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Everything is Alive Podcast - Ian Chillag
Grades
6 to 12
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Gather around to listen to this interesting podcast/interview show in which all subjects are inanimate objects. Each episode is factually based, and each item tells its life story....more
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Gather around to listen to this interesting podcast/interview show in which all subjects are inanimate objects. Each episode is factually based, and each item tells its life story. The host recommends starting with the first episode, Louis, Can of Cola, and listening to the remaining episodes in order. You can listen to the podcast online or use one of the popular podcast services.
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This site includes advertising.
In the Classroom
This podcast engages listeners with its interesting stories and provides a unique way to explore points of view through storytelling. After listening to several episodes, ask students to engage in story-writing activities based on telling the story from a different perspective. Find example lessons at Read Write Think, reviewed here, then search for point of view. Modify the lessons shared at Read Write Think to match the interests and abilities of your students as needed. Enhance lessons by asking students to share their writing in multimedia presentations such as videos created with Adobe Express Video Maker, reviewed here or with blog posts shared on edublogs, reviewed here.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Twin Pics - Chris Sev
Grades
4 to 12
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Use your AI prompting skills to find how closely you can match an image. Every thirty minutes, a new image appears, and users have up to one hundred characters to ...more
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Use your AI prompting skills to find how closely you can match an image. Every thirty minutes, a new image appears, and users have up to one hundred characters to match the image as closely as possible, using up to one hundred characters in the prompt. After generating the image, Twin Pics provides a percentage indicating the similarity between the original and the generated image. Scroll down the page to view the current leaderboard of user-generated images.
In the Classroom
Understanding how to write effective prompts using generative AI is an important skill, and Twin Pics is an engaging way to learn how to create a short prompt to create images. Use this site as a five-minute time filler to engage students in descriptive writing activities. If students don't have individual access to the site, ask them to write a 100-character prompt, then select a random prompt to view together as a class. Use this site as a model for demonstrating how to write a prompt to create an image, then use Image Creator by Designer, reviewed here to extend learning by creating images and asking students to try to replicate your design. Use images for creative writing projects or include them with multimedia projects.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Nova Education - PBS
Grades
6 to 12
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Nova Education provides STEM activities and lessons based on the popular PBS series Nova. Information on the site includes articles, videos, and links to external websites. Scroll down...more
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Nova Education provides STEM activities and lessons based on the popular PBS series Nova. Information on the site includes articles, videos, and links to external websites. Scroll down to find filters to sort the content by media types, categories, and newer or older additions. The media types category allows users to find lesson plans, collections, teacher guides, and more. Each lesson plan includes detailed instructions, student handouts, and correlation to Next Generation Science Standards.
In the Classroom
Enjoy the interactives, videos, and text on an interactive whiteboard or projector. Use selected activities as a center (station). Share the included articles and videos with students to supplement your STEM curriculum. If articles are too difficult for students, use a text leveler tool like the one available at Brisk, reviewed here to match student reading abilities.
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Brain Breaks for Students - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12
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Regular brain breaks are a simple but powerful way to boost student focus, engagement, and retention in the classroom. These short periods of physical activity or mental rest re-energize...more
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Regular brain breaks are a simple but powerful way to boost student focus, engagement, and retention in the classroom. These short periods of physical activity or mental rest re-energize young minds when they start feeling tired or restless. Brain breaks improve how students think by increasing blood flow and brain connections. They also provide a much-needed reset when students feel overwhelmed or have checked out of the lesson. This collection highlights brain-break ideas, exercises, and activities that easily fit into lessons. Discover ways to get students moving, laughing, reflecting, and re-centering their attention. Using these resources will create a more active and focused learning environment in your classroom.
In the Classroom
Find new tools to try in your classroom for brain breaks. Each review includes classroom use ideas. Read the details of each tool and find the ones that will work for you and your students.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Summer Specials - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12
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Keep students engaged in fun, enriching activities this summer with the diverse learning opportunities showcased in this collection. From resources focused on robotics and coding to...more
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Keep students engaged in fun, enriching activities this summer with the diverse learning opportunities showcased in this collection. From resources focused on robotics and coding to reading incentives at local libraries and restaurants, these summer programs strive to prevent learning loss while still feeling like a vacation. Find audiobooks, online courses, exercise programs, and more to round out the compilation of vetted resources. Easily share these ideas for summer academic and physical engagement with colleagues, families, and students.
In the Classroom
Find new tools, activities, and more to share with your students for use during the summer break! Each review includes classroom use ideas. Read the details of each tool and find the ones that will be useful to your students.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Mathematics Lessons - TedEd
Grades
K to 12
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This mathematics page includes math activities for students of all ages and abilities based on problem-solving activities and riddles integrated into many different topics. Each lesson...more
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This mathematics page includes math activities for students of all ages and abilities based on problem-solving activities and riddles integrated into many different topics. Each lesson typically consists of a video that explains the concept or problem-solving strategy, as well as interactive quizzes and other resources to help reinforce the learning. Many tasks also come with additional resources such as lesson plans, discussion questions, and further reading. Use the filters to narrow down options by grade level, type of content, video length, and subtitles options. In addition, each activity includes categories such as Science and Technology or The Arts; use these links to find related activities. Registration isn't required; however, it allows you to save your favorite activities and customize lessons.
In the Classroom
Use the activities on this site to introduce problem-solving to students through various topics and problem-solving tools. Begin by narrowing down the content to your chosen grade level to find appropriate activities. Next, consider differentiating activities by student interests and ability levels. Finally, use the option to customize lessons to create questions for different groups of students or add additional questions while still using the original video. Ask older students to use these activities as a model, then create their animated math riddles using Powtoon, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Logic Games - Crazy Games
Grades
4 to 12
2 Favorites
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Solving problems using logic is an excellent way to improve brain function and cognition; this compilation of logic games provides you with many different activities. In addition, each...more
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Solving problems using logic is an excellent way to improve brain function and cognition; this compilation of logic games provides you with many different activities. In addition, each of the activities features different methods for engagement. For example, Gold Train FRVR (use the search bar to find) requires players to build train tracks to avoid obstacles as they work toward the final destination. At the same time, Happy Glass (use the search bar to find) includes progressively more complex challenges for players to fill a glass without spilling the water. Hover over the thumbnail for each game to view the title and select to play.
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In the Classroom
Bookmark and save this game site as a resource for logic and puzzle games to share with your students. Consider adding a puzzle of the week to your computer center activities or as an engaging at-home learning activity. Puzzles are an excellent way to strengthen math conversations in any classroom. After spending time with logic puzzles, ask students to share their thought and learning processes as they play each game. Ask students to create a screen recording demonstrating how to play the game and discussing the process. Use your device's screen recording features or an online tool such as Free Online Screen Recorder, reviewed here, to create and share recordings. Use a simple curation tool such as 3X3 Links, reviewed here, to share students' recordings and/or discussions in one easy-to-find location.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Wordle - Josh Wardle
Grades
3 to 12
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Wordle is a deceptively easy-looking word game that promotes problem-solving and strategy skills to solve a daily five-letter word. Players get six chances to solve for the word of...more
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Wordle is a deceptively easy-looking word game that promotes problem-solving and strategy skills to solve a daily five-letter word. Players get six chances to solve for the word of the day. Correct letters in the proper place are highlighted green, letters in the word but the wrong location are marked yellow and gray boxes indicate the letter is not in the word. After solving the puzzle, a colored grid shows your progress through each step toward solving the daily task.
In the Classroom
Include Wordle as part of daily classroom activities in many ways. For example, ask students to solve Wordle individually or as part of a collaborative group. Encourage students to discuss helpful strategies in solving the puzzle, such as starting words that include several vowels--experiment by beginning with the same word each day or using different daily choices. Create a daily graph that shares the results of your class's attempts in solving the daily puzzle. Data Gif Maker, reviewed here, is a very easy to use graphing tool to quickly share results. Consider making personalized Wordles based on reading vocabulary, science terms, or student names using My Wordle, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Brain Teasers and Puzzles - Brain Easer
Grades
2 to 12
7 Favorites
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Improve critical thinking and problem-solving skills through the use of brain teasers, puzzles, and riddles found on this clever site. Select from fifteen categories of teasers divided...more
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Improve critical thinking and problem-solving skills through the use of brain teasers, puzzles, and riddles found on this clever site. Select from fifteen categories of teasers divided into three categories - math & logic, language & visual, and other. Brain teasers are also sorted by difficulty level, beginning with very easy and proceeding up to very difficult. Each puzzle includes the solution to explain the logic behind the answer.
In the Classroom
Bookmark and save this brain teaser site to use throughout the school year. Share a problem of the week with your students to complete as homework or during a work center. Provide teasers of different levels of difficulty to differentiate and challenge your students. Enhance student learning by asking them to explain their success in solving challenges and sharing their process to find the correct solution. Use Padlet, reviewed here, to share your weekly teasers, then have students create and share a video response. This is a link to Padlet's Help section for posting video or an image. Extend learning further by creating a class book using Imagine Forest, reviewed here. Use Imagine Forest to make and share a digital book of brain teasers. Use the interactive elements to add links to audio suggestions for tackling problems or link to video solutions on the final pages of your book.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Critical Thinking Resources - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12
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Nurture critical thinking skills in your classroom using the resources shared in this collection. Critical thinking is a process that includes the ability to interpret, analyze, and...more
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Nurture critical thinking skills in your classroom using the resources shared in this collection. Critical thinking is a process that includes the ability to interpret, analyze, and evaluate information. Thinking critically requires students to infer and solve problems with an open mind. Students use critical thinking skills to observe, experience, communicate and reflect while reading and learning content. As contentious public events spill over into the classroom, teachers need to help students learn how to process perspectives that differ from their own. Use this collection as you are planning your lessons and activities.
In the Classroom
Help your students to practice critical thinking skills using these engaging resources. Share these resources with your colleagues and school parents by emailing the page or sharing the link from your school web page and in your school newsletter.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Crossword Clues - CrosswordClues.com
Grades
6 to 12
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Crossword Clues is a helpful tool for solving crossword puzzles and much more. Use the Crossword Solver feature to enter the clue and number of letters to receive suggestions for ...more
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Crossword Clues is a helpful tool for solving crossword puzzles and much more. Use the Crossword Solver feature to enter the clue and number of letters to receive suggestions for puzzle answers. Play Crossword Boss to challenge your ability to answer crossword questions quickly or use the Anagram Solver to unscramble letters to find matching words and phrases.
In the Classroom
Save this site to encourage students to test their skills on higher-level puzzles, using only as a last resort to find answers. Use the recent clues list for you or your students to create puzzles using the crossword generator from Class Tools, reviewed here. Have students develop puzzles to review vocabulary terms, important information from novels, or test their knowledge of historical figures. Include their puzzles on your website for students to access from home.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Nova Labs - PBS
Grades
6 to 12
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Engage in authentic scientific exploration with the games and interactives offered through Nova Labs. Engage in lab topics of cybersecurity, evolution, RNA, clouds, energy, and the...more
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Engage in authentic scientific exploration with the games and interactives offered through Nova Labs. Engage in lab topics of cybersecurity, evolution, RNA, clouds, energy, and the sun. Each interactive includes a collection of videos providing background information. The site also shares educator guides specific to each lab with strategies for use.
In the Classroom
Nova Labs provides many opportunities for engaging students in authentic learning situations. Consider using this site as an introduction to any of the included topics. For example, begin your energy unit by assigning the energy lab as homework or as a flipped learning activity. Watch the introductory video together, then allow students to explore the site on their own. Use Playposit, reviewed here, extend technology use by adding questions and student responses to videos to encourage critical thinking skills. Have students share their learning after participating in the lab by annotating images using Google Drawings, reviewed here. Google Drawings allows you to annotate an image with links to videos, text, websites, and more. Not familiar with Google Drawings? Watch an archived OK2Ask session to learn how to use: OK2Ask Google Drawings, here. Google Drawings presents a variety of levels for technology use depending on teacher requirements for the project, or even student ability; it allows for adding narration, videos, text, and links to help explain the project. Ask tech-savvy students to create their own learning games with Scratch, reviewed here, using information learned from their research.
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The United States Diplomacy Center - United States Department of State
Grades
8 to 12
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The United States Diplomacy Center shares free simulations providing hands-on exercises in dealing with complex world problems. Click Education and slide to Education Resources to find...more
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The United States Diplomacy Center shares free simulations providing hands-on exercises in dealing with complex world problems. Click Education and slide to Education Resources to find the simulations. Topics include migration, nuclear arms, global health issues, and more. Free materials include student learning packets available in three different ability levels and videos featuring content experts. Educator materials include all information to conduct each scenario including student materials and tools for productive negotiations.
In the Classroom
Take advantage of these free materials to immerse students in learning about current events topics through a global lens. One important component of these lessons includes the task of completing a series of formal and informal discussions on each topic. As students identify key topics and information, enhance their learning by asking them to use Lino, reviewed here, to create digital sticky notes to share among teachers and peers. Use options within Lino to color code the sticky notes to identify the group creating the note or different concepts to address throughout the simulation. Simulations also provide background information on each topic, use this information as a starting point, then have students research each topic further on their own or in groups. Share bookmarks and resources using Raindrop.io, reviewed here. In addition to sharing bookmarks, Raindrop.io includes tools for adding notes and comments for all team members to use when collaborating together. Throughout your simulation activities, use Flip, reviewed here, to modify learning and to pose essential questions discussed within the activity. Have students add video responses within Flip to share their perspective and solutions to the different problems. As a final learning activity, provide students options for sharing their conclusions and suggestions to the simulation activities through a variety of multimedia choices. Instead of a book report or PowerPoint presentation consider asking students to create a digital book using Book Creator, reviewed here, or a multimedia presentation using Adobe Creative Cloud Express for Education, reviewed here. Both options offer tools for transforming students' learning to include video, images, and more to share their final conclusion and perspective on the topic included in the simulation.
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Expii Solve - Expii, Inc.
Grades
8 to 12
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Solve interactive math and science puzzles based on current events with Expii Solve. Choose from over 70 sets of questions with topics including the Super Bowl, Star Wars, fashion,...more
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Solve interactive math and science puzzles based on current events with Expii Solve. Choose from over 70 sets of questions with topics including the Super Bowl, Star Wars, fashion, holidays, and more. Each topic includes a set of five problems with each question increasing in difficulty. If you need help, use links to tutorials at the bottom of each question. Registration isn't required; however, registering allows you to track progress in completing puzzles.
In the Classroom
Be sure to save these puzzles for use throughout the school year. Use these problems as a substitute for your typical homework assignments. Include questions as part of math or science centers. Replace pencil and paper journals or notebooks by having students blog about their learning and understanding using Tumblr, reviewed here. Ask groups of students to work on topics together then share their results with the class. To enhance student learning and understanding, consider instituting a recurring podcast for students to share problems and discuss problem-solving strategies. Use a site such as podOmatic, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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WikiWhere - GitHub
Grades
8 to 12
1 Favorites
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Test your knowledge of map-based trivia with WikiWhere. Begin with a clue to a location found somewhere on the globe, then select where you think is being described. If not ...more
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Test your knowledge of map-based trivia with WikiWhere. Begin with a clue to a location found somewhere on the globe, then select where you think is being described. If not sure, use up to two more additional hints to narrow your selection. WikiWhere provides points based on the distance between your choice and the location provided. Each round consists of five different places to find.
In the Classroom
WikiWhere is an excellent site to use on your interactive whiteboard as a quick motivator to begin geography lessons. Share with students to play on their own, then choose a location to research for a class project. Transform learning by having students create their own trivia games using ClassTool's Arcade Game Generator, reviewed here, to share and review content with their peers. Have students use Google My Maps, reviewed here, to modify their learning and create and share virtual field trips of locations studied. Use the many features on Google My Maps to embed information from spreadsheets, add images and videos, and customize maps with icons. Take students on a virtual field trip around the world by sharing the different Google My Maps created on your class webpage.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Semantris - Google
Grades
4 to 12
4 Favorites
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Semantris is an engaging pair of word association games offered as a Google experiment in predicting the use of words by players. Arcade is a quick-thinking game; write a word ...more
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Semantris is an engaging pair of word association games offered as a Google experiment in predicting the use of words by players. Arcade is a quick-thinking game; write a word associated with the shared selection to drop words to the bottom of a list as quickly as possible. Block is a slower paced game; try to provide a short phrase to describe one of the words in the blocks to drop the blocks and prevent them from reaching the top of the page.
In the Classroom
Share Semantris with students on classroom computers or devices for use as a quick word association and vocabulary building activity. Challenge students to become more proficient in "beating" Google by earning as many points as possible. For younger students, this site is an excellent way to build vocabulary skills. Have older students take this site a step further and research how machine learning works through this Google activity. Enhance learning by asking them to substitute a traditional report or presentation by making a video explanation tool like Typito, reviewed here, to describe the concept of machine learning. After spending some time practicing this game, take it a step further and extend student learning by having students create their own vocabulary learning game using a tool such as Scratch, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Microsoft Bing - FUN - Microsoft
Grades
4 to 12
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Bing Fun offers a selection of web-based mini games in a variety of formats like puzzles and trivia quizzes. Scroll down the page to choose from the available options including ...more
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Bing Fun offers a selection of web-based mini games in a variety of formats like puzzles and trivia quizzes. Scroll down the page to choose from the available options including quizzes on current news and geography. Most quizzes offer several options for level of difficulty, the current news quiz allows students and teachers to select quizzes for several different weeks.
In the Classroom
Include Bing Fun as a link on your classroom computers and share the link on your class webpage. Have students try their skill on Sudoku and other logic puzzles to increase problem solving skills. Use the current news questions as a starting point for discussions in social studies classes. Ask students to choose one of the questions as a starting point for digging deeper into the topic. Have students share weekly podcasts discussing current topics and background information. Spotify for Podcasters, reviewed here, provides free podcasting tools.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Puzzle Prime - Puzzle Prime
Grades
6 to 12
1 Favorites
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Puzzle Prime is an excellent collection of some of the best puzzles, games, and illusions on the Internet. Run by a small group of mathematicians, content is carefully selected to ...more
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Puzzle Prime is an excellent collection of some of the best puzzles, games, and illusions on the Internet. Run by a small group of mathematicians, content is carefully selected to meet their high standards. Select a puzzle by type, skill level, or topic. When ready, click the solution to find puzzle answers.
In the Classroom
Share a link to Puzzle Prime on classroom computers and your class website for students to access on any device. Consider having a "puzzle of the week" activity for students to complete on their own or in groups using activities on this site. Ask students to demonstrate their thinking process in completing puzzles by demonstrating on an interactive whiteboard or with a projector. Take this a step further and ask student to create a video explanation using a tool like Screencastify, reviewed here, and share them on a site such as TeacherTube reviewed here. Use these puzzles as examples and encourage students to create their puzzles for others to solve. Have cooperative learning groups create podcasts sharing problem and puzzle solving tips; for this, use a site such as podOmatic, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Extreme Event - Koshland Science Museum
Grades
8 to 12
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Extreme Event is a crisis problem-solving game for groups of 12 or more players with a minimum age of 12 years old. Facilitators set up a room and time for ...more
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Extreme Event is a crisis problem-solving game for groups of 12 or more players with a minimum age of 12 years old. Facilitators set up a room and time for participants, and games typically take about an hour to complete. Choose from three scenarios - hurricane, flood, or earthquake. Download all game materials from the site including PDF cards, sounds, and visual effects. The videos in the classroom activity section reside on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, the videos may not be viewable. Extreme Event made changes to the game and the game materials. Be sure you download the new materials to play.
In the Classroom
Use the materials found on Extreme Event as a hands-on lesson in problem-solving, short and long term planning, and building community. Use an online tool such as Interactive Three Circle Venn Diagram, reviewed here, to compare and contrast different strategies needed to solve problems in different crisis situations. Challenge students to create a brochure or newsletter sharing their findings. Are you integrating technology in your class? Instead of the traditional paper brochure, enhance student learning by using Marq, reviewed here, or if you are more experienced use Sway, reviewed here, and create a newsletter. If you complete this activity with different classes, share results from the different games as part of your discussions on your problem-solving decisions.
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Twitter Chat: Start a School Makerspace from Scratch - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12
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This archived Twitter chat is from July 2016 and will open in Wakelet. View this archive to learn how to Start a School Makerspace from Scratch. Browse the tips and ...more
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This archived Twitter chat is from July 2016 and will open in Wakelet. View this archive to learn how to Start a School Makerspace from Scratch. Browse the tips and tools offered by the chat moderators and participants.
In the Classroom
If you are starting Makerspace, or need some new ideas, view this archive. Share this tool with your colleagues who are interested in Makerspace.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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