8th Grade

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Smithsonian Digital Volunteers: Transcription Center

— Smithsonian Institution

8-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices https://transcription.si.edu/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:50 share

How It Works

The Smithsonian invites amateur historians to contribute to the massive task of transcribing their collection of written documents to make them available in digitized, searchable form. Finding authentic projects for students can be a challenge. Here, students can create an account, choose a project, and contribute their transcriptions of historic documents. Current projects include diaries, field notes, and other primary sources.

In the Classroom

A wonderful extension or enrichment project for responsible high school students, the Transcription Center allows students to interact with primary sources, learn about the importance of everyday records of the lives of those who go before us, and have the satisfaction of knowing they are contributing to the universe of information that will be available to future scholars. Small groups of students could share a transcription project and check each other’s before submitting, or discuss the texts they have transcribed. Students interested in independent research might find a transcription project that adds to their understanding of a particular subject. You might even consider using transcription as a community service project or an initiative in your gifted ed class.

Technology Heads-up!
  • Find interactive ABC's, colors, etc.
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Tag(s): primary sources, local history,

Corpus of Global Web-Based English

— Brigham Young University

8-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices https://www.english-corpora.org/glowbe/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:50 share

How It Works

This extensive collection contains thousands of commonly used academic words from all over the English-speaking world (20 countries in all). The contexts are also included. Learn about word and phrase usage, word frequency, collocations from spoken language and all forms of written discourse: magazines, books, newspapers, and more. Begin by searching for exact words or phrases, wildcards, lemmas, part of speech, or any combinations of these. Results can include surrounding words, synonyms, examples of modern usage, and comparisons of usage from 1900 to the present. Limit your searches in many different ways. Use the simple five-minute guided tour to learn about the many features of this exciting word authority. This collection is four times as large as the related Corpus of American English.

In the Classroom

Use this site as an addition to reading skill work and vocabulary enhancement studies. Students may find this beneficial when preparing for the ACT, PSAT, and SAT exams. Students can keep their own word lists of target and related words directly on the site.

Technology Heads-up!
  • Find interactive ABC's, colors, etc.
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Tag(s): vocabulary development, word study,

Corpus of American English

— Brigham Young University

8-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://corpus.byu.edu/coca/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:50 share

How It Works

This extensive collection contains thousands of commonly used academic words and their contexts. It also includes word and phrase usage, word frequency, collocations from spoken language and all forms of written discourse including magazines, books, newspapers, etc. Begin by searching for exact words or phrases, wildcards, lemmas, part of speech, or any combinations of these. Results can include surrounding words, synonyms, examples of popular usage, or comparisons of usage from 1900 to the present. You can limit searches in many different ways. Use the simple five-minute guided tour to learn about the many features of this exciting word authority.

In the Classroom

Use this site as an addition to reading skill work and vocabulary enhancement studies. Students may find this beneficial when preparing for the ACT, PSAT, and SAT exams. Students can keep their own word lists of target and related words directly on the site.

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): vocabulary development, word study,

The 25 Best Nerd Road Trips

— Popular Science

8-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2013-07/25-best-nerd-road-trips Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:50 share

How It Works

Take a virtual "nerd trip" with science-history geeks. The name of this resource is sure to catch some interest, and the locations feature very interesting histories. Click on each point in the map to read a small synopsis of the site. You can also click links to learn more about many of the sites. We suggest you preview any information prior to sending students to explore on their own. The sites are nontraditional and can raise questions about "pop" science vs "real" science.

In the Classroom

Use these "road trips" as a springboard for unusual research projects on science topics. These are great for gifted students or skeptical students who need the extra spark of researching something a little quirky. These are also great ideas for small group research. Encourage students to create presentations about real life science with its benefits and drawbacks. Have students make a multimedia presentation using one of the many TeachersFirst Edge tools <a href="/content/edge.cfm?c=18">reviewed here</a>. Some tool suggestions are (click on the tool name to access the review): <a href="/single.cfm?id=18378">Adobe Spark in K-12</a>, <a href="/single.cfm?id=17424">Animatron</a>, <a href="/single.cfm?id=16373">Sway</a>, and <a href="/single.cfm?id=18390">Beautiful.AI</a>.Be sure to discuss when science enters pop culture in our society. The Center for PostNatural History, one of the sites on this map, is one such example (located near Pittsburgh, PA where organisms have been altered genetically and possibly questionably.)

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

High School Math Help

— University of Houston Mathematics Department

8-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://online.math.uh.edu/hsmath/index.htm Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49 share

How It Works

Find online quizzes and video tutorials for Algebra 2 through AP Calculus and Statistics. Choose a course to begin, and follow directions to register for quizzes and videos. At the time of this review, the AP Calculus portion contains the most information, with many videos sorted and labeled by content.

In the Classroom

This site is excellent for enrichment or reinforcement. Include it on your class web page for students to access both in and out of class. Share directions for enrolling in quizzes with students, and allow them to use them as a resource for studying and reviewing class information. Create a link to videos on your classroom computers for students to view and study.

Technology Heads-up!
  • Find interactive ABC's, colors, etc.
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Tag(s): statistics, volume, area, fractions, variables, functions, equations, video,

Artifacts &amp; Analysis

— Smithsonian Center for Education and Museum Studies

8-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.smithsonianeducation.org/idealabs/ap/index.htm Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49 share

How It Works

Smithsonian’s Artifacts &amp; Analysis offers strategies and resources for incorporating historical documents and resources into the teaching of U.S. history, particularly the decades of the 20th century. Use the details of everyday life to help focus understanding of a time period. Choose from the four main sections: <i>Artifacts &amp; Documents, Teaching Guide, Writing Assignments, or Essay</i>. The sample artifacts offered include a Furnace Salesman’s Kit (1920s), Fiestaware (1930s-40s), Pennants (1950s-60s), Barbie Doll (1958), Jeans (1970s), and Lunchboxes (1950s-80s).

In the Classroom

Start off with a visit to the <i>Teaching Guide</i> to find some great ideas to incorporate in your class. Use materials from this site to enhance and bring historical teaching to life. Print the student guide for writing effective essays for students to include with history notebooks. Use questions from the teaching materials here to add to your current teaching plans or as discussion topics. Create a link on your class website for students to view this site at home. Have students research and find documents and artifacts in your own community or online to share in the classroom. Have them create curated collections in digital form with accompanying writings to explain them. Students could create annotated images including text boxes and related links using a tool such as Thinglink, <a href="/single.cfm?id=13216">reviewed here</a>.

Technology Heads-up!
  • Find interactive ABC's, colors, etc.
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Tag(s): decades, cultures, 1960s, 1930s, 20th century,

Discovering Ancient Egypt

— Mark Millmore

3-8 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.discoveringegypt.com/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49 share

How It Works

Explore Ancient Egypt! Choose from topics on the left such as hieroglyphs, pyramids and temples, or kings and queens. Each topic includes descriptions, maps, videos, and more to take an in-depth look. Be sure to check out the cool hieroglyphic typewriter for typing names and sending or printing secret messages! The videos from this site are hosted on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, they may not be viewable.

In the Classroom

The videos and information from this site would be useful during any unit on Ancient Egypt. Math teachers will also love the information about Egyptian numbers to include in a unit on different number systems. Share videos on an interactive whiteboard (or projector). Create a link on classroom computers for students to explore on their own. Have students create messages using the hieroglyphic typewriter then print (or screenshot) for others to decode. Have students create interactive timelines using information from this site using Sutori, <a href="/single.cfm?id=16349">reviewed here</a>. Sutori can include images, text, and collaboration.

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

Math Reasoning Inventory

— Marilyn Burns

5-8 0 favorites 0 promising practices https://www.mathreasoninginventory.com/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49 share

How It Works

Math Reasoning Inventory is an online assessment tool for middle school students developed by renowned math educator Marilyn Burns. The inventory involves three different assessments done face to face with students then provides results with individual and group reports. The tool focuses on student’s strategies, understandings, and misconceptions of math concepts. The free account allows use with up to 160 students.

In the Classroom

Use the Math Reasoning Inventory to provide an excellent overview of your students’ math understanding. Use the inventory as you would Dibels or literacy assessment to monitor progress throughout the school year. Share this site during department meetings or professional development sessions as an assessment tool to use with all students.

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): professional development, assessment,

DigiPuzzle

— digipuzzle.net

-8 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.digipuzzle.net/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49 share

How It Works

Enjoy playing with photo puzzles using DigiPuzzle. Choose from the selection of world wonders, animals, or jigsaws for kids. Choose a picture option to begin. Scroll down to view puzzle choices such as sudoku, word search, memory, hangman, and others. Get a personalized puzzle for your website, follow the directions on the personal photo page to email the site owner with your photo.

In the Classroom

Use this site as an entertaining logic and problem solving center either on classroom computers or your interactive whiteboard or projector. Embed your own personalized puzzle on your classroom website to encourage students to visit often. Use DigiPuzzles as an interesting way to introduce topics in your classroom such as animals or famous locations around the world.

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): pyramids, cities, puzzles, logic, problem solving, animals,

On-Line Biology Book

— Michael J. Farabee, Ph.D

8-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www2.estrellamountain.edu/faculty/farabee/BIOBK/BioBookTOC.html Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49 share

How It Works

This site provides a complete, online community college level biology book containing 59 chapters covering topics from atoms and molecules through human evolution. Choose the link for any chapter to begin. Each chapter is complete as you would find in a typical textbook along with images and links to definitions of keywords. View additional information links at the end of each chapter for further resources. Be sure to check out the excellent glossary included in chapter 58.

In the Classroom

Include this site on your class web page for students and parents to access as a reference or use for enrichment. Use this site as inspiration and have cooperative learning groups create online books using a tool such as Bookemon, <a href="/single.cfm?id=10404">reviewed here</a>. Are you flipping your classroom? Use this site along with other online resources as part of your at-home learning resources.

Technology Heads-up!
  • Find interactive ABC's, colors, etc.
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  • 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): plants, animals, cells, evolution, genetics, photosynthesis, atoms, molecules, body systems, human body, bacteria,
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