10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher

Julie Hembree and her students are sending Books to Africa. But that's not all. She's also started the Cultivate World Literacy Project and more. Learn about her transformation into a global educator because her students got excited and led the way. Show notes: www.coolcatteacher.com/e233 Screencastify is the top screencasting tool for Google Chrome and Chromebooks. It saves all of your recordings directly to Google Drive. Get started at screencastify.com/coolcat. If you want to go for unlimited editing, request a quote for your school and be sure to mention Cool Cat Teacher for a discount.

Greg Smedley Warren @kindersmorgie shares his tips and tricks for using technology in kindergarten.Show notes: www.coolcatteacher.com/e232 Screencastify is the top screencasting tool for Google Chrome and Chromebooks. It saves all of your recordings directly to Google Drive. Get started at screencastify.com/coolcat. If you want to go for unlimited editing, request a quote for your school and be sure to mention Cool Cat Teacher for a discount.

Pam Moran has been a leader in education reform in Virginia over the past several years as the state moved from testing to transformation. In today's episode, she talks about the transformation, why they needed change, and implementing successful change. This multi-part series will run over the next several Mondays. www.coolcatteacher.com/e231 Screencastify is the top screencasting tool for Google Chrome and Chromebooks. It saves all of your recordings directly to Google Drive. Get started at screencastify.com/coolcat. If you want to go for unlimited editing, request a quote for your school and be sure to mention Cool Cat Teacher for a discount.

Exciting STEAM projects can ignite and excite any middle school. Today, Pauline Roberts gives us five important ingredients for amping up STEAM in middle school. www.coolcatteacher.com/e230 Xplorlabs is today's sponsor. Middle School Science teachers should get the FREE Xplorlabs Fire Forensics kit. Solve a mystery. Meet Next Generation Science Standards. Have fun! Go to http://www.coolcatteacher.com/firelab today to get your Free Fire Forensics Kit.

Kathleen McClaskey talks about the research on learning styles and the alternatives for teaching and reaching every child. Today's show will help you think about the research many of us have used for years to design lessons. www.coolcatteacher.com/e229 Xplorlabs is today's sponsor. Middle School Science teachers should get the FREE Xplorlabs Fire Forensics kit. Solve a mystery. Meet Next Generation Science Standards. Have fun! Go to http://www.coolcatteacher.com/firelab today to get your Free Fire Forensics Kit.

Dr. Sean Nank's research shows that the single biggest method for improving learning with iPads is to use online formative assessments. However, his formative assessments have a twist -- students are all answering DIFFERENT math questions. This intriguing research is a must listen for any school with access to technology. You do not need iPads to implement and learn from this research. Sean's book is Teaching over Testing. Enter the contest to win a copy of the book. Just go to the show on iTunes and leave a review and your Twitter handle. We'll draw one random winner. www.coolcatteacher.com/e228 Xplorlabs is today's sponsor. Middle School Science teachers should get the FREE Xplorlabs Fire Forensics kit. Solve a mystery. Meet Next Generation Science Standards. Have fun! Go to http://www.coolcatteacher.com/firelab today to get your Free Fire Forensics Kit.

Become more productive today with these seven tools from Dr. Frank Buck. Automate what you can and save time. www.coolcatteacher.com/e227 Xplorlabs is today's sponsor. Middle School Science teachers should get the FREE Xplorlabs Fire Forensics kit. Solve a mystery. Meet Next Generation Science Standards. Have fun! Go to http://www.coolcatteacher.com/firelab today to get your Free Fire Forensics Kit.

John Spencer, coauthor of two different best-selling books, Launch and Empower, talks about the creativity (and test score) boosts his classes experienced when he began Maker Mondays. www.coolcatteacher.com/e226 Xplorlabs is today's sponsor. Middle School Science teachers should get the FREE Xplorlabs Fire Forensics kit. Solve a mystery. Meet Next Generation Science Standards. Have fun! Go to http://www.coolcatteacher.com/firelab today to get your Free Fire Forensics Kit.

Richard Byrne, author of Free Technology for Teachers, was a history teacher. It shows. In today's show, he talks about top free tech tools to try in social studies lessons. This is one to share with your history department. www.coolcatteacher.com/e255 Richard Byrne the author of Free Technology for Teachers has some fantastic professional development courses including a course for history / social studies teachers. Go to www.coolcatteacher.com/edtech and plan your professional development for 2018.

Human trafficking is on the rise in the United States. Some states now include human trafficking in their definition of child abuse. Others do not. In today's show, Ashley Burkett talks about the signs that a child is being trafficked, how children are being recruited, and what schools should be doing. This is an important topic to discuss so we can protect innocent children. www.coolcatteacher.com/e224

A district is assessing itself with a massive project for 800 eighth graders. No grades. Just learning and sharing. Despite worries that it wouldn't work - it has been working for years and is just getting better. Learn about the Global Challenge Project with Mark Wise. www.coolcatteacher.com/e223 Jennifer Gonzalez is updating her Teacher's Guide to Technology for 2018 with over 200 tools and many new ones. Here's the link http://www.coolcatteacher.com/guide

Sometimes the best tools have been around awhile. Steve Dembo @teach42 talks about the tried and true tools that teachers should still use. www.coolcatteacher.com/e222 Richard Byrne has some fantastic courses for history teachers, getting started with GSuite and more. Check out his courses and coaching at www.coolcatteacher.com/edtech.

As Thomas Paine recommends we must 'smile in trouble, gather strength from distress and grow brave by reflection." In today's show we discuss how teachers should respond when students come to us unprepared and other reflections on teaching with International Educator Patrick Holt. www.coolcatteacher.com/e221 Angela Watson's 40-Hour Workweek Club is a fantastic course to help teachers become more productive, more effective, and more balanced with their lives. Go to http://www.coolcatteacher.com/40

How do kids learn and remember? Teacher Andrew Stadel, @mr_stadel founder of the popular site estimation180.com, talks about this pursuit of learning in the classroom. This topic is his summer research topic. As you ponder the classroom, look at what you'll research to become a better teacher. www.coolcatteacher.com/e220 Richard Byrne the author of Free Technology for Teachers has some fantastic professional development courses. Go to www.coolcatteacher.com/edtech and plan your professional development for 2018.

Today Connie Hamilton @conniehamilton gives us five ways to connect with our students over the break. This is the number two episode of 2017. Listen to it now and plan ahead for by picking one or more of these ideas. www.coolcatteacher.com/e219 Trim Three (or more!) Hours off Your Workweek Now - January 2 www.coolcatteacher.com/trim.

Linda Kardamis @LindaKardamis shares five mistakes teachers make the first week of school. Remember that January is a fantastic time to "reboot." So, if you made one of these mistakes, work to start over and correct those mistakes. This is the number three episode of 2017. www.coolcatteacher.com/e218 Today's episode is sponsored by JAM.com, a great holiday gift for your kids or grandkids. The creative courses at Jam.com are project based, creative and FUN. Use the code COOLCAT50 to get $50 off your course. And remember that you can sign up for a 14 day FREE trial of any course with your child aged 7-16. Drawing. Minecraft. Legos. And more!

Today Alice Keeler @alicekeeler shares the must-try new features of Google Classroom. She also teaches us how we can learn Google Classroom features and hacks over the summer (even without students.) A must listen for people using Chromebooks or Google Classroom. www.coolcatteacher.com/e217

Want to help students learn and be more refreshed? Students need breaks too. That is why brain breaks are becoming so popular. Teacher Rob Donatelli @DTown_MrD talks about the brain breaks phenomenon. Then, Rob gives teachers five ideas he uses in his classroom for brain breaks. Take a brain break today! www.coolcatteacher.com/e216

Ross Cooper, the co-author of Hacking PBL, helps us get motivated to think about project-based learning differently. www.coolcatteacher.com/e215 Today's episode is sponsored by JAM.com, the perfect last minute holiday gift for your kids or grandkids. The creative courses at Jam.com are project-based, creative and FUN. Use the code COOLCAT50 to get $50 off your course. And remember that you can sign up for a 14 day FREE trial of any course with your child aged 7-16. Drawing. Minecraft. Legos. And more!

Eric Curts @ericcurts teaches us twenty-three ways to use Gsuite tools in our classroom. With ideas for Google Docs, Slides, Sheets, and Drawings for all subjects and ages, you'll want to scroll down and follow the links in our enhanced show notes. www.coolcatteacher.com/e214 Today's episode is sponsored by JAM.com, the perfect last minute holiday gift for your kids or grandkids. The creative courses at Jam.com are project-based, creative and FUN. Use the code COOLCAT50 to get $50 off your course. And remember that you can sign up for a 14 day FREE trial of any course with your child aged 7-16. Drawing. Minecraft. Legos. And more!

Chuck Poole shares five ways to be an unforgettable teacher or an unforgettable coach. He also gives us links to some free cards he shares with students and parents. Get inspired with some fantastic advice on reaching students. www.coolcatteacher.com/e213 Today's episode is sponsored by JAM.com, the perfect last minute holiday gift for your kids or grandkids. The creative courses at Jam.com are pproject-based creative and FUN. Use the code COOLCAT50 to get $50 off your course. And remember that you can sign up for a 14 day FREE trial of any course with your child aged 7-16. Drawing. Minecraft. Legos. And more!

Videos are the modern essay. If you can't create them, you can't start a movement, can't sell a product, or promote an idea. Of all the things I teach, helping kids tell digital stories through video is probably one of the most important. Today's guest is a perfect guide for those of us who want to make videos with students. Simply put, Tim Betts rocks YouTube history. As a certified YouTube educational channel, he's one of those that history teachers will love! But he also teaches us how to do this with students. www.coolcatteacher.com/e212 Today's episode is sponsored by JAM.com, the perfect last minute holiday gift for your kids or grandkids. The creative courses at Jam.com are project-based, creative and FUN. Use the code COOLCAT50 to get $50 off your course. And remember that you can sign up for a 14 day FREE trial of any course with your child aged 7-16. Drawing. Minecraft. Legos. And more!

Today Ramona Persaud @ramonap director of the film, Grey Matters, talks about how we can teach kids the way the brain learns. www.coolcatteacher.com/e211 Check out the free resource: "Goodbye Teacher Tired: 5 Days to Doing Fewer Things Better" from Angela Watson. Save time. Teach better.

Tom Loud dropped out of high school because he didn't connect with his teachers. Somehow, he connected with books though and became a high school and college graduate. Now, Tom is a 10-year classroom veteran who is working to make his classroom (and help others) connect with kids in new ways. www.coolcatteacher.com/e210

Today Karen Voglesang @NBCTchr teaches children to use thinking routines in her classroom. After participating in Harvard's Project Zero, she is applying and using the methods in classrooms and with teachers. Learn some thinking routines and how to apply these valuable techniques in your classroom. Karen was the 2015 Tennessee State Teacher of the Year and I interviewed her at the NNSTOY Conference in DC this summer. www.coolcatteacher.com/e209 The 10-Minute Teacher started on February 1 of this year and already has over 400,000 downloads! Thank you to all of you who are listening to the show. If you like the show, would you go to coolcatteacher.com/iTunes and leave a review on the 10-Minute Teacher on iTunes. I appreciate it so much!

Autistic children can struggle with unfamiliar places. However, one teacher of the year has found a way to help improve traveling experiences for autistic children and their families. Brett Bigham has created a way to use books to help special needs and young children prepare to go to new places. Learn about this technique and how to help children travel who may have fears. You can even make books for kids (or some older students might be able to as well.) What a life-changing concept! Ability books for those with special needs. www.coolcatteacher.com/e208

Global Teacher Prize finalist Joe Fatheree talks about what great teachers do. He shares his observations and also his hopes for improving the profession. www.coolcatteacher.com/e207 Check out the free resource: "Goodbye Teacher Tired: 5 Days to Doing Fewer Things Better" from Angela Watson. Save time. Teach better.

Today Basil Marin @basil_marin takes us on a journey to help at risk children with these five steps. From the inspiring books to the essential mindsets, Basil will help us reach at risk kids because he speaks from experience. This episode is a special encore episode and #15 of the 2017 year for #10MT. www.coolcatteacher.com/e206 Today's sponsor: Metaverse is a free simple augmented reality tool. Students can program. You can also use and create breakout educational experiences. See coolcatteacher.com/ar or download Metaverse today.

When I first started teaching, I used to believe some things about the profession that I just don't believe anymore. In today's final episode of season 2, I reflect on those lies and how I've grown in my practice. www.coolcatteacher.com/e205 Today's sponsor: Metaverse is a free simple augmented reality tool. Students can program. You can also use and create breakout educational experiences. See coolcatteacher.com/ar or download Metaverse today.

Several virtual reality options are available for classrooms. Today's guest, Enrique Cachafeiro talks about the hardware, software options, and future of virtual reality. He also discusses how educators can join the innovators who are crafting and exploring this new education paradigm today. If you're interested in VR, today's show is a must listen. www.coolcatteacher.com/e204 Today's sponsor: Metaverse is a free simple augmented reality tool. Students can program. You can also use and create breakout educational experiences. See coolcatteacher.com/ar or download Metaverse today.

History teacher David Harms uses simulations to teach history. Whether it is World War 1, 2, the Cold War or the American Civil War, learn how these immersive "games" teach history much more deeply than most textbooks. www.coolcatteacher.com/e203 Today's sponsor: Metaverse is a free simple augmented reality tool. Students can program. You can also use and create breakout educational experiences. See coolcatteacher.com/ar or download Metaverse today.

Today, Dr. Marina Umashchi Bers from Tufts University discusses her research findings about what works (and doesn't) with young children in the classroom. You'll get creative ideas for hands-on programming that works for early childhood. www.coolcatteacher.com/e202 Today's sponsor: Metaverse is a free simple augmented reality tool. Students can program. You can also use and create breakout educational experiences. See coolcatteacher.com/ar or download Metaverse today.

Teachers don't have to be experts or "geeks" to use coding to improve literacy, use higher order thinking skills, and excite students in their classrooms. Elementary and primary students can learn to code. For Hour of Code week this week, learn how you can go past the Hour of Code and use coding all year long! www.coolcatteacher.com/e201 Today's sponsor: Metaverse is a free simple augmented reality tool. Students can program. You can also use and create breakout educational experiences. See coolcatteacher.com/ar or download Metaverse today.

We can be change leaders and help our school improve and grow. Rebecca Wattleworth gives us tips to be a change leader no matter what school we're working in right now. www.coolcatteacher.com/e200 Today's Sponsor: Bloomz is the tool I chose for parent/teacher communication. To find out why, read www.coolcatteacher.com/bloomz or go to bloomz.com to get started setting up your school or classroom now! December and January are great months to roll out Bloomz with your parents, so you can start 2018 strong.

You can have a more thankful, joyful year all of the time. In today's show, I share seven secrets to live a more joyful, thankful life all year long. www.coolcatteacher.com/e199 Today's Sponsor: Bloomz is the tool I chose for parent/teacher communication. To find out why, read www.coolcatteacher.com/bloomz or go to bloomz.com to get started setting up your school or classroom now! December and January are great months to roll out Bloomz with your parents, so you can start 2018 strong.

Leslie Fisher, a favorite geek of many teachers, has some cool gift ideas for teachers (or your favorite geek.) I hope you get some ideas for your favorite teacher-geek. Get links to these gift ideas here: www.coolcatteacher.com/e198 Today's Sponsor: Bloomz is the tool I chose for parent/teacher communication. To find out why- read www.coolcatteacher.com/bloomz or go to bloomz.com to get started setting up your school or classroom now! December and January are great months to roll out Bloomz with your parents, so you can start 2018 strong.

Dr. Frank Buck talks about what to get administrators (and what not to give them.) We have an entertaining chat about all the ideas to make this holiday season very special for your administrator. www.coolcatteacher.com/e197 Today's Sponsor: Bloomz is the tool I chose for parent/teacher communication. To find out why- read www.coolcatteacher.com/bloomz or go to bloomz.com to get started setting up your school or classroom now! December and January are great months to roll out Bloomz with your parents, so you can start 2018 strong.

Joe Mazza shares how parents can help students have empathy and become empowered changemakers in the face of tragedy. In this special show, we give tips to parents and teachers about things they can do this season to help kids serve others affected by tragedy. www.coolcatteacher.com/e196 Today's Sponsor: Bloomz is the tool I chose for parent/teacher communication. To find out why read www.coolcatteacher.com/bloomz or go to bloomz.com to get started setting up your school or classroom now! December and January are great months to roll out Bloomz with your parents, so you can start 2018 strong.

Dyane Smokorowski, "Mrs. Smoke" talks about what makes excellent professional development. We talked at NNSTOY about training that inspires and helps teachers change. www.coolcatteacher.com/e195 FlexPath – only at Capella University – lets teachers work at their own pace to earn their MEd in a competency-based learning format. This subscription-based tuition model doesn't limit the number of courses you can complete during each 12-week period, enrolling in up to two courses at once, for one flat tuition rate. Go to coolcatteacher.com/flexpath to get your free FlexPath guide and see if Capella's FlexPath option is right for you.

In today's show, Betty Shiver, my former curriculum director and the person who convinced me to become a teacher and I talk about teaching. We discuss hiring, inspiring, and having conversations that inspire people to change and improve their classrooms. www.coolcatteacher.com/e194 FlexPath – only at Capella University – lets teachers work at their own pace to earn their MEd in a competency-based learning format. This subscription-based tuition model doesn't limit the number of courses you can complete during each 12-week period, enrolling in up to two courses at once, for one flat tuition rate. Go to coolcatteacher.com/flexpath to get your free FlexPath guide and see if Capella's FlexPath option is right for you.

Brent Johnson is a senior at Westwood Schools. He has taken my classes for the last four years. We have a frank conversation about technology and a win in the National 4H Competition as a result of some apps he made in my class. Brent has come a long way! I hope you find this conversation inspiring. www.coolcatteacher.com/e193 FlexPath – only at Capella University – lets teachers work at their own pace to earn their MEd in a competency-based learning format. This subscription-based tuition model doesn't limit the number of courses you can complete during each 12-week period, enrolling in up to two courses at once, for one flat tuition rate. Go to coolcatteacher.com/flexpath to get your free FlexPath guide and see if Capella's FlexPath option is right for you.

Mandy Froehlich talks about a tool she uses in her classroom, Flipsnack. Learn how she uses this tool. www.coolcatteacher.com/e192 FlexPath – only at Capella University – lets teachers work at their own pace to earn their MEd in a competency-based learning format. This subscription-based tuition model doesn't limit the number of courses you can complete during each 12-week period , enrolling in up to two courses at once, for one flat tuition rate. Go to coolcatteacher.com/flexpath to get your free FlexPath guide and see if Capella's FlexPath option is right for you.

Mrs. Grace Adkins is a hero, mentor, and teacher to many. With a 56-year generation-spanning career as an educator, Mrs. Adkins approaches her 90th birthday still teaching, loving kids, and riding over 100 miles on her bike each week. Meet a truly remarkable woman and a personal mentor, Mrs. Grace Adkins. www.coolcatteacher.com/e191 FlexPath – only at Capella University – lets teachers work at their own pace to earn their MEd in a competency-based learning format. This subscription-based tuition model doesn't limit the number of courses you can complete during each 12-week period, enrolling in up to two courses at once, for one flat tuition rate. Go to coolcatteacher.com/flexpath to get your free FlexPath guide and see if Capella's FlexPath option is right for you.

Lucy Gray and Steve Hargadon, Global Education Conference co-chairs, talk about the Global Education Conference 2017 that runs from November 13-16. Go to globaleducationconference.com to join in. www.coolcatteacher.com/e190

Dr. Scott McLeod, co-author of Different Schools for a Different World, has a frank conversation about the change that needs to happen, how long it will take to happen, and the next steps for promoting creativity in schools. www.coolcatteacher.com/e189 Got 5 minutes? That is all it takes to enter the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow contest. If you're a US public school teacher of grades 6-12, you and your students just need to come up with a STEAM idea that can help your community. If you're selected as a finalist, you'll win technology and prizes to help your STEAM project come to reality. The entry period ends this week - Thursday, November 9 is the last day! Go to coolcatteacher.com/samsungsolve to learn more. Good luck!

Mark Engstrom shares a personalized model for learning that he calls the "Learning Journey Model." After students accomplish a core competency, they personalize their learning journey much like the "game of LIFE" board game. www.coolcatteacher.com/e188 Got 5 minutes? That is all it takes to enter the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow contest. If you're a US public school teacher of grades 6-12, you and your students just need to come up with a STEAM idea that can help your community. If you're selected as a finalist, you'll win technology and prizes to help your STEAM project come to reality. The entry period ends this week - Thursday, November 9 is the last day! Go to coolcatteacher.com/samsungsolve to learn more. Good luck!

Lisa Scumpieru, 10th-grade Literature Teacher, gives us a crash course in Hyperdocs. She shares lesson plans, ideas, and tips for getting started quickly without hassle. www.coolcatteacher.com/e187 Got 5 minutes? That is all it takes to enter the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow contest. If you're a US public school teacher of grades 6-12, you and your students just need to come up with a STEAM idea that can help your community. If you're selected as a finalist, you'll win technology and prizes to help your STEAM project come to reality. The entry period ends this week - Thursday, November 9 is the last day! Go to coolcatteacher.com/samsungsolve to learn more. Good luck!

Michael Matera @mrmatera, author of Explore Like a Pirate, talks about Purpose Driven Learning in the classroom. www.coolcatteacher.com/e186 Got 5 minutes? That is all it takes to enter the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow contest. If you're a US public school teacher of grades 6-12, you and your students just need to come up with a STEAM idea that can help your community. If you're selected as a finalist, you'll win technology and prizes to help your STEAM project come to reality. The entry period ends this week - Thursday, November 9 is the last day! Go to coolcatteacher.com/samsungsolve to learn more. Good luck!

Ariel Sacks, author of Whole Novels for the Whole Class, shares five reasons to try a whole novel approach. She also explains how this approach works and some advantages for teachers. www.coolcatteacher.com/e185 Today's Sponsor: WriQ from Texthelp is a new FREE Add-on for Google Docs that helps teachers easily assess student writing and track progress over time by automatically scoring students' spelling, punctuation, and grammar errors. It also incorporates rubrics so teachers can provide meaningful, qualitative feedback to encourage the writing journey. This handy free Google Docs add-on tracks things like: time spent writing, spelling-grammar-and punctuation error rates and pulls it into a clear graphical view in your teacher dashboard. To learn more about Wriq go to www.texthelp.com/wriq

Dan Brown talks about practical things we can do to help build grade teachers. From best practices to policy, Dan shares what works (and some of what doesn't.) If you're in preservice education or work with teacher professional development, this podcast episode has some fantastic tips. www.coolcatteacher.com/e184 Today's Sponsor: WriQ from Texthelp is a new FREE Add-on for Google Docs that helps teachers easily assess student writing and track progress over time by automatically scoring students' spelling, punctuation, and grammar errors. It also incorporates rubrics so teachers can provide meaningful, qualitative feedback to encourage the writing journey. This handy free Google Docs add-on tracks things like: time spent writing, spelling-grammar-and punctuation error rates and pulls it into a clear graphical view in your teacher dashboard. To learn more about Wriq go to www.texthelp.com/wriq