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Loneliness. Hopelessness. A search for purpose. These are some of the deepest struggles we face today. But what if the answer isn’t found in accomplishments, possessions, or fleeting distractions? What if the answer is found in a relationship with the One who knows you, loves you, and created you with a purpose?

This Christmas, I’m stepping aside from our regular episodes to share something deeply personal: how I talk about Jesus in my classroom. As a Christian educator, I believe every child is a masterpiece, and I strive to teach in a way that reflects the love and truth of Christ.

In this special episode, you’ll hear incredible stories of how God is working in the lives of everyday people—friends, students, and even in my own life. Jesus isn’t just a figure in history; He’s alive, He’s personal, and He cares deeply about each of us. Featuring heartfelt accounts from Leandra, Myrna, Kenny, Anna, and a unique student story from Sophie, this episode reveals the beauty of a relationship with Jesus. I also share my own story of middle school bullying and not fitting in as well as my mom's last words of encouragement and hope that she wrote and we read at her funeral in January 2021.

If you’ve ever felt alone, uncertain about your purpose, or simply curious about what it means to know Jesus, this episode is for you. Let’s talk about the greatest story ever told—and how it brings hope to the hearts of ordinary people like you and me. Next week, we’ll return to our usual episodes, but today, join me for a heartfelt reflection on faith, purpose, and the message of Christmas.

Thank you for watching this part of my life that is very personal and that I also share with my students everyday. It lets me be a whole person as I share all of this with you. Thank you to my school, Sherwood Christian Academy, and to my friends and students and their parents for letting me share their stories with a wider audience. And thank you to Seth Brasher and Mark Willard for allowing the sharing of their amazing music.

This show will air on WDJY FM 99.1 FM Atlanta on Christmas Day, 2024 at 4pm.

The post Jesus: Purpose for the Every Day – A Special Episode on How Faith Shapes My Classroom appeared first on Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis @coolcatteacher helping educators be excellent every day. Meow!

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The rapid evolution of AI is reshaping education, especially when it comes to teaching writing. In this episode of Cool Cat Teacher Talk, I explore how educators can balance innovation and tradition to empower students as writers in the classroom. From AI tools like Perplexity Pro to modern note-taking strategies, this episode lays the groundwork for helping students navigate writing in the digital age.

This is part 1 and I will be adding part 2 to this blog post as it will be about teachers and how they are teaching writing. This show takes you through the nuts and bolts of why AI is a problem and the issues it is interjecting into writing using some real world examples I've come across as I have tried to use AI to support my blogging, radio show, newsletter, and work.

I also revisit insights from my second book, Reinventing Writing, and discuss how I’d update it to address today’s challenges with AI, attribution, and the importance of nourishing student creativity.

BOOK CREATOR – My favorite tool for teaching writing

Special thanks to Book Creator for sponsoring this episode and supporting classroom innovation.
👉Use code COOLCATTEACHER for 3 months of Premium Book Creator FREE to help your students create and publish their own work.

Key Episode Links:
🎧 Full Episode: coolcatteacher.com/talkwriting
💡 Learn more about AI in education: coolcatteacher.com/talkai
📖 Book Creator: Book Creator. using COOLCATTEACHER to receive 3 months of premium free

Video Show and Screenshots

Key Points in this Episode

1. How Fast Change Meets Kaizen (1:18)

Explore the rapid evolution of writing instruction and how the Japanese philosophy of Kaizen (slow, steady improvement) offers a framework for educators to adapt and innovate at a sustainable pace.

2. Innovating Like a Turtle (2:14)

My “innovate like a turtle” strategy emphasizes small, deliberate steps to implement meaningful change in your classroom.

3. Why Writing is Still Relevant in the Age of AI (2:59)

Even with the rise of AI tools, writing remains essential for critical thinking, communication, and creativity. Learn why writing is more relevant than ever.

4. Using Perplexity Pro for Research (7:02)

Discover how Perplexity Pro can assist with brainstorming and research while navigating its limitations, including attribution challenges.

📖 Tool Mentioned: Perplexity Pro.

5. The Problem of Fake Scholarly Sources (8:37)

AI-generated content sometimes fabricates attributions or sources. I discuss tools like Sourcely that can help, but also why educators and students must approach AI outputs with skepticism.

6. Why “Hallucinate” is the Wrong Term (11:09)

Learn why the term “hallucinate” inaccurately describes AI-generated errors and why this matters for teaching students to evaluate content critically.

7. Longhand Writing vs. AI Tools (12:47)

I reflect on how AI changed the tone and structure of a piece I wrote by hand when I attempted to convert it into a newsletter, highlighting the subtle ways AI can alter writing.

8. Attribution Problems and AI Summaries (20:40)

Understand the impact of AI-driven summaries (e.g., Google Generative AI) on attribution, writer visibility, and website traffic.

9. Evaluating Tools for Your School (24:05)

Get tips for evaluating and choosing writing tools that align with your school’s needs, including updates from Reinventing Writing.

10. Modern Note-Taking (26:11)

Discover modern approaches to note-taking, from digital tools to voice memos, and how these methods are reshaping how students prepare for writing assignments.

11. Social Bookmarking for Writing (34:40)

Learn how to reinvent traditional notecards with social bookmarking tools that help students organize ideas collaboratively and effectively.

12. Collaborative Writing with Notion (39:17)

Explore how tools like Notion can replace wikis for collaborative writing and enhance student teamwork.

13. Cloud Services and Reinventing Essays (42:04)

Cloud-based services offer students more flexibility and options for managing their writing projects. Discover tips for updating how you teach essays in today’s classrooms.

14. Word Processing and Editing Tools (45:20)

I share the best tools for writing instruction, including:

• ProWritingAid for grammar and style.
• Techniques for improving transitions and removing sticky sentences (46:41).

15. Drafting with Voice Typing (47:18)

Learn how to give students multiple options for drafting, including voice typing to support diverse learners.

16. Feedback and Self-Assessment with AI (49:00)

Explore ways to give meaningful feedback, including voice feedback, and teach students how to evaluate their work with AI tools.

17. Converting File Types and Writing Fundamentals (52:27)

Practical tips for converting file types and building a strong foundation for writing success in the classroom.

18. Nourishing Student Interests (53:58)

Hear how my childhood passion for recording shaped my career in podcasting and why it’s critical to nurture students’ interests to spark creativity.

Why This Episode Matters

This episode provides a foundation for helping students write effectively in the age of AI. By combining timeless strategies with modern tools, we can prepare students to think critically and communicate powerfully in any medium.

Stay tuned for Part 2, where I’ll feature insights from leading educators on how they are teaching writing in their classrooms.

🎧 Listen to the full episode: coolcatteacher.com/talkwriting.
📖 Don’t forget to claim your 3 months of Premium Book Creator FREE at Book Creator with the code COOLCATTEACHER!

What tools and strategies are you using to teach writing? Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with me on Twitter.

Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored podcast episode.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via cash payment, gift, or something else of value to include a reference to their product. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers and are from companies I can recommend. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The post How to Teach Writing in Today’s Classroom appeared first on Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis @coolcatteacher helping educators be excellent every day. Meow!

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Discover how educator Ezera Washington achieved a remarkable 91% proficiency rate in ELA assessments within a single academic year, raising her students’ test scores by 40%. This transformative approach integrates relationship-building, tailored small-group instruction, and high expectations, proving that personalized, data-driven strategies can revolutionize student outcomes. If you want to improve your ELA test scores, you'll want to listen to what Ezera did.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How she works with students who are below grade level by helping them tune in to how they feel about reading and how to help them do grade-level work even if they read below grade level.
• How to use formative assessments to adapt instruction in real time.
• Practical methods for scaffolding content without lowering grade-level expectations.
• The power of strong parent-teacher partnerships in boosting reading achievement.
• Motivational strategies to inspire struggling readers.

Join us for actionable tips and insights that will empower every teacher to redefine success in their ELA classroom. Whether you’re new to teaching or a veteran educator, this episode will equip you with proven strategies to elevate test scores and ignite a love of learning.

Key Takeaways

• Relationships Matter: Start by knowing your students’ interests and how they like to learn.
• High Expectations: Never compromise on grade-level goals—scaffold instead of simplifying.
• Formative Assessment: Adjust instruction based on real-time data to meet students where they are.
• Parental Involvement: Engage parents as partners to extend learning beyond the classroom.
• Iterative Planning: Be ready to adapt lesson plans based on daily learning data.

Listen to the Show

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Resources

• Literacy Statistics 2024-2025 – National Literacy Institute

Ezera Washington – Bio as Submitted

Ms.Washington is a dedicated and transformative educator born and raised in Paterson, New Jersey. As the eldest of seven children, Ms.Washington developed a strong sense of responsibility and a passion for education early on, recognizing it as a powerful pathway to economic mobility.

Currently serving as the K-5 Supervisor in Paterson, Ms.Washington is driven by a commitment to empower students and ensure they are prepared for academic success, from the early grades through to college and beyond.

A proud graduate of Montclair State University, Ms.Washington earned a Bachelor of Arts in English, becoming the first in the family to graduate college with the support of the Educational Opportunity Fund. This personal journey exposed Ms.Washington to the academic challenges faced by students from underserved communities, motivating a lifelong commitment to strengthening educational equity in Paterson.

Inspired by a promise she made to herself, to ensure no student from Paterson feels unprepared, Ms.Washington dedicated her career to empowering future generations through transformative teaching and leadership. She believes through high expectations and good relationships all students can succeed inside and outside of the classroom. Beginning her teaching career at School 13 in Paterson,

Ms.Washington quickly expanded her impact, moving on to teach fourth-grade Math and English Language Arts (ELA) in Newark for four years. Here is where she became a highly effective educator and instructional leader. During this time, Ms.Washington earned a Master’s in Elementary Education while working full-time, further developing expertise in instructional strategy, student engagement, and peer mentoring. Returning to Paterson, Ms.Washington continued to excel as a fifth-grade ELA teacher at College Achieve, where her dedication to student success led to notable improvements in test scores, earning her the 23-24 Governor’s Educator of the Year award.

As a supervisor, Ms.Washington champions a collaborative, co-teaching model to elevate instructional quality across the district. Supporting curriculum writing and network professional development sessions for the network. Through consistent modeling and coaching, Ms.Washington develops teachers who are equipped to inspire and support each student’s unique potential. Today, Ms.Washington remains steadfast in her mission to create equitable learning environments where all students are prepared to excel in every space, especially in college, fulfilling a lifelong vision of opportunity and success for Paterson’s youth. Ms.Washington believes in the Thru and Thru mission of all of her students.

The post 91% Proficiency: How One Teacher Transformed Reading Outcomes In Just One Year appeared first on Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis @coolcatteacher helping educators be excellent every day. Meow!

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Today, we’re exploring one of the most exciting and relevant topics in education—teaching kids to code. Featuring insights from leading computer science educators, this episode provides actionable strategies, tools, and ideas to make coding education engaging for all ages.

Watch the Episode Here

Featured Guests

This episode showcases insights and expertise from these amazing educators and leaders put together with highlights from their interviews that combine to add meaning to the topic of coding. If you want an overview on this topic, watch the whole show. If you want to dig deeper into one of the full interviews excerpted in the show, visit one below.

• Felinne Hermans: Discover the Hedy programming language, a free tool accessible in 50 languages. Learn more at www.coolcatteacher.com/e847
• Dr. Marina Umaschi Bers: Learn seven key strategies for introducing coding in early childhood. Visit www.coolcatteacher.com/e202
• Aditya Batura: Explore simple steps for teaching coding, including unplugged activities. Check it out at www.coolcatteacher.com/e262
• Doug Bergman: Gain insight into trends like AI, cybersecurity, and computational thinking. Full episode at www.coolcatteacher.com/e433
• Angela Cleveland: Learn how school counselors are helping more girls pursue careers in computer science. Visit www.coolcatteacher.com/e254
• Omar Shepherd: Find out how California is advancing computer science teaching. Learn more at www.coolcatteacher.com/e860
• Alfred Thompson: Discover practical teaching tips for computer science educators. See the episode at www.coolcatteacher.com/e182
• Vicki Davis: Explore 12 creative ways to teach coding during the Hour of Code. Full episode at www.coolcatteacher.com/e871

Episode Highlights

1. Coding Across the Curriculum

Explore how coding can integrate with art, science, and math, creating interdisciplinary learning experiences that engage students.

2. Unplugged Coding Activities

Not all coding lessons need screens! Activities like “Code with Hot Wheels” and outdoor chalk grids are great for teaching sequencing and logic to young learners.

3. Early Childhood Coding

Dr. Marina Umaschi Bers shares seven practical strategies for introducing coding concepts to preschoolers, helping to build problem-solving and logical thinking skills early on.

4. Promoting Diversity in Tech

Angela Cleveland highlights ways to close the gender gap in computer science, from building awareness to creating opportunities for girls and underrepresented groups.

5. Emerging Trends in Computer Science

Doug Bergman discusses how schools can prepare students for the future of coding, with a focus on AI, cybersecurity, and computational thinking.

Get Ready for the 2024 Hour of Code

Mark your calendars for December 9–15, 2024! The Hour of Code is the perfect opportunity to introduce students to the world of coding. With resources available at code.org, there’s something for everyone, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced educator.

In 10 Quick Minutes You Can Learn about 12 Easy Ways for Students to Code

Subscribe and Stay Updated

Don’t miss future episodes of Cool Cat Teacher Talk! Subscribe to the blog, YouTube channel, and podcast for actionable tips and inspiration:

• Blog: www.coolcatteacher.com
• YouTube: www.youtube.com/coolcatteacher
• Podcast: 10 Minute Teacher Podcast

Together, let’s make coding education fun, inclusive, and impactful!

The post How to Teach Kids to Code: Strategies for Every Stage of Learning appeared first on Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis @coolcatteacher helping educators be excellent every day. Meow!

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As we gear up for CS4Ed Week 2024 and the Hour of Code, it’s the perfect time to explore fun and innovative ways to introduce students to coding. In this episode of the 10 Minute Teacher Podcast, we’re breaking down 12 exciting coding activities that kids will absolutely love. From engaging online tools like Code.org and CodeCombat to hands-on activities with robots and unplugged coding challenges, there’s something here for every educator.

This special episode, sponsored by Mad Learn, also highlights how app development can transform your teaching. Whether you’re preparing for the Hour of Code or planning a creative coding week any time of the year, this blog post has all the tips and tools you need.

Watch the YouTube Episode with Live Demos

Listen to the episode

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Episode Highlights

Episode Highlights:

1️⃣ CodeCombat
Introduce your students to gamified coding with CodeCombat. Begin with the Kith Garde Dungeon or try CodeCombat Jr., which is perfect for younger learners. Bonus: The full curriculum supports AP Computer Science, and my students achieved a 100% pass rate!
👉 Explore CodeCombat

2️⃣ Code.org Music Lab
Students can create their own jam sessions and beats while learning basic coding concepts. This activity is great for music lovers and adds a creative flair to your coding lessons.
👉 Explore Code.org Music Lab

3️⃣ Dance Party at Code.org
Bring movement to your coding lessons! Students can create their own dance parties with adorable animations and age-appropriate tutorials.
👉 Try Dance Party

4️⃣ Anna and Elsa Coding Activity
Partnered with Disney, Code.org’s Anna and Elsa activity lets students program skating patterns with their favorite Frozen characters. A big hit for younger kids!
👉 Code with Anna and Elsa

5️⃣ Minecraft Hour of Code
Dive into the world of Minecraft coding. With step-by-step tutorials, students can explore adventures while learning computational thinking.
👉 Minecraft Hour of Code

6️⃣ App Lab at Code.org
Encourage students to build their own apps using App Lab. It’s free, intuitive, and perfect for introducing app development to your classroom.
👉 Try App Lab

7️⃣ Mad Learn
Our sponsor, Mad Learn, offers a complete app-building solution that integrates the design thinking process. From brainstorming to launching, students gain real-world skills while creating apps.
👉 Learn More About Mad Learn

8️⃣ mBot Robots
Bring robotics to your classroom with mBot2 and mBot Ranger. These robots are great for teaching coding in a hands-on way, from simple commands to complex algorithms.
👉 Discover mBot Robots

9️⃣ Arduino Board Activities
For students ready to explore deeper coding concepts, Arduino boards are an excellent choice. Use them to build and program everything from simple circuits to complex devices.
👉 Explore Arduino Boards

🔟 Hummingbird Robotics Kits
Perfect for creative projects, Hummingbird kits allow students to combine coding with engineering by building robots out of everyday materials.
👉 Learn About Hummingbird Kits

1️⃣1️⃣ Bee-Bots
These cute, programmable robots are fantastic for younger students. They make learning coding concepts fun and accessible for early learners.
👉 Meet Bee-Bots

1️⃣2️⃣ Unplugged Programming with Hot Wheels
No devices? No problem! Use an 8×8 grid with a Hot Wheels car to teach procedural thinking. Students map out movements and navigate through “hot lava” zones.
👉 Try Unplugged Coding Activities

Why This Episode Matters:

As a former stay-at-home mom turned educator, I’ve seen firsthand how coding changes lives. It’s about empowering students to create instead of consume. This Hour of Code, I challenge you to try one (or all!) of these activities and see how coding can ignite excitement in your classroom.

🌟 Ready to dive in? Tune in to the full episode for live demos and more insights.

The post 12 Easy Ways to Teach Kids to Code: Hour of Code & CS4Ed Week 2024 Special appeared first on Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis @coolcatteacher helping educators be excellent every day. Meow!

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Did you know that being grateful has significant health benefits? In this inspiring one-hour show, discover how gratitude can transform your health and happiness! From unlocking the health benefits of thankfulness to mastering simple gratitude exercises, we’ll explore practical ways to incorporate thankfulness into your daily life. Learn how to teach gratitude to children and help them develop lifelong habits of appreciation and positivity. Backed by science and filled with actionable tips, this video is your ultimate guide to becoming more thankful. Perfect for families, parents, and teachers or anyone seeking more joy and fulfillment in their lives. Watch now and start your journey to a healthier, more grateful life!

Watch the Show

This show will air on WDJY 99.1FM in Atlanta on Wednesday, November 20 and then premiere one week later on YouTube.

Guests and Previous Shows

• Vicki Davis, March 1, 2024, Episode 839, “5 Ways to Give a  Genuine Compliment”
• Daron Franklin – Interview for an upcoming episode  of the 10 Minute Teacher Podcast Filmed November 14, 2024
• Morgan Toal September 10, 2018 Episode 356 “The Thank You Project #MondayMotivation”

Web Articles

The 6 Skills that will Increase Your Happiness from Happify Daily

Extensive Research on Thankfulness and the Impact on mental health and life – https://my.happify.com/research/#S-2

Research

Bryant, F. B., Smart, C. M., & King, S. P. (2005). Using the past to enhance the present: Boosting happiness through positive reminiscence. Journal of Happiness Studies: An Interdisciplinary Forum on Subjective Well-Being, 6(3), 227–260. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-005-3889-4

Emmons, R. A., & McCullough, M. E. (2003). Counting blessings versus burdens: An experimental investigation of gratitude and subjective well-being in daily life. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84(2), 377–389. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.84.2.377

Seligman, M. E. P., Steen, T. A., Park, N., & Peterson, C. (2005). Positive Psychology Progress: Empirical Validation of Interventions. American Psychologist, 60(5), 410–421. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.60.5.410

Books Mentioned in this Show

Acuff, John. “All It Takes is a Goal“ by John Acuff

Cloud, Dr. Henry. “Nine Things a Leader Must Do“ by Dr. Henry Cloud

Lowery, Charles. Comic Belief and Comic Belief 2

Maxwell, John. “How Successful People Grow: 15 Ways to Get Ahead in Life“ by John Maxwell

Neffinger, John and Matthew Kohut. “Compelling People: The Hidden Qualities That Make Us Influential“ by John Neffinger and Matthew Kohut

Washington, Booker T. Up from Slavery: An Autobiography.

Williams, Pat. “The Difference You Make: Changing Your World Through the Impact of Your Influence“ by Pat Williams

The post How Gratitude Boosts Your Health (And Your Kids’ Too!) appeared first on Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis @coolcatteacher helping educators be excellent every day. Meow!

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Speech-to-text, audio, personal drawings and pictures, and writing about things kids love are all part of helping kids get excited about writing. In today's show, we talk to 15-year educator Randi Ahrndt about encouraging kids to get excited about writing as we discuss interactive writing strategies and one of the best free tools for teaching writing. We also talk about an authentic project of having kids write a personal book and the various steps of making it happen. We'll explore how to leverage technology and interactive strategies to turn even the most reluctant students into enthusiastic writers. Discover how to encourage creativity and self-expression in your classroom for all grades.

Questions Answered in This Show:

• What are the best free writing apps for classrooms, including tools like Book Creator?
• How can teachers use interactive strategies to make writing more engaging?
• Why is sharing writing with an authentic audience crucial for student motivation?
• How can speech-to-text tools support struggling writers?
• What role does student choice play in creating excitement for writing projects?
• How do graphic organizers help students overcome writer's block?
• How can teachers balance the demands of teaching foundational skills with writing practice?

Key Takeaways:

• Free Apps for Writing: Explore tools like Book Creator, Canva, and Google Docs to enable multimodal storytelling and provide accessibility options such as speech-to-text.
• Interactive Strategies: Foster excitement with activities like project pitches, peer feedback, and sharing stories with family or classmates.
• Practical Tips: Encourage frequent writing through journaling, passion projects, and low-pressure feedback to build confidence.
• Authentic Experiences: Showcase student work with tools like eBooks, digital displays, and class libraries to celebrate their creativity.

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Randi Ahrndt – Bio As Submitted

Randi is a dedicated educator with over 15 years of experience, having served as both an administrator and literacy coach. As a wife and mother of three boys, she is deeply passionate about ensuring equitable access to education for all learners, especially those from underprivileged communities. Randi believes in fostering inclusive environments that empower every student to succeed and embrace lifelong learning. She currently serves as the Director of Product & Learning at Book Creator, where she spreads joy to educators every day!

X: @BookCreatorApp

BlueSky: @BookCreator.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BookCreator/

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randi-ahrndt/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/bookcreatorapp

The post How to Get Kids Excited About Writing appeared first on Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis @coolcatteacher helping educators be excellent every day. Meow!

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Sometimes, teachers can struggle to “fit it all in” when it comes to reading. With all of the news on reading, how do we teach reading? What a relief it is to hear reading instructional leaders like Jennifer Serravallo talk about the artistry of teaching, how to overcome the challenges of teaching reading, and teacher autonomy and responsiveness. Jennifer also reflects on where the research is “fuzzy” in reading instruction needs more work and discusses where we go next (including the challenges of teaching children with changing attention spans). If you teach reading, Jennifer's show is a must-listen.

Episode Highlights About How to Teach Reading:

•  Effective Lesson Structures: Step-by-step plans for read-alouds, shared reading, phonics, and close reading.
• Art Meets Science: How structured lessons allow teachers to bring creativity and adaptability into their reading instruction.
• Emerging Research Areas: What’s next in reading comprehension, engagement, and the role of executive functioning in literacy?

Tune in to get inspired and equipped with tools to make reading instruction more engaging, manageable, and impactful. Perfect for teachers, administrators, and anyone passionate about literacy education.

Listen to the Podcast: Practical Tips on How to Teach Reading

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Jennifer Serravallo – Bio as Submitted

Jennifer Serravallo is a New York Times bestselling author, award-winning educator, literacy consultant, frequent invited speaker at state and national conferences, and former member of the Parents Magazine editorial board. In 2023, she launched her podcast To the Classroom: Conversations with Researchers and Educators.

Jen is best known for creating books and resources rooted in research that help make responsive, strategic, differentiated literacy instruction possible for all teachers.

Her newest books are THE READING STRATEGIES BOOK 2.0 (2023), TEACHING WRITING IN SMALL GROUPS (March 2021), A TEACHER'S GUIDE TO READING CONFERENCES (2019), and UNDERSTANDING TEXTS AND READERS (2018). Her books and resources are used around the world: THE WRITING STRATEGIES BOOK (2017) and THE READING STRATEGIES BOOK (1st edition) (2015) have have been translated into French, Chinese, and Spanish. Her comprehension assessment and teaching resources, COMPLETE COMPREHENSION: FICTION and COMPLETE COMPREHENSION: NONFICTION, help teachers make sense of comprehension, especially in whole chapter books and book-length nonfiction texts. They were released in Spring 2019 and are available through Heinemann (Learn more: hein.pub/cc).

Jen holds a BA from Vassar College and an MA from Teachers College, where she has also taught graduate and undergraduate classes.

Follow Jen on Twitter (@jserravallo) and Instagram (@jenniferserravallo), learn more from her website/blog: www.jenniferserravallo.com, and join the Literacy Strategies Facebook Community.

Blog: www.jenniferserravallo.com

Twitter: @jserravallo

Facebook: Literacy Strategies Community

The post Practical Tips on How to Teach Reading from Jennifer Serravallo appeared first on Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis @coolcatteacher helping educators be excellent every day. Meow!

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In this Cool Cat Teacher Talk episode, we will explore effective assessment strategies with Dr. Thomas Guskey, Becky Holden, Dr. Samuel Nix, Alan November, Mike Roberts, and Christie Thompson. We will talk about what makes an effective assessment and the importance of both formative and summative assessments. I'll share tools and how I use a custom GPT to give formative feedback for project-based learning. Experts and teachers will share tips for all grade levels as we focus on practical formative assessments.

Watch the Show

This show will air on WDJY 99.1FM in Atlanta at 4 pm on Wednesday, November 13, and premiere one week later on YouTube.

Full Interviews of the Guests Included in This Show

Vicki Davis, March 5, 2024, Episode 841, “A New Essential Formative Feedback Tool for Project Based Learning”

Dr. Thomas Guskey, June 9, 2020, Assessment and Grading in Distance Learning – how to get better, Episode 677

Becky Holden, December 4, 2018, Episode 398, “Formative Assessment in Kindergarten”

Dr. Samuel Nix, Recorded November 5, 2024, An excerpt from an upcoming 10 Minute Teacher Episode

Bio of Dr. Nix as submitted

Dr. Sam Nix has served as an Assistant Principal and Principal of both middle and high schools. While serving as a high school principal, Dr. Nix’s campus was named as a National Model School by the National Association of Black School Educators (NABSE) and was named as one of the Top 32 Urban School in America by the National Center for Urban School Transformation (NCUST). His school was ranked in the Top 10 (comparable group) in the state of Texas for the four consecutive years that Dr. Nix was principal. Dr. Nix has served as the Chief of Schools supervising 10 campuses including the fourth largest high school in Texas and he currently serves as the Chief Academic Officer in the Duncanville Independent School District. Dr. Nix has earned his Masters of Education in Educational Leadership, his Superintendent Certification and his Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Texas A&M Commerce University. He has been awarded a Leadership-in-Education Award from the Texas House of Representatives; was presented the Mary McLeod Bethune Heritage Award for Education by the NAACP in 2010, the Dr. June James NAACP Education Award in 2016 and the Leadership Legacy Award from the Future Schools Network in 2019. Dr. Nix is the award-winning author of 6 Steps to a Strong School Culture, a book that offers innovative and common-sense strategies for leading a school culture where teachers and students thrive. Blog: www.snix3consulting.com

Alan November, June 1, 2017, Episode 89, “Alan November Shares a Mindblowing New Idea in Assessment”

Mike Roberts, May 6, 2020, Episode 250, “5 Formative Assessment Strategies to Help with Classroom Management”

Christie Thompson, February 19, 2020, Episode 628, “How to Know You Make a Difference #LoveTeaching”

https://www.coolcatteacher.com/how-to-know-you-make-a-difference-loveteaching/

Thank you For Listening

Thank you for joining us on Cool Cat Teacher Talk! If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe on YouTube so you don’t miss out on any upcoming insights for educators and leaders. For quick tips and inspiring conversations, check out the 10 Minute Teacher Podcast on your favorite podcast app. And don't forget – you can also catch us on select radio and TV stations! Wherever you tune in, let’s keep learning, growing, and inspiring together. See you next time!

😊 Vicki Davis, classroom teacher and host

Past shows of the 10 Minute teacher were chosen for popularity based on downloads of the show related to this topic.

The post Assessments that Work: How to Create Assessments that Help Students Learn More appeared first on Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis @coolcatteacher helping educators be excellent every day. Meow!

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In this heartfelt episode of Cool Cat Teacher Talk, we reflect on the remarkable careers of Mrs. Grace Adkins, who retired at age 94 after 77 years in education, and Mrs. Sharon Howard, who taught kindergarten for 44 years. These veteran educators share invaluable lessons on resilience, compassion, and the love of learning that every teacher can carry into their own classroom. Listen for timeless wisdom on creating a positive impact in students' lives. These women are spunky, vibrant women and two popular episodes of the 10 minute teacher podcast. The episode with Grace Adkins was recorded five years before Mrs. Adkins retired when she was 89. She was my 4th grade teacher and colleague for 16 years. Mrs. Howard was my colleague at Sherwood Christian Academy and is such an amazing woman!

You'll also hear ideas for helping children who struggle to learn and methods for teaching reading.

I also send my condolences to the family of Mrs. Adkins in her passing. I'm glad she got to see the original show when it aired. She marked me forever as my fourth grade teacher and colleague. Mrs. Howard is doing well and sits by me most Sundays in Connect group and is a precious encourager to me. We can all learn so much from these educators.

Watch the Video

Note: The video premieres one week after the show airs on radio. It will air on WDJY at 4pm on Wednesday November 6.

Full Length episodes

These shows are excerpted from the longer episodes here:

Grace Adkins, November 13, 2017, Episode 191

“Amazing Grace Adkins – , my 89 year old learning lab director , and the most amazing woman I know”

Sharon Howard July 6, 2021 episode 748 “44 Years as a  Kindergarten Teacher”

https://www.coolcatteacher.com/44-years-as-a-kindergarten-teacher/

The post Lessons from a Century of Teaching: Insights from Retiring Educators appeared first on Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis @coolcatteacher helping educators be excellent every day. Meow!