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50 Activities For Developing Critical Thinking Skills - Kapable
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): collaboration (142), critical thinking (188), 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.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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50 Mini-Lessons for Teaching Student Research Skills - Kathleen Morris
Grades
5 to 12tag(s): citations (32), Research (92), search strategies (19)
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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53 Reflective Journal Prompts for Students - Journal Buddies
Grades
1 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): critical thinking (188), journals (26), thinking skills (137)
In the Classroom
Students can use Book Creator, reviewed here to write their journal entries. Have students answer their journal prompt with a comic using a Free Comic Strip Maker by Adobe, reviewed here. Students can use ScreenPal, reviewed here to create a video journal entry.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 (126), writers workshop (30), writing (305), writing prompts (56)
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 (59), inquiry (39), perspective (35), podcasts (188), puzzles (178), summarizing (30), teaching strategies (87), thinking routines (62), thinking skills (137)
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 (357), evaluating sources (58), professional development (306)
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 (86), social media (63), teaching strategies (87)
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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61 Heartwarming Father's Day Crafts - We Are Teachers
Grades
K to 5This site includes advertising.
tag(s): crafts (107), 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 (81), game based learning (337), listening (120)
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 (112), digital storytelling (182), infographics (72), 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 (130), crafts (107), holidays (291), kwanzaa (22)
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 (167), holidays (291), poetry (195), preK (349), veterans (38), writing (305)
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 (50), classroom management (154), Teacher Utilities (232)
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 (80), listening (120), preK (349), social and emotional learning (221)
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 (72), mothers day (29)
In the Classroom
Students can use PosterMyWall to design personalized Mother's Day posters or flyers by adding images, text, and their own creative messages. Students can design a Mother's Day social media graphic by 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. Students can include this reflection 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 (99), critical thinking (188), memorial day (26), symbols (22)
In the Classroom
Have students respond to a prompt such as "Why is it important to remember those who served?" Ask students to 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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9 Ready-to-use Halloween Lesson Plans for in the Classroom - Lucie Renard
Grades
K to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): fall festival (14), halloween (44)
In the Classroom
Students can use Lino, reviewed here to post which was their favorite activity. Students can access the lesson on the site using a Symbaloo, reviewed here collection of Halloween activities. Finally, students can create their own digital escape room by using and editing the Halloween Escape, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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A Book and A Hug - Barb Langridge
Grades
K to 12tag(s): literature (214)
In the Classroom
This is a great source for finding and showing students how to find independent reading. Introduce this site on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Since students often ask for books like Harry Potter, for example, put this link on your class web page. Show students how to click on the keywords once they find a category they like. When students ask for another book in the same series, this is a great place to start looking. Allowing reluctant readers to search and find their own book is a way to build investment in their reading future. Encourage students to write their own reviews of favorite books not found here. Use the site for a lesson in citing sources and punctuating quotations.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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A Brief Summary of Kwanzaa - Schoolhouse.world
Grades
3 to 8In the Classroom
Students can use Canva for Education, reviewed here to create an infographic teaching about Kwanzaa. Students can use Padlet, reviewed here to share how they celebrate Kwanzaa. Students can create a game about Kwanzaa using Gimkit, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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A Cinco de Mayo Video Lesson - EdPuzzle
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): cinco de mayo (28), cultures (301), holidays (291), mexico (67)
In the Classroom
Students can answer the questions in EdPuzzle, reviewed here when the teacher creates an account and copies the activity. Students can also answer the questions in a Google Form, reviewed here. Students can finally share what they learned in a presentation using Presentations AI, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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