Updated November 2014
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National Geographic Education

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Awesome assortment of highly searchable visual content

Subjects & skills
Subjects
  • Social Studies
Skills
N/A
Grades This grade range is a recommendation by Common Sense Education and not the developer/publisher.
Pre-K–12
Common Sense says
Not yet reviewed
Teachers say (2 Reviews)
Price:  Free
Platforms:  Website

Take a look inside

4 images
Both kids and teachers can search the site's best visual content.
Primary-source documents let kids explore historical text and images.
The Media Spotlight section has useful, detailed content.
Use the drop-down menu to sort content by grade level, subject, and media type.

How Can I Teach with This Tool?

National Geographic Education's Photos and Videos portal includes an extensive collection of visual content for both teachers and students. The site's Photos and Videos landing page is frequently updated, featuring a grab bag of new-ish content, tie-ins to blog posts, and info on current events. The Spotlight on Media and Primary Sources sections are useful areas to browse for inspiration, though it could be difficult to use them for a targeted search. Instead, try using one of the other choices -- Media Spotlights, Photos, or Videos -- to find galleries of content sortable by grade, subject, and media type. As you browse content, be sure to click the individual resources to make sure they'll suit your needs.

More than 700 photos and 400 videos are included, and the best of these feature sections for Background Info, Questions, Fast Facts, Explore More (with internal and external links), and Vocabulary. The photos can be especially rich, with a strong focus on primary source documents and historical content. Some photo resources reveal a gallery of images (Molly Brown's insurance claim from the sinking of the Titanic), and others are high-resolution images to explore (a 17th-century Dutch dollhouse). The "Young Voices for the Planet" video series is especially good, and pairs well with resources that explore environmental themes.

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Standards:

Key Standards Supported

Reading History/Social Studies

  • RH.6-8.7

    Integrate visual information (e.g., in charts, graphs, photographs, videos, or maps) with other information in print and digital texts.

  • RH.6-8.10

    By the end of grade 8, read and comprehend history/social studies texts in the grades 6–8 text complexity band independently and proficiently.

  • RH.9-10.7

    Integrate quantitative or technical analysis (e.g., charts, research data) with qualitative analysis in print or digital text.

  • RH.9-10.10

    By the end of grade 10, read and comprehend history/social studies texts in the grades 9–10 text complexity band independently and proficiently.

  • RH.11-12.7

    Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats and media (e.g., visually, quantitatively, as well as in words) in order to address a question or solve a problem.

  • RH.11-12.10

    By the end of grade 12, read and comprehend history/social studies texts in the grades 11–CCR text complexity band independently and proficiently.

Reading Science/Technical

  • RST.6-8.4

    Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other domain-specific words and phrases as they are used in a specific scientific or technical context relevant to grades 6–8 texts and topics.

  • RST.6-8.10

    By the end of grade 8, read and comprehend science/technical texts in the grades 6–8 text complexity band independently and proficiently.

  • RST.9-10.4

    Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other domain-specific words and phrases as they are used in a specific scientific or technical context relevant to grades 9–10 texts and topics.

  • RST.9-10.10

    By the end of grade 10, read and comprehend science/technical texts in the grades 9–10 text complexity band independently and proficiently.

  • RST.11-12.4

    Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other domain-specific words and phrases as they are used in a specific scientific or technical context relevant to grades 11–12 texts and topics.

  • RST.11-12.10

    By the end of grade 12, read and comprehend science/technical texts in the grades 11–12 text complexity band independently and proficiently.

Speaking & Listening

  • SL.K.2

    Confirm understanding of a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media by asking and answering questions about key details and requesting clarification if something is not understood.

  • SL.1.2

    Ask and answer questions about key details in a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media.

  • SL.2.2

    Recount or describe key ideas or details from a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media.

  • SL.3.2

    Determine the main ideas and supporting details of a text read aloud or information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.

  • SL.4.2

    Paraphrase portions of a text read aloud or information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.

  • SL.5.2

    Summarize a written text read aloud or information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.

  • SL.6.2

    Interpret information presented in diverse media and formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) and explain how it contributes to a topic, text, or issue under study.

  • SL.7.2

    Analyze the main ideas and supporting details presented in diverse media and formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) and explain how the ideas clarify a topic, text, or issue under study.

  • SL.8.2

    Analyze the purpose of information presented in diverse media and formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) and evaluate the motives (e.g., social, commercial, political) behind its presentation.

  • SL.9-10.2

    Integrate multiple sources of information presented in diverse media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) evaluating the credibility and accuracy of each source.

  • SL.11-12.2

    Integrate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats and media (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) in order to make informed decisions and solve problems, evaluating the credibility and accuracy of each source and noting any discrepancies among the data.

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Teacher Reviews

(See all 2 reviews) (2 reviews) Write a review
Featured review by
Laura F. , Other
Other
Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School
Oak Lawn, United States
Incorporate Powerful Images into Practice from National Geographic
In a world where non-fiction is leading curriculum standards, it is good to know a site exists of images that are safe for student use and allow classrooms to hone those ever important search skills that have become a necessity for learning. This site could be especially helpful with students who struggle navigating the complex vocabulary that sometimes accompanies science topics. ELL, low literacy and special needs students could more easily make connections to difficult content. with these powerful visual representations.
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