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A Little Spot of Flexible Thinking - Moomi Read Alouds
Grades
K to 5This site includes advertising.
tag(s): flexibility (9), perspective (31), social and emotional learning (197), thinking skills (125)
In the Classroom
Give students a set of scenario cards (ex, "Your group changes the plan," "A game has new rules," "You make a mistake on a project"). Have students sort them into rigid-thinking responses and flexible-thinking responses, then discuss how the Habit of Mind Thinking Flexibly would affect the outcome. Students can draw themselves as a palm tree thinker and list three times when they adapted, changed a plan, or tried a new strategy. In partners, have students create a short skit that teaches younger students how to think flexibly. They must include a scenario, an example of rigid thinking, and a flexible alternative. Present these to another class or during a morning meeting.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Mother's Day Gift Ideas and Activities for Upper Elementary - Teaching with Jennifer Findley
Grades
3 to 5tag(s): crafts (110), mothers day (29)
In the Classroom
Have students brainstorm and write a fun, thoughtful list about why their mom (or another caregiver) is special. Add hand-drawn borders or type and print the list using a fun font. Students could write an acrostic poem where each line begins with a letter in the word "MOTHER" and describes something positive or personal. For a digital version, have students type and decorate digitally using Canva reviewed here or Google Slides reviewed here. Students can glue dried pasta (dyed yellow or left plain) in a sunburst design and add the phrase "You are my sunshine." Students can add a short paragraph on the back about how their mom "brightens their life."Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Flexible Thinking vs. Stuck Thinking - Whole Child Counseling
Grades
K to 5This site includes advertising.
tag(s): flexibility (9), perspective (31), thinking skills (125)
In the Classroom
Have students rewrite short "stuck thinking" statements to show a flexible response. Have students become "thinking detectives" and look for clues that show how someone in a story, video, or real-life classroom situation can use flexible thinking. They can write a short "detective report" describing the problem, the stuck reaction, and a flexible alternative. In small groups, students can create a kid-friendly way to teach flexible thinking to younger students. Options include a skit, comic strip using Free Comic Strip Maker by Adobe, reviewed here, poster, slide deck using Google Slides, reviewed here, or mini-story.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Mother's Day Card and Gift Ideas - 5 Minute Crafts
Grades
3 to 5This site includes advertising.
tag(s): crafts (110), mothers day (29)
In the Classroom
Watch the first part of the video as a class, then guide students in folding and decorating a surprise-opening card. Have students create the 3D heart card featured in the video and write a short paragraph titled "My Mom's Superpower." Teach students to fold swirly paper roses by replaying and pausing the tutorial. Discuss how flowers can symbolize love and gratitude. Show the final segment on decorating presents with flair. Then have students wrap their handmade crafts and decorate with their own paper bows or tags.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Pangram - Pangram.
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): artificial intelligence (322), editing (93), writing (308)
In the Classroom
Provide short, teacher-created examples of writing and a few AI-generated samples. Have students work in groups to sort them and explain their reasoning. Have students work together to create a simple class pledge about honest writing, including using their own words, giving credit to sources, and asking for help in appropriate ways. Give students a short prompt and two minutes to write. Then, have them exchange papers and guess whose writing they are evaluating on the basis of voice and style. This exercise helps them recognize what makes their writing unique.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Metacognition - Khan Academy
Grades
4 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): critical thinking (182), social and emotional learning (197), thinking skills (125)
In the Classroom
Read a short paragraph from a class text and model your thinking out loud. Pause to say things like "I am confused," "This reminds me of...," or "I need to reread this sentence." Then have students practice with a partner using a new sentence or poem. Students can color-code their learning during a lesson. Green means "I understand this," yellow means "I understand some of it," and red means "I need help." At the end, they write one sentence explaining why they chose that color. Have students choose one metacognitive skill, such as planning, monitoring, or reflecting, and create a poster that explains the skill and shows an example from their own reading or writing.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Activities and Crafts to Honor Juneteenth - Mom.com
Grades
K to 8tag(s): african american (129), crafts (110), holidays (280), Juneteenth (32)
In the Classroom
Students can create Juneteenth or Pan-African flags while learning about the colors, symbols, and history connected to the celebration. After creating their flags, students can write a short explanation describing the meaning behind the designs and colors they used. Students can design and decorate African-inspired drums or other rhythm instruments, then explore how music and celebration have played important roles in African American culture and traditions throughout history. Create a classroom Juneteenth museum walk where students research important people, events, foods, music, or traditions connected to Juneteenth and present their findings through posters, artifacts, or digital slideshows using Canva Edu, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Flexi - CK-12
Grades
K to 12tag(s): artificial intelligence (322), chat (41), professional development (321), Teacher Utilities (219)
In the Classroom
Share Flexi with students to use as a homework helper and tutor, allowing them to practice and reinforce skills at home. Utilize Flexi as a professional helper when writing IEPs, planning lessons, and communicating with parents and your community.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Thinking and Communicating with Clarity Discussion Guide - WonderGroveLearn
Grades
K to 3tag(s): thinking routines (42), thinking skills (125)
In the Classroom
Provide students with several sample statements that include vague language (for example, "The story was really good and had a lot of stuff happening"). In small groups, have students rewrite the sentences to make them clearer and more precise. Provide a short paragraph that includes unclear wording or unnecessary details. Students can work individually or in pairs to revise the paragraph so it communicates the message clearly and precisely. Ask students to reflect on a time when they had difficulty explaining an idea clearly. Students can write or discuss how using clearer language or more specific details could have improved the situation.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Branching Scenario 3 - Genially
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): concept mapping (17), critical thinking (182), game based learning (311), gamification (92), problem solving (275)
In the Classroom
Begin a unit by presenting a branching scenario that introduces a real-world dilemma related to your subject (e.g., a historical decision, scientific ethical issue, or peer conflict). Let students vote on choices and discuss outcomes as a class. In small groups, have students map out possible decision paths and consequences before playing a branching scenario, predicting outcomes, and practicing critical thinking. Assign students to design their own branching scenarios using Genially, applying their knowledge to simulate historical events, scientific experiments, or literature-based moral choices.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Reading Trek: Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry - TeachersFirst
Grades
3 to 8tag(s): great depression (32), racism (80)
In the Classroom
Investigate many suggested classroom uses for this resource in the Instructional Guide (PDF). With older students, use Gravity, reviewed here as a video response platform for students to share what they learned and what surprised them about racism in the 1930s.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Work it Out Wombat - PBS Kids
Grades
K to 2tag(s): game based learning (311), interactive stories (22), podcasts (168)
In the Classroom
Students can play the games on the site and watch the podcasts. After watching a podcast, students can write a story by dictating it in Book Creator, reviewed here and then finding pictures to add to it. Students can also make their toy come to life by creating a 3D version of it.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Buffer - Buffer
Grades
K to 12tag(s): communication (123), social media (63)
In the Classroom
Use Buffer as a time-saving resource to maintain a professional, consistent social media presence for a classroom or school organization without having to post manually throughout the day. Teachers can dedicate a single planning block to batch-scheduling a week's worth of reminders, student shout-outs, and curriculum updates, ensuring parents and the community stay informed. To create visuals for these updates, design custom graphics or short promotional clips using Adobe Express Video Maker, reviewed here. Once these visuals are ready, users can upload them to Buffer with captions that link back to a more detailed classroom site created with Google Sites, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Empathy - ClassDojo
Grades
K to 4tag(s): empathy (68), listening (117), social and emotional learning (197)
In the Classroom
Students can watch the videos and participate in the discussion guide questions. Students can create a podcast interviewing people who show empathy using Adobe Podcast, reviewed here. Students can create a book cover using Book Cover Creator reviewed here featuring character traits of empathy.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Smithsonian Learning Lab - Smithsonian Learning Lab
Grades
K to 12tag(s): inquiry (37), museums (55), primary sources (133), quiz (64), Teacher Utilities (219), thinking routines (42), thinking skills (125)
In the Classroom
Choose an image, artifact, or document from the Smithsonian Learning Lab and display it to the class. Have students use an observation routine such as See, Think, Wonder to describe what they notice, what they think it means, and what questions they have. Have students explore the Learning Lab and select 3-5 items that connect to a current unit (for example, the American Revolution, ecosystems, or famous artists). Students can create their own small collection and write a short explanation of why each item belongs in the group. Assign a document, photo, or piece of artwork from the site and have students add notes explaining important details, vocabulary, or clues. Students can identify what the source shows, who created it, and why it is important.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Adobe Express Slow Motion Video - Adobe
Grades
K to 12tag(s): creating media (17), digital storytelling (167), editing (93), stories and storytelling (77)
In the Classroom
Have students record short videos of fast actions, such as dropping a ball, snapping their fingers, or pouring water, and then use the slow-motion tool to analyze what really happens. They can write observations explaining what they notice in slow motion that they could not see at normal speed. Students can record themselves acting out a scene from a story or reading dialogue, then slow down parts to practice expression, pacing, and pronunciation. In PE, health, or science, students can record movements such as throwing, jumping, or balancing. Using slow motion, they study body position and explain how motion, force, or balance works.Edge Features:
Includes an education-only area for teachers and students
Parent permission advised before posting student work created using this tool
Includes social features, such as "friends," comments, ratings by others
Requires registration/log-in (WITH email)
Premium version (not free) includes additional features or storage
Products can be embedded
Products can be shared by URL
Multiple users can collaborate on the same project
Includes teacher tools for registering and/or monitoring students
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7 Engaging Listening Activities for Small Groups - eSpark
Grades
K to 5tag(s): blogs (81), game based learning (311), listening (117)
In the Classroom
Have students take turns adding one sentence at a time to create a shared story. Each student must listen closely to maintain the plot and characters. Add a challenge by having them incorporate a vocabulary word or literary device. Play Simon Says with added complexity, such as multi-step directions or academic vocabulary. Have students practice following sequential instructions and staying focused under pressure. After listening to a short passage or poem, students can take turns retelling only what they remember. Each partner adds new details until the whole idea is restored.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Google Fonts - Google
Grades
K to 12tag(s): multilingual (83), presentations (34), Teacher Utilities (219)
In the Classroom
Give students words such as scary, funny, serious, or exciting. Students can choose fonts that match each mood and create a title using that font. Discuss how the look of the letters changes how the message feels, connecting to tone and the author's purpose. Have students take an old slide presentation or report and improve it by selecting better fonts for titles, headings, and body text. Teach students that font style can change meaning just like word choice. Have students create the same sentence in different fonts to convey different feelings or purposes, then share and discuss how the design affects understanding.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Daily IQ - Infoplease
Grades
4 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): history day (39), news (223), trivia (18), vocabulary (254), weather (174)
In the Classroom
Students can create a virtual bulletin board using Lino, reviewed here to share sentences using the Word of the Day. Students can compare and contrast weather from this day in history to today using the Interactive 2 Circle Venn Diagram by Read Write Think, reviewed here. Students can create their own Analogy of the Day to post on Google Slides, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Iditarod Education Portal - Iditarod Trail Committee
Grades
3 to 12In the Classroom
Bring the excitement of the Iditarod to life by having students participate in a cross-curricular simulation where they adopt a musher and track their progress using the site's live GPS maps. Enhance the experience by having students use Google Sheets, reviewed here, to record daily statistics such as miles traveled, weather conditions at checkpoints, and average speeds to create comparison graphs. For a language arts connection, ask students to write daily journal entries from the perspective of their musher or a sled dog, then compile these narratives into a digital book using Book Creator, reviewed here. Students can even record audio reflections or trail reports to embed within their digital books, allowing them to share their understanding of the physical and mental challenges faced during the race.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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