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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 (141), thinking routines (62)
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.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Team roles: Belbin's 9 roles to build a balanced team - Asana
Grades
6 to 12
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Team Roles: Belbin's 9 Roles to Build a Balanced Team is an article that outlines Dr. Meredith Belbin's team role theory, which includes three categories and nine different roles to...more
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Team Roles: Belbin's 9 Roles to Build a Balanced Team is an article that outlines Dr. Meredith Belbin's team role theory, which includes three categories and nine different roles to help teams be balanced and productive. The three categories are: Action-Oriented, Thought-Oriented, and People-Oriented. The nine different roles fall into the three categories that Dr. Belbin has created. The article continues with giving a short description, examples, and the key contributions of each role.
tag(s): collaboration (141), teaching strategies (87), thinking routines (62), thinking skills (137)
In the Classroom
Students can view the roles and explain which role they see themselves as. Use Google Slides, reviewed here, to ask students to write a simple definition and visual to match each of the roles. As an extension activity, ask students to create a blog post outlining the different team roles using Paste It, reviewed here. JustPaste.It is a simple, ad-free online tool that lets you quickly share text and images with others, no account required.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): animation (73), artificial intelligence (357), presentations (50)
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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Manager, Facilitator, Motivator, Advocate: Setting Up Group Roles That Really Work - edutopia
Grades
6 to 12
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Edutopia's Manager, Facilitator, Motivator, Advocate: Setting Up Group Roles That Really Work is an article for middle and high school teachers looking to use collaborative learning...more
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Edutopia's Manager, Facilitator, Motivator, Advocate: Setting Up Group Roles That Really Work is an article for middle and high school teachers looking to use collaborative learning in their classroom. The article begins by explaining how the roles of Project Manager, Facilitator, Motivator, and Advocate will prepare students for the work world. Each of these roles empowers students to take responsibility, practice skills, and contribute to a positive, collaborative culture. Collectively, the roles increase team autonomy and decrease student reliance on the teacher. The article continues by defining each of the roles and setting up these roles in the classroom.
tag(s): collaboration (141), professional development (306), teaching strategies (87), thinking routines (62)
In the Classroom
Use this article to implement collaborative learning activities in your classroom. Students can use Adobe Express for Education, reviewed here to create visuals explaining each of the four roles or use Comic Strip Templates by Canva, reviewed here to create a short comic outlining each of the roles. After working in collaborative groups, students can complete a self-reflection using Google Forms, reviewed here as to their feelings/preferences about each of the roles.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Piskel - Julian Descottes
Grades
5 to 12
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Piskel is a free online sprite editor that creates pixel art, game sprites, and animated GIFs. Piskel lets you see your animation in real time as you draw, so you ...more
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Piskel is a free online sprite editor that creates pixel art, game sprites, and animated GIFs. Piskel lets you see your animation in real time as you draw, so you can make adjustments. Exporting options include animated GIFs, a PNG sprite sheet, or a Piskel file with each individual frame saved separately. Piskel can be used without an Internet connection on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
tag(s): animation (73), creating media (19), creativity (94), images (276)
In the Classroom
Students can use Piskel to create sprites and animated GIFs for characters from a book. Additionally, students can use Piskel to create sprites that can be imported to Scratch, reviewed here. Students can use ScreenPal, reviewed here to share with others how to create a sprite.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): animation (73), artificial intelligence (357), digital storytelling (182), presentations (50), social and emotional learning (221), text to speech (25)
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): back to school (57), creativity (94), gifted (62), podcasts (188), professional development (306), sports (99), thinking skills (137)
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 (357), charts and graphs (183), data (212), 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): collaboration (141), editing (99), presentations (50)
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): artificial intelligence (357), Teacher Utilities (232)
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 (357), infographics (72), presentations (50), 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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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 (141), perspective (35), thinking routines (62)
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): collaboration (141), critical thinking (193), thinking routines (62)
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 - VHS Resource Toolkit
Grades
6 to 12
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This page from the Vista High School Resource Toolkit explains the Habit of Mind: Thinking Interdependently, which focuses on helping students learn to work effectively with others...more
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This page from the Vista High School Resource Toolkit explains the Habit of Mind: Thinking Interdependently, which focuses on helping students learn to work effectively with others to solve problems and make decisions. The site describes thinking interdependently as the ability to communicate ideas, accept feedback, test solutions with others, and build understanding through collaboration. It also includes strategies and activities teachers can use to help students recognize when teamwork is needed and how sharing perspectives leads to stronger learning. Suggested classroom ideas include analyzing examples of collaboration, defining the characteristics of good teamwork, and using cooperative structures, such as jigsaw activities, to help students practice working together. This resource is useful for teachers looking to build social-emotional skills, collaboration, and Habits of Mind through group learning experiences.
tag(s): collaboration (141), perspective (35), social and emotional learning (221), thinking routines (62)
In the Classroom
Divide a lesson into sections and assign each student in a group a different part to become an expert on. Have students teach their section to their group members. Provide complex tasks (STEM challenges, reading discussions, or real-world problems) that require multiple perspectives. Assign roles (facilitator, recorder, reporter) so each student contributes and the group relies on everyone's input. Have students share writing, projects, or ideas with peers for feedback. Teach them how to offer constructive suggestions and ask clarifying questions, reinforcing that improvement often happens through collaboration.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 12
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This article from 21K School, "Peer-to-Peer Education: A Collaborative Learning Approach," explains how students can learn more effectively by teaching and collaborating rather than...more
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This article from 21K School, "Peer-to-Peer Education: A Collaborative Learning Approach," explains how students can learn more effectively by teaching and collaborating rather than relying solely on teacher-led instruction. The post describes peer-to-peer education as a collaborative learning method where students share ideas, discuss topics, and help one another understand concepts through activities such as debates, group discussions, feedback, and teamwork. The article highlights benefits such as improved confidence, stronger communication skills, better social interaction, and a deeper understanding, and offers suggestions on how teachers can create a positive classroom environment that encourages cooperation and shared learning.
tag(s): classroom management (154), collaboration (141), communication (126), feedback (17), listening (120), teaching strategies (87), thinking routines (62)
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 12
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This Edutopia article, "16 Variations on Think-Pair-Share to Keep Students Engaged," shares creative ways to update the classic Think-Pair-Share strategy to keep students engaged and...more
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This Edutopia article, "16 Variations on Think-Pair-Share to Keep Students Engaged," shares creative ways to update the classic Think-Pair-Share strategy to keep students engaged and actively involved in learning. The article explains how educators can expand the simple routine of thinking individually, discussing with a partner, and sharing with the class by incorporating variations such as drawing, rotating partners, collaborative writing, and small-group sharing. These strategies help increase participation, strengthen communication skills, deepen understanding, and give all students a chance to express their ideas across subject areas and grade levels.
tag(s): collaboration (141), communication (126), teaching strategies (87), thinking routines (62)
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 12
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This Edutopia article, "Big and Small Strategies to Harness the Power of Peer-to-Peer Teaching," explains how students can improve their understanding and retention by teaching one...more
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This Edutopia article, "Big and Small Strategies to Harness the Power of Peer-to-Peer Teaching," explains how students can improve their understanding and retention by teaching one another. The article describes simple and structured strategies such as Think-Pair-Share, jigsaw groups, and peer tutoring, all based on the idea that students learn more deeply when they explain ideas to classmates. It offers practical classroom ideas for use in any subject and grade level to increase participation, collaboration, and confidence while building a supportive learning community.
tag(s): collaboration (141), professional development (306), teaching strategies (87), thinking routines (62)
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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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 (154), humor (24), podcasts (188), teaching strategies (87)
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 (81), classroom management (154), humor (24), teaching strategies (87)
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 (154), humor (24), teaching strategies (87)
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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