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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.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Thinking Interdependently - VHS Resource Toolkit
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): collaboration (131), perspective (33), social and emotional learning (202), thinking routines (50)
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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Thinking Interdependently as a Mental Health Skill for Grades 4-6 - Habits of Minds Kids
Grades
4 to 6tag(s): collaboration (131), communication (126), emotions (73), empathy (69), problem solving (279), social and emotional learning (202), thinking routines (50)
In the Classroom
Give small groups a challenge that requires more than one person to complete, such as building the tallest structure with limited materials, solving a logic puzzle, or completing a scavenger hunt. Afterward, students can discuss how they relied on one another, how they shared ideas, and what made the group successful. Present a social or academic problem (for example, a conflict between friends or a difficult math task). Have students work in pairs or small groups to develop solutions together. Each group should explain how listening, cooperation, and respecting ideas helped them reach an answer.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Habits of Mind Animations: Thinking Interdependently - ASCD
Grades
2 to 8This site includes advertising.
tag(s): collaboration (131), listening (119), problem solving (279), social and emotional learning (202), teaching strategies (77), thinking routines (50), thinking skills (130)
In the Classroom
Give students brief situations that require teamwork (for example, building something together, solving a problem, or working on a group project). Have students discuss with a partner how thinking interdependently would help in that situation. Have students sit in a circle and give a compliment to the person next to them about something they do well when working with others. Students can create a poster that shows what interdependent thinking looks, sounds, and feels like in the classroom. Posters can include examples such as listening, taking turns, helping others, and sharing ideas.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 (143), collaboration (131), communication (126), feedback (16), listening (119), teaching strategies (77), thinking routines (50)
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 (131), communication (126), teaching strategies (77), thinking routines (50)
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 (131), professional development (322), teaching strategies (77), thinking routines (50)
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 12tag(s): differentiation (102), multimedia (63), presentations (41), student-centered (10)
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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Top 5 Ice Breaker Games For The Start Of School - Teaching Firsties
Grades
K to 3tag(s): blogs (82), classroom management (143), firstday (27), preK (322)
In the Classroom
Give each student a bingo-style sheet with prompts such as "has a pet," "likes to read," or "has traveled to another state." Have students circulate the room to find classmates who match each description, encouraging conversations and helping everyone learn about one another. Ask fun, school-friendly choices (for example, "Would you rather explore space or the ocean?"). Have students move to different sides of the room to show their choice, then explain their reasoning to a partner or small group to practice speaking and listening skills. After participating in the icebreaker games, have students design a poster, one-pager, or digital slide using Google Slides, reviewed here highlighting their interests, favorite books, hobbies, and goals. Display the projects around the room to celebrate each student's unique personality.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Back to School Icebreakers Activities - Nearpod
Grades
K to 12tag(s): classroom management (143), collaboration (131), firstday (27)
In the Classroom
Use Nearpod's Collaborate Board for students to post fun facts, summer memories, reading interests, or personal goals. Encourage classmates to respond to one another to help build connections from the first day of school. Launch a collaborative Nearpod lesson where students brainstorm classroom norms using polls, open-ended questions, and Draw It activities. Turn the class's ideas into a shared digital classroom agreement. Reinforce routines such as technology expectations, transitions, or classroom rules by creating a Time to Climb quiz. Find more ideas for classroom learning activities at Nearpod, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Using Humor in the Art Room - The Art of Education University
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): classroom management (143), humor (20), podcasts (169), teaching strategies (77)
In the Classroom
Start a lesson by intentionally making a funny mistake during a demonstration, such as using the wrong color, holding a tool incorrectly, or pretending to forget a step. Ask students to catch the mistake and explain how to do it correctly. Use lighthearted class discussions about appropriate humor, asking students when jokes are helpful and when they might hurt someone's feelings. Try a teacher-student improv activity where students quickly add a funny detail to a drawing, story, or idea the teacher starts.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Why Can't Teachers Be Funny in School? - Trainers Warehouse
Grades
3 to 8tag(s): blogs (82), classroom management (143), humor (20), teaching strategies (77)
In the Classroom
Use content-based humor activities like Mad Libs, limericks, or funny captions related to the topic you are teaching. For example, students can fill in missing words in a paragraph about the lesson or write a humorous rhyme using vocabulary terms. Begin a lesson with a funny introduction activity, such as having students introduce themselves using emojis, memes, or silly voices. Incorporate movement-based humor activities like funny walks, freeze poses, or short dance breaks.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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How to Easily Infuse More Humor into Your Classroom - Beginning Teacher Talk with Dr. Lori Friesen
Grades
K to 8This site includes advertising.
tag(s): classroom management (143), humor (20), teaching strategies (77)
In the Classroom
Start the day with a joke or a funny daily announcement to create a positive classroom mood. Use silly writing prompts or creative challenges connected to your lesson. For example, ask students to write a story funnily using vocabulary words, such as "What would happen if a dinosaur became the principal?" Create a class mascot, puppet, or character that gives directions, asks questions, or leaves notes for students. The mascot can review content, introduce lessons, or offer hints, making learning more memorable and increasing student engagement.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Monica AI Podcast Generator - Hongyuan Cao
Grades
5 to 12tag(s): artificial intelligence (335), differentiation (102), podcasts (169)
In the Classroom
Students can create podcasts summarizing a book, create dialogue between two characters, or write a different ending to a book. Encourage students to create a podcast on a science topic they are learning to teach others. Use the Monica AI Podcaster Generator for students to create a podcast as an exit ticket to demonstrate what they learned about a specific topic.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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GoComics A to Z - GoComics
Grades
4 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): comics and cartoons (67), media literacy (130), satire (7)
In the Classroom
Students can share their favorite comic on Padlet, reviewed here. Students can use Cartoon Comic Maker, reviewed here to create their own comic with their favorite comic cartoon. Students can use Kiddle, reviewed here, to learn more about the comic creator.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Wrong Hands - John Atkinson
Grades
9 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): comics and cartoons (67), media literacy (130), satire (7)
In the Classroom
Students can pick a comic from the site and explain why they chose it. Students can post their favorite comic on Stormboard, reviewed here. Students can create their own comic about a particular subject/content area using ToonyTool, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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A Point of View Lesson Using Comic Strips - Teaching Made Practical
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): comics and cartoons (67), perspective (33), point of view (9)
In the Classroom
Have students retell a scene from a novel or a historical event from the perspective of a different character. Students should illustrate how the character's thoughts, feelings, and motivations change the story. Assign students two opposing viewpoints from a historical event, scientific issue, or current topic. Working in pairs, students can create comic strip conversations with Cartoon Comic Maker, reviewed here that present each side's reasoning and evidence before discussing which arguments are most convincing. Ask students to identify the author's point of view or theme in a text. Students can create an original comic with Comic Strip Templates by Canva, reviewed here that either supports, questions, or offers an alternative perspective to the author's message. Finish with a gallery walk where classmates explain the evidence behind their creative choices.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Using Comics to Teach the 4 Cs - edutopia
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): collaboration (131), comics and cartoons (67), creativity (89), critical thinking (187), thinking skills (130)
In the Classroom
Students can use Witty Comics, reviewed here to create a comic about their favorite book scene. Students can use Comic Strip Templates by Canva, reviewed here to teach about a significant historical event. Students can use Witty Comics, reviewed here to create political cartoons.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Create Credibility Detectives in Your Classroom - AVID
Grades
4 to 10tag(s): digital literacy (38), evaluating sources (52), Research (89)
In the Classroom
Give students a short research question. Before using any information, they can evaluate their source using Author, Bias, and Content, and write one or two sentences explaining why the source is trustworthy. Have students design a badge or poster using Adobe Creative Cloud Express, reviewed here showing the rules for being a credibility detective. Students can act as "credibility detectives" and examine a website or article using the ABCs strategy. They can identify the author, assess potential bias, and verify the content for factual accuracy before deciding the trustworthiness of a source.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Evaluating Credibility of Sources - Creator Unknown
Grades
4 to 8tag(s): digital literacy (38), evaluating sources (52), media literacy (130), Research (89)
In the Classroom
Give students two sources about the same topic, one strong and one weak. Students can use the lesson questions to compare the sources and decide which one is more credible. Have students design a poster using DesignCap Poster Creator, reviewed here showing rules for choosing good sources. Have students use the lesson's evaluation criteria to create or complete a checklist for evaluating sources. They can apply the checklist to a new article or website to determine if it is reliable and appropriate for research.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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