6th Grade

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StoryMap JS

— Northwest University Knight Lab

6-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://storymap.knightlab.com/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:50 share

How It Works

Make your story-telling come to life in any content area with this free tool! Story Map uses a map or pictures to tell the story. The simple editor in this tool syncs to Google Drive editor to create a storymap. The created storymap is a sequence of slides for a map location or image that includes a heading, text, and even images and embedded video. The map or image and included information appear side by side. You can click between the slides connecting one location to another (or portions of an image to another). Your story is now interactive! To use: Follow the prompts to connect your Google Drive to the tool. Choose the type of story to create, Map or Gigapixel (image). Don’t worry about the map image showing on the first page. When building a map, the front page will include the portion of the World Map based on map points throughout the project (ex. USA or Europe). Add a headline and detail to the appropriate areas. Include links and change font to bold and italic if desired. Add images to any page by uploading from your computer (through Google Drive) or by entering a link to an image. Enter the URL of the Vimeo or YouTube video you wish to use. Need help? Click on the Gigapixel tab along the top for help in uploading images and videos. The Media box not only has an area for the URL, but also an area to enter a caption and credit for the image. Add additional pages by clicking "Add Slide" in the left-hand menu. Add points to your map, one per slide, by typing the building, street, city, and country. Use the zoom bar in the top left to find the location. Customize the map style, background color, and font using the Options buttons. Click Share to send through social media or to use an embed code. The embed code can be used in any site, adjusting its width for different sites. If using Gigapixel, use a large image (as the image will literally be the "map" and your points move around the image). Save your image to Google Drive and copy the URL of the image as you will need it in the first step.

In the Classroom

Be sure to stress Fair Use and Copyright with students when using online images and crediting sources. Find great resources and information on TeachersFirst. Of course, if possible use your own images. In Science, use this tool to upload a picture of a science experiment from class and retell the story of the "experiment" by connecting with each of the individual parts of the image. In a Technology class, use this tool to create a project of anything that could be considered "mappable." Some examples include a timeline tour of an event, tour routes of a favorite band, the movement of a character in a movie or novel, or various events in a War. Find various shapes in nature and buildings for a Geometry class, showing their locations in a map. This tool would be wonderful for gifted students to showcase an interest or extend learning from a concept learned in class. Use this tool to trace the history of various recipes or ingredients in a Family and Consumer Science class. Trace the history of people, religions, and events. In Science, create a tour of various animals found in specific areas of a given biome or locations of various types of rocks and their information around the world.

Technology Heads-up!
  • Find interactive ABC's, colors, etc.
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Tag(s): timelines, maps,

The Three Acts of a Mathematical Story

— Dan Meyer

6-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://blog.mrmeyer.com/2011/the-three-acts-of-a-mathematical-story/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:50 share

How It Works

This blog details very specifically how to introduce and teach mathematical tasks through storytelling. Begin by choosing the first link that introduces the storytelling tasks through a "brief series" of video clips. On the landing page, click on the video to display the entire 36 minutes. Scroll to the bottom to find the series of clips. Follow the next link to find a Google document with many different tasks. Included in the document is information about the resource, standards addressed, and suggested task question. Click on the Task Title to view the problem.

In the Classroom

Work together with a colleague to learn more about the Three Acts Mathematical tasks strategy. Use tasks in your classroom for enrichment for gifted students, as extra credit, or as weekly homework. Have students make a multimedia presentation using one of the many TeachersFirst Edge tools, <a href="/content/edge.cfm?c=18">reviewed here</a>, to share steps for the problem solving process.

Technology Heads-up!
  • Find interactive ABC's, colors, etc.
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Tag(s): variables, perimeter, percent, volume, money, equations, geometric shapes,

301 Prompts for Argumentative/Persuasive writing

— New York Times

6-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices https://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/02/05/301-prompts-for-argumentative-writing/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:50 share

How It Works

Find 301 prompts from the New York Times (NYT) Learning Network’s Student Opinion feature. Find a multitude of topics of interest to teens and they will have an opinion about at least a few of them! However, their opinion is not all they are supposed to give. To submit, teens will need to have evidence-based, concise editorials much like the ones the NYT publishes daily. Once submitted the NYT and the Center for News Literacy at Stony Brook University will use a rubric to select winners, and then publish those on The Learning Network. We suggest obtaining parental permission before submitting anything.

In the Classroom

English/writing, social studies, and current events teachers are sure to find something here for their students to write about. Introduce a few of the prompts and the winning student editorials using an interactive whiteboard or projector to get students interested. Have students define what concise means and what it should mean in their writing. Point out the good writing habits of the student winners. Students should read the NYT’s article(s) that give information about the topic of the prompt(s). At this time, you could have students choose a topic, or you could select several from which students could choose. You could also use one prompt a day as an opener or closer quick write. Another idea would be to have students respond on a class blog to the prompts and then make comments on each other’s opinions. Haven’t started blogging yet? Check out <a href="/content/blog/blogbasics.cfm">TeachersFirst’s Blog Basics</a>.

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.
  • 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): writing prompts, writing, news, persuasive writing,

Watch 1000 Years of European Borders Change in 3 Minutes

— Nick Morenenko

6-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices https://vimeo.com/147238741 Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:50 share

How It Works

View the ever-changing borders of European countries through this time-lapse video. Beginning in 1141 with the domination of the Holy Roman and Byzantine Empires, watch borders change year by year until reaching Europe of 2012. This video provides an exciting, dynamic look at changes in Europe throughout the years.

In the Classroom

This video is perfect for use on an interactive whiteboard or projector to provide an overview of the changes in European borders over many years. Pause the video as you watch to view and discuss changes. Use the embed or link code provided to share this site on your class web page. Have students create maps using MapHub, <a href="/single.cfm?id=18037">reviewed here</a>, to demonstrate changes in borders. Students can add icons, URLs, text, images, and location stops! Divide students into groups to explore different periods of time, then challenge students to create a presentation using Prezi, <a href="/single.cfm?id=10801">reviewed here</a>. Use during current events lessons to help students understand that current European conflicts relate back to changes taking place over many hundreds of years.

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): spain, russia, england, germany, italy, france, maps, europe, video,

Marvin and Milo

— physics.org

1-6 0 favorites 0 promising practices https://www.iop.org/physics-community/iop-membership-where-you-are/wales/marvin-and-milo#gref Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:50 share

How It Works

Marvin and Milo demonstrate a simple physics experiment through cartoons, offering a new experiment each month. Try activities such as the Fork Balancer or Cloud in a Glass following the easy step by step directions. In addition to the cartoon, each activity includes a list of materials, instructions, and results and explanations. Use the drop-down menu to view countless past experiments.

In the Classroom

Bookmark this site as an excellent resource for science experiments. Engage students and extend their knowledge with the activities from the site for science fair projects. If you are lucky enough to have a parent helper in your classroom, allow them to come in and complete experiments with your students each month using ideas found on the site. Challenge students to complete experiments at home and share results with the class. Have students create videos using FlexClip, <a href="/single.cfm?id=18589">reviewed here</a>, and share the experiment and results using a tool such as SchoolTube, <a href="/single.cfm?id=9437">reviewed here</a>.

Technology Heads-up!
  • Find interactive ABC's, colors, etc.
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Tag(s): comics and cartoons, experiments, science fairs,

Vox

— Vox Media

6-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.vox.com Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:50 share

How It Works

Find thoughtful articles written to explain today’s news, especially the stories that are most difficult to understand. The article topics vary widely and include offerings from sports, politics, pop culture, public policy, world affairs, food, business, health, and many other topics. Just as the news may include tough or adult topics, so may Vox. You might want to preview or direct less mature young people to a specific article instead of allowing them to browse the entire site.

In the Classroom

Share specific articles from this site -- or a collection of them-- for students to gain experience with informational texts that demystify the headlines they are seeing on the TV screen crawl. Use examples from this site as models for student groups to do research to explain a science or economics topic that has been in the news and share it with peers as a digital poster showing the top ten things they should know about X. Use a tool such as Padlet, <a href="/single.cfm?id=10007">reviewed here</a>, to create a "poster" of sticky notes. Not only will your students gain experience reading for understanding, but also choosing the most important things to know from an article. Use this approach for students to research and share articles in health class (such as on new vaccines or discoveries) or on national issues during an election cycle. Be sure to include this link on your class web page for upper grade students to find current events articles (along with a disclaimer that some topics may be controversial).

Technology Heads-up!
  • Find interactive ABC's, colors, etc.
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Tag(s): news,

IFL Science

— IFL Science

6-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.iflscience.com Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:50 share

How It Works

Discover a constantly changing, blog-style collection of articles about all areas of science, designed to engage readers in science and instill a desire to learn more. The articles are grouped into headings such as Environment, Technology, Space, Health and Medicine, The Brain, Plants and Animals, Physics, and Chemistry. Articles share recent discoveries, timely experiments to try (such as cold weather explorations during winter), and intriguing (but true) revelations about scientific mysteries. There are topics of interest to almost any reader, such as "Why Most Food Labels Are Wrong About Calories" or "How Smartphones Can Lead The Fight Against Air Pollution." Click tags to find similar articles. Note that subject material is intended for adults, though our editors found nothing objectionable in the actual articles shared by IFLScience. Avoid clicking on ads and items under "More Stories" and "From the Web," as these lead to other sites of less predictable quality. If sharing this site with teens, be sure to point out which links stay within IFLScience. The site does allow reader comments from the general public. Preview if sharing in a classroom.

In the Classroom

Share this site for students to explore informational articles related to what they are currently studying or to explore the many aspects of science not included in standard school curriculum. Challenge student partners to find an article they enjoy and share it creatively as a poster or mock interview with the scientists involved. They can use a simple tool such as Magazine Cover Maker (<a href="/single.cfm?id=10011">reviewed here</a>) or actually make a video "interview" and share it on TeacherTube (<a href="/single.cfm?id=9419">reviewed here</a>). Have your gifted students explore articles to extend required curriculum. Use this site for career day explorations about the many places where scientists work.

Technology Heads-up!
  • Find interactive ABC's, colors, etc.
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Tag(s): environment, brain,

Teach World War One History with Food

— American Historical Association

6-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices https://www.historians.org/teaching-and-learning/teaching-resources-for-historians/classroom-materials/teaching-wwi-history-through-food Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:50 share

How It Works

Teaching about World War I usually involves a little international politics, a little national politics, and a side trip into the innovations of waging war. Why not include something a little more personal and relatable--like food? Four short (under 5 minutes) videos introduce the idea that Americans’ role in providing food aid to Europe in the early stages of the war was part of the larger Progressive movement. The videos also focus on the actual preparation of a World War I era meal. Information about the actual recipes is interwoven with further political and cultural commentary about life in the US during the World War I era. Videos are hosted on Vimeo, so Flash isn’t required.

In the Classroom

Use these short videos to make life during World War I come alive. Consider asking students to make some of these recipes themselves at home, or if it’s feasible, prepare an authentic meal at school as a treat during the unit. Students might discuss the issue of food rationing during both World War I and II as a contrast to the widespread availability of all kinds of food today. How is food rationing a patriotic act? Challenge students to find other popular recipes from this time in history. Have students video the preparation and explanation of the recipe. Share the videos on a site such as TeacherTube <a href="/single.cfm?id=9419">reviewed here</a>.

Technology Heads-up!
  • Find interactive ABC's, colors, etc.
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Tag(s): world war 1, nutrition,

The Roosevelts

— PBS

6-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices https://scetv.pbslearningmedia.org/collection/kenburnsclassroom/film/the-roosevelts/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:50 share

How It Works

PBS offers this series of lessons aligned to their popular mini-series, The Roosevelts. All lessons include alignment to standards, background information, discussion questions, and evaluation rubrics. Choose from full-length Lesson Plans or Snapshot Lessons containing quick, adaptable activities for classroom use.

In the Classroom

Take advantage of the free lesson plans offered to supplement your current lessons based on the Roosevelt family. Have groups of students complete different Snapshot Lessons then share with the class. Have students make a multimedia presentation using one of the many TeachersFirst Multimedia Edge tools, <a href="/content/edge.cfm?c=16">reviewed here</a>. Have students use Fakebook, <a href="/single.cfm?id=14197">reviewed here</a>, to create a "fake" page similar in style to Facebook about a member of the Roosevelt family.

Technology Heads-up!
  • Find interactive ABC's, colors, etc.
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Tag(s): presidents, 1900s, roosevelt,

Doctopus

— Google

6-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/doctopus/ffhegaddkjpkfiemhhnphmnadfbkdhbf?hl=en Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:50 share

How It Works

Organize student Google documents with Doctopus! This tool is essential for organizing of documents both to and from students. Create a Google Doc template. Next, create a spreadsheet containing the students who will be using the document. When you install Doctopus as a Chrome add-on, a Doctopus folder is created in Google Docs. Be sure that the template you create and the spreadsheet containing student names are in that folder. A script needs to be installed to pull the student names from the spreadsheet and then send them the document. Find simple directions with screenshots <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1m4Lq6x66Th3O5kCBDlB8KuzN0zMATbqH3fg…;. Doctopus is a Google Chrome add-on and is available for Windows, Mac, Chrome OS, and Linux. This add-on is not available for Windows RT, iPad, or mobile devices as of this time.

In the Classroom

Use Google Docs more efficiently with this simple Chrome add-on. Though the process at first seems long, it actually makes sharing of documents easier with students. BUT it also makes the collecting of student documents easier. Use Docs for reading response journals, writing science labs, writing reports or papers, creating collaborative notes in any class, and more. What better way to comment on and improve student work!

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.
  • 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): collaboration, assessment,
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