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Connecting Across Disciplines in PBL - Edutopia
Grades
3 to 5tag(s): professional development (273), Project Based Learning (27), teaching strategies (59)
In the Classroom
Have students investigate a simple real-world problem in your school, such as noisy hallways or wasted food in the cafeteria. Let them gather data in math, write observations in ELA, and brainstorm causes in science. Create a mini interdisciplinary inquiry in which students read a nonfiction text in ELA about a science or social studies topic, then design a hands-on model or diagram that explains the problem from another subject's perspective. Launch a small PBL challenge in which students create a proposal to improve something at the school or in the community. They may research in social studies, write persuasive pieces in ELA, measure materials in math, and present solutions digitally using Microsoft PowerPoint Online, reviewed here.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Applying Prior Knowledge to New Situations - University of Vermont Extension Institute
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): professional development (273), thinking skills (57)
In the Classroom
Have students list anything they already know about a new topic or skill. Give students a challenging problem, then ask them to create a simpler version based on what they already know and solve both. Have students write or draw analogies showing how a new concept is like something they have learned before.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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16 Habits of Mind: Applying Past Knowledge to New Situations - WonderGrove Kids
Grades
3 to 5This site includes advertising.
tag(s): problem solving (240), thinking skills (57)
In the Classroom
Present a new math or reading problem and ask students to identify one strategy they used yesterday that might help them today. Have students create an analogy that connects a new concept (like theme, fractions, force, or government roles) to something they've learned earlier in the year. Students can take a problem they solved earlier in the year (ELA, math, or science) and "remix" it into a harder version, showing how their past knowledge helps them solve the new version.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Metacognition: An Important Skill for Modern Times - Brendan Conway-Smith
Grades
4 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): brain (55), professional development (273), social and emotional learning (127), thinking skills (57)
In the Classroom
Give students a simple puzzle (a word scramble, a math riddle, or a pattern). Before solving, ask them to write or say, "How do I plan to solve this?" Afterward, they reflect on what worked and what didn't. Set up a short activity, such as a reading passage or drawing task, and pause halfway to let students check in with themselves. They can answer quick prompts like "Is my mind wandering?" and "What can I do to refocus?" Students will begin to see how awareness affects performance. Have students create a set of colorful cards that teach strategies such as "Take a brain break," "Ask yourself questions," "Notice your emotions," and "Check your work." They can decorate, explain, and practice each strategy, then use their cards during class for future learning tasks.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Habits of Mind - Arthur L. Costa and Bena Kallick
Grades
5 to 12tag(s): critical thinking (146), problem solving (240), thinking routines (24), thinking skills (57)
In the Classroom
Introduce one habit, such as Thinking Flexibly, and give students a quick scenario in which they choose among different ways to solve a problem. Have them vote and explain their choices. Give students cards with prompts like "A time I persisted today..." or "A moment I listened with understanding..." to build awareness of habits in real time. Set up stations tied to different habits, such as puzzles for persisting partner tasks for listening with understanding or creative challenges for thinking flexibly. Have students rotate and practice each habit as part of your ongoing classroom routines.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Metacognitive Strategies - CUNY Academic Commons
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): thinking skills (57)
In the Classroom
When debating during a Social Studies lesson, students can use Tricider, reviewed here. Students can use Snorkl, reviewed here to get feedback on an activity. Students can use the Interactive 2 Circle Venn Diagram by ReadWriteThink, reviewed here to create maps for science while making predictions and observations during an experiment.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Help Students Learn to Take Exams with Exam Wrappers - Center for Innovative Teaching & Learning
Grades
K to 12tag(s): thinking skills (57)
In the Classroom
Students can create their own exam wrapper using Canva for Education, reviewed here. Students can use Lino, reviewed here to reflect after using an exam wrapper. Students can use the Infographics Presentation Templates, reviewed here to create a top five list as to why and how to use exam wrappers.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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How Metacognition Can Optimize Learning - Cult of Pedagogy
Grades
K to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): thinking skills (57)
In the Classroom
Students can use mindmaps, reviewed here to create study resources. Students can use Google Drawing, reviewed here to create outlines and/or graphic organizers. Finally, students can use StoryMap JS, reviewed here to create story maps.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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20 Metacognitive Questions That Will Get Students Thinking - New Teacher Coach
Grades
K to 12tag(s): critical thinking (146), problem solving (240), thinking skills (57)
In the Classroom
Students can use Stormboard, reviewed here to post their goal. Students can use Google Keep, reviewed here to help with deadlines for assignments and projects. Students can use Mentimeter, reviewed here as a reflection tool.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Metacognition in the Classroom: More Than Thinking About Thinking - Learning A to Z
Grades
K to 12tag(s): questioning (34), reading comprehension (141), summarizing (24), teaching strategies (59), thinking skills (57), visualizations (11)
In the Classroom
Students can use Canva for Education, reviewed here to create their goals. Students can use Mentimeter, reviewed here to make connections to a text. Students can post questions in Stickies.io, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Lexi Magill and the Teleportation Tournament - TeachersFirst
Grades
4 to 7tag(s): competitions (11), transportation (31)
In the Classroom
Bring Lexi Magill's high-tech adventure to life with hands-on activities that engage students in creativity, problem-solving, and global exploration. Begin by having students design a team badge or flag using Adobe Express for Education, reviewed here to represent Lexi's teleportation crew, symbolizing teamwork, perseverance, and innovation. Encourage students to create a travel vlog from Lexi's point of view using the video feature from Padlet, reviewed here, describing her thoughts and challenges at each tournament destination while integrating sensory details and reflections on friendship. Extend learning by organizing a classroom teleportation tournament where students rotate through STEM-based "teleportation stations" representing different countries from the story, solving puzzles and challenges to build collaboration, critical thinking, and excitement for science and discovery.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Instagram in Class: Five Activities - Education World
Grades
5 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): digital storytelling (147), social media (57)
In the Classroom
Create a themed list (e.g., shapes in geometry, symbols in literature, examples of good citizenship), and have students find or draw images that represent each item. After reading a story, assign students to select or create photos to describe the setting, characters, conflict, and resolution. Post these on the class's Instagram account. In small groups, have students pose as historical figures in key moments from history (e.g., signing the Declaration of Independence). They can caption their photo with a first-person quote or journal entry.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Free Public Domain Book List - Back2School.blog
Grades
K to 12tag(s): digital reading (18), diversity (48), independent reading (81), literature (207), literature circles (6)
In the Classroom
After selecting a public-domain book from the list, students can create a modern or personalized book cover. This visual activity sparks interest and encourages them to think critically about the story's tone, theme, and characters. Choose two stories from different periods or cultures (ex., The Jungle Book and Aesop's Fables) and have students compare themes, character traits, and lessons. Students can present their findings in a Venn diagram using Venn Diagram Creator reviewed here or a short essay. Organize students into small groups to read the same book from the list and take on rotating roles like "connector," "summarizer," or "questioner." Encourage them to lead discussions and explore deeper meanings.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Celebrate the Winter Solstice with a STEM Challenge - Vivify System
Grades
3 to 6In the Classroom
Students can participate in the STEM Challenge, and when complete, post one fact that they learned on Padlet, reviewed here. Students can watch one of the videos featured on the site to compare and contrast summer and winter using the Venn Diagram Creator by Canva, reviewed here. Finally, students can research more about the winter solstice using Kidrex, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Responsive Classroom - Center for Responsive Schools
Grades
K to 8This site includes advertising.
tag(s): classroom management (107), social and emotional learning (127), Teacher Utilities (175)
In the Classroom
Begin class with a simple greeting circle where each student greets the person next to them by name. Follow with a one-sentence share prompt such as "One thing I'm proud of from this week..." or "A curiosity I have today...." This builds community, warms up communication skills, and sets a positive tone for learning. Offer students two or three options for showing their understanding of a concept (for example: create a poster, write a paragraph, or build a model). Have students choose, plan, and complete their preferred task, then reflect on why they chose it, and use interactive modeling to teach it clearly. Students observe, practice, and reflect on what successful behavior looks and sounds like. This deepens understanding of expectations and reduces behavior disruptions. Choose a routine, like turning in assignments, transitioning to small groups, or using classroom materials, and use interactive modeling to teach it clearly. Have students observe, practice, and reflect on what successful behavior looks and sounds like. This deepens understanding of expectations and reduces behavior disruptions.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Character Lab - Character Lab
Grades
K to 12tag(s): social and emotional learning (127)
In the Classroom
Choose any topic you're teaching and have students generate three "wonder questions." Invite them to share one with a partner, then select a few to guide class discussion. Give students small index cards and have them write or draw one thing they are grateful for that day. They should say something specific, not general (for example, "My friend helped me understand fractions" instead of "my friends"). Collect the cards and create a class gratitude wall. Set up three short challenge stations (puzzles, STEM building tasks, brainteasers). Have students rotate through each one and practice using perseverance strategies, such as breaking a task into smaller steps or trying a new approach. Afterward, they can reflect on which strategy helped them the most and how they can apply it in academic tasks.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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5 Winter Solstice Activities - Teaching Channel
Grades
K to 5tag(s): seasonal (34), seasons (55), solar system (122), weather (166)
In the Classroom
Students can complete the activities that are listed on the website. Students can study the weather by keeping a weather journal by using Seesaw, reviewed here. Finally, students can create a step-by-step guide to their own Stonehenge creation using the Timelines Tool by Read Write Think, reviewed here,Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Teach Kids About the Winter Solstice - KidsKonnect
Grades
K to 6tag(s): crafts (92), seasonal (34), seasons (55), solar system (122)
In the Classroom
Students can complete the activities that are listed on the website. Students can use Google My Maps, reviewed here to visit the places that are shared on the site, the day of the winter solstice. Finally, students can complete the art challenge by creating their own Stonehenge.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Winter Solstice for Kids - STEAM Powered Family
Grades
K to 6This site includes advertising.
tag(s): crafts (92), cultures (249), experiments (60), seasonal (34), seasons (55)
In the Classroom
Students can complete the activities from the website. Students can learn more about the ancient monuments by using Kidrex, reviewed here. Students can use Stickies.io, reviewed here to share facts about how other places celebrate the Winter Solstice.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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7+ Wonderful Ways to Celebrate Winter Solstice with Kids - BackWoods Mama
Grades
K to 5This site includes advertising.
In the Classroom
Students can complete the activities from the website. While taking a walk outside, students can list the sounds that they hear during winter. Finally, after decorating a tree with edible food, students can create a picture journal using Seesaw, reviewed here of all the animals that visit.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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