Tech Tool of the Month: Story Maker

Story Maker is a simple digital storytelling tool for elementary students to write a story. Students can practice their writing skills, add color, add additional pages, and then save (or print) when finished. Story Maker is part of the ABCya site, offering countless free web games, interactives, and learning experiences.   Grade level Story Maker … read more »

3 Unique Resources for Spanish Language Learners

¡Hola! September 15 through October 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month. It is during this time we recognize the many contributions and history of the American Latino community. This month-long period also celebrates the independence days of several Central American countries.  A search on TeachersFirst reveals well over 100 resources tagged for Spanish content. Also, our … read more »

Math Storytelling Day

Not all elementary teachers love teaching math, but I do. I love encouraging classroom discussions about different ways to solve problems and think about math concepts. I love seeing students frustrated by a new skill and building confidence as they gain knowledge. I love it when I meet incoming students who say their favorite subject … read more »

Game Play with Baamboozle

The goal of early childhood education should be to activate the child’s own natural desire to learn. Maria Montessori Many teachers are familiar with Maria Montessori and the Montessori Method. As an early pioneer in education research, she observed children from around the world and developed theories and understandings on how children learn. Through these … read more »

Engaging Students with Scavenger Hunts

You might not know that August 19 is Geocaching Day. Geocaching is an outdoor treasure hunt where players use GPS devices to find hidden containers located around the world. Hidden locations vary from easy to find areas to those that are more isolated and involve planning and preparation to access the site. Items found in … read more »