EDU Podcast Tasting + Podcasts & Pedometers for PD with Choice and Movement!

Podcasts & Pedometers Graphic

We are offering a new kind of PD this spring at Ault Elementary inspired by an idea shared by Tricia Reilly @PrincipalReilly at EdCamp Cy-Fair. Instead of a standard “sit and get” we are encouraging staff to get up and move as they listen to an educational podcast of their choice – taking care of their minds and bodies during this stressful time of year! Continue reading

Student Created Learning Playlists

Student Created Learning Playlists

When I was in high school, I recall frequently being divided into groups of four students, each of the four members being given a different section of the textbook to read, and then we would come back together and teach each other the part that we were responsible for. You may know this as the Jigsaw Method.

In this digital age, why not allow students to be more creative than this, use the digital resources freely available online, and create something that they are proud to share with their classmates  – or even a larger, global audience? Continue reading

Personalized Scatch-offs Templates

Scratch-off graphic

I’ve seen it all over Pinterest… a crazy concoction that teachers can whip up to create

their own scratch off cards… too much work for me… until NOW! Have you seen these stickers?

Now you can create your own personalized scratch-off cards in just a simple peel and stick? YES! That’s what I’m talking about!!!

Valentines is just around the corner, so I’m using this idea to create these Valentine Lotto tickets for my staff:

Continue reading

Super Bowl Squares Choice Board

Copy of Super Bowl Squares Choice Board - GRAPHIC

The past few years we have enjoyed playing Super Bowl Squares with our staff. If you don’t know about this game, you can check out the full rules here and get some helpful templates. On our campus, we don’t sell the squares, instead, teachers earn them by completing tasks or being caught implementing a specific initiative. Here’s the basic overview of how we’ve adapted for our staff: Continue reading

Using GIFs for Learning

IMB_1o9cdUGIFs are so much fun! I love using them in twitter chats, in PD I present, when sending an email, when texting, must I go on? Sometimes what can’t be said in words can easily be expressed in a GIF! These little movie clips can also be used in so many great ways with our students! Here is a collection of a few ideas for infusing GIFs into the classroom. Continue reading

5 EASY Tech Strategies to get Student Collaborating TOMORROW

StudentCollaboration

The research shows, and we can all agree, that incorporating student collaboration into our lessons has numerous benefits including:

  • developing higher-level thinking skills
  • enhancing student satisfaction with the learning experience
  • promoting positive attitudes toward the subject matter
  • developing communication and social interaction skills
  • and so many more benefits!

Why, then, do we not incorporate student collaboration strategies more often? Continue reading