Games
FunBrain
Funbrain offers hundreds of games, books, comics, and videos that develop skills in math, reading, problem-solving and literacy.https://www.funbrain.com/grade/8
Light Up Your Brain
The brainteaser games and audio stories featured on Light Up Your Brain help students hone their problem-solving, reading, color-matching, math, and fine motor skills. For example, your child can test his or her understanding of physics in “Successful Experiment” by using different-sized balls to move an object to a designated spot. http://lightupyourbrain.com
Prongo
offers free games, e-cards, jokes, downloads, brainteasers, and links for most major academic subjects. You can also create interactive quizzes for your student using the Quiz Station. http://www.prongo.com
GooseChase EDU
Digital scavenger hunts provide dynamic, fresh learning experiences https://www.goosechase.com/edu
Friv
Lots of games! http://www.friv.com
Lure of the Labyrinth
Lure of the Labyrinth is a digital game for middle-school pre-algebra students. Intriguing math-based puzzles are woven into an exciting narrative with two main goals: find your lost pet and save the world from monsters! http://labyrinth.thinkport.org/
The Radix Endeavor
The Radix Endeavor is an online multiplayer game designed to augment math and biology instruction. Students use their knowledge of math and science to solve quests in a virtual Earth-like world.https://www.radixendeavor.org/
Gamestar Mechanic
Gamestar Mechanic uses fun, game-based quests and courses to help you learn game design and make your own video games!https://gamestarmechanic.com/
Coding
Scratch
Jump-start future programmers with adaptive sandbox tool http://scratch.mit.edu
Codecademy
Terrific hands-on coding practice with live feedback http://www.codecademy.com
Alice3
Alice is a free, educational, introductory Java development environment created at Carnegie Mellon University. Java programming concepts through developing 3-D animations. Offline Programmehttp://www.scholastic.com/createvideogames/
Mozilla Thimble
Inspiring platform teaches coding through remixing https://thimble.mozilla.org
Code.org
Popular games, big names get kids and teachers pumped to program http://www.code.org
Codemoji
Emoji-based coding tool demystifies web design and animation https://www.codemoji.com
Google CS First
Middle school CS platform offers stellar resources, organizing tools https://www.cs-first.com
Made with Code
Made with Code Enticing projects and inspiring videos offer anyone an intro to coding https://www.madewithcode.com/
Thunkable
Build a working iOS or Android app, even without coding experience https://thunkable.com
Mozilla X-Ray Goggles
Remix tool reveals code, can strengthen kids' understanding of the web https://goggles.webmaker.org
Code School
Awesome interactive coding lessons can make anyone a programmer https://www.codeschool.com/
Appinventor.org
Great mobile app creation site http://www.appinventor.org/
Twine
Cool interactive story creator can both dazzle and baffle https://twinery.org/
Level Up!
High-level lesson plans aspire to turn classrooms into game studios http://www.scholastic.com/createvideogames/
Space Quest!
Choose a cadet and play this space game that teaches kids like you how to code https://www.tynker.com/lesson/host
Typing
Typing.com
Clear typing instruction with detailed statistics and fun encouragement http://www.typing.com
TypingClub
Gamified, data-driven activities help improve keyboarding skills http://www.typingclub.com
Typing Games
Keyboarding games that can increase your skills--IF you don't watch your fingers! http://hms.sps.lane.edu/curric/keyboardinggames.html
Music/Media
Noteflight
Safe, collaborative space for creating and sharing original music http://www.noteflight.com
Math Science Music
Thoughtful tools teach STEM skills through music and creativity http://mathsciencemusic.org
MediaBreaker/Studios
Free video-remix tool boosts media literacy, presents some challenges https://mbstudios.thelamp.org
Listenwise
Bring real-world stories from public radio into the classroom https://listenwise.com
StoryCorps
From the everyday to the extraordinary, personal interviews get kids listening http://storycorps.org/
Art and Design
ArtsEdge
Impressive cross-curricular resource helps put the A in STEAM https://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/educators.aspx
KidsThinkDesign
Projects inspire creativity; a place for kids' sharing would boost fun http://www.kidsthinkdesign.org/index.html
Workbench
Find and assign STEAM tasks with dynamic project-based learning hub https://www.workbenchplatform.com/
History/Geography
South African History Online
South African History Online (SAHO) is a non-partisan people's history project concerned with the presentation of a critical, open access, and democratic history of South Africa http://www.sahistory.org.za/classroom
Nat Geo Kids
Do you love exploring, learning and discovering new and exciting things? Nat Geo has articles and games about Animals, Science, History, and Geographyhttps://www.natgeokids.com/za/
Math/Science
Nobel Prize Games
You don't have to be a genius to understand the work of the Nobel Laureates. These games and simulations, based on Nobel Prize-awarded achievements, will teach and inspire you while you're having FUN! https://www.nobelprize.org/educational/
ReMission
Each game puts players inside the human body to fight cancer with an arsenal of weapons and super-powers, like chemotherapy, antibiotics and the body’s natural defenses. The game play parallels real-world strategies used to successfully destroy cancer and win. http://www.re-mission2.org/games/
Lure of the Labyrinth
Lure of the Labyrinth is a digital game for middle-school pre-algebra students. Intriguing math-based puzzles are woven into an exciting narrative with two main goals: find your lost pet and save the world from monsters! http://labyrinth.thinkport.org/
The Radix Endeavor
The Radix Endeavor is an online multiplayer game designed to augment math and biology instruction. Students use their knowledge of math and science to solve quests in a virtual Earth-like world.https://www.radixendeavor.org/
Demolition Division
A math game that lets you destroy tanks by solving division problems.https://www.coolmath4-kids.com/math-games/demolition-division
Storytelling
NaNoWriMo
Young Writers Program Wildly engaging contest turns students into novelists in 30 days https://ywp.nanowrimo.org/
Storybird
Social storytelling fun; artwork inspires, but limits creative freedom http://www.storybird.com
Story Wars
Read, write, and vote on engaging collaborative storytelling site https://www.storywars.net/
Youth Voices
Vibrant online community hosts authentic student writing https://www.youthvoices.live/
Write the World
Global community helps young writers write, revise, think, and grow http://www.writetheworld.com
Teen Ink
Get kids writing, publishing, critiquing in this valuable network http://www.teenink.com
DIY Projects/ Engineering
Design Squad Nation
Classmates can compete to solve fun engineering problems http://pbskids.org/designsquad
DIY
Design, build, and share new things offline and online http://www.diy.org
Curiosity Machine
Kids build, share, receive pro feedback with awesome engineering site https://www.curiositymachine.org
MAKE:
The Maker Movement embraces innovation, creativity, and learning to improve our communities and create a better future. Tinkerers, educators, parents, and professionals are included, because we are all Makers. That includes you. What will you make? https://makezine.com/
TED Talks
Angela Lee Duckworth: Grit: the power of passion and perserverence
Several students recommend this talk. Koshi Joshi from Georgia says that this talk had a powerful impact on her, by teaching that “learning comes with effort and hard work, and that working hard is the key to success.” Meanwhile, Juwon Pade from Connecticut agrees with ”the idea that hard work and determination make a huge impact.”Angela Lee Duckworth: Grit: the power of passion and perserverence
Julian Treasure: How to speak so that people want to listen
Julian Treasure’s talk is another top pick by students. High schooler Karol Dobrowolski from Poland says that she took Julian’s advice — and it helped her prepare to give her TED-Ed Club talk.Julian Treasure: How to speak so that people want to listen
Cameron Russell: Looks aren’t everything. Believe me, I’m a model
This talk is a great reminder that it’s what’s on the inside that counts. Amelia Browne, a student in San Francisco, writes about why it inspired her: “Her story allowed me to further my understanding of the privilege and opportunity I’ve been given by today’s society. I was able to better comprehend how I use those qualities to create change for the generations to come so that there is not inherent privilege, and instead compassion and acceptance.”Cameron Russell: Looks aren’t everything. Believe me, I’m a model
Drew Dudley: Everyday leadership
TED-Ed Club Members love this funny talk. San Francisco student Isabella Scal believes in the message Drew Dudley is trying to spread, and says: “Small acts of kindness can change someone’s life, and each person in their own way positively affects the people around them. This talk has made me appreciate my peers and elders so much more because I know that they help(ed) to shape me into the person I was, I am, and I will be."Drew Dudley: Everyday leadership
Susan Cain: The power of introverts
J“Susan Cain’s talk validated my feelings and experiences and empowered me to embrace my introversion, even if our culture does not. With the understanding of introversion from her TED Talk (and from her book, which I had read before seeing the talk), I gained a new way to understand the people around me, and developed an improved attitude about my own personality. Her eloquent, well-organized and confident presentation further proved her point on the power of introverts, and also reminded me not to use introversion as an excuse for not participating in important discussions and events."Susan Cain: The power of introverts
Casey Neistat: High school stories
“Casey Neistat’s talk taught me that as I am fortunate to live in the United States and go to a great school, I must seize this opportunity to help someone else who does not receive the same luxuries that I do. This has fueled my love for community service and helping others. I often volunteer at the senior home and the homeless shelter. At the moment, I am starting a club at my school that will help the refugees who are in dire need of our support. There is so much that I can do to improve the lives of people who need it most.”Casey Neistat: High school stories
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: The danger of a single story
“One perspective is what shapes people into being closed minded and ignorant of the world around them. This TED Talk inspired me to learn more about current events so that I would not become one of those ignorant people who thinks that everyone is the same as them and everyone has the amenities and opportunities that they do.”Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: The danger of a single story
Adora Svitak: What adults can learn from kids
This talk is a favorite for teachers and students alike, as Adora Svitak reminds us why it’s so important to listen to youth voices..Adora Svitak: What adults can learn from kids
You Tube Channels
Crash Course
Crash Course is a YouTube channel created by John Green — author of “The Fault in our Stars” — and his brother, Hank. It offers deeply-researched, information-packed video courses in episodic format on big topics like world history and astronomy. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX6b17PVsYBQ0ip5gyeme-Q
TED-ED
You’ll find Ted-Ed on nearly every educational YouTube list for a reason—the library of expert talks they provide is large enough to keep your students busy every day of the week for the rest of the year! Keep students excited with videos like Why are human bodies asymmetrical? and How do we know what color dinosaurs were?
SMITHSONIAN CHANNEL
Subjects ranging from cars and jet engines to polar bears and sharks.
EXPERT VILLAGE
Bring learning into the real world with this educational YouTube channel. Students can learn how to raise a dog and take great photographs all within five minutes.
NPR
Turn to NPR for lessons on everything from politics to health. Students can safely peruse this channel for video content, but may not find a lot of as exciting as it could be, so it may be best for you to hand-pick the videos that make the most sense for your lessons.
TALKS AT GOOGLE
Students will be in awe as they list to talks about “Searching for the Oldest Stars” or watch celebrities like Lady Gaga speak about tech topics.
NASA JOHNSON
If you have budding astronauts in your classroom, they will be begging to watch more videos from this YouTube channel. They can tune into live broadcasts (and all previously recorded live broadcasts), learn about how astronauts live in space and see what the world looks like from way up there.
BRIGHTSTORM
Let other educators do the work for you if you’re feeling overwhelmed by picking class videos from this education-focused channel. Designed for students in high school, videos cover Math, Science and English with mini-lessons from teachers just like you. Students can learn about the parts of an essay, absolute value inequality graphs and electromagnetic waves.
MINUTE PHYSICS
With more than 3 million subscribers, this is one of the most popular channels on YouTube. Their tagline, “cool physics and other sweet science,” are not just words—each video is accompanied by fun, colorful graphics that make topics like Angular Momentum exciting.
BIG THINK
This fun channel provides more abstract lessons that can supplement more specific lessons in the classroom. Many topics cover mainstream topics such as our obsession with selfies and presidential debates, while others dig into deeper content such as the Big Bang and mindful daydreaming.
VANCOUVER POETRY SLAM
Get students excited to write by showing them some of these inspiring and impressive performances by writers of all ages. Topics and styles vary from video to video, allowing every student to find something that speaks to them.
ANIMAL PLANET
This YouTube channel is home to an interesting combination of videos, and its strength really lies in their playlists, which pull together a variety of 1- to 5-minute videos to completely cover a single topic.
COMPUTER HISTORY
This channel, managed by the Computer History Museum, is perfect for your next STEM lesson. With intriguing videos about technology and our current tech startup culture, students will get a real-life glimpse into the world of computers and tech.
BOOKTV
Students will love hearing authors of their favorite novels talk about their writing. It may take some time to dig through the videos and find a few that your students will like, but the one you choose could be the inspiration one of your student’s needs to write more.
WORDSOFTHEWORLD
This interesting YouTube channel discusses the most popular and familiar words in the English language today, digging up the history and true meanings behind them. Find a video for at least one vocabulary word every month—students will get excited when video time comes around each month.
THE CULINARY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA
This is a must-watch channel for any budding chefs in your classroom. Dig through their large library of videos to find cooking demonstrations and informational pieces of about protein and New York state apples.
Environment/Sustainability
Sustainaville
Sustainable-community sim teaches students how to conserve https://www.sustainaville.org/index.php
Extreme Event
Is your community ready for an extreme event like an earthquake, flood, or hurricane? Find out with this role-playing game for community groups and schools! Players learn how important it is to build coalitions across all sectors of a community and invest in short-term and long-term resources to make their city more resilient. https://www.koshland-science-museum.org/extreme-event/
3rd World Farmer
Players get to manage an African farm and are soon confronted with the difficult choices that poverty and conflict can cause. https://3rdworldfarmer.org/