I’m taking the rest of the week off. As I leave I will republish some of the most popular posts of the year so far.
There is no shortage of typing games available on the web (find 700 of these here). Most of these games are based on rotation exercises and patterns. That’s why I was curious when Support real teachers The Twitter account tagged me in a post about a new typing practice site that wasn’t just a large collection of animated games. The name of that site is TypeLit.io.
At TypeLit.io you can develop your typing skills while reading classic literature. The way it works is that you pick a classic work in the library of the typewriter and then start typing the text you see on the screen. TypeLit gives you feedback on the accuracy and speed of your typing.
As you can see in my demo video, TypeLit lets you pick a chapter from a book to type or you can type the whole thing. You can use TypeLit without an account. But if you create an account, you can save and resume your progress.
Application for education
TypeLit.io is not going to replace the “traditional” typing command. That said, it could be a place for middle school and high school students to practice their typing skills while reading some classic literature.
Debate teaches core life skills, such as learning to speak persuasively and listening to other people’s opinions with an open mind. Debating in the classroom can be difficult, especially with controversial topics. These fun and interesting debate topics are practiced by kids in a debate-skill low-stack way. Get ready to argue এবং and smile!
Funny topic of food
A topic of common fun debate for all ages
A topic of general fun debate for older students
Funny topic of food
People have many opinions about food. That’s what makes this kind of fun debate topic!
A hot dog is a sandwich.
Taco is a sandwich.
There is no point in eating French fries without ketchup.
Peppery is the best pizza topping.
Peanut butter is better than nutella.
Hot chocolate is better than chocolate milkshake.
The fruit is considered a dessert.
Coca-Cola is better than Pepsi.
Round pizza is better than rectangular.
Ice cream is better than cake.
McDonald’s is the best fast food restaurant.
Chocolate is better than ice cream vanilla.
People should eat to survive, not live to eat.
Chocolate chip cookies are the best kind of cookies.
Hot chocolate is better than eggs.
You should never give ketchup to a hot dog.
You should never put pineapple in pizza.
Macaroni and cheese should be eaten with a spoon, not a fork.
You should first put the cereal in the bowl, then the milk.
A corner brownie is better than the one in the middle.
A topic of common fun debate for all ages
The topics of this fun debate are just as fun for kids as it is for older kids.
All families should have a pet.
Dogs are better pets than cats.
Summer is better than winter.
Candy should be given as a prize in the classroom.
Clowns are more scary than funny.
Modern music is better than classical music.
Xbox is better than PlayStation.
Football is better than football.
Everyone should make their bed every day.
Better a poor horse than no horse at all.
People should be allowed to go barefoot wherever they want.
Fiction is better than nonfiction.
Everyone has to learn to play musical instruments.
Werewolves are more dangerous than vampires.
People don’t have to go to school or work on their birthdays.
Better a poor horse than no horse at all.
Books are better than movies.
Snow skiing is better than water skiing.
You should never wear socks with sandals.
Monday is the worst day of the week.
A topic of general fun debate for older students
The topics of this fun debate are a little more complicated, so high school students will enjoy fighting it!
Pluto should still be considered a planet.
Elves of Santa Claus should be paid a minimum wage.
Other planets have intelligent life.
The eggs came before the chickens.
Harry Potter Better Lord of the Rings.
The world would be better if women were always in charge.
Better a poor horse than no horse at all.
Facebook should add a “Don’t Like” button.
Aliens are living among us on earth.
Using the word curse is no big deal.
Bottled water is better than tap water.
Going out is more fun than staying at home.
Daydreaming is better than nightmares.
Clear all love and war.
Robin Hood is a thief, not a hero.
Darth Vader was a hero at the end, not a villain.
Being famous is not really that great.
Superheroes have to pay for all their losses.
It would be better to live under the sea than to stay in space.
Skirts are more comfortable than pants.
What are your favorite fun debate topics? Share to the WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook!
Now that you have tackled the issues of fun debate, you are ready to move on to more serious issues See 100 middle school debate topics and 100 high school debate topics.
Mindfulness can help middle and high school students manage stress, improve their range of focus, and build empathy. Our students need these skills more now than ever before. Fortunately, adding a few minutes of meditation practice to your classroom routine can be easy and fun. Through this free mindfulness journal, you will guide your students through a different meditation activity each day. From gratitude exercises to simple, quiet breathing exercises, this journal is accessible and fun for students to attend and calm their minds.
Starting with the Mindfulness Journal
You will find everything you need to start your download. You will find a completely in-depth teacher’s guide with step-by-step instructions, prompts and activities. The guide takes you through a variety of ways that you can incorporate mindfulness activities into your daily schedule. The journal is ready to print and use, but it can also be used one page at a time. Blank journal pages are also included to allow your students to use different prompts and activities as they continue their mindfulness practice.
The variety of activities makes it fun and engaging
Each journal page has at least five different mindfulness activities. Helps some students practice gratitude. Others encourage positive self-talk. Each page teaches a different mindful breathing activity. Every day, you can choose the activity or let the students decide which prompt seems right to them.
When you’re running from copier to recess duty and heading back, it’s easy to get back to the fast-food teacher lunch and granola bars lying in the car. We get it. This is why we are always on the lookout for better ideas that are cheaper, easier to pack and more nutritious. These teachers showed us how to do it.
1. Greek yogurt private pan pizza
Because pizza is always a good idea.
Source: @teachertastes
2. Lots of nibbles
Who says you need to pack a sandwich or leftovers? Snacks FTW.
Source: @thepinspiredteacher
3. Mac + cheese
It’s not just for kids! Add some peas or broccoli and pack some raw vegetables or fruits on the side for a healthy twist.
Source: taylorcaitlyn_
4. Salad in a jar
We love all the clever variations of this portable, ready-made salad.
Source: ericabohrer
5. Chola salad
When you get tired of both chicken and tuna salad. Pack some crackers to go with an extra-special lunch time treat.
Source: @getbusyteaching
6. Sheet pan meal preparation
You had me in the sheet pan.
Source: @teachertastes
7. A hearty veggie soup
It’s great for a quick and healthy lunch throughout the week.
Source: ati katienorris27
8. If in doubt, go easy
Easy means not annoying! Sometimes the best lunches are those that rely on simple, healthy ingredients.
Source: teacherandtoddlermeals
9. Chicken Tikka Masala
BRB
Source: @themindfuleducator
10. Couscous and veggies
Serve cold or warm, this combination makes a great salad that will satisfy you.
Source: @ let.a.girl.eat
11. Breakfast for lunch
This is inspired.
Source: atekate_in_the_kitchen
12. Unique quiches
Imagine opening your lunch box and this beauty is waiting for you.
Source: @teachingtable
13. Pasta to go
Standing on his own two feet all day By Carbohydrate loading is required.
Source: millennialmusicteacher
14. Greek tuna salad
Whipped and lemon jazz-up tuna salad. Fill the cake or eat out of the bowl!
Source: @ captivatescience
15. A protein-and-veggie bowl
It never gets any easier than this. A variety of vegetables of your choice, a little protein, a little Greek yogurt, and you can go.
Source: mpcomprehensibleclassroom
16. Fried-cauliflower taco bowl
Literally saliva.
Source: udbudgetbytes
17. A rainbow of vegetables
Get your color.
Source: heymissreception
18. Wrap it
Switch up your sandwich.
Source: teacherandtoddlermeals
19. Mini Cheese Board
It’s like your own personal charcuterie platter.
Source: aseasylunchboxes
20. Burger bowl
You heard me.
Source: @teachertastes
21. Corn salsa and chipotle chicken bowl
Fairly confident that I will eat these five food-preparation bowls on Monday.
Source: @teachertastes
22. Chicken Gyros
I want to be friends with this teacher.
Source: @carollovescupcakes
23. Fried righteousness
They beat what they are serving in the cafeteria.
Source: archers_all_stars
24. Beef with Brussels sprouts
This simple two-ingredient lunch will require you to count the seconds until you can eat it.
Source: @gettingfitwithlusee
25. Ravioli Sandwich
There are also many more delicious things… but the most beautiful mini sandwich in the world.
Source: @schoollunchbox
What is your favorite teacher lunch? Share comments with us!
For more articles like this, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter.
Debate teaches core life skills, such as learning to speak persuasively and listening to other people’s opinions with an open mind. Debating in the classroom can be difficult, especially with controversial topics. These fun and interesting debate topics are practiced by kids in a debate-skill low-stack way. Get ready to argue এবং and smile!
Funny topic of food
A topic of common fun debate for all ages
A topic of general fun debate for older students
Funny topic of food
People have many opinions about food. That’s what makes this kind of fun debate topic!
A hot dog is a sandwich.
Taco is a sandwich.
There is no point in eating French fries without ketchup.
Peppery is the best pizza topping.
Peanut butter is better than nutella.
Hot chocolate is better than chocolate milkshake.
The fruit is considered a dessert.
Coca-Cola is better than Pepsi.
Round pizza is better than rectangular.
Ice cream is better than cake.
McDonald’s is the best fast food restaurant.
Chocolate is better than ice cream vanilla.
People should eat to survive, not live to eat.
Chocolate chip cookies are the best kind of cookies.
Hot chocolate is better than eggs.
You should never give ketchup to a hot dog.
You should never put pineapple in pizza.
Macaroni and cheese should be eaten with a spoon, not a fork.
You should first put the cereal in the bowl, then the milk.
A corner brownie is better than the one in the middle.
A topic of common fun debate for all ages
The topics of this fun debate are just as fun for kids as it is for older kids.
All families should have a pet.
Dogs are better pets than cats.
Summer is better than winter.
Candy should be given as a prize in the classroom.
Clowns are more scary than funny.
Modern music is better than classical music.
Xbox is better than PlayStation.
Football is better than football.
Everyone should make their bed every day.
Better a poor horse than no horse at all.
People should be allowed to go barefoot wherever they want.
Fiction is better than nonfiction.
Everyone has to learn to play musical instruments.
Werewolves are more dangerous than vampires.
People don’t have to go to school or work on their birthdays.
Better a poor horse than no horse at all.
Books are better than movies.
Snow skiing is better than water skiing.
You should never wear socks with sandals.
Monday is the worst day of the week.
A topic of general fun debate for older students
The topics of this fun debate are a little more complicated, so high school students will enjoy fighting it!
Pluto should still be considered a planet.
Elves of Santa Claus should be paid a minimum wage.
Other planets have intelligent life.
The eggs came before the chickens.
Harry Potter Better Lord of the Rings.
The world would be better if women were always in charge.
Better a poor horse than no horse at all.
Facebook should add a “Don’t Like” button.
Aliens are living among us on earth.
Using the word curse is no big deal.
Bottled water is better than tap water.
Going out is more fun than staying at home.
Daydreaming is better than nightmares.
Clear all love and war.
Robin Hood is a thief, not a hero.
Darth Vader was a hero at the end, not a villain.
Being famous is not really that great.
Superheroes have to pay for all their losses.
It would be better to live under the sea than to stay in space.
Skirts are more comfortable than pants.
What are your favorite fun debate topics? Share to the WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook!
Now that you have tackled the issues of fun debate, you are ready to move on to more serious issues See 100 middle school debate topics and 100 high school debate topics.
When you’re running from copier to recess duty and heading back, it’s easy to get back to the fast-food teacher lunch and granola bars lying in the car. We get it. This is why we are always on the lookout for better ideas that are cheaper, easier to pack and more nutritious. These teachers showed us how to do it.
1. Greek yogurt private pan pizza
Because pizza is always a good idea.
Source: @teachertastes
2. Lots of nibbles
Who says you need to pack a sandwich or leftovers? Snacks FTW.
Source: @thepinspiredteacher
3. Mac + cheese
It’s not just for kids! Add some peas or broccoli and pack some raw vegetables or fruits on the side for a healthy twist.
Source: taylorcaitlyn_
4. Salad in a jar
We love all the clever variations of this portable, ready-made salad.
Source: ericabohrer
5. Chola salad
When you get tired of both chicken and tuna salad. Pack some crackers to go with an extra-special lunch time treat.
Source: @getbusyteaching
6. Sheet pan meal preparation
You had me in the sheet pan.
Source: @teachertastes
7. A hearty veggie soup
It’s great for a quick and healthy lunch throughout the week.
Source: ati katienorris27
8. If in doubt, go easy
Easy means not annoying! Sometimes the best lunches are those that rely on simple, healthy ingredients.
Source: teacherandtoddlermeals
9. Chicken Tikka Masala
BRB
Source: @themindfuleducator
10. Couscous and veggies
Serve cold or warm, this combination makes a great salad that will satisfy you.
Source: @ let.a.girl.eat
11. Breakfast for lunch
This is inspired.
Source: atekate_in_the_kitchen
12. Unique quiches
Imagine opening your lunch box and this beauty is waiting for you.
Source: @teachingtable
13. Pasta to go
Standing on his own two feet all day By Carbohydrate loading is required.
Source: millennialmusicteacher
14. Greek tuna salad
Whipped and lemon jazz-up tuna salad. Fill the cake or eat out of the bowl!
Source: @ captivatescience
15. A protein-and-veggie bowl
It never gets any easier than this. A variety of vegetables of your choice, a little protein, a little Greek yogurt, and you can go.
Source: mpcomprehensibleclassroom
16. Fried-cauliflower taco bowl
Literally saliva.
Source: udbudgetbytes
17. A rainbow of vegetables
Get your color.
Source: heymissreception
18. Wrap it
Switch up your sandwich.
Source: teacherandtoddlermeals
19. Mini Cheese Board
It’s like your own personal charcuterie platter.
Source: aseasylunchboxes
20. Burger bowl
You heard me.
Source: @teachertastes
21. Corn salsa and chipotle chicken bowl
Fairly confident that I will eat these five food-preparation bowls on Monday.
Source: @teachertastes
22. Chicken Gyros
I want to be friends with this teacher.
Source: @carollovescupcakes
23. Fried righteousness
They beat what they are serving in the cafeteria.
Source: archers_all_stars
24. Beef with Brussels sprouts
This simple two-ingredient lunch will require you to count the seconds until you can eat it.
Source: @gettingfitwithlusee
25. Ravioli Sandwich
There are also many more delicious things… but the most beautiful mini sandwich in the world.
Source: @schoollunchbox
What is your favorite teacher lunch? Share comments with us!
For more articles like this, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter.
I’m taking the rest of the week off. As I leave I will republish some of the most popular posts of the year so far.
Every once in a while a new edtech service comes along that as soon as I try I know it’s going to be a hit. This is exactly what I felt when I first tried Ridley last month.
Readlee is a new service that lets you create online reading assignments for your students to complete in your classroom or at home. That’s not what makes it great. What makes it great is how your students complete assignments and how you can view their assignment completion.
Ridley idea The basic idea of Readlee is that you give students a reading assignment and they complete it by reading aloud on their computer. Readlee then uses AI to analyze how well your students read the assignment. This analysis is provided in a brief report appearing next to all assignments submitted by your students.
Readlee provides you with reading analysis that includes reading time, total word reading, unique word reading, reading speed, and how many assignments have been read. Additionally, Ridley provides students with a written transcript of spoken words rather than words written in the assignment. Last, but not least, you can listen to a recording of your students reading aloud. Analysis, transcripts and recordings are available for all assignments regardless of length, reading complexity or content.
Watch this thirty second video to see a little Ridley in action. My long video overview has been included at the end of this post.
How to start using Ridley It only takes a few minutes to get started with Readlee. The first thing you need to do is sign up for a free account You can do this with your Google Account, with your smart account, or with an email address. After registration you will create a classroom in Readlee. This means you will create assignments for your students in your classroom (if you need more than one classroom, you can create multiple).
You have two options for taking your students to your Readlee classroom. The easiest option is to sync a Google Classroom or Clever roster to your Readlee account. Another option is to give your students a class invitation link that Readlee creates for you. They will then write the class code to join your class. Either way you create your Readlee classroom, students can use Readlee with or without an email address.
Once your Readlee classroom is ready it is time to create your first assignment. There are several ways to create an assignment for your class. You can import a PDF, you can copy and paste a paragraph of text, you can import an article from the web, or you can use one of the articles, poems or books available in Readlee’s library. There is also an option to create an independent reading assignment where your students can read aloud anything they like.
Ridley’s library of books, poems, and short stories provides a convenient way to create a reading assignment without having to source material elsewhere. Select only one item from the library and then choose which page (s) you want to include in your assignment.
After selecting or importing the item you want your students to read aloud, you can add some written instructions for your students. For example, when I created an independent reading assignment, I added an instructional note that said, “Read two pages from your March Independent reading book.” The final step is to assign reading assignments to individual students throughout the class or within the class.
Readlee’s student side Students sign in to Readlee and then access their assigned reading by selecting the assignment they want to complete. As soon as they do this a new screen will appear which they must read. Students then click on the microphone icon at the bottom of the screen and start reading aloud. When they are finished, they stop recording and click on “Start Assignment” I should keep in mind that students can pause the recording process if necessary and resume it to complete the assignment. In fact, I did it while testing the student’s vision because I had a slight tingling in my throat and sipped a black cherry selter to clear it.
In addition to the assignment list, in their Ridley classroom students will find a moving table of the number of words read aloud, the time they spend reading, the average speed of their reading, and the total number of unique words they read.
Ridley benefits for teachers, students and parents If you’ve reached this point in the post without clicking to create your Ridley account, here are some benefits to using Readlee that are worth noting.
Readlee gives you an easy way to consistently measure your students’ reading fluency and progress.
Readlee is a time-saver compared to manually reading journal or log checking.
Readlee shows students their progress in a way that is easy for them and their parents to understand.
Try Readlee today!
In this post I have focused on the features of Readlee that are free and open to all teachers to use as long as they want. There are additional premium features that can be purchased. I want to start by trying the free version. Watch my tutorial video embedded below to see what you and your students need to know to start using Readlee today.
Published: Readlee is currently an advertiser for FreeTech4Teachers.com
Recently on Reddit, a user asked teachers about their exciting adoption of teaching. If you are lagging behind in your lingo because of the epidemic, the issues of heat are the opinions, questions and observations that people do not always share widely due to their controversial and often irritating nature. It turns out that academics had a lot to say.
From predictable problems of working conditions to less predictable aspects of khakis, no stone was left unturned. Teachers across the country — and in some cases, around the world ছেন have matched their piping-hot commentary. We are much more here for this.
See some of the top responses.
“There’s been too much focus on hiring new teachers, not enough to keep them there.”
“The reason for the shortage of teachers is that teachers initially leave within their first 3-5 years, not the lack of new people entering the profession. For example, my former district has just increased the salary of a new teacher by 60k, but a teacher with 25 years of experience will earn roughly $ 75k if he enters the district. Make it meaningful. “
“In related notes, teacher turnover should be a major factor in school evaluation by state / district. If one-third of your employees resign each year, it’s a bright red flag that someone needs to step on and make meaningful changes. “- EasyTrust 786
“My excitement is that the situation in which teachers have to work will never improve unless enough teachers strike and demand a change in the situation.”
“I know it’s really hard, maybe impossible, to do though. But no one can dream! I hope the number of teachers leaving this year will have some effect. ” – Rabbit_and_moon
“Good adoption: We are in no way prepared or equipped to teach in the 21st century.”
“Reason: Both our funding and the amount and funding of ‘professional’ / vocational training should have matched the massive growth of technology. Today teachers are using methods developed 50-70 years ago.
“PowerPoint, electronic whiteboards, etc. are great tools but we have a lot of information on how to solve learning in order to make learning styles effective and yet our funding has been reduced, our technology bank, our degrees do not focus on new realities of our environment, And our students suffer from being jammed in 30 classrooms at once. ” Intelligence is optional
“You don’t have to wear khaki to be a good teacher.”
“I wore jeans every day of the year and my kids had great scores on exams.” —Kanjila 9009
“The administrator should come with a job limit.”
“It’s very hard to remember what it was like in the classroom for 5 years or so. Put them back in a classroom (at the salary of a classroom teacher) for at least a year before they apply to become administrators again. Many of the best principals I’ve worked with are first-year principals. ” – Who is the teacher?
“New administrators should never evaluate teachers.”
“Teachers have no idea what constitutes reasonable expectations. As an experienced teacher, some of the stupidest or most heinous recommendations have just come from administrators. “- Nothing
“Education is certainly a skill that can be learned, but it also exists It is Factor. “
“You can train someone to be a better teacher or a better presenter of information, but not everyone is a teacher.” Activate_Procrastina
“Politics and armchair quarterback parents have ruined the profession.”
– Coskibum 002
“Teachers are held in low esteem because it is a traditionally women-dominated field, and it will never receive full respect or compensation for it because of the realization that we all have husbands and wives who earn a lot of money to support us in our altruism. “
-Black Widow 1414
“The best part is staying with the students in the classroom. Everything else depends on space, time and administration. “
BBFan121
Really true. Principals in particular can have a huge impact on their teachers ’experience, and kids are always, always the best part.
(Sometimes except when they are not.)
We’d love to hear your hot take on education! Which of the following do you find to be true about education but often hesitate to reveal? Comment and share your thoughts.
Also, for more articles like this, be sure to subscribe to our newsletters.
Teachers need reliable laptops. If you are shopping for a new one, you may feel overwhelmed by all your choices. Fortunately, we’ve read the reviews and rounded up the best laptops for teachers in all price ranges and sizes.
How do I choose a laptop?
There is a lot to consider, including screen size, port and storage options, and processor choices. You may want to prioritize battery life, connection options, and price, but this will vary based on your needs. If you’re buying a Windows machine, make sure it includes the latest software, Windows 11 (or a free upgrade if Windows 10 is already installed).
Teacher choice can also be a factor of your choice. Many brands offer substantial discounts for teachers and we have included them here with our recommendations. If you are considering a laptop from another manufacturer or a specific store, be sure to see if they offer any academic discounts. Also, check out our scoop on 7 great laptop discounts for teachers.
One last note: the global shortage of microchips is still causing problems with the availability of all kinds of electronics, including laptops. Some of the choices listed here may currently run out of stock, so you have to be patient if you have a specific model that you really want.
(Just a warning, WeAreTeachers may collect a portion of sales from the links on this page. We only recommend items that our team likes!)
Apple MacBook Pro
Apple is a clear choice for many teachers because it is also a choice for many schools. The MacBook Pro is the company’s high-end laptop, which will match the price. It has some great features like the backlit “Magic Keyboard” that has a touch bar at the top with shortcuts for changing tools based on what you’re doing. For the price, though, you can expect it to include a touch screen, which it doesn’t.
Battery life is outstanding, up to 20 hours depending on usage. Customizable options include screen size (13, 14, or 16 inches) and storage (from 256GB to 2TB SSD). If you are willing to invest, the MacBook Pro must meet the needs of your teacher. Need a more affordable alternative? Take a look at the Apple MacBook Air.
Teacher Discounts: Shop through the Apple Education Store for exclusive discounts with special 2022 back-to-school deals.
Lenovo Yoga 2-in-1
Lenovo models are very popular among WeAreTeacher HELPLINE chatters, and you will find two of them in our list of best laptops for teachers. First: Add 2-in-1. It’s one of the best convertible laptops out there, says teacher Dedra E. Can prove: “I recently bought a Lenovo Yoga 2-in-1 15-inch and I love, love, love! It is light and the battery on a single charge lasts about 10-12 hours And I spent less than $ 800. Highly recommended. “
The Yoga 2-in-1 laptops come in a variety of screen sizes and processors. The built-in webcam has a privacy shutter and the battery life is great up to 13 hours. All in all, this is one of our favorite options for laptop / tablet combo for teachers.
Teacher Discount: Sign up at ID.me to confirm your eligibility to save 10% with Lenovo Student and Teacher Discount.
Microsoft Surface Laptop 4
Microsoft’s Surface Line combines the full features of a laptop with the convenience of a touch screen. Here is the teacher Melissa R. Want to say: “I have a surface. I love it. It can act as a tablet but if you add a wireless keyboard it is like a laptop. Very effective. Add a pen and you have the ability to write / draw (this has been very effective in zooming).
Expect a battery life of 16 to 19 hours with the new 2-in-1 model. The Surface Laptop 4 is available with a 13.5- or 15-inch screen, both with thin lines and a lightweight build. If you are looking for something smaller (and more profitable) then the Surface Laptop Go is another good choice to consider.
Teacher Discounts: Microsoft offers discounts and special deals in their education stores.
Samsung Galaxy Book2 360
Convertible models are one of the best laptops for teachers, since you get all the functionality of a laptop with the portability of a tablet. The new Galaxy Book2 360 has a nice display and a high-quality webcam for easy viewing of online meetings or teaching sessions. The touch screen makes it easy to use while you teach and it promises a battery life of up to 21 hours.
Teacher Discount: Samsung offers 10% tuition discounts if purchased directly from their site.
HP Specter x360
If you like the idea of a laptop that is converted to a tablet, this HP model is a must see. Reviewers love the bright touch screen with its true-to-life color. Up to 16 hours of battery life should be more than enough to get you through a school day, but a quick battery charge gives you 50% of battery life in about 45 minutes if you run low. The Specter x360 line comes in a variety of screen sizes and colors.
Teacher Discount: Register to get exclusive teacher discount at HP Education Store.
Google Pixelbook Go
Most teachers are still familiar with Chromebooks because many schools use them This is a good model for those who want something that is easy to use without a lot of frills. One of its best features is a 1080p webcam, the quality of which is good enough that you will not need any external webcam for your zoom class.
The 13.3-inch touch screen is simple, and the Pixelbook has a 3.5mm headphone jack, which can be a bit rare nowadays. Expect about 12 hours of battery life and remember that you’ll need a Google Account to set up and use a Chromebook.
Teacher Discounts: Visit the Google site for education on promotional discounts and offers
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5
The IdeaPad Flex is a bargain-priced touch-screen laptop with lots of quality. A fingerprint scanner helps ensure security and privacy, which can be important in a classroom. Multiple screen sizes and processors are available, but we prefer the 14-inch size for teachers, which is 2-in-1O. Battery life is a little less than the others on our list at about 10 hours, but Rapid Charge gives you up to 2 hours with just 15 minutes of charging. Consider it a good economic choice with many functionalities.
Teacher Discount: Sign up at ID.me to confirm your eligibility to save 10% with Lenovo Student and Teacher Discount.
LG G17.
Most laptops fall in the 13- to 15-inch screen range, but 17-inch options are available, and we wanted to include a few of them in our list of best laptops for teachers. A large screen is easy to read from a distance in the classroom and it is good to have it during online teaching or meeting.
LG’s 17-inch model has a high-end peak, but the beautiful screen display and light weight design make it very attractive. This large laptop weighs less than 3 pounds, so it is perfectly portable. It is large enough to include a variety of ports (including HDMI) and card slots and promises great battery life (up to 19 hours). The large key cap and touch pad size also make it easy to use. The only real feature missing here is a touch screen.
Teacher Discounts: LG does not currently offer teacher discounts.
Acer Aspire 5
Looking for a more affordable 17-inch laptop? This introduced the Acer model. The high-speed processor is as good as the LG Gram at a fairly low cost. The built-in webcam is 1080HD, eliminating the need for an external camera in most cases. Battery run time is about 8 hours, which is not outstanding but certainly good enough to last you most of the day. This is a solid option when you want a large screen without a large dent in your wallet.
Teacher Discount: Acer does not currently offer teacher discounts.
Acer Swift 3
Acer is known for basic, reliable computers without fancy extras. This model has all the standard features you are looking for and a few nice touches, such as an HDMI port and a super-lightweight aluminum body. Reviewer battery life varies, on average about 10 hours.
For the price, the high functionality of this smooth laptop makes it a perfectly good choice for teachers. Choose between 13.5 ″ / 3: 2 or 14 ″ / 16: 9 aspect ratio screens and a few processor types.
Teacher Discount: Acer does not currently offer teacher discounts.
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Also, check out our list of the best teacher bags that work just as hard as yours!
By the time students reach fourth grade, they have mastered the basics of phonology and decoding and have begun to dig deeper to understand what they are reading. This is a great time to introduce learning strategies that will help them become lifelong readers. Here are a dozen ways to improve fourth grade reading comprehension.
1. Color-code is your thought
Highlighting note-taking and reading passages with color can help students differentiate, retain, and transfer knowledge, as well as focus on important information for meaningful learning. Teach your students to use color to highlight paragraphs to help them identify features such as key ideas, descriptions, and vocabulary words. Or use different colors to mark different sections of the graphic organizer.
Learn more: Think, grow, smile
2. Try to think out loud
Another way to improve fourth grade comprehension is to think. When reading a lesson to students, share the questions and answers that are running through your mind. For example, “How does the story make you feel?”
Learn more: Balanced Literacy Diet
3. Watch a story-material rap video
Do you know how they say that learning music helps improve the retention setting? Okay, with this story-material wrap video, kids will see themselves pronouncing the chorus much later. And if rap isn’t your thing, check out this list of our favorite YouTube videos to teach storytelling
4. Play a round of reading comprehension jingle
Who doesn’t like the thrilling game of jingle? Careful strategy in picking the right block তা rushing to get a block out successfully… the whole tower collapses at the sound! This classroom version is not just a blast, it helps to improve reading comprehension skills. Score a used Zenga set at a garage sale or thrift store, then download this huge collection of comprehensible questions to read fiction and nonfiction from the initial assessment.
Learn more: Remedia Publications
5. Improve vocabulary skills
The more words a student knows, the more they have access to complex reading paragraphs. Practice vocabulary skills in a fun way with these 20 meaningful vocabulary activities. Draw vocabulary sketch notes, play vocabulary risks, join the Million Dollar Word Club and much more.
6. Practice using context formulas
Image Source: Crafting Connection
Being able to use context clues to define unknown words is crucial for all students. This poster and lesson plan on crafting connections will give your students the techniques they need to become a sound detective.
7. Find creative ways to respond to reading
Photo source: An Educators Life
Terrible, old-fashioned, standing in front of class and reading the report of your boring book. How about creating a mint-tin book report? Or a book report cake? Or a mobile or paper bag book report made from a clothes hanger? Here are some creative ways kids can respond to books that we’ve rounded up to get your students excited about reading.
8. Learn about close reading techniques
Photo source: De Lu on Pinterest
Close reading is defined as “an intensive analysis of a text so as to know what it says, how it says it, and what it means.” And research shows that teaching students how to close-read helps them become better readers. The strategy is to spice it up so that students can apply the skill of reading closely without getting bored. Here is the idea of an innovative teacher to teach close reading.
9. Create anchor charts together
From identifying a text to visualizing a character’s journey to understanding, we’ve got fourth grade reading comprehension anchor charts for you! Choose from dozens of color samples for you to create with your students during direct instruction.
10. Introduce metaphorical language
Photo source: YourDictionary.com
Things like metaphors, similes and onmatopoeia make that reading more colorful and interesting. Understanding metaphorical language is a complex literacy skill that will expand your students’ understanding. Focus your lessons around anchor charts in this fantastic metaphorical language.
11. Theme Focus
Photo source: Upper Elementary Snapshot
In order to fully explore the theme, students must be able to understand what they read and then extract ideas from the text. Here are some tips to help you learn themes in the language industry.
12. Read in line
Learning to guess is a key literacy skill and something that all good readers do. When students pause and connect while reading to ask questions, it strengthens their comprehension. To learn more about this, go to Teaching with Mountain View.
Looking for more ways to encourage the burden of fourth grade reading? Check out our list of the top 60 books in 4th grade.
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