Ready to explore the five habits of today’s readers? Are you committed to finding a balance between traditional and print reading materials? This summer Pam Allyn and I are hosting a summer book club for teachers who are ready to tame the wild text! We’re very excited to invite you to participate in a special […]
Last month I visited Kearney, Nebraska’s to speak at this year’s state reading conference. The folks at Solution Tree had sent along a copy of From Pencils to Podcasts: Digital Tools for Transforming K-6 Literacy Practices my way and it was the perfect book to dive into during my trip west. Authors Katie Stover and […]
Student engagement is more than hooking students at the beginning of a lesson. When students are in the flow of learning, they are interacting with new information, applying what they’ve learned, and creating and collaborating with their peers. The team behind Creativity 365 reached out to me earlier this year to share their interactive teaching […]
How do students in your classroom respond to reading? Whether they are diving into an article on endangered species in the science classroom or preparing for a literature circle on a historical fiction novel, students interact with text throughout the school year. Designing learning experiences that are social and shareable is one way to engage […]
How are you using interactive whiteboards in your classroom? Traditionally, the use of these large interactive displays were seen as a way to energize whole class instruction. The use of a touch screen and the ability to access a wide range of materials through an Internet connection are definitely compelling features. But as we move […]
Are your students creating movies in your classroom? This year I’ve spent time working with teachers across the country to discuss the power of movie-making in the classroom. Students can capture their learning and show what they know through video. It’s a powerful medium for students of all ages and a perfect way to level […]
Are your students collaborators and creators? In my book Tasks Before Apps: Designing Rigorous Learning in a Tech-Rich Classroom I share strategies for collaboration and creation in the classroom with examples from my favorite open-ended tools, including the fantastic app and web-based Book Creator. I’ve been a big fan of Book Creator for quite some […]
Earlier this year the team at Lexia Learning reached out to me to share a new literacy program they’ve developed called PowerUp. If you haven’t heard of Lexia Learning before, they are a division of Rosetta Stone and have created tools for adaptive assessment and personalized instruction for students. Their goal has been to empower […]
When students can create and visualize classroom content, their ability to truly understand and retain the information increases. Creating in the classroom makes room for deeper learning, increases engagement, and can be lots of fun! With creativity being a key 21st century skill, giving an opportunity for students to create in the classroom can aid […]
Since Google Docs first came on the scene, its adoption in classrooms has increased dramatically. Google Docs transformed from a simple online text editor to a robust and powerful tool that features a variety of functions. Writers, learners and editors of all ages have embraced this collaborative tool for classroom use and beyond. Now there […]