Social Studies

Zeemaps

— Zee Source

3-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.zeemaps.com/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:50 share

How It Works

Generate maps with unlimited markers easily with this tool! NO membership is required to create, save, or collaborate on maps, and you do not need to install software. Enter a title, description (optional), an admin password for others to collaborate, and a starting location to create your map. Add simple or detailed markers to your map. Input data from multiple formats: KML, CSV, Excel, and more. Add video, audio, and information to each of the markers. Markers can also be customized icons. Be sure to check out the menu options available such as Additions, where areas of the map can be highlighted and Annotations can be added to the markers. Share your map by URL or publish in a webpage.

In the Classroom

If you teach geography, this one is a must. It is also helpful for showing students WHERE a story or news event takes place. Teach map skills by letting students explore and annotate their own community. This site is great on an interactive whiteboard or projector. Create multiple markers for various points within your community. Annotate the markers with specific information that students research. Remember to create an admin password (and save it somewhere safe!) for others to collaborate on the map. Research various places around the world, and create markers of must-see places, historical finds, and other locations of interest. Create a map of news hot spots around the world. In Biology, find places where environmental or biodiversity concerns are occurring. Collaborate on a map to include annotated information of student research about these problems. Create a map to introduce various cultures around the world. Enter video, audio, information, and links that students can use to "uncover" the content to be learned.

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  • Find interactive ABC's, colors, etc.
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Tag(s): directions, maps, map skills,

Howcast - The best how-to videos on the web

— Howcast Media

5-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.howcast.com/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:50 share

How It Works

Howcast is an aggregator of the "best" how-to videos across the Internet. These short, easy to follow videos cover a wide range of topics, including pop-culture. They are created by HowCast "experts." One very handy feature is the text transcript included with each video (scroll down to see it). Browse through the categories or type a search term into the search box to view available videos. Categories include Fitness, Home, Food, Health, Arts, Tech, and more. Click "Share" on each video page to share via social networking sites or copy the embed code to share the video on a website or blog. The HowCast videos are not simply YouTube searches, so they have different offerings from what you might find there. Not all content at this site is appropriate for the classroom. Please be sure to preview before you share with your students. This is not one that you want students to explore on their own.

In the Classroom

The brief video clips on this site make it ideal for use when introducing or researching information. View together on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Cue up and pause your video at a point AFTER the opening ad to save class time! Embed onto your class website or blog for students to view at home. Use the transcripts as examples of how-to speeches and have students both read and watch to analyze the details of how to organize such a speech before making their own videos or giving live informational speeches. Bookmark and save for use as How To questions arise throughout the year. For example, if you have a question about using Microsoft Excel, search Howcast to find about 30 videos explaining different tools and tricks within the program. Preview any search results before sharing with the class. Use Howcast videos as examples in any subject area and transform student learning with the challenge to cooperative learning groups to create videos using a tool like Biteable, reviewed here. Then share them on a site such as TeacherTube reviewed here.

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Tag(s): business, financial literacy, sports, computers, politics, careers, money, video, Microsoft,

Granite School District Curriculum Maps

— Granite School District, Salt Lake City, Utah

-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.graniteschools.org/curriculuminstruction/curriculum-maps/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:50 share

How It Works

Granite School District offers an extensive resource of curriculum mapping materials at this comprehensive site. Choose any subject from the elementary or secondary curriculum maps to begin. Choose from curriculum maps aligned to Common Core Standards and SRA Imagine It! textbooks. Some sections also include model lesson plan formats, manipulative lists, instructional schedules, and parent guides. Subjects include all core subjects as well as library, health, music, and more.

In the Classroom

Bookmark and save this site for use throughout the year. Download and use curriculum maps, assessment schedules, and parent guides. Be sure to check the math section for several support documents such as lesson plan templates and guides for teaching basic facts. Share with other staff for use as models for lesson planning and curriculum mapping.

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Tag(s): professional development,

Create Your Visited States Map

— Jeremy Nixon

2-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.defocus.net/visitedstates/us-canada.html Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:50 share

How It Works

Where have you been? Create a color-coded map of the United States or Canada that highlights states that you have visited. Go through the list of states and choose a color for each state. There are four colors to choose from indicating your amount of time spent in that state. Just click on the state and then find your color. Or use the list of states found under the map. Choose an image width and pick the "Create" button to make your personalized image map. Save the map to your computer in png format. Please note: this is part of an individual’s travel blog, and posts are not moderated for school use. Be sure to check out content links before sharing or student use. Or better yet, advise students NOT to click on any external links.

In the Classroom

Creating this would make an interesting map to create as a class project when learning about the 50 states. Go through the states list on your interactive whiteboard and create your class map to print or share as a digital image on your class website. Do a map as a class to see which states MOST students have visited. If you feel students may be embarrassed at their lack of travel, this may be better done on individual computers or on a personal response form given to you to input privately. For a whole class activity, divide your class into groups to create separate maps. Compare and contrast states visited. Send home a link to the website for students to create a map with their families. For older students, use the map for content and reassign colors as needed. For example, create a map showing the birthplace of U.S. Presidents: assign red to states without a president, yellow with one president, and green with two or more. This same format could be used in nearly any subject while studying differences in states (democrat or republican, most popular agriculture product, how many - if any - NFL teams, teen pregnancy rate, and much more).

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Tag(s): states, maps, north america,

edpuzzle

— edpuzzle

-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.edpuzzle.com/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:50 share

How It Works

This tool is a great way to take sections of videos and add your own voice or add questions within the video. YouTube videos are viewable in edpuzzle even if your school filters block them! Search for educational videos from sites such as Khan Academy and Learn Zillion. Use the sliders to choose the section of the video, then insert your own voice or comment on the video. Create a series of questions to go along with your chosen video and insert them into the correct part of the video. There is no need for students to watch the whole video to access the questions at the end. Follow the on screen directions for chopping the video for the section you need, adding your own voice, and choosing where to add text based questions. Create a class and then add students into the class either in the dashboard or after creating the video. Use student codes to access the video. There is a 13 page guide available by clicking on FAQ and the last item which is "How can I help?" Next click on "Workshop." There is also a short demo video hosted on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, simply find the video you want to use and embed it in edpuzzle. It will be viewable when used through edpuzzle!

In the Classroom

Create short review videos or use your own narration with chosen videos to create flipped or blended lessons for your students. Consider the power of students using edpuzzle to annotate videos in order to explain the material in their own words. You or your students can use the tool to create and narrate "how to" videos. Annotate by highlighting the significant features of videos through the creation of voice comments. Students can also create questions to play with each video. Be sure students create a script to read from before beginning their chosen video.

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  • Find interactive ABC's, colors, etc.
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Tag(s): DAT device agnostic tool, communication, questioning, video, assessment,

Timemapper

— Open Knowledge Foundation Labs

5-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://timemapper.okfnlabs.org/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49 share

How It Works

This free tool maps dates, information, and locations specified on a loaded spreadsheet into a timeline format. See the Examples on the middle portion of the page to see the results! You need a Google Docs/Drive account to create a timeline. Work anonymously or log in using your Twitter account. Click "Get Started Now" to read the details and create your spreadsheet, using a template Google Doc spreadsheet available by clicking where it says, "this template." Read the 1-2-3 steps AND the FAQ lower on the page to understand the steps and the reasons why you might want to create a free account using your Twitter login (not required). Once published with the url loaded into the Timemapper form, data from the spreadsheet is displayed in Timemapper in a slide style format. Data can include images, citations, locations, and more. Move along the timeline at the bottom of the screen or advance through the screens. Locations are pinpointed on a map that displays alongside the timeline. Click on individual locations or see them highlighted as you advance through the screens. Use the embed code to place the Timemapper in your wiki, site, or blog. You can also share it by url. Note: Timemappers cannot be made private.

In the Classroom

Create Timemapper timelines to introduce material in any subject. If your school uses Google Apps or Docs/Drive, your students (or groups) can create their own very easily. Map specific battles in history (World War II or the Revolutionary War, perhaps?) Map significant scientific discoveries in the progress of understanding about cell theory or genetics. Follow the works of various writers, artists, or musicians. Follow the life of famous people or noteworthy events such as elections, the Olympics, or even local history!

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Tag(s): timelines,

John F. Kennedy: Life Portrait Video Lesson Plan

— C-Span

5-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices https://www.c-span.org/video/?151631-1%2Flife-portrait-john-f-kennedy= Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49 share

How It Works

This site offers a complete lesson plan using video clips from C-Span’s American Presidents program on John F. Kennedy. The lesson encompasses three sections: his legacy, assassination, and conspiracy. Each portion includes links to video clips along with questions for follow up discussion. The videos require QuickTime Player. At the time of this review, the videos would only load on PC and not MAC computers.

In the Classroom

Share on your interactive whiteboard (or projector) as part of any study about John F. Kennedy, the 1960’s, or American presidents. Create a link for students to watch at home, then use as part of your classroom discussions. Have students create timelines (with music, photos, videos, and more) using Capzles (reviewed here) to document the life of John F. Kennedy.

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Tag(s): kennedy, presidents, 1960s,

Video Lectures

— Video Lectures Net

4-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://videolectures.net/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49 share

How It Works

Enjoy and use award-winning educational science (and some math) videos. Presented by distinguished scholars and scientists, the videos originated during conferences, summer schools, workshops, and science promotional events. Peruse the Nobel laureate speakers section to become inspired. Categories featured include architecture, arts, astronomy, biology, business, chemistry, computers, computer science, Earth sciences, environment, events, health sciences, humanities, life sciences, mathematics, medicine, military, philosophy, physics, regional, science, social sciences, sports, and technology. There is a free newsletter where you can stay up to date with the latest science information.

In the Classroom

Keep your students minds wondering with the latest thoughts in science. Use this to create your own, science news events day. Use one of these videos as a center when students are studying a related topic. Share the videos on your projector or interactive whiteboard.

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Tag(s): scientists, engineering, machines, cells, computers, creativity, data,

Japan Tsunami Video

— Dr. Dave House of Fun

5-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.angelfire.com/ak2/intelligencerreport/tsunami_japan_1.html Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49 share

How It Works

This dramatic video (approximately 5 minutes long) captures the view of a tsunami from a resident’s perspective in Japan - without all of the extra YouTube "clutter." When viewed on this site, comments on the YouTube video are not shown. Note that when viewed on YouTube, many of the comments are inappropriate for a classroom setting. If your district blocks YouTube, this site may not be viewable.

In the Classroom

Use this resource when discussing natural disasters such as Tsunamis. Share this short video on your projector or interactive whiteboard. Students can make observations individually or as a class and brainstorm particular items that they noticed. Use this information to discuss the formation and impact of a Tsunami. How do early warning systems work? Ask students to not just make observations of what they see, but draw inferences about the people and reactions of this and other natural disasters. Why are the people all standing on the hill to watch? Research various Tsunamis throughout history and their effects and locations. How did different government and non-government organizations handle these disasters?

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Tag(s): tsunamis, natural disasters,

Geokov

— Geokov.com

4-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.geokov.com/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49 share

How It Works

Use this free interactive mapping site to make additions to Google Maps, incorporating other data and maps with them. Add topographic maps and spatial or environmental data. This is an easy tool for adding symbols and icons or for adding a drawing on a Google map. Find many of the simple tools along the top of the map. You can do something as simple as adding text labels or shading a region. Add data to the map using the tools below the map. Create a mashup of KML, GPX (easily imported from Garmin), WMS and GEORSS data sources. This video explains many of the features of Geokov. Please note this video is hosted on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, then it may not be viewable.

In the Classroom

Take a virtual field trip through the map maker. Explore landforms and other terrain features from Google Earth and topographic maps. Easily create maps for field trips, presentations, classroom activities and more. Create a shade relief topographic map of any region. Doing an environmental study of an area or region? Find the region in this tool first and add the necessary information for classroom discussion or presentation. Use one of the many TeachersFirst Presentation Tools to present information learned. Tie information from literature, stories, history, and other sources to add value and interest to the maps.

Technology Heads-up!
  • Find interactive ABC's, colors, etc.
  • Donec rutrum congue leo eget malesuada. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a. Curabitur aliquet quam id dui posuere blandit. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a.
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Tag(s): landmarks, landforms, environment, maps,
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