Teaching with Technology

Using educational technology to enhance the learning environment and increase student engagement!

Flipped Learning and HyperDocs: Reflections from my Classroom

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Hello, friends! I’m coming to you this evening from my desk in our basement on the evening before I head back to work after our extremely brief, but much needed, Easter break. Next year, my district will be adopting a new calendar that allows us to count hours instead of days, which means we will be at school more minutes but fewer days. This means that my eleventh year of teaching will finally include a “Spring Break” week … I haven’t had that since my college days! Woohoo! As we enter April, I think it’s a great time to reflect upon changes that I’ve made in my classroom, changes that will be made, and how the most important people in the room – my students – are learning.

I was fortunate enough to attend and share at two great conferences in February. I LOVE presenting and learning at great conferences because I get to connect with so many amazing educators that I wouldn’t get to meet otherwise. My session topics ranged from “It’s not about the tech; it’s how you use it!”, to “Flipping the Flip,” to “Creating Engaging Lessons using Nearpod.” In the first two presentations, I talked a lot about my version of the flipped classroom and how we use HyperDocs in Social Studies. Many educators I talked with after my sessions asked if I would feel comfortable with other teachers observing how we do things in my classroom, and my response is always YES! My classroom door is always open!

Later this week, my students will be diving into the Missouri Constitution, then the Judicial Branch, and finally Political Parties, Elections, and Voting. We’re nearing the end! Our unit HyperDocs follow this pattern:

  • Engage – students familiarize themselves with learning targets, view quick videos, play games relating to the topics we’re learning, go on virtual field trips with Google Earth, etc. They’re required to post on a Padlet, a Google Form, or an Answer Garden something that they’ve learned about the topic.
  • Explore – on this step, students create Quizlet flashcards to for unit vocabulary and can use text or digital resources to do so. If students are “looking for something to do” throughout the duration of the unit, they can review their flashcards as well.
  • Explain – here, students complete instructional videos through EDpuzzle. They are required to take notes as they progress through the videos, but I’m not a stickler for how they do so. Some students prefer to take notes digitally, others would rather use a notebook, and others like to sketchnote.
  • Apply – this step requires students to apply their knowledge of concepts learned throughout the unit while creating a product that demonstrates their understanding. Students create infographics, eBooks, screencasts, essays, digital conversations, flipbooks, mindmaps, etc. The main points in this step are that students are required to choose how they will create a representation of the concepts they’ve learned and that they will apply the concepts. This is where students don’t necessarily struggle, but like me less, we’ll say. The “apply” section requires them to explain and apply their knowledge of, for example, the 22nd Amendment’s limits on executive power. It’s not enough that they know what the 22nd Amendment does … I also want them to be able to discuss how this amendment limits presidents, provide examples of what this amendment looks like in action, etc. Basically – I make them think more about the concepts their learning.
  • Review/Reflect – this section includes reflection Padlets (reflection topics include: what did you learn? What should we review? Digital study sessions, etc.), review Kahoots and Quizizz games, review videos, etc. Anything that will help them review the content they’ve learned throughout the unit.
  • Extend – this phase is FUN! Activities in this phase are totally optional, but if students complete them, they can earn bonus XP (I’ll revisit my XP system soon!). Activities in the Extend phase require students to contact elected representatives, create Hashtags through History, create their own Cabinets, etc. It’s awesome!

Students work asynchronously through the HyperDoc. Per their request, we establish specific due dates for completing videos, the apply section, extend activities, etc. While the students are working, I’m answering individual questions, re-explaining concepts to small groups, or providing feedback on student responses via EDpuzzle. When the HyperDoc activities are complete, students work on their unit study guide. The day before the exam, we play a variety of review games and I encourage students to participate in digital study session through Padlet.

That’s it! This is how our Government units are structured!

How do you use HyperDocs in your classroom?

Thanks for reading 🙂

Level Up Your PD through Twitter!

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Welcome to Fourth Quarter! We’re on the downhill slide; the homestretch of the school year, and I don’t know about you but this is the time of year that I feel always goes too fast. I still have so much to accomplish and so little time in which to do so! Toward the end of the week during February and March, I also find myself even more drained than usual. It’s almost like someone has pulled my plug – I know you feel my pain. To keep myself charged up for the remainder of the year, I turn to awesome and inspiring edubooks, great conferences and workshops (I’m looking at you, EdCampSEMO – that I’ll have to miss this year!), and social media. Perusing Pinterest and Facebook can provide great resources and ideas to keep teachers on our game throughout the year, but my favorite social media tool for PD is Twitter!

Hashtags that are #awesome
Last month, I was fortunate enough to attend METC AND MCSS in the same month, literally a week apart. I am so thankful that I work in a building and district where the administration recognizes the importance of conferences and workshops for teachers. My focus word for 2018 is “better” and to become better at my I need to learn and collaborate with other awesome teachers! I started planning this post mentally during one of my sessions at MCSS (Missouri Council for the Social Studies) when I said, “follow me on Twitter @Bethany_Petty and use #illuminateED to tweet your thoughts and questions during our time today.” I scanned the room and saw many puzzled looks. After the session, I checked my phone, which typically includes a few notifications with thoughts or questions about the session, and there were none. Most of the participants were not on Twitter. Holy moly, friends! Jump on Twitter. Twitter itself isn’t going to revolutionize your life or be the silver bullet that will solve all of your problems or answer all of your questions. BUT, Twitter is a great place where educators can share resources, ideas, experiences, and collaborate with colleagues from around the world. Search one of the hashtags below to find resources, conversations, and ideas relating to a variety of topics. It’s fabulous! Check out these hashtags:

Twitter Chats
Think of Twitter chats as a focused conversation among teachers/instructors/professors/authors/bloggers/pre-service teachers/coaches/edtech strategists about a specific topic relevant to their role in education. Most chats are held weekly and are led by moderators who create and share specific questions. Twitter chats use a specific hashtag, like those listed above. For example, #moedchat, and chat and hashtag for Missouri educators (like me!), takes place on Thursday nights at 9:00. Any tweet that includes #moedchat will wind up in the conversation … important Twitter chat decorum: don’t use the hashtag unless you’re part of the chat! Also, there’s no need to ask permission to join a chat – hop right on in! If you’re like me, you can’t block out a time to only participate in a specific chat. I frequently pop in and out of chats and then search through the chat for resources and information later. You can also use a tool like Participate to “participate” in Twitter chats and access archives of past chats. Check out this resource for more information!

Awesome “Tweachers” 
Twitter is full of amazing educators who are just waiting to meet you and learn from you! Definitely check out these inspiring “Tweachers!”

  • Vicki Davis (@CoolCatTeacher)
  • Holly Clark (@HollyClarkEDU)
  • Trevor McKenzie (@trev_mackenzie)
  • Kasey Bell (@shakeuplearning)
  • George Couros (@gcouros)
  • Dave Burgess (@burgessdave)
  • Jennifer Gonzalez (@cultofpedogogy)

How do you use Twitter to level up your learning?

Thanks for reading 🙂

5 Great Chrome Extensions for Students

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Hello, friends! February was the month of conferences, workshops, sick days, snow days, and federal holidays for me, and I feel like I’m playing catch up. I know you feel my pain! This is the 4th year of our 1:1 initiative, and I’ve started to just assume that my students know how to “technology,” if you will. I’ve made an effort, as I’m sure many of you have, to make technology the background player in my classroom. I don’t want it to take the main stage because that’s not why I use technology. I use it to enhance learning, not to become the focus of learning. Classroom technology is like a light bulb – we use it to enhance our lives, but it doesn’t become the focus of our lives –> I geek out more about this in my upcoming book 🙂

 

Even though I want technology tools to become part of the background of my classroom, I realized last week that I do need to take time to share some tips with my students. After asking my students to open a new Google Doc on their Chromebooks, and then immediately launching into an activity, I heard my students panicking because they had to wait for their Drive to open before making a new document. I said, “just use the Quick Create extension.” They looked at me like I was crazy! I said, “wait, you don’t have that installed?” Then, it dawned on me. I’ve been so focused on not making tech the focus that I forgot to show my students how they can make tech tools work for them. Below are 5 of my favorite Chrome extensions for students.

Screencastify
Since implementing the flipped classroom model a few years ago, Screencastify has been one of my must-have tools as a teacher. But, it’s great for our students, too! Screencastify allows students to quickly and easily create a screencast of virtually anything, and quickly upload it to Google Drive or YouTube. Students can use Screencastify to create presentations, demonstrate a process, and so much more!

Google Drive Quick Create
Ah yes, the extension that generated the idea for this post! Google Drive Quick Create allows users to quickly create a doc, presentation, spreadsheet, form, or drawing without opening their Drive. We all know that opening Drive and creating a new file is not a super long process, especially for those of us that grew up using Microsoft Word which still loads slowly when I have to use it. However, this extension is a great tool to show your students. One of my favorite features of this extension? The new file opens in a new tab –> happiness!

URL Shortener
The goo.gl URL shortener is one of my personal favorites. I’ve arranged my extensions in the order of importance of use, and this one is second on the menu. The goo.gl URL shortener not only allows me and my students to create a shortened URL (as its name implies) but also provides a QR Code for any tab that is open. My students use this extension to create their QR Code for their Hashtags through History assignment, as well.

Momentum
My students LOVE the Momentum extension! When you open a tab, the Momentum extension displays a beautiful picture, the time and temperature, and an inspiring quote. Momentum also provides space to enter a goal for the day as well as items on a to-do list and a “favorites” section for frequently visited websites. When installing Momentum, you’ll be asked for your name – I entered my real name, but some of my students entered things like “princess,” “Grandmaster,” “your highness,” etc. Whatever works!

Cite This For Me
A few years ago, I blogged about an amazing citation tool called RefMe, which had a wonderful extension that would allow users to immediately add a website to any bibliography. It was FABULOUS – and then it was bought out, which made me sad. However, when I found out that it was acquired by Cite This For Me, I was excited because Cite This For Me was another great tool. The Cite This For Me extension, just like RefMe before it, provides users with a citation in APA, Harvard, MLA, or Chicago style, and also offers the ability to attach a specific quote from a source. Users can then copy and paste the citation into their bibliography or add it to a bibliography that is saved in their Cite This For Me account.

These are just a handful of the many great Chrome extensions available. Other favorites include the Share to Classroom extension (added to student Chromebooks by our admin) and Bitmoji (which is just super fun!) What are your favorite extensions for students?

Thanks for reading 🙂

Hosting Digital Study Session with Padlet and Remind

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Good morning and happy Friday! My dual credit American History students are taking their first assessment today and many are freaking out. You remember those days, right? The first time you took a test in a class and weren’t quite sure what to expect? I certainly remember the anxiety that came with the first test — basically, all of the tests — so I wanted to create a study tool for my students to ease their fears. Since this idea popped into my head at about 4:30 yesterday afternoon, creating a digital tool was the only option available! Thank goodness for Padlet and Remind! Here’s what I did …

 

Create a Padlet Wall
If you’ve read any of my posts over the past 4 years (thank you!), you know that I absolutely love Padlet. It’s easy to use and share and the kind people at Padlet have added so many fabulous new features! To create a digital study session, simply create a new Padlet wall and TURN ON the commenting feature in the settings. This is extremely important because it allows students to not only post their questions but also comment on their classmates’ posts to offer help. Collaboration among students is so fantastic to behold!

Share the Padlet through Remind
Remind has really been a gamechanger for my classroom. A few years ago, I started using Remind to send out … wait for it … REMINDers to my students about tests, assignments, etc. Now, my students can send me direct messages through Remind and we can have conversations in a documented environment outside the walls of the classroom. My students know that when I’m out of the classroom for any reason, they can send me a message and I’ll respond just as quickly as possible. Remind is AWESOME! To jumpstart the digital study session, I shared the link to the Padlet through Remind. All of my students signed up for Remind, and all of them received the digital study session!

The response from my students was FABULOUS and is most definitely something that I will do again – in all of my classes! I feel like I’m gushing, but the collaboration that I observed was absolutely fantastic.

Thanks for reading 🙂

Teacher Self Care: 3 Ways I De-Stress

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If you’re a teacher, this statement will probably come as no surprise to you: teaching can be stressful. Yes, teaching can be super stressful, not only because of the work that goes into designing lessons and units that help create a meaningful and relevant learning experience for our students. Teaching is, in my humble opinion, one of the most – if not the most – important job on the face of the earth. We are educating, inspiring, and encouraging the future of the world!! No big deal, right? 😉 In short: teachers are awesome!

I, like many of you, have a completely full plate. In addition to teaching high school Social Studies full-time, I’m also an adjunct Educational Technology instructor, blogger (obviously), author (my book will be published in May!), reader, runner, school and church board member, coffee addict, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, friend, and MOST IMPORTANTLY a mommy and a wife. I’m often asked how in the world I do all of this, and my response is always “by the grace of God and coffee – in that order!”

However, I do get stressed and overwhelmed at times. Really, though – who doesn’t? Even if you’re not in our line of work, we all find ourselves treading water instead of floating on our backs sometimes. Today, I felt like sharing the ways that I de-stress …

Blogging/Writing
I started blogging in January of 2014 and, since then my blog has become a form of stress relief. I love discussing ideas, reflecting on classroom experiences, and sharing technology tools that can help enhance the learning experience for my students. I’ve found that blogging about my classroom has also allowed me to find my voice as a teacher, connect with other educators around the world, expand my views on what teaching and learning “should look like,” and hold myself accountable for what happens in my classroom.

Exercise
This form of stress relief probably stems from being an athlete in high school and my freshman year in college, but pushing myself to the point of exhaustion for 30 minutes is a fantastic form of stress relief for me. I LOVE running, and my family knows that if Mommy seems a little stressed, she probably needs to go hang out on her treadmill for a bit 🙂 Right now, I’m in the middle of the 80 Day Obsession program from Beachbody, so I’m not running. However, the 30-50 minutes a day of pushing myself helps me clear my mind and refocus on my thoughts.

Reading
I’ve always been a reader -> the idea that I can open a book and jump into a different world is so relaxing for me. As a youngster, I LOVED reading books like The Chronicles of Narnia, The Boxcar Children, and the Babysitter’s Club. It’s no doubt now that reading is still a wonderful hobby. My reading choices are wide-ranging and include everything from Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson adventures, to Sophie Kinsella’s Shopaholic books, to books that expand my ideas about classroom instruction and practices. If you’re looking for a book to read this summer, check out my book, Illuminate: Technology Enhanced Learning! It’s available now on Amazon!

Teaching can be a stressful, challenging profession, but it is also extraordinarily rewarding. It’s important that teachers remember to take care of themselves as we progress through the school year and our careers. I’m often reminded of the phrase, “you can’t pour from an empty cup,” which is completely true for life both in and out of my classroom!

What are my plans for this afternoon? Heading to pick up my daughters from school. Then, off to dance class for our youngest, and helping her big sister with homework. Then, home to get supper started, complete an 80 Day Obsession workout while my kiddos play. While waiting for my hubby to get home from work, I’ll probably snuggle my kiddos in the recliner while my oldest reads us a book. Next, it’s time for supper, then baths, then more cuddle time, then off to bed. Hopefully, I’ll be able to squeeze in some reading about developing assessment capable learners.

How do you de-stress and keep yourself refreshed?

Thanks for reading 🙂

Bethany Writes a Book – Technology Enhanced Learning

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Hello, friends! January is quickly coming to an end, which means February, aka METC and MCSS conference time, is quickly approaching.  I absolutely love attending conferences, meeting new people, and learning new ways to use technology to enhance the learning environment for my students! In addition to prepping for conferences this year, I’m also getting super excited about the upcoming release of my book! If you follow me on social media (please do, by the way!) you’ve probably noticed the images I’ve been sharing lately. Each of these images is a concept, theme, or blurb from my book. Since I’ve been sharing and (hopefully) getting you excited and ready to learn more about how we can use technology to enhance learning, I thought I’d share a glimpse into what’s in store!

In April of last year, I started to think about the possibility of writing a book. My goal was, and still is, to encourage teachers to learn to use technology tools and a variety of strategies to enhance the learning environment for their students. For some teachers, the availability of technology tools or devices in our classrooms may be more of a burden – just something else that teachers have to add to our already lengthy “to-do” list. Others may feel overwhelmed at the number of technology tools that are available for classroom use, and simply decide to let the Chromebook, iPad, or other device collect dust on their students’ desks.

It doesn’t have to be this way!

As I was writing my book, I wanted to focus not necessarily on specific technology tools. Instead, I demonstrate how tools like Flipgrid, Flippity, EDpuzzle, and Ditty can be used in an effort to encourage students to explore, create, reflect, connect, communicate, and collaborate as they engage in content, and how teachers can use tech to help motivate and assess their students.

The tools are not the focus of the classroom. After all, it’s not about the technology; it’s how you use it!

Be sure to join this mailing list to receive updates on my book, as well as tips and tricks for how you can use technology to enhance the learning environment for your students!

Thanks for reading 🙂

Rocketbook Everlast and Color: Product Review

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I was given a Rocketbook Wave, Everlast, Color, and pens in exchange for this post. 

It’s a snow day!! Kind of … we had some icing overnight, but it’s currently almost 40 degrees which makes traveling to Panera for lunch quite safe 🙂 No complaints here! Over Christmas break, my daughters and I had the pleasure of reviewing two great products from the kind people at Rocketbook – the Rocketbook Everlast and the Rocketbook Color. These things are ah-mazing!

My daughters love helping me review products and took great pride in drawing their artwork in “Mommy’s books.” They were absolutely amazed to see the writing on the page disappear with a damp paper towel! I hope they don’t attempt to draw on anything else and assume it will wash away with water!

In case you’re unfamiliar with this fabulous product, here’s a quick rundown:

Rocketbook notebooks allow anyone to write on a notebook page, upload their work to a cloud storage system through the product app, and erase their writing revealing a clean page. Last year, I reviewed the Rocketbook Wave (check out my review here) and was blown away with the fact that I could erase writing done in pen just by sticking the notebook and a mug of water in the microwave!

The Rocketbook Everlast and Color are even more impressive. I can write, again using a pen (Frixion erasable pens that come with the Rocketbook), upload my work to any Google Drive folder, then erase the page with a damp towel and write again. The Rocketbook Color works with Crayola dry erase markers and works as a mini, portable whiteboard that, once again, allows me to quickly upload my work, erase with a damp towel, and write again!

I’ve shown the Rocketbook Everlast to my students, and many are begging to get one of their own or at least a classroom set to keep in our room. Many students prefer to take notes by hand or draw out their notes/thoughts, and the Rocketbooks offer them a fabulous alternative to pencil and paper!

Thanks for reading 🙂

 

#Hashtags through History -> FUN Bonus Activity

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Hello, friends! I hope your semester is off to a great start! I’m coming to you today with bronchitis and no voice. This has made teaching (and talking in general) quite challenging! My daughters, ages 5 & 7, have asked me to “talk normally,” and laugh when I can’t!

I’ve been meaning to share this activity for a few months now, but life gets in the way – I know you understand!

As part of my goal to use my students’ knowledge of social media (and other pop culture topics) to my advantage to enhance the learning environment of my classroom, I created a Hashtags through History bonus activity. This activity requires students to locate an image that depicts a historic event, create a username for a person that lived through the event, describe the event as that person would in 50-100 words, and create relevant and appropriate hashtags for their post. Students then locate an article that provides additional information about the event, create a QR Code that links to that article, and paste the QR Code on their post.

Here’s a FABULOUS example created by one of my dual credit students! October 31, 2017, was the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. My students know that I’m Lutheran, and wanted to make something awesome to celebrate!

I create an assignment in Google Classroom for the Hashtags through History bonus and set the due date later in the quarter/semester so students know they can work on it throughout the course of the class. Including a due date also lists the assignment in the “to-do” section for the students so they’re reminded to do this bonus!

If you’d like to try Hashtags through History with your students, click here to make a copy of the template.

As students submit these activities, I print them and display them on the wall in the back of my classroom. Hashtags through History assignments allow students to exercise technology skills (like making QR Codes), synthesize information about historical events, take on the persona of someone who lived through an event and to think about how it may have impacted their life, and have fun while doing so!

Hashtags through History projects can work outside the realm of Social Studies, as well. Think of Hashtags through Literature – requiring students to create a book report in this style, or Hashtags through STEM that may require students to create a post about an invention, scientist or mathematician, equation, etc.

How do you encourage your students to think outside the box to apply course concepts?

Thanks for reading 🙂

My #oneword2018 -> A New Type of Resolution

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**This post may contain links to sites that, if you purchase an item from that site, may allow me to earn a commission.*

I am TERRIBLE at resolutions. There, I said it. I, like many others, start with noble intentions. I’m going to stop biting my nails – this has been a habit as long as I can remember. Or, I’m going to get up early every day to work out – I love working out, but I just can’t get my booty out of bed early enough to do so on school days! I’m going to bound out of bed every day when my alarm goes off the first time – my kids (ages 5 & 7) still don’t sleep through the night, so that one isn’t going to happen!

Instead of making a resolution, breaking the resolution, and then beating myself up about not keeping said resolution, I’m taking a different route this year. If you’re on Twitter and, by the way, YOU SHOULD BE ON TWITTER, do a quick search for #oneword2018. Instead of making resolutions, educators all over the world are choosing one word that they plan to focus on throughout the year. One word that will motivate them to set goals and crush them. One word that will hold them accountable on the good days and the less than awesome days.

My #oneword2018 is BETTER.

BETTER has become my modus operandi for 2018.

I will continue to strive to be a BETTER, happier, more attentive and patient mommy. My daughters are my world, and I want to be the best I can be for them!

I want to be a BETTER wife to my awesome husband of almost 9 years. We’ve been together for almost 14 years, and I am so blessed by his love and support!

I want to be a BETTER teacher. My students deserve the absolute best I can be in the classroom to motivate and encourage them to achieve success.

I want to take BETTER care of myself in 2018. I run or workout at least 5 days a week and drink a nutrient-dense shake every day (I LOVE Shakeology!). But, I can always be BETTER! (By the way, if you’re interested in trying Shakeology or another Beachbody product, I’d love to help you! Click here to go to my Beachbody site!)

I want to be BETTER with my daily devotions. My time with God is precious and oh-so-necessary.

How do I plan to crush these goals?

I’ll be more conscious and present when I’m with my family. I will continue to learn and grow as a teacher by reading great books by other educators (my book will be out in May of 2018!!!), interacting with my colleagues from all over the world through my PLN, and trying new strategies to increase student engagement and enhance the learning environment. I will focus on making sure my cup is filled, so-to-speak, by taking time to make healthy choices and safeguarding my Bethany and God time every day.

I’ve got a huge challenge ahead of me in 2018, but I’m ready to crush it! Why did I choose BETTER as my #oneword2018 instead of something like GREAT, or AWESOME? The term BETTER implies that there’s always work to do, and always something BETTER to be. And that’s what I want to focus on in 2018 and … basically all the time.

What’s your #oneword2018?

Thanks for reading 🙂

 

The 5 Most Popular EdTech Posts of 2017

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Welcome to my last post of 2017! It’s been quite some time since my last post … I’ve been in full-time Mom mode during Christmas break! My daughters and I have slept in late while Daddy went to work, watched movies, played games, drank hot chocolate, and played in the whopping one inch of snow that we’ve had so far this winter. It’s safe to say we’ve had a great break!

As 2017 draws to a close, I’m looking back at the most popular posts from the year that was. Without further adieu, here they are!

HyperDocs are AWESOME!
HyperDocs have taken the world by storm! I took the plunge into HyperDocs at the end of the 2016-2017 school year and, after asking for feedback from my students, decided to use HyperDocs to deliver instruction for each unit this year! Students utilize a variety of edtech tools to learn content and create representations of their understanding. It’s awesome!

Using Flipgrid: I’ve Caught #FlipgridFever!
If you’ve been on Twitter any time during 2017 searching for anything edtech related, you’ve no doubt stumbled upon #FlipgridFever. Flipgrid is a fabulous social learning platform that encourages students to respond to questions/prompts in video form. Their classmates can then respond to their submissions, and teachers can provide quick, effective feedback. Students can also add emojis and stickers to their videos … which is super-fun!

Global Collaboration = Cultural Empathy
Global Collaboration projects have been amazing for my students this year! We’ve worked with classes in the UK and Belgium, and I am always looking for more classes to connect with. I think it’s really important for students to not only learn about other cultures but to also connect with people in other parts of the world. Our world is shrinking, and it’s important for our students to learn about and be empathetic to other cultures throughout the world. I’m hoping that these activities help to break down cultural barriers and make us more aware of our ethnocentric tendencies.

BreakoutEDU Reflections: We Freed Congress
Holy moly. BreakoutEDU has been ah-mazing in my classroom! It’s so great to watch my students work on the Cs of 21st-century learning. They love finding clues and solving puzzles … and they’re reviewing course content while they do it. There is 100% engagement in my classroom when we do a BreakoutEDU!

Teaching Students, Not Just Content
The “Take What You Need” bulletin board in my classroom has been in the works for a few years. My students are often stressed or upset and in need of motivation and inspiration. Using Google Slides – because I seem to use Slides for EVERYTHING! – I created and printed a presentation that includes dozens of inspirational quotes from Martin Luther King Jr., FDR, Dr. Seuss, and more! I posted these on a bulletin board in the back of my classroom and encourage students to literally take what they need. This has been A HIT and definitely something I will continue in the future!

 

2017 has been a great year! I’ve learned so much from great educators around the world through my PLN and great conferences, earned awards for my classroom teaching and my blog, and SIGNED A CONTRACT WITH EDTECH TEAM TO WRITE A BOOK! I can’t wait to see what 2018 has in store!

Thanks for reading, and Happy New Year!