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5 Best Bell Ringer Activities for High School - iCEV
Grades
9 to 12tag(s): problem solving (275), questioning (37), Teacher Utilities (219), teaching strategies (69)
In the Classroom
Kick-off class with a reflective question or scenario from the blog to spark curiosity and get students thinking critically about the day's topic. Incorporate skill-building activities as bell ringers to reinforce previous lessons or prepare for upcoming content. Turn bell ringers into collaborative discussions or projects by asking students to expand on their answers or solve challenges together.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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5 Father's Day Ideas for Elementary Students - HMH
Grades
K to 8tag(s): fathers day (17), holidays (280), summer (50)
In the Classroom
Before school concludes, introduce this site to the class and let them know the link will be on your class website to share with their families after school is out. Try suggesting something interactive for the students to create besides the paper craft. For example, have students create online books about their fathers using Bookemon, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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5 Metacognitive Tools to Reveal Hidden Learning - MiddleWeb
Grades
3 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): learning styles (22), personalized learning (12), social and emotional learning (197), thinking skills (125)
In the Classroom
Start a lesson with a "What I Think Will Be Hard Today" prompt, in which students jot down possible challenges before beginning a reading or math task. After completing an activity, have students fill out a brief reflection slip describing one strategy they used to learn, solve a problem, or understand a text more clearly. Create a Metacognition Journal on paper or using Book Creator, reviewed here where students record moments of confusion, document how they resolved them, and track patterns in their thinking over time to build ongoing learning habits.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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5 Minute Mystery - Mystery Competition, LLC
Grades
4 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): critical thinking (182), mysteries (27), reading comprehension (146), short stories (18)
In the Classroom
Use your projector or interactive whiteboard to show your students the directions for getting points by selecting the correct clues and solving the mystery. To begin with, as a class, read a mystery and discuss what the clues might be and whether they implicate or exonerate each suspect. Once the students have volunteered their ideas for which sentences are clues, submit them to see the score. The program will highlight the answers you should have had, if you got any wrong. Model for your students a discussion about why those are the correct answers and why the ones they submitted weren't. Eventually they can have this discussion by themselves in small groups. Those of you with multiple classes will want to create a league for each class. Eventually you can have small groups of students compete against each other by creating leagues. Have your students come to consensus about the clue sentences and who the real perpetrator is by voting using Tricider, or Vevox.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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5 Ways to Practice Nonfiction Text Features - Raise the Bar Reading
Grades
K to 6This site includes advertising.
tag(s): reading comprehension (146), reading strategies (93)
In the Classroom
Although many of the links to materials found on this site link to a paid site, the ideas are easy to incorporate without purchasing information. Use the ideas on the site to create your materials to fit your lesson needs. For example, use Google Slides, reviewed here to create and print visuals to display on your bulletin boards. Take your slides digital and add links to online learning resources to create a complete learning activity. Learn more about how to create interactive lessons using hyperdocs by watching the archived recording of the July 2019 OK2Ask Session: Believe the Hype! Using Hyperdocs for Innovate Instruction, located here. Find many different types of graphic organizers to use online or offline at the TeachersFirst Special Topics Resource Page, located here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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5 Ways to Use Padlet as an Icebreaker - Brent Warner/TESOL
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): back to school (53), firstday (25)
In the Classroom
Include these suggestions as part of your back-to-school activities to support building your classroom community, along with teaching students how to use Padlet. Extend learning by using students' responses as a springboard to a more intensive project. For example, by having students create a full timeline using MyLens, reviewed here, where they map out key historical events linked to regions where they have lived or their cultural background.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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50 Mini-Lessons for Teaching Student Research Skills - Kathleen Morris
Grades
5 to 12tag(s): citations (34), Research (90), search strategies (18)
In the Classroom
Bookmark this page to use as a reference when teaching research skills. Consider using this site as a beginning outline of research skills to teach throughout the year then divide each topic into a unit for planning purposes. Use digital tools to reinforce and enhance the lessons. For example, when using the ideas for teaching how to clarify questions, begin with choosing a topic idea. It states to write as many questions as you can for an idea such as koalas. Gather student ideas on your whiteboard, then create a word cloud using Wordsift, reviewed here, to highlight recurring ideas and thoughts. Use this information as a starting point for research, and ask students to share online information into Padlet, reviewed here. Ask older students to use Fiskkit, reviewed here, as a collaborative tool for sharing and discussing online articles. Fiskkit includes tools for sharing online articles and adding highlights and notes with others. Upon completion of research projects, ask students to share their learning using a multimedia presentation tool like Adobe Creative Cloud Express for Education, reviewed here. Have students include original work, images, videos, and more to share their research projects.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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550 Narrative Prompts - NY Times - New York Times
Grades
6 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): creative writing (124), writers workshop (30), writing (308), writing prompts (55)
In the Classroom
These prompts are not just for language arts teachers. Science and Social Studies teachers will find many prompts to use in Beliefs, Politics and Current Events, and other categories. Digital storytelling incorporates many Common Core Standards and is a possibility in any classroom. To incorporate digital storytelling into your class use a tool like Visme, reviewed here, or challenge students to create a Found Poem from the news article using Word Mover, reviewed here.Take advantage of the many ideas on this site for a class blog and student bloggers. Create a link to the list on classroom computers for student use when looking for blog suggestions. After writing about several different prompts, challenge students to choose one and create a short story or poem. Want to learn more about blogs? Check out TeachersFirst's Blog Basics.
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6 Essential Thinking Routines you Need in your Repertoire - Thinking Museum
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): brain (58), inquiry (37), perspective (31), podcasts (167), puzzles (167), summarizing (26), teaching strategies (69), thinking routines (42), thinking skills (125)
In the Classroom
Display several images, artifacts, or short text excerpts around the room. Students can rotate in groups, using the See, Think, Wonder routine at each station to record their observations, interpretations, and questions on sticky notes or a shared Padlet, reviewed here. After reading a story or historical event, have students "step inside" the mind of a character or figure. Next, they can write or record brief reflections from that person's perspective, describing their thoughts, feelings, and motivations. Using Creative Questions, students can brainstorm inquiry-based questions related to a class topic (e.g., "What would happen if...?" or "Why does this matter today?"). Post them on a question wall to inspire deeper research or writing projects.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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6 Questions Teachers Should Ask Before Implementing AI - Forbes
Grades
K to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): artificial intelligence (322), evaluating sources (52), professional development (321)
In the Classroom
Discuss this article during grade or content level meetings, or as part of staff meetings. Introduce the information to students by presenting brief classroom scenarios in which AI could be used (e.g., writing assistance, tutoring, grading). In small groups, have students discuss the proper use of AI using simplified versions of the article's six guiding questions. Have students design posters that explain how to use AI safely and responsibly, focusing on privacy, originality, and ethical use. Posters can be displayed in the classroom or shared during a technology lesson. Students can complete a writing or problem-solving task on their own, then compare it to an AI-generated version. They reflect on what humans do better, what AI does well, and when teacher feedback is most valuable.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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6 Ways to Use Snapchat in the Classroom - Mud and Ink Teaching
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): reading strategies (93), social media (63), teaching strategies (69)
In the Classroom
Have students take a photo of a quote or page from their independent reading book and use Snapchat (or a similar app) to annotate it with emojis, drawings, and commentary. After reading a short story or chapter, assign students to use a series of Snapchat-style images and captions to retell the key plot points, with a focus on narrative structure and tone. Have students choose a recurring theme or symbol from a text and create a series of annotated snaps that illustrate how it develops across the story, using quotes and images.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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60 Heartwarming Father's Day Crafts - We Are Teachers
Grades
K to 5This site includes advertising.
tag(s): crafts (110), fathers day (17)
In the Classroom
Have students create a paper toolbox (or decorate small boxes) and fill it with "tools" (cut-out shapes) representing positive traits their father or a father figure has, such as a hammer for strength or a level for fairness. Students can write an acrostic poem using the word FATHER or DAD, then decorate a card with their poem and a matching design. Host an in-class "Father's Day Fair" where students display their crafts and read their poems, cards, or stories aloud.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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7 Engaging Listening Activities for Small Groups - eSpark
Grades
K to 5tag(s): blogs (79), game based learning (311), listening (117)
In the Classroom
Have students take turns adding one sentence at a time to create a shared story. Each student must listen closely to maintain the plot and characters. Add a challenge by having them incorporate a vocabulary word or literary device. Play Simon Says with added complexity, such as multi-step directions or academic vocabulary. Have students practice following sequential instructions and staying focused under pressure. After listening to a short passage or poem, students can take turns retelling only what they remember. Each partner adds new details until the whole idea is restored.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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7 Interesting Ways to Use Instagram in Classroom - eLearning Infographics
Grades
4 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): digital citizenship (109), digital storytelling (167), infographics (71), social media (63)
In the Classroom
Students take or find images that represent classroom topics (e.g., examples of symmetry, weather patterns, character traits) and submit them to the teacher for posting. Each week, feature one student's artwork, writing, or project on a classroom slideshow or private feed to encourage pride in work and peer recognition. During a science experiment or multi-step project, students can document each stage with photos and captions.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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7 Kwanzaa Activities for Elementary Students - Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Grades
K to 5tag(s): african american (129), crafts (110), holidays (280), kwanzaa (23)
In the Classroom
Give each small group a short description of one of the seven Kwanzaa principles and have them guess which principle it represents. Groups can share their answers and learn the complete set as a class. Students can create a paper kinara or a digital design using Adobe Creative Cloud Express, reviewed here and label each candle with its principle. Have them write two or three sentences explaining how that principle can be practiced at school or in their community. Using a sample Kwanzaa celebration recipe (for example, cornbread or a fruit salad), have students solve multiplication or division problems to adjust ingredient amounts for different group sizes.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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8 Free Veterans Day Activities for Elementary Students - Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Grades
K to 5tag(s): book lists (161), holidays (280), poetry (195), preK (322), veterans (37), writing (308)
In the Classroom
Include these activities as part of any Veterans Day lessons and celebrations. Consider including ideas shared on this site as part of station rotations. Find additional ideas to include in your station rotations by visiting TeachersFirst Special Topics Page: Veterans Day Resources, reviewed here. As a final project, ask students to share their letters, posters, and other creations as part of a class-created video project to share with the community. Use Screenpal, reviewed here to record your video, then share it with your community on your school or class website.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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8 Great Classroom Management Resources for Teachers - HMH
Grades
K to 12tag(s): behavior (49), classroom management (136), Teacher Utilities (219)
In the Classroom
In addition to the bell ringers link posted on the site, students can use Do Now Activity Generator, reviewed here. Students can map out their ideal classroom using Google Drawing, reviewed here. Finally, students can decide on which PBIS reward they would like by holding a classroom vote.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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8 Listening Activities to Get Students Attentive & Ready to Learn - Proud to be Primary
Grades
K to 2This site includes advertising.
tag(s): empathy (68), listening (117), preK (322), social and emotional learning (197)
In the Classroom
Students can use Google Slides, reviewed here to create their own 20 Question Listening Game. Students can create their own direct drawings by recording themselves using Seesaw, reviewed here. Finally, students can create a comic modeling Whole Body Listening using Cartoon Comic Maker, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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880+ Free Templates for 'Mothers day gifts' - Poster My Wall
Grades
4 to 8tag(s): infographics (71), mothers day (29)
In the Classroom
Students can use PosterMyWall to design personalized Mother's Day posters or flyers, incorporating images, text, and their creative messages. Students can design a social media graphic for Mother's Day, choosing a template and adding personal messages and pictures to create a shareable digital post. Have students work in small groups to create a Mother's Day campaign with posters, social media graphics, and flyers. After designing their Mother's Day projects, students can write a reflection about why they chose certain design elements, colors, and messages. This reflection can be included as part of the design.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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9 Memorial Day Activities - Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Grades
3 to 8tag(s): american flag (9), american revolution (91), critical thinking (182), memorial day (27), symbols (19)
In the Classroom
Have students respond to a prompt such as "Why is it important to remember those who served?" Have students research a Revolutionary War figure or battle and design a fictional memorial to honor it. Assign students to write a short poem honoring fallen soldiers and combine it with visual symbols on a poster (ex., poppies, flags, eagles). Make a digital class collection of the poem by making a presentation on Canva Edu reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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