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 (177), professional development (385)

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 (385), resources (84)

Learn about and explore artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and tools educators can use to automate administrative tasks and improve student learning outcomes using the resources in this collection. These tools can help leverage AI's power to increase your productivity and efficiency in the classroom. Many tools can also allow AI to personalize student learning experiences and optimize lesson planning.

tag(s): artificial intelligence (177), differentiation (84), personalized learning (10), Teacher Utilities (198), writing prompts (61)

This recording of an OK2Ask online professional learning session is from July 2023. You can register and immediately view the archive of the session.

App Smashing is the process of using multiple apps or tools to create a final product or project. Join us to learn about this concept and how to use Wakelet - a robust curation and digital storytelling tool - in an app smash. Participants will discover the benefits of app smashing in the classroom, explore examples, learn about five tools that can be smashed with Wakelet, then create their own app smash! As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Understand the concept and benefits of app smashing; 2. Develop the skills and knowledge necessary to create an app smash using Wakelet; and 3. Begin planning to use a Wakelet app smash in an instructional setting. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): curation (32), digital storytelling (154), Formative Assessment (74), professional development (385)

All the World's a Stage is part of the TeachersFirst Help! I Lost My Library/Media Specialist series reviewed here sharing book lists and ideas for incorporating dramatic arts and dance into the classroom. The Background Knowledge section shares information on easing into the dramatic arts beginning with Reader's Theater activities, then extending into additional arts activities such as drama circles and dance. In addition to recommended books about the dramatic arts and artists, numerous classroom activities are available for students. Extension activities are also provided to encourage students to create art that represents various curriculum areas. Information includes correlation to ISTE and AASL standards.

tag(s): book lists (167), dance (31), readers theater (12)

Everything to Learn: Diving Into the Life and Art of Edmonia Lewis is part of TeachersFirst Help! I Lost My Library/Media Specialist series reviewed here and provides book suggestions and activities that support the study of music through picture books and hands-on activities. Information in this article's Introduction and Background Knowledge sections provides readers with biographical information on this first female American sculptor of African American and Native American descent to rise to fame on the global art stage. Shared activities and books offer resources for learning more about Lewis and lessons for students to learn about and participate in creating sculptures. Additional extension activities include an option to compare and contrast the work of different artists and an idea for students to create a sculpture representing their personal history. Content in this article includes correlations to ISTE and AASL standards.

tag(s): african american (115), artists (85), book lists (167), native americans (109), sculpture (18)

All That Jazz is part of TeachersFirst Help! I Lost My Library/Media Specialist series reviewed here. As an introduction, this article includes background knowledge of the origins and history of jazz. The activities section includes an extensive list of picture books about jazz and several ideas for classroom activities. The extension activities provide additional ideas for introducing jazz into classroom lessons, such as integrating the study of jazz into lessons about the Cold War and Civil Rights. Content in this article includes correlations to ISTE and AASL standards.

tag(s): book lists (167), civil rights (209), cold war (30), jazz (16)

You Can't Play a Symphony Alone is part of TeachersFirst Help! I Lost My Library/Media Specialist series reviewed here and shares book suggestions and activities that teach students about the orchestra's instruments. The article begins with background knowledge sharing information about each of the orchestra's different sections. The shared activities include book suggestions, online resources, and suggested lessons to extend student understanding of the instruments and music of orchestras. A final extension activity suggestion shares a creative proposal for students to reimagine a new musical story following the reading of Peter and the Wolf. Content in this article includes correlations to ISTE and AASL standards.

tag(s): book lists (167), musical instruments (52)

Take a virtual field trip with this Reading Trek based on Susan Hood's book Ada's Violin. This Reading Trek includes a Teacher Guide that uses Google My Maps, reviewed here as the basis for a virtual journey that tells how music transformed the lives of children and teens living on the edge of a landfill just outside Paraguay's capital city. Activities correlate to Common Core Standards, National Standards for Social Studies and Visual Arts, and Social Justice Standards. In addition to teaching ideas for working with the map, this Reading Trek also includes extension activities and links to additional helpful resources.

tag(s): musical instruments (52), preK (271), recycling (46)

Music Speaks is part of TeachersFirst Help! I Lost My Library/Media Specialist series reviewed here and provides book suggestions and activities that support the study of music through picture books and hands-on activities. The article begins with background information that discusses the different meanings of music appreciation. Following that section is a list of picture books and activities to integrate music into classroom lessons. The final section of this article provides extension activities that encourage students to create and share music through podcasts and online resources. Content on this site includes correlations to ISTE and AASL standards.

tag(s): book lists (167), music theory (46), musical instruments (52)

If you are still getting familiar with STEM (STEAM or STREAM), learn all about them through the resources in this collection. What we once referred to as STEM (educational curriculum that combines science, technology, engineering, and math) has evolved into STEAM and now STREAM. STEAM includes the original four areas and has integrated art into the mix. STREAM takes it further and adds a layer of reading and writing. You will find helpful information about STEM, STEAM, and STREAM in this collection. In addition, we have curated web resources for all grade levels to help as you plan your activities (lesson plans, interactives, and more).

tag(s): engineering (129), STEM (297)