TeachersFirst Professional Exclusives
TeachersFirst’s Professional Exclusives help you learn as a teacher, try new technologies, explore new teaching strategies, or understand student differences. Discover how and why to use wikis from the Wiki Walk-Through. Learn to adapt for ESL students in a regular classroom. Learn the how and why of better rubrics – and locate or create them easily. Every TeachersFirst professional exclusive is written by experienced teachers and includes the pragmatic, teacher-friendly details that you count on from our Thinking Teachers.
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Going Deep with Award Winning Books: Close reading and text-dependent questions - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 6tag(s): commoncore (75)
In the Classroom
If you are fortunate enough to have a library/media specialist to partner with you, try these ideas together during read-alouds both in the library/media center and in your classroom. Mark this article in your favorites and refer back to it as you move forward with Common Core.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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OK2Ask: Resource Roundup: Free Tools from the Edge - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12Looking for new tech...more
Looking for new tech tools? Go to the cutting edge with TeachersFirst! Discover tools you and your students can use to create images, timelines, whiteboards, mind maps, and more. Learn how the TeachersFirst Edge collection is organized so you can find a tool that fits your needs. Get inspired and explore classroom applications for time-saving tools in this fast-paced session. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Explore the categories and tools reviewed in TeachersFirst Edge; 2. Plan to implement an Edge resource for student-centered use as part of an upcoming teaching unit; and 3. Use an Edge tool to create an instructional learning object. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): professional development (395)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: Sway Cool Student Projects - TeachersFirst
Grades
2 to 12Looking for great...more
Looking for great ideas on how to measure learning with engaging student projects? Look no further! This workshop will introduce you to a wide range of projects designed with Sway, a free edtech design tool for students in grades 2-12. This visually dynamic, intuitive tool easily combines text, images, designs, audio, video to spark student creativity. It's shareable, can be collaborative, looks fantastic, and is accessible on any device, making it a perfect addition to your 1:1 initiative toolbox. Learn the basics in minutes and translate your new learning into powerful formative and summative student projects that focus on content rather than bells and whistles. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Learn basic use of the free Sway tool; 2. Understand what elements must be present to have an authentic, successful show-what-you-know student project; and 3. Plan for the use of Microsoft Sway in the classroom. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): assessment (146), Formative Assessment (70), professional development (395)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: Tech Tools Smackdown: Virtual Field Trips & Live Feeds Edition - TeachersFirst
Grades
3 to 12Many technology...more
Many technology tools are available for classroom use, but which are teachers' favorites? This session will share and compare some of TeachersFirst contributors' favorite resources. Help us decide which tool is the winner of this session's Smackdown! As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Learn about and compare some of TeachersFirst contributors' favorite technology tools; 2. Evaluate one or more tools for classroom use; and 3. Share ideas for using resources with other participants. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): inquiry (24), professional development (395), Research (83)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: More Authentic Learning Activities with Jamboard - TeachersFirst
Grades
2 to 12Keep on jammin'...more
Keep on jammin' with Jamboard - Google's power-packed whiteboard app. We are back with more great classroom collaboration and integration ideas. Simple enough for even young learners, Jamboard gives students tools to share what they have learned and demonstrate content mastery. Use Jamboard to facilitate active learning strategies that include individual and group work. Come prepared to learn strategies that can be used in traditional and remote classrooms across multiple content areas and grade levels. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Learn the basics of using Google Jamboard for remote learning; 2. Explore strategies that foster 21st-century skills; and 3. Share ideas for using Jamboard in the classroom. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): Google (46), professional development (395), remote learning (61), Whiteboard (9)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: Tech Integration Made Easy with Nearpod - TeachersFirst
Grades
2 to 12Nearpod is a free...more
Nearpod is a free tool that can enhance interactivity in your instructional presentation. Use Nearpod on any device to engage students with interactive multimedia and formative assessments and learn to use data gathered through activities to inform instruction. Learn about the features of each tool and understand how to add them to your instructional toolkit. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Explore Nearpod library; 2. Customize a digital lesson; 3. And plan for the use of Nearpod as part of instruction. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): classroom management (128), professional development (395), remote learning (61)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: Engage & Inspire: Flipped and Blended Learning - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12Do you want to...more
Do you want to engage your students while still being able to give extra support to those who need it? Then you need to use flipped and/or blended learning! In this session, we will simplify these instructional models and introduce tools that support them. Learn to use free teaching resources to deliver instruction digitally while allowing flexibility for student pacing. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Understand the instructional case for flipped and blended learning and the differences between the two; 2. Explore tech tools that can deliver digital content; and 3. Plan an authentic learning activity using a flipped/blended learning approach. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): blended learning (16), flipped learning (9), Microsoft (84), professional development (395), remote learning (61)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: 3 Cool Tools That Support Growth in the K-8 Classroom - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12Want to use an...more
Want to use an engaging and challenging learning platform to bridge content knowledge gaps for your students? Come to this session to learn about three tech tools that will help you reach every student at their level. Teach Your Monster to Read, CommonLit, and GeoGebra will help find and fix missing skills in Reading or Math. Learn how to leverage these free, adaptive online tools to improve student outcomes. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Learn about content area tools to use in the classroom to bridge knowledge gaps; 2. Understand how to use assessment data to guide intervention; and 3. Collaborate with other participants on ways to use these tools in instruction. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): professional development (395), reading strategies (98)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: Generating Formative and Summative Assessments using AI - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12Artificial intelligence...more
Artificial intelligence (AI) offers exciting opportunities to transform assessment practices. In this workshop, you will learn how to use education-specific AI tools to create engaging, effective formative and summative assessments for your students. Join us to explore various AI tools that can help you design and generate assessment items, rubrics, feedback, and reports based on your curriculum's learning objectives and standards. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Identify and evaluate different types of AI tools for assessment creation and delivery; 2. Use AI tools to design and generate formative and summative assessment instruments, such as quizzes, projects, portfolios, and presentations; and 3. Reflect on the benefits and challenges of using AI tools for assessment in your teaching practice This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): artificial intelligence (101), assessment (146), Formative Assessment (70), professional development (395)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: The Fantastic Four: An Intro to the Free Office Online - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12Microsoft's Office...more
Microsoft's Office Online is a completely free, web-based version of Microsoft Office. Designed to facilitate workplace readiness skills including communication, critical thinking, collaboration and creativity, Office online can be used with students of all ages. We will share promising practices as well as strategies for staying organized, easily sharing files, and using these tools with your students. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Understand the features of Office Online that support the 4Cs; 2. Explore classroom applications for Microsoft Forms and Sway; and 3. Plan for the use of Office Online in the classroom. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): collaboration (87), communication (136), creativity (91), critical thinking (112), Microsoft (84), professional development (395)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: 3 Cool Tools to Amp Up Collaboration - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12Learning is always...more
Learning is always better together! Explore, compare, and contrast three free online tools for collaboration with peers and students. Discover the differences between collaboration and group work and discuss ways to foster collaboration in the classroom. Share the positives of collaboration and strategies for encouraging participants when faced with difficulties with peers and begin to develop a collaborative activity to fit your individual needs. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Understand the difference between collaboration and group work; 2. Explore three online tools for collaboration; and 3. Explore ways to use these tools for collaboration in the classroom. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): collaboration (87), professional development (395), student-centered (4)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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OK2Ask: Digital Storytelling 101 - TeachersFirst
Grades
2 to 12Using digital storytelling...more
Using digital storytelling in the classroom doesn't have to be complicated! Start your first digital storytelling project in just a few easy steps and learn to use this strategy to support and engage students, enhance your instructional cycle, and showcase your students' knowledge construction skills as they connect to the real world. Learn to use digital storytelling as a formative or summative assessment that includes 21st Century Skill practice. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Develop an understanding of the digital storytelling process; 2. Understand multiple ways digital storytelling can be used in the classroom; and 3. Learn about tools that can be used to implement the digital storytelling cycle. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): digital storytelling (141), professional development (395)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: Effective Feedback for Student Growth - TeachersFirst
Grades
1 to 12Join us for a workshop...more
Join us for a workshop designed to empower educators with essential tools and strategies for providing impactful feedback to students and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Explore the principles and practices of effective feedback and learn how to use the RISE peer feedback model, a research-based approach that helps students reflect, inquire, suggest, and elevate their own and others' work. With a focus on teacher and peer feedback, this workshop will equip participants with the skills needed to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes and support the needs of diverse learners. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Understand the significance of effective feedback in promoting student growth and academic success; 2. Incorporate feedback into instructional planning and assessment practices; and 3. Develop proficiency in delivering targeted and constructive teacher feedback that addresses individual student needs. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): feedback (8), professional development (395)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
OK2Ask: TeachersFirst Tech Tools Smackdown - TeachersFirst
Grades
1 to 12There are many technology...more
There are many technology tools available for classroom use, but which ones are teachers' favorites? Join TeachersFirst as we showcase and compare some of our contributors' favorite edtech resources. Explore new and tried-and-true technology tools for your classroom and help us decide which tool is the winner of this season's Smackdown! As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Learn about and compare some of TeachersFirst contributors' favorite technology tools; 2. Evaluate one or more tools for classroom use; and 3. Share ideas for using resources with other participants. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): communication (136), Formative Assessment (70), Online Learning (40), professional development (395)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Common Core Part 2: Moving Forward with Informational Text - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 5tag(s): commoncore (75), graphic organizers (49)
In the Classroom
Read lesson ideas and explore the suggested resources as you begin to implement Common Core. Mark this article in your Favorites. Many of the suggested resources may be helpful during curriculum planning sessions with other teachers. Click the "share" widget to send them to others!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: Tech Integration Made Easy with the Smithsonian Learning Lab - TeachersFirst
Grades
3 to 12Connect your students...more
Connect your students to primary sources, capture their imagination, and develop their content knowledge in any subject area with the Smithsonian Learning Lab. Learn how to combine the Smithsonian's wealth of resources with your own to quickly create personalized lessons and activities that increase engagement and develop critical thinking skills in grades 3-12. You can even adapt one of the thousands of existing collections to better suit your instructional setting. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Explore Smithsonian Learning Lab collections; 2. Create a personalized digital collection; and 3. Plan for the use of the Smithsonian Learning Lab in your educational setting. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): primary sources (117), professional development (395)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: Playlists to Personalize Learning - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12Personalizing instruction...more
Personalizing instruction doesn't have to be complicated. Using an instructional playlist is a simple way to honor student voice and choice while structuring the work your students do independently. This session will help you create playlists that integrate multiple types of activities while using incremental checkpoints. Of all the tools that you can put in your blended learning toolkit, the playlist is one that you don't want to miss. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Understand the purpose of instructional playlists; 2. Learn how using playlists can support student voice and choice; and 3. Begin planning an instructional playlist. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): blended learning (16), differentiation (84), personalized learning (9), playlists (10)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
OK2Ask: Tech Integration Made Easy with Edpuzzle - TeachersFirst
Grades
2 to 12Use Edpuzzle to...more
Use Edpuzzle to transform your classroom activities by engaging students and deepening content area knowledge using instructional videos. Learn how to select a video, make minor edits, and add questions to bring additional context to content area instruction and monitor students' progress. Brainstorm with others how you and your students can use Edpuzzle in your classroom. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Learn the basic use of Edpuzzle; 2. Explore three different ways to use Edpuzzle in the classroom; and 3. Plan for the use of Edpuzzle as part of instruction. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): Formative Assessment (70), professional development (395), video (258)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
OK2Ask: TeachersFirst Tech Tools Smackdown (Global Citizenship Edition) - TeachersFirst
Grades
2 to 12There are many technology...more
There are many technology tools available for classroom use, but which ones are teachers' favorites? This session will share and compare some of the TeachersFirst contributors' favorite resources. Help us decide which tool is the session winner of our Smackdown! As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Learn about and compare some of TeachersFirst contributors' favorite technology tools; 2. Evaluate uses for one or more tools for classroom use; and 3. Share ideas for using resources with other participants. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): professional development (395)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
OK2Ask: MakeCode: Bring Computational Thinking into Any Classroom - TeachersFirst
Grades
3 to 12Prepare your students...more
Prepare your students to use today's digital tools to help solve tomorrow's problems. Pattern recognition, abstraction, algorithmic thinking, and decomposition are core thinking skills that can be applied to any subject. Learn how to integrate these components into any content area using Microsoft MakeCode projects and Hacking STEM lessons--hands-on activities that engage students immediately. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Review the fundamentals of computational thinking and how they can be applied across K-12 disciplines; 2. Explore MakeCode and Hacking STEM, two resources that promote computational thinking; and 3. Plan for the use of computational thinking in the classroom. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): coding (88), computational thinking (42), Microsoft (84), professional development (395)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
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