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Juan-Antonia

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Our first feature-length documentary won a 2021 Emmy in the category of Best Writing: Documentary!

Making Change Together

We make movies that make a difference

Our first movie, The Story of Stuff, started it all, launching an honest conversation about our consumption-crazed culture. Since then, we've produced dozens more animated shorts and documentaries that chart a path to a more just and sustainable future.

Want to help write the next chapter in the Story of Stuff? Whatever you have to offer, a better future needs it! Take our Changemaker Personality Quiz to see what role you can play in the movement.

We're part of a global movement working to hold polluters accountable and put people over profit. Join the movement for a future free from plastic pollution by taking action with us today.

The Story of "The Story Of Stuff"

Watch the film that started it all!

Learn

Media
There are lots of ways to tell a story. That's why we have a podcast, a book, a blog, and multiple video series - all to inform and inspire you.

Learn
Whether you're a teacher, a faith leader, or just somebody who is interested in learning more, we offer a diverse set of teaching tools for all ages.

Small Grants
Ready to help change the story? We provide small grants to grassroots groups all around the world to help amplify the efforts of changemakers on the frontlines.

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Our first feature-length documentary won a 2021 Emmy in the category of Best Writing: Documentary! Our first movie, The Story of Stuff, started it all, launching an honest conversation about our consumption-crazed culture. Since then, we've produced dozens more animated shorts and documentaries that chart a path to a more just and sustainable future.

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School Starts at 8:00

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Rita Pierson

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https://www.powtoon.com/online-presentation/bJdVIr8qUPl/?mode=movie#/

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Free Technology For Teachers – A TeacherMeade site

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Center Stage Academy of the Performing Arts

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"Live Your Dreams and Never Give Up" featuring Gabi Shull

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Very Inspiring! When cancer fighter Gabi Shull had her leg amputated she feared that she would never dance again. Please watch and share this powerful and unique 1-minute video. Special thanks to Gabi's brilliant prosthetist for designing her custom pointe foot.

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Purse

In a fast-paced stream of events through alleys and with a police car—all underscored by the Black Eyed Peas song, "Where is the Love," we watch the drama unfold and wonder if the young man is stealing or returning the purse—until the last triumphant moment.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
(Stand Alone Lyrics)
What's wrong with the world, mama?
People livin' like they ain't got no mamas.
I think the whole world's addicted to the drama.
Only attracted to things that'll bring the trauma.
Yeah. Madness is what you demonstrate,
And that's exactly how anger works and operates.
Man, you gotta have love just to set it straight.
Take control of your mind and meditate.
Let your soul gravitate to the love ya'll, ya'll.

People killin', people dying.
Children hurt and hear them cryin'?
Can you practice what you preach?
Would you turn the other cheek?

Boy: Ma'am!
Woman: (Gasps)
Boy: You forgot your purse.
Woman: Oh. You don't know how worried I was. Thank you! Thank you very much!
Police Officer: Hey!

Voiceover: Honesty. Pass it on.

Police Officer: Nice move kid. Donut?

Voiceover: A message from The Foundation for a Better Life.

(Lyrics Underneath Above Dialogue)
Father, Father, Father help us,
Send us some guidance from above.
'Cause people got me, got me questionin',
Where is the love?
The love, the love.
Where is the love?

Honesty. Pass It On!

Your Comments

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See the Pass it On Honesty commercial where a kid returns a purse

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Purse In a fast-paced stream of events through alleys and with a police car-all underscored by the Black Eyed Peas song, "Where is the Love," we watch the drama unfold and wonder if the young man is stealing or returning the purse-until the last triumphant moment.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgTr8qPFhzc ;  https://www.youtube.com/watch/?v=0Ij1P_c12Zc ;  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDQ6c_bLr2o

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Great for Critical Thinking, Collaboration, Communication

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Love to present on Breakout EDU? Great! Consider applying to become a Breakout EDU Authorized Trainer for some great professional learning opportunities.

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How many students tune out as soon as they find out a video, film, or youtube clip will be shown in class. Make studen's accountable for material in the video presentation

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When choosing an online casino, you want to choose the one offering next-level service, exquisite design and the ultimate gaming experience. Here are the top unrivaled casino sites and the most loved online slots.
Players from United States Accepted:
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Latest Published Slot Reviews with Free Play:
Live Casinos and Games - for Ultimate Gaming Authenticity

Live dealer casinos are a breed of their own and offer a wonderful opportunity to experience online gambling on a completely different level. The 'live' factor on such sites brings all the best aspect of a brick-and-mortar casino directly to your living room - or wherever you may be. You get to enjoy the luxurious look and feel of the setting, and it's almost like you are really sitting at a real table.

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So in order to choose the best casino bonus for you, you need to first make sure you are in fact eligible for it. And after that you can consider whether or not the bonus is of any value to you based on a set of different factors, such as the terms, the bonus amount, type, etc. Speaking of which, here are some of the most common types of online casino bonuses you may come across.

Casino Game Providers - The Minds behind the Fun

There are quite a few different software manufacturers out there providing fantastic online slot games for any taste. And all the best game providers have something that makes their titles unique and different from the rest - some recognizable hallmark.

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Casino Banking Options

Casino payments directly concerns your money and you don't want to make any compromises where money is concerned. Make sure that it supports the method or methods you already use, know and trust. In addition to that, check to see if those same methods are also available for withdrawals, because that's not always the case.

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Casino Payment methods average withdrawal times:
Deposit: ✔ Withdraw: ✔

Withdrawal Time: 3-7 business days

Deposit: ✔ Withdraw: ✔

Withdrawal Time: 3-7 business days

Deposit: ✔ Withdraw: ✔

Withdrawal Time: 1 business day

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As far as mobile casinos go, our main concern is that they be able to offer the same high quality gaming experience across all devices and all operating systems. Players shouldn't have to compromise on graphics, game selection, loading speed or anything at all if they choose to enjoy their online gambling sessions on the go. So, here you will find the casinos that can deliver the most seamless and smooth experience on all of your gadgets, whether it be in an app or via web browser.

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All online casinos are real money casinos, meaning that you can deposit, win and withdraw actual cash on these platforms. Hence, the games you will find on these sites are available for real money play.

With that in mind, though, note that many games also have demo mode or free play mode. This means that you have the option to try them out without necessarily having to invest any of your own funds in them. This is a great opportunity to get to know an unfamiliar title, for example, in a very safe way. And if you enjoy it, then you can decide to play with real money for the chance to win some genuine cash.

Best Online Casinos for June
Players from United States Accepted:
Our Chief Editor's Top Pick

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When choosing an online casino, you want to choose the one offering next-level service, exquisite design and the ultimate gaming experience. Here are the top unrivaled casino sites and the most loved online slots. Players from United States Accepted: Finding the perfect online casino that best fits your needs can be very difficult with such an abundance of options to choose from.

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For those not 1:1 in classroom technology.
Great use for exit tickets. Checking for understanding

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Electronic Flashcards.
Use for Vocabulary, 2nd language

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No mobile devices in your classroom? No worries! You can enjoy Nearpod from any web browser :) Create, engage, and assess your students in every lesson!

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Michelle's Best Practice

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for Communication & Collaboration

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A few years ago, during one of our professional development sessions, we did an activity called "See, Run, Do". It was an excellent team-building activity to reinforce the idea of how important it is to work together and effectively communicate. I remember thinking that it would be perfect as a back to school activity. As I was cleaning out some old files in preparation for a new year, I came across my notes from this activity. I decided this was the year to try "See, Run, Do" in my classroom.

I put students in groups of 3 or 4. Each student received an index card (or printable card included below) that said see, run, or do. I asked the group to consider who might be strong in drawing so I could give that person the do card. For those students that had 4 in their group, two students received a "do" card. Each group received one piece of white construction paper and a set (one of each color) of crayons, markers, or colored pencils (their choice).

I then explained the activity to students:

"Today, we are going to need to work as a team. I have placed a picture in the hallway. In a moment, the person in each group with the "see" card is going to be allowed to look at that picture. They will need to think about what they see in that picture carefully because they will be the only person who will see it."

I went on to tell students that the "run" person will have to meet the "see" person at a designated area. The "run" person is not allowed to be anywhere in the view of the picture. When the "run" person meets the "see" person, it will be their job to tell them what they see. The "run" person will then take that information back to the "do" person, who will be waiting in the classroom with the supplies, ready to draw what the runner tells them. The "runner" will be allowed to go back and forth between the "see" person and the "do" person as many times as they can in a 10 minute period. I did not let my students actually run, so I was explicit in telling them that even though they are called the "run" person, they would be walking briskly instead.

I did give one piece of advice: I told the "see" students that they should think about delivering a small piece of information each time so that it's easy for the "run" student to remember.

After 10-15 minutes, all students came back to their groups and the "see" students shared the picture with their group. They compared their drawings to the pictures that were drawn by the "do" students. Here's what they came up with:

Some students were disappointed that their drawings weren't closer to the actual picture. I made my way around to each group and asked if each could identify at least five details that they had correct and each one was able to. We had a discussion about why communication and teamwork were important to the success of this activity.I told them that they needed to be proud of their communication and that five was a great accomplishment and the direct result of awesome teamwork!

In all honesty, my 27 students did a really fantastic job! I heard zero arguments and saw a display of teamwork that was truly impressive for a group of children who had only been together for 3 days. I made it a point to compliment them on their communication and teamwork. I think we've set a really great tone for the school year!

If you'd like to grab the printable see, run, do cards, click on the image below. Print on colored paper to make them colorful.

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See, Run, Do - A Communication Focused Team Building Activity for Back to School

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A few years ago, during one of our professional development sessions, we did an activity called "See, Run, Do". It was an excellent team-building activity to reinforce the idea of how important it is to work together and effectively communicate. I remember thinking that it would be perfect as a back to school activity.

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Jose"s Best Practice

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Jobs, Worksheets, and Flashcards for the ESL and TEFL Teacher.

Find Science Worksheets and Teaching Resources at www.science-teachers.com

Halloween Flashcards

Amounts and Containers
Superhero Flashcards

The continents and oceans card game. Good content-based ESL for practising present perfect and simple past as well as geography terms.
Clothes Flashcards History Worksheets and Teaching Resources at www.littlehistorians.com.

Site Search

Glossary of ESL terms

Snowflakes are beautiful!

Phonics Resources

CVC Words

Consonant Digraphs

Long Vowels

Introduction: Young Learner Worksheets:

Basic ESL worksheets for K7 young learners . This section has been much expanded with over one hundred units of young learners' teaching materials.

Seasonal Links:

Fall Worksheets

Teach autumn vocabulary with these fall worksheets and activities. Also, check out the fall teaching resources for young learners, the fall bingo, and fall super quiz game.

Halloween Worksheets

There are a number of Halloween worksheets and activities including Halloween bingo, Halloween flashcards, Halloween videos, and the Halloween super quiz game. There is also a Halloween young learners unit.

new! Super Quiz Game

Generate quiz games for your class with the new Super Quiz Game generators.

Get your students ready to interact with coworkers in the worplace with these Workplace Interactions
workplace listening, reading, and vocabulary selections.

new! Listening Selections

Practise listening with beginner, intermediate, and advanced listening dialogues.

new! Vocabulary Video Presentations

There are a number of vocabulary video presentations on topics such as the season, cooking verbs, and places in a city.

Content Questions

Board Game

An excellent communicative activity with extensive support materials for teaching kids. In the Content Questions Board Game game kids answer content questions like What do seeds need to grow?

Word Skills Game

Rhyming Riddles

This section contains rhyming riddle worksheets that can be used as fun vocabulary review and rhyme awareness exercises. Now there are also anagram riddles, homophone riddles, and word morph riddles as well.
Proverbs Communication Activity I need a Ticket to Osaka, Japan? Frog Life Cycle Worksheets Can I Bug You for a Sec?
A solving a puzzle. A good classroom English role-play as students use language to talk role-play where students ask for help about words.
Reporting Changes Can I take a message? Telephone English
Students practice taking and leaving message with this telephone English role-play . There is also a business English version .
Giving Directions
A role-play to practice asking someone out to dinner and giving directions to the restaurant. Also, Giving directions II: directions by subway or bus route . And finally, giving directions III: directions by roadmap and suggesting somewhere to go .
Movie Lessons!
Two great activities with worksheets, role-plays, and activities for teaching ESL for movies.
I'm Calling about the Apartment? Little Letter Tracing Worksheets: A Visit to the Doctor Role-play How Much Is It? Short Conversation Resources Teaching Effective Communication Through Graded Reading Materials TEFL Grapevine Grammar Soccer: Reported Speech: Traveling Among Monsters Language Enrichment:
The Biggleborians: This worksheet combines anthropology and ESL. Useful for teaching the present progressive and the past.
Irregular Past Tense Verbs Food Chain Worksheets:

Word Skills Cloze Activties

This section contains worksheet generators for reviewing word skills such as synonyms, antonyms, categories, past tense, and naming.

Large Flashcards

We've collected all of our large flashcard sets into one section.

Job Fair: A Role-play
Easy ESL Crosswords
A collection of ESL crosswords put together by Lanternfish ESL:

English Vocabulary Games
A collection of games and vocabulary activities on a variety of themes put together by Lanternfish ESL for advanced beginner to intermediate students:

Teaching Relative Clauses with Massive Comprehensible Input
This section contains 20 crosswords made using a database of clues in the form of relative clauses. There is also a new collection with word skills crosswords.
Describing and Captioning Pictures
A great activity for sentence level speaking and writing. Students describe a picture in as many sentences as they can. There is also a section for young learners now. And now there is a spot the difference section and story questions worksheets.
Initial Sounds and Final Sounds Phonics Worksheets
Over 30 new worksheets that cover the initial sounds of words . There are also some newly added Final Sounds Worksheets . Also check out the phonics monsters .
Alphabet Worksheets
A collection of alphabet worksheets including alphabet mazes , alphabet trains , and big letter coloring worksheets and small letter tracing sheets .
Reading Puzzle Packets Juicy Baek: ESL Surveys: Telephone Language: Superlatives Communication Activity The ESL Science Center:
A with science articles geared towards monthly web magazine ESL learners. This month: Reptiles, Amphibians, Science, Scientists, and Anthropology.

Writers Workshop:

T he workshop has moved. Lessons on Weighing an Argument, Building an Argument, and Refuting an Argument.
Preposition Cards:
G hosts, trolls, and aliens are in the house.Check out the Preposition Flashcards.
Hypothetically Speaking Game: Web Guide Other Resources?
T he Dolch Sight Words teaching materials are new. As well as the Phrasal Verb Crosswords . The Harry Potter Worksheets .
ESL Business Activities: ESL Game Boards:
Dozens of Printable Game boards for communicative classes.
Holiday Worksheets Information Gap Exercises Conversation Question Prompts
Learn forest animal names and the conjunction 'and' with this Bingo Game . Now, there are many new bingo games with bingo card generators with topics such as birds, animals, kitchen objects, shapes and colors .
City Worksheets:
Activities and worksheets with a city theme .

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ESL Teacher Resources, Job Boards, and Worksheets

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Worksheets, jobs, flashcards, lesson plans, and activities for teaching ESL and EFL

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This is a fun review game for students. Can be used with whole brain teaching or just in general.

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This is a 7th grade math class playing Mind Soccer Review Game! www.powerteachers.net

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I was originally going to share this with the group for my tech talk. It's a great book about inspiring a love of reading with students.

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Speak Out | Inspiration | The Teddy Stoddard Story

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Teachnet.Com | Smart Tools for Busy Teachers: Lesson Plans, Resources & Links, Teacher-2-Teacher Conference Boards, Free Power Tools downloads, bulletin boards, 'how to' projects for the classroom.

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Tech Fair 2016

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Are you introducing a new UNIT? Do you want to highlight an upcoming field trip or event? Do you want to spotlight a group of students and their good work? Make a "Trailer" using iMovie. Better yet...Let your students do it!

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Purpose: To deepen/clarify our thinking about what we read.

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Discussion and Supporting Materials

Thought starters

1. How do students "write to learn?

2. " How does Ms. Culver use questioning to push her students' understanding?

3. What engagement strategies can you learn from Ms. Culver?

Teachers

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High school English teacher Andrea Culver engages students in direct instruction through writing to learn, questioning, and classroom talk. Using videos, music, and pictures, Andrea teaches her students about the history of American music. Andrea engages students by having them write about their thoughts and observations, share and collaborate with others, and ask questions to push her students' understanding.

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Math.3.MD.C.7b

Common core State Standards

Math: Math

3: Grade 3

MD: Measurement & Data

C: Geometric measurement: understand concepts of area and relate area to multiplication and to addition

7b:
Relate area to the operations of multiplication and addition.

a. Find the area of a rectangle with whole-number side lengths by tiling it, and show that the area is the same as would be found by multiplying the side lengths.
<br />
b. Multiply side lengths to find areas of rectangles with whole-number side lengths in the context of solving real world and mathematical problems, and represent whole-number products as rectangular areas in mathematical reasoning.

c. Use tiling to show in a concrete case that the area of a rectangle with whole-number side lengths a and b + c is the sum of a × b and a × c. Use area models to represent the distributive property in mathematical reasoning.

d. Recognize area as additive. Find areas of rectilinear figures by decomposing them into non-overlapping rectangles and adding the areas of the non-overlapping parts, applying this technique to solve real world problems.

Download Common Core State Standards (PDF 1.2 MB)

|

Math.3.MD.D.8

Common core State Standards

Math: Math

3: Grade 3

MD: Measurement & Data

D: Geometric measurement: recognize perimeter

8:
Solve real world and mathematical problems involving perimeters of polygons, including finding the perimeter given the side lengths, finding an unknown side length, and exhibiting rectangles with the same perimeter and different areas or with the same area and different perimeters.

Download Common Core State Standards (PDF 1.2 MB)

Thought starters

1. Why does Ms. Park go back to 3rd grade content standards?

2. How does she ramp up to teaching 6th grade content?

3. When Ms. Park says that you create your practice by knowing the content first, what does this mean?

4. How does Ms. Park ask students to reflect on their learning?

5. Why is this reflection important?

School Details

Eastside College Preparatory School
1041 Myrtle Street
East Palo Alto CA 94303

Data Provided By:

Teachers

English Language Arts Math Science Social Studies / 6 / Teacher

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Table for 22: A Real-World Geometry Project

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Sixth grade teacher Suney Park begins by asking her class to imagine that all 22 students want to sit together at a rectangular table. Suney asks students to figure out both the biggest and smallest table they could sit at. Suney explains how this problem changed students' understanding of area, helping them to see area as "the space inside."

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ELA.W.1.3

Common core State Standards

ELA: English Language Arts

W: Writing Standards K-5

1: 1st Grade

3:
Write narratives in which they recount two or
more appropriately sequenced events, include
some details regarding what happened, use
temporal words to signal event order, and
provide some sense of closure.

Download Common Core State Standards (PDF 1.2 MB)

|

ELA.W.1.5

Common core State Standards

ELA: English Language Arts

W: Writing Standards K-5

1: 1st Grade

5:
With guidance and support from adults, focus on
a topic, respond to questions and suggestions
from peers, and add details to strengthen writing
as needed.

Download Common Core State Standards (PDF 1.2 MB)

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Thought starters

1. How does process praise help students develop growth mindsets?

2. How does Ms. Stewart make sure her process praise is authentic?

3. What tips does Ms. Stewart share for how teachers can begin to use process praise in their classrooms?

Teachers

English Language Arts Math Science Social Studies Arts / Kindergarten 1 / Teacher

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Chana Stewart uses process praise to help her students develop growth mindsets. She shows us how she uses this praise during writing workshop and offers tips for how other teachers can try this type of praise.

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Let me know if the file doesn't work for you. I have it saved as a PDF as well, however, padlet won't take my file for some reason!

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What is Genius Hour? - Introduction to Genius Hour in the Classroom

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Step by step how to...

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Kahoot! | Learning games | Make learning awesome!

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Kahoot! is a game-based learning platform that brings engagement and fun to 1+ billion players every year at school, at work, and at home. Sign up for free!

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Let me know if theres an artist or genre you would like during our breaks and work time!
-Jesson (aka Jam Master J)

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Have you ever heard of using the "Tug of War" strategy with your students?

I got this great idea from the book, "Making Thinking Visible"

This is an AMAZING teaching resource! If you are looking for ways to promote engagement and critical thinking in your class (who isn't?!) this is definitely a must read!

So, the Tug of War strategy goes like this:

1. Present a fairness dilemma.

2. Identify the factors that "pull" at each side of the dilemma. These are the two sides of the tug of war.

3. Ask students to think of "tugs", or reasons why they support a certain side of the dilemma. Ask them to try to think of reasons on the other side of the dilemma as well.

4. Generate "what if?" questions to explore the topic further.

My first and second graders have been learning about animals. So today we did a tug of war for how people impact the lives and homes of animals.

In the middle I wrote: "People have a positive impact on animals and their habitats. Then I gave students sticky notes and had them write down their ideas to support this or refute it.

Check out how many ideas they had! I was amazed! And the conversations we had while they were writing out their sticky notes were phenomenal.

This is a great strategy for increasing engagement in your students and for using higher order thinking skills! Whether you teach Kindergarten or grade twelve I believe all students will find success with this activity. Give it a try.

What are your favorite activities that promote higher order thinking skills?

Another activity you might like is creating a digital wonderwall. You can read about that here.

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How About a Tug of War? Making Thinking Visible

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Have you ever heard of using the "Tug of War" strategy with your students? I got this great idea from the book, "Making Thinking Visible" This is an AMAZING teaching resource! If you are looking for ways to promote engagement and critical thinking in your class (who isn't?!)

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(best practice)

After a given topic  and lesson or lessons, pose a specific question to a group and have them collaboratively come up with and answer that is as specific as possible. Then anonymously read the responses to the class and gather positive feedback as well as ways to improve.  The second round, with a new question, will show more specific answers and groups will learn to be more clear in their organization and explanations while cementing the concepts within their learning.

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Classcraft - Relationships are everything.

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A positive approach to behavior that inspires educators and motivates learners

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Creative and Critical Thinking Book Report Projects

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Veronica Abreo
Best Practice Presentation
Engagement strategies for EDI lesson

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Challenge yourself and your kids to put together a classic dissection puzzle. Get the printable here: http://www.whatdowedoallday.com/2015/07/t-puzzle.html ‎

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Class Creator Blog | Resources for Educators

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Why do kids need to learn to struggle?

As adults we all know the most rewarding experiences in life often involve significant struggle and sacrifice at some stage. Personally the greatest joys in my life have all come with some form of struggle...

Being married. We are very happily married, but that doesn't mean we are always very happy with one another.

Being a parent. The most rewarding thing I have and will ever do...but where did my sleep go? (x100 for my wife)

Staying healthy. I like chocolate and since turning 30 my metabolism can't burn 50,000 calories as easily as it used to.

Being a teacher. How do I motivate/help/manage/engage/inspire/avoid being stabbed by this student?

Without the ability to struggle life becomes very limited.

A fear of struggling will stop students from trying something they are not 100% certain they will succeed at with ease.

The list of things we know we can all succeed at in the adult world probably consists of 1) breathing 2) eating chocolate 3) sitting on the couch watching The Bachelorette.

Don't get me wrong, I love The Bachelorette, but I hope people aren't talking about it at my funeral.

So how do we help our students not just cope with struggle, but to thrive with it?

Here is one activity I have used to confront and discuss "Struggling" with my students...

Before your students enter the room place a couple of these (I'll show you how to make it at the end of this post) in a place where each student can easily view it from all sides.

![](/content/images/2016/02/Struggle-Blog--7-of-9-.jpg)

Students will need scrap paper and a pair of scissors to attempt to make the structure themselves.

Instruct students they cannot touch the structure, but they are encouraged to move around it and view it from all angles.

Encourage students to discuss their ideas and methods as they go, but if they are successful, they are to keep their method to themselves.
I recommend you don't "prime" the students to be positive, just let them approach the task as they would any other.

Then the fun begins. Students are then challenged to make the structure. Don't offer any advice or encouragement once the students begin. Just observe.

From my experience most students (90%) will not be able to make the structure within 10 minutes.

For the record I never figured it out...

My brother challenged me to make it one Christmas day and it nearly resulted in World War III until he finally told me the answer.

While the kids are working on it walk around the classroom and monitor their behaviour and language. I write down the language I hear and take photos of the kids working.

After seven or so minutes I start writing the language I have heard on the whiteboard, with no names attached. I don't say anything while I write all the language on the board. Some kids stop and read, others keep doing what they're doing. If a student says something else interesting as I write that goes up as well.

Once you think the kids have had enough get them to stop building and turn their attention to the board.

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Did anyone make it? How long did it take? How many tries?

Was the first ten seconds of trying much different from the last ten seconds? How? Why?

What was it like when someone else got it?

How many attempts did you take?

How long did you look at the structure before you first started?

How many breaks did you take?

Did you look at what other people were doing? Why? How did it make you feel? Did you learn anything from what they were doing?

Then turn your attention to the language you recorded. I try and remove ownership of the language and then use the language as the personification of a person. We discuss how that "person" would fare in a:

football match

job interview

audition for dance company

on MasterChef/X-Factor

relationship

any challenge relevant to your students

We discuss how life is full of frustrating, annoying, unfair situations that often appear too difficult for us to overcome.

We talk about how everyone has different strengths, and as a result we all face different challenges, but the one thing that we have in common is that we will all struggle at some stage in our life.

I then refer back to the language used during the activity and how the language we tell ourselves quickly becomes our own best friend or worst enemy.

If students can start to reflect on the language they use about themselves at a young age, and choose a better path, it is a fair bet their lives will be more productive and fulfilling.

"I can't do this" vs " I can do this, I just haven't figure it out yet"

"He is smarter than me because he already has finished" vs "I wonder if there is anything I can learn from his approach"

"I give up" vs "How can I approach this differently?" or "It's ok that I can't get it right now, but I can keep trying"

For me a student's mindset is the most important element to their success, both in the short and long term.

Obviously you can use this same "Record and Discuss" strategy for any activity that involves a struggle for your students.
If we can help a student feel more comfortable with struggling, we can break them free from the fear of "having a go".
Like this post? You might want to check out **[6 Tech Terms that apply to Teaching](http://blog.classcreator.io/6-tech-terms-that-apply-to-teaching/)**

How to make it:

Step 1: Use a rectangular piece of paper. I've got my business card here to show the twist in Step 5.

Step 2: Fold the paper in half along the long side, the fold it back out flat again.

Step 3: Make the cuts below to the middle. (Two on one side, one on the other)

Step 4: Here is the "tricky" part. You have to twist the paper. That's why I used my business card, so you could see the different colours as a result of the "twist.

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I hope this blog post give you a few ideas. If you put it into action **[please send me an email](mailto:[email protected])** or leave a comment below.
Like this post? Like creative stuff? You might want to...
![](/content/images/2016/07/3-Amaing-Growth-Mindset-Videos-3.jpg)

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As adults we all know the most rewarding experiences in life often involve significant struggle and sacrifice at some stage. Personally the greatest joys in my life have all come with some form of struggle... Being married. We are very happily married, but that doesn't mean we are always very happy with one another.

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Crowdsourcing

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Philly 2010

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Edcamp Philly is an unconference devoted to K-12 Education issues and ideas. Edcamps are a new kind of professional development dedicated to giving educators a voice. This video, produced by TrueLifeMedia (http://www.truelifemedia.com/), was donated to the Edcamp Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting Edcamps as a form of K12 professional development worldwide.

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We spent a wonderful weekend at the cabin with some special friends. It was so nice to spend time together with no time constraints. While we were there, I presented all the kids with a simple Pipe Cleaner Challenge. My kiddos are like me and always up for a challenge. Everyone quickly divided into 3 teams. I handed each of the teams 2 basic items... the same amount of tin foil and pipe cleaners. Their only instructions were to come up with something creative, and work together. I love challenges that evoke both thinking and working together. I told them to get creative with their minimal supplies and sent them off to separate rooms.

Crafts don't need to be extravagant or even use every supply in our cupboard. I can easily get caught up with Pinterest and all the beautiful crafts that I forget that kids have wonderful imaginations and we need to be fostering their creativity. By limiting what supplies are available and presenting this activity as a challenge, it got kids thinking in a new way. I love that!

Tinfoil is a fun creative tool for kids to play with. Encourage them to twist it, mold it and shape it into anything they want. You may be surprised at how sculptable it is. With the addition of Pipe Cleaners your kids are set to build anything they can dream up!

This beautiful castle was created from our youngest team. I love that the King and Queen are sitting on their thrones in front of the entrance. This group felt a little rushed, but I love the results!

Nothing like a pretty spring flower garden to cheer you up:) The flowers are adorable but I think my favorite is the bug. The perfect garden for the King and Queen to take a stroll through.

It can be hard to find crafts that suit a wide range of interests. However, by presenting this activity as a challenge and not a craft, encouraged even the non-crafty kiddos to have fun. Our 10 year old boys even got into it, and that is saying something:) All they needed was a little imagination. Now the the King and Queens castle will be protected with a quiver full of arrows and bows! Nice work boys!

Have you ever presented your kids with a crafting challenge? I would love to hear your experience. This will be something that we will be trying again really soon!
Disclaimer: Not too long ago we received a delightful package from CraftProjectIdeas.com. It was packed full of craft supplies. One of the things we received was a ginormous package of Fuzzy Sticks or pipe cleaners. They were perfect for this challenge.

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We spent a wonderful weekend at the cabin with some special friends. It was so nice to spend time together with no time constraints. While we were there, I presented all the kids with a simple Pipe Cleaner Challenge. My kiddos are like me and always up for a challenge.

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A quick easy "What it is and How to do it"

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A new and exciting way to do Professional Development

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TEDxPhiladelphiaED - Kristen Swanson - EdCamp

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Kristen Swanson is a member of the organizing team for EdCamp Philly. She is passionate about unconferences and quality professional development for teachers. Kristen has served as an elementary teacher, special education consultant, and graduate professor. In 2010, Kristen joined the School District of Springfield Township as the Director of Technology.

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Design Learning that matters!

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Create a new document and edit with others at the same time -- from your computer, phone or tablet. Get stuff done with or without an internet connection. Use Docs to edit Word files. Free from Google.