TeachersFirst Professional Exclusives
TeachersFirst’s Professional Exclusives help you learn as a teacher, try new technologies, explore new teaching strategies, or understand student differences. Discover how and why to use wikis from the Wiki Walk-Through. Learn to adapt for ESL students in a regular classroom. Learn the how and why of better rubrics – and locate or create them easily. Every TeachersFirst professional exclusive is written by experienced teachers and includes the pragmatic, teacher-friendly details that you count on from our Thinking Teachers.
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OK2Ask: Google Mania - Game Templates with Google Slides - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12In this one-hour session, we'll explore the exciting world of premade game templates and learn how to use them to create engaging gameboards and dynamic educational games. Whether you teach math, language arts, science, or another subject, game-based learning can enhance student engagement and deepen learning. Discover how to transform your classroom into an interactive playground where students can actively practice and reinforce their skills. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Understand the benefits of game-based learning. 2. Examine Google Slides templates that can be customized to create interactive learning activities. 3. Learn to integrate games across subjects. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): game based learning (218), Google (21), OK2Askarchive (71)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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OK2Ask: Misinformation & Fact Checking - TeachersFirst
Grades
1 to 12In today's digital world, students are constantly bombarded with online information, and the ability to distinguish fact from fiction is crucial. This interactive workshop will equip you with engaging strategies that will help students develop critical thinking skills and empower them to become discerning digital detectives. Learn how to effectively introduce the concepts of misinformation and fact-checking, fostering a healthy skepticism towards online information. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Define misinformation and its impact on learning and decision-making. 2. Identify common techniques used to spread misinformation online. 3. Develop strategies for critical thinking and responsible information-sharing among students. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): digital citizenship (86), media literacy (105), OK2Askarchive (71)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: Tech Made EZ with Padlet - TeachersFirst
Grades
2 to 12Enhance your classroom experience with Padlet, a versatile tool for formative assessments, showcasing student work, and encouraging discussion and collaboration. More than a digital bulletin board, Padlet adds an interactive layer that engages students. Join us to learn how you can use Padlet to gauge understanding, create a space for sharing ideas, and spark enthusiasm in your students. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Understand the key features and functionalities of Padlet. 2. Explore diverse applications for Padlet in the classroom. 3. Develop a concrete plan for integrating Padlet into classroom activities. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): bulletin boards (13), OK2Askarchive (71)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: Engage & Inspire: Gamification in the Classroom - TeachersFirst
Grades
1 to 12Are you looking for ways to boost student engagement and motivation? This session delves into the exciting world of gamification in the classroom! Learn how to harness the power of game design principles to create dynamic learning experiences that foster a love of learning. We'll explore the difference between gamification and game-based learning, and equip you with practical strategies and templates you can use to design engaging, independent, and group activities that seamlessly integrate game elements with authentic learning objectives. Discover resources to get you started and unlock the potential of gamified learning in your classroom! As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Understand the difference between gamification and game-based learning approaches. 2. Identify resources that support the implementation of gamification in your classroom. 3. Develop a plan to integrate gamification into your curriculum. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): gamification (75), OK2Askarchive (71)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: 3 Cool Tools for Images in the Classroom - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12Unlock the power of copyright-friendly images in student projects! In this engaging workshop, we'll explore innovative ways to integrate visually stunning, legally compliant images into your lessons. Dive into the world of digital literacy and learn how to equip your students with the knowledge and skills they need to navigate copyright laws and make ethical choices when using images. We'll introduce you to three amazing online tools brimming with high-quality, copyright-friendly images that are perfect for enhancing student projects and presentations. Discover how to leverage these resources to enhance your lessons while fostering critical thinking about copyright and fair use. As a result of this session, teachers will 1. Identify and learn how to utilize copyright-friendly images. 2. Explain copyright concepts to students. 3. Integrate copyright-friendly tools into lesson plans. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): copyright (36), images (254), OK2Askarchive (71)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: Unlocking Literacy: Language Tools for the Science of Reading - TeachersFirst
Grades
1 to 12Developing oral language skills is crucial for students' academic success and social approbation. This workshop will equip educators with practical strategies that will enrich their students' oral language skills. Join us to explore innovative ways to enhance oral language development in your classroom through the strategic integration of technology. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Understand the importance of oral language development to academic success. 2. Design oral language activities that are engaging, interactive, and differentiated. 3. Explore various tech tools available through Microsoft that can enhance oral language skills. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): OK2Askarchive (71), reading strategies (87)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: Empowering Students: Navigating AI in the Classroom - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to revolutionize various industries, educators must equip their students with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in an AI-driven world. AI can help students improve their academic skills, create engaging learning materials, and explore new possibilities for creative expression. This session will empower you with practical techniques and resources to help you effectively introduce AI concepts and tools to your students, fostering critical thinking, creativity, and academic growth. By the end of this workshop, you will have a better understanding of AI and its potential for education, as well as a set of AI tools that you can use to enrich your teaching and your students' learning. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Explore diverse ways they can use AI to enhance student learning. 2. Discuss the importance of fostering digital literacy and responsible AI usage among students. 3. Collaborate with peers to share ideas, strategies, and best practices for integrating AI into the curriculum. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): artificial intelligence (217), OK2Askarchive (71), professional development (273)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: Tech Tools Smackdown: AI Tools - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12The bots are battling it out in this AI-themed Tech Smackdown! Our TeachersFirst contributors will showcase their favorite classroom AI assistants in an epic showdown. From creative bots, to time-saving bots, to student-engaging bots, to organizing bots, these artificial intelligence dynamos will digitally duel for the title of most valuable AI. With new AI tools emerging faster than you can say "machine learning," finding the top tech can be a challenge. Let our tech-wise teachers be your guides in this fast-paced, fun session! The future is now - come see which classroom AI education tool will be crowned king! As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Compare and contrast the most popular AI-powered education tools to discover which ones are most effective for classroom use. 2. Evaluate the strengths and limitations of leading AI learning tools to determine which provide the greatest benefits for students. 3. Discuss implementation strategies and best practices for leveraging AI tools to enhance teaching and optimize student outcomes. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): artificial intelligence (217), OK2Askarchive (71), professional development (273)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: Google My Maps Basics - TeachersFirst
Grades
1 to 12Google Maps is a familiar tool for finding directions, but it has so much more potential for dynamic learning in the classroom. Google My Maps allows educators to create customized, interactive maps to engage students with location-based projects across subjects and grades. In this workshop, participants will learn the basics of building customized maps and explore examples of how other teachers have used My Maps to enhance instruction, collaboration, and student projects. Learn strategies for using My Maps to allow students to guide their own explorations, tell location-based stories, visualize data, and demonstrate their learning. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Build a customized My Maps demo map incorporating markers, shapes, and multimedia elements. 2. Explore examples of My Maps projects and reflect on potential connections to their own instruction. 3. Plan for their own instructional My Maps project to try with students. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): map skills (61), maps (214), OK2Askarchive (71), professional development (273)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
OK2Ask: Generating Formative and Summative Assessments using AI - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12Artificial intelligence (AI) offers exciting opportunities to transform assessment practices. In this workshop, you will learn how to use education-specific AI tools to create engaging, effective formative and summative assessments for your students. Join us to explore various AI tools that can help you design and generate assessment items, rubrics, feedback, and reports based on your curriculum's learning objectives and standards. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Identify and evaluate different types of AI tools for assessment creation and delivery; 2. Use AI tools to design and generate formative and summative assessment instruments, such as quizzes, projects, portfolios, and presentations; and 3. Reflect on the benefits and challenges of using AI tools for assessment in your teaching practice. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): artificial intelligence (217), assessment (127), Formative Assessment (42), OK2Askarchive (71), professional development (273)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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What Do Snowmen Do In Summer? - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 8tag(s): commoncore (59), literacy (120), summer (27)
In the Classroom
Browse through the suggested activities found in this article. Then, create a Wakelet, reviewed here, page of books and ideas, and post it on your teacher or school webpage. If the school library is open during the summer, ask them to post your Wakelet page, too. Wakelet gives you the ability to have a cover image and background for your wakes, which makes them much more engaging and easily identifiable, especially for young or visual students!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: Engage & Inspire with Reading Treks - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12TeachersFirst Reading Treks are built using Google Maps to chronicle a character's journey over the course of a book. Each stop along the way adds to student comprehension as they explore the information, images, and videos embedded in the map. Use Reading Treks in your lessons to give your students context for the stories they are reading. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Understand how to use Reading Treks in the classroom; 2. Learn how Reading Treks are created; and 3. Plan a new Reading Trek you will create for your instructional setting. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): OK2Askarchive (71), professional development (273), reading strategies (87)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Nourishing Gifted Through Technology in Any Classroom - TeachersFirst/Melissa Henning and Candace Hackett Shively
Grades
K to 12tag(s): differentiation (75), gifted (64)
In the Classroom
Mark these pages in your Favorites as a reference whenever you have gifted students. These students may or may not be officially identified, but sometimes trying these strategies will save you and the student a lot of frustration. When it comes time to offer choices, share the handpicked tool collections in this article with your gifted students so they have a solid place to start. For more ideas about gifted, try the gifted tag in reviews, use a keyword search including the term "gifted," or browse for the subject "Gifted" in the TeachersFirst Subject/Grade pages.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Read, Tell, and Sell: CCSS through student book promotions - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 6tag(s): book reports (26), commoncore (59), listening (96), process writing (35), speaking (23)
In the Classroom
Save this article in your Favorites to have it ready. Use the comprehensive tips and resources to have students create book promotions as your next (traditional or digital) writing activity as part of your usual reading activities. Let this reading and writing activity do double duty to meet speaking and listening standards, too!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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You Are What You Eat - Examining Nutrition through Literature - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 7tag(s): commoncore (59), nutrition (134)
In the Classroom
This is a thorough unit on food and nutrition. Start with activating prior knowledge on your interactive whiteboard or using your projector. Use Padlet, reviewed here, once students have sorted their favorites into categories and project the results on your whiteboard. When teaching science, social studies, or health content about nutrition, foods, plants, or farms, consider pairing fictional books along with informational texts (several are suggested) to maximize the potential of every unit of study. This article is a good starting point. What a perfect way to integrate healthy eating, whether during the holiday season or spring garden planting! Speaking of planting, whether you are considering or implementing a school garden unit you will want to check out this article.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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In a Manner of Speaking: Figurative Language and the Common Core - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 5tag(s): commoncore (59), figurative language (19)
In the Classroom
Read lesson ideas and learn more about the ambitious figurative language expectations of Common Core as you begin to implement the new standards. Mark this article in your Favorites. Many of the suggested resources may be helpful during curriculum planning sessions with other teachers or with your teacher -librarian if you DO have one. Click the "share" widget to send them to others!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Questions and Thinking in Common Core; Part 2: Students as Questioners - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 8tag(s): commoncore (59), questioning (34), thinking skills (57)
In the Classroom
Read lesson ideas and explore the questioning strategies suggested as you begin to implement Common Core. Mark this article in your Favorites. Many of the ideas will be helpful during curriculum planning sessions with other teachers. Click the "share" widget to send them to others!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Questions and Thinking in Common Core; Part 1: Teachers as Questioners - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 8tag(s): commoncore (59), questioning (34), thinking skills (57)
In the Classroom
Read lesson ideas and explore the question repertoire sources as you begin to implement Common Core. Mark this article in your Favorites. Many of the suggested resources may be helpful during curriculum planning sessions with other teachers. Click the "share" widget to send them to others!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Teachers' Common Core Planning Toolkit: A guide for elementary teachers - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 5tag(s): commoncore (59), professional development (273)
In the Classroom
This is perfect for teachers' summer reading or collaborative planning. As you face the daunting task of re-visioning your plans, find a process that you can grasp.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Going Deep with Award Winning Books: Close reading and text-dependent questions - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 6tag(s): commoncore (59)
In the Classroom
If you are fortunate enough to have a library/media specialist to partner with you, try these ideas together during read-alouds both in the library/media center and in your classroom. Mark this article in your favorites and refer back to it as you move forward with Common Core.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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