Cool Cat Teacher Blog is at coolcatteacher.com

How could you take your whole elementary classroom year and gamify it? What if everything students learn could gain them XP (experience points?) What if you can reach those strugglers by making a classroom on mission? Today, Heather Marrs, a teacher and instructional coach from Oregon, takes us through the five steps she used to gamify her elementary classroom and give us the tips and tricks she learned to motivate every learner. www.coolcatteacher.com/e615   Sponsor: Adobe  I use  Adobe  Premiere Rush to teach digital filmmaking in my classroom. I love it because videos and the editing projects move seamlessly between all of my student’s devices. Check out this and other  Adobe  resources including some from my friend Todd Nesloney on the Education Trailblazers Pinterest board that you can view at  coolcatteacher.com/adobepins . Heather Marrs - Bio As submitted Heather Marrs is an Instructional Coach at Eagle Rock Elementary in Eagle Point, Orego...

A new blog has appeared on my main site: 5 Steps to Gamify Your Elementary Classroom From https://www.coolcatteacher.com/5-steps-to-gamify-your-elementary-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 .

Mike Messner teaches seventh-grade social studies in Silicon Valley. He shares his stories of the tech they use, what Silicon Valley parents like (and don't like), and how he has joined an online PLN to bring state of the art to his classroom. www.coolcatteacher.com/e614 Sponsor: Adobe  I use  Adobe  Premiere Rush to teach digital filmmaking in my classroom. I love it because videos and the editing projects move seamlessly between all of my student’s devices. Check out this and other  Adobe  resources including some from my friend Todd Nesloney on the Education Trailblazers Pinterest board that you can view at  coolcatteacher.com/adobepins . Mike Messner - Bio As Submitted Mike Messner is a social studies teacher at Los Altos High School in Silicon Valley. He has also taught at Skyline College, the College of San Mateo. Santa Clara University and Wilcox High School. Mike is a Google Certified Teacher and a member of the #4OCFPLN network. He lives with h...

A new blog has appeared on my main site: Silicon Valley Teacher Spotlight: Mike Messner From https://www.coolcatteacher.com/silicon-valley-teacher-spotlight-mike-messner/ 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 .

Language arts classrooms can use more than books to teach. Kate Hodges, a language arts teacher in Ohio, shares how she uses project-based learning (PBL), making, and more to help students learn language arts. www.coolcatteacher.com/e613   Sponsor: Adobe I use Adobe Premiere Rush to teach digital filmmaking in my classroom. I love it because videos and the editing projects move seamlessly between all of my student's devices. Check out this and other Adobe  resources including some from my friend Todd Nesloney on the Education Trailblazers Pinterest board that you can view at  coolcatteacher.com/adobepins . Kate Hodges - Bio As Submitted Kate Hodges is a fifth-year English Language Arts teacher at Oak Hills High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. She currently holds an M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Cincinnati. Her thesis work explored how STEM infused projects influenced creative self-efficacy in her students. Blog: https://wordpress.com/view/m...

A new blog has appeared on my main site: STEM and Makerspaces in the Language Arts Classroom From https://www.coolcatteacher.com/stem-and-makerspaces-in-the-language-arts-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 Use Fortnite in the Classroom From https://www.coolcatteacher.com/how-to-use-fortnite-in-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 .

Fortnite has a physics engine in the game. Unknown to many educators, Fortnite has three modes of play. While Battle Royale is a first-person shooter, the creative mode is not. Some educators are creating private islands (for free) that their students can make Rube Goldberg machines and other creations. Today's guest, Mike Washburn, is on the educator advisory board for Fortnite. He takes us through lessons that teachers are teaching in Fornite and also the two warnings that educators need to keep in mind when teaching with this tool. www.coolcatteacher.com/e612   Sponsor: Adobe I use Adobe Premiere Rush to teach digital filmmaking in my classroom. I love it because videos and the editing projects move seamlessly between all of my student's devices. Check out this and other Adobe  resources including some from my friend Todd Nesloney on the Education Trailblazers Pinterest board that you can view at  coolcatteacher.com/adobepins . Mike Washburn - Bio As Submitted M...

A new blog has appeared on my main site: 2 Student STEM Challenges Open Now From https://www.coolcatteacher.com/2-student-stem-challenges-open-now/ 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 Build School Culture and Student Relationships From https://www.coolcatteacher.com/how-to-build-school-culture-and-student-relationships/ 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 .

We can build a positive school culture that includes good student relationships. From building a wall of dreams to bringing our best energy, Danny Steele encourages us to grow and connect with colleagues and students. www.coolcatteacher.com/e611   Sponsor: Adobe I use Adobe Premiere Rush to teach digital filmmaking in my classroom. I love it because videos and the editing projects move seamlessly between all of my student's devices. Check out this and other Adobe  resources including some from my friend Todd Nesloney on the Education Trailblazers Pinterest board that you can view at  coolcatteacher.com/adobepins . Danny Steele - Bio As Submitted I'm an educator, author, and speaker. This year marks my first as an assistant professor at the University of Montevallo. Blog: www.steelethoughts.com Twitter: @ SteeleThoughts Instagram: @ SteeleThoughts Books: I co-authored Essential Truths for Teachers and Essential Truths for Principals . Disclosure of Material C...

A new blog has appeared on my main site: 5 Starters for a Strong Team From https://www.coolcatteacher.com/5-starters-for-a-strong-team/ 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 .

You can't always pick your team but you can start helping your team come together and work like one. Jamy Bechler, host of the Success is a Choice podcast shares five ways to start building a strong team today. From knowing your purpose to developing leaders, adding value, connecting, and sharing responsibility - learn some lifelong principles of leadership. www.coolcatteacher.com/e610   Sponsor: Discovery Education Today’s podcast is sponsored by Discovery Education. They have two STEM challenges running now. The Stanley Black and Decker Making for Good Student Challenge runs now through Thursday, January 30, 2020 for students in the US in grades 9-12.  The CITGO Fueling Education Student Challenge is for students in the US in grades 5-8 now through February 13, 2020. Both challenges have students designing STEM or STEAM solutions to our world’s problems and submitting their solutions via video and an online application form.  These are two fantastic STEM edu...

A new blog has appeared on my main site: Turning Struggling Readers into Striving Readers From https://www.coolcatteacher.com/turning-struggling-readers-into-striving-readers/ 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: 3 Questions to Spark Change From https://www.coolcatteacher.com/3-questions-to-spark-change/ 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 .

Relationships are a key component of change. We have to relate to educate. We also have to relate to cooperate with our peers. Today, Vernon Wright, creator of the Zero Apology Zone, shares some drivers of change including three questions you don't want to miss. www.coolcatteacher.com/e609 Sponsor: Discovery Education Today’s podcast is sponsored by Discovery Education. They have two STEM challenges running now. The Stanley Black and Decker Making for Good Student Challenge runs now through Thursday, January 30, 2020 for students in the US in grades 9-12.  The CITGO Fueling Education Student Challenge is for students in the US in grades 5-8 now through February 13, 2020. Both challenges have students designing STEM or STEAM solutions to our world’s problems and submitting their solutions via video and an online application form.  These are two fantastic STEM education projects that will encourage design thinking, sustainability, and computational thinking as well a...

A new blog has appeared on my main site: 3 Free Ways Teachers and Students Can Collaborate Globally From https://www.coolcatteacher.com/3-free-ways-teachers-and-students-can-collaborate-globally/ 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 .

Connect your classroom! It can be done. Today Michael Drezek takes us into the "Our Global Classroom" Community and shares three of the many ways students are collaborating. Join in! www.coolcatteacher.com/e608   Sponsor: Discovery Education Today’s podcast is sponsored by Discovery Education. They have two STEM challenges running now. The Stanley Black and Decker Making for Good Student Challenge runs now through Thursday, January 30, 2020 for students in the US in grades 9-12.  The CITGO Fueling Education Student Challenge is for students in the US in grades 5-8 now through February 13, 2020. Both challenges have students designing STEM or STEAM solutions to our world’s problems and submitting their solutions via video and an online application form.  These are two fantastic STEM education projects that will encourage design thinking, sustainability, and computational thinking as well as video-related presentation skills. Join today! Resources Our Global...

Google Classroom is a tool that can help build relationships between students and teachers. But not everything is perfect. Google Classroom Guru Alice Keeler talks about what is hot and not in Google Classroom and how teachers are using it to teach. Enjoy! www.coolcatteacher.com/e607   Sponsor: Discovery Education Today’s podcast is sponsored by Discovery Education. They have two STEM challenges running now. The Stanley Black and Decker Making for Good Student Challenge runs now through Thursday, January 30, 2020 for students in the US in grades 9-12.  The CITGO Fueling Education Student Challenge is for students in the US in grades 5-8 now through February 13, 2020. Both challenges have students designing STEM or STEAM solutions to our world’s problems and submitting their solutions via video and an online application form.  These are two fantastic STEM education projects that will encourage design thinking, sustainability, and computational thinking as well ...

A new blog has appeared on my main site: What’s Hot (and Not) in Google Classroom with Alice Keeler From https://www.coolcatteacher.com/whats-hot-and-not-in-google-classroom-with-alice-keeler/ 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 .

Children need educators to reach into their world and relate to them. When struggling students find an educator who connects to them, life change can result. While one educator can't possibly reach every child, every educator can reach some child. Over a lifetime, every educator could possibly transform many children. Today, Ryan Sheehy, principal and author of Be the One for Kids: You Have the Power to Change the Life of a Child , challenges us with stories, anecdotes, and timeless truths to "Be the One" for some of the children in your classrooms and schools. www.coolcatteacher.com/e606   Sponsor: Discovery Education Today’s podcast is sponsored by Discovery Education. They have two STEM challenges running now. The Stanley Black and Decker Making for Good Student Challenge runs now through Thursday, January 30, 2020 for students in the US in grades 9-12.  The CITGO Fueling Education Student Challenge is for students in the US in grades 5-8 now through Februar...

A new blog has appeared on my main site: Be the One for Kids! From https://www.coolcatteacher.com/be-the-one-for-kids/ 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 .

Project-Based Learning is a powerful tool. Today's show gives us ideas for where we can find new and innovative project ideas and create them ourselves. Dr. Jennifer Pieratt, author of "Keep it Real with PBL" for both elementary and secondary students, shares how she finds many of the project ideas that she creates and shares at crafted curriculum. www.coolcatteacher.com/e605   Today's Sponsor is Advancement Courses. Now is the time to plan your professional development with Advancement Courses. They offer over 240 online graduate-level PD courses in 19 different subject areas. These online classes can be taken anywhere, anytime with up to six months to complete. You can save 20% off each course with the code COOL20. That's just $120 per graduate credit hour or $160 for 50 clock hours. Go to www.advancementcourses.com/coolcat .   Jennifer Pieratt - Bio As submitted Jenny Pieratt, Ph.D. is an international educator and expert in Project-Based Learning. Je...

A new blog has appeared on my main site: 5 Ways to Find Project Based Learning Ideas From https://www.coolcatteacher.com/5-ways-to-find-project-based-learning-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 .

Elizabeth Peterson was learning about SEL and as an art teacher, she knew she could teach Social Emotional Learning with the arts. So, she did. Then, she called it SEAL. Learn what she did, how it impacted students and her thoughts on this method of teaching social emotional learning. www.coolcatteacher.com/e604   Today's Sponsor is Advancement Courses. Now is the time to plan your professional development with Advancement Courses. They offer over 240 online graduate-level PD courses in 19 different subject areas. These online classes can be taken anywhere, anytime with up to six months to complete. You can save 20% off each course with the code COOL20. That's just $120 per graduate credit hour or $160 for 50 clock hours. Go to www.advancementcourses.com/coolcat . Elizabeth Peterson - Bio As Submitted Elizabeth Peterson is a teacher, author and professional development provider through her website www.theinspiredclassroom.com . An arts integration specialist, she has pro...

A new blog has appeared on my main site: How to Teach Social Emotional Learning with the Arts (aka SEAL) From https://www.coolcatteacher.com/how-to-teach-social-emotional-learning-with-the-arts-aka-seal/ 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 .

Bravery, vulnerability, acceptance of others, acceptance of yourself -- these can be difficult things to teach. Today's guest, Michelle Cottrell-Williams talks about how she teaches this in her classroom. www.coolcatteacher.com/e603   Today's Sponsor is Advancement Courses. Now is the time to plan your professional development with Advancement Courses. They offer over 240 online graduate-level PD courses in 19 different subject areas. These online classes can be taken anywhere, anytime with up to six months to complete. You can save 20% off each course with the code COOL20. That's just $120 per graduate credit hour or $160 for 50 clock hours. Go to www.advancementcourses.com/coolcat . Michelle Cottrell-Williams - Bio As submitted Michelle Cottrell-Williams @ WakeHistory has taught in the Social Studies Department at Wakefield High School in Arlington, VA since 2006. Her favorite classes to teach are Sociology and ESOL World History II. Michelle is the Social Studies...

A new blog has appeared on my main site: How to Teach Bravery From https://www.coolcatteacher.com/how-to-teach-bravery/ 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 .

Sixty-seven percent of STEM jobs will be in computing. Schools and teachers have the daunting task of lining up the needs of today's workforce with what is being taught. Jorge Valenzuela, the author of Rev Up Robotics, discusses the three things schools should be teaching so students are ready. He says schools should focus less on bright and shiny things and should dig into the basics. Hear an overview of computational thinking, algorithms, and robotics with Jorge Valenzuela. www.coolcatteacher.com/e602   Today's Sponsor is Advancement Courses. Now is the time to plan your professional development with Advancement Courses. They offer over 240 online graduate-level PD courses in 19 different subject areas. These online classes can be taken anywhere, anytime with up to six months to complete. You can save 20% off each course with the code COOL20. That's just $120 per graduate credit hour or $160 for 50 clock hours. Go to www.advancementcourses.com/coolcat . Jorge Valenz...

A new blog has appeared on my main site: 3 Basic Things Every School Should Teach Relating to Technology From https://www.coolcatteacher.com/3-basic-things-every-school-should-teach-relating-to-technology/ 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 .

Communication can be challenging for many who feel invisible. In today's show, Dr. William Lane offers encouragement for those who struggle to communicate. With six simple steps, he helps us understand how to empower those who struggle to communicate by starting small. I hope this show will help educators both empathize and encourage our students (and colleagues) who struggle to communicate. www.coolcatteacher.com/e601   Today's Sponsor is Advancement Courses. Now is the time to plan your professional development with Advancement Courses. They offer over 240 online graduate-level PD courses in 19 different subject areas. These online classes can be taken anywhere, anytime with up to six months to complete. You can save 20% off each course with the code COOL20. That's just $120 per graduate credit hour or $160 for 50 clock hours. Go to www.advancementcourses.com/coolcat . Dr. William Lane - Bio As Submitted Dr. William Lane is a dynamic, engaging, and sought-after int...

A new blog has appeared on my main site: 6 Ways to Improve Your Communication Skills From https://www.coolcatteacher.com/6-ways-to-improve-your-communication-skills/ 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 .

Settling in the land of complacency is no place for a truly remarkable teacher. Remark-ability begins in your ability to level up and learn a little more every day. Today, Rae Hughart from #teachbetter gives us five mindsets to help us teach better in 2020.  www.coolcatteacher.com/e600   Rae Hughart - Bio As submitted Rae Hughart is a Middle-Level Math Educator in Illinois, creator of the Teach Further Model, the Director of Training & Development for the Teach Better Team, and co-author of the “Teach Better” book. Rae continues to facilitate rich discussions with educators around mastering personalized learning, providing targeted student-focused feedback, and the impact of incorporating purpose into student daily learning. Through building partnerships with local businesses, Rae continues to support educators in designing dynamic, impactful, effective, and connected content - showing the impact of teaching beyond the four walls of a classroom and altering a community...

A new blog has appeared on my main site: 5 Mindsets to Teach Better Today From https://www.coolcatteacher.com/5-mindsets-to-teach-better-today/ 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 surprising intervention was shown to improve grades. The intervention took one day and was a very minimal activity by most considerations. Dr. Lauren Eskreis-Winkler digs into the research and shares what they learned. www.coolcatteacher.com/e599 Dr. Lauren Eskreis-Winkler - Bio As Submitted As a researcher, Lauren tries to motivate people who struggle with goal achievement. She has developed and disseminated motivational interventions in the U.S., West Africa, Australia, Macedonia, and the UK. These interventions aim to motivate individuals across the spectrum – struggling athletes, students in grade school and college, individuals in the workforce, smokers trying to quit smoking, and unemployed individuals on the job market. Lauren has studied the science of motivation in collaboration with businesses, educational organizations, Minor League Baseball teams, the Macedonian Ministry of Education, and the World Bank. Check out this episode!

A new blog has appeared on my main site: The Surprising 1-Day Motivational Intervention that Improves Student Achievement From https://www.coolcatteacher.com/the-surprising-1-day-motivational-intervention-that-improves-student-achievement/ 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 Math Moments That Matter From https://www.coolcatteacher.com/how-to-make-math-moments-that-matter/ 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 .

Math shouldn't break your heart. It should excite you and your students. But how? Let's move from boring, rote, repetitive math to a math class that sparks curiosity, makes sense and ignites joy. Kyle Pearce, co-creator of mathmoments.com gives us a high-level view of how every math teacher can make math moments that matter. Then, dig into the resources that help us do it. www.coolcatteacher.com/e598   Note from Vicki: This week is a whole week of motivational podcast episodes. Our regular theme days will return next week. Enjoy and have an amazing 2020. Sponsor: Check out the free webinar for math teachers – how to transform your textbook into a curiosity machine – go to  coolcatteacher.com/freemathwebinar to learn more about this free webinar being held four times in January 2020. This is a free webinar and one of the leaders is Kyle Pearce. While the webinar is free, if you choose to purchase their course, I will be paid a small affiliate fee at no additional cost...

Some students just seem to "live" in the principal's office. How do we help those students change their behavior and connect with their classmates and teachers? Today, award-winning principal, Andy Jacks, says that he spent most of his younger years in the principal's office. Some reached him and some did not, but it has shaped the discipline practices in his school. Certainly, Andy's "non-negotiables" when it comes to discipline may challenge the status quo in many schools. As you discuss discipline and reaching children, however, he has some important points to help all educators be more empathetic to the student who just can't seem to stay out of trouble. Note from Vicki: This week is a whole week of motivational podcast episodes. Our regular theme days will return next week. Enjoy and have an amazing 2020. www.coolcatteacher.com/e597   Sponsor: Check out the free webinar for math teachers – how to transform your textbook into a curiosity mach...

A new blog has appeared on my main site: What I’ve Learned From Training for a Half Marathon From https://www.coolcatteacher.com/what-ive-learned-from-training-for-a-half-marathon/ 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 Help A Student Who Is Always In the Principal’s Office From https://www.coolcatteacher.com/how-to-help-a-student-who-is-always-in-the-principals-office/ 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 .

Every child can achieve. Children are an opportunity not an obligation. Celebrate individuality. Sacrifice together. Make no excuses. Principal Hamish Brewer will be back at his school this week skateboarding down the hallway and giving high fives as he inspires his school and students to achieve their best. Hamish, the author of the book Relentless: Changing Lives By Disrupting Educational Norms , will inspire you. www.coolcatteacher.com/e596 Sponsor: Check out the free webinar for math teachers - how to transform your textbook into a curiosity machine - go to coolcatteacher.com/freemathwebinar to learn more about this free webinar being held four times in January 2020. Hamish Brewer - Bio from His Website Hamish Brewer, the relentless, tattooed, skateboarding principal in Northern Virginia isn't your normal principal. Hamish is high octane, constantly calling on his students to "Be Relentless. Mr. Brewer has become known as an educational disrupter who transcends the st...

A new blog has appeared on my main site: Students Are Opportunities Not Obligations with Hamish Brewer From https://www.coolcatteacher.com/students-are-opportunities-not-obligations-with-hamish-brewer/ 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 Teach Presentation Skills, New Technology and Research Using CES From https://www.coolcatteacher.com/how-to-teach-presentation-skills-new-technology-and-research-using-ces/ 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 Walt Disney and George Lucas Used Painful Pauses to Redefine Themselves From https://www.coolcatteacher.com/how-walt-disney-and-george-lucas-used-painful-pauses-to-redefine-themselves/ 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: The Power of a Teacher From https://www.coolcatteacher.com/the-power-of-a-teacher/ 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 .