Cool Cat Teacher Blog is at coolcatteacher.com

Filled with dread, some math teachers have a problem. As they give problems to students to work their students become problems. Behavior problems. Boredom problems. Sometimes the problem is that students aren't excited by the problems. However, math can be exciting. The "Open Middle" math problem format is NOT talking about middle school math, although it applies to middle, high school, elementary, and even college math just the same. Robert Kaplinsky, a math teacher and author on the "open middle math" talks about how math teachers can unlock student thinking and interest in how problems are posed to students. Busy math teachers can listen to this quick episode to get an introduction to open middle math and see if they want to dive deeper. Math can be exciting! www.coolcatteacher.com/e584   Sponsor: The U.S. Toyota Dream Car Art Contest invites youth, ages 4-15, to submit their original hand-drawn artworks that answer the question, “If you could design a car...

A new blog has appeared on my main site: Math Problems that Unlock Student Thinking From https://www.coolcatteacher.com/math-problems-that-unlock-student-thinking/ via Vicki Davis at coolcatteacher.com . Please also check out my show for busy teachers, the 10-Minute Teacher Podcast and my Free teaching tutorials on YouTube .

Students need life skills. Some schools are adding in courses to help students cook, care for their families, manage their money and more life skills. Others have always had these courses. Today we interview a teacher, Andrea Moore, who started her career as a literature teacher but teaches many practical things to her students every day. www.coolcatteacher.com/e583   Sponsor: The U.S. Toyota Dream Car Art Contest invites youth, ages 4-15, to submit their original hand-drawn artworks that answer the question, “If you could design a car to make the world a better place, what would it look like?” Artwork submissions for this free youth art contest are accepted this year from November 1, 2019, through January 31, 2020. Teachers can download a FREE K-12 standards-aligned lesson plan on car design that includes STEM concepts and art. Go to www.ToyotaDreamCarUSA.com/CoolCat to download artwork guidelines, an entry form, official rules, and the lesson plan today. Encourage your studen...

A new blog has appeared on my main site: Why Kids Need Life Skills (including how to cook!) From https://www.coolcatteacher.com/why-kids-need-life-skills-including-how-to-cook/ via Vicki Davis at coolcatteacher.com . Please also check out my show for busy teachers, the 10-Minute Teacher Podcast and my Free teaching tutorials on YouTube .

Creativity is something that we have to nurture as teachers. In this blog post and episode, I share some of the ways I believe nurture creativity in students. See the show notes at www.coolcatteacher.com/582   Sponsor: The U.S. Toyota Dream Car Art Contest invites youth, ages 4-15, to submit their original hand-drawn artworks that answer the question, “If you could design a car to make the world a better place, what would it look like?” Artwork submissions for this free youth art contest are accepted this year from November 1, 2019, through January 31, 2020. Teachers can download a FREE K-12 standards-aligned lesson plan on car design that includes STEM concepts and art. Go to www.ToyotaDreamCarUSA.com/CoolCat to download artwork guidelines, an entry form, official rules, and the lesson plan today. Encourage your students to create Toyota Dream Car artworks today.   Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored podcast episode.” The company who sponsored it co...

A new blog has appeared on my main site: 20+ Ideas to Supercharge Classroom Creativity From https://www.coolcatteacher.com/20-ideas-to-supercharge-classroom-creativity/ via Vicki Davis at coolcatteacher.com . Please also check out my show for busy teachers, the 10-Minute Teacher Podcast and my Free teaching tutorials on YouTube .

Have you ever had a moment when your life changed? Perhaps it was a comment or it was a moment and although it may not have seemed to be anything to others around you, you experienced a seismic shift in how you viewed yourself. Dr. Michael Rousell studies these moments and relates them to neuroscience. Today he shares the surprising science behind the commonalities in these life-changing moments. As teachers, we hope to be part of these moments. You could say these small but very epic life-changing moments are the seconds that could take years of relationship building and effort to cultivate and then, light a bolt of lightning - it happens - and a child is transformed for the good. You'll want to learn to understand these moments as a teacher. This is one of those episodes to share and discuss due to the exciting impacts it can have in the life of children. www.coolcatteacher.com/e581   Sponsor: The U.S. Toyota Dream Car Art Contest invites youth, ages 4-15, to submit their or...

A new blog has appeared on my main site: The Surprising Science of Life Changing Moments From https://www.coolcatteacher.com/the-surprising-science-of-life-changing-moments/ via Vicki Davis at coolcatteacher.com . Please also check out my show for busy teachers, the 10-Minute Teacher Podcast and my Free teaching tutorials on YouTube .

A new blog has appeared on my main site: 5 Ways to Empower Girls From https://www.coolcatteacher.com/5-ways-to-empower-girls/ via Vicki Davis at coolcatteacher.com . Please also check out my show for busy teachers, the 10-Minute Teacher Podcast and my Free teaching tutorials on YouTube .

Lynn Colón, co-author of Empowering Girls: Opening the Door for Girls to Achieve More , helps us understand what schools need to be doing to intentionally empower their female students to achieve more. Lynn shares some of her journey and the nuances of understanding girls today. www.coolcatteacher.com/e580   Lynn Colón - Bio As Submitted Lynmara Colón brings the perspective of a teacher, assistant principal, and principal positions she has held since joining education in 2003 to her work in literacy. As principal of Mary Williams Elementary School in 2014, she served over 1,000 students in grades kindergarten through fifth grade and was able to increase reading engagement by leading a culture of literacy. She now heads the office that provides comprehensive registration services to English learners and immigrant children, including translation and interpretation services, to a school division serving over 90,000 students. These students represent 124 countries and 149 languages...

A new blog has appeared on my main site: Self Care Tips and Advice to Be Your Best From https://www.coolcatteacher.com/self-care-tips-and-advice-to-be-your-best/ via Vicki Davis at coolcatteacher.com . Please also check out my show for busy teachers, the 10-Minute Teacher Podcast and my Free teaching tutorials on YouTube .

Take care of yourself! We often tell each other this as teachers and rightly so. I once read that teachers work the same amount of time in ten months that most people work in a year. Teaching is not for the faint of heart or weak of the back but we must rest and stay strong to be our best. But how? Today, Mandy Froehlich gives us advice for self-care. www.coolcatteacher.com/e579   Challenge Press pause and take a few minutes after listening to this show to evaluate how you are doing with self care. If you do not change something, what will be the result of the direction you're heading with your health? Make one change. Mandy Froehlich - Bio As Submitted Mandy Froehlich passionately encourages educators to create innovative change in their classrooms. A former Director of Innovation and Technology, technology integrator, and teacher, she has experience at many levels of the organizational structure. Her interest lies in reinvigorating and re-engaging teachers back into their pr...

A new blog has appeared on my main site: How to Design Learning Spaces in Libraries From https://www.coolcatteacher.com/how-to-design-learning-spaces-in-libraries/ via Vicki Davis at coolcatteacher.com . Please also check out my show for busy teachers, the 10-Minute Teacher Podcast and my Free teaching tutorials on YouTube .

Many schools are reimagining the learning spaces that some call libraries or media centers. Carolyn Foote takes us to the center of this trend to take us inside how she redesigned her learning space and the thought process behind it. As you plan your school's strategy, you'll want to have conversations about this show. www.coolcatteacher.com/e578   Carolyn Foote - Bio As Submitted Carolyn Foote is a techno-librarian, fascinated by the confluence of technology, students, and libraries. A White House Champion of Change in 2013, and recipient of the AASL Library Collaboration Award in 2019, she is a leader in the library field, especially on 1:1 technologies, library design, and student voice. Her blog can be found at Not So Distant Future http://www.futura.edublogs.org . Twitter: @ technolibrary Favorite Hashtags: Follow the #TXLCHAT and #TLCHAT hashtags for all things libraries! Instagram: @ technolibrary Check out this episode!

A new blog has appeared on my main site: Getting past STEM Labels into real STEM Learning From https://www.coolcatteacher.com/getting-past-stem-labels-into-real-stem-learning/ via Vicki Davis at coolcatteacher.com . Please also check out my show for busy teachers, the 10-Minute Teacher Podcast and my Free teaching tutorials on YouTube .

Lots of things are labeled "STEM" these days but many of them are just rote instructions for students to follow. Is this truly STEM learning? Taylor Ryan is STEM coordinator for his school as they work to integrate STEM into every class. He shares what he's learned about true STEM learning in the past year in this role. Hear about STEM from the trenches of a school that is doing it. www.coolcatteacher.com/e577     Challenge Have conversations about the STEM learning at your school. Is it authentic STEM learning? What could you apply from this podcast in terms of longer-term or shorter projects? How about cross-curricular? Taylor Ryan - Bio As Submitted Taylor is a teacher and STEM Officer at Fulford Academy, a private school in Brockville, Ontario. School Website: https://fulfordacademy.com/   Check out this episode!

A new blog has appeared on my main site: Overcoming Your Fears (and Helping Kids Do It Too) From https://www.coolcatteacher.com/overcoming-your-fears-and-helping-kids-do-it-too/ via Vicki Davis at coolcatteacher.com . Please also check out my show for busy teachers, the 10-Minute Teacher Podcast and my Free teaching tutorials on YouTube .

Tara Martin has written a book to help children (and adults) face their fears called Cannonball In! Today, we talk about a powerful metaphor and the risks of life and how sometimes we have to jump! Enjoy! www.coolcatteacher.com/e576     Your Challenge I have a saying in my office by Eleanor Roosevelt that says “do something every day that scares you.” Again, we’re talking rational risk and getting out of our comfort zone. So, that’s your challenge – get out of your comfort zone today. Tara Martin - Bio As Submitted Tara Martin is an enthusiastic educator, speaker, and author. Her ambition is to lead a culture of innovative change and to motivate others to become the best they can be, all while staying REAL-- Relatable Exposing Vulnerability Always Approachable, and Learning Through Life. Blog: http://www.tarammartin.com/ Books: Be REAL: Educate from the Heart Cannonball In! Disclosure of Material Connection: This episode includes some affiliate links. This m...

A new blog has appeared on my main site: 5 Ways to Greet Students From https://www.coolcatteacher.com/5-ways-to-greet-students/ via Vicki Davis at coolcatteacher.com . Please also check out my show for busy teachers, the 10-Minute Teacher Podcast and my Free teaching tutorials on YouTube .

Thom Gibson has fun ways to greet students as he walks around campus. He shared them on Twitter recently and I started using some of them and it adds a whole element of fun and engagement while interacting with students. Learn about these ideas and become the kind of person that kids love to greet! www.coolcatteacher.com/e575   Sponsored By Advancement Courses The holidays are just around the corner, and this is the perfect time to start planning your PD. Get started by going to advancementcourses.com/coolcat to explore over 240 graduate-level online PD courses in 19 different subject areas. Plus, you can save 20% of your order the code COOL20. That’s just $120 per graduate credit hour or $160 for 50 clock hours. You can take courses on helpful topics like classroom management, teacher wellness, education technology, special education classes and more. Advancement Courses is flexible and lets you work at your own pace to create things to improve your classroom.    ...

"Room service" door hangers are one of the unique ideas that André Sasser shares on the show. From a Woot Wagon to more, André talks about little things that encourage her as a teacher. I also talk about the "fun committee" at my school and some ideas to build community and collegiality. www.coolcatteacher.com/e574   Sponsored By Advancement Courses The holidays are just around the corner, and this is the perfect time to start planning your PD. Get started by going to advancementcourses.com/coolcat to explore over 240 graduate-level online PD courses in 19 different subject areas. Plus, you can save 20% of your order the code COOL20. That’s just $120 per graduate credit hour or $160 for 50 clock hours. You can take courses on helpful topics like classroom management, teacher wellness, education technology, special education classes and more. Advancement Courses is flexible and lets you work at your own pace to create things to improve your classroom.    Chal...

A new blog has appeared on my main site: Unique Teacher Appreciation Ideas From https://www.coolcatteacher.com/unique-teacher-appreciation-ideas/ via Vicki Davis at coolcatteacher.com . Please also check out my show for busy teachers, the 10-Minute Teacher Podcast and my Free teaching tutorials on YouTube .

Families want to engage in classrooms but as students get older, it can be challenging. In today's episode, Jeromie Heath helps teachers understand how to engage families in the classroom in positive, proactive ways. www.coolcatteacher.com/e573   Sponsored By Advancement Courses The holidays are just around the corner, and this is the perfect time to start planning your PD. Get started by going to advancementcourses.com/coolcat to explore over 240 graduate-level online PD courses in 19 different subject areas. Plus, you can save 20% of your order the code COOL20. That’s just $120 per graduate credit hour or $160 for 50 clock hours. You can take courses on helpful topics like classroom management, teacher wellness, education technology, special education classes and more. Advancement Courses is flexible and lets you work at your own pace to create things to improve your classroom.  Challenge Engage your parents one way this week. Jeromie Heath - Bio As Submitted Jerom...

A new blog has appeared on my main site: 3 Ways to Engage Families in Your Classroom From https://www.coolcatteacher.com/3-ways-to-engage-families-in-your-classroom/ via Vicki Davis at coolcatteacher.com . Please also check out my show for busy teachers, the 10-Minute Teacher Podcast and my Free teaching tutorials on YouTube .

A new blog has appeared on my main site: Understanding The Deep Fake: A Troubling Trend From https://www.coolcatteacher.com/understanding-the-deep-fake-a-troubling-trend/ via Vicki Davis at coolcatteacher.com . Please also check out my show for busy teachers, the 10-Minute Teacher Podcast and my Free teaching tutorials on YouTube .

Deep fake videos are now possible. In this disturbing trend, convincing videos, audio, and photos are viewed and shared by those who somehow think you can trust what you see and hear. Wesley Fryer takes us deep into the world of deep fakes in this resource-full lesson in a trend that is dangerous and threatening, particularly for a gullible population. This is a special extended episode of the 10 minute teacher and includes resources in the show notes. Sponsored By Advancement Courses The holidays are just around the corner, and this is the perfect time to start planning your PD. Get started by going to advancementcourses.com/coolcat to explore over 240 graduate-level online PD courses in 19 different subject areas. Plus, you can save 20% of your order the code COOL20. That’s just $120 per graduate credit hour or $160 for 50 clock hours. You can take courses on helpful topics like classroom management, teacher wellness, education technology, special education classes and more. Adva...

A new blog has appeared on my main site: How and Why to Build Powerful Relationships with Students From https://www.coolcatteacher.com/how-and-why-to-build-powerful-relationships-with-students/ via Vicki Davis at coolcatteacher.com . Please also check out my show for busy teachers, the 10-Minute Teacher Podcast and my Free teaching tutorials on YouTube .

Do you have that difficult student who seems to fight you each time you try to reach him? Coach D was that student. He tells a powerful story of a teacher who was a reacher in his life and changed his life with a two-minute conversation in sixth grade. For all of those teachers who struggle to reach students (as many of us do), this show is for you. www.coolcatteacher.com/e571   Sponsored By Advancement Courses The holidays are just around the corner, and this is the perfect time to start planning your PD. Get started by going to advancementcourses.com/coolcat to explore over 240 graduate-level online PD courses in 19 different subject areas. Plus, you can save 20% of your order the code COOL20.   That’s just $120 per graduate credit hour or $160 for 50 clock hours. You can take courses on helpful topics like classroom management, teacher wellness, education technology, special education classes and more. Advancement Courses is flexible and lets you work at your own pace...

Chad Klein is a 22-year educator. He shares his advice for teachers to take care of themselves and love teaching in this quick motivational talk. www.coolcatteacher.com/e570     Chad Klein - Bio as Submitted I’ve been teaching and coaching since 1997. I’ve worked with mainly middle years’ students. I coach volleyball, baseball, basketball and golf and help as a trainer with a local youth football team. I am also a three term local association president. I have a loving, patient wife and I’m a proud dad. I believe in wanting the best for my students and players and pushing them to reach their highest potential. Twitter: @ mrchadklein Check out this episode!

A new blog has appeared on my main site: 5 Ways to Survive (and Thrive) at Teaching From https://www.coolcatteacher.com/5-ways-to-survive-and-thrive-at-teaching/ via Vicki Davis at coolcatteacher.com . Please also check out my show for busy teachers, the 10-Minute Teacher Podcast and my Free teaching tutorials on YouTube .

A new blog has appeared on my main site: Using Games to Help Reluctant Readers and Writers (and More) From https://www.coolcatteacher.com/using-games-to-help-reluctant-readers-and-writers-and-more/ via Vicki Davis at coolcatteacher.com . Please also check out my show for busy teachers, the 10-Minute Teacher Podcast and my Free teaching tutorials on YouTube .

Dr. Lee Graham is working with teachers to teach them principles of game-based learning to teach writing. Her anecdotes of classroom behavior-changing results are - pardon the pun - game-changing. Learn more. www.coolcatteacher.com/e569   Dr. Lee Graham - Bio As Submitted Dr. Lee Graham teaches courses in educational technology and pre-service teaching at the State University of New York, College at Oneonta. Her initial contact with Verena Roberts and Vicki Davis in 2014 helped her to futher her understanding of game-based learning and open education. Publications:  https://suny.academia.edu/LeeGraham Check out this episode!

Jeremy Rinkel has added technical writing to his traditional English Literature course. As a form of relevant non-fiction writing, Jeremy uses drones, robots, and 3d printers to give students an exciting topic on which to write their how-to and technical manuals. Dive deeper into what he's doing and learn how to apply it to your classroom. www.coolcatteacher.com/e568     Jeremy Rinkel - Bio as Submitted Jeremy is a husband, father, and high school English teacher. He earned a Masters in Educational Policy from the University of Illinois and a Masters in Teaching from Greenville University. His goal is to inspire students, teachers and anyone he comes into contact with to be a life long learner. Jeremy believes education is the key to solving our world's problems. ​​In his free time, Jeremy enjoys travelling, writing, spending time in coffee shops, and spending time with his family watching old TV shows on Netflix. In the summer, he can be found at a Lake Sara in Centra...

A new blog has appeared on my main site: Technical Writing with Drones in the Traditional Literature Classroom From https://www.coolcatteacher.com/technical-writing-with-drones-in-the-traditional-literature-classroom/ via Vicki Davis at coolcatteacher.com . Please also check out my show for busy teachers, the 10-Minute Teacher Podcast and my Free teaching tutorials on YouTube .

A new blog has appeared on my main site: How to Make Programming Easier From https://www.coolcatteacher.com/how-to-make-programming-easier/ via Vicki Davis at coolcatteacher.com . Please also check out my show for busy teachers, the 10-Minute Teacher Podcast and my Free teaching tutorials on YouTube .

Programming doesn't have to be so hard. Computer Science teacher, Michael Backus, gives us advice to help make programming easier. www.coolcatteacher.com/e567    Michael Backus - Bio As Submitted \Michael Backus teaches computer literacy and computer science at Teeland Middle School in Wasilla, Alaska. As the creator of the https://www.akrobotnerd.com , he has shared many projects that he has developed over the years, the most famous being his Artificial Intelligence with Arduinos curriculum. His most recent project is Build and Program Games with Arduino, a curriculum that introduces students to Arduino by walking them through how to make an electronic Tug-o-War and Simon Says game. In addition to creating curriculum, Michael also writes software to make life easier for teachers. His most recent work is a trio of G Suite add-ons (Document Evaluator, Slideshow Evaluator, and Spreadsheet Evaluator) that make communicating assignment requirements, managing peer evaluations ...

A new blog has appeared on my main site: How to Empower Teachers From https://www.coolcatteacher.com/how-to-empower-teachers/ via Vicki Davis at coolcatteacher.com . Please also check out my show for busy teachers, the 10-Minute Teacher Podcast and my Free teaching tutorials on YouTube .

Administrators can empower teachers and principal Evan Robb shares some of the techniques. Evan is author of The Ten- Minute Principal and The Principal’s Leadership Sourcebook: Practices, Tools, and Strategies for Building a Thriving School Community.    www.coolcatteacher.com/e566 Evan Robb - Bio as Submitted Distinguished Principal, TEDx Speaker, Author Evan Robb is presently Principal of Johnson-Williams Middle School in Berryville, Virginia. He has over twenty years of experience serving as a building level principal including opening a Junior High School in Warren County, Virginia. Prior to being a school principal, he was an English teacher, department chair, and Assistant Principal. Early in his career, Evan received the Horace Mann Educator of the Year Award. In addition, the NCTE Commission on Reading selected him to serve on its board. Evan leads sustainable change initiatives that transform school culture, increase achievement, and prepare students for their ...

A new blog has appeared on my main site: 5 Ways to Improve Your Classroom Library Without Spending a Dollar From https://www.coolcatteacher.com/5-ways-to-improve-your-classroom-library-without-spending-a-dollar/ via Vicki Davis at coolcatteacher.com . Please also check out my show for busy teachers, the 10-Minute Teacher Podcast and my Free teaching tutorials on YouTube .

Colby Sharp author of Game Changer! Books for All shares some ways to improve your classroom library without spending any money at all. There are some ideas for all of us here. www.coolcatteacher.com/e565 Colby Sharp - Bio As Submitted Colby Sharp is a husband and father of five. He teaches fifth grade in Parma, Michigan. Colby is the co-founder of Nerdy Book Club, and he serves on the Nerd Camp Michigan team. He co-hosts The Yarn podcast with Travis Jonker. Colby currently serves as the president-elect of the Michigan Reading Association. He co-authored Game Changer! Book Access for All Kid with Donalyn Miller, and he is the editor of The Creativity Project: An Awesometastic Story Collection. Blog: http://www.mrcolbysharp.com Twitter: @ colbysharp Book: Game Changer! Books for All Disclosure of Material Connection: This episode includes some affiliate links. This means that if you choose to buy I will be paid a commission on the affiliate program. However, this is at no addit...

A new blog has appeared on my main site: When I Knew It Was Time to Leave the Classroom From https://www.coolcatteacher.com/when-i-knew-it-was-time-to-leave-the-classroom/ via Vicki Davis at coolcatteacher.com . Please also check out my show for busy teachers, the 10-Minute Teacher Podcast and my Free teaching tutorials on YouTube .

Starr Sackstein reflects on when she knew it was time to leave the classroom.  www.coolcatteacher.com/e564 Starr Sackstein - Bio As Submitted Over 16 years ago, Starr Sackstein started her teaching career in Far Rockaway High School, eager to make a difference. Quickly learning to connect with students and develop rapport, she was able to recognize the most important part of teaching, relationships. Fostering relationships with students and peers, to encourage community growth and a deeper understanding of personal contribution through reflection, Sackstein has continued to elevate her students by putting them at the center of the learning. Starr Sackstein currently works at Long Island City High School as a Teacher Center Teacher and ELA teacher. She spent nine years at World Journalism Preparatory School in Flushing, NY as a high school English and Journalism teacher where her students run a multi-media news outlet at WJPSnews.com. In 2011, the Dow Jones News Fund honored Sa...

Project Based Learning (PBL) works if you know how to bring it into your classroom. Today, Noa Daniels shares how. www.coolcatteacher.com/e563 Noa is a passionate educator and enthusiastic learner. She is a classroom teacher, podcaster, blogger. She is also a coach, consultant and Chief Building Officer at Building Outside the Blocks, creating projects and initiatives for students and educators that build skill, autonomy, community and connection. https://buildingoutsidetheblocks.com/   Check out this episode!

A new blog has appeared on my main site: Unconventional Project Based Learning that Engages Learners From https://www.coolcatteacher.com/unconventional-project-based-learning-that-engages-learners/ via Vicki Davis at coolcatteacher.com . Please also check out my show for busy teachers, the 10-Minute Teacher Podcast and my Free teaching tutorials on YouTube .

I've lost 28 pounds since late June and am running 8-10 miles a week. And yes, I just turned 50 and feel great. In this show, I'll share the apps and tips for living a healthier lifestyle including the "eating plan" I'm using at  My Shibboleth . www.coolcatteacher.com/e562   Check out this episode!