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Tinkering Projects - Exploratorium
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): animation (71), creativity (93), images (273), inquiry (38), makerspace (44), STEM (380)
In the Classroom
When participating in the Bring a Book to Life lesson, students can use Scratch, reviewed here to code their animations. Students can use Stop Motion with Google Slides, reviewed here during the Making Faces lesson. Students can post their pictures from the Light Painting lesson on a virtual bulletin board such as Lino, reviewed here.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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descript - Descript
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): artificial intelligence (342), digital storytelling (177), presentations (44)
In the Classroom
In small groups, students can produce a news-style video report on a social studies or science topic, using collaboration features to assign roles such as writer, speaker, and editor. Ask students to revise their writing by recording themselves reading it aloud, then using the transcript feature to identify errors, improve sentence fluency, and strengthen word choice. Descript is a useful tool for creating instructional or how-to videos that explain concepts students have learned, such as grammar skills or reading strategies, helping reinforce understanding while teaching others.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Free Explainer Video Maker - Canva
Grades
K to 12tag(s): animation (71), collaboration (137), digital storytelling (177), presentations (44), Project Based Learning (29)
In the Classroom
Have students create short videos explaining a concept they've learned (such as a math strategy, a scientific process, or a historical event). Ask students to choose a vocabulary word or key concept and create a short animated explanation. Use Canva's Explainer Video Maker to design a short video to raise awareness about a social issue, community topic, or school initiative.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Digital Jigsaw Puzzles - Smithsonian Libraries and Archives
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): artists (102), enrichment (16), puzzles (172)
In the Classroom
After completing a puzzle, students use the See-Think-Wonder strategy to record observations, inferences, and questions about the image, helping build critical thinking and visual literacy skills. Have students analyze the completed puzzle image as a primary source by identifying details, context clues, and possible perspectives. Then have them write a short paragraph explaining what the image reveals about a specific time period or topic. Have students write a narrative, diary entry, or short story inspired by the completed puzzle image.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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EduGems - Eric Curts
Grades
K to 12tag(s): artificial intelligence (342), Teacher Utilities (224)
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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Plotted - Plotted
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): digital storytelling (177), maps (221)
In the Classroom
Transform a literature unit by having students create a visual geography of a protagonist's emotional and physical journey. For a middle school lesson on a novel like A Long Walk to Water, students can plot the specific coordinates of the character's travels across Africa and add reflections on how the character overcame obstacles at each location. After completing their interactive map, students can summarize the overarching themes by creating an engaging presentation with Gamma, reviewed here. To extend the project into a collaborative discussion, have students share their map links on a digital bulletin board using Lino, reviewed here, where peers can leave sticky note comments comparing different mapping choices. This approach moves beyond traditional book reports by requiring students to synthesize geographic data with narrative evidence to show a deeper understanding of the story's progression.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Puzzle Cutter - Figma
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): game based learning (319), presentations (44), puzzles (172)
In the Classroom
Have students create a puzzle based on an important scene or a story summary. Classmates can solve the puzzle, then explain how the image connects to key themes, characters, or events. Have students create an image representing a vocabulary word or concept, then turn it into a puzzle. Peers can solve the puzzle and infer the word's meaning based on visual clues before checking the definition. In small groups, have students each design one section of a larger image (such as a map, diagram, or story sequence). After combining and cutting it into a puzzle, the groups can exchange with another team to solve and interpret the completed work.Edge Features:
Parent permission advised before posting student work created using this tool
Includes Interaction w general public/ public galleries with unmoderated content
Includes social features, such as "friends," comments, ratings by others
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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Reading Treks: Paper Towns - TeachersFirst
Grades
8 to 12tag(s): identity (42), mysteries (27), Reading Treks (56)
In the Classroom
Use the interactive Google My Maps or Google Earth file to have students trace Q's road trip and Margo's clues, mapping real Orlando-area locations alongside the mysterious "paper towns" referenced in the novel. This visual journey works well for small-group stations where students research the significance of each stop, from abandoned buildings to the fictional pseudo-visions on maps. Pair the exploration with the teacher guide's discussion questions and activities, ideal for literature circles or whole-class discussion. Use this book to dig into themes of identity, the danger of idealizing others, and the difference between perception and reality.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Canva GIF Maker - Canva
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): animation (71), creativity (93)
In the Classroom
Students can create GIFs regarding historical events and post them to Padlet reviewed here. Have students create a GIF to show a character's emotions. Use GIFs for creative writing projects.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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NotebookLM Prompt Generator - Kee Man
Grades
K to 12tag(s): artificial intelligence (342), infographics (73), presentations (44), 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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Journal Prompts for a Coming-of-Age Unit - Facing History and Ourselves
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): identity (42), journals (26), social and emotional learning (205)
In the Classroom
Start class with a short journal prompt about identity or belonging. Have students write for 5-7 minutes, then optionally share with a partner or small group. After responding to a prompt, have students discuss their ideas with a partner using sentence starters. While reading a coming-of-age text, have students choose prompts that relate to a character's experiences. Students can write from their own perspective, then add a second paragraph explaining how their response connects to the character's choices or growth.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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40 End-of-Year Journaling Prompts to Inspire Reflection - Rosebud
Grades
3 to 12In the Classroom
Give students 1-2 short prompts (favorite moment, biggest challenge) and have them complete quick 5-minute writes. Post different prompts around the room. Have students rotate, responding to each with a sentence or sketch. Have students choose one big prompt, such as "How did you grow this year?" and write a structured response with a claim, evidence, and reasoning.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 12tag(s): collaboration (137), perspective (33), thinking routines (59)
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 12tag(s): collaboration (137), critical thinking (189), thinking routines (59)
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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Comics English - Jonathan Pierrel
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): comics and cartoons (67), multilingual (82)
In the Classroom
Students can create a virtual bulletin board using Lino, reviewed here to display vocabulary. Students can use Google Slides, reviewed here to summarize the comic's meaning. Students can create their own comics using Witty Comics, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Toby - Arthur Camara, Benny Giang, and Guile Lindquist
Grades
8 to 12tag(s): curation (27), organizational skills (91)
In the Classroom
Organize your documents and links using Toby. Create collections for different subject areas (math, science, social studies, and more). Collaborate as a group within collections with others having access to add resources.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Thinking Interdependently - VHS Resource Toolkit
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): collaboration (137), perspective (33), social and emotional learning (205), thinking routines (59)
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 12tag(s): classroom management (144), collaboration (137), communication (126), feedback (18), listening (119), teaching strategies (81), thinking routines (59)
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 12tag(s): collaboration (137), communication (126), teaching strategies (81), thinking routines (59)
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 12tag(s): collaboration (137), professional development (296), teaching strategies (81), thinking routines (59)
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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