8th Grade

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Interactives: United States History Map

— Annenberg Media

3-8 0 favorites 0 promising practices https://www.learner.org/series/interactive-us-history-map/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49 share

How It Works

Annenberg Media has created this fantastic interactive tool that allows you to trace the growth and settlement of the United States by using a map. Throughout this interactive challenge, students learn about map legends, the compass rose and cardinal directions, and different types of maps. Students also learn about the various regions of the United States and the rivers, lakes, mountains, oceans, and more that are located in the United States. This website even delves into U.S. History by displaying major Indian tribes (and regions), explaining colonists, and the expansion of the great nation.

In the Classroom

What a comprehensive website - offering geography, U.S. history, map skills, and more. Use your interactive whiteboard (or projector) to share the interactive activities (there are five, including a "test").

If time permits, divide your class into five groups and assign each group one of the main topics to explore. Give each group 30 minutes or so to read through the information. Then have each group share their findings with the class. Take the final "test" together on an interactive whiteboard (or projector).

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Tag(s): colonial america, westward expansion, maps, map skills, india, directions,

The Shakespeare Mystery

— WBGH Educational Foundation

8-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shakespeare/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49 share

How It Works

Since almost every high school reads Shakespeare, the look at the man himself and the controversies surrounding him make fascinating study for students and pull them into the Elizabethan world (generally making study of the plays more interesting!). Originally aired in April 1989 (and no longer available for purchase), this site offers the text and links to the fascinating debate of whether Shakespeare was the man from Stratford or really an intimate of Elizabeth I, the Earl of Oxford. It is divided into three sections: The Debate Continues, Updates, and Shakespeare on the Web. In a related report, the site looks at Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe as contemporaries, rivals, or being the same man.

In the Classroom

This site offers a wide variety of activities from mock trials to timelines to actual discussions of the topic. Having students assume the roles of different participants either as those debating the issue or as Shakespeare himself, Marlowe, the Earl of Oxford, and Elizabeth I enhances research, writing, persuasive, and acting skills.

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Tag(s): acting, elizabethan, shakespeare, writing, acting, elizabethan, shakespeare,

The Art of Teaching the Arts

— Annenberg Media

8-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.learner.org/resources/series202.html?pop=yes&vodid=807276&pid=2170 Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49 share

How It Works

This is a wonderful site for high school educators who are interested in teaching the arts through theatre, music, art, or any of the humanities. It is a professional workshop site that offers 8 one-hour practical video seminars on how to teach the arts and on the passion of those who already do. The videos are free for streaming, but you can also purchase them as DVDs or VHS. You do have to register--for free. The self-described goal is a workshop to help teachers improve their teaching through seven different foci, including the diverse needs of students, instructional approaches, creating the appropriate learning environment to making the most of community resources, and encouraging students to be independent thinkers and creative problem solvers. This site requires Windows Media Player. You can get it from the <a href="/tools.cfm ">TeachersFirst Toolbox page.</a>.You can get it from the <a href="/tools.cfm ">TeachersFirst Toolbox page.</a>.

In the Classroom

This is a professional site rich in ideas for any teacher looking for new ideas or a jump-start to teach the arts. Make this course your personal goal for summer break or a collaborative professional development group.

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

60 second Shakespeare

— BBC

8-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/shakespeare/60secondshakespeare/index.shtml Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49 share

How It Works

<i>Although this page has been archived and is no longer updated, most links are functional.</I> This is a fabulous site for the Shakespeare teacher or simply the Shakespeare fan. It includes all of Willie’s most famous plays done up in student-friendly and attractive, attention-getting form. The challenge is for students to develop their own ’60-second’ bit of Shakespeare. The site includes examples of different formats and offers everything from teacher lesson plans to "master classes" in teaching students how to do things such as audios, films, and photo slideshows as well as the more common newspaper articles and acting classes. The site also allows viewers to "vote" on their favorite renditions. This website requires Windows Media Player or Real Player. You can get either from the <a href="/tools.cfm ">TeachersFirst Toolbox page.</a>.

In the Classroom

Since you can even submit your 60-second Shakespeare piece to the site for posting, this can be a real challenge to classes in competition. Have each class design its own 60-second program. They can use the ones already posted for inspiration. If you choose, you can use plans already posted by Paul Sibson, an IT teaching instructor, or you can pick and choose which ones you want students to attempt (or make better!). Make sure you have written parent permission before submitting student work and are within school policies. If policies prohibit posting on the BBC site, create a private wiki of your own within your school.

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

Guns Germs, & Steel

— PBS

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

How It Works

Jared Diamond’s book <i> Guns Germs & Steel </i> won a Pulitzer Prize for non-fiction. This website presents an overview of some of the major threads of Diamond’s thesis as presented in the PBS special based upon the book. Diamond suggests that geography may have been the single most important factor in the rise and fall of civilizations over the course of human history. The site examines some of the variables that have contributed to the success or failure of societies through history, including crops, animals, technology, and climate. There are lesson plans tied to national standards associated with each of the televised episodes. While viewing the series is an option, much can be gained by examining the lesson plans even without watching the series.

In the Classroom

The information contained here will be most helpful in planning lessons on the interdependence of culture, geography and technology. Students may find information here for research purposes, but this site should be considered mostly for its usefulness to teachers in advance of unit planning.

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

Dangerously Irrelevant: Internet Democracy

— Scott McLeod

8-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.dangerouslyirrelevant.org/2008/01/internet-democr.html Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49 share

How It Works

"Dangerously Irrelevant" is the blog of education professor Scott McLeod from Iowa State University. He is interested in the interplay between technology and education, and his blog brings together a number issues and ideas that teachers ought to be thinking about. This section of the blog provides resources for social studies teachers who are including content related to the upcoming Presidential elections. Organized by candidate, McLeod provides links to YouTube videos about each candidate. He also provides instructions for downloading YouTube videos through a secondary program so they can be emailed and accessed by teachers whose school districts block access to YouTube. Social studies teachers need to teach students how to critically assess the huge volume of information on the internet about candidates for political office. Campaign strategists spend enormous amounts of energy and money trying to "market" voters, and if students are to be informed voters in the near future, they need to recognize these tactics and learn to access concrete information.

In the Classroom

Teachers can use these videos to demonstrate political tactics and help students navigate election promises and propaganda. Because these videos come from YouTube, which does little to monitor its content, content should be carefully previewed before using. Share the site or specific videos on a projector or interactive whiteboard as part of class discussion. If your network permits it, provide a local copy of specific videos for students to critique and compare. They could embed the videos in a wiki and write the critique as a collaborative project with small groups. Or have them present a video to the class as if they were on a campaign staff analyzing the opponent’s tactics for a campaign staff meeting.

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

DSO KIDS

— Dallas Symphony Association

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

How It Works

This site offers an introduction to symphonic music, the orchestra and its instruments in a child-friendly way. Listen to famous composer music clips, learn about the music families and the instruments included in each one. There are separate sections for students and teachers. Find lesson plans (searchable by grade and topic) in the Teachers Lounge section of the site.

In the Classroom

What a fabulous website to share the various instruments (and sounds) with students in your music class. Use an interactive whiteboard or projector, and turn up the volume! Click on the search/explore link at the bottom of the page to view a list of popular links in the site. Share the site on your teacher web page so students can visit again for a music "fix" with their families, especially since music classes are often so far apart.

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

English: Reading Non-fiction Texts

— BBC

8-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/english/readingnonfict/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49 share

How It Works

<i>Although this page has been archived and is no longer updated, all links are functional.</I> While this site was intended for British students taking a mandatory national exam, the methods used to teach students how to extract information from non-fiction texts is quite valuable to any student who has trouble finding the pertinent points. Many U.S. state reading exams include the same skills. The site gives students acronyms as mnemonics to remember key points, such as "mind the GAP." It walks students through purpose, audience, tone, genre, information, style, and language. The site also provides interactive quizzes to test students for recall as they go along. The pages are also printable. Be sure to explain to your students that "revise" in British English means the same as to "review" in the U.S.

In the Classroom

Ready for the test? That’s what they say... and with standardized testing on the rise, reading non-fiction text quickly and accurately becomes important. Using this site to quiz students on key elements such as purpose or tone makes it a bit of fun as well as learning. Set up computer stations for each section and have the students work through them at their own pace. Or perhaps use the handouts and play a Jeopardy game as either practice or review. Another idea: project the "tests" on an interactive whiteboard or projector so the entire class can participate together or compete as teams. Special ed or remedial teachers will love these activities for individual students who need re-teaching and extra practice with non-fiction.

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

Geometry - 3D Shapes

— Annenberg Media

4-8 0 favorites 0 promising practices https://www.learner.org/series/interactive-geometry-3d-shapes/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49 share

How It Works

This website offers motivational and interactive class activities to learn more about 3D shapes. It also shows how to calculate surface area and volume, as well as other mathematical properties about the 3D shapes. Specific topics include surface area and volume, platonic solids, Euler’s Theorem, and several others. The <i> Test Your Skills </i> link provides an interactive quiz complete with photos, illustrations, and animations. The <i>About This Interactive</i> link provides standards, goals, lesson ideas, and more.

In the Classroom

Get your interactive whiteboards (or projectors) ready for this intriguing website. The website introduction page activates students’ schema by explaining how we live in a three-dimensional world. Have your students add to the website’s list of 3D shapes in their classroom. Complete the web activities as a class (on a projection screen), or have your students team up and research the website in pairs. At the conclusion of the activity, have your students divide into two teams to complete the interactive quiz. Project the questions on the screen, and have the teams discuss the math problem and determine the best answers.

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

English Literature: Pride and Prejudice

— BBC

8-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/english_literature/proseprideprej/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:49 share

How It Works

<i>Although this site is archived the links and videos still work</i>. Introducing a novel by helping the students understand the time period and customs that are so different from their own can generate interest as well as create a mood for kids about to the read the novel. Marriage and the role of women and class in Austen’s novel often make her books inaccessible to many of today’s teenagers. However, this site gives enough background to whet the interest. It includes information and interactive questions on plot, characters, themes, as well as a sample essay question and answer. Be aware, this site was created by the BBC; "revise" means the same as "review" to Americans.

In the Classroom

Since each section is printable, you might have students review different sections individually or in small groups and then be in charge of reviewing that section with the rest of the class. Using the interactive quizzes included on the site, students could vie as teams. The sample essay is set up in such a manner that several students could write one part of each of the six sections and then the class could put it together and compare it to the model answers.

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