Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

This recording of an OK2Ask online professional learning session is from March 2024. You can register and immediately view the archive of the session.

The 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 (188), professional development (393)

From laying the foundations of computer programming to making groundbreaking discoveries in physics and space exploration, women have left an indelible mark across STEM disciplines. Pioneers like Ada Lovelace wrote the first computer algorithm in the 1800s, while others like Marie Curie, the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, advanced our understanding of radiation. Their breakthroughs and tireless pursuit of knowledge have profoundly impacted humanity. Use this curated list of reviewed resources to help your students see the vital role women have had in the past, present, and future in the field of STEM.

tag(s): STEM (312), women (154), womenchangemaker (39)

This recording of an OK2Ask online professional learning session is from January 2024. You can register and immediately view the archive of the session.

Spend less time searching and more time teaching with TeachersFirst.org! This workshop will empower educators by introducing them to the thousands of original and curated classroom resources on the site--all reviewed and rated by real teachers. You'll learn how to enrich instruction by taking advantage of lesson plan ideas and explanations of how to integrate top-rated resources into your classroom. You'll also discover how to stay on top of education trends through TeachersFirst's blogs, workshops, and weekly newsletter. Maximize your time and resources by finding everything you need in one place. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Discover time-saving strategies for finding top-rated teaching resources reviewed by real educators. 2. Learn how to integrate TeachersFirst's highly-rated resources into engaging and effective lesson plans. 3. Gain access to a network of support through TeachersFirst's blogs, workshops, and newsletter to stay on top of education trends. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): professional development (393), resources (83)

Get up and get moving with this collection of resources designed to encourage students to stay active. Keeping students active may help many students to stay focused better and to lead a healthier/more active lifestyle. Whether used in PE, during movement breaks, or other times in your lessons... this curated list includes resources to get students moving and learning about sports, dance, exercise, and other forms of movement. We have included resources for all grades.

tag(s): dance (33), fitness (39), nutrition (140), sports (85)

Social-emotional Learning (SEL) is the process by which students of all ages develop and use social and emotional skills, knowledge, and attitudes. Using SEL skills, students better understand emotion, manage their own, and show empathy towards others. SEL skills also help students set and achieve positive goals. Although this is an ongoing process through all grade levels, you can begin to instill these skills and understandings in even your youngest students. We encourage you to find appropriate tools and resources in this collection to use with your students and in your lessons.

tag(s): emotions (53), empathy (37), social and emotional learning (110)

Encourage your students to develop positive self-identities based on their membership in various groups in society. Help your students to feel confident to express pride and healthy self-esteem about their own self-identity, without devaluing the dignity of those that may be different than they are. The resources shared in this section help teachers to enable students to recognize that people have multiple identities and are members of multiple groups within our society, creating complex and unique individuals.

tag(s): bias (28), difficult conversations (57), identity (37)

As teachers, we frequently tackle uncomfortable subjects in the classroom, but polarizing public conversations or events in the news can sometimes make these subjects downright difficult to discuss with students. The resources in this collection will give you ideas on how to start and facilitate tough conversations about topics like inequality, injustice, and politics sensitively while still accomplishing learning goals. You'll also find lessons and activities to encourage respectful conversation, inclusivity, empathy, and understanding.

tag(s): difficult conversations (57), empathy (37), racism (83)

Empathy is our desire and ability to understand and share another person's feelings and use that information to guide our actions. It's the foundation of respect and inclusivity and is an essential component of relationship building, resolving interpersonal conflicts, and understanding cause and effect. In this collection, we share resources that will help you create lessons and experiences that cultivate empathy in your students and informational websites about this important topic.

tag(s): empathy (37), perspective (20), racism (83)

As educators, it's our duty to teach our students to respect people of all races, genders, orientations, and cultures, both in our classroom and in the outside world. Racism, sexism, and orientation discrimination can be difficult topics to broach in the classroom but are essential to discuss as students find their voices and form their understanding of the world. In this collection, we share resources about combatting racism, lesson plans about the human cost of discrimination, and additional activities to spark meaningful discussion and encourage students at all grade levels to treat all people with respect.

tag(s): black history (135), empathy (37), racism (83)