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Hi, I'm Matt Miller. I love supporting teachers and saving them time. I'm all about deep, meaningful, FUN learning.

More than 100,000 educators worldwide get my best teaching ideas in my FREE email newsletter.

PS: Subscribe and get six FREE ebooks full of ideas to help you plan for class tomorrow.

About Ditch That Textbook

We can do better than marching
chapter by chapter through a textbook.

In his own classes, Matt Miller found that textbooks were more an obstacle to learning than a help. He ditched them. For years, he's learned what works better than traditional "textbook" teaching and shared those ideas widely. His workshops and keynote speeches empower, entertain and inspire teachers to move forward confidently.

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Get a weekly dose of tips, tricks, templates and more in your inbox -- practical ideas you can use in your class right away.

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101 Practical Ways to Ditch That Textbook

101 Ways to Ditch That Textbook with G Suite

AND 50 Free Templates for teachers

Google ideas to make your classroom click

Create amazing, unforgettable learning experiences.

When your students use Docs, Slides, Sheets and more in G Suite, they can do so much more than write an essay or do an oral report.

But how?

Coming up with creative classroom activities with Google tools is our jam. Learn how your students can create ...

* stop-motion animation
* infographics
* digital interactive notebooks
* and more.
Check out our FREE resources, including downloadable templates!

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The lessons are our way to change the world through our students! 🙌Thanks for all the resources @jmattmiller #Interface2019https://t.co/SxUXoWPfgr

Level Up Your Skills

Bring teaching into today's age with these practical ideas, mindset shifts and curriculum adjustments.

Make the Most of Your Class Technology

Want to make sure you're using your technology meaningfully? That you'll get results? This video series will give you some insight.

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Learn how to move the needle for learning with tech. With these six areas, you'll see results from your tech use.

©2023 Ditch That Textbook by Matt Miller.

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Ditch That Textbook offers technology for teachers that allows them to revolutionize their classrooms. With these educational technology tools, teachers can embrace classroom innovation & creativity.

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"google apps" "youtube help" tutorials "technology for teachers" "3d printing" "free technology" "educational technology" "microsoft office" "microsoft word"...

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Teacher's Tech wants to help you get more out of your tech. Weekly videos will showcase tips, tricks, tutorials, apps, extensions, and tech gadgets. About Jamie Keet: I've taught for over 20 years, during that time I have had the chance to teach elementary through high school and lead many PD days coaching other teachers in the use of technology.

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"alice keeler" google googleedu edtech "google classroom" microsoftedu teaching teacher

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I am a wife, mother of 5, teacher, speaker, and author. Named the "Queen of Spreadsheets" by Google, I am an expert in EdTech integration. However, no amount of technology can replace a great teacher. With that in mind, I help teachers learn to use today's tech tools to enhance instruction and build relationships with their students.

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Ereading Worksheets provides teachers, parents, and motivated students with high-quality reading worksheets, activities, and resources aligned with Common Core State Standards. This website uses a skill focused approach where each activity targets a specific skill set, but you can also browse the reading worksheets by grade level.

The resources on this website cover a broad range of reading, writing, and language arts skills. And this site has a growing collection of online reading activities. Everything on here is free for home and classroom use. I am committed to expanding and improving the content on this site and making it easy to access for learners around the world. Subscribe now to receive emails about new content and big updates to this site.

Some Useful Pages

Reading Resources

Figurative Language Resources

Language Arts Resources

Writing Resources

This site is a labor of love. It has grown tremendously over the years, and I am still working diligently to continue to update and improve this website.

Send comments, questions, corrections, or feedback to mortonteaches@gmail.com or post in the comments below. I'm just one person, but I try my best to reply to vistors, meet requests, and offer help when I can. Thanks for visiting!

Still looking for something?
Search here.

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Click here for the best FREE reading worksheets on the internet. These worksheets are skill focused, great for differentiated instruction.

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Story cubes have long been a popular item to give inspiration for writing. Typically they are regular cubes with a different picture or word on each face. Students can pick a few cubes and then roll them to randomly get elements for a story.

Although you can certainly buy these cubes, you can also make you own. Better yet, students can each make several story cubes and then you will have dozens and dozens to use from your class.

One easy way to make your own story cubes is to use Google Drawings with pictures, emojis, or text. See below to get copies of my Google Drawings Story Cube templates, along with detailed directions on how you and your students can make these.

Story Cube Templates

Below you will find three Google Drawing templates for making story cubes. Each is optimized for different types of cubes including picture cubes, emoji cubes, and text cubes.

Story Cube Template - Picture Version

To use the picture version of the Story Cube template, do the following:

Make a copy of the template - Google Drawing link

To add a picture, first click "Insert" then "Image" then "Search the web".

Search for a picture that would be good for a story.

Hint: Add the word "clipart" or "PNG" to find simpler looking images.

Insert, move, and resize the image as needed to fit it inside one of the cube faces.

Repeat until all six faces of the cube are done.

Print out the completed template (Click "File" then "Print")

Cut out, fold, and glue or tape together your story cube.

Story Cube Template - Emoji Version

To use the emoji version of the Story Cube template, do the following:

Make a copy of the template - Google Drawing link

To add an emoji, first double-click inside one of the cube face squares.

Click "Insert" then "Special characters" then choose the "Emoji" category.

You can then choose a sub-category of emoji as needed.

Find and insert an emoji that would be good for a story.

Repeat until all six faces of the cube are done.

Print out the completed template (Click "File" then "Print")

Cut out, fold, and glue or tape together your story cube.

Story Cube Template - Text Version

To use the text version of the Story Cube template, do the following:

Make a copy of the template - Google Drawing link

To add a word, first double-click inside of each square.

Type in a word that would be good for a story.

Adjust the font size of your text as needed.

Repeat until all six faces of the cube are done.

Print out the completed template (Click "File" then "Print")

Cut out, fold, and glue or tape together your story cube.

Using the Story Cubes

When making the story cubes, you have many options for what to put on the cubes.

Some cubes may have characters on each face.

Some cubes may have a location on each face.

Some cubes may have an interesting object on each face.

Or the cubes may have a mix of lots of different items or ideas.

When it is time to write a story, journal entry, poem, or such, a students can select several cubes (usually three to five). The student can then roll the cubes to see what items randomly come up on top of each cube. They can now use those images, emojis, or words to inspire them and incorporate into their writing.
Story cubes can be a fun way to inspire students with their writing. Of course, these cubes can be used to create lots of other things besides story prompts. For example, you could make math cubes by putting numbers and operations on the faces. Whatever you make, please feel free to share your ideas and/or creations through the comments section below.

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Create Your Own Story Cubes with Google Drawings

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Story cubes have long been a popular item to give inspiration for writing. Typically they are regular cubes with a different picture or wo...

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A bilingual site for educators and families of English language learners

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Bridging The Binary: Examining and Addressing the Digital Divide in the era of Artificial Intelligence

Keynote with Ken Shelton
REGISTER IN PLM> About Ken
Ken (He/Him/His) is a highly distinguished professional in education, with a Master's degree in Education with a specific focus on Educational Technology and New Media Design and Production. His academic background is complemented by over two decades of hands-on teaching experience, with a significant part of his career devoted to shaping young minds at the Middle School level through the lens of technology.

Ken is an esteemed member of the Educational Technology community, standing tall with accolades from leading global tech entities such as Apple, Google, and Microsoft. He holds the esteemed title of an Apple Distinguished Educator, a Google Certified Innovator, and a Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert, signifying his active and influential role in advancing educational technology.

Ken's expertise extends to the sphere of policy-making, being a notable figure in the California State Superintendent of Public Instruction's Education Technology Task Force. A committed advocate for equal learning opportunities, he regularly imparts knowledge and insights through keynote speeches, personalized consulting, organizational culture/change, school/district transformation, and hands-on workshops. His range of expertise covers an array of topics, including but not limited to, Organizational Leadership, Policy Analysis, Inclusive Learning Environments, Antibias/Antiracism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Multimedia Literacy, Cultural Intelligences, Design and Career and Technical Education (CTE).

Recognized by the International Society for Technology in Education, Ken was the proud recipient of the Digital Equity Professional Learning Network Excellence Award in 2018 and the Making IT Happen Award in 2022 due to his extraordinary commitment, leadership, courage, and persistence in improving digital learning opportunities for students. His unyielding dedication to enhancing digital learning opportunities for students led him to be acknowledged as an influencer to follow by EdTech Magazine.

Ken's influence transcends borders, having been invited to speak at numerous global conferences, schools, NGOs, and education-related gatherings. His wealth of practical experience, knowledge, and perspectives provide invaluable support to various organizations, including State Departments of Education, Ministries of Education, and non-profits.

Among many things, Ken provides insightful guidance as a member of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Board for several technology companies and non-profit organizations. His responsibilities extend beyond advisory roles to include policy analysis, platform evaluation, and community outreach, alongside aiding in the creation of fair and inclusive recruitment and retention programs. His endeavors aim to build a more equitable, inclusive future in the world of technology and education.

iGen: Teaching and Guiding the Smartphone Generation

Keynote: Jean Twenge

Today's older kids, teens, and young adults are Gen Z (also known as iGen), the first generation to spend their adolescence with smartphones. Gen Z'ers are growing up more slowly as adolescents, spending more time online, and spending less time hanging out with their friends in person. They are also more motivated by end goals and less by intrinsic joy than previous generations. You'll walk away from this session with ideas for how to better reach this generation in the classroom and help them be happier and healthier overall.
REGISTER IN PLM >

Active-Con

Active-Con, now in its 8th year, this year will be about Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Location: Edith Macy Conference Center, Briarcliff Manor, NY
REGISTER IN PLM >
How Will We Respond to the A.I. Revolution?

KEYNOTE : JOHN SPENCER

The A.I. Revolution is here. For some, it's exciting. For others, it feels terrifying. Still others feel baffled and confused by it. Many of us feel a mix of all three emotions. But one thing is clear. It's here and it's not going away. In this keynote, we explore how we might adapt and change as we navigate the new terrain of an AI world. We explore the human skills students will need in a world of smart machines. Ultimately, we'll be reminded of the hope and humanity we continue to have in a time of epic change.

ABOUT JOHN

John Spencer is a former middle school teacher and current full-time professor who is passionate about seeing kids reach their creative potential. He is the co-author of the bestselling books Launch, Empower, and Vintage Innovation. In 2013, he spoke at the White House, sharing a vision for how to empower students to be future-ready through creativity and design thinking. His most recent book is The A.I. Roadmap.

ABOUT JERRY

Jerry Crisci is the founding co-Director of the Center for Innovation for the Scarsdale Public Schools in Scarsdale, NY, where he also served as Director of Instructional Technology and Innovation. His work has been profiled in The Wall Street Journal, CBS radio's Charles Osgood program, School CIO, District Administration, and EdTech magazines. Under his leadership, Scarsdale was awarded a Technology Salute by the National School Boards Association at their annual conference in Anaheim, California, one of three districts selected nationally.

Jerry served as a contributing editor at Electronic Learning magazine and a columnist for Kids and Computers magazine. His articles and software reviews have appeared in many books and publications, including Classroom Computer Learning, Multimedia Schools, Instructor, Technology Horizons in Education and Middle Years. He also wrote chapters about the use of educational technology in two books, Bridging the Gap: Integrating Curriculum in Upper Elementary and Middle School (Heineman)and Information Technology for Schools: Creating Practical Knowledge To Improve Student Performance (with Ken Holvig) (Jossey-Bass).

Jerry enjoys speaking about the future of instructional technology, and has given keynote speeches at school districts, universities, and corporations, including Google, Apple, and IBM. He has also presented at several national and international conferences, including the International Conference on Technology and Education at MIT, the NSBA Technology and Learning Conference, The New Media Consortium Conference, the Consortium for School Networking (COSN) conferences in Washington DC and San Diego, the Central and Eastern European Schools Association (CEESA) Conference in Vienna, Austria, and at several ISTE Conferences around the country.

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REGISTER IN PLM> About Ken Ken (He/Him/His) is a highly distinguished professional in education, with a Master's degree in Education with a specific focus on Educational Technology and New Media Design and Production.

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Do More with Google Drawings (Templates)

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Do More with Google Drawings (Templates)

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Do More with Google Drawings - Templates

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Templates for Google Drawing
The links below have been set up as “templates.” Most of the instructions in the templates are off to the sides, so you won’t see them unless you choose “use template” at the top right corner. **TEMPLATES FOLDER UPDATE: Google Drive changed their settings, so the

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Home - New York State Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages

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New York State Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages

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Calm is the #1 app for sleep and meditation. Join the millions experiencing better sleep, lower stress, and less anxiety.

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