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Free Explainer Video Maker - Canva
Grades
K to 12tag(s): animation (69), collaboration (137), digital storytelling (174), presentations (44), Project Based Learning (29)
In the Classroom
Have students create short videos explaining a concept they've learned (such as a math strategy, a scientific process, or a historical event). Ask students to choose a vocabulary word or key concept and create a short animated explanation. Use Canva's Explainer Video Maker to design a short video to raise awareness about a social issue, community topic, or school initiative.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Mystery Activities for Kids - Twinkl Parents
Grades
K to 6tag(s): critical thinking (189), logic (170), mysteries (27), problem solving (281), puzzles (172), thinking skills (136)
In the Classroom
Create a whodunit scenario where students analyze clues, alibis, and evidence to solve a mystery. Students can work in small teams, record evidence, and present their conclusions using reasoning and supporting details. Have students solve or create their own secret codes and ciphers. Have students write their own short mystery stories or design a mystery game for classmates. They can develop clues, characters, and solutions, reinforcing writing skills, planning, and creative thinking.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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1-Min Riddles: Puzzles & Brain Teasers - TheSoul Publishing
Grades
3 to 8tag(s): critical thinking (189), logic (170), podcasts (172), puzzles (172), thinking skills (136)
In the Classroom
Play one short riddle at the start of class. Have students write down their answers, then share their reasoning with a partner or the class to build listening and logical thinking skills. Students can write their own riddles or brain teasers, including the answer and a short explanation. Compile them into a class riddle book using Write Reader, reviewed here. Play several riddles in a row and have students work in small groups to solve them. Groups can discuss possible solutions and must agree on an answer before sharing with the class.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Hello, Puzzlers! - A.J. Jacobs
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): logic (170), podcasts (172), puzzles (172), thinking skills (136)
In the Classroom
Begin class with a short puzzle from an episode. Have students listen, think independently, then share strategies with a partner. After listening to a puzzle, have students explain how they solved it or why they got stuck. After several episodes, have students design their own wordplay, logic, or lateral-thinking puzzles using Flippity, reviewed here or Scratch, reviewed here. They can write clues, answers, and explanations, then swap with classmates to solve each other's puzzles.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Digital Jigsaw Puzzles - Smithsonian Libraries and Archives
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): artists (102), enrichment (15), puzzles (172)
In the Classroom
After completing a puzzle, students use the See-Think-Wonder strategy to record observations, inferences, and questions about the image, helping build critical thinking and visual literacy skills. Have students analyze the completed puzzle image as a primary source by identifying details, context clues, and possible perspectives. Then have them write a short paragraph explaining what the image reveals about a specific time period or topic. Have students write a narrative, diary entry, or short story inspired by the completed puzzle image.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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EduGems - Eric Curts
Grades
K to 12tag(s): artificial intelligence (337), Teacher Utilities (223)
In the Classroom
Use a Gem to quickly create a fun lesson hook, such as a mystery scenario, creative prompt, or thought-provoking question, to spark student interest at the start of a lesson. Generate differentiated writing prompts for students based on ability levels or interests to help all learners engage with the content. Generate a menu of activity options for a unit and let students choose how they demonstrate their understanding, increasing ownership and engagement. Learn more about how to create and use Gems by viewing the archive of OK2Ask: Google Gems Basics: Personalized, interactive, and safe AI learning experiences, available here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Puzzle Cutter - Figma
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): game based learning (318), presentations (44), puzzles (172)
In the Classroom
Have students create a puzzle based on an important scene or a story summary. Classmates can solve the puzzle, then explain how the image connects to key themes, characters, or events. Have students create an image representing a vocabulary word or concept, then turn it into a puzzle. Peers can solve the puzzle and infer the word's meaning based on visual clues before checking the definition. In small groups, have students each design one section of a larger image (such as a map, diagram, or story sequence). After combining and cutting it into a puzzle, the groups can exchange with another team to solve and interpret the completed work.Edge Features:
Parent permission advised before posting student work created using this tool
Includes Interaction w general public/ public galleries with unmoderated content
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
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Sesame Street: Janelle Monae - Power of Yet - Sesame Street
Grades
K to 5This site includes advertising.
tag(s): emotions (73), social and emotional learning (205), thinking skills (136)
In the Classroom
Students can design a comic strip with Free Comic Maker by Adobe, reviewed here illustrating a character who overcomes a challenge by using perseverance and the power of yet, connecting to ELA storytelling skills. Students can engage in a goal-setting activity by choosing one academic or personal goal, breaking it into steps, and tracking their progress over time while using yet language to reflect on growth. Students can write a short personal reflection or journal entry describing a time they struggled with something and how they could apply the yet mindset to improve or keep trying.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Canva GIF Maker - Canva
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): animation (69), creativity (91)
In the Classroom
Students can create GIFs regarding historical events and post them to Padlet reviewed here. Have students create a GIF to show a character's emotions. Use GIFs for creative writing projects.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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NotebookLM Prompt Generator - Kee Man
Grades
K to 12tag(s): artificial intelligence (337), infographics (73), presentations (44), slides (39)
In the Classroom
Use this resource to improve the materials you create with NotebookLM. For student use, share this generator to help students understand the importance of prompt engineering when using AI tools to generate content that matches their desired output. Have students take a screenshot of the completed page, then add that image to a document that includes the generated image or slide deck, and analyze the output. Have students compare and contrast their completed images or slide decks to deepen their understanding of how NotebookLM uses prompts to create different appearances in their work. Because each student's prompt choices will differ, the resulting outputs will vary even when starting from the same source material. This comparison highlights how small changes in phrasing, detail, or intent can significantly shape what AI generates, making prompt engineering feel concrete and consequential rather than abstract.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Scroobly - TensorFlow
Grades
3 to 8tag(s): animation (69), artificial intelligence (337), digital storytelling (174), drawing (58)
In the Classroom
Have students create a simple drawn character and use Scroobly to introduce themselves or a fictional character. Assign vocabulary words and have students create characters that act out or explain the meaning of each word. Students can animate a character from a different perspective (for example, the antagonist or a side character) and explain events from that viewpoint, strengthening comprehension and critical thinking.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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40 End-of-Year Journaling Prompts to Inspire Reflection - Rosebud
Grades
3 to 12In the Classroom
Give students 1-2 short prompts (favorite moment, biggest challenge) and have them complete quick 5-minute writes. Post different prompts around the room. Have students rotate, responding to each with a sentence or sketch. Have students choose one big prompt, such as "How did you grow this year?" and write a structured response with a claim, evidence, and reasoning.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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10 Fun Alternatives to Think-Pair-Share - We Are Teachers
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): collaboration (137), perspective (33), thinking routines (59)
In the Classroom
Have groups create a final answer or slide show using Aha Slides, reviewed here that combines everyone's ideas. They must justify their thinking using evidence, pushing students toward deeper reasoning and synthesis. Assign roles such as explainer and questioner. Have one student explain their thinking while the other asks probing questions to deepen understanding, then they switch roles. After pairing, the two pairs join together to form a group of four and compare ideas. This collaborative discussion helps students refine their thinking by hearing multiple perspectives.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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50 Activities For Developing Critical Thinking Skills - Kapable
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): collaboration (137), critical thinking (189), thinking routines (59)
In the Classroom
Set up stations with different types of challenges (logic puzzles, real-world scenarios, ethical dilemmas). Have students rotate through stations, collaborate, and explain their thinking process at each station. Have students identify a real-world problem (at the school, community, or global level) and create a solution plan. They must research, evaluate options, and present their reasoning using CER (claim, evidence, reasoning). Give students a topic connected to your ELA or social studies unit. In small groups, students can take different perspectives and support their claims with evidence.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Thinking Interdependently as a Mental Health Skill for Grades 4-6 - Habits of Minds Kids
Grades
4 to 6tag(s): collaboration (137), communication (126), emotions (73), empathy (71), problem solving (281), social and emotional learning (205), thinking routines (59)
In the Classroom
Give small groups a challenge that requires more than one person to complete, such as building the tallest structure with limited materials, solving a logic puzzle, or completing a scavenger hunt. Afterward, students can discuss how they relied on one another, how they shared ideas, and what made the group successful. Present a social or academic problem (for example, a conflict between friends or a difficult math task). Have students work in pairs or small groups to develop solutions together. Each group should explain how listening, cooperation, and respecting ideas helped them reach an answer.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Habits of Mind Animations: Thinking Interdependently - ASCD
Grades
2 to 8This site includes advertising.
tag(s): collaboration (137), listening (119), problem solving (281), social and emotional learning (205), teaching strategies (81), thinking routines (59), thinking skills (136)
In the Classroom
Give students brief situations that require teamwork (for example, building something together, solving a problem, or working on a group project). Have students discuss with a partner how thinking interdependently would help in that situation. Have students sit in a circle and give a compliment to the person next to them about something they do well when working with others. Students can create a poster that shows what interdependent thinking looks, sounds, and feels like in the classroom. Posters can include examples such as listening, taking turns, helping others, and sharing ideas.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Peer-to-Peer Education: What It Is, Benefits & How It Works - 21K School
Grades
K to 12tag(s): classroom management (144), collaboration (137), communication (126), feedback (16), listening (119), teaching strategies (81), thinking routines (59)
In the Classroom
After a mini-lesson, have students turn to a partner and explain the concept in their own words. Each partner listens and adds anything their partner missed. Set up stations where students work in pairs or small groups to practice skills such as reading, math problems, vocabulary, or science concepts. Have students take turns being the teacher and the learner. Give each group a task that requires teamwork, such as solving a complex question, completing a research activity, or creating a project. Students should discuss ideas and agree on a solution together, strengthening collaboration and critical thinking.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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16 Variations on Think-Pair-Share to Keep Students Engaged - Edutopia
Grades
K to 12tag(s): collaboration (137), communication (126), teaching strategies (81), thinking routines (59)
In the Classroom
Ask students a question about the lesson and have them first draw their idea rather than write it. Students can then explain their drawing to a partner before sharing with the class. Have students stand up, find a partner, and discuss a question or problem. After sharing, they find a new partner for the next question. Have students first talk with a partner, then join another pair to form a group of four, and finally share with the whole class.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Big and Small Strategies to Harness the Power of Peer-to-Peer Teaching - Edutopia
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): collaboration (137), professional development (296), teaching strategies (81), thinking routines (59)
In the Classroom
Ask a question about the current lesson, have students think quietly, discuss with a partner, and finally share with the class. After a short mini-lesson, have students turn to a partner and explain the concept in their own words. The partner listens and then adds anything missed. Divide a topic into sections and assign each group one part to learn. Students become experts on their section and then teach it to a new group.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Funny Books for Middle Grades - Palo Alto City Library
Grades
4 to 6tag(s): graphic novels (5), humor (24), literature circles (6), reading lists (79)
In the Classroom
Set up a book tasting using several titles from the list. Place different funny books at tables and have students rotate every few minutes, reading the back cover and first page. Have students record which books make them laugh, seem interesting, or feel relatable. Show students several book covers from the list and read short summaries aloud. Have students vote using Mentimeter, reviewed here on which one sounds the funniest and explain their reasoning. After reading a funny book from the list, have students write their own short humorous story or comic strip using Free Comic Strip Maker by Adobe, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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