5 Steps to Gamify Your Elementary Classroom
10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
Release Date: 01/31/2020
Fun Grammar Strategies That Actually Work
10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
Can grammar really be fun? Yes! In this episode, literacy coach and author Patty McGee shares fresh, playful ways to teach grammar that actually work—and won't leave kids groaning. If you've ever struggled to make grammar stick, you'll love these shame-free, curiosity-fueled strategies that bring joy and purpose back into your language lessons. (And personally I also like that there can be alternatives to diagramming sentences.) Solution Tree 💼 Sponsor Message: This episode is sponsored by Solution Tree. For over 25 years, Solution Tree has partnered with schools and districts...
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Teaching Math in 2025: Dan Meyer on Tools, Trends, and True Engagement
10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
How do we move beyond drill-and-kill and actually engage students in math? In this visionary episode, Dan Meyer shares how Desmos and Amplify are transforming math classrooms—and what every teacher needs to know for the future of math instruction. Highlights from Dan Meyer include: • Real-Time Math Engagement: How Desmos shifts math from static worksheets to dynamic experiences. How Amplify also works in this area. • Embedded PD That Works: Why the best professional development happens inside the tools teachers already use. • The Mindset Shift: Why great math teachers start with what...
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56% of New Teachers in Texas Are Uncertified: The Impact on Learning
10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
Is passion enough to teach? In this powerful episode, Dr. Jacob Kirksey—Assistant Professor of Education Policy at Texas Tech University—reveals research on the rise of uncertified teachers (56% of new teachers in Texas are uncertified) and the real cost to student learning. Discover why teacher training matters more than ever and how we can fix the broken pipeline in education. 💼 Sponsor Message: This episode is sponsored by Solution Tree. For over 25 years, Solution Tree has partnered with schools and districts to deliver research-driven professional development that helps...
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8 Insights About Early Childhood Education
10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
Isabelle Hau, executive director of the Stanford Accelerator for Learning, joins Vicki Davis to explore why the early years gap is our greatest educational inequity. Discover how 90% of brain development happens before age five and why relationships are fundamental to learning. Hau's book "Love to Learn" (the #1 new release on Amazon in Early Childhood Education) reveals why we need more "relational intelligence" in education and less focus on standardized metrics. She explains why young children today play 50% less outdoors than their parents did and how early childhood educators are...
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5 Ways to Help Students Succeed in School and Life
10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
Daron Franklin also known as “Coach Frank,” is a former Algebra I teacher turned human performance coach. His practical advice to help teachers reach kids and to help kids reach their goals is spot on. He talks about strategies for improving student motivation. Additionally, he shares the importance of building relationships and things you can say and do to support student mental health. I like how he encourages us teachers to be honest when we make mistakes (we all make them.) He also encourages us to bring relevance into every lesson. Finally, his encouragement to develop keystone habits...
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How to Actually Engage Students Who Have Zero Attention Span
10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
Dr. Marc Isseks, author of Captivate: Engaging and Empowering Students in a World of Digital Distractions, talks bluntly about cell phone policies and his opinion that attempting to ban cell phones is pointless. He also discusses the ways that you can engage students who have a short attention span (sometimes it feels like zero, but there are a few seconds -- 3 seconds. Some would say that is zero!) His thoughts on starting class are important ones to discuss. Whether it is pop culture, or other tips he offers, we can engage students in learning from the moment they walk in the door. Show...
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AI in Education: Friend or Foe? A Student Perspective #AILiteracyDay
10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
Today is AI Literacy Day, Friday, March 28, 2025. So, as my part in celebrating this day, I thought the best people to speak about this topic is my students. So, I issued a call to my AP students and two of them showed up this past Tuesday and we recorded this show. I think that their honest, intelligent, reflective thoughts of the issue of their generation and their concerns and hopes for the future. If you didn't want to talk to your students about Artificial Intelligence, you will after this show. I'm going to watch this with my other classes to start the conversation. The boldness and...
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Personalizing Learning for Teachers & Students
10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
Courtney Walker, NASSP National Assistant Principal of the year for 2024 talks about personalize learning for both teachers and students at her school and how to get started. The collaboration at her school will inspire you! Show notes and full transcript:
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How to Build a Thriving Music Program: Expert Advice from Adrian Gordon
10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Adrian Gordon, a seasoned music educator with over 20 years of experience, as he shares his insights on building a thriving music program. Discover how to connect with students, foster creativity, and overcome common challenges in music education. Whether you're a music teacher or simply passionate about the arts, this episode offers valuable advice and motivation. Show notes and bio: Key Takeaways: Prioritize self-care to sustain your energy and passion. Remember your "why" to stay focused on the impact of music education. Meet students where they...
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How Fortnite Can be Free Physics Fun for Everyone!
10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
In the ever-evolving landscape of educational technology, Fortnite Creative is emerging as a groundbreaking tool for physics education and game-based learning. Andrew Vanden Heuvel, an innovative educator, is transforming the way students engage with STEM education through virtual laboratories and interactive learning experiences. By leveraging the immersive world of Fortnite, Heuvel's Fortnite physics project is redefining student engagement and creative learning environments. This digital curriculum not only enhances physics education but also bridges the gap between e-sports in education...
info_outlineHow could you take your whole elementary classroom year and gamify it? What if everything students learn could gain them XP (experience points?) What if you can reach those strugglers by making a classroom on mission? Today, Heather Marrs, a teacher and instructional coach from Oregon, takes us through the five steps she used to gamify her elementary classroom and give us the tips and tricks she learned to motivate every learner.
Heather Marrs - Bio As submitted
Heather Marrs is an Instructional Coach at Eagle Rock Elementary in Eagle Point, Oregon. She is an Apple Distinguished Educator, Seesaw Ambassador, Book Creator Ambassador and FlipGrid Ambassador. Heather is passionate about integrating technology in education to amplify student voice, increase communication, and engage students. She has been a presenter at ISTE 2019, NCCE 2016-19, the Southern Oregon EdTech Summit 2015-18, and IntegratED 2017-18. Heather is the founder and main moderator of the Oregon EdChat which can be found at #OrEdChat on Twitter. She enjoys being a connected educator and providing professional development both locally and regionally. Outside of teaching, she is a wife and mother of two amazing kiddos.
Blog: https://hmarrs24.wordpress.com/
Twitter: @hmarrs24
Resource: I've created a Google site that accompanies a three-day workshop that I do on gamifying your classroom at the elementary level. It's called Next Level Gamification: https://sites.google.com/eaglepnt.k12.or.us/nextlevelgamification3day/home