Archives: Resources

Over the years, thousands of students and volunteer library and information science professionals have been involved in answering reference questions. This site, hosted by Drexel University, organizes that … learn more

The Library of Virginia provides a glimpse of the vast library resources, accumulated at universities, upon which older students will rely as they progress towards and in college.

The Smithsonian Magazine is now online for your perusal. Check it out.

Check out over 100 on-line exhibits, covering a wide variety of subjects from Fantastic Worlds: Science and Fiction, 1780-1910 to Views from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera and … learn more

The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex. We are a community of learning and an opener of doors. Join us on a voyage of discovery. Explore our vast … learn more

In addition to the Learning Lab, the Smithsonian has a very wide range of on-line resources, with everything from the National Postal Museum and the National Portrait Gallery … learn more

This archive was originally founded as the Archive of American Folk Song at the Library in 1928. Today the Archive includes over three million photographs, manuscripts, audio recordings, … learn more

Panoramic Photographs at the LOC will yield 4000 photographs of significant events and ordinary life from 1851-1991. We found the primary source photographs detailing California history fascinating.

Created by teachers for teachers, these ready-to-use materials provide easy ways to incorporate the Library’s unparalleled primary sources into instruction. Free primary-source-based professional development from the Library of … learn more

The Library of Congress maintains “miles” of references and showcases special exhibit of all types. You can start at their home page or explore some of the other … learn more

Nothing gets a student’s attention like money. Use the on-line resources here to take a virtual (or in person) tour of your nearest U.S. Mint. You can bring … learn more

GovTrack follows the status of all bills in Congress from introduction to enactment. Read the text of bills and see how bills change through their life cycle. You … learn more

Congress.gov is the official website for U.S. federal legislative information. The site provides access to accurate, timely, and complete legislative information for Members of Congress, legislative agencies, and … learn more

This page has links to national libraries for most countries, including a link to an English version, if available.

Kevin Thorn defines Sketchnoting as a “a form of Visual Writing by expressing ideas, concepts, and important thoughts in a meaningful flow by listening, processing, and transferring what … learn more

Carrie Baughcum is a Special Education Teacher and a “a passionate believer that all children can learn, we just need to find out how”. This beginners guide gives … learn more

Claudine Delfin answers the question of why do visual note-taking – it enhances memory and improves understanding of the lessons. She then goes on to explain the basics … learn more

Doug Neill looks at how how you might weave sketchnoting in your curriculum: build it into the arc of your course. During the first half of the course, … learn more

Doug Neill takes a look at what is Sketchnoting, why it’s important, and how it’s not one-size-fits-all. He lists some of the skills to be developed, various forms … learn more

A quick overview of how Minecraft can be used in the classroom, and an invitation for teachers to join the conversation. Minecraft can be a stepping stone to … learn more

In February, 2002, we went to Stanford University’s School of Education and interviewed Margaret Krebs, Jennifer Wolf, and Charla Rolland about how they use the K-12 Instruction Resource … learn more

Vimeo is another contender for hosting videos. While not as well known as YouTube, it has the advantage of being pretty much ad free and provides better video … learn more

Making captivating videos has never been this easy. Movie Studio brings together efficient cutting tools, extensive optimization options and up to 1,500 effects and titles in a single, … learn more

Scan Tips is Wayne Fulton’s attempt to clarify some mysteries about the basics of flash and digital photography. A little of it is Nikon specific, however almost all … learn more

Audacity is free, open source software for recording and editing sounds, available for Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows, GNU/Linux, and other operating systems. Our webmaster has used it … learn more

Their premise is that anyone with a little ambition and elbow grease can make a terrific podcast. Though creating a regular talk show is hard work, it’s also … learn more

When creating content for your web site, training video or classroom presentation, it would be nice to be able to capture what’s on your computer screen as you … learn more

Stop frame animation — think Chicken Run or the old Gumby cartoons — can easily be done with programs like Clay Animator (free!). Includes information and videos as … learn more

A collaboration between Pixar Animation Studios and Khan Academy, Pixar In A Box looks at how animated moves are made, and in the process helps students answer an … learn more

Drones that weigh less than 0.55 lbs. (250 g) including batteries do not need to be registered. Most toy and hand held drones fall in this category. Drones … learn more

100’s of templates & extensions are available for LibreOffice. You can find similar sites with Google.

The official site for LibreOffice. You can get up-to-date information and download the latest version of LibreOffice here. This is the suite our webmaster uses and recommends.

Chris does an in depth comparison of LibreOffice vs. Microsoft Office, looking especially at the word processing and spreadsheet applications and the ability to switch back and forth … learn more

K-12 Dive provides in-depth journalism and insight into the most impactful news and trends shaping K-12 education. The newsletters and website cover topics such as leadership, school models, … learn more

While today’s smart phones do not have the capabilities of a high-end SLR camera, the gap is narrowing every year. Schools like Stanford University are now offering classes … learn more

In addition to portraits and landscapes, there is the whole area of product shots for advertising and eCommerce. This resource shows simple setups your students can use to … learn more

What better place for photography ideas than Pinterest. Elizabeth Osborne has compiled over 250 photography ideas for High School students. Elizabeth teaches high school art, photography and 2D … learn more

Photographer Lorenz Holder demonstrates some easy & creative smartphone photography tips & tricks. New ways to look at panoramas, “free” zoom and macro lenses, easy tripod & shutter … learn more

A good alternative to Photoshop is Corel’s PaintShop Pro. While not the gold standard, it provides many of the same features and can be easier for schools to … learn more

Pixlr, among other things, has simple and advanced photo editors you can use right on your web browser. They also make cell phone apps and desktop versions available … learn more

This video takes a quick look at the pros and cons of both Photoshop and GIMP. And good news! GIMP version 2.8, mentioned in the video, is now … learn more

GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a free, cross-platform image editor available for Linux, OS X, Windows, and more. GIMP can be used by graphic designers, photographers, illustrators, … learn more

Paint.NET is a free(!) image and photo editing program for Windows PCs. While not as “feature rich” as PhotoShop, it does a great job and loads faster than … learn more

There are a number of hybrid sites like FreeImages.com that provide both free and for-purchase photos. With over 300,000 free photos, sites like this can provide interesting images … learn more

The Graphics Fairy has over 4,500 free vintage stock images, illustrations, old pictures, antique graphics, and vintage printables. DIY and craft tutorials are offered as well. All images … learn more

Unsplash has over 2 million free high-resolution images “brought to you by the world’s most generous community of photographers”. Covers a wide variety of subjects with high quality … learn more

Check out a repository of digital images from the collections of the National Gallery of Art. More than 45,000 open-access digital images spanning over 700 years of art … learn more

This blog post from the Northwest Evaluation Association looks at easy-to-implement ideas for measuring student learning. One idea: Keep the Question Going. The teacher asks one student a … learn more

The National Assessment of Educational Progress, first administered in 1969, is the largest continuing and nationally representative assessment of what our nation’s students know and can do in … learn more

Standardized testing. Formative assessment. Competency-based learning. Report cards. Explore EdWeek’s full coverage of student testing

Louise Yarnall of SRI International answers the question of why assessment is important in education. Assessment is more than just recalling facts and dates, but ensuring the ability … learn more

Assessment involves the use of empirical data on student learning to refine programs and improve student learning. This article from Westminster College looks at the different definitions of … learn more

Connecting educators to what works. Includes many topics: Teachers Essentials, New Teacher, Technology in the classroom, and Professional Development. Education World is a complete online resource that teachers, … learn more

Autodesk’s Tinkercad makes a great classroom tool for 3D modeling. It’s free to use, runs within your web browser (so there’s nothing to install), and is beginner friendly, … learn more

Don’t want to create your own .stl files? Looking for project ideas or see how other people tackled things? Thingiverse is the go-to place for printed objects. Includes … learn more

Naveed Husain, from Teachers College, Columbia University, outlines 20 best practices for educators thrust into the remote-learning journey. The list includes: Be as present as possible through video … learn more

Mark Rober, a former NASA engineer and current “YouTuber and friend of science”, put together this video showing how easy it is to spread germs, including the COVID-19 … learn more

With schools turning to the Internet to facilitate education activities, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are stepping up to the plate, providing free Internet hotspots and continued service during … learn more

This article by Sarah Gonser highlights some issues that we will all face as states start to prepare contingency plans for a highly unpredictable Fall 2020 school year: … learn more

This post by Krista Kaput looks at issues specific to Minnesota, but is a reminder that the COVID-19 crisis has caused ripple effects across the education system, raising … learn more

This post by Amy Takabori explains why building a sense of community for your school during a school closure is important and gives 4 tips on how to … learn more

Mike Rowe’s recorded a commencement speech to all those graduating from a trade school, and to those high school graduates about to enter one. In these uncertain times, … learn more

Parents, teachers and students across the country are gearing up for the new school year. But, as of mid-July, what schools and the school day would look like … learn more

Randall Munroe at xkcd uses the Star Wars’ Death Star to explain how mRNA vaccines work, like the ones currently available for COVID-19. While you may feel a … learn more

The STEM Careers Coalition, co-sponsored by Discovery Education, provides free resources for 6th-12th grade classrooms to develop key STEM and critical thinking skills in your students, aligned to … learn more

ISTE, the International Society for Technology in Education, has developed matrices for implementing skills, standards, and activities into both teacher education methods courses and field experiences. Rather than … learn more

Frank Potter’s Science Gems is a collection of “gems” that could be used to introduce beginning teachers or teachers new to technology to the Web.

The National Writing Project has worked hard to cultivate the concept of teacher as researcher. Online collaboration and publishing have bound this community, spread all over the US, … learn more

Nemours KidsHealth is the most-viewed site for dependable information on children’s health, behavior, and development from before birth through the teen years.

Annenberg Learner provides continuing education and graduate-level courses, in partnership with Colorado State University and PBS TeacherLine.

Edutopia Online, sponsored by the George Lucas Foundation, documents and disseminates innovative practices for administrators. Educators must always hone their craft. Discover the many formal and informal professional … learn more

The ISTE Standards provide the competencies for learning, teaching and leading with technology, and are a comprehensive road map for the effective use of technology in schools worldwide. … learn more

ISTE Blog, formerly EdTekHub, serves up ideas, content and resources for educators. Topics include digital citizenship, education leadership, media literacy, personalized learning, and tools & apps. A free … learn more

Get Educated, a distance learning resource center serves the population of students, eligible for adult education. They publish a free monthly newsletter – back issues are available at … learn more

Teaching Tolerance, part of the Tolerance.org web site, serves as a clearinghouse of information about anti-bias programs and activities. Their goal is to present some of the more … learn more

The Conflict Resolution Education Connection is divided into sections by group such as teachers and administrators. You can find classroom activities ,video resources and administrator how-to guides.

SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 1-800-662-4357 (HELP), TTY: 1-800-487-4889, is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance … learn more

Not everyone is comfortable opening up or talking with a professional. Tiny Buddha (not a site about the religion) posts curated stories, tips, and insights from readers of … learn more

PBS has developed this lesson plan for grades 9-12. In the lesson, students examine teenage depression: what it’s all about, how it feels, and ways to deal with … learn more

This resource provides teenagers with tips and tools for helping themselves or a friend. Last updated on February 18, 2026

Research shows that unreasonable start times lead to chronic sleep deprivation in teens. This article looks at why are schools so slow to make changes and the movement … learn more

When counseling teens, ask them how much sleep they are getting. Sleep deprivation increases the likelihood teens will suffer myriad negative consequences, including an inability to concentrate, poor … learn more

KidsHealth in the Classroom offers educators free health-related lesson plans for PreK through 12th grade. Each Teacher’s Guide includes discussion questions, classroom activities and extensions, printable handouts, and … learn more

PBS’ FRONTLINE chronicles how scientists are exploring the recesses of the brain and finding some new explanations for why adolescents behave the way they do. These discoveries could … learn more

Being a teenager is hard. Especially when hormones play their part in wreaking havoc on the teenage body and brain. In this episode, Hank explains what is happening … learn more

Michael Linsin says one of the biggest classroom management mistakes teachers make is that they take disrespectful behavior personally. Better to simply and dispassionately follow your classroom management … learn more

This resource, appropriate for older high school students and adults, looks at cyberstalking and what to do if you are a victim. It looks at the difference between … learn more

Cyberbullying is a real problem that is dominating the bullying trends in schools today. This infographic can be used to as a resource by your students, and to … learn more

This set of 5 short videos was created by students in the Video Production elective class at Palm Middle School in Los Angeles, CA. The students made a … learn more

Kids react to a bullying video and discuss the topic. Each one has a different perspective.

Resources for kids, young adults, parents and educators. Webisodes talk about how to take a stand against bullying. Get ideas for things you can do to make the … learn more

SciCentral editors aggregate breaking research news from the most reputable and reliable sources. Check out Today’s Highlights on the home page or drill down into an area of … learn more

Education Week is available online. You can explore particular issues and search the archives. In an early September issue a calendar of key conferences nationwide is published by … learn more

Education Northwest conducts nearly 200 projects annually, working with schools, districts, and communities across the country on comprehensive, research-based solutions to the challenges they face. Their blog discusses … learn more

The Best Evidence Encyclopedia (BEE) is intended to give educators and researchers fair and useful information about the strength of the evidence supporting a variety of programs available … learn more

National Science Teacher Association (NSTA) has a section on lesson plans on a variety of science topics for elementary, middle school, and high school students

Ben Johnson looks at how a middle school teacher can cope? Two tools: Distraction and Relationship.

MiddleWeb is all about the middle grades — with a sharp focus on teaching and learning in grades 4-8. Topics range from bullying to history lesson redesigns to … learn more

September 17 is Constitution Day and Citizenship Day (Constitution Day). This day commemorates the September 17, 1787 signing of the United States Constitution.