Vicki A. Davis's Blog, page 129
October 18, 2016
Free Masterclass: 15 Best G Suite Tools for Schools
Note: G Suite is the new name for Google Drive
From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis
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If you only used 15 tools in Google Docs and Apps, what would they be? Don’t be overwhelmed with all the choices. I can help. In this free masterclass, I’m going to share my 15 Best G suite tools for Schoolsand how to use them in the classroom. Join me on October 25 at 4pm Eastern Daylight Savings Time(EDT). You’re invited.
Back when Google...
Staples and Katy Perry Impact 1072 classrooms and 98,609 students!
A Big Thank You to Staples for their Support of Teachers and Students
From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis
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Almost one hundred thousand students (98,609 to be exact) were impacted by the $1 million donation that Staples made to DonorsChoose.org this past June. As I blogged this past June, Staples partnered with Katy Perry to help classrooms across the country. They made a one million dollar donation this past April and have been giving it away since t...
October 17, 2016
5 Ways to Bring Out the Best in Everybody in Your School
Five stories to help us remember some important things about working with children
From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis
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Jasmine walked into the room with her feet shuffling. At this instant, she was tired. In addition to cross country, she’d been going to cheer practice and One Act Play. Furthermore, it was also the end of the first grading period and all of her teachers wanted everything YESTERDAY. Last week, her team was eliminated from the state s...
October 12, 2016
6 Riveting Ways to Make Reading and Writing Fun for Students
Creative Literacy Lessons with Kids
From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis
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Therapy dogs. Lunch bunch. Reading groups. These are just of a few ideas you can use to excite students about reading and writing. Writing can be fun. So can reading. Let’s discuss lots of creative ideas that work.
In today’s show, librarian Margo Janzi has a wealth of ideas. Additionally, she also talks about getting out of her comfort zone. Not only can you use robots, green s...
October 11, 2016
How to Make Flipped Classroom Better
A Candid Conversation with Jon Bergmann
From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis
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Make videos for students. They can watch them in class or for homework. Then, spend your time in class helping students. Reduce or almost eliminate lecture. Students can stop and start the videos as they wish. They go at their own pace. You help those who need it. Flipping your classroom(or in-flipping it as I do) can make a lot of sense if your conditions are right. Flipped...
October 10, 2016
45 Minute Goals Can Transform Your Teaching
Shelly Sanchez Terrell dives deep into the transformative program
From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis
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Don’t walk in the classroom defeated. Make professional development personal. Start tomorrow. It is easy in simple, small steps. For the last seven years, Shelly Terrell’s 30 Goals Challenge has ignited teacher learning. Today, we’ll learn howthis “quick goal” technique can transform your teaching.
Shellywants teachers to tackle small, short goals....
Epic Guide To Game Based Learning
100+ Game Based Learning Resources to Get Started in Your Classroom
From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis
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Games are fun. We can use them to teach. It isn’t that hard. Game based learning excites learning in my classroom. It can ignite your classroom too. In this post, I’ll share what I’m doing in my classroom. Additionally, I’ll give you 100+ of my favorite game based learning resources. These links and ideas will jumpstart your journey.
This post is...
October 5, 2016
How Do You Mend a Broken Teacher?
Life Lessons from Hall of Fame Teacher Kim Bearden
From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis
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Broken. It happens. It hurts deeply. I have had days when I didn’t know how I would get out of bed and make it to school. Most teachers I respect have had periods of deep brokenness too. So has Hall of Fame Teacher Kim Bearden, co-founder of Ron Clark Academy. Today she tells all.
We need to lift one another up and encourage each other. Sometimes sharing the lesso...
3 Reasons to Bring Music into the Classroom
(Besides Improving Test Scores)
From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis
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Why does music seem to rewire the brain for learning? Studies show a definite link between music and academic success. Then, why is music often one of the first things cut when budgets shrink?
Let’s dive into why music is so important to a child’s education. We’ll also discuss some of the ways we need to educate children about music.
Listen to this show on: BAM Radio Network | iTun...September 30, 2016
If Some High-Poverty Schools Do Well, Can All?
Dr. Anael Alston talks about what really turns schools around
From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis
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Today we’re talking to Dr. Anael Alston about specific issues with high-poverty schools. In a refreshing take on dramatic school change, Anael does not recommend that we assign blame. Instead, he recommends an approach that focuses on teacher expectations and several other things. As a turnaround principal himself, Anael has insights into how to help te...
