TeachersFirst: Presidents' Day Resources

TeachersFirst's Presidents' Day Resources

135 record(s) found - search again

Presidents in Waiting Grade 6 to 12 - National Portrait Gallery- 10123

Fourteen US Vice-Presidents have gone on to become US Presidents. This site examines the lives of these fourteen men. Navigate the site by using the interactive timeline, and then focus in on images of each of these men, along with brief biographies. There is a pull down bar that allows you to specify which president to learn about. In addition, there are video interviews with four of the five living Vice-Presidents: Dick Cheney, George H.W. Bush, Dan Quayle, and Walter Mondale.

In the Classroom:
Students might consider how the role of the Vice-President has changed over the course of US history. While the duties of the Vice-President are actually fairly limited, several of these Vice-Presidents became Presidents as a consequence of the death or assassination of the President. Students doing research on any of these fourteen former Presidents might find the information about their Vice-Presidencies useful. The images from this site would also be helpful projected on an interactive whiteboard or projector. Have cooperative learning groups create multimedia presentations to share with the class. Use a site such as Voicethread reviewed here. This site allows users to narrate a picture. Challenge students to find a photo (legally permitted to be reproduced), and then narrate the photo as if it is a news report.

American President Grade 6 to 12 - Miller Center of Public Affairs- 10031

A great, concise, focused site on the American Presidents. Click on any President (including Barack Obama), and you get a thumbnail sketch of that President, as well as a more in depth resource list of primary documents and essays. There is also a multimedia gallery related to each President. You can access audio recordings of either the President himself, or of others reading his words, and there is a link to oral histories related to the presidents. There are narratives about each first lady and timelines that detail significant events in each administration. The "Ask a Question" feature allows visitors to submit a question to the site’s editors and researchers.This site requires Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
If your students do Presidential biographies, this is a perfect site to save in your favorites for their use in preparing these. In addition, the multimedia gallery could be helpful in providing images to accompany lesson plans or other classroom presentations.

White House Kids Meet the Presidents Grade K to 5 - White House- 8274

Snippets of presidential life give students a concise, engaging glimpse into the lives of each president. This site was put together by fifth graders at Abingdon Elementary School in Arlington, VA. Students illustrated the presidential portraits and wrote the lively narrations. The poignant Life in America questions allow the reader to be transported back in time to the era of the respective president.

In the Classroom:
Art teachers can collaborate with classroom teachers to compile their own version of this website. The end result may be bound into a book and placed in the school library for future students to use. Teachers may want to snatch the questions in the Life in America section to use in the classroom. Information from that section may also be presented to the class and the students can guess which president belongs in that era. Teachers may also offer a writing assignment based upon the personal information, such as "Which president are you most like?" or "If you had a heart-to-heart chat with one of the presidents, which one would offer the most exciting conversation?" If you share the site in class, be sure to talk about how you can evaluate whether the information is reliable (since it is written by students).

Biographies of the Presidents Grade 4 to 12 - The White House- 198

The White House web site includes short biographies of all the American presidents, suitable for introductory use or to compare presidencies. There are also a few facts about the presidents, presidential "firsts," and the various administration. The site includes several video clips, some require Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
Share the historical video clips on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Use this site for research projects on the U.S. Presidents. This site is a perfect addition to your Presidents' Day celebration!

Way Back: Presidents: The Secret History Grade 4 to 6 - WGBH for PBS- 8689

Students enjoy uncovering the secrets of our Presidents by clicking their way through this site. Students click on Presidential photos to read their secrets or as they move through a game board of intriguing election facts. The "Hit the Trail" section is all about the presidential election process. This site requires Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
Read the "Kids For President: Would You Run?" section on a projector or interactive whiteboard to generate the same discussion in your classroom. Assign students to write comments to the President which you can send as a class and receive a letter from the White House. A writing project pretending to know the present President's secret will bring hilarity and imagination to your classroom. In election years, use "Hit the Trail" as a lead-in to the primaries and other current events.

The Perfect President Grade 2 to 5 - PBS- 5279

Involve your young students in the process of electing our next president with this lesson plan that focuses on the legal requirements, experience, and personality traits that contribute to a successful presidency. Students can play an online President for a Day game to understand the daily responsibilities, and then create job descriptions for the position. This site includes McRel standards. Some of the links require Flash or Media Player. You can get both from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
Have your students work in cooperative learning groups to explore this site around Presidents' Day.

Mr. President Grade 4 to 12 - Smithsonian Institution- 1471

The Smithsonian's presidential biographies resource offers basic biographical information and images on all American Presidents, along with highlights of their administrations. Useful for both its content and its comprehensiveness. The site offers some basic information about all presidents (Washington through Obama).

In the Classroom:
Use this site as a starting point for research projects. If you are teaching about the presidents, this site would be great on your projector or interactive whiteboard.

The President's Challenge Grade K to 12 - - 10265

Dating back to the 1950's, The President's Challenge is a motivating program that promotes physical activity to all Americans. Students take a pledge to do 30 minutes of activity, five times per week for six weeks. The website provides a log for students to record their activity and length of time. Once they have completed their six week challenge, they can submit their logs and earn rewards such as bronze, silver and gold medals and The President's Challenge badges. The site also provides a list of activities to choose from and information on the importance of physical fitness. Although the site mentions “Log-In,” at the time of this review all features of the site were available without having to log-in.

In the Classroom:
Challenge your individual classroom, school, or entire district to try The President's Challenge. Have younger students partner with older students to create a team affect. Classroom competitions such as jump rope contests, push-ups contests or silly relays can be loads of fun. Maintain statistics and results on the classroom homepage or district wide homepage. Students can record and maintain data on spreadsheets and present their findings with bar graphs and pictographs. Create a “Get Fit Wik” – a wiki for students to write about their weekly activities. Not familiar with wikis? Check out the Teacher’s First Wiki Walk-Through reviewed here.Provide this link on your class website for families to explore together.

Presidents' Day Grade 4 to 12 - Vocabulary University- 9911

Although this site appears "plain vanilla" there are lots of "sprinkles" that make this site terrific. There are several interactive word puzzles about presidents, a wordlist of about 40 words (perfect for teaching some new vocabulary words), an alphalary of even more "Presidential" vocabulary words, lesson plan ideas, links for more information, and more. Most of the puzzles are printable. This site does include some small advertisements.

In the Classroom:
Be sure to also check out the interactive word puzzles! Have students work in cooperative learning groups, divide up the vocabulary words, and have each group find the definitions for their assigned vocabulary words.

Have students research a president and locate a photo of the president. Challenge students to narrate the photo using VoiceThread (reviewed here). Have the groups share the photos and presidents on your interactive whiteboard or projector.

Presidents of the United States Grade 3 to 8 - - 3989

Although TeachersFirst doesn't typically review hotlists, this one provides a great deal of information on the presidents, Inauguration Day, the White House, and other "presidential" topics. There are printables, lesson plans (many with standards), photos, video clips, and more. The link Presidential Inaugurations lists countless resources to use in your classroom. Some of the links require Adobe Acrobat or Flash. You can get both from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
Have students use this site to investigate one aspect of the presidency as an Inauguration Day or Presidents Day project. Cooperative learning groups could choose a topic of interest and then create a wiki page or Bookemon book reviewed here on their topic.

The Presidents Grade 4 to 12 - George Welling- 1473

This Dutch site is an index of information on the presidents of the United States. Included are speeches, writings, and biographical information. Excellent resource for creating research reports.

In the Classroom:
Share the inauguration speeches with your students on President's Day.

Inauguration Day Events Grade 3 to 10 - Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies- 3600

This site shares Inauguration Day events: Morning Worship Service, Procession to the Capitol, Vice President's Swearing In Ceremony, President's Swearing In Ceremony, Inaugural Address, Departure of the Outgoing President, Inaugural Luncheon, Inaugural Parade, and the Inaugural Ball. Each topic has a Learn More link and provides authentic photos and historical information.

In the Classroom:
Share this site on your interactive whiteboard or projector on Inauguration Day. Divide your class into nine groups and have each group learn about one of the "events" of the day. Have the groups share their "event" with the class on a PowerPoint.

Like Father, Like Son: Presidential Families Grade K to 2 - National Endowment for the Humanities- 6624

This lesson plan examines America's only two father-and-son presidents – John Adams and John Quincy Adams, and George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush. Students investigate the role and responsibilities of the presidency while comparing and contrasting each father-son pair. Includes suggested activities and links to online material about the presidents. The lesson plan is aligned to standards.

In the Classroom:
Take advantage of this "ready to go" lesson plan, perfect for a President's Day celebration.

A Problem, A Penny, A President Grade K to 5 - Sandi King- 9068

This interactive site offers a short slide show about Lincoln. It all starts when Michael can't figure out how to take his papers home (he has no pockets). Lincoln pops out of a penny and teaches Michael about the 16th president (himself), the Civil War, the Lincoln Memorial, the penny, and a trick to take your papers home: put them in your hat! This site offers basic background information on the president and his legacy, perfect for even the youngest of students. The site has the option of reading the online story with text only or including audio. This site includes Florida standards.

In the Classroom:
Share the slide show on an interactive whiteboard or projector. Or have students work on individual laptops (or desktops) to listen to the story on their own. Since audio is available, even the youngest students can participate. What a fun way to celebrate Lincoln's 200th Birthday or Presidents’ Day! After viewing the slide show, have students write age-appropriate letters to Lincoln, asking him specific questions about topics highlighted in the slideshow. In younger grades, discuss the questions together and brainstorm a class list.

National First Ladies' Library Grade 6 to 12 - National First Ladies' Library- 9405

The wives of U.S. Presidents have often served a crucial, but unofficial and sometimes unrecognized, role in U.S. History. Hillary Clinton's recent run for the White House even prompted a spirited discussion of what her husband might be referred to if she became the first woman president.

The National First Ladies' Library, located in Canton, Ohio, is dedicated to teaching others about the contributions of the First Ladies of the United States, as well as other notable women in U.S. History. In fact, the library is housed in the former home of Ida Saxton McKinley, the wife of President William McKinley. The Library is both a physical resource, but also a comprehensive virtual library of information. The site contains biographies of US First Ladies, lesson plans, and a searchable timeline. There is an online catalog of the many resources available in the library itself; those who do not live nearby could still use the catalog to identify resources associated with former First Ladies. This site requires Adobe Acrobat. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
These resources might be useful to those doing First Lady biographies for Women's History Month or other famous Americans reports. Students doing more in-depth research for History Day projects will find the online catalog helpful. Check out the link to facts and trivia for a good First Ladies Trivia page.

If you were President Grade 5 to 8 - Scholastic- 5696

Students can have a taste of what it's like to occupy the highest office in the land with this clever, interactive activity. The site guides them through the process of selecting a cabinet, balancing a budget, responding to questions from the press, and reading reactions in the daily papers! A very thought provoking and enlightening site for helping kids understand the complex issues faced by America's presidents. This site requires Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
Have students work on individual computers and try out being the president. Can they balance the budget? Choose the ideal cabinet members?

Abraham Lincoln Grade 6 to 12 - American President - University of Virginia- 4892

This Lincoln page includes a quick fact sheet, a short biography, and links to additional information on Lincoln's advisors, administration, and accomplishments. It is part of a very complete collection of presidential resources that could be a staple of an American history curriculum.

At the bottom of the page you will find links to read Lincoln's most famous speeches. You have to scroll to his name. The list includes all presidents (up to G.W. Bush). You can also click to hear podcasts that are focused on Lincoln and the Civil War. The podcasts require Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
Use this site for basic research about Lincoln, to read his speeches, and to even learn more about the former president by listening to the podcasts. Share the podcasts and photos on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Have students write a fictitious blog entry through the eyes of Lincoln after reading one of his four famous speeches listed at this site.

Presidents' Day Page Grade 1 to 5 - Sheila A. Simmons- 2179

Here's a very simple pictorial introduction to the lives of Washington and Lincoln, created for California's SCORE program. Primary students will have no trouble navigating these pages and reading the simple descriptions. This site offers a slideshow with some authentic pictures of both famous presidents. Includes links to literature, class activities, bibliography, and related information. The class activities are ready to go and easy to follow. Most include standards, and all but two of the outside links were working at the time of this review.

In the Classroom:
This site is ideal for research projects or a quick President's day activity. Check out the class activities section for some "ready to go" lesson ideas (with standards). Share the slideshow on your interactive whiteboard or projector.

Inauguration Scrapbook Grade 3 to 12 - Inauguration Scrapbook.com- 4058

This site offers a very eclectic sampling of publicly-submitted photographs (slideshow) from the 2009 inauguration of President Obama. Photographs include captions, personal stories, items created to celebrate the event (for example, a skateboard), ice sculptures, and MANY others. If you plan to print any pictures, be sure to check on the permission to re-use. This site requires Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
Share this slideshow on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Choose a picture to use as a writing prompt. Share this site around President's Day. Have students find (or create) their own picture or photo of President Obama. Challenge students to narrate the photo using an online tool such as VoiceThread (reviewed here).

Beacon Learning Center Books On-line Grade 1 to 3 - Beacon Learning Center- 8694

Beacon Learning Center Books On-line offers several books relating to social studies topics such as Franklin Roosevelt, Thomas Jefferson, Christopher Columbus, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, the Declaration of Independence and many more historical events. Amid the social studies books is one on simple machines, as well. The on-line books consist of text and pictures. Students read at their own pace by choosing when to go to the next page. Some books have audio, so make sure the speakers are turned on.

In the Classroom:
The on-line books would provide wonderful non-fiction literature opportunities for center time or as an activity as part of your presidents unit. Weaker readers or learning support students will benefit from those with audio. The book topics make them great supplements for holidays such as Columbus Day and President's Day. Place the link on your teacher web page and assign the books as homework if your students have Internet access.

Abraham Lincoln for Primary Children Grade 1 to 5 - Mrs. Payton- 3302

Here's a site about Lincoln by and for elementary students. Easy for young ones to use, with just enough information to make it all interesting. This site is FULL of fun and educational activities to do as a class or for individual research: online quiz, full animation of the addition of states to the USA, "Ask Lincoln a Question" section, picture gallery, ready to go classroom activities, and an online treasure hunt! If you are preparing for the 200th birthday of Lincoln, President's Day, or research on the 16th president - don't miss this site.

In the Classroom:
This site takes out a lot of the "leg work" for teachers. Use your interactive whiteboard or projector to share the online quiz, animated activities, pictures, and more. Have students complete the online treasure hunt in cooperative learning groups. Challenge students to write their own questions to "Honest Abe."

President Lincoln's White House on Emancipation Day Visit Grade 3 to 8 - The White House Historical Association- 9933

Take your students on this colorful journey to the White House in 1863, the day that Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. Tad Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln's son, is your guide. Learn about the roles of congressmen, messengers, widows, diplomats, and society women/spies. Choose the proper attire from the 1860s. Learn more about famous Americans: Abraham Lincoln, Mary Todd Lincoln, Tad Lincoln, William Seward, Noah Brooks, Elizabeth Keckley, and several others. Use your arrow keys to explore the grounds and rooms of the White House. Authentic representations of sounds you may have heard in 1863 are sprinkled throughout the pages of this site. What a fabulous addition to President's Day, a unit on slavery, or any unit on the 1860s. This site does require Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
Share a brief introduction to this rich website on an interactive whiteboard or projector. Have students work with a partner and explore the MANY facets of this unique website. Have groups choose to research the roles of a congressman, messenger, widow, diplomat, or society woman/spy. After they have explored the site, have the groups create a fictitious wiki between the role they explored (congressman, messenger, etc..) and President Obama. What would the president say to these people from the past? What interactions would occur?

Marine One Grade 6 to 12 - Privately Published- 3472

This is a brief site about the helicopters that ferry the president to and from the White House and other locations. The text deals primarily with the various aircraft that have been used over the years to perform this task, but the images could be a nice addition to a report about a day in the life of the president.

In the Classroom:
Share this site with students interested in learning more about various air crafts. Correlate your science, history, and government lessons with this site.

Presidential Facts Grade 2 to 5 - Thinkquest- 4891

This student-created ThinkQuest site offers lots of elementary-level information about the various presidents, with links to other sources offering additional information. There is also information on the first ladies, an interesting list of presidential "firsts" and presidential puzzles and games. Loads of fun for elementary students. Nearly all of the links were working at the time of this review. This site included all presidents up to (and including) George W. Bush.

In the Classroom:
This is a nice starting point for basic presidential research. Some of these activities are ideal for your interactive whiteboard or projector.

The American Presidency - A Glorious Burden Grade 6 to 12 - Smithsonian Institution- 1469

The Smithsonian has created a nice, technically up-to-date introduction to the presidents which can be useful for middle and high school students. Middle schoolers can work directly with the time line and individual biographies, while older students may want to examine the presidents in the context of the historical eras which are also available on the site. Our link starts at the collection of Adobe Acrobat lesson plans that accompany this site; full navigation is available from the menu at the left. If you click on Activities you will find some great interactives. This site requires Flash and Adobe Acrobat. You can get both from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
This site is great to use for research projects or to find activity ideas for the entire class! Share the interactives on your projector or interactive whiteboard.

2008 Presidential Election Interactive Map and History of the Electoral College Grade 6 to 12 - 270 to win- 9237

If it's a college, why doesn't it have a football team? Unfortunately, that's about the level of understanding about the Electoral College among many students. Once student learn that we don't really elect presidents by popular vote, many are also quick to condemn the Electoral College as "stupid" or "unfair." This site might help teachers put the Electoral College and the process we use to determine our president into sharper focus. The interactive map is fairly simple, but can be adapted to show the peculiar way that "all or nothing" Electoral College voting state by state can affect the outcome of an election. We need look no further than the most recent 2004 election to see its impact in real terms. Users can highlight a particular state and get a historical view of electoral votes for the republican or democratic candidate in past presidential elections. Although the site will have usefulness beyond the 2008 election, it is currently featuring the progress of that race through the primaries and beyond with polling data.

Be aware: during election season, this site opens slowly. But it is well worth the wait. There is advertising on the site, but it is fairly unobtrusive. This website requires Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
Use the site on an interactive whiteboard to illustrate the impact of Electoral College voting on the election of the US President, both today and in the past. Perhaps we will finally raise a generation who completely understands the Electoral College and how it works!

The White House for Kids Grade 3 to 8 - White House- 1398

Presenting a view of the Executive Branch for elementary students, this site offers a thematic look at the White House, coupled with a regular rotation of special features. There's a lot here, and it's worth letting the kids explore.

In the Classroom:
Divide students into cooperative learning groups to explore the site. Have them explore the site, mainly the section on "Our Presidents." Assign each student group a president, and have them read and research the information provided about him from the site. To show what they have learned, have students create online posters on paper or do it together as a class using a tool such as Project Poster (reviewed here or PicLits (reviewed here. This site would be particularly useful around President's Day weekend, or during a unit in a civics class that focused on the role of Commander-in-chief!

BigDialog.org Grade 9 to 12 - eCitizenship Foundation and MIT eCitizenship Program- 9801

BigDialog.org has become the premier site for Americans to voice their concerns to President Obama. Your government or civics students will enjoy listening to and reading statements from the citizens of the USA as they relate to current hot topics. Because President Obama’s savvy use of the internet during his campaign, this website promises that he will be checking here to take the pulse of America’s heart beat. The opinions expressed are genuine and may be inappropriate in the classroom, so preview. As with any site with a public forum, you will need to check your school's Acceptable Use Policy for security reasons. This site requires Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
Imagine this site as the neighbors next door, who are voicing their concern over civic matters. This site gives a substantial voice of concern and can give your students bountiful ideas for research topics. Share the videos (previewed, of course!) on an interactive whiteboard or projector. Have cooperative learning groups create their own videos voicing their concerns. Send a few of the videos to BigDialog. (Be sure to obtain parental permission first)!

Speak Out- PBS Kids Go! Grade 1 to 6 - PBS and National Black Programming Consortium's - 9800

PBS Go’s Speak Out encourages your students to have a voice about civic issues. Students submit ideas they would like to discuss with President Obama. Putting democracy to work, students vote on which ideas they like best. The winning issues are featured at this site in the form of video or written message to the President. The digital messages will change over time, depending on the youth’s changing concerns and recommended solutions. At the time of this review the issues included: Our Earth, Our School, and Staying Healthy. Your students vote on which of the three is the most pertinent issue in their lives. They also may leave comments that may be published online at this site. Check your school’s Acceptable Use Policy regarding posting students’ work, photos, or videos. And be sure to obtain parental permission. This site requires Flash. You can get it at the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
Make a “Speak Out” bulletin board, and videotape your students as they speak out on issues that relate to your school, community, and nation. Issues may be submitted for voting by going to Big Dialog (explained here). Click on the ‘About’ link at this site for submission voting information.

Mrs. President: From Martha to Laura Grade K to 12 - Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum- 3523

This downloadable PDF file offers very detailed lesson plans and classroom activities about the first ladies of America. There are lesson plans for grades K-3, 3-6, 6-12, and 9-12. The lesson plans all include Illinois standards, objectives, thinking questions, and explicit instructions. Some of the lessons include Dining Like a President, First Kids, Design a First Lady, How do they Compare, & First Ladies and the Media: Public Image and Private Influence. The site requires Adobe Acrobat. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
Use these lessons during February as you celebrate President's Day. Have students complete research on the topic of the lesson (for example, the "Design a First Lady"). Then challenge students to create a multimedia presentation, a blog entry from the first lady whom the student researched, or a fictitious audio or video discussion between the current first lady and the "designed" first lady. Have a class discussion on what Mary Todd Lincoln would write if she could email (or text) Michelle Obama.

Presidential Biographies and Portraits Grade 4 to 12 - The White House- 3447

The "official" biographies of the nation's presidents, as contained on the White House web site. This site is up to date, easy to use, and includes a wealth of information. There is an interesting picture slide show of all of the presidents.

In the Classroom:
Share the slide show or other information with your class on an interactive whiteboard or projector. Use this site for great research information directly from the White House.

Meet Amazing Americans Grade 1 to 8 - The Library of Congress- 9665

This site offers some basic research on MANY "Amazing" Americans. Click to learn more about "Amazing" Leaders & Statesmen, U.S. Presidents, Activists & Reformers, Adventurers & Explorers, Musicians & Composers, Writers & Artists, Industrialists & Entrepreneurs, Scientist & Inventors, or Athletes and Entertainers. Be prepared: when you click on one of the topics you may have a few people pop up OR more names than you can count! This is an excellent site for research, teaching students about American heroes, or using to enhance your social studies, science, or music curriculum. There are pictures, information, and even some interactives. There are also links to a Presidential Scavenger Hunt, a "Dynamite Presidents" interactive, and other "extras." Some of the activities require Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
This site could be used throughout the entire year. Why not highlight a "hero of the week." Share the information on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Have students write diary entries (or blogs) from the perspective of the "hero of the week." Use this site for individual research projects and have students create multimedia presentations about their hero: a Powerpoint, website, blog, wiki, or video. This site can be used in more than just social studies topics. Music classes, science classes, and gifted classes can also benefit from the many research areas.

White House Kids Sports Grade 4 to 8 - White House- 8368

The close relationship between promoting physical fitness and the White House can be followed through four links at this site: Baseball and the Presidents, Athletic Teams visiting the White House, the Tee Ball Tournament on the White House lawn, and the Fitness Initiative. This site requires Adobe Acrobat and Media Player. You can get both from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
Health and PE teachers can collaborate with classroom teachers and present White House-related health initiatives while students are learning about the presidency in the classroom. Classroom and PE teachers may ask students to write reports on the various athletes that have been honored by the President. Your students might also enjoy accessing this site from home, so share it on your teacher web page.

Maps of War Grade 9 to 12 - - 8009

This site offers a collection of Flash presentations that illustrate geopolitical aspects of war and religion. It's an eclectic mix: one animation traces the spread of world religions over time and over a world map. Another looks at the American death tolls associated with each U.S. conflict and associates the President and political party associated with each war. A third examines the various political entities that have held territory in the Middle East. Visually, the animations are fabulous, but in order to be more than good looking, they would need to be paired with significant teacher context-setting, which is not presented on the site. For example, what does it mean that there have been more U.S. casualties in wars under Presidents who were Democrats than in wars under Republican Presidents? That factoid is the subject of one of the animations. The creator of the site does not name him/herself, saying only that the animations are intended to be unbiased and factual.

In the Classroom:
The animations would be stunning on an interactive whiteboard or projector, and teachers doing a unit on world religions or trying to backfill a history of Iraq would find certain presentations very useful. Be sure to click "View Full Screen" to fill your projector or whiteboard screen. American history teachers could use the animation on U.S. wars and casualties as an overview. The animations can be streamed from the site, or the whole package can be downloaded for use locally. On the whole, however, the site still leaves questions: Why these topics? Despite claims to the contrary, is there a political message here somewhere? Be sure to open this discussion with your students, as well. Since the site has "professional looking" glitz, should we believe it without any knowledge of its creator? If not, how can we check its accuracy?

United States District Court Grade 2 to 8 - Western District of North Carolina- 7188

This social studies/government site is simply amazing! Numerous topics abound: current events, monthly highlights, lessons, interactives, and more. Learn the story of America, the branches of the US government, about the FBI, The Great US Seal, and much more. Try some of the interactives like the Native American Quiz, Constitution Jeopardy, Million Dollar Citizen, Presidential Word Search, and several others. Some of the activities and printables require Adobe Acrobat and/or Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
Use this site to excite your students about U.S. government! If you are teaching anything about the government, constitution, presidents, or various other social studies topics - you are likely to find some lesson ideas at this site. Share the information and activities on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Use this site for research projects. Have students create fictitious blogs “by” the presidents they learn about (written from the president's perspective). Culminate your unit on the US government with a visit to your county court house!

The American Presidency Grade 5 to 12 - Encyclopedia Britannica- 5445

This site provides concise information about the men who have held the nation's highest office, their first ladies, and the complex job of the American president. Historical election results, descriptions of political parties, and a gallery of documents related to the presidency are also included. Investigate the audio and video features - where you’ll find some true gems! Watch a video of Nixon discussing Watergate, see JFK deliver his NASA speech, view Ronald Reagan’s Berlin Wall Speech, and see many animated videos from Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and more!!

There is also a link about the famous 2008 Election. Learn about the candidates and election results. Some of the videos, animations, and audio require Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
Use this site to research candidates in the upcoming elections, and presidents of the past. Have students create a wiki to discuss the candidates viewpoints and if the students agree or disagree. Challenge students to create a political "blog" as a mock candidate. Have a "mock" presidential race in your class (using the mock candidates created by your students). Have the "candidates" go on the campaign trail, research the issues, and provide their solutions to America's problems.

American Heritage Education Foundation, Inc. Grade K to 12 - The American Heritage Education Foundation- 3423

Social studies, history, and government teachers - be warned - this site may be the best FREE gift you receive this year. To sum it up in one word - WOW! The highlight of this site is ready-to-go lesson plans (with standards) divided by age level (elementary, middle, and high school). These FREE lesson plans are available online via a PDF file or you may order a FREE CD (they say it is a $150 value).

The elementary topics range from Colonial America to U.S. Presidents (with a focus on George Washington) to the History of Thanksgiving to The Pledge of Allegiance and MANY others. The middle school topics include the Declaration of Independence, Our National Documents, The Gettysburg Address, Religious Expression in School, and several others. The high school topics vary from the Mayflower, to Federalists 47, the First Amendment, and more. Each grade level also includes lessons on character education.

In addition to the wonderful lesson plans, the site also highlights the four themes of the foundation: Unity, Progress, Freedom, and Responsibility. There are also links to some fantastic social studies sites and a wealth of research information about America. Some of the lesson plans and printables require Adobe Acrobat. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
Obviously, the lesson plans are useful for all grade levels. Take advantage of these free resources. Many include printable activities for your students to try out. Although the site isn't highly interactive, it does have some great ideas to incorporate into your class to bring history alive.

Make the lesson plans more "technologically advanced" by having students create a wiki or blog entry. Have your high school students complete the lesson on the First Amendment and then have them have a virtual debate about the First Amendment via a class wiki. Have your elementary students complete the lesson on U.S. Presidents and then have each student write a blog entry pretending to be one of the presidents (a great mini-research project). Have your middle school students complete the lesson on the Gettysburg Address and then try to create their own "Address" to talk about the current state of our nation. Have them share their "Address" on a video using YouTube or or TeacherTube (explained here).

Lincoln Bicentennial: 1809-2009 Grade K to 12 - Library of Congress- 1564

If you are preparing for Lincoln's 200th birthday or a unit about the 16th President of the United States, check out this site. Designed for students in all grades, there is an interactive timeline, online quiz, podcasts, detailed lesson plans for all grades K-12 (with standards), printable pages, research information, suggested literature for all ages, information about the Civil War, Gettysburg, and more! Much of the site requires Flash; some of the printables require Adobe Acrobat. You can get both from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
Be sure to save this site in your favorites! Share the interactive timeline, online quiz, and podcasts using your projector or interactive whiteboard. Use this site for research about our 16th President. Have students create a blog from Lincoln's point of view (or from a slave's point of view AFTER the Emancipation Proclamation). Use the lesson plans designed for the grades that you teach. (Don't miss the history, language arts and writing, and art lessons).

TeachersFirst: Lesson Ideas for Lincoln Grade 1 to 12 - TeachersFirst- 9747

For Lincoln's birthday or any time of year, here are ideas to better acquaint students with the life, times, and work of the 16th president of the United States. These ideas feature both technology-enhanced lessons and non-tech experiences. Choose from the lesson titles (sorted by level) to find lesson ideas best suited to your students and the subjects you teach.

In the Classroom:
No matter what subject you teach, you can find something to fit in your plans for Presidents Day or the Lincoln Bicentennial. Use these ideas and adapt at will. You can even email an idea to your teacher colleague to save a friend time!

George Washington Grade 6 to 12 - American Presidents - University of Virginia- 4893

This George Washington page includes a quick fact sheet, a short biography, and links to additional information on Washington's advisors, administration, and accomplishments. It is part of a very complete collection of presidential resources that could be a staple of an American history curriculum. Some of the activities require Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
Use this site for research projects about the United States first president! Share this site on an interactive whiteboard or projector as an introduction to this unit or as review. On the site are copies of some of Washington's speeches that the Miller Center has put in transcript form. One that would be especially useful is the "Farewell Address," that came to influence US Foreign Policy through WWI. Share the speech on the interactive whiteboard or projector, and have students either read it aloud in pieces or individually. Even parts of the address incorporated into a lecture would help illustrate to students US isolationism and the resonating effect of the speech in other areas of Foreign Policy.

TimeRime Grade 2 to 12 - Marijn Bom, Jaap Joziasse, Gerard Pastwa, and Pico Wilbrenninck- 9679

TeachersFirst Edge Entry: for moderately adventurous technology users. TimeRime.com allows you to view, create, and share interactive timelines. Use this site to search for user-created timelines about Barack Obama, and other past U.S. presidents, the sound of Motown, the history of Coca-Cola, Modern Thai Politics, and countless other topics. Use the search options at the top or bottom of the page to narrow your search. There is also the option to create your own unique timeline and share it by URL or by embedding in your class blog, wiki, or web page. To create a timeline you MUST register at the site. This requires a username, password, and your email address. The timelines require Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
Skills Needed: If you only plan to VIEW timelines, no extra skills are needed. If you plan to create a timeline, you must register. Registration requires a username, password, and email address. To create a timeline, click on the Create Your Own Timeline link and follow the step-by-step directions. You must open the email sent to your account (from TimeRime) before you can create your timeline. The email does not automatically "appear." So you will want to register several hours (or even the day before) you wish to use this tool with your students.

Safety/Security Concerns: You must register to create a timeline. Registration requires a password and email address. Tip: rather than using your personal or work email, create a free Gmail account to use for memberships. If you plan to have students register individually, You may want to create your own Gmail account with up to 20 subaccounts for each group of students (by code name or number) within your classes. Here is a blog post that tells how to set up GMail subaccounts to use for any online membership service.

Possible Uses: There are many uses for the already created timelines: use your interactive whiteboard or projector to learn about the history of Motown during music class, research presidents and other famous people, learn about historical events, research literature, and more. Have students create timelines for research projects using TimeRime. Use this tool to make a timeline of your class’ school year for younger classes who are just learning the graphical representation of time. Create author biographies, animal life cycles, or timelines of events and causes of wars. Create a historical time line, scanning old pictures or using copyright free images from the Library of Congress American Memory Collection. Other ideas: artists, musicians, writers from a certain period in history, the twentieth century in different countries, World War II timeline, Civil War timeline, timeline of insect stages, timeline of the rock cycle, of a plant or tree, timeline or life cycle of migratory animals, personal timelines-- suitable for younger students only if they work with a teacher account. Have them create a timeline of the plot of a novel, interspersed with the ways themes appear throughout the novel. If you read Dickens, be SURE to create a timeline of the many intertwined characters, such as Estella and Pip in Great Expectations! If you teach chemistry, have students create illustrated sequences explaining oxidation or reduction (or both). Elementary students could even interview grandparents and create a class timeline about their grandparents’ generation for Grandparents' Day. Why not create a timeline highlighting students' family events for a special gift for Mother's Day, Father's Day, or other holidays? You may need to assign students to do some investigative work first (years of births, marriages, vacations, etc.). For collaboration, link up with another classroom in another town (or another country) to build a time line that shares events in each local area so students can see what was happening at the same time in another location, maybe in the opposite hemisphere (compare weather and seasons!). In world language classes, have students create a timeline of their family in the language to master vocabulary about relatives, jobs, and more (and verb tenses!). The possibilities are endless!

Social Studies for Kids Grade 1 to 8 - - 8636

This is a general "go-to" website all about social studies. There is information about current events, culture, holidays, languages, religion, economics, geography, maps, government, U.S. presidents, timelines, and many other social studies topics. The highlight of this website is the Current Events segment. This is an easy way to incorporate age-appropriate current events in your classroom.
Note: an annoying audio ad plays when you first enter the site. Turn OFF your sound!

In the Classroom:
Use the current events segment as weekly discussion starter or assignment in your social studies class. Share this link on your teacher web page for students to access outside of class. To really build a stronger sense of current events, start a class year-long current events "log" on a wiki and have a differnet student write a "week in review" each week throughout the year, based on the current events provided here or others he/she may know about. Reading teachers may also want to use the articles on this site to teach informational text reading skills on an interactive whiteboard. Reading levels are challenging for grades 1-3. Teachers will need to provide help by reading aloud or partnering readers.

Elementary Social Studies Grade K to 5 - BCISD- 8200

The lesson plans at this website are amazing and ready to go! Each lesson plan incorporates technology to teach the students about various social studies topics. Most of the lesson plans include standards (state of Michigan), assessments, explicit details and a ton of activities. There are over 30 lesson plans. The unique topics include a lot about the state of Michigan plus other topics such as Alaska and the Iditarod, famous people, research, U.S. regions, Hawaii, an interactive atlas, consumers, Laura Ingalls Wilder and pioneer life, presidents, money and many other social studies topics. This site requires Flash. Get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page..

In the Classroom:
This site offers wonderful lesson plans. Get your interactive whiteboards ready and utilize these free and ready to go activities. There are printables, interactives, discussion topics, assessments and many other resources that are useful in any elementary social studies class.

Debating Our Destiny Grade 8 to 12 - MacNeil/Lehrer- 5098

This site presents the presidential debates of the past through the eyes of those who were there. Video clips of debates from 1976 through 1996 are provided along with reflective commentary from the former presidents on their individual performances. The "Behind the Podium" section offers some revealing information about debate preparation and the differences between debate formats (formal vs. town hall). This would be an excellent resource to explore with your students before this year’s presidential debates. Use it to generate discussion and encourage analysis.

White House Historical Association Grade 1 to 12 - - 5071

This entertaining and informational site about that famous residence on Pennsylvania Avenue is filled with something for everyone. Younger students can focus on the colors and shapes found throughout this historic home while meeting some "first kids" and famous "first pets." Older students can listen to audio clips of presidents during the last century, take several outstanding White House tours, and discover many historic treasures located throughout this famous home. Elementary and Middle School students will love the informational and interactive "Bird Watching Expedition," led by Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, Teddy Roosevelt and several other animated presidential personalities.

In the Classroom:
Use this site to provide background information for a unit on 19th and 20th century American history, to form the basis of a lesson or unit on the American presidency, or as a stand-alone enrichment activity for your history classroom. Lesson plans in printable PDF formats are available for all grade levels

Get Active Stay Active - on HOLD Grade 6 to 12 - President’s Challenge- 5035

Couch potatoes, look out! This site encourages middle and high school students to get moving by providing them with resources that will motivate and encourage. Students can record their physical activity (measured in minutes or steps on a pedometer) in an on-line fitness journal. By racking up 60 minutes or more each day, students can qualify for prizes and awards. Teachers can even involve an entire class by registering online for the President’s Challenge.

Presidential Baseball Grade 6 to 12 - Northwestern University- 4241

You’ll need to be a real baseball fan to avoid striking out at this online game that compares presidents and baseball players. The players are mostly obscure, but even a good guess or two makes this one fun. It’s done by the folks who created Northwestern University’s Oyez, Oyez about the Supreme Court. Different, but worth a visit. This site require Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
Divide your class into two teams and play a round of Presidential Baseball! Share the questions on an interactive whiteboard or projector.

Presidential Biographies Grade 4 to 12 - IPL- 3445

Though the title is probably misleading, this site's collection of information about the presidencies of our nation's leaders has plenty of facts, but little context. One of the more interesting features are the links to historical documents from different presidencies. This one's useful for very basic research, but it lacks the "who did what" aspects that can make history really interesting.

In the Classroom:
Because this is a very organized presentation of the presidents, it would be extremely easy to compare presidents about very specific points. This would be useful in a class discussion of political party differences, campaign spending & finance, and legislation decisions. For comparison purposes, we recommend using an online Venn Diagram to be used on the interactive whiteboard or projector. Use an online tool such as Interactive Two Circle Venn Diagram (reviewed here).

6th Grade Home Page Grade 5 to 7 - Kidport- 3408

This site, created by Kidport for sixth grade students, offers links to lessons and activities in math, science, social studies, language arts, creative arts, and a reference library. Some of the subject areas only offer one or two activities, while others offer several. Some examples of topics include adding and subtracting decimals, angles, human body (heart, bones, muscles, and more), vertebrates, invertebrates, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Rome, Ancient Greece, the structure of the U.S. government, U.S. constitution, presidents, homophones, contractions, drawing, and others.

This site offers a variety of interactive elements (online quizzes, interactive maps and diagrams, and other learning exercises). Some of the pages do have advertisements, but they are not distractive. This site requires Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
Check out the unique mix available at this website. Share it with your students on an interactive whiteboard or projector. Use this site for enrichment, learning stations, or as a whole class activity. List this site on your class website for students to use for additional practice at home.

7th Grade Home Page Grade 6 to 8 - Kidport- 3406

This site, created by Kidport for seventh grade students, offers links to lessons and activities in math, science, social studies, language arts, creative arts, and a reference library. Some of the subject areas only offer one or two activities, while others offer several. Some examples of topics include adding and subtracting decimals, angles, human body (heart, bones, muscles, and more), vertebrates, invertebrates, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Rome, Ancient Greece, the structure of the U.S. government, world geography, U.S. constitution, presidents, kinds of verbs, kinds of nouns, sentence structure, drawing, and others.

This site offers a variety of interactive elements (online quizzes, interactive maps and diagrams, and other learning exercises). Some of the pages do have advertisements, but they are not distractive. This site requires Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
Check out the eclectic mix of activities available at this website. Share it with your students on an interactive whiteboard or projector. Use this site for enrichment during certain units, learning stations, or as a whole class activity. List this site on your class website for students to use for additional practice at home.

AmericaReads Challenge: Ready Set Read Early Childhood Learning Kit Grade 1 to 3 - US Government- 330

Grades Pre-K-3 - Ready Set Read activity guides for families and caregivers provide ideas to help young ones learn about language with age appropriate activities. This site stems from President Clinton’s challenge to help improve reading levels for all American children and to have all children reading by the end of the third grade. The kit has comprehensive, with activities and games to help teach language skills. It is excellent for first time parents and those going into teaching early childhood. Materials and resources for families are also available in Spanish. A letter from Secretary Shalala explaining the site and giving details about the President’s plans for young readers is included. The American Library Association’s book list for young readers is also published. From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

If You Were President Grade 3 to 8 - Scholastic- 9418

Do you think you have what it takes to be the President? Students choose their advisors from profiles offered, balance a budget, propose the budget, and are interviewed by the press. The final, printable page presents a newspaper highlighting the student’s presidency and choices. This site requires Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
If possible, have your students work on individual computers to complete this presidential assignment. Have students print off their newspaper page and share them with the class. Extend the assignment by having them create a newspaper with similar articles about a real presidential candidate and what he/she might do if elected.

Grading on a Curve Grade 6 to 12 - New York Times- 6530

Just how effective are the six key issues of President Bush's domestic agenda? This lesson gives students a chance to assume the role of political analyst as they critically examine the Bush administration. The goal is to create a report card addressing the efficacy of selected domestic topics. Includes suggestions for interdisciplinary activities and projects. Aligned to standards.

Virtual Freedom Shrine Grade 7 to 12 - National Exchange Club- 5910

This searchable, no-frills site brings together thirty historical documents that were instrumental in creating the freedoms enjoyed by Americans. It's all here - the Mayflower Compact, the 19th Amendment, Martin Luther King, Jr,'s "I have a dream" speech, and much more. Good reference site for a history or civics class.

In the Classroom:
Have each student in your class research one of these documents or speeches. Challenge students to create a multi-media presentation: PowerPoint, blog, wiki, or video. Share these documents around Martin Luther King's birthday or President's Day.

How Air Force One Works Grade 4 to 12 - Howstuffworks- 3471

For the fans of Presidential gadgets, Air Force One is the ultimate. Here's a site that really does explain how the president's jet functions and what it looks like on the inside. Lots of text, images, and animations will make this one attractive for curious airplane fans.

The life of Abraham Lincoln Grade 4 to 12 - History Place- 3300

Although this site is "plain vanilla," it offers some nice research information and photos of five "Lincoln" topics: Lincoln Becomes President, the Emancipation Proclamation, the Battle of Gettysburg, the Kansas-Nebraska Act, and the Dred Scott Decision. Nearly all of this site is displayed in a timeline format. There are some basic advertisements at this site, nothing too distracting.

In the Classroom:
Have students recreate their own "Lincoln timeline" highlighting one are of Lincoln's life and legacy. Have students work in cooperative learning groups to create interactive timelines using a tool such as XTimeline (explained here).

Illinois Lincoln Bicentennial Commission Grade K to 12 - Illinois Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission- 1539

This site, designed for older students and adults, offers a wealth of information about the 16th President of the USA. There are "Lincoln Links" for more information, celebration ideas (for the bicentennial), Lincoln organizations, and more. This site is best suited for research projects, although the Celebration Ideas offer 101 exciting ways for students of ALL grade levels to celebrate the 200th birthday of one of the United State's greatest leaders. Some of the links and information require Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
Use this site to take your middle and high school students on a walk in Lincoln's shoes. Share his home, legacy, photos, and more on your projector or interactive whiteboard. Try something new to excite your students about learning history: create a blog, wiki, video, website, or PowerPoint presentation.

If you teach ANY level, don't miss the Celebration Ideas. There are activities listed for grades K-12. They are ready to go and mostly easy to do. There are 101 to choose from!

White House Kids Learn About Traditions Grade 2 to 6 - White House- 8366

View pictures and read lively text about three seasons at the White House: Easter, Christmas and Thanksgiving. Learn about "first pets." This site includes all presidents through President Obama. Traditional holiday fun is presented in such a way that all students, regardless of religious background, will not be offended. Various activities on this site require Windows Media Player, QuickTime, or Real Player. You can get all from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
Teachers can use a Venn Diagram to illustrate differences/similarities of cross-culture holidays or make comparisons on a personal level. As a creative writing assignment, students could create their own drama using their personal pets and favorite holiday instead.

Brainflips Grade K to 12 - Brainflips, Inc.- 10271

Teachers First Edge Review: For the slightly adventurous. Use this free web site to create flashcards for teacher or individual student use. There is also a link to “Study Flashcards” that are already ready to go. There are literally HUNDREDS of ready to go flashcard packets: presidents, addition, algebra, music, and more.

If you are creating your own, you can add images, video, or audio. Study flashcards online or share with others in created study groups. Use flashcards to learn new information (question and answer are side by side,) study (shows the question and then the answer,) or quiz themselves by entering answers. Create a game with the flashcards by using a timer and score board on the site. Share flashcard sets with others by sending a URL address or create study groups to share. View public flashcards created by others by using their search feature.

In the Classroom:
Skills needed: You can access the already created flashcards without any account, email, or age requirements. However, if you wish to create flashcards, an email and birth date is required to create an account. Users must be 13 years of age or older. Verifying email is required to create flashcards.

Using Brainflips: Use the Deck panel to enter flashcard deck title and other basic information. Use the Card panel to add, edit, and change the order of the flashcards in the deck. Create text or multiple choice answers for each flashcard and even enter alternative answers. Click "Insert" above the question field to add images, audio, and video to flashcards.

Safety/Security: Since an email and birth date are required, consider creating a class account for teacher use or for groups of students to use. Create teacher flashcards for class use by creating card decks and providing the URL for students to use. The home page of this site includes changing “featured” content contributed by the general public. Check ahead of time to be sure it is suitable for the classroom. You may want to send students to the flashcards via a direct link to the deck. You may want to prohibit or point out the links to advertising located along the top and sides of the site. Students must have individual accounts to create flashcards on their own(email required). Check your school policies about accessing/sharing student email on school computers. You may want to create your own Gmail account with up to 20 subaccounts for each group of students (by code name or number) within your classes. Here is a blog post that tells how.

Possible uses: Facts, spelling words, vocabulary, definitions, foreign language, root words, historical names -— all can easily be typed into this flashcard format for any subject. Plan a system of tags for sets on related material so they can be grouped. For example: tag all geography terms "geography" and all words from the same science chapter using the chapter number or topic. You can use multiple tags, too! In the computer lab, using a projector or interactive whiteboard, walk your students through making their own sets of flashcards or using teacher created flashcards for student and group use. Students or parents can then access their electronic cards at home or anywhere with a specific URL that can be placed on any teacher blog or website. No email address is needed to use the cards, only to create the cards. Include the link to your sets on your web page for students to study before tests. Collaborate with other teachers to create useful sets for all to use. Rotate responsibility each marking period among student groups in your class to create a set for each chapter/unit/week for the rest of the class to use as review. Give a special award (or bonus points) for the most creative, complete set that marking period. Learning support teachers may want to work together with small student groups to create verbal and visual card sets to accompany the chapters they are studying. Involve the students in the process so they can reinforce new content as they create their own “study materials” with color coding, images, and more.

Lincoln Bicentennial Grade 4 to 12 - Vocabulary University- 9914

This site offers several interactive word puzzles, a 50 word vocabulary wordbank, and more. All activities relate to Lincoln. Most of the puzzles are printable. This site does include some unobtrusive advertisements.

In the Classroom:
Be sure to check out the interactive word puzzles! Have students work in cooperative learning groups, divide up the vocabulary words, and have each group find the definitions for their assigned vocabulary words.

Have students locate a picture of Lincoln. Challenge students to narrate the picture using VoiceThread (reviewed here). Have the groups share the photos and presidents on your interactive whiteboard or projector.

Lincoln's 200th birthday coincides with Obama inauguration Grade 6 to 12 - The Earth Times- 9720

This website is essentially a news article highlighting the inauguration of Barack Obama (the first African-American president in U.S. history) and the celebration of the 200th birthday of Abraham Lincoln. This article compares the two American heroes. The theme of Obama's inauguration is Lincoln and how the two men are similar. Both took office during critical times in U.S. history, both faced huge challenges, both are from the state of Illinois, and both are known for their inspirational speeches.

In the Classroom:
Share this article with your students. Have your class compare Lincoln and Obama. If they both had cellular phones, what do you think they might text to each other? Have students research the two men and then create a fictitious wiki that the men might have written back and forth to one another. Have students write their own articles comparing the two men.

Election Tools For Teachers Grade K to 12 - Google for Educators- 9566

Are you looking for some innovative lessons and activities to help your students understand the election and Electoral College? Google has created this multi-faceted website that includes activities for all grade levels. Although the site looks "plain vanilla," in this case, looks are very deceiving. This is hands-down one of the best election sites available. Highlights of the site include an interactive Electoral College Map, a link for the National Student/Parent Mock Election, YouTube YouChoose videos, and even activities to encourage your students to express their own political opinions (for example, Letters to the Next President or YouTube:Broadcast Yourself). The YouTube: Broadcast Yourself is only available to students over the age of 13. This broadcast allows students to express their opinions about the election and politics through videos created by themselves! The YouTube handbook offers tips on producing these student-created videos. Be sure to get parental permission before videotaping any student.

If your school blocks streaming video sites, consider accessing this site and choosing videos at home, using a tool such as Vixy (explained here) to bring them in for class use. The activities at this site require Flash and Adobe Acrobat. You can get both from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
Use the interactive map of the Electoral College to help students understand how it works. Have students predict who will win in each state (based on previous results and polls). Sign your class up for the mock election, so your students have the chance to voice their vote! Share the YouTube videos on an interactive whiteboard or projector. Use this site to explore the candidates and their views. Have students (if over the age of 13) use the YouTube: Broadcast Yourself option to create their own videos about the issues and candidates, or collaborate with their classmates to create and upload a political discussion or class debate. Share the student-created videos on a projector or interactive whiteboard.

Images of American Political History Grade 5 to 12 - Dr. William J. Ball- 9134

Bring two centuries of American history and politics to life with these high-quality, black and white photographs of people and events. Beyond showing the faces of politicians and the famous, this collection chronicles average people who quietly contributed to the times. The collection’s greatest strengths lie in the World War II, Cold War, and Civil Rights eras. The photographs are drawn from government sources and are in the Public Domain, which means they are copyright-free. Images can be browsed by keyword, topic or era.

In the Classroom:
Have students use these images for illustrated timelines on women’s rights, civil rights, World War II, and American presidents. Use any of the images of war workers to spark discussions on how conflict affects the non-combatants, the economy, and industrialization.

Download the images, insert them into a Word document, print and photocopy a page to give to each student. Ask students to write a few questions they have about the person, people, or events in the photograph. Or share the images on your blog or a class wiki for students to respond. Use these questions to further the research and discussions into the era of choice.

U.S. Presidential Speeches Tag Cloud Grade 9 to 12 - Chirag Mehta- 8534

SHOW your students the changes in U.S. presidential politics and policy over time using this "tag cloud" of word frequencies from presidential speeches (and a few before we even HAD a president) 1776-2007. If you have never seen a tag cloud, it is simply a way of using the relative size of words to show the frequency with which that word appears. Slide the slider across the timeline at the top of the tag cloud to see words appear, shrink, disappear, etc from the language of U.S. leaders over time. Note the introduction of new terms (terrorism) and when they appear. What a marvelous way to build perspective on history and awareness of the importance of rhetoric in the role of a leader.

In the Classroom:
Share the tag cloud on a projector-- or ideally interactive whiteboard-- as you ask students to hypothesize about the words that appear at key times: the start of a war, after Sept 11, etc. Then include the link on your teacher web page so you can assign them (in or out of class) to write an essay or prepare a visual presentation explaining why certain terms were vital in the political and policy landscape of the times. Using primary sources from the Library of Congress American Memory Collection, students can create multimedia (PowerPoint or video) shows "portraying" a year, decade, or era and the importance of its tagged words (Word art would make a great way to show the words on screen).

With the 2008 presidential election quickly approaching, have students analyze presidential speeches and create their own Speech Tag Clouds about the message. Or have students create a "mock" candidate and then design a "tag cloud" about the candidate.

Note that this tag cloud site DOES identify its sources-- something you want to be sure to highlight to your students. Then ask if students think the choice of sources is the best possible--should it include others?

The Democracy Project Grade 3 to 8 - PBS Kids- 7776

Designed for grades 3-6, this interactive site could easily be used in part with 7th and 8th grades, as well. The three main sections: Be President for a Day, How Does Government Affect Me, and Step Inside the Voting Booth, provide opportunities for students to see the impact of government in their lives and the impact of people on government. They will also learn about the structure of local, state, and federal government.

In the Classroom:
The site is designed for students to explore and participate on their own. Start out with a preview on a projector or interactive whiteboard, then allow students to explore with or without a partner, trying to find answers to specific questions or even write questions of their own! Students can make choices and "vote" in several places. See Classroom Resources for specific lesson ideas and interdisciplinary connections.

Trading Card Maker Grade 4 to 12 - - 7331

TeachersFirst Edge Entry: for more adventurous technology users. Create photo trading cards using images you upload or store on Flickr. Imagine having your students create study aides about famous people using images they draw and scan or photos of themselves impersonating the famous people, such as presidents, explorers, authors, and more. If you celebrate reading by having an "author's tea," why not follow up by asking students to make trading cards for the authors they "met"? Use a similar approach for famous historical figures or even for geometric shapes you photograph with the digital camera. If students write their own "biographies" of the shapes to study from, they will learn for sure! They can even trade each other for favorites.

In the Classroom:
Skills needed: join the site (free), upload and tag your photos. type information, print cards. This is also an excellent idea for special occasions for special people: mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, school nurse, school secretary, school custodian, favorite aunt, or anyone else! Be sure to print onto cover stock and laminate (if possible). What fabulous (and memorable) gifts.

Hawaii's Marine Monument Grade 6 to 12 - NOAA- 6649

On June 15, 2006, President Bush announced creation of a huge, new marine national monument in the atoll of islands at the northwest tip of Hawaii. The new monument includes a stunning collection of marine life, much of which exists nowhere else on earth. The site also contains Midway Island, which played a critical part in the Pacific theater of World War II. This site probivdes background on the new monument.

Cover Art: The Time Magazine Collection Grade 9 to 12 - National Portrait Gallery- 6292

This impressive collection of magazine cover art represents some of the world's most compelling personalities and some of Time's most memorable art work. You'll find portraits of queens, presidents, popes, athletes, and entertainers – the famous as well as the infamous. Each portrait is accompanied by brief biographical information and sound clips.

Lincoln Goes to War Grade 7 to 12 - National Endowment for the Humanities- 6066

Get inside of the mind of our sixteenth president with this thoughtful lesson plan that analyzes the complex factors that led to the Civil War. Using primary source documents, students become part of the decision-making process as they consider the critical issues that faced the nation as Lincoln came into office, debate the risks and benefits of withdrawing Union troops from Fort Sumter, and investigate the Confederate reaction to Lincoln's ultimate decision. Students take on the roles of Secessionists, Non-Secessionists, Unionists, Abolitionists, or Compromise Proponents. This lesson is aligned to National Standards.

In the Classroom:
This lesson plan is ready to go and offers step by step instructions! Divide your class into five groups (based on the roles listed above). Allow them time to research and prepare for the debate. Consider having students tape the debate using YouTube or TeacherTube (explained here). Why not have each group (or student) write a blog defending their position (role).

A New Birth of Freedom Grade K to 12 - Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies- 5484

Are you gearing up for Inauguration Day with your students? Check out this site, dedicated to the "New Birth of Freedom." Visit the History link, learn about the events for the 2009 Inauguration, see photos, view video clips, and more. The videos require Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
Assign a student "pre-inaugural reporter" from the class each day during the month of January to share the latest news and plans about the Inauguration. Have cooperative learning groups compare historical information on inaugurations. Then have the students write a paper or blog entry explaining what their own inauguration would be like if they were ever elected president.

What the World Thinks of America Grade 9 to 12 - Guardian Unlimited- 5401

Current Events, U.S. Government, U.S. History - Use this site to generate some heated discussion in your classroom, if you dare, and bring a global view to the 2004 Presidential election. Although this resource was created for the 2004 election, the information is valuable for teaching about elections in general and for comparing elections as part of U.S. history. Summary articles and survey results from polls conducted throughout the world provide insight into peoples' opinions of the policies, president and people of the United States.

In the Classroom:
Although the information is a little out of date, this could be useful for discussing the impact of globalization on American Politics. Share the site on the interactive whiteboard or projector, using it to start a discussion as to why this is important. Teachers can also use the information as a writing prompt. Pull up the results of the poll on the interactive whiteboard and have students write a short essay as to whether or not the results surprised them, what this could mean, and how this impacts foreign relations. This would be useful in either a civics or history class.

U.S. Electoral College Grade 8 to 12 - - 5254

Most students are a bit fuzzy on the role the Electoral College plays in choosing our president every four years. This site answers many questions in an easy to understand format. The history behind the system is discussed along with the particulars of its function. An overview of the intricacies of the 2000 election is also provided. This is strictly an informational resource – no bells or whistles – so use your creativity to build a lesson around it.

Presidency in Action Grade 6 to 12 - American Presidents - University of Virginia- 4894

This is a thematic look at the conduct and evolution of the American presidency since the founding of the republic. It examines the executive structures that manage domestic, economic, foreign, and legislative activities in more than enough detail for secondary students. Even a quick tour will demonstrate the current complexity of the executive branch.

How the President Gets Elected Grade 4 to 12 - Factmonster- 4883

This simple seven-step users' guide is a great refresher for older students and an easy-to-understand introduction for those just learning about the election process. The site explains common election terminology (caucus, Electoral College, primary) and outlines requirements that must be met to vote and to run for public office. Use this guide to frame discussions and chart the progress in this year's presidential election.

In the Classroom:
Have your students follow this guide to create a fictitious candidate. Challenge students to create a blog about their mock candidate. What issues are important to your students? Do any of the IRL (Internet lingo for "in real life") candidates share the same views as the students' mock candidate?

Lincoln Log Grade 9 to 12 - Brown University- 4875

Based on a daily chronology of Abraham Lincoln’s public life, this site enables you to enter a date and see what the famous president was doing that day. While the result will be a very narrow slice of history, the site could be used to show how Lincoln’s approach to issues and events evolved over time. Secondary students learning to use primary sources could find this one useful, but it will take some work to use it effectively. There is also some additional research links at this site.

In the Classroom:
Use this site for research projects. Share the "Lincoln Log" everyday in February to celebrate his birthday. Use an interactive whiteboard or projector to share his daily accomplishments, schedules, and more that occurred in February.

Christmas at the White House Grade 3 to 8 - Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum- 4771

Are you looking for a creative way to teach students about Christmas and other December holidays? This downloadable PDF file offers a very detailed lesson plan and classroom activities about Christmas At The White House. Although the name uses the word "Christmas," other holidays are mentioned also. There is a link to learn more about Hanukkah, Ramadan, and Kwanzaa at the White Horse. The PDF file is a Teacher's Guide with background information, printables, discussion questions, writing prompts, and other activity ideas. Presidents are highlighted from George Washington to George W. Bush. This site requires Adobe Acrobat. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
Use this site for research about the history of the White House. The "Teacher's Guide" is ready to go and easily adaptable to various grade levels. Project the discussion questions or writing prompts on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Have students write responses to the questions or create a blog entry. Print out the activities and use during the month of December.

Lyndon Johnson Library Grade 6 to 12 - University of Texas- 4294

Lyndon B. Johnson was a politician’s politician, and the site from his presidential library offers tools that both scholars and students can use to trace his career and the accomplishments of his administration. There’s an extensive “Kids’ Section” with information on the Johnson Administration.

Just War – The Carter Center’s Case Grade 9 to 12 - The Carter Center- 4248

The concept of “a just war” has been debated for decades as a logical way to establish whether the use of force in a specific situation carries any moral weight. This page from the Carter Center reprints an Op-Ed article by former president Jimmy Carter in which he asserts that current operations in Iraq fail the “just war” test on several grounds. Lots of interesting discussion possibilities with this one.

U.S. Air Force Museum Grade 4 to 12 - U.S. Air Force- 4128

Here’s a site with dozens of images and histories of military and civilian aircraft. The site also includes histories of many aircraft used by U.S. presidents. This site could assist with research on aviation history or related topics.

In the Classroom:
Click on "museum exhibits" for photos of each plane and weapon featured in the museum. Aerospace teachers can use this site for example photos of planes being studied in class, while history teachers can use those same photos in units concerning the evolution of transportation or warfare. This site truly is an interdisciplinary webpage, and can be used to supplement lectures in many classrooms. E

Dwight D. Eisenhower Library Grade 6 to 12 - Dwight D. Eisenhower Library- 3924

Ike’s presidential library includes a catalog of photographs, audio recordings, and other artifacts from the former president’s military and political careers. There are also brief fact sheets covering various aspects of Eisenhower’s career.

In the Classroom:
History and social studies teachers will find this one an interesting primary source for either World War II or the study of the 1950s.

Our Fading Heritage: Civics Quiz Grade 5 to 12 - Intercollegiate Studies Institute- 3597

Share this Civics Quiz with your students. Are your students more knowledgeable than the average U.S. Citizen? The site says the average score is a 55%! The quiz consists of approximately 30 questions, all related to the U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence, the three branches of the government, the roles of the president, and much more. A final score is provided at the end of the quiz.

In the Classroom:
Have students complete this quiz on individual computers or with a partner (if there are not enough computers). Why not have your older civics or government students create their own interactive surveys using Google Docs (reviewed here), or quizzes using Quizschool (reviewed here). Or create one together as a class. Have students share their quizzes/surveys with the class on an interactive whiteboard or projector or as links from your class wiki or web page for use outside of class. Be sure to invite parents and other teachers to respond! What is important for citizens to know, in your students' view?

The Founding Fathers Grade 6 to 12 - National Archives- 3594

Though part of a larger site about America's historic documents, this collection of biographies of the delegates to the Constitutional Convention will find plenty of use by itself. These delegates wrote our Constitution, but today's students know very little about any of them. Find the details of each man's life here!

In the Classroom:
This is a great site to introduce the American Founding Fathers, or for reference around Presidents Day weekend. Introduce the site on the interactive whiteboard or projector, during a lesson on the individual fathers. Have students look at the site, and select one image that they think represents a particular Founding Father. Have students create a multimedia presentation using Voicethread reviewed here. This site allows users to narrate a picture. Challenge students to find a photo (legally permitted to be reproduced), and then narrate the photo as if it is a news report. Have them report a story on the founding fathers as if the issue of the constitution is a current one, and they are informing the public of its happenings.

Biographies of current and past Presidents and members of Congress Grade 1 to 12 - - 3446

Kindergarten Home Page Grade K to 1 - Kidport- 3416

This site was created for kindergarten students (and their teachers) and has something for every classroom. The site offers links to activities in math, science, social studies, language arts, creative arts, and a reference library. Some of the subject areas only offer one or two activities, while others offer MANY topics. The topics vary greatly and include sequence, shape, number sentences, addition, subtraction, tall and short, same or different, pollution, the sea, American symbols, flags of the world, U.S. presidents, alphabet, letters and pictures, drawing, dot to dot, letter blends, poems, and more!

This site does have some advertisements, but they are not distractive. This site requires Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
The site's activities would work well on an interactive whiteboard or projector. List this site in your class newsletter and on your class website for students to use for additional practice at home. Most of the activities do not require reading, so use this site as a learning center (don't forget the headsets).

1st Grade Home Page Grade K to 2 - Kidport- 3415

This site was created for first grade students (and their teachers) and truly has something for every classroom. The site offers links to activities in math, science, social studies, language arts, creative arts, and a reference library. Some of the subject areas only offer one or two activities, while others offer countless topics (see math and language arts - wow)! The topics vary greatly and include a poem creator, letter blends, alphabet, shapes, short and tall, matching words with numbers, place value, number recognition, number sentences, money, time, the sea, animal habitats, maps, signs, U.S. presidents, flags of the world, continents, and more! Some links are highly interactive, while others are simply an online quiz.

This site does have some advertisements, but they are not distractive. This site requires Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
Visit the Language Arts or Math pages to get an idea of the multitude of interactives and lessons available at this site. Use the activities at this site as an anticipatory activity for a new topic, or review prior to the big quiz. The site's activities would work well on an interactive whiteboard or projector. List this site in your class newsletter and on your class website for students to use for additional practice at home.

4th Grade Home Page Grade 3 to 5 - Kidport- 3411

This site, created by Kidport for fourth grade students, offers links to lessons and activities in math, science, social studies, language arts, creative arts, and a reference library. Some of the subject areas only offer one or two activities, while others offer several. The topics include California Missions, arithmetic practice, the food chain, animal comparisons, U.S. presidents, Mexican American War, California Gold Rush, homophones, and other grammar activities.

Although some of the activities are not highly interactive, they are well done and could be very useful in the classroom. Some of the pages do have advertisements, but they are not distractive. This site requires Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
Check out the unique mix available at this website. Share it with your students on an interactive whiteboard or projector. Use this site for enrichment, learning stations, or indoor recess options. List this site in your class newsletter and on your class website for students to use for additional practice at home.

Truman Presidential Library Grade 6 to 12 - - 3394

The Truman Library site contains resources from the Truman administration, including photos, documents, and links to other resources dealing with the Truman presidency.

The Pentagon Papers Case Grade 9 to 12 - George Washington University- 3327

Remembered today primarily for its First Amendment implications, the Pentagon Papers case helped alter the relationship between America's press and president. Much of this extensive collection at George Washington University is beyond the scope of high school curriculum, but the contents provide ample material for a term paper or a lesson on the political events of the 60s and 70s.

In the Classroom:
Use this site on a projector or interactive whiteboard to discuss and informally assess prior knowledge as you start your study of Watergate. The site has some excellent audio clips of the Watergate trial, in addition to comments from the editor of the New York Times. Use the clips to illustrate to students the immediate effects of the event. The clips are a bit long, so it is probably most beneficial to preview them before and time them to see what portions would be the most useful in your classroom.

No Child Left Behind Grade 1 to 12 - US Government- 2996

President Bush’s "No Child Left Behind" education effort now has its own web site. You’ll find a section for parents, a downloadable Powerpoint presentation, and other information about the new education law signed in January. Teachers may want to add this site to their list of bookmarks on federal education policy.

50states.com Grade 4 to 8 - - 2085

This site offers metalists (most of the content isn't theirs) for each state, including bios of presidents from that state, attractions, public records, and more. There's much more than history items at this site, which may or may not be an advantage.

The American Presidents Grade 1 to 12 - - 1522

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Grade 3 to 12 - - 9622

This simple site offers several "Classroom Connections" to use in conjunction with a field trip to the museum. However, many of these ideas could easily be adapted into research projects or writing assignments for students in social studies or history class without a museum visit. All topics relate to Abraham Lincoln, the Civil War, or 19th Century Kids.

In the Classroom:
Use this site as a starting point for projects about our 16th president. Although most relate to exhibits found at the museum, similar research can be found online. Have students choose one of the several topics to research further.

Patriotic Songs Grade K to 8 - National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences- 9463

Need lyrics to your favorite patriotic song? Find a wealth of patriotic lyrics here with a quick click. . Play the instrumental audio file, as well. Find Yankee Doodle, Navy Hymn, America the Beautiful, and about twenty other patriotic songs.

Note: Please assume that most songs are copyrighted, so please honor the authors and musicians by not distributing these songs. This is intended for classroom use only. This site requires Quicktime and Adobe Acrobat. You can get both from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
Enhance your reading program with music. Have students listen to the songs while following the lyrics. Keep this site handy for those patriotic holidays. Use this site in social studies classes to learn the meaning behind some of the most popular patriotic songs. Play the sound in the background during class skits for Presidents' Day or other patriotic occasions.

Go on a Family Adventure Grade 2 to 7 - National Geographic- 9306

In this traveling activity students choose whether to go on a family vacation by sea or by land. The land adventures include The Presidential Route, Ancient Cities Route, and The Marco Polo Route. The sea adventure options include The Caribbean Islands Route, Polynesian Islands Route, and The Arctic to Amazon Route. Students may then choose a difficulty levels (easy or hard) and team color. Students learn to read different types of maps, recognize symbols on maps, and get to know famous sites in the cities they visit. Students can see their selected form of transportation navigate the geographic and civic barriers, learn cardinal directions, and enjoy some gorgeous photos of the places they visit. This site requires Flash. Get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
This activity would work well for individual or pairs of students in a lab or on laptops. If individual computers aren’t available, share this site with your class on an interactive whiteboard or projector. Use this activity to preview sites you are studying in geography or locations of writers of famous books or even the presidents.

Sporcle Grade 2 to 12 - Sporcle, Inc.- 10339

Try these interactives, available in a variety of subjects: Geography, History, Language, Literature, Movies, Music, Religion, Science, and others. Sporcle tests memorized knowledge against a timer. Accessing the comments below can lead to spoilers that reveal answers. Become stumped during a game? Click on "Give up" to end the game and reveal the rest of the answers. Teachers should preview and provide the DIRECT link to the games or section (such as geography) they wish students to use. The “popular” listings and some advertising on this site may include questionable content for classrooms. .

In the Classroom:
Share specific activities on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Teachers should provide the address URL of the actual game to prevent students from accessing other games (or advertisements that you may wish to avoid). Use these interactives as individual activities or in groups to learn a variety of data. For example, play "Element by Symbol" to review the names of the elements of the periodic table by knowing the names of the symbols. This game entertained this science teacher editor and her chemistry student son for fifteen minutes. Enjoy other science games or in subjects such as Geography, History, or Literature. Use the unknown answers that are shown at the end to create study cards in order to improve scores the next time.

Diffen Grade 2 to 12 - Diffen- 10042

Do you sometimes just want to compare two things and not need a lengthy explanation of either? Diffen offers the simple goal of entering two terms and instantly receiving the similarities and differences in a table format. View simple definitions under the information table. Need more information? Wikipedia style entries of information area also available on the page. There is a Top 5 list. At the time of this review, the Top 5 included “Gross vs. Net,” “Affected vs. Effected,” “Meiosis vs. Mitosis,” “DNA vs. RNA,” and “Fruit vs. Vegetable. While not ALL topics are included, the variety is impressive. You can add your own comparison of terms to the list. You may want to discuss with your class the fact that the information here is only as reliable as the people who submitted it, and ask them whether they agree with the comparisons you find here. NOTE: If you explore some of the ready-mades or requested topics, there are some topics "compared" that are not school oriented, such as comparisons of popular television characters. Preview before turning students loose or simply direct them to a specific "diffen."

In the Classroom:
The options are endless. Search the differences between two types of soils, mitosis and meiosis, presidents or those running for office, of geometric figures, artists or musicians, places to visit. As a way to build higher order thinking skills, this site is ideal, since comparison of attributes requires analysis.

Try creating some lists of your own as a class after using the ready-made ones here. This activity would be easy to do on an interactive whiteboard, with students hand writing the characteristics and dragging them into Similarities and Differences columns before entering them into Diffen. This site could be used in nearly every subject area. Share this site on your class blog or website, for students to access both in and out of the classroom. This is definitely one to save in your favorites.

Video: Electing a US President in Plain English Grade 4 to 10 - Common Craft- 9998

Teach your students about the election process using this short and sweet video (less than 4 minutes). Help your students understand popular votes, electoral votes, state votes, etc.. This site does have a small advertisement at the bottom of the screen, click on the X to remove the advertisements. There is a link provided to embed the video. The site requires Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
Share this video on your interactive whiteboard or projector during election season or a unit on voting/elections. Or embed it in your class web page for the duration of your elections unit. Have students create their own "in plain English" video about a topic in government. All they need is a tripod, video camera (flip video would work), paper drawings, and a script. Share the "student-created" video on a tool such as TeacherTube (explained here).

The Power of Persuasion Grade 7 to 12 - Thomas Yorke- 9924

This WebQuest is a good one for helping students understand the power of persuasion. It helps them learn to use persuasion themselves and understand when these techniques are being used in all aspects of life, from advertising to editorials. It uses the 2008 Presidential election as the basis for teaching the subtleties of persuasion, especially in persuading large groups of people. Be aware: one of the links (Senator John McCain’s Website) is no longer active.

In the Classroom:
As with all WebQuests, this one is handy to use with small student groups. It is designed for students to use internet research to gather information and invites them to publish their work ultimately on video with a 5-10 minute speech. Depending on the age and ability of the group you teach, this can be adjusted to your classroom and local needs. Why not share your students’ videos on a tool such as TeacherTube (explained here).

The Uninsured in America Grade 6 to 12 - PBS NewsHour- 9861

One of the central issues in the 2008 Presidential election was the state of the U.S. health care system. This site from PBS NewsHour pulls together a number of resources that could be helpful in discussing this issue with students. There are video and MP3 format interviews with Americans talking about how the health care crisis has affected them. Lesson plans are included. There is analysis focused on how President Obama might address the issue. Graphic information shows how many are uninsured in the U.S., how the U.S. compares with other nations, and a timeline of the history of health insurance in this country. One link focuses on special health care programs aimed at children. This site requires Flash and Adobe Acrobat. You can get both from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
Many students may not realize that health insurance is a relatively new phenomenon. This site has a rich variety of resources that can set a context for a discussion on how the cost of health care is contributing to today's economic concerns. Assign students to review several of the reports on this site to prepare for a class debate. Use the video content on an interactive whiteboard or projector to spark discussion. Supplement a geography lesson with comparisons of health care systems in other nations. Use this site as one of several current issues topics for students studying government, and have them prepare a policy proposal for their own “cabinet.”

Pete's Powerpoint Station Grade K to 12 - mrdonn and phillip martin- 9803

Need a PowerPoint? Check this site first to find one on a topic you need from the vast array available. The free PowerPoints and interactive activities are easily downloaded. To find the FREE PowerPoint presentations, click on the FREE Presentations in PowerPoint Format link found directly under the red train. There are literally hundreds of topics (over 1,200 at the time of this review). Topics are listed in alphabetical order. There are so many topics: Plagiarism, Integers, Interjections, IQ Tests, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Graphic Organizers, Graphs, Gold Rush, the Bible, Economics, Amelia Earhart (and many other heroes), Descriptive Writing, Coral Reefs, Civil Rights Movement, Autism, Ancient Civilizations, Presidents, Louisiana Purchase, Money, Music Instruments, How to Write an Outline, Rosa Parks, Resumes, Terrorism, Vietnam War, and many MANY others. Primary teachers will appreciate simple activities on Dolch words and other sight vocabulary! Pages are arranged in topics such as "Plants and Animals," "World History," "Biology, Chemistry, and Physics," and "Problem Solving." Each page includes a vast array of subtopics. Other links on the page include "Greta's Game Station" and "Hannah's Help" which offers information on researching. Some of the links at “Greta’s Game Station” require Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
Use these PowerPoints to provide background information for projects or further inquiry in class. For example, use a PowerPoint on cells to give background information. Create questions for students to answer while viewing the PowerPoint or add your own "lecture" notes while showing to a class. Remember that PowerPoint does not HAVE to be shown on a screen. Students can watch them as tutorials at a center or computer cluster. Learning support teachers will appreciate having an alternate way to present basic concepts to visual learners. Assign students a particular cell part to research more information about the part.

TeachersFirst Resources for U.S. Presidential Inaugurations Grade 1 to 12 - TeachersFirst- 9748

Every four years, the U.S. celebrates the peaceful transition of power from one administration to the next. We all note 2009 as an especially historic year in U.S. history, with the juxtaposition of Lincoln's 200th birthday and the inauguration of President Barack Obama. No matter what grade level you teach or candidate you support, Inauguration Day is an important event worthy of notice in your classroom. This list of reviewed resources from the TeachersFirst database will help you find ways to include the inauguration and its historical significance in the context of your curriculum.

Since news sources often generate specialized but temporary web resources just in time for Inauguration Day (January 20), you will also want to use a Google News search for the most timely information, such as news articles and images. Combine these with the historical background and ideas below to help students gain perspective and a deeper understanding.

In the Classroom:
Since news sources often generate specialized but temporary web resources just in time for Inauguration Day (January 20), you will want to use these resources in combination with a Google News search for the most timely information, such as news articles and images. Assign older students to compare historical background and current practice in a chosen aspect of the inauguration and create a multimedia presentation, wiki page, or mock "news" video about the day's events. Share selected images and explanation with younger students using your projector or interactive whiteboard.

Presidential 09 Inauguration Grade 2 to 12 - - 9734

Here is an excellent site for students to explore to discover what life will be like in Washington, D.C. during Inauguration Day (and probably the entire week). Don't miss the link to the Fun Facts! There are also links to information about Obama, Biden, an events calendar, various maps (mostly by Google Maps), emergency information, photo gallery, and more!

In the Classroom:
Share this site (and the impact on life in DC during inauguration day). Challenge students to write a mock ad to rent out their apartment for the inauguration or to plan a mock trip to the inauguration (including plans for what they will do while DC). Or have students describe the events of the day (after the fact) in a letter to their future grandchildren.

JA Titan--The Ultimate Business Simulation Grade 9 to 12 - Junior Achievement- 9729

Junior Achievement presents this on-line simulation game for students interested in business and entrepreneurship. The simulation permits students to design a budget for their business that includes setting the unit price, production levels, marketing expenses, research and development costs, capital investment level, and charitable giving. Players can consult with the "virtual vice-presidents" of the company in making their decisions and can play against the computer or against other teams on-line. The site also indicates that there is a school-based version of the simulation available from local Junior Achievement offices, including lesson plans and other teacher resources. Overall, the simulation is fairly formulaic and the interface is dated compared to current video games your students may play. The concepts might be useful, though, even if students may find the process of applying them through this simulation unexciting.

To fully use this site, you must register. Registration requires your name and email address. Check with your administrator about allowing the students to register for this site using their own names. You may wish to set up a class registration instead of entering true data into the registration site. Another option is to create a free Gmail account to use for memberships. If you plan to have students register individually, you may want to create your own Gmail account with up to 20 subaccounts for each group of students (by code name or number) within your classes. Here is a blog post that tells how to set up GMail subaccounts to use for any online membership service. This site requires Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
Business or economic students can participate in this simulation either in groups or individually. There is the option to extend play across several sessions, and to compete against other groups on-line. Time might be allotted during class for teams to log on and play or the simulation might be assigned as a long-term homework project. If you combine this activity with extensions, such as creating spreadsheets for the mythical business or an advertising plan and multimedia materials, the project could take on a life of its own.

I Do Solemnly Swear...Presidential Inaugurations Grade 4 to 12 - The Library of Congress- 9711

The Library of Congress has created this excellent resource that features over 400 images and 2,000 digital files related to the inaugurations of George Washington through George W. Bush (in 2001). There are video clips, references, diary entries, letters, and more. This site requires Real Player and/or QuickTime. You can get both from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
Why not feature an "inauguration a day" during the week prior to the current inauguration? Use the many images to create a Simplybox (explained here) of inauguration information for students to dig though. With older students, have cooperative learning groups create their own Simplybox. All of the Library of Congress resources are in the public domain, so students can USE these images to create new products, such as a photomontage of an inauguration topic: bands, dress, buzzwords, etc.

Drop Me Off in Harlem Grade 6 to 12 - Artsedge- 9702

Presented by the Kennedy Center's Artsedge program, this site is a wonderful kaleidoscope of information about Harlem from 1917 through 1935. It explores the artists of that time, including writers, artists, actors, dancers, and musicians. It has sections of the activists of the time such as W.E.B. DuBois and Charles Johnson. Clicking on a place name will show you a map of that area and where it was located (the Lafayette Theatre, for instance, was on 7th Avenue).

One of the nice things about this site is the easy access to the section they call "Classroom Connections." Here they provide activities for grades 6-8 and 9-12 that are specific to grade level as well as links to lesson plans if you choose to use those. Visit the Media Player link to find video clips, audio clips, text, and images. Some require RealPlayer. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
Because of the sheer variety of links offered, this is an ideal lesson to spread among a class. As a culminating activity have a "Harlem Day" where students present their information. They might dress and speak as the person they studied; they might present music, poetry, or art from that time, or even create a Harlem "nightclub" to share their information.

Why not make this lesson even more interactive and have students create video clips to share on your interactive whiteboard or projector via YouTube or TeacherTube (explained here). Other project ideas could be a blog written from the perspective of someone living in Harlem during the great depression, or a wiki written between one of the famous artists and the president at the time (Herbert Hoover, for example).

Go Animate Grade 9 to 12 - GoAnimate- 9683

Teacher's First Edge Review: for moderate to advanced technology users. Use Go Animate to create interesting and memorable cartoon type presentations. Students will have fun unleashing their imagination and delivering a message through creative animation. Flash is required. Get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

Here is a very simple animation example:

In the Classroom:
Skills needed: Create an account to login, but use the application right away (without waiting for an email confirmation). Video tutorials are available, and many functions are easy to figure out once you play with them. Choose from many templates or start with a blank screen. Create your cartoon using Saturday morning cartoon characters or a variety of other characters such as presidents, commercial characters, and many others. Add your images, such as faces or background pictures and customize additional characters, sounds, etc. Control length of sections, voices and sounds, and delete or add sections through the time line along the bottom. Save your creation easily and share to your favorite social or bookmark site; copy a link to share with others, or copy and paste the embed code into your wiki, blog, or website. Creations are saved in your account online and can be kept private or made public.

Safety/Security concerns: Some scenes may be inappropriate for all students but can be deleted easily. Caution: check student creations during the process. Students will need an email address to create an account. Check your school policies about accessing/sharing student email on school computers. You may want to create your own Gmail account with up to 20 subaccounts for each group of students (by code name or number) within your classes. Here is a blog post that tells how. Also check your district's policies on displaying and sharing student work. CAUTION! This site includes the ability for the general public to submit their own animations. Be sure to preview for content inappropriate for your classroom. You may want to limit use to whole-class activities or prohibit accessing the public portion of the site. The home page has loud music and links to many “public” animation projects, so firm policies and/or practices to avoid "exploring" these are vital.

Possible uses: Students can sum up debate ideas using animated characters or present simple concepts from researched material to introduce to the class. Students can tell book report stories, create fictitious stories or present ideas in a fun format. Challenge students to use this site to tell the history of political figures, historical figures, or historical areas. Use this site to teach about chemical properties, scientific figures or discoveries, or great moments in Science through animation. In language arts class, you can use this tool to apply concepts of narrative patterns or characterization. Teachers of gifted may want to assign students to create an entire animated series. ESL/ELL or world language students could create animations to practice their new vocabulary. Why not have students create a comic strip about their mom or dad for Mother's or Father's Day or honoring someone else special in their lives - - even the school custodian, nurse, or secretary!

Online NewsHour: Inaugural Fashion Grade 4 to 12 - PBS- 9660

Are you looking for a new way to get your students attention in history class? This site is perfect for those students who view fashion as the only thing worth their attention! The site focuses on the gowns that the first ladies wore to the inaugural ceremony (from a variety of time periods). The significance of the gowns is discussed. Several photos are included. The video clips date back to 2001 and no longer work. For commentary and speculation on what Mrs. Obama and the Obama children will wear, see this article from Womens Wear Daily

In the Classroom:
Share the pictures of the gowns on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Have students research an inaugural ceremony and write a blog entry (from the first lady of their choice) discussing the inaugural ceremony (and what they wore). Or have your budding journalists write a mock-commentary on the political "message" sent by a chosen first lady via her fashion choices.

TeachersFirst Resources for Elections: An Editors' Choice page Grade K to 12 - Teachersfirst- 9626

Whether it is a presidential year or an off-year election cycle, there are many excellent election resources on the web to help your students understand and become involved in the electoral process. This collection highlights the TeachersFirst editors' favorite election resources for all levels.

If you wish to choose from a more extensive list election-related resources or to narrow your list for a specific topic and grade level, try entering your topic and elections as search terms in the TeachersFirst keyword search (under Search menu), setting the grade level you seek, as well.

In the Classroom:
Use this handy "spcial topics" collection to find just the right student activity or reference information when you are studying elections. You can also share it on your teacher web page as an "approved" list of election resources for home and school study.

zwebquest Grade 2 to 12 - Zafer Unal, PhD- 9368

Have you been pining to include pertinent webquests in your curriculum? This site allows you to view already created webquests and/or use their online tool to create your own webquest without HTML code or web editor software. This site walks you through a tutorial on creating your own webquest for the parameters YOU want. The tutorial includes planning, building, and getting your webquest published. Best of all-- it is free. This site also includes ready-made webquests in nearly every subject area (math, art, music, social studies, science, etc.) submitted by others like you. There are webquests for all grade level. The webquests are free to use and many include reviews by other educators. An easy to follow webquest matrix is available, with all of the subjects and grade levels. You are also able to do a webquest search for a specific topic. Nearly all of the webquests are in English, but a few are in other languages. Note: the quality of webquests is completely determined by others using the site to create webquests, so PREVIEW before using any webquest in class.

In the Classroom:
Search the multitude of webquests that are “ready to go” at this site. If you are looking for a more personal touch, you can create your own webquest for each class, tailored to what you want to cover or want students to research. This site also provides a place to post a personal portfolio of your work (if you choose to include any student work, you must have written permission to do so from the student and his or her parent). You might also want students to create webquests as final products of group research projects. Be sure to provide a meaningful rubric for the essential features.

Spelling City Grade K to 8 - Spellingcity.com- 9030

Your students will clamor to learn their spelling words (or capitals, states, or other lists), when you introduce them to this site. With the atmosphere of city-life, students or teachers generate their own list of words (or use the pre-saved ones at the site). What a great way to differentiate and have student individualize their lists! From there, students have the options of Test Me, Teach Me, or Play a Game . For the "test," each word is read aloud in isolation and in a sentence. Students type the spelling word, and then the site ‘grades’ it. Students will love the applause and will not feel intimidated by the tutorial for their incorrect words. For further practice, interactive games extend the spelling fun. Many of the activities require FLASH. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page..

In the Classroom:
Teachers, check out the forum for more ideas about how to use this site. Special education teachers should take note of this site, since there are multiple sensory ways to learn spelling words, including hearing each word as an echo. Use an interactive whiteboard or projector to play games with a whole-class weekly spelling list or allow students a time slot on your classroom computer cluster for practice with individualized lists. This website would also work in various other subject areas to teach capitals, science terms, presidents, and many others. Sign up for the free newsletter, written by the Mayor of Spelling City, of course.

Be sure to provide a link to useful site in your class newsletter, blog, and website. This is a fabulous tool for at-home spelling practice.

Select a Candidate 2008 Grade 9 to 12 - WQAD- 8708

This quick click-able questionnaire allows users to express their opinions on a variety of big issues relevant to the upcoming 2008 Presidential election. Once you've answered the question, the site returns an analysis of how closely your views align with the various major party candidates. Civics teachers or any devoting class time to discussions of the 2008 elections will find this site useful for helping students identify the issues that are important to them. More importantly, the analysis allows students to focus their attention on how closely they agree with particular candidates on substantive issues rather than being hooked by media spin or personality. Students may be surprised to find they agree with lesser-known candidates and may be motivated to research those candidates for more information.

In the Classroom:
Having an entire class complete this questionnaire might provide an interesting way to divide the class into teams for a debate or discussion rather than simply asking students to identify their "favorite" candidate. If individual computers are available, have students complete the quiz individually to see which candidate matches up with their ideas. Especially if you have students old enough to vote in the REAL election!

When the Personal Becomes Presidential Grade 6 to 12 - New York Times Learning Network- 8026

This is a New York Times lesson plan focused on a recent article about the personal lives of Presidential candidates. The lesson plan asks students to look at the extent to which candidates and their personal pasts will influence voters' willingness to support them, and focuses on the fact that several candidates have had messy divorces.

The lesson plan starts with the familiar "read the story and discuss" format, but there are a number of good essential questions and extension activities provided that could be tailored into a strong classroom plan. The lesson plans have cross-curricular suggestions, and are tied to standards.

In the Classroom:
Be sure help your weaker readers and ELL students by sharing the listed vocabulary words prior to reading, either on a handout or by projecting on an interactive whiteboard and highlighting them in the text as you come to them.

Use this lesson to discuss current events in politics (which changes daily). Have students discuss and debate the current issues. Have the students write a wiki about a current event in politics (for example, Governor Palin being the first woman VP on the GOP ticket).

Valley Forge Grade 5 to 12 - U.S. History.org- 8011

The story of the winter at Valley Forge is part of American mythology and is dutifully studied by nearly every student at some point. This site gives a lot of interesting information that might be used to flesh out the usual coverage of the topic. For example... what was the weather REALLY like that winter? Who was encamped there? Who won the battle there? (Trick question! There was no battle at Valley Forge.) There is even a page full of puzzles and games related to Valley Forge.

In the Classroom:
This site might be a nice extension resource for students who are working more quickly than others... they can explore and discover on their own. Teachers might also find some interesting tidbits to add to the usual Valley Forge lesson. If you study Revolutionary War battles, consider having student groups make a similar "site" on other Revolutionary landmarks as their culminating projects. Even a PowerPoint presentation with hyperlinks between slides could duplicate this basic format and challenge students to communicate their new knowledge.

Lesson Plan Unit: Slavery Grade 6 to 12 - New York Times- 7156

From the New York Times, this site contains a series of thirteen individual lesson plans focused on the issue of slavery. Many of the lesson plans focus on the use of narrative (e.g. "I Heard it Through the Grapevine," "Held Accountable," "Life in Letters," "Revealing Untold Stories") and the importance of primary sources in understanding the perspective of others. There is a lesson plan on slave quilts and the stories they tell. Another plan focuses on the issue of perspective in history text books ("Undercover-ed"), a topic always of interest to students ("You mean my textbook isn't always right??"). There are also a series of plans that focus on modern international affairs in Africa and across the world that deal with slavery. You will find lessons that connect to current events also. The lesson plans are frequently updated; include McRel standards, links to more information, and lots of detail!

In the Classroom:
Teachers can pick and choose easily from among several strands of thought among these lesson plans, either to supplement a unit on the Civil War, for use during Black History observations, or in an English class focused on story telling and personal voice. It could also provide interesting materials for reading comprehension practice using content area materials. All the plans follow a pretty regular format: link to the Times article, read it and discuss, but this kind of break from the use of a standard textbook can be refreshing. Many plans include a vocabulary list, ideas for extension activities and focus on making the lesson as interdisciplinary as possible. As you celebrate Presidents Day (especially Lincoln's 200th birthday in 2009), check out this site for Lincoln resources!

Growth of a Nation Grade 5 to 8 - Peter Mays- 6170

Introduce or review the high points in America's history from westward expansion to the post Civil War era with this 10-minute animated movie and interactive atlas, complete with narration. Roll your mouse over each state to reveal its name, or click to reveal historical information. An interactive timeline at the bottom of the map allows students to scroll to a particular year and play the movie from that point forward. This site requires Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
Don't forget some headsets! Share this site on an interactive whiteboard or projector. Have groups investigate various historical aspects of specific states (and their history). Why not learn more about their home state?

Elections Grade 4 to 12 - Vocabulary University- 6057

Although this site appears "plain vanilla" there are lots of "sprinkles" that make this site terrific. There are several interactive word puzzles about elections and inaugurations, a wordlist of about 60 words (perfect for teaching some new vocabulary words), an alphalary of even more Election vocabulary words, clichés, quotes, and more. Most of the puzzles are printable. This site does include some small advertisements.

In the Classroom:
Share the site on an interactive whiteboard or projector. Use the word lists to compile a vocabulary list to enhance a unit on elections or inaugurations. Have students try the interactive puzzles and then attempt to create their own word puzzles. Share the word puzzles on a class wiki.

Election Comic Strip Grade 4 to 10 - Vocabulary University- 5688

This site features interactive word puzzles about elections, a wordlist of about 10 words (perfect for teaching some new vocabulary words), an alphalary of even more Election vocabulary words, a link to a comic strip activity, and more. The comic strip activity is found in the general "puzzles" section. Most of the puzzles are printable. This site does include some small advertisements.

In the Classroom:
Have students work in cooperative learning groups, divide up the vocabulary words, and have each group find the definitions for their assigned vocabulary words. Have the groups share the meaning of a few of their words, by narrating a political picture using VoiceThread (reviewed here). Have the groups share the pictures/stories on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Be sure to also check out the interactive word puzzles! They are of varying difficulty levels.

Brainpop: Election Grade 5 to 8 - Brainpop- 5342

The process involved in electing a president is clearly explained in this entertaining and informative video. Click on the Presidential Election link to learn more about the specifics of the election process (political parties, what requirements a presidential nominee must meet, primaries, party conventions, campaigning, popular vote, electoral college, and much more). There are also movies for Democracy, Political Beliefs, Voting, Primaries, & Caucuses .

Brainpop is a member site; however, they allow you to access the videos and interactive quizzes a few times for free. That should be enough to share this interactives on a projector. This site requires Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
Share this informative video (and the others) on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Have students take the review quiz on individual computers. Challenge your students to create a wiki to discuss the presidential candidates and the issues that they stand for.

Living Room Candidate Grade 8 to 12 - American Museum of the Moving Image- 5076

How does this year's presidential race differ from those of the past? Are there significant similarities or differences? This collection of 183 campaign commercials from 1952 through 2000 provides a revealing and thought-provoking glimpse of the art of politics over the decades. An analysis of partisan advertising campaigns is included for each election year, along with a map showing election results. Click on "Highlights and Themes" to explore attack ads, the multiple roles expected of a president (family man, commander in chief, "regular guy," and leader), and biographical information. The Desktop Candidate section discusses the impact of the Internet on the voting public. Be sure to check out the link to Educational Materials, which includes a teacher’s guide and suggested activities. This site requires Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
Use the information at this site to compare past campaign commercials with current ads for the 2008 presidential election. Search the Internet for recent commercials (using whatever video websites are permitted at your school). Share a sample of commercials from the 1950s - the present. Have students discuss the similarities and differences. Have students create their own ad commercials about a presidential candidate that they support or a "mock" candidate that they created. To upload the students' commercials, use a tool such as TeacherTube (explained here). Be sure to obtain parental permission before videotaping any students.

Rulers Grade 6 to 12 - - 4686

Deceptively simple and not at all pretty, this site offers a wealth of information on the historical governance of scores of countries. (Where else could you find a chronological list of the prime ministers of Spain?) It doesn’t offer complete histories, but secondary students studying the history of other countries may find its synopsis-by-ruler an interesting starting point.

In the Classroom:
Save this site as a favorite on your class wiki or webpage and refer students to it for reference. It's best use would be to help students compile the executive history of a country and search that way, rather than searching for information on a specific ruler. This would be a great starting point for a student studying monarchy in a particular country such as Britain or Saudi Arabia.

Government Graphics & Photos Grade 1 to 12 - FirstGov- 4601

Here is a wonderful resource for students and teachers looking for public domain photographs and images for use in websites. This firstgov.com database provides links to a number of government photo galleries and image databases. Whether you’re looking for a picture of a president or a national park, this is a great place to start. Just be certain to read the rules and regulations before using any of the images on your own site. As with many such large collections, you may encounter some dead links for collections that have moved. There are MANY more to choose from, however.

First Ladies Grade 4 to 6 - The White House- 4217

This section from the White House web site offers short histories and biographies of America’s First Ladies. These include attention to twentieth century women who made their own accomplishments while living in the White House. Elementary students may find this one useful as part of a women’s history study, or while learning about the presidency.

In the Classroom:
This site would be extremely useful during an American History class. Use this site to provide students with knowledge of the too often forgotten members of the White House - our first ladies. Towards the end of the semester, use this site as a spring board for research projects on the first ladies. Students can use this site as a beginning in their quest for information.

Another use would be to show the ever-evolving role of the First Lady. Review with students the information found on one of the initial first ladies - Martha Washington is an interesting one, and have students compare her role with that of a more recent First lady. To compare the two,use an online tool such as Interactive Two Circle Venn Diagram (reviewed here).

Fireside chats from World War II Grade 6 to 12 - Museum of Broadcast Communications- 3978

Students who have been hearing recent speeches about the war on terrorism may be interested in hearing these recordings of FDR’s fireside chats – especially the excerpt from December 9, 1941. This World War II unit includes several excerpts, a lesson plan, and Illinois standards correlations. It is one of several on the Museum of Broadcast Communications site.

Abraham Lincoln Library Education Grade 4 to 8 - Abraham Lincoln Library- 3969

This site offers information for those visiting the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. However, even if you can't physically go to the museum there are some create resources! If you click on the Teacher Resources, you will find several activity guides to use in your classroom. Learn more about the Gettysburg Address, First Ladies, Women's History Month, Black History Month, Christmas at the Whitehouse, and more! Most of the guides require Adobe Acrobat. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
Use the activity guides in your classroom. Most include printables, higher order thinking questions, and even activities that could easily be displayed and discussed using your interactive whiteboard or projector.

Life in the White House Grade 4 to 12 - US Government- 3948

Created by the White House, this "inside look" offers lots of current photos, images and interviews. There are also a number of historical tidbits scattered through the site - just enough to show how the nation's first home has changed over the years. Add this one to your list of "What's it really like???" sites.

Mr. Lincoln's Attic Grade 3 to 9 - Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum- 3932

This downloadable PDF file offers a very detailed lesson plan and classroom activities about Abraham Lincoln. Topics include "Who Do We Collect Artifacts," "Do Objects Talk," "What's In A Name," and "Oral History Interviews." Although this site was created as a "Teacher's Guide" for classes visiting the museum, the lessons can be used independently without a trip to Illinois! Each topic includes standards, discussion questions, printable pages, pictures, and more. This site requires Adobe Acrobat, get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
This "Teacher's Guide" is ready to go and easily adaptable to various grade levels. Project the discussion questions on your interactive whiteboard or projector, have students write responses to the questions or have a class debate. Print out the activities, and use this site as a mini unit. Have students interview a family member for the "Oral History Interview," and have students learn the meaning behind their own names with the lesson, "What's In a Name."

Jimmy Carter Grade 6 to 12 - PBS- 3885

The Carter presidency’s tone ranged from the lows of the Iran hostage crisis to the highs of the Camp David peace accords. This site from the PBS American Experience series offers time lines, sound clips, images, and a teacher guide containing lessons based on the issues with which Carter grappled. Curiously, the site takes only passing notice of Carter’s numerous activities and achievements since leaving the White House.

Lessons from Rediscovering George Washington Grade 6 to 12 - Claremont Institute- 3475

Here is a very thoroughly prepared, standards-correlated set of lessons about Washington and the formation of the United States. History teachers working with AP or advanced students will appreciate the variety of opportunities these lessons offer for open discussion. Those working with younger students will find great ideas that they can use in a less intense fashion

In the Classroom:
Take advantage of these free and incredibly detailed lesson plans about George Washington and the Revolutionary Period. There is an amazing of information within these, so be sure to browse all of them before selecting the right one for your classroom.

Rediscovering George Washington Grade 6 to 12 - Claremont Institute- 3474

This companion site for the PBS program of the same name offers well-written text about Washington's life and times. The content is nicely divided between information on Washington, the man, and Washington, the public figure. The absence of images and effects is noticeable, but the content shines through.

In the Classroom:
Use the timeline on the interactive whiteboard or projector to provide perspective about Washington's life for students. Use the timeline to provide some context for the period - it is a great way to highlight the important events before you yourself provide more details on each one.

Presidential Elections - 1896-1996 Grade 4 to 12 - New York Times- 3448

Although this resource only focuses on elections from 1896 - 1996, the site is valuable for teaching about elections in general and for comparing elections as part of U.S. history. Each election year link provides the outcome of the election, issues during the election, and several links to more information. Most of the links are still active, as of 2008. However a small portion have not been kept activated.

In the Classroom:
Use this site to research historical elections with your students. This is a great reference site for elections and presidential information in general.

No Rest for the Weary Grade 6 to 12 - The New York Times on the Web- 3301

This website features a "ready to go" lesson plan highlighting key events in Abraham Lincoln's life from 1862-1864. The lesson includes objectives, standards, thinking questions, interactives, a culminating exercise, and more. Students will browse articles from the New York Times, research key questions using interactives, and write reaction papers. Use this site to celebrate Lincoln's 200th birthday in 2009! This site requires Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
teach about our 16th president? Use this easy-to-follow lesson plan with your class. Share the interactives on a projector or interactive whiteboard. Rather than having students write reaction papers, have students complete a multi-media presentation, such as a PowerPoint or even a news broadcast. Share the video of the news broadcast on SchoolTube (reviewed here).

Abraham Lincoln Online Grade K to 12 - Abraham Lincoln Online- 3175

An extensive online collection of Lincoln information. This site has nearly everything you could want to learn about Lincoln. Some of the highlights include speeches, lesson ideas, "This Week in History" (Lincoln history, that is), and more. Be sure to check out the Education link to find many classroom resource. Some of the links require Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
Take advantage of these ready to use classroom resources. There are lessons available for grades K-12. Use this site to share the speeches of the famous president. Have students dissect the words of one of the speeches, break it down into "today's language."

The Papers of George Washington Grade 8 to 12 - University of Virginia- 1427

This site includes letters written both to and from George Washington. Important papers and letters are singled out, as well as an entire section of selected Revolutionary War documents. This site would be of value to students serious about completing in depth research on the man or his major historical events in his life.

In the Classroom:
In a discussion of the Revolutionary War or the Founding Fathers, use the pictures and images to supplement your lecture. Very rarely do students get to see time-period appropriate maps, and those provided on the site can be used to show and diagram major battles. The site also provides some excellent primary sources that complement such a unit. An excellent one to look at is his famed "Farewell Address," which can be used for both a revolutionary unit and any on American Diplomacy. Have students read the address as a class, following it with a discussion on how this speech impacted American foreign relations for the next 200 years. A great site for any resources on Washington!

This Day in History Grade 5 to 12 - A&E Television Network- 279

This historical site features short videos (1 minute in length) that highlight "This Day in History." Topics include a mix of everything: government, world geography, world history, health history, discoveries, and much more. The video clips highlight several events from each day. They span the past few centuries and include various subjects and topics. Be aware with the videos, if you stay on the site and do not click "pause" or click on another link, you will automatically go to the video for the following day. So if you don't want your students to "peek ahead," be sure to click "pause." There is a short advertisement when you arrive at this site, so you may want to click on the site before you use it with your students and then click "pause" at the start of the video clip.

Although the videos are the highlight of this site, there is much more to explore! On the right side bar you will find text boxes to enter ANY date and choose the category. Some examples of categories include Civil War, Cold War, Presidential, Sports, Old West, World War I and II, Entertainment, and several others. On the left side bar there are even more topics and links to explore. Once you click on the subject area, specific "story topics" are provided under the subject. Both of the features on the right and left side of the site display text information, not video clips. This site does require Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
You can add this in your RSS reader. Why not use the RSS feature to remind you of the day’s events? Share the site on an interactive whiteboard or projector. The topics on the left and right side bars make excellent research references.

For a classroom-ready activity each day to build understanding of historical events in the context of your students' prior knowledge, also try TeachersFirst's Dates That Matter. Include both links on your teacher web page for instant access by students both in and out of class. Maybe start a class wiki for your own "This Day" collection and assign student groups a day of their own. Add to it from year to year. Or have students write blog responses on class or individual blogs as they choose an event for the day from several sources and react to it.

One Life: The Mask of Lincoln Grade 6 to 12 - Smithsonian- 148

Art, history, and government teachers will all delight in this informative website about Lincoln. There are pictures, detailed information, and even podcasts answering some famous questions (such as Why Did Lincoln Grow a Beard). You will also see the works of Mathew Brady. Take your students on the "Audio Tour" of the exhibit - be sure to turn up the volume! Specific topics cover "The Rise of Lincoln," "The Civil War," and "Lincoln's Contemporaries." This site requires Flash. You can get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page.

In the Classroom:
Use your interactive whiteboard or projector to take your students on the audio tour of the exhibit which features several podcasts. Art teachers, share the pictures with your students (especially the podcast about the cracked portrait). This site also provides some excellent research information. Have students work in cooperative learning groups to explore this site and then create a project: blog entry, wiki, video, PowerPoint, or something more "traditional."