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29Jul 2025 by Lydia Prescott No Comments

How I enhanced literacy with Newsela articles

Key takeaways Activist teacher resources empower students to engage with social justice issues, turning them into advocates for change. Newsela offers accessible, multi-level articles that encourage critical thinking and personal connections to real-world issues. Utilizing scaffolding strategies and interactive prompts enhances literacy by making reading an engaging and meaningful process. Measuring literacy improvement through Newsela's assessments reveals students' growth and confidence in handling complex texts. Understanding activist teacher resources Activist teacher resources are more than just lesson plans—they’re tools that challenge the status quo and inspire students to think critically about social justice. I’ve found that when I use these resources, my classroom transforms into a space where real conversations about equity and change happen naturally. Have you ever noticed how a single well-chosen article or activity can ignite a…

28Jul 2025 by Lydia Prescott No Comments

This is how I made math fun using Prodigy

Student Engagement

Key takeaways Activist teacher resources encourage educators to connect curriculum with real-world issues, fostering critical thinking and social justice in the classroom. Technology, particularly tools like Prodigy, enhances engagement by making learning interactive and personalized, turning challenges into enjoyable experiences. Implementing game-based learning strategies and celebrating small victories boosts student confidence and shifts their mindset towards math. Measuring success through detailed feedback and progress tracking helps teachers understand student needs and encourages a growth-oriented learning environment. Understanding Activist Teacher Resources Activist teacher resources are more than just lesson plans or tools—they're a call to reflect deeply on what and how we teach. When I first encountered these resources, I realized they challenged me to consider the sociopolitical contexts behind the curriculum, pushing me to connect math lessons with real-world issues.…

28Jul 2025 by Lydia Prescott No Comments

How I evaluated student presentations effectively

Lesson Plans

Key takeaways Evaluation of student presentations should focus on multiple dimensions, including clarity, authenticity, and engagement, to support student growth. Using tools like rubrics, video recordings, and peer feedback can enhance the evaluation process, making it fairer and more insightful. It's important to balance objectivity with empathy, recognizing each student's unique voice while assessing their understanding. Improving evaluation skills involves intentional observation, seeking feedback on one's assessments, and regularly refining evaluation criteria. Defining student presentations evaluation Evaluating student presentations, in my experience, is more than just assigning a grade—it's about understanding how well students communicate their ideas and engage their audience. I often ask myself: Did the presentation reflect clear thinking, creativity, and passion for the topic? This reflection helps me see evaluation as a tool to support growth, not…

28Jul 2025 by Lydia Prescott No Comments

How I improved participation through Socrative

Teaching Strategies

Key takeaways Socrative enhances classroom engagement by providing real-time quizzes and polls, enabling immediate feedback on student understanding. The platform fosters inclusivity, allowing quieter students to participate anonymously, thereby breaking down social barriers. Effective strategies include using low-stakes quizzes to spark curiosity and celebrating all contributions to build a positive classroom culture. Integration tips emphasize keeping activities varied and maintaining clear communication about the importance of student input in the learning process. What is Socrative and Its Uses Socrative is a digital tool that lets teachers create real-time quizzes, polls, and exit tickets to engage students actively during lessons. Have you ever struggled to know whether every student truly understands the material? I found Socrative to be an eye-opener, giving instant feedback that helps me gauge participation and comprehension immediately.…

28Jul 2025 by Lydia Prescott No Comments

This is how I led discussions using Discord

Student Engagement

Key takeaways Discord enhances discussions by providing organized channels for diverse topics, accommodating various communication preferences. Key features like message pinning and reactions promote engagement and help manage conversations effectively. Setting clear guidelines and being present during discussions fosters a respectful and inclusive environment. Embracing flexibility allows for richer dialogue, making the facilitation feel like a shared learning experience. Understanding Discord for Discussions When I first started using Discord for discussions, I was surprised by how intuitive its structure felt. Channels allow conversations to stay organized, which is crucial when managing diverse topics in activist classrooms. Have you ever struggled to keep a conversation on track? Discord’s threading and channel separation make it much easier. One thing I quickly noticed is the platform’s flexibility—text, voice, video, and even screen sharing…

25Jul 2025 by Lydia Prescott No Comments

How I facilitated discussions on current events

Lesson Plans

Key takeaways Activist teacher resources foster critical thinking and empathy by connecting current events to students' lived experiences. Inclusive classroom dialogues encourage diverse voices and emotional readiness, making discussions more meaningful and respectful. Modeling vulnerability and admitting biases can create a safe space for handling challenging conversations. Reflecting on discussion outcomes helps educators recognize subtle transformations in students' attitudes and understanding. Understanding activist teacher resources Activist teacher resources are more than just lesson plans or articles—they’re tools that empower educators to create meaningful conversations around justice and equity. When I first used these resources, I noticed how they transformed my classroom into a space where students felt seen and heard, sparking curiosity rather than silence. Have you ever wondered how a simple story or statistic can open up a dialogue…

25Jul 2025 by Lydia Prescott No Comments

My personal opinion on using Kahoot for engagement

Lesson Plans

Key takeaways Kahoot enhances student engagement by providing a dynamic, interactive learning experience that invites all voices to participate. Activist teachers use Kahoot to facilitate discussions on social justice and real-world issues, creating an empowering classroom environment. Customized, relevant questions combined with varied formats maintain excitement and relevance, prompting deeper student investment. Future improvements for Kahoot could include deeper question formats and enhanced accessibility features to support diverse learners. Understanding Kahoot and Engagement Kahoot, at its core, is a game-based learning platform designed to spark interaction through quizzes and polls. From my experience, it's not just the content but the fast-paced excitement that keeps students alert and curious. Have you ever noticed how a simple buzz of competition can transform a quiet room into a lively space of shared energy?…

25Jul 2025 by Lydia Prescott No Comments

Teaching Strategies

Key takeaways Activist teacher resources enhance student engagement by connecting real-world issues to language learning, fostering critical thinking and empowerment. ESL students face challenges such as navigating cultural gaps, emotional weight, and finding the right words, making sensitivity in lesson planning essential. Creating a supportive environment where mistakes are welcomed encourages risk-taking and builds confidence among learners. Utilizing multimodal resources and peer collaboration enhances understanding and creates a low-pressure setting for language practice. Understanding activist teacher resources Activist teacher resources go beyond traditional materials; they challenge us to rethink the classroom as a space for justice and empowerment. I remember the first time I used such resources—I realized how they brought real-world issues into lessons and invited students to share their stories. Doesn't teaching become more meaningful when it sparks…

25Jul 2025 by Lydia Prescott No Comments

How I implemented the Design Thinking process

Lesson Plans

Key takeaways Design Thinking centers on empathy, breaking complex problems into manageable steps, fostering creativity and adaptability in educators and students alike. Activist teacher resources empower educators to stimulate critical thinking and activism, creating a shared commitment to social justice and equity. The process requires flexibility and a willingness to embrace ambiguity, using student feedback to drive engagement and solution development. Measuring impact focuses on qualitative shifts in student engagement and mindset rather than solely on traditional assessments like tests or grades. Understanding Design Thinking process Understanding the Design Thinking process means embracing a way of thinking that puts people and their needs at the center. I’ve found that seeing problems through this human-focused lens makes the whole approach feel more intuitive and meaningful rather than just a rigid method.…

25Jul 2025 by Lydia Prescott No Comments

My personal opinion about using Seesaw for feedback

Teaching Strategies

Key takeaways Seesaw transforms feedback into interactive dialogue, enhancing student engagement and reflection through real-time comments and various response formats. The platform promotes inclusivity, allowing shy students to express themselves more freely, which aligns with the goals of activist teaching. Effective organization of folders and timely feedback routines on Seesaw are crucial for maintaining student motivation and ensuring clear communication. Challenges include managing the platform's structure with fluid discussions and addressing equity in access to technology among students. Understanding Seesaw for Feedback Seesaw is more than just a digital portfolio; it’s a dynamic space where feedback and learning genuinely connect. From my experience, its user-friendly design allows students to showcase work in various formats, making feedback feel personalized rather than generic. Have you ever struggled to give timely input that…