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Choice Board Templates - Canva
Grades
K to 12
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This large assortment of choice board templates includes many free and customizable options within Canva for Education, reviewed here Choose from...more
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This large assortment of choice board templates includes many free and customizable options within Canva for Education, reviewed here Choose from a variety of styles and content options. After selecting a template, use Canva's editing tools to personalize colors, text, images, and more. Share templates digitally with your personalized link, or download as an image or PDF.
tag(s): differentiation (101), multimedia (64), presentations (35), student-centered (10)
In the Classroom
Make sure to create a free teacher's account in Canva; this gives you access to many of the paid PRO account features. Use choice boards during independent work rotations or end-of-unit projects. Create multiple versions of choice boards using the templates to accommodate diverse learners and learning styles in your classroom while still providing instruction that meets learning objectives for all students. Include a variety of activities in choice boards that engage students in learning, such as games, simulations, videos, and opportunities to share their learning by creating multimedia presentations.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Back to School Icebreakers Activities - Nearpod
Grades
K to 12
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This Nearpod blog post provides a collection of ready-to-use, interactive activities designed to help teachers build a positive classroom community during the first week of school....more
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This Nearpod blog post provides a collection of ready-to-use, interactive activities designed to help teachers build a positive classroom community during the first week of school. The article features icebreakers, getting-to-know-you lessons, collaborative discussions, reflection prompts, and engaging digital activities that introduce students to classroom routines while encouraging participation and relationship-building. It also highlights Nearpod's interactive tools, such as Collaborate Board, Draw It, Time to Climb, polls, and ready-made lessons, making it easy for teachers to create an engaging and welcoming learning environment from day one. Many of the featured resources are available as editable or ready-to-launch lessons for use in live or student-paced instruction.
tag(s): classroom management (142), collaboration (119), firstday (27)
In the Classroom
Use Nearpod's Collaborate Board for students to post fun facts, summer memories, reading interests, or personal goals. Encourage classmates to respond to one another to help build connections from the first day of school. Launch a collaborative Nearpod lesson where students brainstorm classroom norms using polls, open-ended questions, and Draw It activities. Turn the class's ideas into a shared digital classroom agreement. Reinforce routines such as technology expectations, transitions, or classroom rules by creating a Time to Climb quiz. Find more ideas for classroom learning activities at Nearpod, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Using Humor in the Art Room - The Art of Education University
Grades
4 to 12
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This podcast episode from The Art of Education University discusses how teachers can use humor in the classroom to build relationships, increase engagement, and create a safe learning...more
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This podcast episode from The Art of Education University discusses how teachers can use humor in the classroom to build relationships, increase engagement, and create a safe learning environment, especially in the art room. The speaker explains that humor can help students feel comfortable and more willing to take risks. Still, teachers should be thoughtful about how they use jokes, sarcasm, and playful comments, as students may interpret them differently. The episode shares examples such as intentionally making mistakes during demonstrations, using lighthearted comments to keep students engaged, and choosing humor that supports learning rather than embarrassing students. Overall, the message encourages teachers to use humor intentionally to make class enjoyable while maintaining a respectful, supportive atmosphere.
tag(s): classroom management (142), humor (18), podcasts (168), teaching strategies (73)
In the Classroom
Start a lesson by intentionally making a funny mistake during a demonstration, such as using the wrong color, holding a tool incorrectly, or pretending to forget a step. Ask students to catch the mistake and explain how to do it correctly. Use lighthearted class discussions about appropriate humor, asking students when jokes are helpful and when they might hurt someone's feelings. Try a teacher-student improv activity where students quickly add a funny detail to a drawing, story, or idea the teacher starts.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Why Can't Teachers Be Funny in School? - Trainers Warehouse
Grades
3 to 8
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This blog post from Trainers Warehouse explains how using classroom humor can make learning more engaging, memorable, and enjoyable for students. The article encourages teachers to...more
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This blog post from Trainers Warehouse explains how using classroom humor can make learning more engaging, memorable, and enjoyable for students. The article encourages teachers to include funny activities, jokes, games, and playful routines to help students relax, participate more, and feel comfortable taking risks while learning. Suggestions include using silly introductions, humorous writing activities, improv games, movement breaks, funny prompts, and lighthearted classroom challenges to keep energy high and attention focused. The post also notes that laughter can reduce stress, improve mood, strengthen relationships, and help students remember what they learn, making humor a powerful tool for building a positive classroom environment.
tag(s): blogs (82), classroom management (142), humor (18), teaching strategies (73)
In the Classroom
Use content-based humor activities like Mad Libs, limericks, or funny captions related to the topic you are teaching. For example, students can fill in missing words in a paragraph about the lesson or write a humorous rhyme using vocabulary terms. Begin a lesson with a funny introduction activity, such as having students introduce themselves using emojis, memes, or silly voices. Incorporate movement-based humor activities like funny walks, freeze poses, or short dance breaks.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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How to Easily Infuse More Humor into Your Classroom - Beginning Teacher Talk with Dr. Lori Friesen
Grades
K to 8
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This video explains how teachers can use humor to create a positive, engaging classroom environment and build stronger relationships with students. The speaker shares practical ideas,...more
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This video explains how teachers can use humor to create a positive, engaging classroom environment and build stronger relationships with students. The speaker shares practical ideas, such as telling jokes, using funny voices, adding silly props, creating playful routines, taking brain breaks, and leaving surprise notes, to help students feel relaxed and connected. The video emphasizes that humor helps students feel safe, increases engagement, and improves classroom management by making them more willing to participate in a fun, supportive atmosphere. Teachers are encouraged to try small strategies that match their personality and gradually add more lighthearted moments to make learning enjoyable. This video is hosted on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, the video may not be viewable at school.
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tag(s): classroom management (142), humor (18), teaching strategies (73)
In the Classroom
Start the day with a joke or a funny daily announcement to create a positive classroom mood. Use silly writing prompts or creative challenges connected to your lesson. For example, ask students to write a story funnily using vocabulary words, such as "What would happen if a dinosaur became the principal?" Create a class mascot, puppet, or character that gives directions, asks questions, or leaves notes for students. The mascot can review content, introduce lessons, or offer hints, making learning more memorable and increasing student engagement.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Create Credibility Detectives in Your Classroom - AVID
Grades
4 to 10
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This AVID Open Access article, "Create Credibility Detectives in Your Classroom," provides teachers with strategies to help students evaluate the reliability of online information and...more
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This AVID Open Access article, "Create Credibility Detectives in Your Classroom," provides teachers with strategies to help students evaluate the reliability of online information and become critical thinkers as they research. The lesson introduces the ABCs of credibility (Author, Bias, and Content) as a simple framework that students can use to decide whether a source is trustworthy. The resource explains how to look beyond appearance, check who created the information, identify potential bias, and verify facts with other sources. Designed as a short, professional-learning-style lesson, use it in ELA, social studies, science, or library classes to build digital literacy, research skills, and responsible use of information.
tag(s): digital literacy (38), evaluating sources (52), Research (90)
In the Classroom
Give students a short research question. Before using any information, they can evaluate their source using Author, Bias, and Content, and write one or two sentences explaining why the source is trustworthy. Have students design a badge or poster using Adobe Creative Cloud Express, reviewed here showing the rules for being a credibility detective. Students can act as "credibility detectives" and examine a website or article using the ABCs strategy. They can identify the author, assess potential bias, and verify the content for factual accuracy before deciding the trustworthiness of a source.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Evaluating Credibility of Sources - Creator Unknown
Grades
4 to 8
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This Google Doc titled "Beginner & Intermediate 5: Evaluating Credibility of Sources" is a student activity guide focused on helping learners understand how to decide whether information...more
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This Google Doc titled "Beginner & Intermediate 5: Evaluating Credibility of Sources" is a student activity guide focused on helping learners understand how to decide whether information is trustworthy and useful for research. The document centers on the guiding question "How do I evaluate the credibility of sources and determine which ones to use for a specific task?" It encourages students to examine authorship, accuracy, purpose, and relevance when selecting sources. This document supports information literacy instruction by giving students practice in analyzing different sources and thinking critically about reliability before using information in a project or assignment.
tag(s): digital literacy (38), evaluating sources (52), media literacy (130), Research (90)
In the Classroom
Give students two sources about the same topic, one strong and one weak. Students can use the lesson questions to compare the sources and decide which one is more credible. Have students design a poster using DesignCap Poster Creator, reviewed here showing rules for choosing good sources. Have students use the lesson's evaluation criteria to create or complete a checklist for evaluating sources. They can apply the checklist to a new article or website to determine if it is reliable and appropriate for research.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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TickTick - TickTick Team
Grades
7 to 12
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TickTick is an organization and planning tool with several features to help develop and maintain positive lifestyle habits. Use TickTick to create multiple lists to categorize different...more
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TickTick is an organization and planning tool with several features to help develop and maintain positive lifestyle habits. Use TickTick to create multiple lists to categorize different subjects or extracurricular activities. Within each list, the free version supports adding up to 99 tasks, including subtasks, priority levels, and descriptions. Another useful component is the integrated Pomodoro timer, which helps focus on specific tasks for set intervals. The platform also includes a habit tracker to build consistent routines and a basic note-taking feature for quick thoughts.
tag(s): calendars (36), DAT device agnostic tool (132), organizational skills (91)
In the Classroom
In addition to using TickTick for your personal and professional use, share this site with students to use to organize their busy schedules. Demonstrate how to manage long-term projects using the list and subtask features to break down a complex research paper into manageable steps, such as finding three sources or writing the introductory paragraph. Encourage students to use the Pomodoro timer during independent study blocks to stay focused and track how much time they dedicate to specific subjects. To extend learning, students can use Blogger, reviewed here to reflect on their productivity habits or share time-management tips with their peers. For visual learners, suggest that students take their project deadlines from the platform and create a visual representation of their progress using Timeline Infographic Templates, reviewed here. This combination helps students move from simply listing tasks to actively analyzing and visualizing their academic workflow.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Quillbot - Learneo
Grades
4 to 12
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QuillBot is a writing platform that uses AI to help students and teachers refine their writing using tools organized into categories such as writing, creation, file converters, and...more
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QuillBot is a writing platform that uses AI to help students and teachers refine their writing using tools organized into categories such as writing, creation, file converters, and more. Most tools are available in several different languages. The free version offers a paraphraser with a 125-word limit, two writing modes, Standard and Fluency, and a basic synonym slider to adjust how much the vocabulary changes. It also includes a grammar checker that identifies spelling and punctuation errors, a summarizer with a 1,200-word capacity, and a citation generator for various academic styles. Many tools require registration to use them. Visit the pricing page to verify what the free plan includes. QuillBot offers extensions for major browsers and apps across all major platforms, including Apple and Android.
tag(s): artificial intelligence (322), chat (41), DAT device agnostic tool (132), editing (93), grammar (141), images (269), summarizing (26), writing (308)
In the Classroom
Include this tool to engage students in a vocabulary-expansion workshop. Start by having students paste a simple or repetitive paragraph into the paraphraser to see how changing modes or sliding the synonym bar transforms the tone and complexity of their work. This activity provides immediate, visual feedback on how word choice impacts a reader's perspective. To extend the lesson, have students take their favorite AI-generated variations and organize them into a structured debate regarding which version is the most persuasive using Kialo Edu, reviewed here. Extend learning by having students use their refined text to create a high-quality audio recording of their revised arguments using Adobe Podcast, reviewed here, demonstrating their ability to adapt writing for different audiences and professional formats.
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Iditarod Education Portal - Iditarod Trail Committee
Grades
3 to 12
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This section of the official Iditarod site offers free educational resources focused on the famous Alaskan sled dog race for students in grades 3-12. Explore a variety of lesson plans...more
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This section of the official Iditarod site offers free educational resources focused on the famous Alaskan sled dog race for students in grades 3-12. Explore a variety of lesson plans and activities that cover core subjects like math, science, social studies, and language arts through the lens of the Last Great Race on Earth. Additional features include a virtual museum, engaging articles written by K9 journalists, and a dedicated section for Teacher on the Trail updates that bring real-time race events into the classroom. Also available are printable worksheets, reading lists, and interactive tracking tools that allow students to follow individual mushers and their dog teams across the tundra. Make sure to check out the IditaRead program, which encourages students to reach their own reading goals by moving an avatar along checkpoints in the race.
In 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.
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Paraphrasing Guide - Quillbot
Grades
7 to 12
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QuillBot's paraphrasing guide provides a comprehensive roadmap for rewriting text while maintaining original meaning. This resource breaks down the differences between paraphrasing,...more
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QuillBot's paraphrasing guide provides a comprehensive roadmap for rewriting text while maintaining original meaning. This resource breaks down the differences between paraphrasing, quoting, and summarizing. It offers clear, step-by-step instructions for changing sentence structure and using synonyms effectively to avoid plagiarism. Users can explore various examples that demonstrate how to transform complex academic passages into simpler, more readable language. Since the guide is part of the larger QuillBot ecosystem, it also introduces students to the basic functionality of QuillBot's AI-powered paraphrasing tool, which helps users refine their writing in real time.
tag(s): artificial intelligence (322), plagiarism (34), process writing (35), writing (308)
In the Classroom
Use this guide to anchor a lesson on academic integrity and effective note-taking. Have students take a complex primary source document or a challenging science article and apply the techniques found in the guide to rewrite key findings in their own words. This activity encourages students to engage deeply with the text to ensure they truly understand the concepts before attempting to rephrase them. To enhance writing skills, students can use noredink, reviewed here, to practice specific grammar and sentence structure techniques highlighted in the guide. Extend learning by having students organize their research and original reflections on a collaborative digital canvas using Figjam, reviewed here, where they can use stickies and drawing tools to map out their ideas together.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Daily IQ - Infoplease
Grades
4 to 12
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Infoplease's Daily IQ shares daily fun facts. Facts include: This Day in History, Word of the Day, Birthday of the Day, Analogy of the Day, News of the World, and ...more
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Infoplease's Daily IQ shares daily fun facts. Facts include: This Day in History, Word of the Day, Birthday of the Day, Analogy of the Day, News of the World, and Weather of the Day. Visit additional links on the site to view other recent content.
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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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Google Fonts - Google
Grades
K to 12
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Google Fonts is a free online library that allows teachers and students to browse, preview, and download hundreds of open-source fonts for use in documents, presentations, websites,...more
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Google Fonts is a free online library that allows teachers and students to browse, preview, and download hundreds of open-source fonts for use in documents, presentations, websites, and creative projects. The site makes it easy to search for fonts by style, language, or popularity, and users can use all fonts for free for school projects, print materials, or digital work. Because the fonts are free and easy to use, the site helps improve the design of slides, posters, reports, and multimedia projects while also introducing students to basic ideas about typography and visual communication.
tag(s): multilingual (83), presentations (35), 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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Adobe Express Slow Motion Video - Adobe
Grades
K to 12
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The Adobe Express slow-motion video tool allows teachers and students to easily change the speed of a video clip online without needing advanced editing software. Users can upload a...more
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The Adobe Express slow-motion video tool allows teachers and students to easily change the speed of a video clip online without needing advanced editing software. Users can upload a video, choose from different speed settings to slow down or speed up the clip, preview the changes, and download the finished video for sharing or further editing. This feature is part of the free Adobe Express video editor, which also includes options to trim clips, mute audio, and apply additional effects, making it useful for creating presentations, demonstrations, and student projects.
tag(s): creating media (17), digital storytelling (166), 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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Buffer - Buffer
Grades
K to 12
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Buffer is a social media management platform that simplifies planning and sharing content across multiple networks. The free version allows you to connect up to three social media channels,...more
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Buffer is a social media management platform that simplifies planning and sharing content across multiple networks. The free version allows you to connect up to three social media channels, such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or LinkedIn, and maintain a queue of ten scheduled posts per channel at any given time by clicking the Manage Channels button at the bottom of the dashboard and authorizing each platform. Navigate to the Posting Schedule under each channel's settings to designate specific days and times for your updates to go live automatically.
tag(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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The Frayer Model - A Tool to Explain Concepts - Byrdseed, LLC
Grades
K to 12
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Frayer Models are popular teaching tools. This article explains how to use Frayer Models to go beyond defining vocabulary and terms and to use them as a powerful method for ...more
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Frayer Models are popular teaching tools. This article explains how to use Frayer Models to go beyond defining vocabulary and terms and to use them as a powerful method for fully explaining concepts. The author shares a brief history of the introduction of Frayer Models, a video explanation of the concept, and many fully developed examples of how to explain concepts in depth using the four components of the Frayer Model. You can also download a free, ready-to-use PDF organizer template to get started in your classroom immediately.
tag(s): graphic organizers (58), professional development (321), thinking skills (125), visual thinking (16), vocabulary (254), vocabulary development (103)
In the Classroom
After spending time learning how to use Frayer Models to develop larger concepts, use this model to introduce big idea vocabulary or complex themes at the start of a new unit. Instead of a standard worksheet, have students collaborate on a digital version of the organizer. After exploring the characteristics of a concept on the site, students can build an interactive infographic using Genially reviewed here to visualize their definitions and examples with embedded media. For a math or science lesson, students could analyze a concept like polygons or mammals and then create a digital concept map in MindMup reviewed here to show how different subtopics branch off from the core definition. To wrap up the activity, have the class vote on the best non-examples provided by their peers to ensure everyone truly understands the term's boundaries.
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EduProtocol Video Playlist - Marlena Hebern
Grades
K to 12
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This YouTube playlist features instructional videos and demonstrations focused on EduProtocols, a set of free, customizable lesson frames designed to maximize student engagement and...more
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This YouTube playlist features instructional videos and demonstrations focused on EduProtocols, a set of free, customizable lesson frames designed to maximize student engagement and minimize teacher prep time. These strategies work across all grade levels and subject areas, shifting the focus from content delivery to active information processing. The videos break down popular protocols like the Fast and the Curious for vocabulary mastery, Iron Chef for collaborative research, and Cyber Sandwich for comparative writing. Each segment offers clear, step-by-step guidance on setting up the templates and implementing the routines in the classroom. Because these are hosted on YouTube, check to ensure your district doesn't block the site so you can access these helpful visual guides.
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tag(s): critical thinking (182), professional development (321), thinking skills (125), visual thinking (16)
In the Classroom
Use this playlist as a helpful tool to learn about and successfully implement EduProtocols in your classroom. Learn more about EduProtocols by watching the archive of OK2Ask: EduProtocols for Student Engagement & Choice reviewed here. Extend learning after using EduProtocols by using resources such as Snorkl reviewed here to record brief explanations of student thinking, allowing you to see their logic in real time and check for understanding.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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EduProtocol Plus Sampler - EduProtocols Plus
Grades
K to 12
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Access several support materials for EduProtocols with a free email signup to the EduProtocols Plus site. Materials include video and guiding documents for new users, eight lesson design...more
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Access several support materials for EduProtocols with a free email signup to the EduProtocols Plus site. Materials include video and guiding documents for new users, eight lesson design templates, book study materials, and more. The templates are available in Google Slides and include protocol directions, sample prompts, and a smart-start lesson plan. Sample live show recordings provide valuable visuals to help new (and returning) users plan and implement EduProtocols effectively to achieve deep student learning. The videos are hosted on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, then they may not be viewable.
tag(s): critical thinking (182), teaching strategies (73), thinking routines (42), thinking skills (125), visual thinking (16)
In the Classroom
Learn more about EduProtocols by watching the archive of OK2Ask: EduProtocols for Student Engagement & Choice reviewed here. Some of the protocols ask students to add an image; consider creating a folder for students to access free, copyright-free images using pictures available from resources on TeachersFirst Special Topics Page: Free Image Resources reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Language: Revising for Concision and Clarity - Purdue University College of Liberal Arts
Grades
5 to 12
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The Purdue OWL Revising for Clarity page explains how writers can improve their work by making their messages clearer, more direct, and easier for readers to understand. The guide focuses...more
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The Purdue OWL Revising for Clarity page explains how writers can improve their work by making their messages clearer, more direct, and easier for readers to understand. The guide focuses on revising writing with the audience in mind and checking language, tone, word choice, and organization so the message is simple and effective. It encourages writers to remove unnecessary words, avoid jargon or cliches, and use precise vocabulary so readers can quickly understand the purpose. The site is part of Purdue University's OWL writing resources, which provide step-by-step strategies to help students revise drafts and produce stronger, more professional writing.
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tag(s): thinking routines (42), thinking skills (125)
In the Classroom
Students can revise unclear or wordy sentences by rewriting them with shorter, more precise language and comparing their revisions with classmates to see which version is easiest to understand. They can also improve a paragraph by highlighting confusing or repetitive parts, rewriting it with better organization and word choice, and then editing a partner's work using a checklist that looks for long sentences, unnecessary words, and unclear ideas. To extend the lesson, students can rotate through revision stations to practice shortening sentences, replacing weak words, and adjusting their writing for different audiences so the message is clear to every reader. Another option is a peer-editing activity using a checklist based on the website ideas.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Plain Language Guide Series - Digital.gov
Grades
6 to 12
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The Plain Language Guide on Digital.gov provides strategies for writing and speaking in a way that is clear, organized, and easy for readers to understand. The site explains that plain...more
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The Plain Language Guide on Digital.gov provides strategies for writing and speaking in a way that is clear, organized, and easy for readers to understand. The site explains that plain language means using words, sentences, and design that help the audience understand the message the first time they read or hear it. The guide includes principles such as writing for your audience, using simple vocabulary, keeping sentences short, and organizing information to make it easy to follow. It also explains why clear communication is important for learning, problem-solving, and avoiding misunderstandings, making the resource useful for teachers who want students to practice precise speaking and writing across subjects.
tag(s): thinking routines (42), thinking skills (125)
In the Classroom
Give students a paragraph written with long sentences, difficult vocabulary, or confusing wording. Have students rewrite the paragraph using plain-language rules, such as shorter sentences, simpler words, and clearer organization. Have students write step-by-step directions for a simple task such as making a sandwich, playing a game, or using classroom materials. Then another student tries to follow the directions exactly as written. If the directions are confusing, the writer revises them using plain-language tips, such as putting the main idea first and using clear action words. Students can write a short explanation of the same topic for different audiences, such as a kindergarten student, a classmate, and a teacher. They must adjust word choice and sentence structure so that each audience can understand the message on the first reading.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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