow Malcolm's journey on the map, they can research the real-world significance of each location, connecting the novel's settings to historical and social context. The teacher guide offers discussion questions, activities, and extension ideas that pair naturally with the map--perfect for small-group stations, independent research projects, or whole-class discussions that deepen comprehension of the book's themes around identity, justice, and resilience.
This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.
Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Rating (click star to set rating):
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Canva GIF Maker - Canva
Grades
3 to 12
0 Favorites
0 Comments
Canva's GIF Maker offers a step-by-step guide to making a GIF. All you need is an image or video, and then apply transitions, animations, filters, and frames to bring your ...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
Canva's GIF Maker offers a step-by-step guide to making a GIF. All you need is an image or video, and then apply transitions, animations, filters, and frames to bring your GIF to life. Although creating an account allows you to edit your GIF, you do not need to have a Canva account to create one. Canva's GIF possibilities are endless!
tag(s): animation (71), creativity (93)
In the Classroom
Students can create GIFs regarding historical events and post them to Padlet reviewed here. Have students create a GIF to show a character's emotions. Use GIFs for creative writing projects.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Rating (click star to set rating):
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
NotebookLM Prompt Generator - Kee Man
Grades
K to 12
0 Favorites
0 Comments
NotebookLM, reviewed here is an amazing resource for curating information and creating study materials; however, making the most of its incredible...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
NotebookLM, reviewed here is an amazing resource for curating information and creating study materials; however, making the most of its incredible features requires an understanding of how to create the proper prompt to create materials that work best for individual users. This is where NotebookLM Prompt Generator comes to the rescue. NotebookLM Prompt Generator lets users select features such as style preferences, content scope, and other tools to personalize and create a custom prompt for infographics and slide decks. When finished, copy your prompt to your clipboard and paste it into the NotebookLM Studio design prompt of your choosing.
tag(s): artificial intelligence (346), infographics (73), presentations (47), slides (39)
In the Classroom
Use this resource to improve the materials you create with NotebookLM. For student use, share this generator to help students understand the importance of prompt engineering when using AI tools to generate content that matches their desired output. Have students take a screenshot of the completed page, then add that image to a document that includes the generated image or slide deck, and analyze the output. Have students compare and contrast their completed images or slide decks to deepen their understanding of how NotebookLM uses prompts to create different appearances in their work. Because each student's prompt choices will differ, the resulting outputs will vary even when starting from the same source material. This comparison highlights how small changes in phrasing, detail, or intent can significantly shape what AI generates, making prompt engineering feel concrete and consequential rather than abstract.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Rating (click star to set rating):
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Journal Prompts for a Coming-of-Age Unit - Facing History and Ourselves
Grades
6 to 12
0 Favorites
0 Comments
The Facing History and Ourselves resource Journal Prompts for a Coming-of-Age Unit offers a thoughtfully curated collection of reflective writing prompts to help students explore identity,...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
The Facing History and Ourselves resource Journal Prompts for a Coming-of-Age Unit offers a thoughtfully curated collection of reflective writing prompts to help students explore identity, belonging, choices, and personal growth in a coming-of-age literature unit. The prompts encourage students to make personal connections to texts, consider ethical dilemmas, and reflect on how experiences shape who they are becoming, supporting deeper comprehension and social-emotional learning. These journal activities can be used as warm-ups, ongoing reflections, or culminating responses, helping teachers foster meaningful discussion and critical thinking while guiding students through the complexities of adolescence and character development.
tag(s): identity (42), journals (27), social and emotional learning (203)
In the Classroom
Start class with a short journal prompt about identity or belonging. Have students write for 5-7 minutes, then optionally share with a partner or small group. After responding to a prompt, have students discuss their ideas with a partner using sentence starters. While reading a coming-of-age text, have students choose prompts that relate to a character's experiences. Students can write from their own perspective, then add a second paragraph explaining how their response connects to the character's choices or growth.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Rating (click star to set rating):
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
Close comment form