# data[].attributes.body
I will be using this on Wednesday before break!

# data[].attributes.body
So far it is an outline of the lesson, but it will incorporate lots of what we have been doing.

# data[].attributes.headline
This auto draw website is really cool as well. It works really well for individuals that are not super creative or good at drawing!

# data[].attributes.subject
This auto draw website is really cool as well. It works really well for individuals that are not super creative or good at drawing!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Fast drawing for everyone. AutoDraw pairs machine learning with drawings from talented artists to help you draw stuff fast.

# data[].attributes.body
I'm working on a way for students to become more familiar with frequently seen diagrams on the LE regents

# data[].attributes.headline
Children's Books-All the Way to America: The Story of a Big Italian Family and a Little Shovel and The Arabic Quilt: An Immigrant Story

# data[].attributes.subject
Children's Books-All the Way to America: The Story of a Big Italian Family and a Little Shovel and The Arabic Quilt: An Immigrant Story

# data[].attributes.body
Margaret, you reminded me how much middle school kids love story time. I just found these two books on Amazon that I can use during our immigration unit.

# data[].attributes.headline
Sam's post reminded me of this that I learned from Cristina G from her TTT a while back (just before the shutdown!)  Tweet & Thread generator to get students reading and writing!

# data[].attributes.subject
Sam's post reminded me of this that I learned from Cristina G from her TTT a while back (just before the shutdown!)  Tweet & Thread generator to get students reading and writing!

# data[].attributes.body
Students can write from character perspectives, as celebrities or simply as themselves! :)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Warning: JavaScript is disabled. JavaScript is required for Tweetgen to work. Ensure that JavaScript is enabled and that no browser extensions are blocking scripts.

Tweetgen is

the only online fake Tweet generator that:

Is updated with Twitter's current look

Has options for a verified check mark and a custom like and retweet count

Lets you add custom images

Can generate images of reply chains

Can generate images of users blocking you or being suspended

Will have your friends believing your entirely fake screenshots

Let you create your own fake profiles

Allow for quote tweets

while being free and easy to use. No more spending time in Photoshop; now you can create quality Twitter memes in seconds.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Updated for Twitter's latest look, with Tweetgen you can make and share believable fake Tweets. You can even generate images of reply chains, users blocking you, getting suspended, and more.

# data[].attributes.headline
I wish there were a more captivating preview when you share something from Google Suite on Padlet, so I took a screenshot :)

# data[].attributes.subject
I wish there were a more captivating preview when you share something from Google Suite on Padlet, so I took a screenshot :)

# data[].attributes.body
The nature / walk activity reminded me to incorporate movement regularly in my lessons. On Wednesday, with a modified schedule, students will be learning Thanksgiving foods in Italian and moving along a spectrum to share how much they like each food we learn. (And also learning what we have in common with each other!)

# data[].attributes.headline
I like Yoga With Adriene for myself, and I found some of her videos that can be used for younger learners & in the classroom!

# data[].attributes.subject
I like Yoga With Adriene for myself, and I found some of her videos that can be used for younger learners & in the classroom!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Yoga For The Classroom - Yoga With Adriene

# data[].attributes.headline
I came across these google slide templates that may be useful!

# data[].attributes.subject
I came across these google slide templates that may be useful!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
No matter the age -- kindergarten to high school senior -- students are pretty familiar with social media. In fact, many of them can think in terms of tweets, snaps, pins and videos. They know what they have to say, and they have an idea of how to say it with a certain kind of post.

If they can think in terms of social media posts, can we let them demonstrate their learning in that way, too?

In many cases, the answer is yes!

And, thankfully, they don't need the app to create the experience! In each of the examples below, students can do an activity that feels like posting on social media without actually signing up for or using the app.

This concept is a big part of the social media chapter in my book, Tech Like a PIRAT E, which is all about making learning memorable with technology. In this post, each of these social media experiences is recreated with a tool that so many students DO have access to -- Google Slides.

How to assign these templates to students

1. Click the "Get the template" button for the template you want. Here, you'll make a copy of the template into your own Google Drive.

2. Create an assignment for your students in Google Classroom or your learning management system (LMS) like Canvas or Schoology.

3. If Google Classroom: attach the copy you made of the social media template and choose "Make a copy for each student" in the three dots menu button for the attachment.
If you can't do this in your LMS: Click the "Share" button in the top right of Google Slides. Under "Get link", click "Change to anyone with the link". Make the link "Anyone with the link" is a viewer. Copy the link. Paste the link in your assignment instructions. In the link, delete the word "edit" and everything else after it at the end of the link. Type the word "copy" right at the end of the link.

4. Students get their own copies of the template and get to work!

14 FREE social media-inspired Google Slides templates

N E W T E M P L A T E !

Get the book on this subject!

Tech Like a PIRATE shares seven key ways to make learning with tech UNFORGETTABLE! You'll get practical ideas, downloadable templates, step-by-step tutorials and more. Your students will be engaged and begging for more!

For notifications of new Ditch That Textbook content and helpful links:

Are you looking for quality, meaningful professional learning that both equips and inspires teachers?

Matt provides in-person and virtual keynotes, workshops and breakout sessions that equip, inspire and encourage teachers to create change in their classrooms. Teachers leave with loads of resources. They participate. They laugh. They see tech use and teaching in a new light. Click the link below to contact us and learn how you can bring Matt to your school or district!

FREE teaching ideas and templates in your inbox every week!

Subscribe to Ditch That Textbook

©2023 Ditch That Textbook by Matt Miller.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
14 social media-inspired Google Slides templates

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Students use social media all the time. Let's put those skills to use! In these social media-inspired Google Slides templates, they can show what they

# data[].attributes.headline
Would you rather questions for Students of all ages.

# data[].attributes.subject
Would you rather questions for Students of all ages.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Get to know your students with would you rather questions perfect for preschoolers to high schoolers.

# data[].attributes.body
This article kind of sums up what we've been discussing today :)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
You can find inspiration in surprising and unexpected places.

Photo courtesy of author

As I write this, Jeff Bezos is sat on the launchpad in Blue Origin, about to go into space. Having become the world's richest man, I have the impression that Jeff - like the rest of us - is wrestling with the...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What's Your Purpose in Life? Lessons from Bosch Season 7 and Bob Ross' The Joy of Painting

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
As I write this, Jeff Bezos is sat on the launchpad in Blue Origin, about to go into space. Having become the world's richest man, I have the impression that Jeff - like the rest of us - is wrestling...

# data[].attributes.body
I can't share the resource because it comes from TPT, BUT I follow an account "Hello 5th" on Instagram and she had a great activity of creating a Gratitude gallery where students write to someone who they are thankful for, and why. Then they create an illustration of that person & mount in on a silver, square paper plate so it looks like a frame.

The teacher had said that after the gallery, they deliver them to their special people! 💛

I was thinking this would be a perfect week for this activity

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Guess the MARVEL super hero in 3 seconds..! | 100 MARVEL Heroes |  How many do you know..?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Guess the Celebrity in 3 seconds | Top 100 famous people in the world | How many do you know..?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Guess the TikTokers & YouTubers in 3 seconds..! 100 TikTokers & Youtubers

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Take Your Kids on a Free Virtual Field Trip

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Free virtual field trips can turn an ordinary day into an extraordinary day. Whether it is with your virtual classmates, as part of a distance

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Join us for our Virtual Field Trips or watch them on-demand after their premieres. Each no-cost Virtual Field Trip comes with a companion guide packed with standards-aligned, hands-on learning activities! Select one of the options below to register.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Take students beyond the classroom and into some of the world's most iconic locations with virtual field trips. Learn more!

# data[].attributes.headline
Sir Cumference-picture books that may be appropriate for middle school students

# data[].attributes.subject
Sir Cumference-picture books that may be appropriate for middle school students

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Buy books online and find book series such as Sir Cumference on PenguinRandomHouse.com

# data[].attributes.body
Thinking of MAYBE trying to do this during my Tutorial class right before Christmas break... Or maybe I am out of my mind!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Have you heard that beloved artist Bob Ross, of "The Joy of Painting" is now streaming on Netflix? It's true! You can now stream the Bob Ross "Beauty is Everywhere" show for free. And if you don't have Netflix - you can still see episodes of Bob Ross on YouTube as well! So there is no reason for your family to do without "happy little clouds" anymore!

And while I admit our family has watched lot's of old Bob Ross episodes as a form of relaxation, we have also used the episodes as a private art class! Painting along with Bob Ross is actually really easy to do, and a lot of fun. But helping kids to paint with Bob Ross takes a little bit of extra planning!
Here are a few tips for painting with Bob Ross, and helping your child to paint along... Great Episodes to start with:
The two paintings we started with first can be seen in the photo above. They had limited special techniques in them - and we could not believe how GREAT they came out. Seriously! My daughter is 7 here, and she did them herself! S1:E1 does use masking tape for one technique, so be sure to have that on hand if you choose that painting.

If you'd like to try one of the two episode that we started with above, they are...

Bob Ross: Beauty is Everywhere (we streamed on Netflix)

S1:E14 - "Mountain Ridge Lake" (This is the painting in the lower left corner.)

S1: E1 - "Cliffside" (This is the painting in the upper right corner.)

Some Tips on Set Up:

If you already own an easel, this is obviously a great time to get that sucker out! But if not, you really dont need your painting to be vertical while it's painted! Any flat, stable table works great for kids. Just make sure it's at a comfortable height for them to stand behind.

You will need to set up in a room where the TV can be seen easily. Because this means you may need to let your kiddo paint in your living room, or a room that you don't want paint all over - I suggest you find old sheets and drape them on the floor, as well as over the table you are placing your canvas on!

We had a painters palette, but found a large plastic plate much easier to mix on. Bob Ross does a LOT of mixing. you will likely need more than one plate.

One of dad's old shirts on backwards makes a great smock for kids. We often just use an old t-shirt, turned inside out for painting. Just know paint will get on whatever they are wearing, so dont be attached to it!

Tips For Helping Adapt The Show To Kids:

At the beginning of each show, Bob will list the colors you need. Assemble everything you need ahead of pushing play on the episode.

Bob Ross covers a lot of ground on each show. And he paints fast. Most kids will need your help pausing the show at fairly frequent intervals to allow them to work on each step Bob shows.

Put your remote control in a ziplock bag if you are allowing your child to stop the show as they need. They will have paint on their hands and not even realize it. If you are pausing for them, you may still want the ziplock cover on!

Older kids may enjoy doing all their own color mixing. But younger kids are very likely to need your help. Each time Bob Ross gave colors he was going to mix, I'd squeeze the closest colors we had onto a plate, and then let my daughter combine them. This kept the project moving forward. Stopping constantly to mix colors can get frustrating for younger kids. So plan to help with this step as needed.

Bob Ross is GREAT at speaking to viewers in a positive and encouraging way. But there is a learning curve to the techniques he shows. It may help your young artist to know that not every painting is going to look just like Bob painted it! And that's good. Don't let perfectionism steal your young artists joy! Point out how Bob Ross uses "happy accidents" to create his work. That will help your kiddo get over mistakes they are sure to make!

Some Tips on Tools We Used:

Paint. If you want to be able to look at the paint color names listed on each Bob Ross episode, so that you can mix the exact same shades and tones of paint - you may want to get a Bob Ross approved paints kit. Those will correspond with the brush names, and paint color names Bob refers to during his show. (Affiliate links below.)

Using the Bob Ross brand of supplies, certainly makes sense if your priority is taking the guesswork out of paint mixing. Here is an example of a kit like that....

However, cheap often speaks to me. So when we first started this adventure, I bought my daughter a set of very basic canvases to paint on. And very Basic paints. In fact below, you will find the same tools we used.

These 16 x 20 canvases worked great for us. Keep in mind most any size canvas will work - but painting smaller is harder.

On many paintings, Bob Ross asks you to "wet" your canvas down with white paint to begin. So knowing that, I bought extra white paint. I also bought a few extra colors that I thought would be nice to have on hand without mixing.

The names of the colors on the brand we used below do not correspond directly (in most cases) with the names talked about on the show. But as long as you are willing to be a few shades different than what Bob Ross has - thats no big deal. If he's using a dark green paint, mixed with a bright yellow - you can easily choose the colors you have that are closest to that in your kit. And that's what we did. But again - if you want exact matches, and less having to guess at what to use, by all means by Bob Ross's kit!

The hardest part of getting thrifty supplies, was finding quality brushes that weren't super pricey. Ultimately, we bought a fairly basic Paint Brush set - and added a nicer "fan brush" as a single purchase. Bob Ross uses a fan brush on almost every painting! So it's pretty critical that you have a brush like that before you begin. We used this fan brush....

For the most part I am perfectly happy with the cheaper purchases we made! If in the future my daughter starts taking art really seriously we can always upgrade. But for now, she is able to affordably enjoy painting along with Bob Ross - and I don't stress as much about her use of paint (or mistakes she may be making) because I know that the materials are not going to bankrupt me!

That said - we did end up with some brush hairs that shed in her paintings. It's barely noticeable, and for the great price I paid I'm not upset. But if you are looking for perfection - invest in high quality brushes and cleaner.

I hope these tips will help you and your children to experience "The Joy of Painting" with Bob Ross on a totally new level! Painting with Bob Ross would make an excellent cheap birthday party theme, or rainy day activity! The possibilities are endless. And the look on kids faces when they see the amazing pictures they can paint themselves - is just priceless!
I highly recommend firing up Netflix and painting some happy clouds someday soon!
About Shannon Schmid

Shannon traded in her sensible NYC TV producer shoes (they were best for taking the subway), for a pair of Texas Cowboy boots when she married her best friend! He's at fault for making this Yankee a Texan! Shannon writes about all things that make a house a home. Her chief blogging inspiration is being the proud & slightly neurotic mom of a preschool age daughter.

You can find Shannon on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and her new favorite place to hang out, Google+.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Tips for Helping Kids Paint With Bob Ross! - Everyday Best

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Have you heard that beloved artist Bob Ross, of "The Joy of Painting" is now streaming on Netflix? It's true! You can now stream the Bob Ross "Beauty is Everywhere" show for free. And if you don't have Netflix - you can still see episodes of Bob Ross on YouTube as well!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
asmr [asmr] asmr whisper maria gentlewhispering new latest sleep best sweet darling russian relaxing soothing girl lady entertainment comfort gentle tutorial...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
ASMR / TINGLES ~*~ WHISPER ~*~ COMFORTING ~*~ RELAXATION / MEDITATION ~*~ NATURAL SLEEP AID ~*~ SOOTHING VOICE / SOUND THERAPY*~ In this world of stress a...