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The Teacher Toolkit - Education Service Center Region 13
Grades
K to 12
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Looking for practical teaching strategies that are ready to put into action? The Teacher Toolkit offers a large collection of classroom techniques for management, opening and closing...more
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Looking for practical teaching strategies that are ready to put into action? The Teacher Toolkit offers a large collection of classroom techniques for management, opening and closing activities, checks for understanding, partner and group work, independent practice, reading, and games. Each strategy explains how and when to use it, and many include downloadable templates, variations, or examples of the strategy in action for elementary, secondary, and Spanish. Teachers can browse alphabetically or by instructional category, making the site especially useful for planning engaging lessons or finding a quick formative assessment or discussion routine. Some strategies include videos featuring educators and students demonstrating the technique. If your district blocks YouTube, the videos may not be viewable.
tag(s): teaching strategies (95), Teacher Utilities (234), game based learning (295), graphic organizers (64), classroom management (155)
In the Classroom
After a lesson, students can complete a 3-2-1 response by identifying three things they learned, two ideas they want to explore further, and one remaining question, then compare responses with a partner before a class debrief. Invite students to turn important concepts into physical Study Cards, or have them create digital review cards with Quizlet, reviewed here, for individual review or peer quizzing. Ask students to synthesize a lesson with a One Minute Sentence and then combine the strongest ideas from two responses into a clearer collaborative summary. Students could post final summaries on Padlet, reviewed here, for a whole-class gallery of key ideas.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Culturally-Based Curriculum - National Indian Education Association
Grades
K to 12
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The National Indian Education Association (NIEA) Virtual Resources for Parents and Teachers is a comprehensive collection of free educational materials designed to support culturally...more
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The National Indian Education Association (NIEA) Virtual Resources for Parents and Teachers is a comprehensive collection of free educational materials designed to support culturally responsive teaching and learning. The site brings together lesson plans, digital learning activities, Native-authored book lists, professional development opportunities, and links to trusted partner resources covering literacy, social-emotional learning, Native history and culture, and family engagement. Educators can use these resources to incorporate authentic Indigenous perspectives across the curriculum while supporting inclusive, culturally relevant instruction in both classroom and virtual learning environments.
tag(s): cultures (292), professional development (317), book lists (168), native americans (168)
In the Classroom
Use articles, videos, and educational resources from the site to explore current topics affecting Native communities, such as language preservation, environmental stewardship, education, or sovereignty. Students can participate in class discussions, debates, or reflective writing activities. Pair resources from the NIEA collection with textbooks or other history resources. Students can compare how each source tells the story, identify missing viewpoints, and write about why it is important to include Native American perspectives when learning history. Have students use the linked lesson plans and digital resources to research a Native Nation, tradition, historical event, or influential Indigenous leader. Students can share their learning through podcasts created with Buzzsprout, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Jigsaw - The Teacher Toolkit
Grades
2 to 12
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Turn students into experts with Jigsaw, a cooperative learning strategy that divides a reading or topic among small groups. Students begin in "home groups," move into "expert groups"...more
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Turn students into experts with Jigsaw, a cooperative learning strategy that divides a reading or topic among small groups. Students begin in "home groups," move into "expert groups" to study one portion of the material, and then return to teach what they learned to their original group. The Teacher Toolkit provides clear preparation and implementation directions, suggestions for when to use the strategy, an expert-panel variation, and downloadable elementary, secondary, and Spanish templates, including editable Google Doc versions. Jigsaw can help students build comprehension while practicing cooperation, communication, discussion, and problem-solving skills. The site also suggests using the strategy to build background knowledge, study authors, examine different viewpoints, compare concepts, and review before an assessment. If your district blocks YouTube, you may not be able to view the video.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): Formative Assessment (52), collaboration (146), problem solving (286), teaching strategies (95), thinking routines (63)
In the Classroom
Students can use Stickies.io, reviewed here to share their information about the topic that they are learning about. Have students use Timeline Infographic Templates by Venngage, reviewed here to create a graphic organizer explaining the information. Students can use Google Slides, reviewed here to make a presentation to share the information they learned.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Pomodoro Timer Online - Free Focus Timer - stopwatch-online.com
Grades
4 to 12
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Turn focused work into manageable chunks with this browser-based Pomodoro timer. The tool follows the classic 25-minute focus, 5-minute short break, and 15-minute long break pattern,...more
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Turn focused work into manageable chunks with this browser-based Pomodoro timer. The tool follows the classic 25-minute focus, 5-minute short break, and 15-minute long break pattern, automatically moving users through work and rest intervals and providing a longer break after four completed Pomodoros. Teachers and students can customize all three time periods, choose from six alarm sounds, adjust alarm repetitions, use fullscreen mode, and track progress through a four-dot cycle indicator. Settings remain saved in the browser, and the timer can continue working offline after the page has loaded. No signup, download, or advertising is required.
tag(s): classroom management (155), time (98)
In the Classroom
Have students use customized Pomodoro intervals during independent reading, writing, research, or problem-solving to practice sustained attention followed by purposeful breaks. Have students complete a focused study interval, then create flashcards or a review set in Quizlet, reviewed here, during a later Pomodoro to turn notes into a reusable study aid. Assign small groups a research question and have them use separate Pomodoro rounds to gather evidence, evaluate sources, organize findings, and prepare a brief presentation.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Free Countdown Timer - Son Nguyen
Grades
K to 12
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Need a simple way to keep lessons, transitions, group work, or independent practice on schedule? Online Timer is a free browser-based countdown timer that requires no signup or download...more
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Need a simple way to keep lessons, transitions, group work, or independent practice on schedule? Online Timer is a free browser-based countdown timer that requires no signup or download and includes no ads. Teachers can set hours, minutes, and seconds, add a label, choose from six alarm sounds, and display the countdown in fullscreen mode. Quick presets range from one minute to two hours, and recent timers are saved locally for easy reuse. Teachers can also share a configured timer by copying its URL. The timer continues accurately when users switch tabs, works offline after the page loads, and includes keyboard shortcuts to start, pause, cancel, and switch to fullscreen.
tag(s): time (98), classroom management (155)
In the Classroom
Have students use the visible countdown during independent reading, writing, problem-solving, or test practice to build pacing awareness and practice completing tasks within a set amount of time. Assign students a focused study interval followed by a short break, then have them post one takeaway, question, or next step on Padlet, reviewed here, to document their progress. Invite students to rotate through learning stations while displaying the timer in full-screen mode so everyone can see when it is time to finish, clean up, and move to the next activity.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Jigsaw Learning Activity - Katrina Martel.
Grades
4 to 12
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Figma's Jigsaw Learning Activity is a cooperative learning strategy that encourages students to work together to become experts on a specific topic and then share their expertise with...more
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Figma's Jigsaw Learning Activity is a cooperative learning strategy that encourages students to work together to become experts on a specific topic and then share their expertise with classmates. The free templates include a Facilitator Guide that shows teachers how to use the Jigsaw method in their classroom. Also, there is a section titled "Template Tips" for how to use a timer and encourage students to use Stamps and Comments. You must create a Figma account to access the template.
tag(s): reading comprehension (145), graphic organizers (64), teaching strategies (95), thinking routines (63), collaboration (146)
In the Classroom
Students can use the Figma-created template when completing a jigsaw activity. Students can use Padlet, reviewed here to post a short summary of their groups' information. Have students read different perspectives on the same issue, collect claims and supporting evidence in the jigsaw template, and then use Mentimeter, reviewed here, for a whole-class poll that launches a discussion or argument about which evidence is most convincing.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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FreeShow - Live Church Solutions
Grades
4 to 12
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FreeShow is free, open-source presentation software that helps you create and display dynamic slideshows featuring text, images, and videos on large screens. Originally developed with...more
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FreeShow is free, open-source presentation software that helps you create and display dynamic slideshows featuring text, images, and videos on large screens. Originally developed with churches and live events in mind, it offers powerful editing tools, customizable templates, and features such as timed slide transitions, multi-screen displays, and remote-control capabilities. Teachers could adapt FreeShow for classroom use by creating visually engaging presentations, displaying student work, or organizing multimedia lessons, especially in settings where presentations need to run smoothly or be controlled from different devices.
tag(s): multimedia (70), artificial intelligence (368), presentations (51)
In the Classroom
Use FreeShow to display a dynamic daily agenda with visuals, timers, and rotating slides for announcements, objectives, and reminders to start the day in an organized and engaging way. Have students perform poems or scripts while FreeShow displays lines, images, or background visuals on a large screen, helping build fluency, expression, and confidence. Create a slideshow with questions, clues, or prompts for a whole-class review game. Use timed slides or transitions to keep energy high while reviewing vocabulary,Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Maker Ed - The Maker Education Initiative
Grades
K to 12
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Maker Ed fosters student creativity and problem-solving skills through STEM lessons. The site offers professional development, networking opportunities, and resources. In the Resource...more
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Maker Ed fosters student creativity and problem-solving skills through STEM lessons. The site offers professional development, networking opportunities, and resources. In the Resource Library tab, you have access to the Resource Library, Publications, Activities, and Community. The Resource Library showcases and allows you to search through Learning Pathways or Categories. The Learning Pathways teach about Maker Education, while the Categories include learning activities, program design, assessment, and management.
tag(s): rubrics (40), stories and storytelling (82), poetry (196), STEM (389), makerspace (42)
In the Classroom
Students can use Stormboard, reviewed here to post affirmations after engaging in the Math Affirmations: I Am a Mathematician activity. When creating stories from Learning in the Making: Storytelling, students can record their stories using ScreenPal, reviewed here. Students can use Google Drawings, reviewed here to create magnetic poetry after learning about poetry in the lesson titled Learning in the Making: Visual Poetry.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Boost Student Growth: How to Use Page Templates for Effective Reflection in the Classroom - Book Creator
Grades
K to 12
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Book Creator's Boost Student Growth: How to Use Page Templates for Effective Reflection in the Classroom shares how the power of reflection helps students deepen their learning and...more
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Book Creator's Boost Student Growth: How to Use Page Templates for Effective Reflection in the Classroom shares how the power of reflection helps students deepen their learning and understanding by thinking critically. The article shares how incorporating reflection into teaching enhances critical thinking skills, improves problem-solving, fosters personal growth and self-awareness, and builds academic resilience. Some ideas include: daily journaling, 3-2-1 exit ticket, mistake growth, artifact reflection, peer reflection, and video reflection. As a teacher, you can add teacher feedback with the commenting tool. In order to access any of the Reflection Templates, you must have a Book Creator account and search for the Templates in the Media section of Book Creator.
tag(s): digital storytelling (178), digital literacy (42), thinking skills (138), thinking routines (63)
In the Classroom
When students are writing their daily journal prompt, students can learn how to use emojis and add pictures to enhance their writing. Students as young as kindergarten and 1st grade can learn how to give feedback to each other by using the microphone to record themselves. Finally, students can record themselves on their video check-in and learn how to insert their video into the Book Creator page.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Jigsaw - All About Adolescent Literacy
Grades
4 to 12
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All About Adolescent Literacy shares a reading and writing strategy called the Jigsaw method. The Jigsaw method divides large amounts of text into manageable chunks that students collaboratively...more
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All About Adolescent Literacy shares a reading and writing strategy called the Jigsaw method. The Jigsaw method divides large amounts of text into manageable chunks that students collaboratively work together to understand and explain to their classmates. The article goes further by explaining how to create and use the strategy, including a video showing the Jigsaw method in action and tips for success. There is also a downloadable PDF template to use.
tag(s): teaching strategies (95), thinking routines (63), collaboration (146)
In the Classroom
Before using the Jigsaw method, discuss and teach students how to use this strategy and the importance of each piece of the jigsaw. Consider doing a simple jigsaw activity to model this method before starting on a larger project. For example, in science class, do a short jigsaw activity for different types of weather (hurricane, tornado, blizzard, drought) before embarking on a larger project about climate change. Design a presentation template using Canva for Education, reviewed here that includes sections for each different group to include their portion. Students can post questions and ideas on a virtual discussion board that includes the whole class, such as Stickies.io, reviewed here to make sure that all ideas integrate and ensure that all objectives are included.
This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.
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Cooperative Learning Job Placards - Dr. Spencer Kagan
Grades
K to 12
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Cooperative Learning Job Placards is a PDF guide that includes visuals to help students understand their jobs in cooperative learning. The jobs outlined are: Group Leader, Materials...more
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Cooperative Learning Job Placards is a PDF guide that includes visuals to help students understand their jobs in cooperative learning. The jobs outlined are: Group Leader, Materials Manager, Encourager, Timekeeper, and Data Collector. There are small foldable visuals, paper-size visuals, and sentence stems for each job. In addition, there is a Number Line that can be placed at each group for the teacher to take away points for disruptive behavior. The last two pages of the PDF include 12 key roles with job responsibilities.
tag(s): collaboration (146), thinking routines (63)
In the Classroom
Ask students to create their own visuals for the four jobs using Visme AI Presentation Creator, reviewed here. Use Google Forms, reviewed here for students to reflect on their job productivity and preference for the future. After participating in cooperative learning projects, have students reflect upon how their groups' success (or not) and suggest additional roles or guidelines for future projects.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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PresenterMedia - Eclipse Digital Imaging
Grades
3 to 12
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PresenterMedia is a multimedia resource that offers customizable PowerPoint templates, animated clipart, graphics, video backgrounds, music, and ready-made slide designs for creating...more
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PresenterMedia is a multimedia resource that offers customizable PowerPoint templates, animated clipart, graphics, video backgrounds, music, and ready-made slide designs for creating engaging presentations. Its online tools allow users to personalize many visuals by changing text, colors, images, and other design elements. PresenterMedia also includes an AI Presentation Maker that can generate a slide deck from a topic, including an outline, slide layouts, text, and suggested images. Teachers can use the site to add visual interest to lessons, create classroom materials, or model effective presentation design, while students can use downloaded resources in PowerPoint, Google Slides, Keynote, and other projects. A paid subscription provides full access to the media library, customization tools, downloads, and AI presentation features.
tag(s): artificial intelligence (368), presentations (51), animation (73)
In the Classroom
Have students choose a new vocabulary word and create one slide with a definition, synonym, or antonym, a visual, and a sentence that shows the word in context. They can use an animated graphic or video background sparingly to help communicate the word's meaning. Small groups can create a short slide deck that explains a scientific process, such as the water cycle, photosynthesis, erosion, or a food chain. Students use visuals and animations to show the sequence of steps, then add captions that explain each stage in clear, accurate language. After reading a novel or short story, have students create a book trailer or character profile using presentation templates, graphics, and background media. They can include key setting details, character traits, conflict, theme, and a recommendation without giving away the ending.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Krikey AI - Krikey Inc.
Grades
3 to 12
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Krikey AI is a browser-based AI animation and storytelling platform that allows students and teachers to create animated videos, talking avatars, digital stories, and presentations...more
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Krikey AI is a browser-based AI animation and storytelling platform that allows students and teachers to create animated videos, talking avatars, digital stories, and presentations using text prompts, voiceovers, and customizable 3D characters. The platform includes tools for AI animation, text-to-speech, motion capture-style animation, and video editing, making it useful for creative storytelling, presentations, language learning, and multimedia projects. Students can practice skills such as scriptwriting, communication, creativity, storytelling, digital media production, presentation design, and visual literacy while creating engaging animated content without advanced animation experience.
tag(s): social and emotional learning (235), artificial intelligence (368), animation (73), digital storytelling (178), text to speech (25), presentations (51)
In the Classroom
Incorporate SEL and communication activities by asking students to create animated public service announcements about empathy, bullying prevention, digital citizenship, or teamwork. Use the platform for multimedia project-based learning by allowing students to create animated book trailers, persuasive commercials, or classroom presentations that integrate writing, speaking, creativity, and digital media production. Use Krikey AI for world language practice by having students create short animated conversations in another language using text-to-speech and character dialogue tools.Edge Features:
Includes an education-only area for teachers and students
Parent permission advised before posting student work created using this tool
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
Includes teacher tools for registering and/or monitoring students
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Fueling Creativity in Education Podcast - Cyndi Burnett and Matthew Worwood
Grades
K to 12
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Fueling Creativity in Education Podcast connects the science of creativity with classroom practices and offers practical insights and strategies for diverse learning environments. Since...more
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Fueling Creativity in Education Podcast connects the science of creativity with classroom practices and offers practical insights and strategies for diverse learning environments. Since Fueling Creativity in Education launched, it has interviewed over 100 leading researchers, including Teresa Amabile, Robert Sternberg, Howard Gardner, and Ruth Richards. Videos range from as short as eight minutes to as long as forty-five minutes. If your school district blocks YouTube, you will not be able to view these videos; however, the episodes are available on most popular podcast platforms.
tag(s): podcasts (190), creativity (95), gifted (61), sports (107), back to school (57), thinking skills (138), professional development (317)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the ideas shared in the podcast episodes to encourage creativity in your classroom. Ask other teachers to join you for a podcast study (rather than a book study) and discuss new episodes on a regular schedule. Pull the framing question from an episode (e.g., "How often do we shut down an idea before it has a chance to develop?") and use it as a 5-minute written reflection or turn-and-talk at the start of a staff meeting, before diving into the actual agenda. Share episodes with your district administration to inform their planning for AI policies and upcoming professional development offerings for staff.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Google Data Studio - Google
Grades
3 to 12
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Google Data Studio is a free web-based data visualization and reporting tool that allows teachers and schools to turn spreadsheets and other data sources into interactive dashboards,...more
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Google Data Studio is a free web-based data visualization and reporting tool that allows teachers and schools to turn spreadsheets and other data sources into interactive dashboards, charts, and reports. Educators can connect data from Google Sheets, Forms, Analytics, and many other sources to create customizable visuals that help track student progress, assessment results, attendance, survey responses, and classroom trends. The platform supports real-time collaboration and easy sharing, making it useful for professional learning communities, administrators, and teachers looking to make data-driven instructional decisions. Its drag-and-drop design tools and interactive filters also make it accessible to educators new to data visualization.
tag(s): artificial intelligence (368), data (215), charts and graphs (183), spreadsheets (23)
In the Classroom
Create collaborative social studies or science inquiry projects in which groups gather research data and design dashboards to explain topics such as weather patterns, population growth, or environmental changes. Teachers can build classroom management or assessment dashboards that display formative assessment trends, attendance, participation, or benchmark growth to guide small-group instruction and enrichment activities. Use Google Data Studio during math lessons to help students interpret real-world data. Students can compare statistics, analyze class averages, or track progress on fluency and goal-setting activities through visual reports.Edge Features:
Parent permission advised before posting student work created using this tool
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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Overleaf - Overleaf
Grades
K to 12
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Overleaf is a browser-based writing tool for creating well-formatted documents such as journal articles, reports, and presentations. It is especially helpful for projects that include...more
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Overleaf is a browser-based writing tool for creating well-formatted documents such as journal articles, reports, and presentations. It is especially helpful for projects that include math, equations, or structured layouts, which are often needed in K-12 educational materials. It provides a live PDF preview as you type, which helps you quickly check formatting without extra steps, and it runs entirely online, so there is no software to install or manage across devices. The free plan includes unlimited projects, access to templates such as reports and handouts, real-time collaboration with one other editor, and unlimited viewers, which supports basic teamwork.
tag(s): presentations (51), collaboration (146), editing (98)
In the Classroom
Use Overleaf to support a range of K-12 classroom tasks where clear formatting, structure, and collaboration matter. Create and share assignment or note templates that students can open and edit as their own copies, helping standardize formatting and save setup time. Students can work individually or with one partner to draft reports, lab write-ups, or math-heavy documents, using the live preview to check their work as they go. Because everything runs in a browser, it works well alongside tools like Google Docs for drafting ideas first, then moving polished content into Overleaf for final formatting, or Google Sheets to track project links and submissions for simple organization.Edge Features:
Requires registration/log-in (WITH email)
Premium version (not free) includes additional features or storage
Multiple users can collaborate on the same project
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EduGems - Eric Curts
Grades
K to 12
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EduGems is a free, teacher-friendly website created by Eric Curts that provides a growing collection of ready-to-use AI prompts, called "Gems," designed specifically for use with Google...more
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EduGems is a free, teacher-friendly website created by Eric Curts that provides a growing collection of ready-to-use AI prompts, called "Gems," designed specifically for use with Google Gemini. These prebuilt prompts help educators quickly generate lesson plans, activities, assessments, and instructional materials without starting from scratch, saving time while supporting high-quality instruction. The site is organized into categories such as curriculum design, literacy, student activities, and professional tasks, and each Gem can be used as-is or copied and customized to fit specific classroom needs, making it a flexible and practical tool for integrating AI into everyday teaching.
tag(s): Teacher Utilities (234), artificial intelligence (368)
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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NotebookLM Prompt Generator - Kee Man
Grades
K to 12
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NotebookLM, reviewed here is an amazing resource for curating information and creating study materials; however, making the most of its incredible...more
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NotebookLM, reviewed here is an amazing resource for curating information and creating study materials; however, making the most of its incredible features requires an understanding of how to create the proper prompt to create materials that work best for individual users. This is where NotebookLM Prompt Generator comes to the rescue. NotebookLM Prompt Generator lets users select features such as style preferences, content scope, and other tools to personalize and create a custom prompt for infographics and slide decks. When finished, copy your prompt to your clipboard and paste it into the NotebookLM Studio design prompt of your choosing.
tag(s): artificial intelligence (368), infographics (72), slides (40), presentations (51)
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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10 Fun Alternatives to Think-Pair-Share - We Are Teachers
Grades
3 to 12
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This article from We Are Teachers offers a collection of creative alternatives to the traditional think-pair-share strategy, providing teachers with engaging ways to increase student...more
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This article from We Are Teachers offers a collection of creative alternatives to the traditional think-pair-share strategy, providing teachers with engaging ways to increase student participation and deepen classroom discussions. It explains that while think-pair-share is effective, structured variations such as movement-based activities, collaborative brainstorming, and role-based discussions can help keep students focused, energized, and actively involved in learning. The site emphasizes that these strategies promote stronger communication skills, encourage all students to contribute, and support deeper understanding by exposing learners to multiple perspectives and repeated opportunities to refine their thinking.
tag(s): collaboration (146), perspective (33), thinking routines (63)
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 12
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This Kapable article offers a comprehensive collection of 50 practical activities designed to develop and strengthen critical thinking skills through hands-on practice and collaboration....more
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This Kapable article offers a comprehensive collection of 50 practical activities designed to develop and strengthen critical thinking skills through hands-on practice and collaboration. It explains that critical thinking involves analyzing information, questioning assumptions, and considering multiple perspectives to make well-reasoned decisions. It emphasizes that activities such as debates, role-playing, puzzles, and problem-solving scenarios help learners build these skills in meaningful ways. The site highlights how these activities promote creativity, improve decision-making, and encourage adaptability by exposing learners to real-world challenges and diverse viewpoints, making it a useful resource for teachers looking to incorporate structured, interactive strategies to build students' analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
tag(s): thinking routines (63), critical thinking (194), collaboration (146)
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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