What Culturally Inclusive Toys are in Your Classroom Toybox?

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“Toys are children’s words and play is their language.” Garry L. Landreth When you think about Barbie®, what image pops into your mind? Is it the iconic doll with the blonde ponytail and slim figure? Perhaps you conjure up a picture of Barbie with her many accessories that include a beautiful Dream House, her perfect … read more »


Tech Tool of the Month: Duolingo – Part 2

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In Part 1 of this blog, we introduced you to Duolingo and discussed the application of both the SAMR Model and the Triple E Framework to help you integrate Duolingo into your instruction. Today’s post offers detailed instructions about how to use this tool and shares classroom use ideas by subject. Duolingo: If you want … read more »


Tech Tool of the Month: Duolingo – Part 1

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Duolingo is a device-agnostic tool that offers free online language learning classes. The site currently offers personalized lessons in thirty-seven languages, including Spanish, French, Japanese, Italian, Arabic, Dutch, Polish, Greek, Romanian, and Swahili. Duolingo uses game-based learning to scaffold material and teach languages in chunks of time or assigned lessons. The personalized learning creates differentiated … read more »


Is it Time to Evaluate Your Digital Learning Practices?

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This year is the 10th annual celebration of Digital Learning Day. On February 25, educators will participate in an online celebration of ideas, stories, and promising practices related to incorporating digital learning into everyday instruction in schools. Using #DLDay and #DLDay2021 on Twitter and Instagram, educators collaborate and share new ideas, tools, and strategies for … read more »


Let’s Talk About Random Acts of Kindness

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Sustained social isolation during the pandemic has taken its toll on everyone, especially our students. As educators, we need to help our students with ways to meet social-emotional learning (SEL) needs while we collectively continue to work towards overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic threat. Science tells us that kindness increases your happiness, so now is the … read more »


Engage with Award-Winning Books in Your Classroom!

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The American Library Association recently announced the 2021 winners of the youth media award. In addition, many other book awards for K-12 books were recently announced. Award-winning books are always an excellent addition to school libraries and classrooms! It’s like having a ready-made, vetted buying list.  Every year, the American Library Association honors outstanding books, … read more »


Let’s Talk About Spoken Word Poetry

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TeachersFirst®️ hosts a book study at least twice a year – a deep dive into integrating technology in the classroom. We are currently studying Michelle Eaton’s The Perfect Blend and discussing how to create blended learning experiences while teaching remotely. This week, we’ve discussed several roadblocks – student motivation, simulating different spaces, and lesson organization. … read more »


Career and Technical Education Month

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Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month is a public awareness campaign that takes place during February. The goal is to raise awareness of the value of CTE and celebrate the accomplishments of career programs and support provided by schools across the country.  This infographic on the Association for Career and Technical Education’s (ACTE) website provides an … read more »


Tech Tool of the Month: Nearpod – Part 2

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In Part 1 of this blog, we introduced you to Nearpod and discussed the application of both the SAMR Model and the Triple E Framework to help you integrate Nearpod into your instruction. Today’s post offers detailed instructions for how to use this tool and shares classroom use ideas by subject. Nearpod: If Nearpod is … read more »


Tech Tool of the Month: Nearpod – Part 1

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Nearpod is a device-agnostic tool for creating interactive presentations and assessments. Teachers can also use one of the pre-made presentations from an extensive library that includes both lessons and videos. When creating your own presentation (or editing an already-created lesson), you can add images, audio clips, PDF files, videos, multiple-choice questions, polls, and more. There … read more »