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Explore Pennsylvania History
Grades
4 to 12
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Learn about Pennsylvania history, see and learn about historical sites within Pennsylvania, and find lesson plans for elementary through high school on this site. There are three different...more
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Learn about Pennsylvania history, see and learn about historical sites within Pennsylvania, and find lesson plans for elementary through high school on this site. There are three different avenues into the site, including the link to lesson plans (Teach PA History). Standards correlation is to Pennsylvania standards, but the content is appropriate for any history class studying the many events that occurred in Pennsylvania as part of U.S. history. Reading levels may be challenging for younger students.
tag(s): colonial america (96), pennsylvania (6)
In the Classroom
Follow a lesson ready-made plan or design your own web treasure hunt for students to read, see, and learn about history by navigating this site. You could also feature a "historical marker a day" as an anticipatory set on a projector during your units on PA history in Pennsylvania classrooms.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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World News in Special English - VOA
Grades
4 to 8
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VOA Learning English provides audio and written news stories designed specifically for English language learners. Content covers topics including world news, science, health, education,...more
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VOA Learning English provides audio and written news stories designed specifically for English language learners. Content covers topics including world news, science, health, education, culture, and U.S. history, using simplified vocabulary and a slower speaking pace to support comprehension. Many stories include interactive features like short videos, listening activities, quizzes, vocabulary support, pronunciation models, and an integrated "Word Book" dictionary. Audio and video content can be streamed directly on the site, making it a flexible resource for classroom listening practice, language development, and current-events instruction. If your district blocks YouTube, then the videos may not be viewable.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): agriculture (54), communication (122), cultures (290), news (222), vocabulary (251)
In the Classroom
Play a short VOA Learning English video from the site or YouTube, then have students read the matching article to compare how information is presented in spoken versus written form. Assign students a short video or article and have them identify new words using the built-in Word Book. Students can create sentence cards or mini glossaries using the vocabulary in new contexts. Use science, health, or history-based VOA videos to launch short research extensions, discussions, or opinion writing tied to social studies or science standards.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Calisphere - University of California
Grades
4 to 12
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Calisphere is a free digital gateway to over 2 million primary source materials from California's libraries, archives, and museums. Hosted by the UC Libraries and California Digital...more
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Calisphere is a free digital gateway to over 2 million primary source materials from California's libraries, archives, and museums. Hosted by the UC Libraries and California Digital Library, the site offers searchable collections of photographs, documents, letters, artwork, recordings, and more from all ten UC campuses and hundreds of cultural heritage organizations statewide, providing rich resources for exploring California and American history.
tag(s): california (18), cultures (290), gold rush (18), japan (62), japanese (53), primary sources (133)
In the Classroom
Teachers and students have permission to print, or download these collections for classroom use. Make bulletin boards or let students include the images in their PowerPoint or movie presentations. You do not have permission to place these images on a web page or use them for other purposes without specific permission to do so.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Cave of Lascaux - France Ministry of Culture and Communication
Grades
4 to 12
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Take virtual tour of the famous cave paintings of Lascaux in France, read about their discovery, learn to interpret the drawings, and find out fragile environment of the caves. ...more
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Take virtual tour of the famous cave paintings of Lascaux in France, read about their discovery, learn to interpret the drawings, and find out fragile environment of the caves. The site itself is beautiful to explore, letting you experience the caves with a virtual "flashlight" as you enter.
tag(s): archeology (26), painting (49)
In the Classroom
Use a projector to introduce the site, if you must, but allow your students to navigate this one alone or with a partner. The thrill of discovery through the site's design is more than worth any management challenges. Give the students a specific set of questions to answer and things to find, if you are concerned that they may not stay on task. Compare these primitive drawings to those found in other cultures and continents as you discuss common themes in religion and mythology.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Podcasts from Colonial Williamsburg - Colonial Williamsburg
Grades
4 to 12
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Listen to Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, and many lesser known inhabitants and visitors to the colony. Even some of today's actors tell about their roles as craftspeople and "residents"...more
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Listen to Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, and many lesser known inhabitants and visitors to the colony. Even some of today's actors tell about their roles as craftspeople and "residents" of Colonial Williamsburg.
tag(s): jefferson (20), williamsburg (8)
In the Classroom
Use these podcasts to introduce events (and even technology innovations of the times) from Colonial Williamsburg to your students. Listen together, or create a link to the podcast on classroom computers. Instead of sharing a written response to information learned on the podcast, have cooperative learning groups create their own podcasts demonstrating their understanding of one of the concepts. Use a site such as podOmatic, reviewed here. For younger students, after listening to a podcast, you may want to challenge students to reflect on their learning and what they would like to learn more about using a tool such as Gravity, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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World Geography Quizzes - Sheppard Software
Grades
3 to 12
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With such poor results as a nation on geography testing, we all should try these geography games to build student knowledge of U.S. and world geography. Students can click on ...more
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With such poor results as a nation on geography testing, we all should try these geography games to build student knowledge of U.S. and world geography. Students can click on the region of the world and practice at different levels of difficulty. Even adults can find a challenge. Offered in a "dial up version" for those accessing the sites from a slower connection.
tag(s): capitals (14), continents (29), countries (70), maps (222)
In the Classroom
Be sure to put a link for these online games and quizzes on your teacher web page for the summer and throughout the school year. Students can use them to practice for your geography quizzes or as extra challenges. The different levels of dificulty will allow you to differentiate your instruction easily.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Discover our Shared Heritage - National Register of Historic Places
Grades
4 to 9
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Designed for trip-planning, this site also works well for students researching a city or region, for planning an "imaginary adventure" or as part of a larger webquest or other online...more
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Designed for trip-planning, this site also works well for students researching a city or region, for planning an "imaginary adventure" or as part of a larger webquest or other online geography activity. The sites include scores of little-known places that have historic importance for one reason or another.
tag(s): architecture (83)
In the Classroom
Try this one as the basis for a "did you know" contest, asking students to unearth little-known facts about a topic of interest to them.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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American Revolution - National Park Service
Grades
4 to 8
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This new (2006) site from NPS groups the parks associated with the American Revolution and suggests parks appropriate for study of particular revolutionary themes. While short on lessons...more
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This new (2006) site from NPS groups the parks associated with the American Revolution and suggests parks appropriate for study of particular revolutionary themes. While short on lessons and simulations, there is abundant information on many of the locations where important events during the revolution took place.
tag(s): american revolution (92), evolution (85)
In the Classroom
If in a state that was one of the original 13 colonies, use this site to discover a site that would be prime for a field trip. In addition, teachers can share this site on the interactive whiteboard or projector as a way to preview for students what they are about to see. In addition to the sites, the park service also offers a "Guide to the Revolution," that teachers can use as supplementary material in their classroom. Note - the guide is text heavy, so only use it if in an advanced class or or one where you feel comfortable with students reading abilities and interests.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Smithsonian Global Sound - Smithsonian Institution
Grades
1 to 12
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Listen to and learn about traditional music from cultures around the world and through the ages. Browse this amazing collection of downloadable tunes to find musical enrichment to enhance...more
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Listen to and learn about traditional music from cultures around the world and through the ages. Browse this amazing collection of downloadable tunes to find musical enrichment to enhance a unit of study. Full downloads in MP3 or FLAC format are available for purchase but each offering is accompanied by a free audio sample. Note: this site opens rather slowly.Be patient, especially if you are on a dial-up connection.
tag(s): songs (49)
In the Classroom
Search this site for songs to supplement your unit in a US or World history class. This teacher was able to find a song about the suffrage movement, and was able to teach the beliefs of suffrage through student analysis of the lyrics and tone. Be sure to search - there are literally tons of songs that can be used for a variety of curriculum.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Fun Attic - Fun Attic
Grades
K to 6
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Need some new ideas for end-of-year activities and class celebrations? This collection of games and activities provides basic description and instructions for creating educational and...more
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Need some new ideas for end-of-year activities and class celebrations? This collection of games and activities provides basic description and instructions for creating educational and interactive experiences that require minimal materials, but maximum student involvement.
tag(s): game based learning (304), summer (50)
In the Classroom
Find all sorts of activities for inside and outside the classroom. It includes a nice list of suggestions for adding some educational fun to those long summer days - definitely a resource to share with parents before the end of the school year.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Discoveries in Dioramas - American Museum of Natural History
Grades
4 to 10
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If you can't make the journey to Washington, D.C.'s American Museum of Natural History, then take your students to this website for an online tour of the panoramic dioramas that ...more
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If you can't make the journey to Washington, D.C.'s American Museum of Natural History, then take your students to this website for an online tour of the panoramic dioramas that are among the museum's most impressive features. Short videos, audio clips, 360 panoramic views, and descriptions of geographic locations and species round out the virtual experience.
tag(s): species (15)
In the Classroom
If your students are studying a particular geographic location or animal species, send them to this multimedia site for some interactive research. Regions represented include the Upper Nile, Alaska's Denali National Forest, the Everglades, and the American plains.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Critical Evaluation of Information - Kathy Schrock
Grades
3 to 12
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Kathy Schrock's Critical Evaluation of Information page is an outstanding resource for teaching media literacy, digital citizenship, and information evaluation skills in today's...more
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Kathy Schrock's Critical Evaluation of Information page is an outstanding resource for teaching media literacy, digital citizenship, and information evaluation skills in today's AI-driven world. The site provides free downloadable evaluation guides designed for elementary, middle, and high school students that help learners assess the credibility, accuracy, bias, currency, and reliability of websites, blogs, videos, podcasts, apps, and other digital resources. Teachers will also find sample websites for practicing evaluation skills, lesson ideas, and additional resources that support information literacy instruction. This collection is especially valuable for helping students become thoughtful consumers of online information and developing the critical thinking skills needed to navigate both traditional and AI-generated content.
tag(s): artificial intelligence (315), bias (33), brainstorming (19), evaluating sources (45)
In the Classroom
Create a "Fact or Fiction?" research challenge in which students compare information from multiple sources and justify which source is most reliable. Ask students to evaluate AI-generated responses, articles, or images using the same critical evaluation criteria provided on the site. Have students evaluate a website using one of Schrock's grade-level evaluation guides and determine whether the source is trustworthy.
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Play Amazon Explorer
Grades
3 to 6
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Discover the mysteries within the Amazon basin with this engaging activity in which students assume the role of Sam Smith, natural historian. Before boarding the virtual plane to Amazonia,...more
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Discover the mysteries within the Amazon basin with this engaging activity in which students assume the role of Sam Smith, natural historian. Before boarding the virtual plane to Amazonia, students must make note of the questions their research should answer. Once in the rainforest, students can explore the river, forest floor, and canopy to learn about the flora and fauna that live in these regions. At the end of the journey, students are asked to share their answers to the research questions.
tag(s): amazon (11)
In the Classroom
Use this site as a learning center or station during a unit on biomes, specifically the Amazon River and the Jungle surrounding it. Allow students to work on the site individually or in cooperative learning groups, helping them review the content. This site is excellent for enrichment. Include it on your teacher's web page for students to access both in and out of class.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Age of Exploration - Mariners' Museum
Grades
3 to 7
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Learn about the courageous voyages that changed the course of human history with this comprehensive collection of activities, narratives, and teaching materials. Visual images and text...more
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Learn about the courageous voyages that changed the course of human history with this comprehensive collection of activities, narratives, and teaching materials. Visual images and text are woven together to create a useful resource for content enrichment and student research. Visit the "Activities for Students and Teachers" for ready-to-go activities with printable handouts that can be incorporated into transparencies, presentations, or reports.
tag(s): explorers (65)
In the Classroom
Use the activities portion of this site to add enrichment to your classroom. There are plenty of quick projects and lesson plans, but there are also two interactive web games that could be used to help students review information. Save those particular portions of the site as favorites on your computer and use them for a learning center or station.
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City Creator
Grades
3 to 6
2 Favorites
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Creativity and practicality come together in this imaginative activity that places students in the role of city planner. After choosing one of three thematic scenes, students can begin...more
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Creativity and practicality come together in this imaginative activity that places students in the role of city planner. After choosing one of three thematic scenes, students can begin to add buildings, walkways, streets, and populate them with vehicles and people. Finished designs may be saved, printed, or sent as ecards. Free registration required.
tag(s): cities (14), communities (40)
In the Classroom
Since text cannot be added to the city plans on this site, consider projecting finished plans on an interactive white board and asking students to label or describe buildings and sections of their cities.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Summarizing - Educational Development Center, Inc.
Grades
4 to 8
3 Favorites
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After watching the video, go back to the main page and scroll down to Start the Lesson. Students can practice summarizing a text with this interactive quiz. Short passages are ...more
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After watching the video, go back to the main page and scroll down to Start the Lesson. Students can practice summarizing a text with this interactive quiz. Short passages are accompanied by multiple-choice questions that challenge students to zero in on the best summary of the story. Immediate feedback with explanations is provided. An interactive review of the main idea vs. the detail rounds out the activity.
tag(s): assessment (143), quizzes (89), reading comprehension (146), summarizing (25)
In the Classroom
Once students have completed the last quiz with this tool, ask them to create a summarizing activity from their favorite childrens book for their peers to complete. Use Quizalize, reviewed here for this activity.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Black History Month - Time, Inc.
Grades
4 to 8
3 Favorites
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This highly interactive site provides a kid-friendly overview of Black history, the fight for Civil Rights, and those Americans who have made a major impact on the African American...more
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This highly interactive site provides a kid-friendly overview of Black history, the fight for Civil Rights, and those Americans who have made a major impact on the African American dream. Students can listen to audio clips from pivotal speeches in African American history, participate in an interactive quiz on the fight for equal rights, and explore an interactive timeline.
tag(s): african american (129), civil rights (220), speech (66), speeches (22)
In the Classroom
This site is a great addition to a classroom unit on the civil rights movement. Save the site as a favorite on the classroom computers, and have students work on it pairs, or use it as a learning center. Some of the web quests are basically quizzes in disguise, making them appropriate for review. If using it for review, add the site to your teacher web page so students can access it both in and out of the classroom.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Quiz Tree - Sierra Vista Software
Grades
1 to 12
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You'll find a huge collection of interactive quizzes on this site, testing student comprehension in many subject areas, including elementary math, foreign language (Spanish, French,...more
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You'll find a huge collection of interactive quizzes on this site, testing student comprehension in many subject areas, including elementary math, foreign language (Spanish, French, Italian), SAT content, science, history, and economics. Some quizzes are multiple choice, others drag-and-drop, but all offer immediate feedback with sound effects.
In the Classroom
A great resource for reviewing content or investigating new information. Headphones highly recommended.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Don't Gross Out the World! - Bill Haduch
Grades
2 to 8
2 Favorites
0 Comments
Find out how much you know about customs around the world with this entertaining, interactive quiz that focuses on table manners in various countries. A fun and eye-opening introduction...more
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Find out how much you know about customs around the world with this entertaining, interactive quiz that focuses on table manners in various countries. A fun and eye-opening introduction to the sometimes humorous etiquette that defines a culture.
tag(s): cultures (290)
In the Classroom
Use this site as a learning center or station during a unit on global culture. Have students complete the site individually on classroom computers. While it's not something likely to be tested by state standards, it is a great way to get students interested in the differences between cultures AND provide a break from more intense learning centers.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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History of Thanksgiving - History Channel
Grades
3 to 6
2 Favorites
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Find out what was on the menu for the first Thanksgiving, debunk some common holiday myths, and listen to pilgrim interviews. This informational multi-media site also features a beautifully...more
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Find out what was on the menu for the first Thanksgiving, debunk some common holiday myths, and listen to pilgrim interviews. This informational multi-media site also features a beautifully designed video that details the history of this American institution - perfect for individual viewing. Note: this site "pauses" before opening. Be patient.
tag(s): holidays (280), pilgrims (12), thanksgiving (24)
In the Classroom
Use this site as a way to introduce the Thanksgiving holidays in a way that is both educational and fun for students. Share the site with students on the interactive whiteboard or projector. Examine the interesting facts for little known information, or bring up the document entitled "a Thanksgiving proclamation," found here. Use eMargin, reviewed here, with the document to help students understand the meaning in this text. eMargin allows you to add notes, highlight portions of the web page, and more. Have students read the document aloud, in turns or by volunteers. The document will help students understand the actual v. the myth of Thanksgiving. The site can also be saved as a favorite on classroom computers to be used as a learning center if that method is more appropriate for your classroom.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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