This Technology Tool Will Change Your Lessons Forever

Written by Emily Upton - Posted Sept. 20, 2023

Think video lessons are something to leave back in 2020 with virtual teaching and making bread from scratch? Think again! If you're all about making learning fun, collecting immediate data, and creating interactive digital experiences that are actually worthwhile, then you've got to check out Edpuzzle. This secret weapon can totally transform how you show videos in your classroom! (P.S. I'm not getting paid or endorsed by Edpuzzle in any way. This is just a tool that I loved using in my classroom that I want to share with you!)

What is Edpuzzle, Anyway?

    How often do you show videos in class? I love using YouTube videos to engage students during my lessons. But there are some issues. Kids zoning out, fast-forwarding through content to get to the end, and not being able to see if my students are actually "getting it". That's where Edpuzzle comes in. Edpuzzle lets you add interactive questions throughout any video (including those YouTube videos you already use in your lessons!) Also, there is a giant library of videos that other teachers have made that you can use immediately with your students. No prep is my jam!

Reasons it Rocks

• Engagement Galore: Edpuzzle makes learning exciting by letting you add questions, quizzes, and notes right into your videos. So, as your students watch, they're not just sitting there—they're actively participating.
• Dive into Differentiation: You can personalize your lessons with Edpuzzle. Create different versions of the same video with varying levels of challenge. That way, every student gets what they need. You can even assign different videos to different students, allowing you to reteach or enrich your students' learning simultaneously in a way that you can't when you're instructing at the front of the room.
• Instant Feedback: Edpuzzle gives you the lowdown on how well your students get it. You can track their progress, see which questions gave them trouble, and adjust your teaching accordingly. I loved using the reports in math to see who still needed additional small-group instruction!
• Flexibility: Use Edpuzzle in class, for homework, or as part of a flipped classroom approach. I like to use it whole-group to discuss the video, or independently to frontload new content. It's perfect for math to review a skill taught the previous day, or record yourself teaching students how to play a new center game. The possibilities are truly endless. Plus, open-classroom mode means no additional logins for students; just share the link, and they're in!

My Fave Ways to Use Edpuzzle

    Let's dive into a few specific lesson examples with Edpuzzle videos!

• 
  Frontloading New Content in Science: Teaching about ecosystems? Use an Edpuzzle video like this one to introduce Invasive Species. Then, have students complete this research project to dive into a specific animal and plant and how it impacts the ecosystem it invaded. 
  
• 
  Planning Seamless Reading Centers: After reading and completing these reading activities with students in small groups about character traits vs. feelings, assign an Edpuzzle video like this one to put their knowledge to the test and see who needs additional support. 
  
• 
  Real-World Connections in Math: After students complete this decimal menu project, have them practice applying that real-world knowledge using a video experience like this one. 
  

    

    Edpuzzle is one of my absolute favorite tech tools for upper elementary classrooms. It turns your teaching into a dynamic, engaging, and interactive experience. By using tech in the right way, you can cater to your students' needs and set them up for success in the digital world. How will you use Edpuzzle in your classroom?

Constitution Day Lessons for Upper Elementary

Written by Emily Upton - Posted Sept. 15, 2023

Constitution Day is around the corner (September 17th), and it's the perfect time to dive into some exciting lessons about the backbone of our country – the United States Constitution. Since it's required to teach about the Constitution each year by all public schools, it can be hard to come up with new ideas that your students haven't done before. Avoid the eye rolls and vacant stares and use these fresh lesson ideas to keep your students engaged this year!

Preamble Party: Activities to Break Down the Preamble

Hearing the formal English used in the Constitution can sound like a foreign language to your students. The Preamble sets the tone for the Constitution, and helping your students understand it is key for your Constitution Day lessons! Here are some ideas to break it down into kid-friendly terms:

• Use context clues to decode the meaning of the Preamble. Start by reading through the Preamble together and predicting what each part means.  To help students understand the meaning of the formal words, play this SchoolHouse Rock Preamble video. Students can rewrite each part of the Preamble using the images from the videos. I recommend pausing it to give them a chance to discuss each part in small groups.
• After they understand the meaning, challenge your students to put the Preamble back together with this Preamble puzzle from the Constitution Center! Teams can race to be the first to accurately assemble their puzzle.

Constitutional Timeline: Understanding the History of Constitution Day

• 
  Short on time? Use this no-prep activity to teach your students about the history of Constitution Day and why it matters with this crack-the-code reading comprehension activity! Your students will love watching the code cipher puzzle unravel as they correctly answer comprehension questions. 
  
• Create a timeline of events leading to the Constitution's birth. Think Boston Tea Party, the Declaration of Independence, and the Articles of Confederation. Add some drawings and brief explanations to make it pop and keep your students engaged. If you're looking for activities to teach about the causes of the American Revolution and how it connects to the writing of the Constitution, this is a great resource!

Constitutional Day Events

• Join the live Constitution Day program hosted by iCivics! This free program offers insight into what happened during the Constitutional Convention, told by special guests George Washington and James Madison themselves. (Check out the entire iCivics website for games, lesson plans, and more related to Constitution Day!)
• The Bill of Rights Institute also has a live program and lesson plans that can make the Constitution come alive for your students!

Constitution Day doesn't have to be just another mandatory thing on your to-do list. It's a chance to show your 3rd to 5th graders that history can be exciting and relevant. These fun lesson ideas will help your students understand the Constitution and inspire them to be active, informed citizens who appreciate the awesomeness of this historic document. Happy Constitution Day, everyone!📜🎉

Back to School: Build Relationships From Day 1

Written by Emily Upton - Posted Sept. 8, 2023

Want to create meaningful connections with your students and have better classroom management starting with the first day of school? Building relationships with your students from the start is key! Here are some of my favorite strategies for fostering strong bonds with your students from the beginning of the school year.

1. Get Personal: Tell your students about you!

Building relationships with students starts with letting your students see you not just as their teacher, but as a person. You can tell them about your interests (I'm pretty sure everyone in my school knew about my obsession with Taylor Swift!), hobbies, or even
your quirky pets (Kids from years past always asked me how Ed-Cat was doing). Sharing personal stories not only humanizes you but gives students a glimpse into your life outside the classroom. It shows that you are a real person with interests and experiences beyond the subject matter you teach. It also gives you a chance to connect about shared interests.

2. Names Matter: Say them right!

Your students' names matter. On the first day of class, take the time to introduce yourself and have one-on-one conversations with each student. I usually walk around with my roster while they're working on their warm-up that first day. Ask them how they want you to address them, and make sure to tell them that you want them to correct you if you mess up. Make sure you use your students' correct pronouns as well. This is a simple way to show your students you care about them as an individual from your first interaction with them!

3. Get-To-Know Them All Year: Question of the Day

My absolute favorite strategy for building relationships is incorporating a "Question of the Day" into your classroom routine. I started every single class with a quick question. This allows you to learn more about your students not just during the first week of school, but throughout the year! Questions can range from SEL topics to questions about their interests or school experiences. This quick daily interaction fosters a sense of community and gives every student a chance to share their thoughts daily. (Want a year of SEL and community-building questions done for you? Click here!)

Grab 2 weeks of daily SEL and community-building prompts for FREE by clicking here!

4. Let Them Know You Care!

One of the most powerful ways to build relationships with students is by letting them know you genuinely care about them. Tell your students that you miss them when they're absent and let them know you're happy they're there, even when they're late. I made an effort to say "Hey, we're so glad you're here!" to students when they came in tardy, and I truly think it made a difference. Students can sense when a teacher is sincere, and your words can make all the difference for a kiddo who had a tough morning or is anxious about the fact that they missed class the previous day. When students feel valued and cared for, they are more likely to be engaged and cooperative in the classroom.

5. Build in Student Shout Outs!

I love using student shoutouts to help build a positive classroom community. Students quickly fill out a form to "shout out" a classmate that they catch doing something good. This is a great way to build confidence and help students to build connections with each other. Every Friday, students would read their shout-out forms and give them to their classmates. You can have students look for specific SEL skills that they are learning, or allow them to write about anything positive they notice their classmates doing. 

Relationships as a Classroom Management Tool

The importance of building strong relationships with students goes beyond fostering a positive classroom environment. It also plays a huge role in managing behavior. When students feel connected to you, they are more likely to follow classroom rules and expectations. They're on your side! This can eliminate a lot of behavior issues in the classroom.

Building relationships with your students is an absolutely essential part of the back-to-school season. By sharing a part of yourself, learning and using their names correctly, engaging in meaningful daily interactions, and expressing your care, you can create a classroom environment where students thrive both academically and emotionally. These relationships are not only important for a successful learning experience but also serve as a valuable tool for managing behavior. So, how do you build relationships with your students? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below! 

3 Lesson Organization Hacks That Will Change Your Life

Written by Emily Upton - Posted Sept. 5, 2023

    

Remember the days when organizing your life meant "Marie Kondo-ing" every nook and cranny of your house or apartment? While decluttering and sparking joy is its own kind of therapy, as a teacher, your daily focus is keeping your lesson materials as organized as possible. The last thing you want is to spend precious minutes searching for a worksheet while your classroom descends into anarchy. If that's been you (we've allll been there), I've got your back, because we're going to explore my three favorite lesson organization hacks that will take your lesson plans from "crap, where is it?" to smooth sailing in no time.

1. "Week at a Glance" Google Slide: Your Lifesaver

    Imagine having a single document with everything you need for the entire week. I'm talking content plans, reminders about special assemblies, substitute teacher arrangements, links to daily slideshows and other resources, and a snapshot of each lesson. Meet the "Week at a Glance" Google Slide, your ultimate game-changer.

    This simple yet brilliant solution involves creating a Google Slide with a table labeled with the days of the week. You and your teaching partner (or substitute teacher) can collaborate on this shared document seamlessly. Jot down essential details like lesson titles (e.g., "Lesson 3.2 Division with Remainders"), links to resources (hello Google Drive worksheet links), and any other critical information.

    One feature you're going to want to include? Color coding. Create a new slide each week with a green background and change the old one to red. Not only does this help you quickly see what's on the agenda for each day, but it also provides an invaluable record of your entire year's lessons, down to the day. When I was out on maternity leave, this doc was also shared with my long-term sub, ensuring a seamless transition in teaching.

2. Daily Google Slides: Your Lesson Roadmap

    Daily Google Slides are your absolute must-have for staying organized during instruction. These slides serve as your lesson roadmap, containing links, videos, your Morning Meeting slide, and any other materials needed for the day. What sets these slides apart is their dynamic nature; you can embed timers to keep your kiddos (and you!) on track for each part of the lesson. Website links let you model for your students exactly what you want them to do when you set them loose on their Chromebooks. And embedded videos and content visuals keep students engaged and on task. Need I say more?

    Now, you might be thinking, "I literally do not have time to finish the latest episode of The Bachelor, when am I supposed to create slides for each day?!" While creating these slides may seem time-consuming at first, the payoff is tremendous. They can be reused year after year making lesson planning a streamlined event. No more scrambling to find that one video link or struggling with timing—everything you need is neatly packed into your Daily Google Slides from the previous year.

3. Rainbow Organizer Drawers: Your Weekly Worksheet Savior

    If you still need to jump on the rainbow organizer drawer bandwagon, it's time to hop aboard. Those colorful organizer drawers from stores like Michaels are the best way to keep those millions of worksheets organized and at your fingertips.

    Here's how it works: designate a drawer for each day of the week, creating a daily bin. In each bin, store all the copies and materials you need for that day's lesson. As you start your day, simply pull out the entire stack and place it on the corner of your desk for easy access.

    The real trick to success with this method is consistency. When you're making copies in advance, attach a sticky note to label the days of the week. Any extra copies or materials that don't fit in the bins can be stored neatly in your cabinet with corresponding stickies.

    By implementing these 3 lesson organization hacks into your teaching routine, you will feel like the teacher boss that you are. No more searching for lost worksheets or feeling overwhelmed by the daily chaos of teaching. With these strategies, you'll have more time to focus on what truly matters—actually teaching. Try out these organizational tools, and watch your teaching experience transform for the better!