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A hard question we all must consider From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis Follow @coolcatteacher on Twitter Each year I seek clarity for my teaching career. There are no easy answers here. Know this. The question is serious, “Should I teach another year?” As I ponder my own path, let me take you on a journey of thoughts. Dancing with Snakes. The Indonesian pop star, Irma Bule died at age 29 of a cobra bite she got while performing. She performed with pythons. In April 2016, the conference organizers provided a cobra. She thought it was de-fanged. It wasn’t. After a full performance with it draped around her neck, she put it back in the bag. As she performed, it slipped out of the bag. She stepped on its tail. It bit her. Not thinking she was in any danger — she kept performing. Forty-five minutes after she received the bite, she stepped off stage and died. I’m not sure why the snake handlers who knew the slithering performer was full of venom (and fangs) didn’...

Practical Tips for Rigor, Fun, and Retention From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis Follow @coolcatteacher on Twitter Sometimes small changes can take a lesson plan from “OK” to “Yeah!” By improving the rigor and fun in each lesson, you can improve student learning and make your classroom more exciting . Learn practical tips from super-teacher Laura Candler that will help you make your lessons more engaging and memorable. This is a must-listen for elementary teachers. Learn about the JTouch Interactive whiteboard Click to listen to this show on: BAM Radio Network | iTunes | Stitcher Thank you JTouch by InFocus, Today’s Sponsor My Interactive White Board (IWB) is gone, and I’m never going back. In today’s show, I’ll tell you how I’m using the Jtouch Interactive Display Board in my classroom. It is much more than an interactive whiteboard. (In some ways it is like a massive touch screen computer .) But with Airplay and also a cool tool called LightCast, every single d...

From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis Follow @coolcatteacher on Twitter Doing work that matters. All students should be able to be part of that. No longer working for the teacher’s wastebasket, students across the world are connecting and sharing like never before. They are led by teachers unafraid of the world but who escort their kids out to meet the future. While a recent poll showed 9 out of 10 teachers do not use social media in the classroom, there are teachers who are. Social doesn’t have to be a distraction and kids can be safe . Let’s dive into ten ways teachers have used social media in the classroom to enhance learning. These are some of my personal favorites among many. Please share yours in the comments. This question is part of CM Rubin World’s question of the month, “ What are the best examples you have seen of teachers using social media to enhance learning?” Check out her blog for all the answers.  1. Jacques du Toit and the Tweeting Aztecs Aussie...

from a Montana teacher with 32 straight titles in a row! From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis Follow @coolcatteacher on Twitter Matt Stergios has been coaching a debate team that has won their state championship in Montana since 1984 . We why debate is important. He also shares one of his big secrets: how he convinces key students to join the team . You’ll learn strategies that coaches can apply to any team. Click to listen to this show on: BAM Radio Network |  Stitcher   Matt shares how participation on the debate team has opened doors for his students in college and life. He also talks about the pressure of having so many wins and how he talks to his students when they are worried about being able to win again. Debate coaches and coaches seeking to build a winning tradition will learn a lot from this episode. Who is Matt Stergios? Matthew Stergios has been teaching the last 35 at Loyola Sacred Heart High School in Missoula Montana. He teaches His...

The art and craft of great teaching From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis Follow @coolcatteacher on Twitter Paganini was here to play his great work “Napoleon.” His violin glistened. As he broke every string. But one. He looked to his shocked audience and held up his violin. He yelled, “Paganini and one string!” Paganini proceeded to wow them with the entire piece played on just one string. While his audience marveled, no one left the theater and redesigned the violin with one string. The violin is still a violin although Paganini could play a masterpiece on one string. That is because Paganini is a master. Everyone in the audience knew that one string was not dripping with talent . Nor was that one string possessed. That one string was played . Played by a master. And so it sung. There are master teachers. They can teach with just their voice. Or a stick. Or a book. Or a computer. Hand them one string and they’ll make learning sing. These craftsman teachers — they ...

Best Practices in Project-Based Learning with Suzie Boss From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis Follow @coolcatteacher on Twitter Project-based learning (PBL) works, but not all project-based learning is alike. PBL Expert Suzie Boss takes us into assessment , project design , and teacher PD  for more effective, meaningful projects that improve learning. Click to listen to this show on: BAM Radio Network | iTunes | Stitcher   Project-based learning should not be  memorization and  regurgitation. It shouldn’t be something you can Google with a simple answer. It should require deep digging, application, creativity and more. We also talk about the power of  audience and student learning. We discuss the challenge of fair, consistent  assessment  of projects across schools and districts. See a list of Every Classroom Matters’ 200+ shows with many of the thought leaders in education. Who is Suzie Boss? Suzie Boss@ suzieboss ,...

The Innovator's Mindset with George Couros From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis Follow @coolcatteacher on Twitter Many teachers say they don’t have time to connect. I live and breathe that feeling. However, when I’m down, sometimes an idea on Twitter or a suggestion on Facebook turns my day around . I get tons of ideas from the many education superstars I write about and interview on my show and blog. If I could give you one thing that will make you completely irreplaceable as a teacher , it would be your network . Your network is your inspiration . Your network is also your safety net if the unthinkable happens. They’ll help you get better results in the classroom. Your network will also encourage you when you’re struggling . If it is hard to network, you’re probably not learning the easy ways to network. Today, George Couros talks about the fifth aspect of the Innovator’s Mindset: Networking. It doesn’t have to be hard. Any teacher can make time to network. List...

Make Your School A Better Place From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis Follow @coolcatteacher on Twitter Perhaps meanness in school happens because we don’t teach students what to do. The #tbk ( to be kind) movement is spreading like wildfire among many schools. The Schmucker Middle School National Junior Honor Society is encouraging the entire school to be kind . They heard about the program when their principal told them about Lake Bradley High School in Florida. Teachers Caitlyn Charnow and Stacy Eck were inspired and tell us all about their Program To Be Kind and how it is spreading to faculty and staff. The world needs more of this! As promised, I’m starting to send lots of freebies to my mailing list. As part of this post, I’m sharing my free “take one” kindness poster. Print and encourage kindness in your classroom. Who are Caitlyn Charnow and Stacy Eck? Caitlin Charnow is a seventh grade Language Arts Teacher, and the head of the National Junior Honor Soc...

Taking the Leap of Faith with 39-year Veteran Teacher Lou Zulli From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis Follow @coolcatteacher on Twitter Great teachers are always great. Right? Wrong. Most of us start off teaching by making mistakes — LOTS OF THEM. Lou Zulli is a pro. He’s been teaching for more than 39 years. And yet, today, he remembers the times he failed. He calls himself the teacher from Ferris Bueller’s day off — he says he was so boring — that was then. This is now. By sharing his authentic journey, you’ll feel empowered and excited to be a better teacher. Hats off to my friend Lou for his professionalism and authenticity. Today’s episode is a heartwarming trip into one man’s journey to become a better teacher. Who is Lou Zulli? Lou Zulli Jr. @ lzulli   has been an educator for 39 years, the past 18 as the IT instructor and network administrator for the Center for Advanced Technologies at Lakewood High School in St. Petersburg, FL. [Listen to ...