Headers That Move: The Missing Piece in Your Google Forms

WEBSITE ↬ Headers That Move: The Missing Piece in Your Google Forms

AUDIENCE ↬ teachers & admins

CONTENT ↬ all

GRADE LEVELS ↬ all grades

Ok, you have to check out this awesome guide from Tony Vincent on how to spruce up your Google Forms with custom headers! He walks you through exactly how to create eye-catching banners using tools like Canva and provides the perfect dimensions so your digital assignments look super professional. My favorite part is how it explains that Google automatically matches your theme colors to your image, making your forms look totally polished and fun with zero extra effort! 

HOW CAN TEACHERS USE THIS RESOURCE?

I can see teachers using this create more fun & engaging headers when they create Google Forms for surveys, class activities, or assessments. No need to be boring!

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Protect Young Eyes: App Reviews

WEBSITE ↬ Protect Young Eyes: App Reviews

AUDIENCE ↬ parents, teachers, & admins

CONTENT ↬ apps

GRADE LEVELS ↬ all grades

This is not my standard, classroom focused resource. It is an AMAZING resource! Protect Young Eyes (the website host) is a fantastic, go-to resource designed to help you navigate the ever-changing digital world with confidence! This is their app review page which offers honest, detailed breakdowns of today’s most popular platforms—like TikTok, Roblox, and Discord—going well beyond the basic descriptions you’ll find in the App Store.

Think of this site as your digital "safety manual"; it provides clear insights into potential risks and helpful safety features so you can make informed decisions for the children in your care. Whether you are a parent, teacher, or youth leader, this site is a wonderful tool for creating safer online spaces and sparking meaningful conversations about technology!

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6 Ed Tech Tools to Try in 2026

WEBSITE ↬ 6 Ed Tech Tools to Try in 2026

AUDIENCE ↬ teachers & admins

CONTENT ↬ all

GRADE LEVELS ↬ all grades

I have followed Jennifer Gonzalez & her Cult of Pedagogy blog for many years. Every year in January, she and her team share out this small highlight of edtech tools they have found to be timely and valuable. This year their 6 tools are: Makers Making Change, BandLab, Brilliant, Napkin AI, Short Answer, & Retro Report. This blog & accompanying podcast will allow you to decide which of these you'd like to check out for yourself. 

HOW CAN TEACHERS USE THIS RESOURCE?

I can see teachers using this to find new and reliable tools they might want to try for themselves and in their classrooms. Cult of Pedagogy (Jennifer Gonzalez) is a highly respectable educator who has been sharing 6 tools every year for a number of years. She and her team do a lot of research to find ones that will provide benefits and advantages to teachers who are interested. This is part of a bigger project - the Teacher's Guide to Tech - they put together to provide the support, reviews, and guidance we need in this ever changing world of edtech. 

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150 Engaging Debate Topics for Middle School Students

WEBSITE ↬ 150 Engaging Debate Topics for Middle School Students

AUDIENCE ↬ teachers

CONTENT ↬ ELA & History

GRADE LEVELS ↬ grades 4-8

Looking for a collection of engaging debate topics? This article has 150 topics that are designed to help middle schoolers develop critical thinking and respectful communication skills. The list covers a wide range of subjects, from lighthearted pop culture questions to more serious social issues, offering teachers a versatile resource for any classroom discussion. (I wish I had them when I taught communications class!)

HOW CAN TEACHERS USE THIS RESOURCE?

I can see teachers using the interactive activities like "Four Corners" or "Pair and Share" to help students practice their arguments in a dynamic and low-pressure setting. Additionally, you can foster empathy and critical thinking by asking students to research and defend the opposite of their personal opinions.

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TAPS

WEBSITE ↬ TAPS

AUDIENCE ↬ teachers & admins

CONTENT ↬ phones in schools

GRADE LEVELS ↬ all grades

"The Toolkit for Assessing Phones in Schools (The TAPS) is a free, ready-to-use toolkit designed to help elementary, middle and high schools evaluate their phone policy. The TAPS was jointly developed by the Stanford Social Media Lab and the Tech and Society Lab at NYU Stern."  

I have become a big believer in the need to limit/eliminate the use of students' cell phones in school. I also believe we, as a society, need to push back on the "norm" of giving devices to kids at a young age. This resource is built for schools to help your school figure out what is best for you. I love that it is set up in a way for you to include ALL the "players" - students, parents, teachers, and admin. 

HOW CAN TEACHERS USE THIS RESOURCE?

I can see teachers sharing this resource with their school leaders. Some of us need to start a conversation, some of us need to continue a conversation, and some are at the point of revisiting conversations to ensure the policy best fits their community.

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Robert Kaplinsky's Lessons - math

WEBSITE ↬ Robert Kaplinsky's Lessons - math

AUDIENCE ↬ teachers & admins

CONTENT ↬ math

GRADE LEVELS ↬ K-12

I love a good puzzle. I'm mostly referring to jigsaw puzzles, but I do enjoy "figuring things out", too. Math is the perfect subject to do that in. Robert Kaplinsky is a math teacher and creator of Open Middle problems, which typically requires higher level thinking to solve. I love sharing resources that will challenge your students but allow them to have fun at the same time.

HOW CAN TEACHERS USE THIS RESOURCE?

I can see teachers using this as bell ringers, activities for fast finishers, or just at random points to break up the regular flow of the classroom. These math problems encourage a different kind of thinking about math. Choose the appropriate grade level and you are set! 

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TED-Ed

WEBSITE ↬ TED-Ed

AUDIENCE ↬ teachers & admins

CONTENT ↬ all

GRADE LEVELS ↬ all grades

I have enjoyed several TED Talks. They always make me think about the topic being covered in a way differently than I currently do. TED-Ed brings that world to you & your students. You will find great lesson plans that support the video. I used a couple of them in my own classroom when I taught Communications - seeing real students speaking to audiences helped my students see what good examples are for their peers.

HOW CAN TEACHERS USE THIS RESOURCE?

I can see teachers using this to find solid, well thought out lesson plans to support their classroom. Their lessons lay out how to use it in the classroom, but I don't be afraid to add your own spin on it and really make it work for you & your students. Maybe it will inspire you to have your students create their own Ted Talks?

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