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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OK2Ask: 3 Cool Tools That Support Growth in the K-8 Classroom - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 8Want 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 and learn about three tech tools that will help you reach every student at their level. ReadTheory and Prodigy will help find and fix missing skills in English and Math, while Freckle Education can be used in all four core content areas. 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 (231)
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.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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OK2Ask: Keep On, Keepin' On - TeachersFirst
Grades
2 to 12Simple, powerful,...more
Simple, powerful, and free -- take organizing, note-taking, and collaborating to new heights with Google Keep. Learn how to maximize student productivity with great features for capturing ideas, collaborating on projects, curating resources, receiving reminders, and taking notes. See how easy it is to incorporate text, images, audio, and drawings on virtual color-coded sticky notes and checklists. "Keep" your classroom workflow smooth and on task with Google Keep. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Learn the basics of using Google Keep for organization; 2. Explore strategies to enhance notetaking and resource curation; and 3. Plan for the use of Google Keep in your classroom for student productivity. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): Formative Assessment (20), Google (18), organizational skills (98), professional development (231)
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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Cycles vs. Checklists: Fostering Creative Process in an Accountability World - TeachersFirst/Candace Hackett Shively
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): creativity (99)
In the Classroom
Teachers in any subject will find ideas for fostering creativity in their classroom, especially with students developmentally ready to talk about their own creative process (usually middle school and up). Make this professional information a discussion item among your teaching peers and with parents. Share it with colleagues for an informal inservice session. Use the many resources to help students discover their own creative process just as you would help them discover their learning styles. Make creative process a habit in your class assignments through electronic idea bins and more.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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You Are What You Eat - Examining Nutrition through Literature - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 7tag(s): commoncore (86), nutrition (147)
In the Classroom
This is a thorough unit on food and nutrition. Start with activating prior knowledge on your interactive whiteboard or using your projector. Use Padlet, reviewed here, once students have sorted their favorites into categories and project the results on your whiteboard. When teaching science, social studies, or health content about nutrition, foods, plants, or farms, consider pairing fictional books along with informational texts (several are suggested) to maximize the potential of every unit of study. This article is a good starting point. What a perfect way to integrate healthy eating, whether during the holiday season or spring garden planting! Speaking of planting, whether you are considering or implementing a school garden unit you will want to check out this article.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: Engage & Inspire with Edpuzzle Student Projects - TeachersFirst
Grades
4 to 12Looking for an engaging...more
Looking for an engaging and unique way for students to demonstrate competency? Try Edpuzzle student projects. This free and flexible online tool helps students show-what-they-know while honing real-world skills. Annotating video provides students with opportunities to practice communicating complex ideas and creating authentic media. Allowing students to reflect on what they've learned and their learning process using a nonstandard assessment measure provides a more accurate assessment of what the students know. Plus, it's just fun! As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Explore Edpuzzle student projects; 2. Create an exemplar to share with students; and 3. Plan for the use of Edpuzzle student projects as part of instruction. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): Formative Assessment (20), professional development (231), video (249)
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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Embracing Research - Identifying Reference Resources - TeachersFirst
Grades
1 to 8tag(s): Research (50)
In the Classroom
Mark this Help! guide in your Favorites for use and review when planning your next research project or whenever students need to "lookup" something. The resources and ideas will help every student be successful. Adapt for weaker readers by using resources or ideas from lower grades. Don't forget to look at other resources "tagged" research here on TeachersFirst.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: Engage & Inspire with Visual Essays - TeachersFirst
Grades
3 to 12Integrating visual...more
Integrating visual and written content can increase the impact of the writing that your students do. As students learn to use imagery to illustrate critical points in an argument or visualize the action in a storyline, they become better communicators. Join this session and help your students develop the ability to communicate clearly and creatively. Model and nurture creative expression while providing a new way for your students to reflect on what they have learned. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Understand the components of a visual essay; 2. Explore a tech tool that can be used to create visual essays; and 3. Create a visual essay exemplar to share with their students. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): essays (20), professional development (231), visualizations (13)
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 Reading - TeachersFirst
Grades
2 to 12Good readers take...more
Good readers take breaks to process what they're reading. Learn research-based strategies to use Microsoft Sway to guide comprehension. Helping students become aware of reading comprehension strategies allows them to manage their learning and empowers them to read strategically. This is especially helpful in a flipped or blended learning model. Join us and learn how to put Sway into action in your classroom! As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Learn three active reading comprehension strategies; 2. Understand where these strategies fit in the instructional cycle; and 3. Plan for the use of Sway during reading instruction. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): professional development (231), reading comprehension (123), reading strategies (54), remote learning (24)
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: Enhancing Student Voice with Flipgrid - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12Input and expertise...more
Input and expertise from peers can help students learn and grow. Learn to use Flipgrid, a video discussion platform, to increase student voice in your classroom. This tech tool can enhance social learning and ignite discussion through sharing short videos centered around a topic. Getting started is easy. After this session, you will be ready to use Flipgrid to encourage every student to share what they know. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Create your classroom Grid and learn to add Topics with student prompts; 2. Understand ways to use Flipgrid to increase student voice in the classroom; and 3. Plan for the use of Flipgrid in the classroom. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): Microsoft (57), professional development (231), remote learning (24), video (249)
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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Use the form at the top of the page to log in, or click here to join TeachersFirst (it's free!).
OK2Ask: 3 Cool Tools for Timelines - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12Creating and using...more
Creating and using timelines is a great instructional strategy that can scaffold student comprehension in all subjects. From the introduction of a concept to assessment, timelines can help empower learners and inform your instruction. Explore, compare, and contrast three different online timeline creators. Participants will learn about the features of these three free tools and then explore ways to use them in the classroom. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Understand various ways that timelines can be used in the classroom; 2. Explore 3 timeline tools to use in the classroom; and 3. Plan for the use of one of the three tools in your educational setting This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): professional development (231), timelines (47)
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!).
Going Deep with Award Winning Books: Close reading and text-dependent questions - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 6tag(s): commoncore (86)
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.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: No Fail Google Quizzes - TeachersFirst
Grades
2 to 12We all know that...more
We all know that learners need feedback. To maximize the benefit from that feedback, it should be given immediately -- ideally after each question. Google Forms can make that happen using conditional branching, the ability to send a user to a different question (or a different page of questions) based on the answer the user supplies. Learn to make your forms more functional and help every student be successful on your next quiz! As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Create a Google Form. 2. Use branching to facilitate instant remediation and feedback. 3. Discuss tips and tricks for management of Google Forms. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): assessment (116), Formative Assessment (20), professional development (231)
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 (86), graphic organizers (41)
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: Microsoft Teams Basics and Best Practices for Use in Remote Learning - TeachersFirst
Grades
2 to 12Microsoft Teams...more
Microsoft Teams is a great all-in-one hub for the collaborative classroom. This "basics" session will introduce you to channels, tabs and posts which are the foundation of communication and collaboration in Microsoft Teams. When used with remote learning best practices, these building blocks can help you create a welcoming environment for your students. Join us to make the best use of these tools to provide structure for your remote learning environment. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Learn about Microsoft Teams settings and options; 2. Understand how to use channels to foster student communication; and 3. Plan for the use of Microsoft Teams to support instruction. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): Microsoft (57), professional development (231), remote learning (24)
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: Google MANIA - Five Strategies for Feedback - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12In this session, you...more
In this session, you will learn to see feedback as a teaching opportunity that motivates students to make further progress. Students need descriptive feedback to improve their achievement. Using technology tools to deliver information that is both meaningful and actionable can change students' reactions to feedback. With good information on how their performance compares to the goal, students can become partners in a collaborative effort to better align their work with the instructional objective. Join us to learn five strategies that change the feedback loop in your classroom. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Recognize the components of effective feedback; 2. Develop an understanding of the RISE feedback model; and 3. Discover ways to use Google tools to deliver feedback to students. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): Google (18), professional development (231), remote learning (24)
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: 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 (69), communication (25), creativity (99), critical thinking (109), Microsoft (57), professional development (231)
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: MIE 2 Day - Fostering Student Success with PowerPoint Online - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12Ready to take the...more
Ready to take the next step in utilizing the free PowerPoint online to its fullest capability? You and your students can collaborate, analyze, and create using this free web-based tool and build a robust learning environment that fosters student success. Join this session to learn about the powerful digital toolbox in PowerPoint online that helps teachers incorporate blended learning best practices into their classrooms. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Explore features of PowerPoint online that support collaboration and formative assessment; 2. Understand how PowerPoint online can support a blended learning environment; and 3. Plan for the use of PowerPoint online in your classroom for student productivity. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): collaboration (69), Formative Assessment (20), Microsoft (57), professional development (231), remote learning (24)
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: Wakelet as an Instructional Hub - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12Pulling all of your...more
Pulling all of your lesson content into one collection that students can navigate independently is a great instructional strategy. When used to implement flipped/blended learning, Wakelet allows students to be more self-reliant and gives the instructor more time to help students who struggle. Wakelet offers flexibility in how you share content with your students encouraging creativity in both the instructional sequence and in the ways students demonstrate learning. Join us to learn how Wakelet can be used to reshape your classroom. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Understand how Wakelet can be used to deliver differentiated blended learning lessons; 2. Explore Wakelet's built-in tools that support instruction; and 3. Plan to deliver a lesson using Wakelet. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): Accessibility (4), classroom management (144), curation (4), professional development (231), remote learning (24), teaching strategies (33)
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 (20), professional development (231), video (249)
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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Read, Tell, and Sell: CCSS through student book promotions - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 6tag(s): book reports (30), commoncore (86), listening (78), process writing (39), speaking (22)
In the Classroom
Save this article in your Favorites to have it ready. Use the comprehensive tips and resources to have students create book promotions as your next (traditional or digital) writing activity as part of your usual reading activities. Let this reading and writing activity do double duty to meet speaking and listening standards, too!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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