Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

Register to view this on-demand OK2Ask professional learning workshop from October 2025. Educators seeking recertification credit must watch the recording, complete the feedback survey, and pass the assessment. For details, read the Registration & Credit Options section on the registration page.

Amplify student engagement through video storytelling! This workshop will explore Animoto, a user-friendly video creation platform that makes professional-quality videos accessible to teachers and students alike. Whether you teach elementary math or high school history, you'll discover how student-created videos can serve as powerful formative assessments that deepen content understanding. You'll learn to navigate Animoto's free features, explore instructional applications, and develop practical implementation strategies that boost student engagement. We'll also weave in essential media literacy skills to help students become critical consumers and creators of digital content. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Create instructional videos using Animoto's free features. 2. Design video-based formative assessments for student learning. 3. Integrate media literacy into video creation activities. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): OK2Askarchive (87), professional development (319)

Register to view this on-demand OK2Ask professional learning workshop from October 2025. Educators seeking recertification credit must watch the recording, complete the feedback survey, and pass the assessment. For details, read the Registration & Credit Options section on the registration page.

Explore AI prompt templates that make artificial intelligence accessible and practical for every K-12 classroom. In this interactive workshop, you'll discover how structured prompting frameworks can transform complex AI interactions into straightforward, reliable tools for creating engaging learning experiences. We'll focus on free AI platforms that can help you turn these prompt templates into differentiated materials, assessment ideas, and creative learning activities--all while maintaining pedagogical best practices. Whether you're completely new to AI or looking to streamline your prompting process, this session will equip you with simple, effective templates you can use immediately to enhance your instruction. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Apply AI prompt templates to create instructional materials for their specific classroom needs. 2. Use structured AI prompts to generate differentiated learning activities that serve diverse student populations. 3. Refine AI-generated content to ensure pedagogical effectiveness and alignment with learning objectives. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): artificial intelligence (316), OK2Askarchive (87), professional development (319)

Register to view this on-demand OK2Ask professional learning workshop from September 2025. Educators seeking recertification credit must watch the recording, complete the feedback survey, and pass the assessment. For details, read the Registration & Credit Options section on the registration page.

Transform your approach to teaching digital citizenship with Global Thinking Routines from Harvard's Project Zero! This workshop will equip you with research-backed strategies that make digital citizenship concepts stick with your students--no matter what grade level or subject area you teach. This session combines proven pedagogy with free, accessible technology tools. You'll discover how thinking routines naturally scaffold student understanding while building essential digital citizenship skills like critical evaluation of online content, ethical decision-making, and responsible digital communication. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Apply Global Thinking Routines to teach digital citizenship. 2. Create activities that promote digital citizenship and critical thinking. 3. Design a lesson integrating thinking routines with digital citizenship instruction. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): digital citizenship (108), OK2Askarchive (87), professional development (319), teaching strategies (68), thinking routines (37)

Register to view this on-demand OK2Ask professional learning workshop from September 2025. Educators seeking recertification credit must watch the recording, complete the feedback survey, and pass the assessment. For details, read the Registration & Credit Options section on the registration page.

Turn your classroom routines into powerful learning experiences with EduProtocols! Similar to the routines you create for classroom management, EduProtocols are instructional routines you apply to lesson content, creating a predictable framework that allows both you and your students to focus on deep learning rather than figuring out "what to do." In this workshop, you'll discover how three versatile EduProtocols--Iron Chef, Sketch & Tell, and Thin Slides--can reshape engagement and provide meaningful student choice in your classroom. These free, flexible strategies work across all grade levels and subject areas, making them perfect for educators in any setting. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Understand and apply the strategic purpose of EduProtocols as instructional routines that enhance learning. 2. Plan to implement three specific EduProtocols with appropriate technology tools in their content area. 3. Design differentiated applications of EduProtocols that provide student choice and accommodate diverse learning needs. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.

tag(s): OK2Askarchive (87), professional development (319), teaching strategies (68)

This article is part of TeachersFirst Help! I Lost My Library/Media Specialist series, reviewed here, it features a book list and activities to teach about American presidents and monuments. The activities section shares book ideas, presidential speeches, and suggestions for using AI tools to enhance lessons. Discover numerous extension ideas, including virtual field trips and utilizing timelines to enhance learning through interactive and engaging lesson plans. The article correlates with the AASL National School Library Standards.

tag(s): book lists (161), presidents (151), primary sources (133), professional development (319)

Take a virtual field trip with this Reading Trek based on Ibi Zoboi's Pride, a contemporary retelling of Pride and Prejudice set in Bushwick, Brooklyn. This Reading Trek includes a Teacher Guide that uses Google My Maps, reviewed here, to trace key settings from Zuri Benitez's neighborhood to the wealthy world of the Darcy family. Students can use digital tools to compare Bushwick and Manhattan, create "Then and Now" galleries, build playlists that capture mood and identity, and explore how place shapes character and theme. Extension activities include community pride projects, digital art galleries, podcasts about belonging, and poetry inspired by Zuri's voice. Teaching suggestions connect to Common Core English Language Arts Standards, National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies, National Core Arts Standards for Visual Arts, and Social Justice Standards focusing on identity and diversity.

tag(s): cultures (290), poetry (195)

This article highlights the diverse people and cultures of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, sharing resources for incorporating lessons into your curriculum. It also includes book lists for picture books, chapter books, and graphic novels. Also included are links to several resources available at TeachersFirst, including a Special Topics collection featuring resources about Asian-American contributions to American Culture. Additional extension activities include suggestions for creating an AAPI gallery walk, a living wax museum, and AAPI podcasts.

tag(s): asia (138), book lists (161), cross cultural understanding (177), cultures (290)

This helpful article is part of the TeachersFirst Help! I Lost My Library/Media Specialist series, reviewed here and contains resources to celebrate the many contributions of Hispanic Americans. The article begins with a short description of the origins of Hispanic Heritage Month and includes a helpful booklist that offers suggestions for picture books, chapter books, and graphic novels. Additional resources include a virtual museum tour, Hispanic Heritage Month resources, and ideas for incorporating Disney videos and dance into classroom activities. Extension activities include sharing ideas for deeper discussions of Hispanic heritage and suggestions for creating a living wax museum featuring Hispanic community members.

tag(s): book lists (161), cross cultural understanding (177), cultures (290), hispanic (54), holidays (280)

This article from TeachersFirst Help! I Lost My Library/Media Specialist series, reviewed reviewed here, provides background knowledge and ideas for teaching students about the voting process and elections. This article includes a book list, free election teaching resources, and suggestions for incorporating technology to engage students in learning about the election process. Extension activity suggestions include ideas for voting in the classroom, watching democracy in action, and ways to inspire change.

tag(s): democracy (29), elections (87)