APPENDIX II: RECOMMENDED WEBSITES FOR TEACHERS
The World Wide Web is difficult to navigate, constantly changing and idiosyncratic.
Most of the teachers who helped assemble this list of recommended sites prefer Google as their
search engine, but some disagree. Any directory of recommended sites is going to include sites
that have moved or have closed shop. In addition, one person’s best site can be someone else’s
dud. We encourage you to explore these sites for yourself and bookmark your own favorites.
Our recommendations are divided into three general categories (professional
organizations, resources and lesson plans, and publishers and corporate-for-profit sites) and are
listed alphabetically within each group. As you visit these sites, you will discover that most
could be listed in more than one category. These sites were last confirmed on November 20,
2012.
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (http://www.actfl.org/).
ACTFL is dedicated to the improvement and expansion of the teaching and learning of all
languages at all levels of instruction. ACTFL is an individual membership organization of more
than 7,000 foreign language teachers and administrators from elementary through graduate
education, as well as government and industry.
American Federation of Teachers (http://www.aft.org/). The mission of the American
Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO, is to improve the lives of its members and their families; to
give voice to their legitimate professional, economic, and social aspirations; to strengthen the
institutions in which they work; to improve the quality of the services they provide; to bring
together all members to assist and support one another; and to promote democracy, human rights,
and freedom in the union, nation, and world.
American Educational Research Association (http://www.aera.net/). AERA is concerned
with improving the educational process by encouraging scholarly inquiry related to education
and by promoting the dissemination and practical application of research results. AERA is the
most prominent international professional organization with the primary goal of advancing
educational research and its practical application. Its more than 22,000 members are teachers;
administrators; directors of research, testing, or evaluation in federal, state and local agencies;
counselors; evaluators; graduate students; and behavioral scientists. The broad range of
© Taylor & Francis 2013
disciplines represented by the membership includes education, psychology, statistics, sociology,
history, economics, philosophy, anthropology, and political science.
American Library Association (http://www.ala.org/). ALA provides leadership for the
development, promotion, and improvement of library and information services and the
profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all.
ASCD (formerly Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development)
(http://www.ascd.org/). The ASCD is an international, nonprofit, nonpartisan education
association committed to the mission of forging covenants in teaching and learning for the
success of all learners. Founded in 1943, ASCD provides professional development in
curriculum and supervision, initiates and supports activities to provide educational equity for all
students, and serves as a world-class leader in education information services. ASCD publishes
Educational Leadership.
Bilingual Education (http://www.csun.edu/~hcedu013/eslbil.html). This site has links to a
number of other sites that focus on bilingual education.
Children’s Defense Fund (http://www.childrensdefense.org/). CDF is a strong, effective
voice for all the children of America who cannot vote, lobby, or speak for themselves. It pays
particular attention to the needs of poor and minority children and those with disabilities. CDF
educates the nation about the needs of children and encourages preventive investment before
they get sick or into trouble, drop out of school, or suffer family breakdown.
Coalition of Essential Schools (http://www.essentialschools.org/). CES is a national
network of more than 1,000 schools, 19 regional centers, and a national office seeking to
promote higher student achievement and to develop more nurturing and humane school
communities. CES National supports the work of this network by providing professional
development, conducting research, maintaining this website, and advocating for the CES
Network.
Educators for Social Responsibility (http://www.esrnational.org/). ESR’s mission is to
make teaching social responsibility a core practice in education so that young people develop the
convictions and skills needed to shape a safe, sustainable, democratic, and just world. ESR
supports social and emotional learning, character education, conflict resolution, violence
prevention, and intergroup relations. It offers comprehensive programs, resources, and training
for adults who teach children at every developmental level, preschool through high school.
© Taylor & Francis 2013
ERIC (http://www.eric.ed.gov/). The Education Resources Information Center (ERIC) is
an online digital library of education research and information sponsored by the U.S. Department
of Education.
Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (http://www.glsen.org/). GLSEN is one of
the nation’s leading voices for equality and safety in the educational system.
Global Schoolhouse (http://www.gsn.org/). This site provides excellent resources for the
information consumer, especially teachers who want to use the Internet in their classrooms.
Institute for Democracy in Education (www.ohiou.edu/ide). IDE was founded by local
teachers in southeastern Ohio dismayed that public school reform overlooked the historic
purpose of public education—the development of participatory citizens who have cultivated
democratic habits of heart and mind. IDE includes more than twenty regional offices across the
United States and Canada.
International Education and Resource Network (http://www.iearn.org/). iEARN is a
nonprofit organization made up of almost 4,000 schools in more than ninety countries that
empowers teachers and young people (K–12) to work together online through a global
telecommunications network. Through participation in iEARN projects, students develop the
habit of getting involved in community issues, thus better equipping them for future citizenship
participation.
International Society for Technology in Education (http://www.iste.org/). ISTE publishes
Journal for Research on Technology in Education and develops technology standards for
schools.
Internet Public Library (http://www.ipl.org/). IPL is a public service organization and
learning and teaching environment at the University of Michigan School of Information.
Activities include finding, evaluating, selecting, and organizing library material. IPL advocates a
learn-by-doing approach to train information professionals and students to work in an
increasingly digital environment.
MiddleWeb (http://www.middleweb.com/). This site is dedicated to reform and
innovation in middle schools, with an emphasis on urban issues. It provides links to other online
resources and a listserv that connects middle school teachers interested in improving middle
grades, teaching, and learning.
© Taylor & Francis 2013
National Association for Multicultural Education (http://www.nameorg.org/). NAME
advocates for educational equity and social justice. Membership encompasses the spectrum of
professional educators and specialists, including early childhood, classroom, and higher
education faculty, administrators, psychologists, social workers, counselors, curriculum
specialists, librarians, scholars, and researchers. NAME publishes a newsletter and a quarterly
journal, Multicultural Perspectives.
National Center for Fair & Open Testing (http://www.fairtest.org/). NCFOT is an
advocacy organization working to end the abuses, misuses, and flaws of standardized testing and
to ensure that evaluation of students and workers is fair, open, and educationally sound. It places
special emphasis on eliminating the racial, class, gender, and cultural barriers to equal
opportunity posed by standardized tests, and preventing their damage to the quality of education.
National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition (http://www.ncela.gwu.edu/)
NCELA is funded by the U.S. Department of Education to collect, analyze, and disseminate
information relating to the effective education of linguistically and culturally diverse learners in
the United States.
National Coalition of Education Activists (members.aol.com/nceaweb). NCEA is a
multiracial network and membership organization of parents, school staff, union and community
activists, and children’s advocates working for equitable and excellent public schools. NCEA’s
quarterly newsletter, Action for Better Schools, provides an annotated list of practical resources.
National Commission on Teaching & America’s Future (http://www.nctaf.org/). NCTAF
is a nonpartisan, nonprofit group dedicated to improving the quality of teaching nationwide as a
means of meeting America’s educational challenges. NCTAF’s work is based on a solid body of
research demonstrating that access to competent, qualified teachers is a crucial factor in
determining student achievement.
National Committee for Languages and the National Council for Languages and
International Studies (http://www.languagepolicy.org/). JNCL and NCLIS are membership
organizations united in their belief that all Americans must have the opportunity to learn and use
English and at least one other language. The site provides links to individual language
associations.
National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (http://www.ncate.org/).
NCATE is a coalition of professional associations of teachers, teacher educators, content
© Taylor & Francis 2013
specialists, and local and state policymakers committed to quality teaching. Through the process
of professional accreditation of schools, colleges, and departments of education, NCATE works
to make a difference in the quality of teaching and teacher preparation today, tomorrow, and for
the next century.
National Council for the Social Studies (http://www.socialstudies.org/). NCSS provides
leadership, service, and support for all social studies teachers. It serves as an umbrella
organization for elementary, secondary, and college teachers of history, geography, economics,
political science, sociology, psychology, anthropology, and law-related education. NCSS
publishes curriculum journals for teachers working in elementary, middle, and secondary
schools, and a social studies research journal.
National Council of Teachers of English (http://www.ncte.org/). NCTE is devoted to
improving the teaching and learning of English and the language arts at all levels of education. It
provides a forum for the profession, opportunities for teachers to continue professional growth
throughout their careers, and a framework for cooperation to deal with issues that affect the
teaching of English.
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (http://www.nctm.org/). NCTM provides
the vision and leadership necessary to ensure a mathematics education of the highest quality for
all students. NCTM publishes four professional journals: Teaching Children Mathematics,
Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School, the Mathematics Teacher, and the Journal for
Research in Mathematics Education.
National Education Association (http://www.nea.org/). NEA is America’s oldest and
largest organization committed to advancing the cause of public education. NEA conducts
professional workshops, supports members involved in contractual negotiations, lobbies state
and federal legislative bodies, and promotes dialogue on major educational issues.
National Endowment for the Humanities (http://www.neh.gov/). NEH is an independent
grant-making agency of the U.S. government dedicated to supporting research, education, and
public programs in the humanities.
National Science Foundation (http://www.nsf.gov/). NSF is an independent grant-making
agency of the U.S. government dedicated to supporting research, education, and public programs
in the sciences.
© Taylor & Francis 2013
National Middle School Association (http://www.nmsa.org/). NMSA is a resource center
for middle school teachers.
National Science Teachers Association (http://www.nsta.org/). NSTA promotes
excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning. Membership includes science
teachers, supervisors, administrators, scientists, business and industry representatives, and others
involved in science education. NSTA publishes a professional journal for each level of science
teaching.
National Writing Project (http://www.writingproject.org/). NWP promotes exemplary
instruction of writing in every classroom in America. It recognizes that our lives and practices
are enriched when those with whom we interact represent diversities of race, gender, class,
ethnicity, and language.
Network of Educators on Central America (http://www.teachingforchange.org/).
Teaching for Change provides curriculum guides and other resources to help teachers engage
students in innovative classroom activities that deal with issues of equity and social justice.
Phi Delta Kappan (http://www.pdkintl.org/). Kappan is an advocate for research-based
school reform. Kappan provides a forum for debate on controversial subjects. It is disseminated
to all members of Phi Delta Kappa International and is available by subscription to nonmembers.
Rethinking Schools (http://www.rethinkingschools.org/). This organization began as a
local effort by Milwaukee-area teachers to address problems such as basal readers, standardized
testing, and textbook-dominated curriculum. It has grown into a nationally prominent publisher
of educational materials. It remains committed to equity and to the vision that public education is
central to the creation of a humane, caring, multiracial democracy.
Science Learning Network (http://www.sln.org/). SLN is a project sponsored by the
National Science Foundation. It provides an online science learning community for teachers,
students, and teaching institutions such as museums.
Teachers Network (http://www.teachersnetwork.org/). This is a national, educational,
nonprofit organization that identifies and connects innovative teachers exemplifying
professionalism and creativity within public school systems. Site includes: Daily Classroom
Specials, Videos for Teachers, For New Teachers, Grants for Teachers, Talk with Teachers, and
Teacher Bookstore.
© Taylor & Francis 2013
Teach for America (http://www.teachforamerica.org). This is a national corps of
outstanding and diverse recent college graduates of all academic majors who commit two years
to teach in urban and rural public schools. After their two years, Teach for America alumni bring
their unique perspective and experience to every sector of professional life, where they remain
lifelong advocates for making an excellent education available to all children.
United Nations (www.un.org/cyberschoolbus). This site provides information and
activities linking teachers and students with UN-sponsored projects around the world.
United States Department of Education (www.ed.gov/free). DOE offers hundreds of
education resources supported by agencies across the U.S. federal government. Subjects include:
arts, educational technology, foreign languages, health and safety, language arts, mathematics,
physical education, science, social studies, and vocational education. DOE also provides a
survival guide for new teachers at www.ed.gov/pubs/survivalguide.
What Kids Can Do (http://www.whatkidscando.org/). This site highlights innovative
programs that show the power of young people to shape our world.
RESOURCES AND LESSON PLANS
Awesome Library (http://www.awesomelibrary.org/). This site organizes the Web with
17,000 carefully reviewed resources, including the top 5 percent in education.
Beginning Teachers Tool Box (http://www.education-world.com/). This is a “survival
kit” for new teachers that includes a newsletter and professional and classroom resources.
Creative Teaching (http://www.creativeteachingsite.com/). This is a nonprofit site
financed by the author to help teachers develop more creative teaching ideas and to help teachers
more thoroughly enjoy their profession. The creator of this site has been teaching and teaching
teachers for thirty years.
IBIBLIO (http://www.ibiblio.org/). This site is one of the largest “collection of
collections.” A collaboration between the Center for the Public Domain and the University of
North Carolina-Chapel Hill, it offers free software and information on music, literature, art,
history, science, politics, and cultural studies.
Lesson Planz (http://www.lessonplanz.com/). This site is a clearinghouse with more than
4,000 lesson plans organized by content and theme. It includes a chat room where
teachers share ideas.
© Taylor & Francis 2013
Library of Congress American Memory (http://memory.loc.gov/ammem). This is a
gateway to rich primary source materials relating to the history and culture of the United States.
The site offers more than seven million digital items from more than 100 historical collections.
Merrow Report (http://www.pbs.org/merrow). This site is an engaging documentary
series about learning, about stretching your mind, and about television that educates. The
Merrow Report looks at issues that shape the ways all of us live and work and learn.
PBS Teacher Source (http://www.pbs.org/teachersource). This site provides teacherdeveloped materials, television programming, and professional development information.
Smithsonian Institute (http://educate.si.edu). The Smithsonian Institute in Washington,
D.C., designed this site to introduce teachers to programs offered at the museum. It provides
lesson ideas in a range of subject areas.
Teacher’s Corner (http://www.theteacherscorner.com/). This site provides lesson plans,
thematic units, lesson calendars, and pen pals.
Teachers First (http://www.teachersfirst.com/). On this site, lessons and resources are
organized by subject area.
Teachers Helping Teachers (http://www.pacificnet.net/~mandel). This site is designed to
help teachers share lessons and teaching ideas.
Teachers.Net (http://www.teachers.net/). This site is a large teacher resource site.
PUBLISHERS AND CORPORATE-FOR-PROFIT SITES
Copernicus (http://www.edgate.com/). Gateway’s corporate site for teachers, students,
and parents has a range of educational links and resources. It offers extra help for students and
allows teachers to post assignments online.
Discover (http://www.discover.com/). This is the home of the Schrock guide to
integrating the Internet into the curriculum. It offers numerous resource links and lesson ideas.
Education Week (http://www.edweek.org/). This is an online newspaper that discusses
current news, special events, and professional and social issues of significance to teachers.
Encyclopedia Britannica (http://www.britannica.com/). This is one of America’s leading
encyclopedias with everything from the origins of the universe to current events.
Holt McDougal (http://holtmcdougal.hmhco.com). This site provides resources in all
subject areas.
© Taylor & Francis 2013
Houghton Mifflin (http://www.eduplace.com/). The website provides supplemental
material that parallels and expands on the parent company’s texts.
K-12 Teaching & Learning Center (http://www.k12tlc.org/). This is a privately owned
and operated website for K–12 educators, students, and families. It charges a nominal
membership fee.
Learning Network’s Teacher Channel (http://www.teachervision.com/). This corporatesponsored website offers lesson plans, free e-mail newsletters and literature tie-ins, quizzes, and
printables to help teachers enhance learning and incorporate technology into their classrooms.
Merriam-Webster Online (http://www.merriam-webster.com/). This is an online English
language dictionary and thesaurus.
My School on Line (http://MySchoolOnline.com). This site provides a range of Internet
and website solutions, from teaching teachers how to use the Web to providing easy-to-use
website-building tools and education-focused content.
The New York Times (http://www.nytimes.com/learning). This is a New York City–
based newspaper with broad national coverage of events. It includes lesson ideas and sample
assessments.
Prentice Hall (http://www.phschool.com/). This site provides resources in all subject
areas. It offers teachers the ability to interact with textbooks and create their own websites, and it
provides state-specific curriculum information.
World Book (http://www.worldbook.com/). This site provides access to the World Book
Encyclopedia.
Yahoo’s Education Directory (dir.yahoo.com/Education/K_12/Teaching). This is a
directory of reference materials, online learning communities, and links to resources on
classroom management, lesson planning, and library resources.
Recommendations by Larry Klein of the New Teachers Network for Building
Your Own Websites
TeacherWeb (www.teacherweb.com). This site provides easy-to-create, easy-to-update personal websites for
teachers.
Internet 101 (www.internet101.org). Created for those who want to know just the basics, this site provides enough
knowledge to have fun on the Internet, yet it will not bore you with too many details. Think of this as a set of
instructions for people who don’t like to read instructions.
Lissa Explains (www.lissaexplains.com). This is Web page design for kids. Topics include HTML, how to create
home pages, how to make a Web page, hex codes, RGB color chart, free guestbooks, projects, counters, JavaScript,
scripts, downloads, e-mail, tables, lake and snow applet, applets, search engines, graphics, copy, and paste.
© Taylor & Francis 2013
Homeroom.Net (www.homeroom.net). This is an Internet community of school Websites, links, and educationrelated information.
Presenting Java (www.december.com/works/java.html). Java is a computer programming language that brings
animation and a level of interactivity to the Web. With Java, you can create animations, simulations, and
applications for Web pages that are truly interactive.
Website Abstraction—Free JavaScripts (wsabstract.com/cutpastejava.shtml). This site offers comprehensive
JavaScript tutorials and more than 400 free scripts.
The Free Site (www.thefreesite.com). This provides listings and reviews of the best freebies available on the Net: email freebies, free fonts, fun freebies, free games, free graphics, free Java & Javascript, free postcards, free software,
free sounds, free technical support, free Web space for hosting your site, Web master freebies (free tools, Website
resources).
Fontsnthings.com (www.fontsnthings.com). This site provides a collection of unusual freeware and shareware fonts.
IconBAZAAR (www.iconbazaar.com). This is a gallery of free clipart, graphics, images, webdings, and web art for
use in HTML development.
ClipArt Review (www.webplaces.com/html/clipart.htm). This site is a guide to free graphics on the Web: icons,
backgrounds, textures, animated gifs, buttons, bars, lines, rules, bullets, clip art.
Cool Archive (www.coolarchive.com). This site offers a huge free vault of clipart images, fonts, icons, hundreds of
animations, buttons, bullets, arrows, bars, html and Photoshop tips, sounds. Plus it offers an online logo generator
and button maker to create your own graphics.
© Taylor & Francis 2013