Enhance Academic Vocabulary with EdTech Tools
Intentionally scaffolding and building vocabulary with our students is so important for all of our learners. There are many, many strategies used in classrooms including word walls, flashcards, visuals, total physical response (TPR), and the list goes on. Below, I will outline various ways you can enhance academic vocabulary with various EdTech tools while also…
Class Debates for Virtual, Hybrid, and In-Person Learning featuring Padlet, Kami, and Google Jamboard
“Philosophical Chairs” is a strategy used for class debates. There are many resources available to support students and teachers before, during, and after the debate. I have found great success using many technology tools to help give students a more equitable voice during these debates as well as organize their ideas. From personal experience, you…
Must-Have Chrome Extensions for Teachers
Chrome Extensions can be found on the Chrome Web Store. They help to amplify webpages in the Chrome browser and also enable users to access other tools that work in conjunction with Chrome tools and webpages. To see your extensions on your toolbar, select the three dots on the top right corner, select “Bookmarks” and…
Vision Boards and One Word Goals to Kick-Start the New Year
“The most important thing to maintaining a habit is getting buy-in from yourself.”-Adithya Chakravarthy At the start of a new school year and/or new calendar year, teachers and students can kick-start their goals by creating vision boards and one word goals. It’s important to note how important the journey is and not just the end…
Jigsaw 🧩️ – A Collaborative Learning Structure Modified for Hybrid/Blended Learning
With a loss of instructional minutes during the 2020-2021 school year, I found myself brainstorming ways I could still cover the content, spark critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity, and still get to some of those big topics I wanted to cover. I didn’t have time for students to read every full chapter, do some…
Student-Led Conferences Tips and Resources
“Parent-Teacher Conferences” are usually held in the fall of each school year. I like to frame it differently because, really, it should be student-centered. So, I call it “Student-Led Conferences.” Because I teach ~125 students, it’s not realistic to meet with all parents during the conferences. Instead, I meet with those who are consistently earning…
eBinders, eNotebooks, and ePortfolios with Google Sites: Students Collect, Reflect, and Recollect their Learning Story 📖
The Why: Collect, Reflect, and Recollect. A student portfolio is a wonderful way to allow students to showcase what they’ve accomplished and also reflect on their progress and make future goals going forward. While one of the main reasons for an “eBinder” is to collect work, it is so much more than a file system.…
Family Insight Questionnaire, Student Surveys, and Contact Log with Google Forms and Sheets
“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” ― Maya Angelou One of the most powerful things an educator can do at the beginning of the year is collect meaningful information from families and students. An online survey using Google Forms or Microsoft Forms allows you to capture…
Relationships Before Rigor: 15 Ways to Build Classroom Community and Celebrate Our Students in Person and Online
The title says it all. Relationships have to come before the rigor. It goes back to Maslows over Blooms. You have to think heart ❤️️ first before brain 🧠. In my seven years of teaching and learning from my fellow school and district colleagues as well as various professional learning experiences, I feel I have…
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Tech-Empowered Teacher 