Tech Tool of the Month: Duolingo – Part 1

Author: Melissa Henning | Posted:
Categories: Tech Tool of the Month | Tags: , , , 1 Comment

Duolingo is a device-agnostic tool that offers free online language learning classes. The site currently offers personalized lessons in thirty-seven languages, including Spanish, French, Japanese, Italian, Arabic, Dutch, Polish, Greek, Romanian, and Swahili. Duolingo uses game-based learning to scaffold material and teach languages in chunks of time or assigned lessons. The personalized learning creates differentiated … read more »

Is it Time to Evaluate Your Digital Learning Practices?

Author: Sharon Hall | Posted:
Categories: Classroom Application | Tags: , , ,
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This year is the 10th annual celebration of Digital Learning Day. On February 25, educators will participate in an online celebration of ideas, stories, and promising practices related to incorporating digital learning into everyday instruction in schools. Using #DLDay and #DLDay2021 on Twitter and Instagram, educators collaborate and share new ideas, tools, and strategies for … read more »

Let’s Talk About Random Acts of Kindness

Author: Ruth Okoye | Posted:
Categories: Let's Talk About | Tags: , , 1 Comment

Sustained social isolation during the pandemic has taken its toll on everyone, especially our students. As educators, we need to help our students with ways to meet social-emotional learning (SEL) needs while we collectively continue to work towards overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic threat. Science tells us that kindness increases your happiness, so now is the … read more »

Engage with Award-Winning Books in Your Classroom!

Author: Darshell Silva | Posted:
Categories: Classroom Application | Tags: , , ,
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The American Library Association recently announced the 2021 winners of the youth media award. In addition, many other book awards for K-12 books were recently announced. Award-winning books are always an excellent addition to school libraries and classrooms! It’s like having a ready-made, vetted buying list.  Every year, the American Library Association honors outstanding books, … read more »

Let’s Talk About Spoken Word Poetry

Author: Ruth Okoye | Posted:
Categories: Let's Talk About | Tags: , , ,
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TeachersFirst®️ hosts a book study at least twice a year – a deep dive into integrating technology in the classroom. We are currently studying Michelle Eaton’s The Perfect Blend and discussing how to create blended learning experiences while teaching remotely. This week, we’ve discussed several roadblocks – student motivation, simulating different spaces, and lesson organization. … read more »