How to Get Kids Excited About Writing
10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
Release Date: 11/19/2024
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...
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How to Reduce Teacher Stress: Self-Care Strategies for 2025
10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
In this episode, we dive into the essential topic of self-care for educators with expert Morgane Michael, author of "Burn Out and Fired Up" and "Blueprint for Belonging." Teaching is a high-stress profession, often leading to burnout and compassion fatigue. Morgane shares practical strategies to help educators maintain their well-being, foster a positive classroom environment, and build a supportive school culture. - Discover the power of mindfulness in just three minutes a day. - Learn how to assess your career and projects with two simple questions. - Explore the benefits of gratitude...
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How to Shorten the Line at the Principal's Office
10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
Traditional discipline isn’t working—so what should we do instead? In this episode, Joshua Stamper, educator and co-author of The Language of Behavior, shares how he transformed school discipline by replacing punishment with relationship-driven strategies. 💡 Learn how to: ✅ Handle disruptive behavior without removing students from class ✅ Implement the Push-In Model to strengthen teacher-student trust ✅ Use trauma-informed strategies to support emotional regulation ✅ Build a school culture that improves behavior long-term 📖 Show Notes & Resources: 📩 Subscribe &...
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Teaching Writing in an AI World: A Practical Guide
10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
As AI tools like ChatGPT become more accessible, how can teachers help students develop authentic writing skills? In this episode, Vicki Davis talks with Dawne Beck, an experienced ELA teacher, about practical strategies for integrating AI into writing instruction while maintaining academic integrity. You’ll learn: ✅ How to teach writing as a process to reduce AI misuse. ✅ Ways to use AI for feedback and editing without replacing student creativity. ✅ How to design writing prompts that AI can’t complete well. ✅ Why students often prefer their own writing over AI-generated...
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11 Simple Hacks for Teachers to Save Time | Dr. Desiree Alexander
10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
Are you a teacher feeling overwhelmed by endless tasks and struggling to find time for what truly matters—your students? In this episode of The 10 Minute Teacher Podcast, Dr. Desiree Alexander, an award-winning educator and consultant, shares 11 practical time management hacks every teacher can use to reclaim their time and reduce stress. 📋 Show Notes: Access the full show notes and links mentioned in this episode at coolcatteacher.com/e879. 🎓 About Dr. Desiree Alexander: Dr. Desiree Alexander is the Founder and CEO of Educator Alexander Consulting, LLC, and the Deputy Director for the...
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Why RTI and MTSS Matter: Strategies to Support Every Learner with Mike Mattos
10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
Discover how to revolutionize student support with RTI (Response to Intervention) and MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) in this expert-led episode. Mike Mattos, an internationally recognized educator, author, and co-creator of the RTI at Work™ model, shares proven strategies to help schools ensure every learner thrives. Drawing from decades of experience as a teacher, principal, and thought leader in professional learning communities, Mike breaks down practical tips, common mistakes to avoid, and insights for building a powerful framework of student success. Whether you're a teacher,...
info_outlineSpeech-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.
Show notes: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e869
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.
Book Creator is my favorite tool for teaching writing and promoting student creativity! With its user-friendly platform, students can create vibrant eBooks featuring text, images, audio, and even video.
✅ Get 3 months FREE of Book Creator Premium with the code COOLCATTEACHER!
🎨 Connect directly to Canva, personalize books, and ignite a love for writing in your classroom.
👉 Learn more about how Book Creator can improve literacy in your classroom!
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. While I was compensated by Book Creator, all opinions expressed here are my own. I only share tools I personally use and believe will benefit my audience.