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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 (133), editing (95), presentations (44)
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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VEED - VEED
Grades
4 to 12
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VEED is a cloud-based video creation and editing platform that allows teachers and students to easily record, edit, and enhance videos using AI-powered tools such as automatic subtitles,...more
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VEED is a cloud-based video creation and editing platform that allows teachers and students to easily record, edit, and enhance videos using AI-powered tools such as automatic subtitles, screen recording, voice dubbing, and background noise removal. Its simple, browser-based interface makes it accessible to beginners while still offering features such as templates, stock media, and collaboration tools for group projects. The platform offers a free plan that includes basic video editing, subtitle generation, templates, and screen recording, but videos are limited in length, exported at 720p, and include a VEED watermark.
tag(s): artificial intelligence (337), digital storytelling (173), editing (95)
In the Classroom
Students can create short video summaries of a story or informational text, adding captions and visuals to highlight key ideas and practice summarizing skills. Students can design a digital storytelling project where they narrate an original story or personal narrative, using video clips, images, and voiceovers to bring their writing to life. Students can record and reflect on their learning by creating video journals that explain what they learned, the challenges they faced, and their goals for improvement.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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Geography Awareness and Exploration Resources - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12
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Geography is one of those subjects that comes alive the moment students can see it, touch it, and explore it for themselves -- not just read about it. This collection ...more
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Geography is one of those subjects that comes alive the moment students can see it, touch it, and explore it for themselves -- not just read about it. This collection brings together free resources designed to help you do exactly that, from interactive maps and virtual field trips to activities that build map-reading skills and a genuine curiosity about the world. Whether you're teaching continents to third graders or geopolitical shifts to high schoolers, you'll find tools here to make geography feel less like memorization and more like discovery.
tag(s): environment (250), globe (12), landforms (36), maps (220), statistics (128)
In the Classroom
Browse through this collection to find resources suitable for your classroom lessons and activities. Use the grade-level guide for each review to quickly find resources that fit your grade-level needs. Open the review to get an overview of each site's content and find suggestions for in-class use.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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descript - Descript
Grades
6 to 12
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Descript is an AI-powered tool that allows teachers and students to create, edit, and publish audio and video projects such as podcasts, presentations, and screencasts by simply editing...more
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Descript is an AI-powered tool that allows teachers and students to create, edit, and publish audio and video projects such as podcasts, presentations, and screencasts by simply editing text transcripts, making it especially user-friendly for classroom use. It combines recording, transcription, screen capture, and editing into a single platform, along with AI features such as filler-word removal and voice generation. The platform offers a free plan that includes basic editing tools, text-based transcription, screen recording, about 1 hour of transcription or recording per month, limited AI features, and 720p video exports that may include a watermark. This free version is ideal for trying out the tool or completing small projects, while more advanced features and higher usage limits require a paid subscription.
tag(s): artificial intelligence (337), digital storytelling (173), 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 12
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Canva for Education's, reviewed here, Explainer Video Maker allows students and teachers to create engaging explainer videos using ready-made templates,...more
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Canva for Education's, reviewed here, Explainer Video Maker allows students and teachers to create engaging explainer videos using ready-made templates, drag-and-drop tools, animations, graphics, music, and voiceovers. Teachers can use it to introduce new topics, model thinking, or have students demonstrate understanding through short videos. The platform is beginner-friendly and supports creativity, storytelling, and visual communication, making it a strong fit for project-based learning, presentations, and cross-subject digital storytelling. Students can work individually or collaboratively, and share projects via link or embedded for easy presentation or classroom sharing.
tag(s): animation (69), collaboration (133), digital storytelling (173), 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 12
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The Smithsonian Libraries and Archives blog post on puzzles offers a collection of interactive digital jigsaw puzzles created from images in the Smithsonian's open-access collections....more
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The Smithsonian Libraries and Archives blog post on puzzles offers a collection of interactive digital jigsaw puzzles created from images in the Smithsonian's open-access collections. These puzzles allow users to explore historical photographs and artifacts in an engaging, hands-on way while also learning about the stories behind each image. The puzzles are typically customizable in difficulty, making them accessible to a range of learners and playable directly within the blog. This resource provides teachers with a creative way to incorporate primary sources, visual literacy, and historical inquiry into classroom activities while promoting problem-solving and engagement.
tag(s): artists (102), enrichment (15), 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 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 (337), Teacher Utilities (223)
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 12
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Plotted is a free interactive tool that helps readers visualize and share the journeys in their favorite books. By combining maps with literary analysis, the site allows you to track...more
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Plotted is a free interactive tool that helps readers visualize and share the journeys in their favorite books. By combining maps with literary analysis, the site allows you to track a character's path through either a real-world location or a custom-uploaded fantasy map. You can place interactive plots on the map, which serve as digital markers containing text descriptions, book quotes, or analyses of specific scenes. Create an account to create a new map by adding a title, choosing a fantasy or real-world option, adding a description, and optional book information. Click on the map to add and label locations. Each map project is shareable via a unique URL, enabling a community of readers to explore different geographic interpretations of the same story. The platform is highly accessible to any age group capable of reading and identifying locations, making it a versatile resource for upper elementary students mapping a picture-book journey or high schoolers analyzing complex global migrations in a novel.
tag(s): digital storytelling (173), maps (220)
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 12
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The Puzzle Cutter plugin on Figma, reviewed here is a creative design tool that allows users to quickly divide images or frames into puzzle-like pieces...more
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The Puzzle Cutter plugin on Figma, reviewed here is a creative design tool that allows users to quickly divide images or frames into puzzle-like pieces within a Figma project. Use the puzzle cutter to transform visuals into interactive jigsaw-style layouts, making it useful for designing games, presentations, or engaging digital activities. As part of Figma's plugin ecosystem, it enhances the platform's collaborative design features by automating a time-consuming task, helping users focus on creativity and interactive learning experiences.
tag(s): game based learning (317), 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 12
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Paper Towns, by John Green, explores the themes of identity, perception, and the complexities of growing up. The story follows Quentin "Q" Jacobsen, a high school senior in Orlando,...more
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Paper Towns, by John Green, explores the themes of identity, perception, and the complexities of growing up. The story follows Quentin "Q" Jacobsen, a high school senior in Orlando, Florida, who is infatuated with his mysterious neighbor, Margo Roth Spiegelman. After a night of adventurous revenge pranks, Margo disappears, leaving behind clues that Q and his friends try to decipher. As they trace her steps through paper towns--fake cities on maps and symbolic places in life--they question what it means to truly know someone. Included with this Trek are a downloadable Teacher Guide and two maps (a Google My Maps file and a downloadable Google Earth file).
tag(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.
This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.
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Canva GIF Maker - Canva
Grades
3 to 12
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Canva's GIF Maker offers a step-by-step guide to making a GIF. All you need is an image or video, and then apply transitions, animations, filters, and frames to bring your ...more
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Canva's GIF Maker offers a step-by-step guide to making a GIF. All you need is an image or video, and then apply transitions, animations, filters, and frames to bring your GIF to life. Although creating an account allows you to edit your GIF, you do not need to have a Canva account to create one. Canva's GIF possibilities are endless!
tag(s): animation (69), creativity (91)
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 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 (337), 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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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 (133), perspective (33), thinking routines (52)
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 article from Kapable provides a comprehensive collection of 50 practical activities designed to help develop and strengthen critical thinking skills through hands-on practice and...more
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This article from Kapable provides a comprehensive collection of 50 practical activities designed to help 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 (133), critical thinking (187), thinking routines (52)
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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Toby - Arthur Camara, Benny Giang, and Guile Lindquist
Grades
8 to 12
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Toby is a browser-based tab and workspace organizer that helps you keep frequently used websites, resources, and projects neatly organized in customizable collections. Instead of leaving...more
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Toby is a browser-based tab and workspace organizer that helps you keep frequently used websites, resources, and projects neatly organized in customizable collections. Instead of leaving dozens of tabs open, you can save them with a single click, organize them into folders, and quickly reopen an entire collection whenever you need it. Toby also supports shared workspaces, making it easy for teachers, students, or colleagues to collaborate by organizing and sharing groups of websites for lessons, research projects, or team planning. Toby is available as a browser extension for Chromium-based browsers, and its free plan includes unlimited collections, shared workspaces, and core organization features for managing everyday browsing tasks.
tag(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 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 (133), perspective (33), social and emotional learning (204), thinking routines (52)
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 (144), collaboration (133), communication (126), feedback (16), listening (119), teaching strategies (79), thinking routines (52)
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 (133), communication (126), teaching strategies (79), thinking routines (52)
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 (133), professional development (296), teaching strategies (79), thinking routines (52)
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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Choice Board Templates - Canva
Grades
K to 12
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This large assortment of choice board templates includes many free and customizable options within Canva for Education, reviewed here Choose from...more
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This large assortment of choice board templates includes many free and customizable options within Canva for Education, reviewed here Choose from a variety of styles and content options. After selecting a template, use Canva's editing tools to personalize colors, text, images, and more. Share templates digitally with your personalized link, or download as an image or PDF.
tag(s): differentiation (100), multimedia (63), presentations (44), student-centered (8)
In the Classroom
Make sure to create a free teacher's account in Canva; this gives you access to many of the paid PRO account features. Use choice boards during independent work rotations or end-of-unit projects. Create multiple versions of choice boards using the templates to accommodate diverse learners and learning styles in your classroom while still providing instruction that meets learning objectives for all students. Include a variety of activities in choice boards that engage students in learning, such as games, simulations, videos, and opportunities to share their learning by creating multimedia presentations.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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