8th Grade

8

GeoGuessr

— Anton Wallen

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

How It Works

Use visual clues to guess where you are in the world. View images taken from Google Street View alongside a map of the world. Click on the map to indicate where the photo may be located. GeoGuessr reveals the actual location. Points are based on how close your guesses are to the original location. Share the location by Facebook, Google plus, email, and more. GeoGuessr is a cool new tool similar to the rn<a href="/single.cfm?id=14388">View From Your Window Game</a>.

In the Classroom

Use this tool on an Interactive Whiteboard (or projector) with an entire class. Students can work as a class, individually, or in groups to identify clues in the image. Use the clues to discuss information about social structure, livelihood, religion, landforms, and other cultural information. Use this information to uncover and correct misconceptions and discuss cultural differences in countries outside the US. When the answer is revealed, the names of many other countries are shown. Use this opportunity to reinforce past learning of geography and culture. Go beyond the culture to learn about the various foods, agriculture, and other aspects of their lives. Research the local ecosystem to determine native plants and animals found in the country. Create a poem or story set in that locale using information learned through research. Are you a connected educator? Find other educators around the World using <a href="/single.cfm?id=11537">Twitter</a> to make connections between classrooms. Join the <a href="/xw1w.cfm">Across the World Once a Week</a> project to share about the culture where you live.

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.
  • 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.
Tag(s): countries, cultures, maps, cross cultural understanding,

Climate Commons

— Earth Journalism Network

8-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices https://earthjournalism.net/projects/climate-commons Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49 share

How It Works

This tool is a map-based interactive platform containing layers of news and information on climate change in the US. It includes the latest data, stories on the causes and impacts, and the response to climate change. View the most recent data, including temperature, precipitation, and carbon dioxide emissions. Filter stories by a variety of categories (such as Oceans.) Each dot displays a story.

In the Classroom

Use the data and geotagged stories to understand more about climate change. Create multimedia (podcast, video, blog, wiki, etc.) or conventional products (poster or bulletin board) to explain the basics of climate change. Click on different dots on the map to view specific stories that are being published there. Compare the tone and substance of the different articles found in each of the areas. Are there certain regions that are more skeptical (or less) about this issue? Have students select a story to research in terms of its local implications at that location, such as a story about fracking in the Marcellus Shale region. Civics/government classes can use this site to trace political issues, news, and related policy initiatives related to climate change.

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.
  • 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.
Tag(s): climate change, climate,

The Planets Today

— Hayling graphics

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

How It Works

This tool is a fabulous Solar System simulator! Go back in time or forward to the future to see how the planets or comets look. View the solstice and equinox. Though Astrology is discussed on this site, the tool itself is pretty interesting.

In the Classroom

Use this tool to move forward and backward in time to show movements of the various elements of the Solar System. Show the location of the Earth and Sun at each equinox or solstice. Share this site on your interactive whiteboard or projector.

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.
  • 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.
Tag(s): sun, moon, earth, planets, solar system,

The Energy Story

— Eschool Today

3-8 0 favorites 0 promising practices https://eschooltoday.com/learn/what-is-energy/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49 share

How It Works

This resource is an interactive story that explores energy, renewable and nonrenewable resources, and topics of energy creation and transfer. Read the supporting information, try the interactives, and more with this engaging website. There is a quiz to test your knowledge.

In the Classroom

Use this resource at the start of a unit on energy for students to be acquainted to the background information. Share the site on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Use throughout a unit of study on energy for reinforcement.

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.
  • 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.
Tag(s): energy, solar energy, natural resources,

Circuit Lab

— Circuitlab.com

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

How It Works

Use this free tool to easily build and test circuits in your browser! Those without thorough understanding about circuitry can start with pre-made "Quick Start" circuits. The on screen build box has basic circuitry elements available to create quick circuits. Copy and paste circuit parts from other circuits (including those found in the online community) to your circuit. Share your circuit with others by URL. This tool is easy to use. There is a Getting Started video to help with the functions of the tool. Click simulate to test the circuit. Create an account to save your circuits to Your Workbench. At the time of this review, CircuitLab was supported on Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. The site notes that some users have reported success with Opera and Apple Safari. <b>Be sure to test this site in your browser before you plan to share it.</b>

In the Classroom

Share how to use this site on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Create circuits and share with others in the class. Assign specific circuits to be built with various elements such as diodes, resistors, etc. as part of a project or in testing student knowledge. Students can research when various circuits are required or applicable in real life.

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.
  • 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.
Tag(s): circuits, electricity,

Stick Figure Hamlet

— Dan Carroll

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

How It Works

Stick Figure Hamlet brings comic visuals and imagery to this classic work of Shakespeare. Each act and scene is represented. Simply start at the beginning to view all cartoons or choose any act or scene desired. This site is sure to motivate and interest even the most reluctant reader!

In the Classroom

Add Stick Figure Hamlet to your arsenal of tools when reading Shakespeare. Share images from the site throughout your class reading of Hamlet on your interactive whiteboard. Invite students to interpret what is happening in the comics. Challenge students to find omissions in the retelling or to draw their own, better versions. Share the link for students to view at home. The images may be very helpful to visual learners in understanding the content of this work. Browse the TeachersFirst <a href="/spectopics/shakespeare.cfm">Shakespearean collection</a> for other ideas to use with Hamlet. Use this site as inspiration and have students create their own comics for any piece of literature. Find many ideas at <a href="/spectopics/comics.cfm ">TeachersFirst’s Comics Collection</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.
  • 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.
Tag(s): literature, comics and cartoons, hamlet, shakespeare,

Opus - Common Core Math Problems for Middle School

— opusmath.com

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

How It Works

Search for problems and build assignments for middle school math using Opus. Begin by searching the Common Core standards list or choose a grade level and a topic content. Click to view available problems. You can click thumbs up or down to find more problems similar to what you are searching for. You can also choose to highlight all of a particular topics (such as probability). Tick the box next to problems to save. When finished, choose to save problems in a Word or Google Document. Generate answer sheets using your Opus account, if desired. An Opus account is required to save and generate documents. Create your account using your name, email, and a password.

In the Classroom

Bookmark and use Opus as a resource for math problems aligned to Common Core standards. Don’t keep this site to yourself! Create your own homework or review sheets using problems found on Opus. Use this tool to create individualized "study guides" for students to use to better prepare for state testing. You can easily differentiate to find the specific topics that certain students are struggling to understand. Better yet, have students choose their own topics to investigate and study. Share with students to use as a problem bank for additional practice in all common core and middle school math skills. Provide this link on your class website, wiki, or blog for student practice at home.

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.
  • 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.
Tag(s): percent, ratios, number lines, area, volume, probability, square roots, functions, charts and graphs, transformations, pythagorean theorem, fractions, angles, multiples, decimals, statistics, test prep,

Textbook Revolution

— textbookrevolution.org

8-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.textbookrevolution.org/index.php/Main_Page Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49 share

How It Works

Textbook Revolution provides links to free (and paid) online textbooks and other educational materials. Some of the books are PDF files, others are viewable online as e-books, or some are simply web sites containing course or multimedia content. Search for specific textbooks or topics using the search bar. Choose the book for download. This link provides bibliographical data on the book and a link for download. Click to go to the download link to get the book in PDF format.

In the Classroom

Use Textbook Revolution as a resource for supplemental classroom materials or to use with gifted or advanced students. Share links to educational material on your class website for students to access both in and out of the classroom.

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.
  • 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.
Tag(s): search engines, book lists,

Quandary

— Learning Games Network

2-8 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.quandarygame.org/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49 share

How It Works

Quandary is an online simulation in ethical decision-making while building a new colony on the planet Braxos. Face decisions without right or wrong answers but that have implications on you and others in the colony. This activity was created for students ages 8-14. Login is optional to save scores or play as a guest. The game includes three different episodes with each containing different scenarios for decision-making. View information on the game, extension questions and more within the teachers and parents portions of the site. Find lesson plans, standards mapping (matched to Common Core ELA standards), and printable materials within the teachers section for classroom use. Don’t miss the introduction videos explaining the site!

In the Classroom

Try this activity on your interactive whiteboard (or projector). Create a quick poll (with no membership required) using Poll Everywhere, <a href="/single.cfm?id=11606">reviewed here</a>, to view students’ choices of actions to take throughout the game. Challenge cooperative learning groups to create videos and share them on a site such as TeacherTube <a href="/single.cfm?id=9419">reviewed here</a> to explain the decision-making process for different scenarios.

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.
  • 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.
Tag(s): game based learning, critical thinking, creativity, ethics,

Piazza

— Pooja Sankar

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

How It Works

Piazza is a free service to create collaborative message boards for use in classrooms. Track student use, add multiple instructors and or teaching assistants in each course, and collaborate on editing messages using Piazza’s features. Piazza allows you to collaborate on responses to create one cohesive response instead of several similar individual responses. Create tags to label information such as quiz 1, semester review, or grading rubrics. Choose the statistics icon to view class participation, activity peaks, and question response times. Choose Try a Demo to explore features included with Piazza in their virtual sandbox. This tool seems to be aimed at college/university level classes but can be used with students over age 13 if you are adhering to your school’s policies.

In the Classroom

Consider using Piazza as a resource in your classroom to increase student interaction with materials and each other. Library/media specialists could use this tool for online book clubs. Teach on a team? Collaborate with other teachers for assignments and more using this site. Create quick questions or even a short quiz using Piazza. You can also use this tool in your graduate courses!

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.
  • 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.
Tag(s): questioning, Teacher Utilities, chat,
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