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Reading Treks: A Ticket Around the World - TeachersFirst
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K to 5
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A Ticket Around the World by Natalia Diaz and Melissa Owens, illustrated by Kim Smith, is an informational picture book that follows a young boy as he visits friends in ...more
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A Ticket Around the World by Natalia Diaz and Melissa Owens, illustrated by Kim Smith, is an informational picture book that follows a young boy as he visits friends in 13 countries across six continents. Each two-page spread uses maps, colorful illustrations, and accessible facts to introduce a country's geography, languages, foods, traditions, and wildlife, helping students compare cultures. This Trek includes a downloadable Teacher Guide and two maps (Google My Maps and Google Earth).
tag(s): countries (69), cultures (292), Reading Treks (61)
In the Classroom
Read the book aloud a few countries at a time, using the maps to locate each stop on the journey. Students can create a passport and record facts at each destination, make a Venn diagram comparing two countries, or research and present a country not featured in the book. For a digital option, try Venn Diagram Creator by Canva, reviewed here. The Teacher Guide offers additional activities and extensions.
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OK2Ask: Intentional Lesson Design: Connecting Content, Skills, and Learning - TeachersFirst
Grades
1 to 12
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Register to view this on-demand OK2Ask professional learning workshop from August 2026. Educators seeking recertification credit must watch the recording, complete the feedback survey,...more
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Register to view this on-demand OK2Ask professional learning workshop from August 2026. Educators seeking recertification credit must watch the recording, complete the feedback survey, and pass the assessment. For details, read the Registration & Credit Options section on the registration page.
Research consistently shows that interleaving--strategically mixing content, skills, or problem types across lessons and practice sequences--produces stronger long-term retention than blocked practice, where one topic is taught and practiced to completion before moving on. That said, most lesson and practice design defaults to blocked approaches because they feel more organized and manageable. This session unpacks the science behind interleaving, addresses the common misconception that struggle means failure, and gives participants a practical framework for applying interleaving in both their lesson sequencing and student practice design. You can implement this research-backed strategy immediately with or without technology and in any content area or grade level. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Explain the research basis for interleaving and distinguish it from blocked practice design. 2. Apply interleaving principles to redesign at least one lesson sequence or student practice activity. 3. Identify common misconceptions about interleaving--including productive struggle--and address them with students and colleagues. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
Research consistently shows that interleaving--strategically mixing content, skills, or problem types across lessons and practice sequences--produces stronger long-term retention than blocked practice, where one topic is taught and practiced to completion before moving on. That said, most lesson and practice design defaults to blocked approaches because they feel more organized and manageable. This session unpacks the science behind interleaving, addresses the common misconception that struggle means failure, and gives participants a practical framework for applying interleaving in both their lesson sequencing and student practice design. You can implement this research-backed strategy immediately with or without technology and in any content area or grade level. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Explain the research basis for interleaving and distinguish it from blocked practice design. 2. Apply interleaving principles to redesign at least one lesson sequence or student practice activity. 3. Identify common misconceptions about interleaving--including productive struggle--and address them with students and colleagues. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): OK2Askarchive (64), professional development (317), teaching strategies (95)
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. Once registered, find additional reference materials, tutorials, and how-to information to help you review or extend your knowledge from the session in the handout posted on the session landing page. Resources may include additional ideas and examples on integrating the tools and strategies shared in classroom instruction. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: Beyond the Worksheet: Creating AI-Powered Classroom Activities - TeachersFirst
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1 to 12
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Register to view this on-demand OK2Ask professional learning workshop from August 2026. Educators seeking recertification credit must watch the recording, complete the feedback survey,...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
Register to view this on-demand OK2Ask professional learning workshop from August 2026. Educators seeking recertification credit must watch the recording, complete the feedback survey, and pass the assessment. For details, read the Registration & Credit Options section on the registration page.
AI tools designed specifically for K-12 classrooms make it possible for teachers to create interactive, student-facing learning experiences like differentiated practice, guided inquiry, and discussion activities with built-in safety guardrails and real-time teacher oversight. In this session, participants will explore how SchoolAI--a free, educator-focused AI platform--can support activity design without sacrificing instructional control. You'll create at least one classroom-ready activity and leave with a clear sense of where AI-powered experiences fit responsibly in your teaching practice. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Use SchoolAI to design and configure at least one interactive, student-facing learning activity. 2. Apply SchoolAI's teacher controls to monitor student interactions and maintain instructional oversight. 3. Identify instructional contexts where AI-powered activities appropriately support -- rather than replace -- teacher-led learning. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
AI tools designed specifically for K-12 classrooms make it possible for teachers to create interactive, student-facing learning experiences like differentiated practice, guided inquiry, and discussion activities with built-in safety guardrails and real-time teacher oversight. In this session, participants will explore how SchoolAI--a free, educator-focused AI platform--can support activity design without sacrificing instructional control. You'll create at least one classroom-ready activity and leave with a clear sense of where AI-powered experiences fit responsibly in your teaching practice. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Use SchoolAI to design and configure at least one interactive, student-facing learning activity. 2. Apply SchoolAI's teacher controls to monitor student interactions and maintain instructional oversight. 3. Identify instructional contexts where AI-powered activities appropriately support -- rather than replace -- teacher-led learning. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): artificial intelligence (368), learning objects (4), OK2Askarchive (64), professional development (317)
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. Once registered, find additional reference materials, tutorials, and how-to information to help you review or extend your knowledge from the session in the handout posted on the session landing page. Resources may include additional ideas and examples on integrating the tools and strategies shared in classroom instruction. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: Designing Structured Talk Activities for Meaningful Classroom Discussion - TeachersFirst
Grades
1 to 12
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Register to view this on-demand OK2Ask professional learning workshop from August 2026. Educators seeking recertification credit must watch the recording, complete the feedback survey,...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
Register to view this on-demand OK2Ask professional learning workshop from August 2026. Educators seeking recertification credit must watch the recording, complete the feedback survey, and pass the assessment. For details, read the Registration & Credit Options section on the registration page.
Meaningful classroom discussion doesn't happen by accident--it happens by design. When students lack the academic language to enter a conversation, they disengage, defer, or disappear. Talk stems give every student a structured, supported entry point into academic discourse, building the conversational skills that research consistently connects to deeper learning, language development, and equitable participation. This session blends the proven practices of Zwiers and Crawford's Academic Conversations with Resnick's Accountable Talk'® framework to help participants understand why structured talk matters and how to design talk stem activities that work across content areas and grade levels. Participants will explore a range of talk stem structures, experience them as learners, and leave with classroom-ready activities they can implement immediately. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Connect the research-backed practices of academic conversations and accountable talk to the purposeful design of classroom talk stems. 2. Design at least one structured talk activity using talk stems appropriate for their content area and grade level. 3. Identify how structured talk supports equitable participation and amplifies student voices that are often marginalized. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
Meaningful classroom discussion doesn't happen by accident--it happens by design. When students lack the academic language to enter a conversation, they disengage, defer, or disappear. Talk stems give every student a structured, supported entry point into academic discourse, building the conversational skills that research consistently connects to deeper learning, language development, and equitable participation. This session blends the proven practices of Zwiers and Crawford's Academic Conversations with Resnick's Accountable Talk'® framework to help participants understand why structured talk matters and how to design talk stem activities that work across content areas and grade levels. Participants will explore a range of talk stem structures, experience them as learners, and leave with classroom-ready activities they can implement immediately. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Connect the research-backed practices of academic conversations and accountable talk to the purposeful design of classroom talk stems. 2. Design at least one structured talk activity using talk stems appropriate for their content area and grade level. 3. Identify how structured talk supports equitable participation and amplifies student voices that are often marginalized. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): OK2Askarchive (64), professional development (317)
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. Once registered, find additional reference materials, tutorials, and how-to information to help you review or extend your knowledge from the session in the handout posted on the session landing page. Resources may include additional ideas and examples on integrating the tools and strategies shared in classroom instruction. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: Streamlining Planning and Feedback with MagicSchool AI - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12
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Register to view this on-demand OK2Ask professional learning workshop from August 2026. Educators seeking recertification credit must watch the recording, complete the feedback survey,...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
Register to view this on-demand OK2Ask professional learning workshop from August 2026. Educators seeking recertification credit must watch the recording, complete the feedback survey, and pass the assessment. For details, read the Registration & Credit Options section on the registration page.
Time is one resource educators can never have enough of--and MagicSchool AI is built specifically to help them get some of it back. As one of the most educator-focused AI platforms available, MagicSchool AI offers a suite of free tools designed around real teacher workflows: lesson planning, differentiation, feedback generation, communication drafting, and more. Unlike general-purpose AI tools, MagicSchool AI speaks the language of K-12 education from the ground up. In this session, participants will explore its core features, identify the tools most relevant to their own practice, and leave with meaningful improvements to at least one workflow. Whether you're new to AI or have already started experimenting, this session will show you how to use it more intentionally and efficiently. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Use at least two MagicSchool AI tools to streamline a specific planning, feedback, or communication task. 2. Evaluate AI-generated outputs for accuracy, bias, and instructional appropriateness before classroom or professional use. 3. Identify where MagicSchool AI fits responsibly within their existing workflow without displacing professional judgment. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
Time is one resource educators can never have enough of--and MagicSchool AI is built specifically to help them get some of it back. As one of the most educator-focused AI platforms available, MagicSchool AI offers a suite of free tools designed around real teacher workflows: lesson planning, differentiation, feedback generation, communication drafting, and more. Unlike general-purpose AI tools, MagicSchool AI speaks the language of K-12 education from the ground up. In this session, participants will explore its core features, identify the tools most relevant to their own practice, and leave with meaningful improvements to at least one workflow. Whether you're new to AI or have already started experimenting, this session will show you how to use it more intentionally and efficiently. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Use at least two MagicSchool AI tools to streamline a specific planning, feedback, or communication task. 2. Evaluate AI-generated outputs for accuracy, bias, and instructional appropriateness before classroom or professional use. 3. Identify where MagicSchool AI fits responsibly within their existing workflow without displacing professional judgment. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): artificial intelligence (368), communication (128), differentiation (105), feedback (20), OK2Askarchive (64), professional development (317)
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. Once registered, find additional reference materials, tutorials, and how-to information to help you review or extend your knowledge from the session in the handout posted on the session landing page. Resources may include additional ideas and examples on integrating the tools and strategies shared in classroom instruction. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: No Coding Required: Creating Interactive Activities with Canva - TeachersFirst
Grades
1 to 12
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Register to view this on-demand OK2Ask professional learning workshop from July 2026. Educators seeking recertification credit must watch the recording, complete the feedback survey,...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
Register to view this on-demand OK2Ask professional learning workshop from July 2026. Educators seeking recertification credit must watch the recording, complete the feedback survey, and pass the assessment. For details, read the Registration & Credit Options section on the registration page.
Canva's AI code generator empowers educators to create quizzes, sorting tasks, matching games, and more without any coding or programming knowledge. Built into the free Canva for Education platform that many teachers already use, Canva Code lets educators design engaging, student-facing activities that go well beyond static slides and worksheets. In this session, participants will explore Canva Code's core capabilities, build at least one interactive activity, and connect the format to specific instructional purposes, including formative assessment, differentiated practice, and student engagement. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Use Canva Code to design at least one interactive classroom activity aligned to a specific instructional purpose. 2. Distinguish between activity types in Canva Code and match each to appropriate learning goals. 3. Evaluate interactive activities for accessibility and differentiation potential before use with students. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
Canva's AI code generator empowers educators to create quizzes, sorting tasks, matching games, and more without any coding or programming knowledge. Built into the free Canva for Education platform that many teachers already use, Canva Code lets educators design engaging, student-facing activities that go well beyond static slides and worksheets. In this session, participants will explore Canva Code's core capabilities, build at least one interactive activity, and connect the format to specific instructional purposes, including formative assessment, differentiated practice, and student engagement. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Use Canva Code to design at least one interactive classroom activity aligned to a specific instructional purpose. 2. Distinguish between activity types in Canva Code and match each to appropriate learning goals. 3. Evaluate interactive activities for accessibility and differentiation potential before use with students. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): artificial intelligence (368), classroom materials (3), learning objects (4), OK2Askarchive (64), professional development (317)
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, we've shared specific classroom examples and ideas. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Once registered, find additional reference materials, tutorials, and how-to information to help you review or extend your knowledge from the session in the handout posted on the session landing page. Resources may include additional ideas and examples on integrating the tools and strategies shared in classroom instruction. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: Establishing Predictable Routines for Student Success - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12
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Register to view this on-demand OK2Ask professional learning workshop from July 2026. Educators seeking recertification credit must watch the recording, complete the feedback survey,...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
Register to view this on-demand OK2Ask professional learning workshop from July 2026. Educators seeking recertification credit must watch the recording, complete the feedback survey, and pass the assessment. For details, read the Registration & Credit Options section on the registration page.
Predictable classroom routines do more than manage behavior: they reduce cognitive load, build student confidence, and create consistency that allows all learners to focus on thinking rather than navigation. But not all routines are created equal. This session explores two research-informed frameworks for building high-impact instructional routines: EduProtocols, which give teachers repeatable lesson structures that students internalize over time; and Project Zero thinking routines, which make student thinking explicit, discussable, and transferable across content areas. Participants will explore examples from both frameworks, experience selected routines as learners, and leave ready to implement at least two routines in their own classrooms. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Explain how predictable instructional routines reduce cognitive load and support diverse learners, drawing on EduProtocols and Project Zero's thinking routines as evidence-informed examples. 2. Select and implement at least two routines from either framework that are appropriate for their content area and grade level. 3. Design a plan for introducing and sustaining a new routine with students, including how to build familiarity over time. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
Predictable classroom routines do more than manage behavior: they reduce cognitive load, build student confidence, and create consistency that allows all learners to focus on thinking rather than navigation. But not all routines are created equal. This session explores two research-informed frameworks for building high-impact instructional routines: EduProtocols, which give teachers repeatable lesson structures that students internalize over time; and Project Zero thinking routines, which make student thinking explicit, discussable, and transferable across content areas. Participants will explore examples from both frameworks, experience selected routines as learners, and leave ready to implement at least two routines in their own classrooms. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Explain how predictable instructional routines reduce cognitive load and support diverse learners, drawing on EduProtocols and Project Zero's thinking routines as evidence-informed examples. 2. Select and implement at least two routines from either framework that are appropriate for their content area and grade level. 3. Design a plan for introducing and sustaining a new routine with students, including how to build familiarity over time. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): OK2Askarchive (64), professional development (317), teaching strategies (95), thinking routines (63)
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. Once registered, find additional reference materials, tutorials, and how-to information to help you review or extend your knowledge from the session in the handout posted on the session landing page. Resources may include additional ideas and examples on integrating the tools and strategies shared in classroom instruction. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: Smarter Study Tools: Transforming Content with NotebookLM - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12
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Register to view this on-demand OK2Ask professional learning workshop from July 2026. Educators seeking recertification credit must watch the recording, complete the feedback survey,...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
Register to view this on-demand OK2Ask professional learning workshop from July 2026. Educators seeking recertification credit must watch the recording, complete the feedback survey, and pass the assessment. For details, read the Registration & Credit Options section on the registration page.
Gemini Notebook (formerly NotebookLM) has become one of the most powerful--and most privacy-conscious--AI tools available to educators. By grounding its responses entirely in the sources you upload, Gemini Notebook helps teachers transform curriculum materials, articles, and documents into interactive study guides, audio overviews, timelines, and Q&A resources without the hallucination risks of general-purpose AI tools. Participants will explore these features, engage in hands-on guided practice, and leave with at least one Gemini Notebook resource they can use with students or for their own professional practice. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Build a Gemini Notebook using curriculum-relevant source materials and generate at least one classroom-ready resource. 2. Use Gemini Notebook's interactive features -- including audio overviews and Q&A -- to support differentiated student engagement. 3. Explain Gemini Notebook's source-grounded approach and how it addresses common privacy and accuracy concerns associated with AI tools. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
Gemini Notebook (formerly NotebookLM) has become one of the most powerful--and most privacy-conscious--AI tools available to educators. By grounding its responses entirely in the sources you upload, Gemini Notebook helps teachers transform curriculum materials, articles, and documents into interactive study guides, audio overviews, timelines, and Q&A resources without the hallucination risks of general-purpose AI tools. Participants will explore these features, engage in hands-on guided practice, and leave with at least one Gemini Notebook resource they can use with students or for their own professional practice. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Build a Gemini Notebook using curriculum-relevant source materials and generate at least one classroom-ready resource. 2. Use Gemini Notebook's interactive features -- including audio overviews and Q&A -- to support differentiated student engagement. 3. Explain Gemini Notebook's source-grounded approach and how it addresses common privacy and accuracy concerns associated with AI tools. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): artificial intelligence (368), classroom materials (3), differentiation (105), Google (23), learning objects (4), OK2Askarchive (64), professional development (317)
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. Once registered, find additional reference materials, tutorials, and how-to information to help you review or extend your knowledge from the session in the handout posted on the session landing page. Resources may include additional ideas and examples on integrating the tools and strategies shared in classroom instruction. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: Canva Basics: Creating Classroom Ready Learning Materials - TeachersFirst
Grades
1 to 12
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Register to view this on-demand OK2Ask professional learning workshop from July 2026. Educators seeking recertification credit must watch the recording, complete the feedback survey,...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
Register to view this on-demand OK2Ask professional learning workshop from July 2026. Educators seeking recertification credit must watch the recording, complete the feedback survey, and pass the assessment. For details, read the Registration & Credit Options section on the registration page.
In this hands-on, beginner-friendly session, participants will explore Canva for Education--a free, browser-based design tool and time-saving solution for creating polished, classroom-ready learning materials. Participants will learn how to claim a free Canva for Education account and work through a core design workflow: selecting a template, customizing it for a classroom purpose, and sharing or downloading the finished product. By the end of the session, participants will have created at least one classroom-ready material and will leave with a concrete plan for incorporating Canva into their regular practice--no prior design experience needed! As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Apply dual coding theory by designing instructional materials that pair verbal and visual information. 2. Design a customized, visually consistent instructional material using education-specific templates that support student learning. 3. Export and distribute learning materials through PDF downloads, shareable links, or Google Classroom integration. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
In this hands-on, beginner-friendly session, participants will explore Canva for Education--a free, browser-based design tool and time-saving solution for creating polished, classroom-ready learning materials. Participants will learn how to claim a free Canva for Education account and work through a core design workflow: selecting a template, customizing it for a classroom purpose, and sharing or downloading the finished product. By the end of the session, participants will have created at least one classroom-ready material and will leave with a concrete plan for incorporating Canva into their regular practice--no prior design experience needed! As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Apply dual coding theory by designing instructional materials that pair verbal and visual information. 2. Design a customized, visually consistent instructional material using education-specific templates that support student learning. 3. Export and distribute learning materials through PDF downloads, shareable links, or Google Classroom integration. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): classroom materials (3), design (77), Formative Assessment (52), OK2Askarchive (64)
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. Once registered, find additional reference materials, tutorials, and how-to information to help you review or extend your knowledge from the session in the handout posted on the session landing page. Resources may include additional ideas and examples on integrating the tools and strategies shared in classroom instruction. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: Instructional Video Design Basics - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12
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Register to view this on-demand OK2Ask professional learning workshop from July 2026. Educators seeking recertification credit must watch the recording, complete the feedback survey,...more
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Register to view this on-demand OK2Ask professional learning workshop from July 2026. Educators seeking recertification credit must watch the recording, complete the feedback survey, and pass the assessment. For details, read the Registration & Credit Options section on the registration page.
Creating a video is easy. Creating a video that actually helps students learn requires something more intentional. In this session, participants explore the research-grounded principles behind effective instructional video design and learn to apply them using free tools already available to most educators. We'll examine what makes a video a true learning object -- not just a recording -- and use cognitive science to inform decisions about length, structure, and the relationship between visuals and narration. Participants will also get a practical introduction to Google Vids and Canva's video capabilities as accessible, no-cost options for recording and producing instructional content. No hands-on recording required -- this is a pedagogy-first session focused on design thinking before tool use. Appropriate for all grade levels and content areas. No prior video creation experience required. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Apply cognitive load theory to determine optimal length and structure for instructional videos. 2. Evaluate existing video content using the coherence and redundancy principles of multimedia learning. 3. Select appropriate free tools to produce accessible, visually congruent, and engaging instructional content. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
Creating a video is easy. Creating a video that actually helps students learn requires something more intentional. In this session, participants explore the research-grounded principles behind effective instructional video design and learn to apply them using free tools already available to most educators. We'll examine what makes a video a true learning object -- not just a recording -- and use cognitive science to inform decisions about length, structure, and the relationship between visuals and narration. Participants will also get a practical introduction to Google Vids and Canva's video capabilities as accessible, no-cost options for recording and producing instructional content. No hands-on recording required -- this is a pedagogy-first session focused on design thinking before tool use. Appropriate for all grade levels and content areas. No prior video creation experience required. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Apply cognitive load theory to determine optimal length and structure for instructional videos. 2. Evaluate existing video content using the coherence and redundancy principles of multimedia learning. 3. Select appropriate free tools to produce accessible, visually congruent, and engaging instructional content. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): learning objects (4), OK2Askarchive (64)
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. Once registered, find additional reference materials, tutorials, and how-to information to help you review or extend your knowledge from the session in the handout posted on the session landing page. Resources may include additional ideas and examples on integrating the tools and strategies shared in classroom instruction. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: Designing and Using Graphic Organizers Effectively - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12
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Register to view this on-demand OK2Ask professional learning workshop from July 2026. Educators seeking recertification credit must watch the recording, complete the feedback survey,...more
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Register to view this on-demand OK2Ask professional learning workshop from July 2026. Educators seeking recertification credit must watch the recording, complete the feedback survey, and pass the assessment. For details, read the Registration & Credit Options section on the registration page.
Graphic organizers are among the most research-supported tools in a teacher's instructional toolkit, but they're also among the most frequently misused. When reduced to fill-in-the-blank busywork, they add little value--but when designed with intention, they leverage the power of dual coding and nonlinguistic representation to strengthen comprehension, retention, and higher-order thinking. This session draws on Marzano's research to help participants understand why graphic organizers work--and how to design and use them in ways that actually support instruction. Participants will explore a range of organizer types, examine examples of purposeful versus superficial use, and leave with a set of classroom-ready designs they can adapt or implement immediately in any content area and grade level. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Connect dual coding theory and Marzano's research on nonlinguistic representation to the purposeful use of graphic organizers. 2. Design a graphic organizer intentionally aligned to a specific thinking skill or learning goal. 3. Distinguish between graphic organizers that deepen thinking and those that function as busywork. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
Graphic organizers are among the most research-supported tools in a teacher's instructional toolkit, but they're also among the most frequently misused. When reduced to fill-in-the-blank busywork, they add little value--but when designed with intention, they leverage the power of dual coding and nonlinguistic representation to strengthen comprehension, retention, and higher-order thinking. This session draws on Marzano's research to help participants understand why graphic organizers work--and how to design and use them in ways that actually support instruction. Participants will explore a range of organizer types, examine examples of purposeful versus superficial use, and leave with a set of classroom-ready designs they can adapt or implement immediately in any content area and grade level. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Connect dual coding theory and Marzano's research on nonlinguistic representation to the purposeful use of graphic organizers. 2. Design a graphic organizer intentionally aligned to a specific thinking skill or learning goal. 3. Distinguish between graphic organizers that deepen thinking and those that function as busywork. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): graphic organizers (64), OK2Askarchive (64), professional development (317)
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. Once registered, find additional reference materials, tutorials, and how-to information to help you review or extend your knowledge from the session in the handout posted on the session landing page. Resources may include additional ideas and examples on integrating the tools and strategies shared in classroom instruction. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: Creating Classroom Audio with Adobe Podcast - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12
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Register to view this on-demand OK2Ask professional learning workshop from July 2026. Educators seeking recertification credit must watch the recording, complete the feedback survey,...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
Register to view this on-demand OK2Ask professional learning workshop from July 2026. Educators seeking recertification credit must watch the recording, complete the feedback survey, and pass the assessment. For details, read the Registration & Credit Options section on the registration page.
Audio is one of the most underutilized (and most accessible!) formats for classroom learning. Adobe Podcast's free AI-enhanced tools make it easier than ever for teachers and students to record, clean up, and publish high-quality audio without expensive equipment or technical expertise. In this session, participants will get hands-on experience with Adobe Podcast's core features and explore how classroom audio supports student voice, differentiation, and family engagement. Leave with a practical plan for incorporating audio into your existing instructional practice. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Use Adobe Podcast's free tools to record and enhance classroom-quality audio. 2. Design at least one instructional application of audio that supports student voice or differentiation. 3. Evaluate audio as a format for accessibility and equity in their specific classroom context. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
Audio is one of the most underutilized (and most accessible!) formats for classroom learning. Adobe Podcast's free AI-enhanced tools make it easier than ever for teachers and students to record, clean up, and publish high-quality audio without expensive equipment or technical expertise. In this session, participants will get hands-on experience with Adobe Podcast's core features and explore how classroom audio supports student voice, differentiation, and family engagement. Leave with a practical plan for incorporating audio into your existing instructional practice. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Use Adobe Podcast's free tools to record and enhance classroom-quality audio. 2. Design at least one instructional application of audio that supports student voice or differentiation. 3. Evaluate audio as a format for accessibility and equity in their specific classroom context. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): artificial intelligence (368), OK2Askarchive (64), podcasts (190)
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. Once registered, find additional reference materials, tutorials, and how-to information to help you review or extend your knowledge from the session in the handout posted on the session landing page. Resources may include additional ideas and examples on integrating the tools and strategies shared in classroom instruction. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: Formative Assessment Strategies for Real-Time Feedback - TeachersFirst
Grades
1 to 12
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Register to view this on-demand OK2Ask professional learning workshop from July 2026. Educators seeking recertification credit must watch the recording, complete the feedback survey,...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
Register to view this on-demand OK2Ask professional learning workshop from July 2026. Educators seeking recertification credit must watch the recording, complete the feedback survey, and pass the assessment. For details, read the Registration & Credit Options section on the registration page.
Effective formative assessment isn't a quiz at the end of a lesson -- it's an ongoing instructional process that happens during learning. In this session, participants will reframe formative assessment as a continuous feedback loop (Collect, Interpret, Respond) and explore how free, low-barrier digital tools can make that loop fast enough to actually change what happens next in the classroom. Whether you're looking for a two-minute digital check-in or a strategy for making sense of what you see and responding on the spot, this session will give you a practical toolkit and a mental model to help you put it to use. Participants will leave with immediately applicable research-based strategies, free edtech tool recommendations, and the confidence to make formative assessment a natural, low-prep part of every lesson. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Connect Hattie's feedback research and Wiliam's embedded formative assessment framework to specific classroom assessment practices. 2. Select and implement at least two formative assessment strategies appropriate for their content area and grade level. 3. Use real-time assessment data to make an immediate instructional decision during or after a lesson. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
Effective formative assessment isn't a quiz at the end of a lesson -- it's an ongoing instructional process that happens during learning. In this session, participants will reframe formative assessment as a continuous feedback loop (Collect, Interpret, Respond) and explore how free, low-barrier digital tools can make that loop fast enough to actually change what happens next in the classroom. Whether you're looking for a two-minute digital check-in or a strategy for making sense of what you see and responding on the spot, this session will give you a practical toolkit and a mental model to help you put it to use. Participants will leave with immediately applicable research-based strategies, free edtech tool recommendations, and the confidence to make formative assessment a natural, low-prep part of every lesson. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Connect Hattie's feedback research and Wiliam's embedded formative assessment framework to specific classroom assessment practices. 2. Select and implement at least two formative assessment strategies appropriate for their content area and grade level. 3. Use real-time assessment data to make an immediate instructional decision during or after a lesson. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): Formative Assessment (52), OK2Askarchive (64), teaching strategies (95)
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. Once registered, find additional reference materials, tutorials, and how-to information to help you review or extend your knowledge from the session in the handout posted on the session landing page. Resources may include additional ideas and examples on integrating the tools and strategies shared in classroom instruction. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: Designing Classroom-Ready Visuals with AI - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12
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Register to view this on-demand OK2Ask professional learning workshop from July 2026. Educators seeking recertification credit must watch the recording, complete the feedback survey,...more
Here is the direct link to share this resource review. Feel free to copy and paste this URL into an email or place it on your web page or blog so others can read this TeachersFirst review:
Register to view this on-demand OK2Ask professional learning workshop from July 2026. Educators seeking recertification credit must watch the recording, complete the feedback survey, and pass the assessment. For details, read the Registration & Credit Options section on the registration page.
Visual communication is one of the highest-leverage skills teachers can develop, and AI-powered tools have made it easier than ever to create clear, engaging, professionally designed materials. In this session, participants will explore free, educator-friendly AI image and design tools you can use to create materials that support instructional goals without design experience or a paid subscription. From classroom displays and lesson visuals to student-facing materials, you'll leave with practical strategies and ready-to-use examples you can adapt for your own students. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Identify free AI-powered design tools and match them to specific instructional purposes. 2. Create a classroom-ready visual using a free AI design tool and educator-relevant prompting strategies. 3. Learn how to evaluate AI-generated visuals for accuracy, bias, and instructional appropriateness before classroom use. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
Visual communication is one of the highest-leverage skills teachers can develop, and AI-powered tools have made it easier than ever to create clear, engaging, professionally designed materials. In this session, participants will explore free, educator-friendly AI image and design tools you can use to create materials that support instructional goals without design experience or a paid subscription. From classroom displays and lesson visuals to student-facing materials, you'll leave with practical strategies and ready-to-use examples you can adapt for your own students. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Identify free AI-powered design tools and match them to specific instructional purposes. 2. Create a classroom-ready visual using a free AI design tool and educator-relevant prompting strategies. 3. Learn how to evaluate AI-generated visuals for accuracy, bias, and instructional appropriateness before classroom use. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): artificial intelligence (368), OK2Askarchive (64), professional development (317)
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. Once registered, find additional reference materials, tutorials, and how-to information to help you review or extend your knowledge from the session in the handout posted on the session landing page. Resources may include additional ideas and examples on integrating the tools and strategies shared in classroom instruction. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Power of Retrieval Practice for Long-Term Learning - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12
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This blog post explains how retrieval practice strengthens memory by having students actively recall information rather than simply rereading or reviewing notes. The article describes...more
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This blog post explains how retrieval practice strengthens memory by having students actively recall information rather than simply rereading or reviewing notes. The article describes why retrieval works and offers practical ideas teachers can use throughout a lesson, including brain dumps, short quizzes, flashcards, and entrance and exit tickets. It also provides examples for different grade levels and subject areas, making the strategy easy to adapt. The article also emphasizes that retrieval practice should be a low-stakes learning activity, not another graded test. Teachers looking for simple ways to build review and reflection into daily instruction will find several ideas worth trying.
tag(s): blogs (80), teaching strategies (95)
In the Classroom
Use this post to introduce retrieval practice to teachers or as a starting point for adding short recall activities to lessons. Try a two-minute brain dump at the start of class, a few questions about prior learning, or an exit ticket asking students to recall and summarize what they learned. Consider using Wayground (formerly Quizizz), reviewed here to create short retrieval quizzes for individual or whole-class review. Wordwall, reviewed here, provides another option for creating quick practice activities that students can revisit over time.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Create a Goal and Discover Your "Why" - Facing History & Ourselves
Grades
6 to 12
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Help students move beyond choosing a goal to understanding why it matters with this ready-to-go reflection activity. Designed for grades 6-12, the 50-minute lesson guides students through...more
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Help students move beyond choosing a goal to understanding why it matters with this ready-to-go reflection activity. Designed for grades 6-12, the 50-minute lesson guides students through selecting a personal goal, making it specific and realistic, and repeatedly asking "why" to uncover the intrinsic motivation behind it. Students can choose goals related to positive choices, belonging and inclusion, wellness, academics, or extracurricular activities. They then consider how their goal connects with their identity and the person they hope to become and identify a small step they can take toward it. Teaching notes, discussion prompts, extension activities, and student handouts support implementation. Materials are also available through Google Drive with a free Facing History account.
tag(s): identity (49), social and emotional learning (235)
In the Classroom
Ask students to use the "Create a Goal and Find Your Why" handout to choose a personal goal for the school year and revise it until it is specific, realistic, and personally meaningful. Ask students to revisit their goals periodically throughout the semester or school year using a paper reflection log to record progress, setbacks, small wins, and a new short-term goal. Invite students to create a digital version of their "Why" poster with Canva for Education, reviewed here.
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20 Engaging Ways to Teach With Graffiti Walls - WeAreTeachers
Grades
K to 12
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Turn an ordinary classroom wall, whiteboard, or sheet of butcher paper into an interactive space for thinking, sharing, and reviewing with these 20 ready-to-try graffiti wall ideas....more
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Turn an ordinary classroom wall, whiteboard, or sheet of butcher paper into an interactive space for thinking, sharing, and reviewing with these 20 ready-to-try graffiti wall ideas. Students can write, draw, respond to classmates, and visually organize their thinking in activities ranging from geography and math challenges to vocabulary practice, reading responses, discussion starters, weekly reflections, music appreciation, and art. Ideas include rotating through review questions before a test, collecting favorite book quotations and recommendations, responding to an image, recording important points during guided reading, and comparing students' prior knowledge with what they know after a unit. Most activities require little preparation and can be adapted to different subjects and ages.
tag(s): collaboration (146), critical thinking (194), Formative Assessment (52)
In the Classroom
Have students respond to a challenging question on chart paper before a class discussion, then invite classmates to add connections, questions, or supporting ideas as they read one another's responses. Ask students to create a digital version of a graffiti wall with Padlet, reviewed here, where the class can collect ideas, reflections, questions, or resources around a shared topic. Have students individually record what they already know about a new concept on a graffiti wall, save the responses, and revisit the same prompt after the unit to identify evidence of learning and changed thinking.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Adobe Aqua - Adobe
Grades
K to 3
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Create and explore with the Adobe Aqua drawing and coloring tool, all without requiring registration. Choose Draw and Color Online to create drawings starting from a blank whiteboard...more
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Create and explore with the Adobe Aqua drawing and coloring tool, all without requiring registration. Choose Draw and Color Online to create drawings starting from a blank whiteboard using a crayon, paintbrush, pencil, and other drawing tools. When you're done, download it as a PNG file or an MP4 timelapse video. Alternatively, choose from many themed coloring pages, such as Coloring Coast and World Ocean Waters. Visit the Education link to find suggestions for classroom use.
tag(s): colors (64), DAT device agnostic tool (135), drawing (58), preK (355)
In the Classroom
Use Aqua activities to support and practice fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and spatial awareness. Replace paper-and-crayon drawings and ask students to use Aqua to retell stories or draw their favorite character. Have students practice drawing geometric shapes for math class or draw a story that illustrates a math problem (3 fish plus 2 whales equal...). Because this site doesn't require registration, it is an excellent resource to include with centers or computer station activities.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Test Prep Reimagined: Brain-Based Strategies That Improve Student Performance - TeachersFirst
Grades
6 to 12
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This TeachersFirst blog post shares three research-supported approaches to help students prepare for high-stakes tests. The article explains how retrieval practice, concept mapping,...more
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This TeachersFirst blog post shares three research-supported approaches to help students prepare for high-stakes tests. The article explains how retrieval practice, concept mapping, and cognitive offloading can help students organize information and manage testing demands. Specific strategies include completing a five-minute memory dump before reviewing notes, creating concept maps from memory, identifying gaps in understanding, and writing important formulas or information on scratch paper before beginning a test. Other parts of the post address how stress and limited working memory affect testing. These practical strategies give teachers alternatives to traditional test review methods such as rereading notes or completing worksheets.
tag(s): concept mapping (16), Research (94), teaching strategies (95), thinking skills (138)
In the Classroom
Use the strategies throughout a unit rather than waiting until the days before a test. Have students complete a short memory dump at the beginning of a review session, check their responses against their notes, and use the results to identify what they still need to study. Students can also create concept maps that connect major ideas from a unit or semester. Share templates from Canva for Education, reviewed here to create mind maps that help organize concepts and show relationships that help to clarify information.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Understanding Executive Functioning Skills: Your Students' Brain Command Center - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12
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Understanding Executive Functioning Skills: Your Students' Brain Command Center explains how executive functioning affects students' ability to manage learning tasks. The article describes...more
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Understanding Executive Functioning Skills: Your Students' Brain Command Center explains how executive functioning affects students' ability to manage learning tasks. The article describes ten skills, including task initiation, planning, organization, working memory, information processing, self-monitoring, sustained attention, processing speed, impulse control, and cognitive flexibility. A classroom example shows how a seemingly simple digital assignment can require students to use several of these skills at once. It also describes connections between executive functioning and academic achievement, social-emotional learning, and learner agency. Examples throughout help teachers recognize how executive functioning challenges can appear during everyday classroom activities. This article offers a useful introduction for educators who want to understand these skills better and consider how classroom routines and expectations can support students.
tag(s): organizational skills (94), social and emotional learning (235), teaching strategies (95)
In the Classroom
Use ideas from the article to help teachers and students identify the executive functioning skills needed for common classroom tasks. Choose an assignment and have students break it into steps, identify where they might get stuck, and develop a strategy for getting started, staying focused, or checking their work. Share Magic ToDo, reviewed here, to help students break a large assignment or project into smaller steps. Have students use the tool to create a task list, estimate the time needed for each step, and check off completed tasks as they work.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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