September 2023
May 2023
April 2023
March 2023
February 2023
January 2023
December 2022
Special Edition - Hour of Code 2022
November 2022
October 2022
September 2022
May/June 2022
April 2022
March 2022
February 2022
January 2022
December 2021 - Special Edition Hour of Code
November 2021
October 2021
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
- Five minute ideas for chats to have with each of your students
- Information on conducting Post-it note interviews
- Ice Breaker & Team Building ideas
- Free posters to print
- Free poster and game cards for teaching "logical fallacies"
- Google Forms "Escape" Rooms
- Interactive map of Paul Revere's ride
- "Lots of Dots" game instructions and cards
- An interactive resource for learning about ancient Egypt
- Interactive maps demonstrating changes in the USA since the 1800s
- An interactive tool for learning about "rights around the World"
- Brain Break game
- Google Workspace quick tips from Kasey Bell
- A quick tip guide for using Dictate with Microsoft 365
- Info on five new features in Microsoft Forms
- A Solo cup activity for your Makerspace or to use as a Smart Start connector
- A link to 12 different Math Channels available with a Discovery Streaming subscription
- Upcoming professional learning opportunities
May 2023
- lessons and activities for Star Wars Day
- an opportunity to celebrate "Day of AI" with educators around the county
- a link to a Virtual Gift Basket for Teachers that includes free access to four Virtual Escape Rooms
- a link to TEACHFLIX, a portal of over 500 free, educational movies recommended by teachers
- presentation links from Google EDU
- resources for teaching wildlife conservation to elementary students
- information about free articles for secondary students from ChemMatters magazine
- links for the presentations Google EDU did at the recent MACUL Conference
- a link to an Apple Keynote project for the end of the school year
- information about Microsoft Speaker Coach for PowerPoint and Teams
- a playlist of short videos to help your students learn and/or improve Scratch coding skills
- a Brain Break where students can virtually sculpt and glaze historical pottery
- STEM Career resources and a thinking routine from Discovery Streaming
- information about applying for a MACUL grant
- a link to our professional learning flyer for summer sessions and more
April 2023
- Poetry Month resources
- resources for Earth Day
- a "breaking news" headline generator
- a copyright friendly site for finding images and audio files
- a link to "Peg and Cat" games for PK-1
- a link to Pattern Shapes which are virtual Pattern Blocks
- a "Wordle-like" number game
- engaging estimation activities to use with students
- a short tutorial to learn how to use Emoji bullet points in Google Docs & Slides
- a link to sign up for Apple's new newsletter for education leaders
- a video on 20 hidden features in iOS 16.4
- information about 12 new features for the Whiteboard in Microsoft Teams
- information about the "Classroom Makers Loan Program" where you can borrow robots and other items to use with your students
- an easy way to pull up Tic Tac Toe for a Brain Break
- information about the Michigan Learning Channel free Summer Learning Program for PK-6
- news & current event resources from Discovery Streaming
- registration link for a free, self-paced course to learn to use Quizizz
March 2023
- resources for Women's History Month
- resources for Pi Day - March 14th
- ideas and resources for National Reading Month
- an opportunity to participate in Digital Learning Day
- a website with ideas to inspire student writing
- a tediously accurate scale model of the solar system
- a link to download poster sets on a variety of important topics from Smithsonian SITES
- a brain break from the Chrome Music Lab
- 10 Google Sheets hacks for teachers
- information about building an Apple Teacher Portfolio
- information about the Search Coach in Microsoft Teams that can be used to help students develop good search and evaluation strategies
- a ~2 minute video that shows how to finger knit
- resources from Discovery Streaming for March and test prep
- resources from Michigan Learning Channel for Women's History Month and many other lessons
February 2023
- resources to teach Black History through art
- links to two different sites with biographies of U.S. Presidents
- two online encyclopedias for elementary students
- a map that links to sites associated with famous English myths and legends
- information about using the Teaching Kids News website
- a Valentine's Day Virtual Room
- an online site where students can create music
- tips and tricks for using Google calendar
- iPad tips
- a tutorial on the nine new features available in Microsoft Forms
- a tutorial to make cardboard ramp walkers
- resources from the Michigan Learning Channel for teaching about the Holocaust
January 2023
- resources to help you with lessons about Martin Luther King Jr.
- a safe search engine for young students
- information about a career exploration resource
- "The Kid Should See This" curated video collection
- a link to videos about how things are made
- a FREE, project-based, self-paced digital curriculum from Google
- information about "Reimagine Education," a free virtual event from Microsoft Education
- free professional learning and coaching from Apple
- 25 ideas for cardboard construction
- information about the AEIOU teaching strategy from Discovery Streaming
- current lessons from Michigan Learning Channel
- digital resources for winter-themed learning from the Michigan eLibrary
December 2022
- A link to the TurtleDiary website where you will find educational games and videos for PreK-5
- Information on the weekly NY Times program "What's Going On in the Graph?"
- A link to Reading Treks where you will find interactive maps and learning activities to use with more than 30 popular literature selections
- Study Jams online resources for 4th-8th grade math and science
- Brain break suggestions for secondary and elementary students
- Teaching with Chromebooks tips from John Sowash
- iMovie tutorials
- A tutorial on how to convert pdf and Word documents into Microsoft Forms Quizzes
- A website on how to fold all kinds of paper airplanes
- Information on the "Find a Lesson" feature on the Michigan Learning Channel
- A link to a virtual field trip on the risks of vaping from Discovery Streaming
- Information on Text Giraffe where you can quickly make impressive titles and more
Special Edition - Hour of Code 2022
- Links to activities to engage students in the Hour of Code and beyond
- Activities and resources for educators to learn more about coding and computer science
November 2022
- Veteran's Day Activities
- Thanksgiving Activities
- An interactive game to practice identifying the 50 US States
- A webpage with 35 interactive graphic organizers
- A math resource to help students deepen their understanding of ratios
- Information about the lessons found on "Reading Like a Historian"
- A free, online citation tool that doesn't have advertising
- An online Spirograph for Brain Breaks and perhaps some Geometry
- Directions for opening an Emoji keyboard on a Chromebook
- Information about becoming an Apple Learning Coach
- Information about a free, self-paced course to learn more about using Microsoft OneNote
- Origami tutorial videos
- An invitation from the Michigan Learning Channel to join MLC LABS
- A plethora of November resources from Discovery Streaming
- A 60 second video on pinning Chrome browser tabs
- A site for free, professional quality images and videos
October 2022
- Resources for Digital Citizenship Week
- Resources to support learning about Election 2022
- Information about the free, online Explorer Magazine from National Geographic for grades K-5
- Fun ways to get your class's attention during October
- Information about free access to "Hi-lo" books for secondary students with lower reading levels
- Halloween Magnetic Poetry activity in Google Drawings
- Build a Jack-o-lantern with Google Slides
- Three seasonally themed virtual rooms for brain breaks
- Information about the 2022 Michigan Google Conference
- Access to a tutorial to help you learn to set up and use Reading Progress with Microsoft Teams
- Links to some of the latest episodes on the Michigan Learning Channel
- Links to several of the instructional SOS strategies found in Discovery Streaming
- A FREE, virtual, professional learning opportunity with Jon Corippo, co-author of the EduPrototocl Field Guides
- Information about the Michigan Short Story Contest
September 2022
- Resources for Constitution Day
- Spotify Music Playlists that are designed for classroom use
- Back to School (D)Ice Breakers and Debriefing Templates
- Space resources from NASA for grades K-8
- A link to a site where students enter a number and get weird and interesting facts about the number
- Links to three interactive Periodic Tables
- A Brain Break coloring book of famous works of art
- Resources for Lego and Scratch to use in your Makerspace
- Video showing how to use shortcuts to better organize your Google Drive
- Information about new Google Classroom features for schools/districts that have purchased Google Workspace for Education Plus
- Information about the new Apple Education Community
- Information about the new Class Homepage in Microsoft Teams
- Online lessons from the Michigan Learning Channel
- Information about Discovery Streaming supports for all learners
- An opportunity for 4th - 5th grade students to enter a county wide art contest
- A FREE, professional learning series on EduProtocols
May/June 2022
- A collection of articles and resources for dozens of curriculum units curated by Media Specialists for TeachersFirst
- Information about Wonderopolis
- A link to 68 QR code cards for Storyline Online read alouds
- A video series on "Imaginary Numbers are Real"
- A brain break opportunity with "Quick, Draw" where students can support AI research by doodling
- Information about Classroom Screen which lets you quickly display and use a variety of digital classroom tools
- A free, online avatar generator that does not require a login
- A link to free, printable awards and certificates
- A quick explanation on how to change the theme color of your Google Classrooms
- Guidance on how to access and use Storyboard templates in iMovie for iPads
- Links to resources from the Michigan Learning Channel for grades K-6
- Links to Discovery Streaming teaching strategies and information about the audio files that come with your subscriptio
April 2022
- Poetry month resources
- Lesson resources for Earth Day
- A link to Radiooooo where you can play songs from around the world and the past 100 years for free
- Spot & Dot - Tic Tac Toe for sight word practice
- Keyboard shortcuts for Google Slides
- Information about Reading Progress, a tool to use for student reading fluency, available in Microsoft Teams
- Resources for poetry month and research projects from the Michigan eLibrary
- A fun brain break activity
- Links to reading and math video lessons for K-6 as well as a science and history lesson for 4-6 from the Michigan Learning Channel
- Quick links to some great resources from Discovery Streaming
- A template to use with your students so they can create questions for Kahoot reviews
March 2022
- Women's History Month lessons and resources
- Pi Day resources
- A link to an online graphing tool
- A link to a customizable spinner
- Two Brain Break activities
- A video about 10 Google calendar hacks
- Information about the Microsoft Learn Educator Center
- Links to video lessons from the Michigan Learning Channel
- Quick links to some great resources from Discovery Streaming
- A free professional learning opportunity from the Oakland Schools Digital Learning team
February 2022
- Black History Month lessons and resources
- Resources to help you incorporate the Winter Olympics into your lessons
- Digital activities for Valentine's Day
- Presidents Day lessons and activities
- A site where you can create your own Wordles
- A simple poster of some key Chromebook keyboard shortcuts
- An interactive video to help you learn more about Microsoft Immersive Reader
- A free book with strategies and step-by-step instructions for using Keynote for teaching and learning
- Links to some great resources for Discovery Streaming subscribers
- A mini-poster explaining how to open an Emoji picker on different types of computers
- A link to the end of the Internet
- A free professional learning opportunity from the Oakland Schools Digital Learning team
January 2022
- Resources to teach about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and civil rights
- Links to the World Book encyclopedias designed for PK - 5th grade
- A Ted Talk response guide for secondary students
- Two Google tips
- Information about Reflect, a SEL app available in Microsoft Teams
- A how-to for making "Top 10" videos using Flipgrid
- A blast from the past - a chance to use Print Shop - top education software from the 80's and early 90's
- Links to some great resources for Discovery Streaming subscribers
- A free, self-paced opportunity to learn to use Quizlet
December 2021 - Special Edition Hour of Code
- Links to activities to engage students in the Hour of Code and beyond
- Activities and resources for educators to learn more about coding and computer science
November 2021
- Thanksgiving activities you can use with your students
- Curious George STEM lessons from PBS Kids
- a link The Old Farmer's Almanac for Kids website that is full of fascinating and useful information
- access to 400+ political science cartoons with guiding questions for discussion
- a link to PhET Interactive Simulations for physics, chemistry, biology, earth science and math
- information about the new checklist feature in Google Docs
- a link to the Creativity Challenge for Apple iPad users
- a way to organize your search results by topic and find what you are searching for much faster
- Information about Computer Science Fundamentals professional learning for K-5 educators
October 2021
- Science videos from SciShow Kids that engage elementary students in all kinds of interesting science
- SolveMe Puzzles that provide interactive practice for algebraic thinking
- a link to the new CommonLit 360 curriculum for grades 6-10
- lessons you can use with your students for Digital Citizenship week
- information about creating and using QR codes
- tips for organizing your Google Drive
- a document with creative ideas for using iPads with kids
- a cool tip for Chrome browser users
- information about the new Computer Science PLN in Michigan
June 2021
- a P.A.R.T.Y. website to help you and your students celebrate the end of the school year
- an End of the Year checklist
- Five End-of-the-Year activities to use with your students
- a coding activity where students create a dance party
- Free, printable summer reading packets for students grades 1-12
- Tips on closing out your year in Google Workspace
May 2021
- a link to the Wonderopolis article about Memorial Day
- a "ready to play," "easy to use" game platform
- information about the Google Docs Citation tool
- a link to "Would You Rather?" math scenarios
- an interactive timeline to explore science innovations through the decades beginning with 1900
- resources to teach search skills to students (and maybe pick up a tip or two for yourself)
- a vocabulary strategy that works well online and in the physical classroom
- information on free sessions to learn new ways to use iPads for teaching & learning
- information about Wakelet student accounts
- a free, professional learning opportunity on using Google Forms for formative assessment
April 2021
- Free resources for Earth Day
- "Playing with Words" templates for primary students to use to practice sight words
- Information about myShakespeare, an online place for students to engage with several Shakespeare plays
- Samples of PBS Learning Interactive lessons for all ages - find dozens more on their website
- Links to two of the best National Geographic YouTube playlists to use with students
- A link to download the free ebook "Teaching with iPads: Pages Practical Pedagogy"
- Five, simple Jamboard lessons for any classroom
- A quick, easy-to-use random name selector tool
- Information about three Blended Learning models that can help you better manage simultaneously teaching in-person and online students
March 2021
- 3 Act Lessons for elementary math
- Interactive website for practicing geography skills
- Information about Science News for Students, a free source of daily articles on science and more
- Information about a free, online debate platform for secondary students
- Free Google slides and Jamboard templates you can copy and use
- ELA lesson idea where secondary students create iMovies about tone words
- Template for Bitmoji Intro Slides to use as your class is joining your online session
- Free professional learning opportunity that is perfect for "March is Reading Month"
February 2021
- Black History Month lessons and resources
- Link to dozens of virtual math manipulatives
- Link to a website with 400 free online books with narration available in over 40 languages
- New York Times Choice Board for secondary students with opportunities to read, write, view and discuss
- Ready-to-use digital content from the Smithsonian Learning Lab
- Access to 22 "Novel" Hyperdocs you can copy and use to guide your students as they read and study the novels
- Information about National Park guided, virtual tours
- Free, easy-to-copy interactive Google slide templates, activity templates, math manipulative templates and more
- Free professional learning opportunity from the Oakland Schools Digital Learning team
January 2021
- Pebble Go, an early elementary resource, provided by the Michigan eLibrary
- Virtual owl pellet dissection site
- Link to HippoCampus where secondary educators can find free videos, animations and simulations in 13 different subject areas
- Highlights about free resources for Social Studies from C-SPAN
- Information about some simple suggestions to increase engagement in synchronous online sessions
- A peek at a high school teacher’s use of chat in an online meeting
- Resources for Choice Boards
- A link to Apple's free, ongoing, virtual conference sessions
- Creativity ideas for iPad learning
- Tutorial for Google Classroom Originality Reports
- Ideas for getting started with coding
- Free professional learning opportunity from the Oakland Schools Digital Learning team